Patent ID: 8386075

Claim:
A system for dispensing products comprising: (a) a device that controls access to products stored within the device comprising: (1) a door configured to restrict access to the products stored within the device when the door is in a closed position and to permit access to the products stored within the device when the door is in an open position; (2) a stop positioned to be engaged by the door; and (3) a movable pusher assembly that urges the products toward the door; (b) one or more sensors configured to sense the proximity of the stop to generate at least one signal relating to at least one of the following: whether the door is in the open or closed position; how long the door has been in the open position; when the pusher assembly moves to urge the products toward the door; and the number of products stored within the device; wherein the one or more sensors are not accessible to a consumer attempting to access the products stored within the device; (c) a processor in electronic communication with the one or more sensors and configured to process data; and (d) a transmitter in electronic communication with the processor, the transmitter capable of transmitting at least some of the data processed in the processor to at least one device external to the system, further comprising a rotatable shaft that rotates as the pusher assembly urges the products toward the door, wherein the rotatable shaft cooperates with a position sensor and wherein the processor is in electronic communication with the position sensor to process data received from the position sensor.