Abstract:
A method and apparatus for replicating a transponder key is disclosed. The transponder replication device includes an antenna that reads a transponder code from a transponder key; a camera, wherein the camera captures a bitting characteristic of the transponder key blade; a stabilizer that secures the transponder key in place while the camera captures the bitting characteristic; a memory device for storing the transponder data; means for transmitting the transponder code and the bitting characteristic of the transponder key blade to a remote location; and, a remote communication device that is compatible with the internet communications device that receives the transponder data and transmits it to a transponder duplication device at the remote location.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/794,886, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Theft deterrent systems in today&#39;s automobiles have evolved to include the use of “High Security” keys. Such keys include transponder technology that require an electronic “handshake” with the automobile and, in many cases, a more sophisticated “side-mill” key cut instead of the more familiar “edge-cut”. Most duplication equipment found in hardware stores and in department stores offering key cutting services is not capable of machining these side-mill key cuts. Also, duplication equipment found in hardware stores, locksmith shops, car dealerships, etc may extract a transponder code from a key and may then program a replacement transponder with the extracted code. The duplication equipment may finally cut a key on site in accordance with the “bitting” characteristics found by “tracing” the key being duplicated or by entering a key code that has been purchased from a key code service provider. Such a replication process requires the business providing the duplication service to own or to have immediate access to the duplication equipment referred to above. 
         [0003]    This on site replication process is prohibitively expensive. Accordingly, a less expensive alternative to this on site replication process is desired. Examples of the state of the art can be found in US Published Application 2012/0154127 A1 and the 2013 Comprehensive Catalog from Strattec. These documents are incorporated herein by way of background to the current difficulties that are solved by the present invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A method and apparatus for replicating a transponder key is disclosed. The transponder replication device includes an antenna that reads a transponder code from a transponder key; a camera, wherein the camera captures a bitting characteristic of the transponder key blade; a stabilizer that secures the transponder key in place while the camera captures the bitting characteristic; a memory device for storing the transponder data; means for transmitting the transponder code and the bitting characteristic of the transponder key blade to a remote location; and, a remote communication device that is compatible with the internet communications device that receives the transponder data and transmits it to a transponder duplication device at the remote location. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates one form of a transponder key replication device; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows the transponder key replication device of  FIG. 1  with a transparent lid; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the components of the transponder key replication device; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the key stabilizer; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the transponder key replication device; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  illustrates one form of the back of the transponder key replication device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The invention will be described with reference to the Figures in which like reference numbers represent the same or similar elements. 
         [0012]    It has been found that a bifurcated replication process may be employed to provide the desired transponder in a less expensive manner. In this process, there is a vendor location where the transponder information is collected and a second location where that information is applied. In the contemplated process, the duplication process is performed at a vendor&#39;s premises, that information is transmitted to a remote facility where a duplicate blank key is programmed with an extracted transponder code and physically cut with the bitting characteristics of the original key. 
         [0013]    The device that captures the original transponder code preferably transmits that information to the remote location for processing. Once the information is at the remote location, software applies this information to create a new transponder key to be cut and programmed. Once cut and programmed, the key is preferably shipped to the vendor&#39;s customer. 
         [0014]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the transponder key  105  to be replicated is placed inside the transponder key replication device  100  via a slot  110 . 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is an example of the transponder key replication device with a transparent lid. The transponder key  205  is placed inside the transponder key replication device  200 . The transponder key  205  fits in the center of slot  210 . The slot  210  has an antenna  215  which surrounds the slot  210 . The antenna  215  works in conjunction with a program board (not shown in this Figure) to read a transponder code of the transponder key  205 . As the transponder key  205  is inserted into the transponder key replication device  200 , it fits into a stabilizer  220 . The stabilizer  220  is shown in further detail in  FIG. 4  below. The transponder key  205  fits into slot  210  and slides down through the stabilizer  220  until it hits the stopper  230 . The stabilizer  220  keeps the transponder key  205  in place while a camera  225  (shown in further detail in  FIGS. 3 and 4  below) takes a picture of the transponder key  205  and the antenna  215  reads the transponder code. 
