Key Shank Imaging for Precise Key Duplication
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Summary
Problems
Conventional key duplication machines require multiple images and comparisons, leading to increased processing time, errors, and complexity, with independent cutting wheels and clamping configurations that can result in miscuts and shortened machine life.
Innovation solutions
An identification module that receives only the shank of a key, using a tip guide and imaging assembly to capture a backlight image of the key tip, reducing the need for extensive image capture and comparison, and featuring a modular design with a fabrication module for precise key blank duplication.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If numerous images and comparisons are used for key identification, then identification accuracy is improved, but processing time and system complexity increase
Why choose this principle:
The patent extracts only the critical identification features (key shank dimensions, tooth profile) from the complete key, eliminating the need to image and process the entire key including the head. This selective extraction maintains identification accuracy while significantly reducing processing time and computational requirements.
Principle concept:
If numerous images and comparisons are used for key identification, then identification accuracy is improved, but processing time and system complexity increase
Why choose this principle:
The key identification process is segmented into distinct functional zones: the key head (excluded from imaging) and the key shank (imaged for identification). By segmenting the imaging scope to only include the shank portion containing the tooth profile, the system reduces the number of images required and simplifies comparison operations.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
An identification module that receives only the shank of a key, using a tip guide and imaging assembly to capture a backlight image of the key tip, reducing the need for extensive image capture and comparison, and featuring a modular design with a fabrication module for precise key blank duplication.
Abstract
An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.