METHOD FOR DECODING AN INTERNALLY MACHINED INSERT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method of decoding an insert provided with an internal pattern produced by machining.

[0002] Generally speaking, such an insert is an integral part of a key, intended for example to be inserted into a vehicle door lock, in order to lock or unlock said door.

[0003] Schematically, this insert has a solid body, and machining can be carried out: Either externally, at the level of at least one lateral edge delimiting the body of the insert, and in this case the insert has a rough contour comprising a succession of bumps and hollows due to this machining, Or internally, in the form of a pattern hollowed out in the body of the insert, and in this case the insert retains its initial contour.

[0004] Thus, for a given vehicle, the insert which has been machined externally or internally is identifiable by a particular code depending in particular on the specific characteristics of the machining and the type of associated vehicle.

[0005] Application US20140064597 describes a method for duplicating a key based on acquiring an image of the original key, then extracting geometric information relating to the key from processing said image. This information is then compared to that of different keys listed in a database and each identifiable by a code. The code associated with the original key can then be compared to that of the corresponding key model. However, such a method is only applicable for keys that have been machined externally. Documents EP2894526 A2 and US 2010 / 278438 A1 disclose other techniques for duplicating keys based on acquiring an image of the original key.

[0006] A method of decoding an insert according to the invention makes it possible to decode any type of insert, including those having machining carried out internally.

[0007] The invention relates to a method for decoding an insert provided with a pattern, said method being carried out by means of an electronic system provided with a screen and having specific insert decoding software.

[0008] According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps, A step of acquiring an image of the insert, A step of creating a file containing said image, A step of activating the software allowing a predefined network of lines to appear on a specific area of ​​the screen, depending on the type of insert to be decoded, A step of using the file as input data in the software so as to make the image of the insert appear in the specific area of ​​the screen, the network of lines then being superimposed on said image, A step of selecting certain predetermined points of intersection between the lines of the network and an outline of the pattern of the insert, A step of restitution by the electronic system of a code with several components, each corresponding to the location of a particular point of intersection.

[0009] The principle of such a method is based on the superposition of a network of lines implemented by the software, and the computer image of the insert appearing on the screen, then on a selection of certain predetermined points of intersection between the lines of said network and the outline of the pattern machined in the insert. The selection is carried out by means of a human / machine interface intended to take into account the location of each point of intersection, this location then being converted into a component of the code corresponding to the location of a particular point of intersection. The network of lines implemented by the software is not universal, but depends on the type of insert to be decoded. The code may for example comprise a series of numbers or letters, each of the components of said code then being represented by a number or a letter. It may also be represented by a mixture of numbers and letters.The number of components of the code corresponds to the number of intersection points to be selected between the network of lines and the outline of the pattern, the value of said component reflecting the location of the intersection point considered along the line of the network. The file containing the image serves as input data to the software, and when said software is activated, the image of the insert and the network of lines appear simultaneously on the screen of the electronic system, being superimposed. It then becomes possible for at least some lines of the network to select the intersection points with the outline of the pattern in order to form a final code corresponding precisely to the pattern of the insert, in terms of shape and size. If it is assumed that an insert is defined by a length, a width and a thickness, an internal pattern is only made in said thickness, without modifying either the width or the length of said insert.Such an internal pattern may for example be represented by a continuous groove, or by a series of several unitary patterns. The electronic system for carrying out a method according to the invention may for example be represented by a computer, a touch tablet or a smartphone. It should be noted that the insert is an integral part of a key or may constitute said key in itself. Preferably, the network of lines is organized, and may comprise only horizontal lines, or only vertical lines or a mixture of horizontal and vertical lines. Preferably, the image of the insert is a photo.

[0010] Advantageously, the method includes a step of scaling the insert image so as to occupy the specific area of ​​the screen in a standard manner. It is indeed important to always operate the software with the same photo format, in order to avoid distorting the coding of the insert by means of a scale factor not taken into account.

[0011] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the image of the insert is a photo taken vertically facing the insert, the insert being placed flat. If the photo was not taken under these conditions, known image processing means make it possible to straighten the image without distorting it in relation to reality and therefore while preserving the real proportions.

[0012] Preferably, the insert is elongated and the pattern is a groove extending at least partially along said insert. This groove is similar to a groove made in the thickness of the insert, said groove being designed not to extend over the width or length of said insert. This groove is preferably profiled and may have rectilinear and / or rounded sectors.

[0013] Preferably, the network of lines comprises horizontal lines and vertical lines intersecting said horizontal lines, said network creating a grid of the specific area of ​​the screen in which the image of the insert appears. For this configuration, the insert is fictitiously divided into rectangular or square sectors, thanks to the superposition of the network of lines on the image of said insert.

