System for returning a lost key and key fob

0001The present invention relates to a system for returning a lost Key or key ring with a key ring with the other Features of the preamble of claim 1 and a key ring with a code identifying the owner of the key fob with the Further features of the preamble of claim 9.

0002There is already a system for returning a lost key or Known key Federal, said at the key Keychains is provided with a coding for identification of the owner of Keyfob or the key is provided by a key center.

0003The key fob is provided with a text with a request that the Key is unpacked to throw in a mailbox. The bears Keychains also the address of a key distribution center, to which the post to Keychain then forwards. The coding is in the form of a certain number marked on the key fob. If the lost keys finally in Schlüsselzentrale a can this on the coding and identification data the owner identify and the key is immediately to this sent back.

0004Such a system for returning the lost key or key ring is in the utility model DE 201 03 092 discloses, in which the routing of Identification data including the coding of the owner of the Schlüsselzentrale means of a wireless electronic mail system, takes place in particular via SMS. In this system, the user or owner must the key fob identification data, so its address as well as the type coding number in his cell phone or his computer and to the Send key center.

0005The object of the present invention is to provide a new system for to provide return of a lost key is available, in which the Possibilities of use, ie, the data recovery are greatly expanded in Compared to the previous system.

0006This object is achieved by the entire teaching of patent claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the dependent claims 2 - 8. A advantageously keychain comes from the claims 9 - out 15th

0007According to the invention as a code to identify the owner of the Keyfob a machine-readable coding, in particular a bar code, also bar or bar code called provided. This has the advantage that the Encoding in addition to the identification of the owner of the key fob for other uses may be employed. Thus, the Keychains by the owner during use, z. B. in commercial transactions or the like for detecting paid monies or to collect points in Payback systems, bonus systems and the like can be used.

0008The key fob or the coding thus met at least two Tasks, namely the identification of the owner of the key fob and z. B. the use of coding for detecting when a bonus system.

0009Advantageously, a data processing center to be provided in which Data identifying the owner of the key fob and / or data or points of Bonussytems or points- / collection system and storable are manageable. Changes, for example, the address of the owner of the Keyfob, this can centrally in the data processing center be made and the points of the bonus system will continue to correct, new address of the owner stored. Likewise, the Data Processing Centre, the new data immediately to the key central to pass, so that in case of a lost keyfob this immediately to the correct address can be returned.

0010Further, at least one trading company may be provided in the system, which means registering the coding bonus points or the like awards. Of course, the trading company can be part of a bonus system group, the belong to a plurality of retail companies. The owner may at any the trading company's key ring with the provided thereon use code to capture the bonus points. Advantageously-wise be doing all Bonus points collected in the central data processing center. This is possible if the individual trading companies with the Data Processing Centre data technology related.

0011Advantageously, the data processing center with the key central available for data exchange in connection, in particular, be crosslinked. Changes in the identification of the owner, such. As its address, can either in the data processing center or in the key central be submitted, with about networking then a reconciliation is carried out, so that in each center, the latest data available.

0012Also, the at least one trading company or in a composite combined trading company with the key center for a Data exchange are connected, in particular, be linked with it. Here, it is of course conceivable that the key distribution center as well as the Data Processing Centre are summarized, resulting in a simplification of the the entire system can contribute.

0013It can advantageously be provided a data acquisition card, with the is Keychains connected initially. In the data acquisition card, the Owner of the key holder's personal data, in particular its Enter address and the map then forward them to the Data Processing Centre.

0014It is also possible that the data capture directly to the key distribution center is forwarded. A data transfer between the data processing center and the Key Center then - as already explained above - electronically Way done.

0015The data acquisition may have a coding, the coding of the Keyfob corresponds or is identical to this. The coding on the Data acquisition card can thus also in the form of a machine-readable coding, provided in particular in the form of the bar code as the key tag be.

0016Advantageously, the data acquisition card can serve, for. Example, in promotional events or the like to contact people to display their communicate personal information and either the completed data acquisition card there handed over to a competent person or those in the form of a postcard to a selected address or directly to the data processing center forward.

0017The keychain invention is a coding for identification the owner of the key fob or the arranged thereon key or Keyring provided by a key center. In addition, the Keychain to address the key center. When coding for Identification of the owner of the key fob is a machine-readable Coding, in particular a bar code provided.

0018These machine-readable coding allows the keychain not only to be used for a key return system, but also for other use uses. In particular, the machine-readable Coding for detecting when a bonus or pay-back system like or be used.

0019The key fob can be advantageously smaller in size than be the usual credit card format. For example, the length of a substantially rectangular key fob about 5 cm, the width will be approximately 2.5 cm. from that allowing easy handling of the key fob, and its low Footprint. These dimensions are sufficient to provide a machine-readable Coding, the address of the key center and a quick guide for the Finder of the key fob accommodate. The guide is expediently a short call, the key fob in the next mailbox to throw. Advantageously, the key ring with a bore or be provided opening to mount it to a key ring.

