Electronic lock system

Claim 1

An electronic lock system for use with a plurality of receivers, each receiver including storage means for receiving and storing a material and an electronically operable actuator that includes means for permitting access to material stored by the storage means in response to an electronic actuation signal, the electronic lock system comprising: an access device including access storage means for storing a plurality of access codes such that each access code is associated with a unique identification code, and access code means; and an electronic lock associated with each receiver, each electronic lock comprising receiver storage means for storing a particular identification code and a passcode, identification code means for providing the particular identification code, and code comparison means; the access code means including means for receiving the particular identification code from the electronic lock and for providing the associated particular access code; the code comparison means comprising means for receiving the particular access code from the access code means, and means for comparing the particular access code to the passcode and for providing the actuation signal upon correspondence therebetween; the access device comprising power supply means for providing electrical power to the access device, and wherein the electronic lock comprises means for deriving electrical power for the electronic lock from the power supply means, and, the electronic lock providing the identification code to the access code means in response to the providing of electric power to the electronic lock by the access device, the identification code being independent of any signals other than the receipt of said electric power.