US 2003/0117266 A1Published application

Fixed pin array identification apparatus and method

AssigneeXerox Corporation

InventorsDebora Margaret Hejza Litwiller, Philip E. Blair

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

What is disclosed herein is an identification apparatus comprising an array of conductive pins fixed onto a base component placed onto a primary device and in communication therewith. A set of shaped identifiers having a plurality of holes through which respective pins on the array of fixed pins pass. Each identifier being uniquely configured with at least one distinct location containing a conductive sleeve fitted therein which allows the passage therethrough of that particular pin for further use by subsequently placed identifiers. Each pin is in individual communication with the primary device such that the primary device can thereafter identify the placed identifiers so as to subsequently perform certain functions or other desired operations based on the type, configuration, and/or number of identifiers placed thereon.

Claims7

Dependent claims

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) a 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 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.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.