Patent ID: 7843312

Claim:
A portable hand-held key-operated keyfob combination comprising: A) a lock-opening key comprising a head and a shank protruding therefrom, the shank of the key arranged so as to operate a mechanical door lock; and B) a portable hand-held key fob comprising: a) a housing comprising (i) a recess comprising a mounting plate against which the head of the key is mounted; (ii) an opening configured to allow the shank of the key to protrude therefrom; and (iii) a fulcrum integral with an inner wall within the recess on which the mounting plate rests thereon, the fulcrum generally bisecting the recess into a first region on a first side of the mounting plate and a second region on a second side of the mounting plate; b) a first switch located in the first region, and a second switch located in the second region, each of said switches configured to be in an open position when the mounting plate rests on the fulcrum in a nominal position, the first switch being caused to close when the housing is turned in a first direction with respect to the mounting plate mounted with the head of the key, and the second switch being caused to close when the housing is turned in a second direction with respect to the mounting plate mounted with the head of the key; and c) circuitry, comprising an RF transmitter, configured to transmit a first RF signal when the first switch is closed and a second RF signal when the second switch is closed.