Digital Lock Cylinder Decoder with Internal Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lock cylinder decoders are not digital, require alignment with the keyhole, and suffer from glare issues due to external light sources, making it difficult and inefficient for locksmiths to create replacement keys without destructive measures.

Innovation Solution

A digital lock cylinder decoding apparatus with a camera, mirror, and internal light source integrated into a modified key, allowing for precise observation and recording of pin configurations within the lock cylinder, enabling efficient key creation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If external light sources are used to illuminate the lock cylinder, then visibility of pins is improved, but glare is created on the face of the lock reducing observation quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of pinsVSAvoidglare on lock face

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light source is inverted from external illumination to internal illumination by placing it inside the lock cylinder on the modified key. This reversal eliminates glare on the lock face while maintaining pin visibility, as light now originates from within the decoding apparatus rather than from outside the lock.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

A mirror is introduced as an intermediary element to redirect light from the internal light source to illuminate the pins. The mirror angles the light path to provide proper illumination while the camera captures the pin positions without interference from direct light exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If non-digital magnifying lenses are used, then pin observation is possible, but the process requires skilled alignment and manual operation reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepin observation capabilityVSAvoidkey creation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical magnifying lens system is replaced with a digital camera system. The camera captures images of the pin positions which are then displayed on a digital screen, eliminating the need for manual alignment through magnifying lenses and enabling more efficient key creation through digital recording and analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The pin configuration is copied digitally through camera imaging rather than requiring direct visual observation. The digital copy can be stored, analyzed, and used to create replacement keys without requiring the locksmith to maintain precise visual alignment throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If the camera sight line is not aligned with the pin, then accurate pin depth measurement is impossible, but requiring precise alignment increases operation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepin depth measurement accuracyVSAvoidalignment requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The camera is pre-positioned and pre-aligned within the decoding apparatus housing before use. The modified key is designed with the camera and mirror in fixed, pre-calibrated positions that automatically achieve proper alignment when the key is inserted into the lock cylinder, eliminating the need for manual alignment adjustments during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and non-destructive decoding of lock cylinders by providing clear, internal lighting and digital recording of pin configurations, simplifying the process of creating replacement keys.

Implementation Method 1

A mirror is attached at a distal end of the channel. The mirror is angled to orient a sight line of the camera on a selected pin of a plurality of pins carried by the lock cylinder to provide a visual observation of the selected pin by the camera.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

A light source is oriented along the sight line of the camera to illuminate the selected pin. The light source is carried by the modified key.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11408200B1Apparatus and method to visually decipher a keyed lock cylinder

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 CAPEHART KEITH

AI summary

An apparatus and method for digital decoding and deciphering a lock cylinder pin configuration, such as for a Kwikset or a Smart Key lock is disclosed. The digital decoder includes a light source placed inside of the keyhole that eliminates glare from the face of the lock and improves the decoding process. A digital camera is configured to provide an optical view of an interior of the lock cylinder to detect the pin settings for each of a plurality of lock tumbler pins carried by the lock cylinder. The digital camera is configured to provide a live feed displayed on a video screen or recorded for later analysis.