Patent ID: 8646298

Claim:
A smart key for opening a number of selected axial pin cylinder locks, each of the locks having n lock pins, a lock identifier and a corresponding configuration of lock pin positions indexed with respect to a lock indexing element, the key comprising: a base member having a key indexing element configured to slidably engage the lock indexing element of the lock and a longitudinal axis; n directing elements extending parallel to each other and to said longitudinal axis of said base member; n drive pins, each moveably engaged in one of said directing elements so as to be longitudinally positionable with respect to said base member and terminating at an activating surface located alongside said base member; means for positioning each of said n drive pins so as to place each of said activating surfaces at a desired longitudinal location with respect to said base member; a microprocessor controlling operation of said means for positioning said drive pins to adjust the location of each of said activating surfaces with respect to said base member; a key database accessible by said microprocessor for storing the configurations of lock pins and matched lock identifiers for the selected locks to be serviced; a lock ID input interface for providing to the microprocessor the lock identifier for a current lock to be opened, an instruction set responsive to the input from said a lock ID input interface and interactive with said key database, said instruction set controlling the motion of said means for positioning said drive pins thereby placing each of said drive pins at the correct position according to the lock pin configuration that matches the selected lock identifier so as to place each of said activating surfaces at the locations where rotation can occur when the key is inserted into the selected lock.