Patent · US Active

Photochromic optically keyed dispenser

US8071933B2 · kind B2 · utility

24Cited by
8References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 18, 2009
Grant dateDec 6, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 2, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA47K5/1217
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A removable and replaceable keying component which is required for operation of a mechanism and which component includes a waveguide having a photochromic portion. A method of controlling operation of a mechanism, preferably a dispenser, having a removable component having the steps of measuring electromagnetic radiation passing through a waveguide carrying at least in part on the removable component and permitting operation of the mechanism only when the measured electromagnetic radiation corresponds with one or more pre-selected parameters. Preferably, the method involves directing emitted electromagnetic radiation with pre-selected input parameters selected from a plurality of input parameters.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.