Patent ID: 8009015

Claim:
In combination, an electronic key and a dispensing system comprising: a dispensing system comprising: a housing with a key port; a dispenser controller carried by said housing and having a distributor identification code associated therewith; a motor carried by said dispensing system and connected to said dispenser controller; a predetermined number of refill containers, each said refill container holding a fluid material that is incrementally dispensed from the container in measured quantities wherein only a single one of said refill containers is receivable in said dispensing system at any given time, said refill container having a pump mechanism, wherein said motor enables actuation of said pump mechanism; and wherein said dispensing system enables dispensing of material contained in said refill container received in said dispensing system; a manually actuated push bar that is engageable with said pump mechanism; a lock arm controlled by said dispenser controller and said motor; and an electronic key comprising: a key controller; a key memory associated with said key controller, said key memory storing a key identification code; a plug coupled to said key controller, said plug adapted to be received in the key port of the dispensing system; a key counter coupled to said key controller and said key memory, said key counter containing a count value that is set according to said predetermined number of said refill containers, wherein said count value is decremented by either said key controller or said dispenser controller after each successful match of said distributor identification code and said key identification code to allow said key controller to electronically communicate with said dispenser controller, wherein the dispensing system is enabled to dispense material from said received refill container if said key identification code and said distributor identification code match and said count value is greater than zero, and the dispensing system is disabled if said key identification code does not match said distributor identification code, or when said count value is equal to zero by moving said lock arm to preclude movement of said manually actuated push bar.