Automated key duplication system and method
View Patent ↗An automated key duplication system that includes a system housing, a key identification system, a key cutting system, a key blank storage system, a key blank transfer assembly, and a duplicated key retrieval opening is disclosed. The key identification system may be housed at least partially within the system housing and is configured to identify a master key. The key blank storage system comprises a plurality of rods configured to removably couple to a plurality of key carriers. The key blank transfer assembly is housed within the housing is configured to remove one key carrier of the plurality of key carriers from the key blank storage system with the key retrieving apparatus and transport the one key carrier and the key blank coupled thereto from the key blank storage to the key cutting system. The duplicated key retrieval opening is positioned on the housing to receive the one key blank after the one key blank has been cut.
1. An automated key duplication system, comprising:
a system housing;
a key identification system housed at least partially within the system housing and configured to identify a master key;
a key cutting system housed within the system housing;
a key blank storage system housed within the system housing and comprising a plurality of rods, a plurality of key carriers removably coupled to the plurality of rods, and a plurality of key blanks, each one of the plurality of key blanks coupled to a different one of the plurality of key carriers;
a key blank transfer assembly housed within the system housing and comprising a key retrieving apparatus, the key blank transfer assembly configured to remove one key carrier of the plurality of key carriers from the key blank storage system with the key retrieving apparatus and transport the one key carrier and the key blank coupled thereto from the key blank storage system to the key cutting system; and
a duplicated key retrieval opening positioned on the system housing to receive the one key blank after the one key blank has been cut.
2. The automated key duplication system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more processors in communication with the key identification system, the key cutting system, the key blank storage system, and the key blank transfer assembly, wherein the one or more processors are configured to receive master key information from the key identification system, access a database defining a plurality of known key models, compare physical characteristics of the master key with physical characteristics of key models in the database to identify a model of the master key, and determine one or more key blanks of the plurality of key blanks that are suitable for cutting to match the master key.
3. The automated key duplication system of claim 2 , wherein the key retrieving apparatus is movable along a vertical axis and a horizontal axis to align with the one key carrier, and movable from the key blank storage system to a key blank receiving opening of the key cutting system.
4. The automated key duplication system of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of key carriers are positioned by key blank type in at least two rows and at least two columns in the key blank storage system.
5. The automated key duplication system of claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of key carriers are removably mounted between slots on adjacent rods of the plurality of rods.
6. The automated key duplication system of claim 5 , wherein the key blank transfer assembly further comprises a horizontal belt system that moves the key retrieving apparatus along the horizontal axis and a vertical belt system that moves the key retrieving apparatus along the vertical axis.
7. The automated key duplication system of claim 6 , wherein the key blank storage system comprises a double-sided storage system comprising two opposing series of rods of the plurality of rods, and wherein the key blank transfer assembly is positioned between the two opposing series of rods of the plurality of rods, the key retrieving apparatus having access to key carriers mounted among each of the two opposing series of rods.
8. The automated key duplication system of claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of linear springs, each linear spring coupled to a different rod of the plurality of rods and configured to bias the plurality of key carriers towards the key blank transfer assembly.
9. The automated key duplication system of claim 8 , wherein each key carrier of the plurality of key carriers comprises one or more apertures and the key retrieving apparatus comprises one or more tabs positioned to engage with the one or more apertures when the key blank transfer assembly moves the one key carrier from the key blank storage system to the key cutting system.
10. The automated key duplication system of claim 2 , further comprising a user interface in electronic communication with the one or more processors.
11. The automated key duplication system of claim 4 , wherein the key retrieving apparatus comprises a clamp and the plurality of rods comprises at least four rods, each of the at least four rods extending through an aperture on a different one or more of the plurality of key carriers.