[0014] Advantageously, the groove is delimited by two lateral edges, the selected intersection points being constituted by the intersection points between each of the vertical lines and at least one of said two edges. In this way, the intersection points to be considered for the selection step are a function of the type of insert to be decoded, and may be constituted by the intersection points between one of said edges and the vertical lines, or be constituted by the intersection points between the other edge and said vertical lines, or be constituted by the intersection points between one of said edges and said vertical lines depending on the position of the vertical line.

[0015] Advantageously, the network comprises at least four vertical lines. According to a first preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention, the network comprises six vertical lines. According to a second preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention, the network comprises eight vertical lines.

[0016] Preferably, the code is a series of digits, the number of digits corresponding to the number of intersection points detected between the vertical lines and said at least one edge of the groove, the value of the digit translating the position of the intersection point along each vertical line. Similarly, the code can be constituted by a series of letters, the number of letters would correspond to the number of intersection points detected between the vertical lines and the edge of the groove, the value of the letter translating the position of the intersection point along the vertical line considered.

[0017] Preferably, the software comprises several line networks, each corresponding to a particular insert model, and said method comprises a step of selecting the appropriate line network according to the insert model to be decoded. Indeed, the software comprises a database consisting of a plurality of line networks, each line network corresponding to a particular insert model. If the insert is a key used to lock or unlock the doors of a vehicle, the software contains a plurality of line networks, each corresponding to a given type or model of vehicle.

[0018] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the step of selecting the appropriate line network is carried out manually, by means of a click on an icon representative of the vehicle model and / or the type of insert

[0019] Advantageously, the step of selecting the intersection points is carried out by means of a human-machine interface allowing the location of each point to be directly converted into a constituent element of the code. This selection step can be carried out, for example, using a computer, equipped with a screen, a keyboard and possibly a mouse. It can also be carried out using a tablet equipped with a touch screen. It is then sufficient to exert pressure on the screen at the location of the intersection point with a finger or a stylus to instantly obtain the component of the code corresponding to this intersection point.

[0020] Advantageously, the electronic system is a computer equipped with a mouse, the step of selecting each intersection point consisting of placing the cursor appearing on the screen and controlled by the mouse, on an intersection point, then clicking on said mouse in order to instantly obtain the component of the code corresponding to said intersection point.

[0021] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the intersection points to be selected are specifically pre-displayed. In this way, a method according to the invention has an automatic character, in particular by avoiding the measurement of certain points, which can always constitute a source of inaccuracy and therefore of error. This different display can, for example, be translated by a different color and / or shape of the points to be selected or by the fact that these points flash.

[0022] According to a possible feature of the invention, the pre-displayed intersection points, once they have been selected, present a new distinctive display. In this way, the different steps of a method according to the invention are well marked, allowing said method to be well structured and to proceed clearly. This new display can be translated by a different color and / or shape.

[0023] A decoding method according to the invention is simple and easy to implement, because it only requires a limited number of operations to be carried out before obtaining the code, namely taking an image of the insert and selecting on the screen of an electronic system, points of intersection between a network of lines and the outline of an internal pattern of the insert. It also has the advantage of providing precise results, because the image of the insert appearing on the screen is greatly enlarged compared to the actual dimensions of the insert.

[0024] A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a decoding method according to the invention is given below, with reference to the following figures: There figure 1 is a view representing an image of an insert having an internal pattern, The figure 2 is a view of a screenshot showing an overlay of the insert image of the figure 1 with a network of lines obtained upon activation of decoding software used in a decoding method according to the invention, The figure 3 is a view of a screenshot showing an overlay of the image of a second example of an insert with a network of lines obtained upon activation of the decoding software used in a decoding method according to the invention, The figure 4 is a view of a screenshot showing an overlay of the image of a third example of an insert with a network of lines obtained upon activation of the decoding software used in a decoding method according to the invention, The figure 5 is a chronological flowchart listing the different stages of a process according to the invention, The figure 6 is a view of a screenshot showing a superposition of the image of a fourth example of an insert with a network of lines obtained during the activation of decoding software used in a decoding method according to the invention,

[0025] Referring to the figure 1 , an insert 1, in the context of a decoding method according to the invention, is intended to be introduced into a lock in order to lock or unlock said lock. This insert 1 may be an integral part of a key or may constitute the key itself. Generally, this insert 1 is elongated and thin. It is delimited by two lateral edges 2, 3 extending along a longitudinal axis of said insert 1, the distance separating said two edges 2, 3 representing the width of the insert 1 and the length of said lateral edges 2, 3 materializing the length of said insert 1. There are schematically two types of insert: Inserts which are machined externally and which therefore have reliefs (hollows, bumps, teeth, notches, etc.) on at least one of said two lateral edges 2, 3. This external machining modifies the initial contour of the insert 1. Inserts which are machined internally, having a hollow pattern 4, made in the thickness of the insert 1 without modifying the initial contour of said insert 1. In other words, for this type of insert, the initial contour is preserved because the machined pattern is circumscribed within the dimensions of this insert 1.

