KIOSK FOR EXTRACTING GEOMETRIC ELEMENTS OF A KEY, MAPPING TO A MASTER KEY-CODE DATABASE, AND SAVING DATA INTO A CUSTOMER'S LOYALTY ACCOUNT

摘要

A method and application provides a universal key code for use when a key is lost. The code can be taken to a locksmith or retailer for duplication. The user can take their key to a kiosk located, for example, at a merchant's location. The kiosk can have the ability to extract a digital image of their key and a software application can extract unique key geometries from the key, via, for example, edge detection technology and/or other mathematical methods, digital image processing methods and standard image processing methods. A key code can be determined from this extracted information and mapped to a known key code database. The software application can output the key blank and key cut code to allow a consumer to simply and conveniently obtain a duplicate key. This information can be saved into a customer's loyalty account with a particular merchant for later retrieval as needed.

主权项

1. A method for saving information about a user's key, comprising:
receiving the key into a key insertion window of a kiosk; extracting geometric information from the key; matching the geometric information to a key code in a key code database; and linking information about a user's key to a merchant loyalty account of a user.