Keyway illumination system

摘要

A keyway illumination system is operable with different keys to enable illumination of a keyway when a matching key approaches to enhance visibility of the keyway. A smart key case detachably couples to the key to provide a gripping surface for applying torque to key, and electrical components to actuate illumination of the keyway. The key case includes a receiver, a power switch, a mode switch, and a PCB motion sensor mechanism that deactivates illumination of the key case when sensing proximity to keyway. A slave module attaches adjacently to the keyway and communicates with the key case. A light torch emits a beam of light onto the keyway. A photoresistor detects presence of light from the key case to determine activation or deactivation of light torch. Verification that the key is engaging a matching keyway is possible by matching LED colors of the key case and slave module.

主权项

1. A keyway illumination system, the system comprising:
a key defined by a blade, the blade configured to enable accessibility; a smart key case having: a housing configured to detachably couple to the key, the housing further configured to enable application of torque on the key, a key illumination device configured to illuminate, a key power switch configured to power on and power off the smart key case, the key power switch further configured to change operational modes of the smart key case, a receiver configured to enable wireless communication; and a slave module having: a module housing, a light torch configured to emit a steady beam of light, a photoresistor configured to detect the illumination from the key illumination device, whereby detection of the illumination occurs at a predetermined distance, the photoresistor operatively connected to the light torch, whereby the light torch is activated when the photoresistor detects the illumination from the key illumination device, whereby the light torch is deactivated when the illumination from the key illumination device is deactivated, a wireless communication system configured to transmit a signal to the receiver, whereby the signal enables the slave module to identify the smart key case over the predetermined distance, a module illumination device configured to operatively connect to the wireless communication system, the module illumination device further configured to illuminate, whereby the illumination from the module illumination device is configured to match the color or the intensity or the pattern of the illumination from the key illumination device when the slave module identifies the smart key case.