As best shown in FIG. 16, an internal battery 131 and a logic control circuit, or printed circuit board (PCB) 132 are disposed within the housing 121 of the programmable electronic key 120. Battery 131 may be a conventional extended-life replaceable battery, but preferably, is a rechargeable battery suitable for use with the charging station 180. The logic control circuit 132 is operatively coupled and electrically connected to a switch 133 that is actuated by the control button 122 provided on the exterior of the key 120 through the housing 121. Control button 122 in conjunction with switch 133 controls certain operations of the logic control circuit 132, and in particular, transmission of the data (e.g., handshake communication protocol and SDC) between the key and the programming station 60, as well as between the key and the security device 140. In that regard, the logic control circuit 132 is further operatively coupled and electrically connected to a communication system 134 for transferring the handshake communication protocol and SDC data. As shown and described herein, the communication system 134 is a wireless infrared (IR) transceiver for optical transmission of data between the programmable electronic key 120 and the programming station 60, and between the key and the security device 140. As a result, the transfer probe 125 of the key 120 is provided with an optically transparent or translucent filter window 135 for emitting and collecting optical transmissions between the key 120 and the programming station 60, or between the key and the security device 140, as required. Transfer probe 125 further comprises inductive coil 126 (FIG. 14) comprising inductive core 127 and inductive core windings 129 for transferring electrical power to the security device 140 and/or receiving electrical power from the charging station 180 to charge the internal battery 131, as required. Accordingly, the leads 129A and 129B (FIG. 14) of the inductive coil 126 are electrically connected to the logic control circuit 132, which in turn is electrically connected to the battery 131, in a suitable manner, for example by conductive insulated wires or plated conductors. Alternatively, the optical transceiver 134 may be eliminated and data transferred between the programmable electronic key 120 and the security device 140 via magnetic induction through the inductive coil 126.