Key duplication machine having user-based functionality

1. A method of duplicating features of an existing key within a key blank, the method comprising:

capturing data associated with the features of the existing key using an identification module;

fabricating the features in the key blank based on the captured data using a fabrication module;

receiving input from a user indicative of the user being a customer or a store employee;

selectively implementing one of a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation based on the input identifying a type of the user, and

reading an index associated with the key blank, wherein

the first mode of operation corresponds to the user being the customer, and the second mode of operation corresponds to the user being the store employee,

during operation in the first mode, determining a cost associated with the duplicating of the existing key based on the reading of the index, and further during operation in the first mode, only fabricating the features in the key blank after payment in an amount at least equal to the cost is received from the user, and

during operation in the second mode, fabricating the features in the key blank occurs regardless of whether payment is received.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first mode of operation has limited functionality compared to the second mode of operation.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

during operation in the first mode, the method further comprises inhibiting duplication of the existing key when the existing key has a transponder.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein:

during operation in the first mode, the method further comprises automatically making a determination that the existing key is likely to have the transponder based on the data.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

providing user instruction indicating that the existing key is likely to have the transponder and cannot be duplicated.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein:

during operation in the second mode, the method further comprises allowing duplication of the existing key when the existing key has the transponder.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein:

during operation in the second mode, the method further comprises prompting the user to provide input indicative of whether the existing key has the transponder.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

sensing whether the existing key has the transponder.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the existing key is a first existing key;

the key blank is a first key blank corresponding to the first existing key; and

during operation in the first mode, the method further comprises inhibiting capturing of data associated with a second existing key during cutting of the first key blank.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the existing key is a first existing key;

the key blank is a first key blank corresponding to the first existing key; and

during operation in the second mode, the method further comprises capturing data associated with a second existing key during cutting of the first key blank.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

instructing the user to select the key blank from among a plurality of available key blanks based on the index associated with the key blank; and

confirming that the user has selected the key blank corresponding to the existing key based on the reading of the index.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

selectively illuminating at least one indicator light based on insertion of the existing key or the key blank into a corresponding slot.

13. A method for duplicating features of an existing key within a key blank, the method comprising:

capturing data associated with the features of the existing key using an identification module;

cutting the features in the key blank based on the captured data using a fabrication module;

entering an input using a user input device; and

configuring a controller, the controller being in communication with the identification module, the fabrication module, and the user input device, the controller being configured to:

regulate operation of the identification module and the fabrication module;

receive, via the user input device, the input from a user, the input being indicative of the user being a first type of user or a second type of user; and

selectively implement one of a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation based on the input by:

inhibiting duplication of the existing key with the fabrication module when the existing key has a transponder during operation in the first mode; and

implementing duplication of the existing key with the fabrication module when the existing key has the transponder during operation in the second mode.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein:

the first type of user is a customer; and

the second type of user is a store employee.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein:

during operation in the first mode, automatically making a determination that the existing key is likely to have the transponder based on the data captured by the identification module.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

providing, on a display, a user instruction indicating that the existing key is likely to have the transponder and cannot be duplicated.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein:

during operation in the second mode, prompting the user to provide additional input indicative of whether the existing key has the transponder.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

determining, using a transponder sensor, whether the existing key has the transponder based on signals generated by the transponder sensor.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

instructing the user via a display to pass the existing key into proximity of the transponder sensor when the user indicates the existing key has the transponder.