[0026] A method according to the invention is particularly but not exclusively suitable for decoding inserts 1 which have undergone internal machining.

[0027] There figure 1 shows a first example of an insert 1 having undergone internal machining. The hollow pattern 4 obtained by this machining is a groove 5 of constant width and which extends along a longitudinal axis of the insert 1 in a central zone 11 of said insert 1. This groove 5 has two segments 6, 7 which are substantially rectilinear and separated by a segment 8 forming an elbow. This groove 5 is delimited by an upper edge 9, and by a lower edge 10, said two edges being parallel along said groove 5.

[0028] Referring to the figure 2 , a method of decoding an insert 1 having undergone internal machining, which may for example be that which is illustrated in the figure 1 , is carried out by means of an electronic system which may for example be a computer 100, equipped with a screen 101, a keyboard and a mouse. This computer 100 comprises software which has been specifically developed to decode an insert 1 which has undergone machining, and more particularly internal machining.

[0029] Referring to the figure 5 , such a method comprises the following steps: A step 200 of acquiring an image of the insert 1, for example by means of a camera, a smartphone or an electronic tablet, said image being able for example to be that represented in the figure 1 . Preferably, the photo is taken vertically facing the insert 1 which has been previously placed flat on a flat and horizontal surface, A step 201 of creating a file containing said photo, A step 202 of scaling the photo through said file, so as to obtain a standardized format of said photo, which can be used by the software, A step 203 of selecting in the software the insert model 1 to be decoded. Indeed, the software includes a database corresponding to different existing insert models, and the selection of one of these insert models in the software will condition the rest of the decoding process. An insert model 1 recorded in the software may for example correspond to a particular make of vehicle and / or a specific model of vehicle.It is then sufficient, for example, to click on an icon representing the vehicle model with which the insert 1 to be decoded is associated, to direct the various subsequent steps of the decoding process. The database can be updated at any time by adding new models of inserts 1. An activation step 204 of the software causes a network of lines to appear in a specific zone 102 of the screen 101, comprising vertical lines 103 and horizontal lines 104, said network corresponding to the type of insert 1 selected in the previous step. In the example illustrated in . figure 2 , the line network comprises six vertical lines 103, the spacing between two successive lines 103 of which is constant. This activation step therefore comprises the step of selecting the line network to be displayed on the screen 101, depending on the characteristics of the insert 1 to be decoded. Indeed, the line network implemented by the software, and in particular the number of horizontal lines 104 and vertical lines 103 as well as their arrangement on the screen 101, will depend on the type of insert 1 selected. It should be noted that the horizontal lines 104 and the vertical lines 103 intersect, so as to form a grid of the specific zone 102 of the screen 101, A step 205 of use as input data, of the file in the software so as to make the image of the insert 1 appear in the specific zone 102 of the screen 101 where the network of lines 103, 104 appears, so that said network of lines 103, 104 is then superimposed on said image.The insert 1 is then gridded by these lines 103, 104, all or some of the intersections of which appear for example in the form of a point to click, for example in the form of a “clickable” colored circle, which makes them more visible. The file containing the image of the insert 1 constitutes the main input data of the software. It should be noted that the grid comprising the network of lines 103, 104 is transparent and that it can be superimposed on the image of the insert 1 appearing on the screen 101. The level of transparency of this grid is adjustable according to the characteristics of the image of the insert 1. A step of rotating 206 the image of the insert 1 appearing on the screen 101, if the lateral edges 2, 3 of said insert 1 are not parallel to the horizontal lines 104 of the network of lines 103, 104.This rotation step is used to rotate the image of the insert so as to make said two edges 2, 3 parallel to said horizontal lines 104 of the network. It is important to position the image of the insert 1 precisely in relation to the network of lines 103, 104 otherwise the decoding will be biased. A selection step 207, for each of the six vertical lines 103, of the point of intersection 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 of said vertical line 103 with the upper edge 9 of the groove 5. This selection step is carried out manually by placing the cursor appearing on the screen and whose movement is controlled by the mouse (or the keyboard), on the point of intersection 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 considered then by clicking on the mouse.The intersection points on which this selection step has been carried out are made visually distinct from the other intersection points 150 placed around said selected intersection points 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, either for example because they appear with a different color or highlighting, or because they flash. A step 208 of restitution by the electronic system of a code comprising several components, each corresponding to the location of a particular intersection point 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 along a vertical line 103. Clicking on the mouse during the previous selection step when the cursor is placed on an intersection point 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 results in the appearance on the screen 101 of a number 116 or a letter translating the position of the intersection point along the vertical line 103 taken into consideration. This number or letter constitutes a component of the final code allowing the quality of the machining of insert 1 to be characterized. Since in the example considered the network of lines shows six vertical lines 103, the code of insert 10 will comprise six components, each in the form of a number or a letter. In this case, this code is 324111 in the example considered at figure 2 Once this code is determined, it becomes possible to compare it to a reference code corresponding to this insert model 1, and thus to evaluate the quality of the machining of insert 1.