0020Advantageously, the key fob can next to a rectangular substantially Shape other geometric shapes. For example, it may be oval or circular his with which he is particularly striking and attractive Artwork. There is also the Possibility that the key fob in the form of specific objects such. B. a bottle, a cloud, etc. has.

0021The key fob can be configured as a flat support, to as little as possible to take space. In addition, the carrier is advantageously printable or labeled. The support may be surrounded by a protective sheath, in particular the machine-readable coding, z. B. the bar code from external mechanical Influences such as scratches or the like, or even against chemical protecting influences. Conveniently, the protective cover is transparent formed so that the coding remains legible.

0022The carrier may be also or additionally provided in a housing having a Increase stability of the support or protection of the wearer against mechanical Impairment, eg. As before bending, scratching, or the like offers. such a Housing may be provided as an additional accessory to the key fob.

0023The housing may have an opening through which the coding from the outside be read. There is also the possibility that the housing in the region Coding having a lower thickness or a depression, so also a legibility is guaranteed. A corresponding legibility can also already by a corresponding material of the housing, in particular by its Transparency be ensured.

0024The carrier and / or the housing can at least on one side with a be provided advertising imprint, so that the key fob simultaneously a is particularly attractive advertising medium. In particular, the advertising imprint of be a trading company, which is part of the bonus system.

0025The invention is based on advantageous embodiments, in the Drawings explained. These show:<dl tsize="8" compact="compact"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a schematic representation of a system for the return of a lost Key or key ring;</dd><dt>Fig. 2a</dt><dd>the front of which is arranged on a keychain Keyfob;</dd><dt>Fig. 2 b</dt><dd>the back of the key fob of FIG. 2 a and</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a perspective view of a key fob with a Housing.</dd></dl>

0026The system shown in Fig. 1 is used for the return of a lost key or Key Federal 2 with a keychain 1 which to a coding Identification of the owner of the key fob 4 1 through a Schlüsselzentrale 5 is provided. When coding to identify the owner 4 the key fob 1 is a machine-readable coding, namely a Barcode 3 provided. By means of this bar code 3 are the possibilities of Use, ie, the data recovery significantly expanded.

0027In the illustrated embodiment, the bar code 3 is used to detect when a Bonus system used. The barcode 3 so used to identify the Owner 4 of the key holder 1 including its address, so that the Schlüsselzentrale 5 the lost key ring 2 to the owner 4 may return. In addition, the encoding is used to collect bonus points when making a purchase in one of the trading company. 6

0028In a data processing center 7 are data identifying the or Owner of keychain and the data or the points of Bonus system stored and managed there. The data processing center 7 represents so to say the center of the bonus system.

0029Furthermore, there are a plurality of trading company 6, the composite one 8 members, the Trading Company 6 at by detecting the coding Buying a product or service bonus points or the like awarded which are forwarded to the data processing center. 7

0030The data processing center 7 is the key center 5 data-related Connection, so that when a change in the data, for. Example, the address of the owner, once there can be a reconciliation between the centers, so that each Central has captured the currently valid data. There is also the possibility that the Handelsuntemehmen 6 with the key center 5 for data exchange in Communicate. This possibility is shown with dashed lines.

0031Before using the key fob 1 this is a data acquisition card 9 connected, which also has a bar code 3, the of the bar code 3 is associated keyfob 1 identical. can in the data acquisition card 9 the new owner 4 enter their personal data and the map then on one of the trading company 6, the data processing center 7 or the Schlüsselzentrale 5 post. There, the data are recorded, so that there is always a Identification of the key owner by means of the barcode 3 with a Lost Keychain 1 can take place.

0032A front and rear view of the key holder 1 itself from FIGS. 2 a and b out. The key fob 1 is a coding to identify the Owner of the key holder 1 or the arranged thereon keyring 2 provided by a key center. 5

0033In addition, the key chain 1, the address 10 of the key center 5, so that the lost keychain 1 sent to the key center 5 can be. When coding to identify the owner of 4 Keyfob 1 is provided a bar code. 3 The advantages of the bar codes 3 with its advanced usage options have already been discussed above.

0034The key fob 1 is smaller in size than the usual Credit card format, so that the key chain 1 in a simple manner with the Keychain 2 can be stored and also less of a risk of Bending or the like is exposed.

0035The key fob 1 is designed as a flat, printable and can support with the usual printing or marking process with the barcode 3, and a Advertising print 11 are provided. The carrier 12 is of a transparent surrounded protective cover that is not shown in the drawings. The Cover prevents mechanical or chemical impairment of Printing, in particular the bar code 3, but also the advertising imprint 11th

0036In Fig. 3, the carrier 12 is arranged in a housing 13 which as a rigid Cover protection of the carrier 12 before bending or other mechanical deterioration provides. The housing 13 has an opening 14 in the Area of ​​the barcode 3, through which the barcode 3 can be read from the outside.

0037The keychain 1 also has an opening 15 to make it to a or to secure key ring like.