Apparatus for reading and identifying the profile of a key

An apparatus for reading the profile of a shank portion of a key said shank portion comprises at least one terminal part, said apparatus being characterized in that it comprises:

• a chamber provided with an inlet section for the insertion of at least one segment of said shank portion;
• an optical device operatively associated with said chamber, said optical device defining an optical axis and being configured to capture an image comprising at least one view of said profile;
• a support device which defines a bearing plane for at least one segment of said key, said optical axis being parallel to said bearing plane;
• a lighting device operatively associated with said chamber and configured to illuminate said at least one terminal part of said shank portion, wherein said lighting device comprises:
• a first source of scattered light operatively associated with said chamber and configured to illuminate a first side of said shank portion comprised between a first face resting on said bearing plane and a second face opposite to said first face;
• a second source of scattered light operatively associated with said chamber and configured to illuminate a second side of said shank portion opposite to said first side.