[0030] Referring to the figure 3 , a second example of insert 20 may comprise a pattern 4 in the form of an internal groove 25 extending along the insert 20, in an upper zone 31 of said insert 20. This groove 25 is also delimited by an upper edge 29 and by a lower edge 30, said two edges 29, 30 being parallel. In this case, since the groove 25 occupies an upper zone 31 of the insert 20, the selection step will consist of selecting for each of the vertical lines 103, the point of intersection of said vertical line 103 with the lower edge 30 of the groove 25, and no longer with the upper edge 29 as was the case in the previous example.

[0031] Referring to the figure 4 , a third example of insert 40 may comprise an internal groove 45 extending along the insert 40, rather in a central zone 51 of said insert 40. This groove 45 is also delimited by an upper edge 49 and by a lower edge 50, said two edges 49, 50 being parallel. In this case, since the groove 45 occupies a central position in the insert 40, the selection step will consist of selecting for each of the vertical lines 103, the point of intersection of said vertical line 103, either with the lower edge 50 of the groove 45, or with the upper edge 49 thereof.

[0032] Referring to the figure 6 , a fourth example of insert 60 that can be decoded by a method according to the invention, has undergone external machining causing external reliefs to appear in the form of bumps 61 and hollows 62 modifying the outline of said insert 60. This insert 60, once machined, has an axis of symmetry 63 materialized by a longitudinal and central axis of said insert 60. In other words, once machined, the insert 60 is delimited by an upper lateral edge 64 and by a lower lateral edge 65, said edges having bumps 61 and hollows 62 at the same locations, along a longitudinal axis of said insert 60. The selection step will consist of selecting for each of the vertical lines 103, the point of intersection of said vertical line 103 with the upper lateral edge 64 of said insert 60.In the example considered, since the network of lines shows six vertical lines 103, the code determined by a method according to the invention and corresponding to this insert 60 will be composed of six numbers or six letters 116. The steps can then be executed on each lateral edge, one after the other.

[0033] This method saves the user's time since it allows him to obtain the insert code with a reduced number of clicks, without the user having to perform any measurements himself, and this, for any insert model with internal and / or external pattern, and from a simple image of the insert and a possible step of selecting the appropriate line network depending on the insert model to be decoded, the step of selecting the appropriate network being preferably carried out manually, in particular by means of a click on an icon representative of the vehicle model and / or representative of the type of insert (for example: internal pattern, two-sided external pattern, internal pattern associated with a groove, etc.).

[0034] In fact, the step of selecting the intersection points is carried out by means of a human-machine interface allowing the location of each point to be directly converted into a constituent element of the code, without requiring measurement since it is points of the network which are selected and therefore correspond directly to a constituent element of the code.

[0035] The step of selecting the intersection points 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115) can be carried out manually or by an image recognition method.

[0036] The point selection step is performed among the intersection points of the network lines, said intersection points being, all or at least some of them, preferably specifically pre-displayed by means of a "clickable" colored circle for example, which makes it possible to reduce errors. Preferably, each of the pre-displayed points that has been selected 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 is then displayed differently compared to its appearance before the selection. This new display can, for example, be carried out by means of another color or another point shape. The colored circles are for example an emulation of unlit LEDs that light up red when clicked, in order to reduce the margin of errors during decoding.Indeed, for example, the intersection points between the vertical lines 103 and the horizontal lines 104 each appear in the form of a white circle 150 emulating an off LED and the intersection points 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 once selected each appear in the form of a red circle, emulating an on LED. In this way, there is no ambiguity about the intersection points already selected.