         [0016]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , there is shown is an exploded view of the transponder key replication device  300 . The transponder key replication device  300  includes an outer shell  301  and a bottom  340 . The outer shell  301  includes a slot  310 . The bottom  340  of the transponder key replication device  300  includes notches  342 . The notches  342  in the bottom  340  provide support for the mounting plate  330 . The mounting plate  330  has three pieces  331 ,  332 , and  333 , each of which has its own function. The first piece  331  is used to mount the camera  325 . The second piece  332  is a screen to block light. The second piece  332  includes a light hood  332 ( a ) and a slit  332 ( b ) to hold the antenna  315  in place. The third piece  331  has two notches to hold the antenna  315  in place. In between the second piece  332  and the third piece  333  are two Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights  335 . The LED lights  335  project light onto the transponder key  305  to allow the camera  325  to photograph the bitting characteristics on the transponder key  305  blade. The stabilizer  320  includes a front piece  321  and a back piece  322 . The front piece  321  fits into the back piece  322  so that the front piece  321  encloses the springs (shown in further detail in  FIG. 4  below) attached to the back piece  322 . The back piece  322  includes the stopper  230 . The front piece  321  includes a slot  323  to accept the stopper  230  when the front piece  321  and back piece  322  are joined together to form the stabilizer  320 . 
         [0017]    The program board  350  in  FIG. 3  preferably includes sufficient memory to store the data from multiple transponders and a communications module for communicating in know internet protocols. The information from interrogated transponders is stored in memory until the unit is returned and is confirmed to be operating properly. As noted in the background, it is not unknown to have data errors in such an endeavor. Once the information is communicated over the internet to the production facility, the data is loaded into the memory of the reproduction unit which will function in much the same manner as the devices that are used to produce duplicate keys at a single site. Through the disclosed invention, an investment in the production equipment is no longer necessary since that function is centralized. 
         [0018]    When the new transponder is ready it can be tested in the vehicle, and if there is any difficulty with its operation, it may be compared to the previously stored data in the memory of the program board  350 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an example of the transponder key inserted in the stabilizer. The transponder key  405  is inserted into the back piece  422  of the stabilizer through the antenna  415 . The transponder key  405  slides through springs  470  and  475  of the back piece  422  of the stabilizer and rests on the stopper  424 . The springs  470  and  475  keep the transponder key  405  in place. The side springs  475  center the transponder key  405  in the stabilizer to ensure that the camera  425  gets an accurate picture of the bitting characteristics  480 . The front spring  470  pushes the transponder key  405  as far back as possible to keep the transponder key  405  steady. The antenna  415  reads the transponder code off the transponder key  405  and the camera  425  captures an image of the bitting characteristics  480  on the transponder key  405  blade. The LED lights  435  provide adequate light for the camera  425  to capture the image of the bitting characteristics  480  on the transponder key  405  blade. 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example inside configuration of the transponder key replication device. The transponder key replication device  500  includes slot  510 . As the transponder key (not shown) is inserted into the transponder key replication device  500 , it fits into the springs of the stabilizer (front piece  521  and back piece  522 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the front piece  522  of the stabilizer is black, which is needed to provide sufficient contrast for the camera  525 . The LED lights  535  project light onto the transponder key (not shown) to allow the camera  525  to photograph the bitting characteristics on the transponder key blade. The back of the transponder key replication device  500  has a connector  585  (shown in more detail in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is an example of the back of the transponder key replication device. At the back of the transponder key replication device  600  is a connector  685 . The connector  685  is used to connect the transponder key replication device  600  to a computer (not shown). The computer obtains the information, the image of the bitting characteristics and the transponder code of the transponder key  605 , from the transponder key replication device and uses it to generate a replicated transponder key. The computer takes the information received from the transponder key replication device and analyzes it by measuring the dimensions of the bitting characteristics. The image of the transponder key  605  is analyzed at different positions and depths based on the type of key, which may be identified by a part number. The positions may be the space at which each cut is made, measured from either the tip of the key or the head of the key. The depths may be the cuts made at each position. 
         [0022]    Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many modifications and variations of the above may be implemented without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. Thus, it is intended that the following claims cover the modifications and variations provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.