Signal and Detection System For Keying Applications

1 - 22 . (canceled)

23 . A second product comprising an optical coating on a substrate,

wherein the second product is a consumable product shaped to engage with a first product, the first product being a dispenser having a receiver and a transmitter and configured to direct light to the optical coating,

and wherein the second product is configured such that the optical coating is positionable between the optical transmitter and the receiver of the first product while authorizing pairing of a first product with a second product such that:

the optical coating partially reflects light received from the transmitter to the receiver to enable the first product 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 of the reflected light at the optical coating, 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.

24 . The keying system of claim 23 , wherein the transmitter is an LED light source.

25 . The keying system of claim 23 , wherein the second product comprises two or more optical coatings and the first product comprises an optical splitter positioned adjacent the transmitter and configured to split the first light signal to separate optical paths for directing to the first and second optical coatings.

26 . The keying system of claim 25 , wherein the system includes at least two transmitters located on the first product and each transmitter transmits a different wavelength of light against the at least two optical coatings.

27 . The keying system of claim 25 , wherein each of the at least two optical coatings is paired with a corresponding transmitter and receiver pair.

28 . The keying system of claim 27 , wherein each transmitter of each transmitter and receiver pair emits different wavelength light.

29 . The keying system as in claim 25 , wherein the at least two optical coatings comprise coatings with different absorption properties.

30 . The keying system of claim 23 , wherein the optical coating is on a rotating substrate and at least one of the at least two optical coatings rotates past a reflection point of the transmitter and receiver pair on the substrate.

31 . The keying system of claim 23 , wherein each of the optical coating are painted stripes.

32 . The keying system of claim 23 , wherein each of the optical coating have substantially the same color and different absorption properties.

33 . The keying system of claim 23 , wherein the first light signal is pulsed.

34 . The keying system of claim 23 , wherein the consumable product is a cartridge.

35 . The keying system of claim 23 , wherein the code comprises a single paint.

36 . The keying system of claim 23 , 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.

37 . A keying system for interpreting a code based on a spectral response of one or more 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 one or more 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 cartridge or other container containing a consumable component;

a receiver operatively located on the first product, the receiver configured to receive reflected light by the one or more optical coatings of the code; 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 of the reflected light at the one or more 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 first product to dispense the second product by using the consumable component from within the cartridge or other container; 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.

38 . The keying system of claim 37 , wherein the system includes at least two transmitters located on the first product and each transmitter transmits a different wavelength of light against the at least two optical coatings.

39 . The keying system as in claim 37 , wherein the optical coatings comprise at least two coatings with different absorption properties.

40 . The keying system of claim 37 , wherein the one or more optical coatings is on a rotating substrate and at least one of the one or more optical coatings rotates past a reflection point of the transmitter and receiver pair on the substrate.

41 . The keying system of claim 37 , wherein each of the optical coatings comprise at least two coatings having substantially the same color and different absorption properties.

42 . The keying system of claim 37 , wherein the code comprises a single paint.