[0037] The pre-displayed intersection points 150 correspond to all the slope break positions (hollow or bump, whether the pattern is internal or external) known to all the insert templates corresponding to the chosen insert model to be decoded, they thus make it possible to compose the different possible combinations corresponding to the templates of the database, for this insert model to be decoded, and to each point corresponds a predetermined code component 116, which will be displayed once the point is clicked. Once the point selection step has been carried out, for example with a point clicked per vertical line, then the combination of the code components 116 corresponding to each of the clicked points reveals the code of the insert, corresponding to this combination of components. This code is then displayed in a separate insert, after a possible step of requesting said code by clicking on a given icon.The code then displayed corresponds to the code referencing the unique template of the database to which the sequence of displayed components corresponds.

[0038] The database can be regularly enriched with new templates, assigned to a given insert model, these templates being able to give rise to a modification of the associated network and / or to the appearance of new constituent elements of the insert code. On the example of the figure 2 , different lines 151, 152 listed appear, materializing a given insert model 1. For another insert model 1, it is not excluded that one or two other lines (vertical and / or horizontal) may appear or disappear to materialize this new insert 1. It is the same for the example of the figure 4 , for which lines 153, 154 appear for a given insert 1 model. For another insert 1 model, other lines could also be added or removed.

Claims

1. Method for decoding an insert (1, 20, 40) provided with a pattern (4, 5, 25, 45), said method being carried out by means of an electronic system (100) provided with a screen (101) and having specific software for decoding inserts (1, 20, 40), characterized in that it comprises the following steps, - A step of acquisition of an image of the insert (1, 20, 40), - A step of creation of a file containing said image, - A step of activation of the software making it possible to show, on a specific zone (102) of the screen (101), a predefined network of lines (103, 104), depending on the type of insert (1, 20, 40) to be decoded, - A step of use, as input datum, of the file in the software so as to show the image of the insert (1, 20, 40) in the specific zone (102) of the screen (101), the network of lines then being overlaid on said image, - A step of selection of certain predetermined points (110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115) of intersection between the lines (103, 104) of the network and a contour of the pattern (4, 5, 25, 45) of the insert (1, 20, 30), - A step of rendering, by the electronic system (100), of a code comprising several components (116), each corresponding to the location of a particular point of intersection (110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115).

2. Decoding method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pattern of the insert (1, 20, 40) is an internal pattern (4, 5, 25, 45).

3. Decoding method according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a step of scaling of the image of the insert (1, 20, 40) so as to occupy the specific zone (102) of the screen (101) in a standard manner.

4. Decoding method according to either one of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the image of the insert (1, 20, 40) is a photo taken vertically facing the insert (1, 20, 40), the insert (1, 20, 40) being positioned flat.

5. Decoding method according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the insert (1, 20, 40) is elongate and the pattern (4) is a groove (5, 25, 45) extending at least partially along said insert (1, 20, 40).

6. Decoding method according to Claim 5, characterized in that the network of lines comprises horizontal lines (104) and vertical lines (103) intersecting said horizontal lines (104), and in that said network produces a mesh of the specific zone (102) of the screen (101) in which the image of the insert (1, 20, 40) appears.

7. Decoding method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the groove (5, 25, 45) is delimited by two lateral edges (9, 10, 29, 30, 49, 50), and in that the selected points of intersection consist of the points of intersection between each of the vertical lines (103) and at least one of said two edges (9, 10, 29, 30, 49, 50).

8. Decoding method according to either one of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the network comprises at least four vertical lines (103).

9. Decoding method according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the code is a series of digits (116), and in that the number of digits (116) corresponds to the number of points of intersection (110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115) detected between the vertical lines (103) and said at least one edge (9, 10, 29, 30, 49, 50) of the groove (5, 25, 45), the value of the digit (116) reflecting the position of the point of intersection (110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115) along each vertical line (103).

10. Decoding method according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the software comprises several networks of lines each corresponding to a particular model of insert (1, 20, 40), and in that it comprises a step of selection of the appropriate network of lines as a function of the model of insert (1, 20, 30) to be decoded.

11. Decoding method according to Claim 10, characterized in that the step of selection of the appropriate network of lines is performed manually, by means of a click on an icon representative of the model of vehicle and / or the type of insert (1, 20, 30).

12. Decoding method according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the step of selection of the points of intersection (110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115) is performed through a human-machine interface making it possible to directly convert the location of each point (110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115) into a constituent element (116) of the code.

13. Decoding method according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the points of intersection (110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115) to be selected are specifically predisplayed.

14. Decoding method according to Claim 13, characterized in that the points of intersection (110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115) predisplayed, once they have been selected, present a distinctive new display.