Key Identification Using Unique Indicia and Image Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lock key identification systems rely on memory-based color schemes or visual characteristics, which can be impractical for large numbers of keys and may not secure unauthorized access to lock identification information.
Innovation Solution
A system using unique indicia elements with distinct visual characteristics, such as color, geometric shapes, and alphanumeric characters, that can be affixed to keys and recognized by a computing device to associate the key with its corresponding lock, utilizing a suction tool for placement and a camera for image recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If color-coded key identifiers are used to help users remember which key corresponds to which lock, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates when unauthorized parties gain access to the key identifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical copies (images) of key identifiers captured by a camera instead of direct visual exposure. The computing device captures an image of the key identifier, processes it to identify the key, and then provides lock information based on that identification. This copying approach allows the system to maintain security while still enabling easy key identification through digital processing.
2Device complexity
If traditional color schemes are used for key identification, then device complexity is kept simple, but adaptability deteriorates when dealing with a large number of keys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends key identification beyond simple color codes by incorporating multiple visual characteristics including geometric shapes and alphanumeric characters. This multi-dimensional approach to visual encoding dramatically increases the number of unique key identifiers that can be recognized, allowing the system to scale to handle large numbers of keys while maintaining simple physical tags and image-based processing.
3Ease of operation
If visual characteristics are made more distinct to improve key recognition, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical precision requirements with optical and computational processing. Instead of requiring extremely precise manufacturing of visual characteristics, the system uses image capture and digital processing to identify keys. The computing device processes the captured image to identify the key based on its visual characteristics, providing tolerance for manufacturing variations while maintaining distinctiveness for easy recognition.
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
Efficiently identifies locks corresponding to keys without relying on user memory, providing secure and practical identification even with numerous keys, and allows for digital recording and querying of lock information.
Implementation Method 1
an active suction cup at one end of the elongated body which can be sized to fit over less than an entirety of each of the plurality of unique indicia elements
Implementation Method 2
presenting, in a field of view of a camera coupled to a computing device, a key including a unique indicia element such that the unique indicia element is in view of the camera
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and system facilitates the identification of a key and its corresponding lock by marking each key with a unique indicia element that has a unique set of indicia. The indicia is easily recognized by a computing device using an image recognition process, and can map the unique indicia into a corresponding unique identifier to create a record that correlates the key with a specific lock, indicating the lock's location and other information about the lock. A user, given a key with indicia element on it, can then determine the lock to which the key corresponds by the indicia being automatically recognized, and used to locate a record corresponding to the indicia, and presenting the information in the record to the user.