Distributed cloning tool assembly, system, and method for replication of vehicle access devices

Abstract

Provided is a system and method for duplicating a master key for a vehicle. The system includes determining that a first device is communicating with a t/r device, the t/r device including an antenna for communicating with the master key. A cloning application associated with said t/r device may be operating on the first device. The t/r device may retrieve security information from said master key. The cloning application may communicate the security information for said master key to said central network system. The central network system may generate duplicate security information. The central network system may communicate the duplicate security information to the cloning application. The cloning application may transmit the duplicate security information to the t/r device to program a duplicate master key with the duplicate security information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle access device duplication system comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executing instructions that, when executed, cause a cloning application to perform steps comprising:
 determining that a first device of a customer is communicating with a transmitter/receiver device, the transmitter/receiver device including an antenna ring for communicating with an access device for a vehicle;   retrieving security information from said access device;   communicating the security information for said access device to a network server;   generating a cloning security information; and   transmitting the cloning security information to the transmitter/receiver device to program a duplicate access device with the cloning security information; and   a processor configured to execute the instructions.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle access device duplication system of  claim 1  wherein the transmitter/receiver device includes a housing including a computing device communication module, a battery, and a vehicle access device communication module. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle access device duplication system of  claim 2  wherein the computing device communication module is configured to electronically communicate with the first device in a wired manner or to communicate in a wireless manner. 
     
     
         4 . A vehicle access device duplication system of  claim 1  wherein the transmitter/receiver device includes electronic components within a housing configured to provide a communication link between the first device, the access device, and the duplicate access device. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle access device duplication system of  claim 2  wherein the battery is rechargeable. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle access device duplication system of  claim 1  wherein the antenna is attached to the housing and is a near field antenna that includes a coil with a plurality of wire windings wound in a coil shape and defining a coil axis such that the access device is configured to be inserted within an aperture defined by the coil shape to aligned the access device with the coil axis such that the windings of the antenna generally surround the access device. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle access device duplication system of  claim 6  wherein the antenna includes an insulator cover that is shaped to define an aperture and configured to selectively surround the access device. 
     
     
         8 . A transmitter/receiver device comprising:
 a housing including a computing device communication module, a battery, and a vehicle access device communication module; and   an antenna configured to communicate with an access device for a vehicle.   
     
     
         9 . The transmitter/receiver device of  claim 8  wherein said antenna includes a first coil configured to communicate on one frequency with said access device and a clonable duplicate key that operates on a first frequency. 
     
     
         10 . The transmitter/receiver device of  claim 9  wherein said antenna includes a second coil configured to communicate on a second frequency with said master key for a vehicle and a clonable duplicate key that operates on a second frequency. 
     
     
         11 . The transmitter/receiver device of  claim 8  wherein the computing device communication module is configured to electronically communicate with a first device of a customer in a wired manner or in a wireless manner. 
     
     
         12 . The transmitter/receiver device of  claim 8  further comprising electronic components within said housing configured to provide a communication link between the first device, the access device, and a duplicate access device. 
     
     
         13 . The transmitter/receiver device of  claim 8  wherein the battery is rechargeable. 
     
     
         14 . The transmitter/receiver device of  claim 8  the antenna is attached to the housing and is a near field antenna that includes a coil with a plurality of wire windings wound in a coil shape and defining a coil axis such that the access device is configured to be inserted within an aperture defined by the coil shape to aligned the access device with the coil axis such that the windings of the antenna generally surround the access device. 
     
     
         15 . The transmitter/receiver device of  claim 14  wherein the antenna includes an insulator cover that is shaped to define an aperture and configured to selectively surround the access device.