A system for identifying a key to a lock. The system uses a simple scanner. Within the scanner, a plate is illuminated by at least one LED. Opposite the plate is positioned a matrix of photodetectors. The plate and the matrix of photodetectors are separated by a slot that is sized to receive the key. The matrix of photodetectors generates an electronic signal that is indicative of light from the plate that passes across the key in the slot. A memory is provided that stores known key signals. A processor is provided that compares the newly generated electronic signal to the known key signals in the memory to find a match. A display is provided for displaying information about which the key signals from memory is a match. In this manner, a person can identify the key.

An exemplary system includes a mechanical key and an access control device. The access control device includes a housing defining a keyway that has a fixed position within the housing. The access control device further includes a root depth sensor assembly, an insertion depth sensor assembly, a control assembly in communication with the sensor assemblies, and an electronic lock device. The control assembly is configured to determine the bitting code of the mechanical key based upon information received from the sensor assemblies, to compare the bitting code of the mechanical key to a lock/unlock bitting code; and to transmit a lock/unlock command in response to the bitting code matching the lock/unlock bitting code. The electronic lock device is configured to transition between a locked state and an unlocked state in response to receiving the lock/unlock command and without requiring rotation of the mechanical key.

A key identification system that includes a key identification system housing, a key clamp, a key ring support tray, and two digital identifiers is disclosed. The key identification system housing may include a key receiving aperture extending through housing and sized to receive at least some of a key blade of a key. The key clamp is positioned adjacent to the key receiving aperture and allows the system to maintain the key blade in a fixed position within the key identification system housing when the key is inserted into the key receiving aperture. The key ring support tray is typically coupled to the key identification system housing below the key receiving aperture. The two digital identifiers are positioned within the key identification system housing and designed to capture key blade information.

The present invention generally relates to the field of replicating or copying keys. More specifically, the present invention relates to creating a copy of a master key based on a captured image of the master key by using a laser scanning of the master key and decoding the master key based on the captured image. The present invention identifies a set of target key information based on the image of the master key to provide for the cutting of a duplicate key blade copy using a key scanning and cutting system located at a retail or end location. Additional key information may also be captured along with the image of the master key.

A lock decoding device includes an alignment dial comprising an indicator rod extending from a top surface. The lock decoding device further includes an indicator dial comprising a feeler tip rod extending from a bottom surface. The feeler tip rod extends through the alignment dial. The indicator rod extends through an indicator window of the indicator dial. When the indicator dial is rotated, the feeler tip rod rotates to enable a feeler tip to contact a wafer of a lock cylinder, and the indicator rod moves within the indicator window to indicate a wafer position of the wafer.

An exemplary system includes a mechanical key and an access control device. The access control device includes a housing defining a keyway that has a fixed position within the housing. The access control device further includes a root depth sensor assembly, an insertion depth sensor assembly, a control assembly in communication with the sensor assemblies, and an electronic lock device. The control assembly is configured to determine the bitting code of the mechanical key based upon information received from the sensor assemblies, to compare the bitting code of the mechanical key to a lock/unlock bitting code; and to transmit a lock/unlock command in response to the bitting code matching the lock/unlock bitting code. The electronic lock device is configured to transition between a locked state and an unlocked state in response to receiving the lock/unlock command and without requiring rotation of the mechanical key.