US 12,247,415 B2
Electronic key reader for mechanical keys
Dan Pfunder, Noblesville, IN (US); and Brian C. Eickhoff, Danville, IN (US)
Assigned to Schlage Lock Company LLC, Carmel, IN (US)
Filed by Schlage Lock Company LLC, Carmel, IN (US)
Filed on Aug. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/228,960.
Application 18/228,960 is a continuation of application No. 17/544,463, filed on Dec. 7, 2021, granted, now 11,713,592.
Application 17/544,463 is a continuation of application No. 16/271,315, filed on Feb. 8, 2019, granted, now 11,193,306, issued on Dec. 7, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0175293 A1, May 30, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E05B 35/00 (2006.01); E05B 19/00 (2006.01); E05B 49/00 (2006.01)
CPC E05B 35/001 (2013.01) [E05B 19/0011 (2013.01); E05B 19/0052 (2013.01); E05B 49/002 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electronic lock cylinder, comprising:
a keyway configured to receive a mechanical key;
a plurality of sensors configured to sense a root depth at each of a plurality of bittings of the mechanical key during insertion of the mechanical key into the keyway, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to generate root depth information relating to the sensed root depth; and
a controller configured to i) determine a bitting code of the mechanical key based on the root depth information, ii) compare the bitting code of the mechanical key to an authorized bitting code; and iii) transmit an access control command in response to the bitting code matching the authorizing bitting code; and
wherein the electronic lock cylinder is configured to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state in response to the access control command without requiring rotation of the mechanical key.