Signal and detection system for keying applications

1. A keying system for interpreting a code based on a spectral response of at least two optical coatings on a substrate between at least one optical transmitter and at least one receiver while authorizing pairing of a first product with a second product to allow or prevent dispensing of the second product by the first product, the system comprising:

a transmitter located on the first product, the transmitter configured to transmit at least a first light signal against first and second optical coatings of the code located on the second product when the first product and the second product are being paired, wherein the first product is a dispenser and the second product is a consumable product;

a receiver operatively located on the first product, the receiver configured to receive reflected light by the first and second optical coatings of the code;

an optical splitter positioned adjacent the transmitter and configured to split the first light signal to separate optical paths that are directed to the first and second optical coatings; and

receiver electronics operatively connected to the receiver and configured to:

interpret reflected light received at the receiver against an authorized signal by analysis of the spectral response including analysis of the degree of absorption and/or reflection of the reflected light at the first and second optical coatings, to thereby determine whether the reflected light received at the receiver matches the authorized signal;

in response to determining that the reflected light received at the receiver matches the authorized signal, authorize pairing of the second product with the first product to allow the dispensing of the second product by the first product; and

in response to determining that reflected light received at the receiver does not match the authorized signal, prevent pairing of the second product with the first product to prevent the dispensing of the second product by the first product.

2. The keying system of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is an LED light source.

3. The keying system of claim 2 , wherein the LED is a multi-color LED enabling sequenced generation of at least two wavelengths within the LED and wherein the receiver receives a corresponding absorption and/or reflected signal of the at least two wavelengths.

4. The keying system of claim 1 , wherein the system includes at least two transmitters located on the first product and each transmitter transmits a different wavelength of light against the first and second optical coatings.

5. The keying system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second optical coatings is paired with a corresponding transmitter and receiver pair.

6. The keying system of claim 5 , wherein each transmitter of each transmitter and receiver pair emits different wavelength light.

7. The keying system of claim 6 , wherein the first and second optical coatings have different absorption and/or reflection properties.

8. The keying system as in claim 5 , wherein the first and second optical coatings have different absorption and/or reflective properties.

9. The keying system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second optical coatings have different absorption and/or reflection properties.

10. The keying system of claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first and second optical coatings is on a rotating substrate and at least one of the first and second optical coatings rotates past a reflection point of the transmitter and receiver pair on the substrate.

11. The keying system of claim 10 , wherein the rotating substrate includes both of the first and second optical coatings, and the first and second optical coatings have different absorption and/or reflection properties.

12. The keying system of claim 11 , wherein the first and second optical coatings are painted stripes.

13. The keying system of claim 12 , wherein the first and second optical coatings have substantially the same color and different absorption and/or reflection properties.

14. The keying system of claim 1 , wherein the first light signal is pulsed.

15. The keying system of claim 1 , wherein the consumable product is a cartridge.

16. The keying system of claim 1 , wherein the analysis of the spectral response includes analysis of one or more of:

an absolute value of a degree of absorption;

an absolute value of a degree of reflection;

a ratio between degrees of absorption;

a ratio between degrees of reflection; and

a ratio between a degree of absorption and a degree of reflection.

17. The keying system of claim 1 , wherein the first product and second product are stationary with respect to one another during pairing.

18. The keying system of claim 1 , wherein the code comprises a single paint.

19. The keying system of claim 1 , wherein the code comprises pigments configured to match a color of the substrate or product such that, to the naked eye, the code is not distinguishable from the substrate or product.

20. A keying system for interpreting a code based on a spectral response of at least two optical coatings on a substrate while pairing a first product with a second product to allow or prevent dispensing of the second product with the first product, the system comprising:

at least one transmitter and receiver pair including a transmitter and a receiver, both located on the first product, the transmitter configured to transmit a light signal against first and second optical coatings located on the second product, wherein the first product is a dispenser and the second product is a consumable product,

an optical splitter positioned adjacent the transmitter and configured to split the light signal to separate optical paths that are directed to the first and second optical coatings, and

receiver electronics operatively connected to the receiver configured to:

interpret reflected light at the receiver against an authorized signal by analysis of the degree of absorption and/or reflection of the reflected light at the first and second optical coatings, to thereby determine whether the reflected light received at the receiver matches the authorized signal;

in response to determining that the reflected light received at the receiver matches the authorized signal, authorize pairing of the second product with the first product to allow the dispensing of the second product by the first product; and

in response to determining that reflected light received at the receiver does not match the authorized signal, prevent pairing of the second product with the first product to prevent the dispensing of the second product by the first product.

21. A method of pairing a first product with a second product to allow or prevent dispensing of the second product with the first product, the method comprising the steps of:

a) positioning the first product with the second product, wherein the first product is a dispenser and has a transmitter and a receiver, and the second product is a consumable product and has a code comprising first and second optical coatings;

b) transmitting a first light signal from the transmitter against the first and second optical coatings;

c) splitting the first light signal to separate optical paths that are directed to the first and second optical coatings;

d) receiving a reflected light signal at the receiver from light reflected off the first and second optical coatings; and

e) comparing the reflected light signal to a pre-determined signal pattern by spectral analysis of the degree of absorption and/or reflection of the reflected light at the one or more optical coatings, to thereby determine whether the reflected light received at the receiver matches an authorized signal;

f) in response to determining that the reflected light received at the receiver matches the authorized signal, authorize pairing of the second product with the first product to allow the dispensing of the second product by the first product; and

g) in response to determining that reflected light received at the receiver does not match the authorized signal, prevent pairing of the second product with the first product to prevent the dispensing of the second product by the first product.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein step d) includes receiving at least a second light signal.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the first and second optical coatings of the second product include at least two optical coatings and wherein each of the first and second optical coatings is paired with a corresponding transmitter and receiver pair such that steps a)-c) include positioning, transmitting and receiving across corresponding transmitter and receiver pairs.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the first and second optical coatings have different reflection properties.