Patents by Inventor Byron Keith GRICE

Byron Keith GRICE has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240054849
    Abstract: A self-service kiosk includes a housing and an imaging device in a key fob receptacle in the housing. The imaging device captures an image of a master key fob placed in the receptacle. The kiosk includes a key fob dispenser having a dispensing slot to receive a duplicated key fob and a dispensing mechanism to dispense the duplicated key fob into the dispensing slot. The kiosk also includes a processor that receives an image from the imaging device, and detects a presence of the master key fob in the key fob receptacle based on an analysis of the received image. Upon detecting the presence of the master key fob, the processor reads codes stored on the master key fob, writes the codes on a blank key fob to generate the duplicated key fob, and causes the dispensing mechanism to dispense the duplicated key fob in the dispensing slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Byron Keith GRICE, Michael Kenneth HART, Michael James SCHMIDT, Brian David ROSNER, Ari BENNETT, Robert FOORD, Bryan Keith SOLACE
  • Patent number: 11642744
    Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20230050287
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed for use in identifying and duplicating objects, particularly access devices such as house keys, office keys, automobile keys, and RFID key fobs. Within a singular housing, the customizable systems may include any or all of a key identification system, a key duplication system, an automobile key identification system, and/or an RFID key fob duplication system. Unique capabilities of the systems include the ability to verify that an existing automobile key matches data input by the user pertaining to the associated automobile. Further, the systems reduce frustration, error, and waste by programming a duplicate blank RFID key fob in a fully automated manner within the housing of the machine. To facilitate this process, blank RFID key fobs may be stored inside of the housing within RFID key fob containers that are readily stacked and dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Michael J. Schmidt, Michael Kenneth Hart, Ari Bennett, Patrick Kowalsky, Brian Rosner, Wendell Luckow, Bryan Solace, David Wilkinson, Roger Palmer
  • Publication number: 20210172198
    Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Byron Keith GRICE, Phillip GERLINGS, John Clayton CAMPBELL, Michael James SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20210118038
    Abstract: A self-service kiosk for determining glove size is disclosed. The kiosk may have a platform for placement of a user's hand. The kiosk may also have an imaging device that acquires a digital image of the hand. Further, the kiosk may have a memory, and a processor that executes instructions stored in the memory. The processor may determine a size characteristic of the hand based on the digital image or the scan. The processor may compare the size characteristic with one or more product characteristics stored in a data structure and associated with one or more products. Further, the processor may select a product, having a product characteristic matching the size characteristic. The kiosk may also have a display for displaying information associated with the at least one product selected by the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. SCHMIDT, Jordan Daniel SHOENHAIR, Brian David ROSNER, Byron Keith GRICE, Michael ROSENBLATT, Wendell Makoto LUCKOW
  • Publication number: 20200149315
    Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Byron Keith GRICE, Phillip GERLINGS, John Clayton CAMPBELL, Michael James SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 10577830
    Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20200002975
    Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20190284837
    Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10400474
    Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10301844
    Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9962979
    Abstract: A dye sublimation apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to either print one or more images onto transfer media, or to print images directly onto products. A selected product to receive the image(s) is positioned on a platen configured to receive one or more types of such products into channels matching those products' dimensions. Proper positioning of the transfer media (or the product, when directly printed) is facilitated by aligning fiducial markers printed on the transfer media and/or product with one or more lights disposed on the platen. The apparatus comprises one or more heating platens configured to sublimate one or more sides of the product in a single thermal cycle with a predetermined temperature, pressure, and duration based on properties of the product. The product platen is translated inside and out of the apparatus by a reversible motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Edward Will, Byron Keith Grice, Brian David Rosner
  • Publication number: 20180010364
    Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9797163
    Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key, and an imaging assembly configured to generate an image of the shank while the existing key is being manually held in the key receiving assembly. The identification module may also have a housing configured to house the key receiving assembly and the imaging assembly. The housing may have a slot formed therein to receive the existing key. The identification module further may have a tip guide configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key as the tip is inserted through the slot. The tip guide may be linearly movable by insertion of the existing key from a first location at the slot to a second location away from the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20170036472
    Abstract: A dye sublimation apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to either print one or more images onto transfer media, or to print images directly onto products. A selected product to receive the image(s) is positioned on a platen configured to receive one or more types of such products into channels matching those products' dimensions. Proper positioning of the transfer media (or the product, when directly printed) is facilitated by aligning fiducial markers printed on the transfer media and/or product with one or more lights disposed on the platen. The apparatus comprises one or more heating platens configured to sublimate one or more sides of the product in a single thermal cycle with a predetermined temperature, pressure, and duration based on properties of the product. The product platen is translated inside and out of the apparatus by a reversible motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Gary Edward Will, Byron Keith Grice, Brian David Rosner
  • Publication number: 20150049181
    Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key, and an imaging assembly configured to generate an image of the shank while the existing key is being manually held in the key receiving assembly. The identification module may also have a housing configured to house the key receiving assembly and the imaging assembly. The housing may have a slot formed therein to receive the existing key. The identification module further may have a tip guide configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key as the tip is inserted through the slot. The tip guide may be linearly movable by insertion of the existing key from a first location at the slot to a second location away from the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: The Hillman Group Inc.
    Inventors: Byron Keith GRICE, Phillip GERLINGS, John Clayton CAMPBELL, Michael James SCHMIDT