Patent ID: 6885284

Claim:
An keying apparatus in communication with a primary device used for identification purposes prior to said primary device subsequently enabling additional functionality, said apparatus comprising: a) a base component having an array of pins affixed to at least one side thereof with each of said pins in communication with said primary device; b) at least one identifier having a plurality of holes therethrough with said base component's pins passing through each of their respective holes aligned therewith such that said identifier can be pressed onto said base component's pin array; c) means for ensuring proper orientation and alignment of said identifier's plurality of holes with respect to said array of fixed pins prior to said identifier being pressed onto said pin array; d) an electrical pin detector associated with at least one hole in said identifier for the detection of said aligned pin passing therethrough with each configuration of holes having electrical pin detectors associated therewith being unique to each identifier along any single pin's vertical axis; e) communication means for communicating from said pin detector back to said primary device that a pin passes therethrough; and f) means for determining specific identifiers by comparing communicated locations of each of said detected pins with locations of known identifiers stored in a database.