Self-service kiosk having a programmed duplicate key fob dispenser
A self-service kiosk includes a housing and an imaging device in a key fob receptacle in the housing. The imaging device captures an image of a master key fob placed in the receptacle. The kiosk includes a key fob dispenser having a dispensing slot to receive a duplicated key fob and a dispensing mechanism to dispense the duplicated key fob into the dispensing slot. The kiosk also includes a processor that receives an image from the imaging device, and detects a presence of the master key fob in the key fob receptacle based on an analysis of the received image. Upon detecting the presence of the master key fob, the processor reads codes stored on the master key fob, writes the codes on a blank key fob to generate the duplicated key fob, and causes the dispensing mechanism to dispense the duplicated key fob in the dispensing slot.
1 . A self-service kiosk, comprising:
a housing;
a key fob receptacle disposed in the housing, the key fob receptacle receiving a master key fob;
an imaging device positioned in the key fob receptacle, the imaging device capturing an image of the master key fob placed in the key fob receptacle;
at least one processor of the self-service kiosk receiving the image from the imaging device and generating a confirmation that the master key fob is in the key fob receptacle by applying one or more image processing algorithms to the image;
a key fob programmer including a key fob reader and a key fob writer, the key fob programmer activating the key fob reader upon receiving the confirmation that the master key fob is in the key fob receptacle, reading one or more codes stored on the master key fob, and writing the one or more codes from the master key fob on a blank key fob to generate a duplicated key fob using the key fob writer; and
a key fob dispenser, including a dispensing mechanism dispensing the duplicated key fob into a dispensing slot.
2 . The self-service kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is positioned on a first surface of the key fob receptacle; and the key fob receptacle includes a second surface for receiving the master key fob, the second surface being disposed opposite the first surface.
3 . The self-service kiosk of claim 1 , the key fob reader including a first antenna configured to emit an electromagnetic field, wherein the at least one processor is configured to read the one or more codes stored on the master key fob upon activation of the master key fob by the electromagnetic field.
4 . The self-service kiosk of claim 1 , further including:
a second antenna configured to emit an electromagnetic field,
wherein the at least one processor is configured to write the one or more codes on the blank key fob upon activation of the blank key fob by the electromagnetic field generated by the second antenna.
5 . The self-service kiosk of claim 1 , wherein the blank key fob is enclosed within a key fob container, and the at least one processor is configured to cause the dispensing mechanism to dispense the key fob container in the dispensing slot.
6 . The self-service kiosk of claim 5 , wherein the key fob container includes a ring configured to be attached to the duplicated key fob.
7 . The self-service kiosk of claim 5 , wherein the dispensing mechanism includes:
a slider configured to push the key fob container into the dispensing slot; and
an actuator configured to cause reciprocating movement of the slider.
8 . The self-service kiosk of claim 7 , wherein the slider includes a plurality of teeth.
9 . The self-service kiosk of claim 8 , wherein the actuator includes:
a gear configured to engage with the plurality of teeth of the slider; and
a motor configured to rotate the gear.
10 . The self-service kiosk of claim 1 , further including at least one sleeve configured to hold a stack of key fob containers, wherein the key fob writer writes the one or more codes to only a bottom-most key fob container of the stack of key fob containers.
11 . The self-service kiosk of claim 10 , further including:
a cavity disposed below the at least one sleeve and configured to receive the bottom-most key fob container from the stack of key fob containers; and
a slider configured to cover the cavity.
12 . The self-service kiosk of claim 11 , wherein upon receiving the confirmation that the master key fob is in the key fob receptacle, the at least one processor is further configured to:
cause the slider to move away from a top of the cavity allowing the bottom-most key fob container to be received in the cavity.
13 . The self-service kiosk of claim 11 , further including:
an antenna configured to generate an electromagnetic field,
wherein the electromagnetic field generated by the antenna is configured to activate the blank key fob when the blank key fob is positioned in the cavity, and the at least one processor is configured to write the one or more codes on the blank key fob upon activation of the blank key fob.
14 . A self-service kiosk, comprising:
a housing;
a key fob receptacle disposed in the housing, the key fob receptacle receiving a master key fob;
at least one antenna configured to generate an electromagnetic field;
at least one processor of the self-service kiosk receiving an image of the master key fob and generating a confirmation that the master key fob is in the key fob receptacle by applying one or more image processing algorithms to the image;
a key fob reader activating the at least one antenna to emit the electromagnetic field in response to receiving the confirmation that the master key fob is in the key fob receptacle and reading one or more codes stored on the master key fob upon activation of the master key fob by the electromagnetic field;
a key fob writer generating a duplicated key fob by writing the one or more codes from the master key fob on a blank key fob upon activation of the blank key fob by the electromagnetic field; and
a dispensing mechanism receiving the duplicated key fob and dispensing the duplicated key fob into a dispensing slot.
15 . The self-service kiosk of claim 14 , wherein the at least one antenna includes a first antenna and a second antenna, and the at least one processor is configured to activate the at least one antenna by:
causing the first antenna to emit a first electromagnetic field configured to activate the master key fob; and
causing the second antenna to emit a second electromagnetic field configured to activate the blank key fob.
16 . The self-service kiosk of claim 15 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to activate the first antenna upon detecting a presence of the master key fob in the key fob receptacle.
17 . The self-service kiosk of claim 14 , wherein the electromagnetic field has a frequency ranging between 125-134 kHz or about 13.56 MHz.
18 . The self-service kiosk of claim 14 , wherein the blank key fob is disposed in a key fob container, and the dispensing mechanism includes:
a slider configured to push the key fob container into the dispensing slot; and
an actuator configured to cause reciprocating movement of the slider.
19 . The self-service kiosk of claim 18 , further including:
at least one sleeve configured to hold a stack of key fob containers; and
a cavity disposed below the at least one sleeve and configured to receive the key fob container from the stack of key fob containers.
20 . The self-service kiosk of claim 18 , further including at least one sleeve configured to hold a stack of key fob containers, wherein the key fob writer writes the one or more codes to only a bottom-most key fob container of the stack of key fob containers.