Word puzzle assembly and methods related thereto

Abstract

An apparatus and related methods for providing a locking mechanism wherein tumblers are used to indicate an answer word to a word puzzle or the like, the mechanism including a retainer to retain either a message or an item that is obtainable when the locking mechanism is unlocked, the tumblers adjustable to modify the code in at least some embodiments.

1 . An apparatus for concealing at least one of an item and a message that is obtainable by opening the apparatus via manipulation of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of tumblers including at least one end tumbler and a sub-set of additional tumblers, each tumbler including first and second oppositely facing surfaces, an external surface between the first and second oppositely facing surfaces and indicia on the external surface, at least the sub-set of additional tumblers including an internal surface that forms an opening that extends from the first surface to the second surface of the tumbler along a tumbler axis, the end tumbler forming at least an opening in the first surface, each tumbler also including at least one tumbler coupler, the tumblers stackable with the end tumbler at one end of the stack and the first surfaces facing second surfaces of adjacent tumblers such that the tumbler openings are aligned to form a channel wherein each of the tumblers is rotatable about the tumbler axis to modify the indicia on the external surface that is aligned along an alignment axis parallel to the tumbler axis;    a key including an elongated shaft member and at least one separate key coupler for each of the tumblers in the plurality, the key couplers spaced along the shaft member such that each key coupler is proximate an adjacent one of the tumbler couplers when the shaft member is received within the channel, each proximate tumbler coupler and key coupler forming a coupler pair;    wherein, the key is moveable along the tumbler axis when the key couplers and tumbler couplers are aligned and a portion of the apparatus including at least one of an item retainer and a message retainer; and    wherein, at least one of the tumblers is an adjustable tumbler that includes an external tumbler member and an internal tumbler member, the external tumbler member forming the external surface and also including a first inwardly facing non-cylindrical intermediate surface, the internal tumbler member forming the internal surface and also including a second outwardly facing non-cylindrical intermediate surface, the first intermediate surface configured to receive the second intermediate surface in at least first and second relative juxtapositions such that tumbler coupler and indicia are in at least first and second relative orientations such that the at least one adjustable tumbler can be manipulated to alter the position of the indicia on the external surface relative to the tumbler coupler formed by the adjustable tumbler.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a first coupler in each coupler pair includes a pin and a second coupler in each coupler pair includes a ridge that forms at least one gap, the key moveable along the tumbler axis when the pin and gap of each coupler pair is aligned and blocked from movement along the tumbler axis when at least one of the pins and gaps is misaligned.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the indicia on each external surface includes N different characters.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the first intermediate surface is configured to receive the second intermediate surface in at least N relative juxtapositions such that the gap and indicia are positionable in at least first though Nth different relative orientations.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein N is between four and twenty-seven.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein N is eight.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the first intermediate surface includes N sides that are substantially radially aligned with the N different characters and wherein the second intermediate surface substantially mirrors the first intermediate surface.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of the tumblers is an adjustable tumbler.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first surfaces of tumblers contact the second surfaces of adjacent tumblers.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein each of at least a subset of the first surfaces of the tumblers forms one of a recession and a raised member and each of at least a subset of the second surfaces of the tumblers forms the other of a recession and a raised member and wherein at least a subset of the raised members is receivable in a subset of the recessions when associated tumblers are rotated into a specific relative juxtaposition such that the raised members and recessions cooperate to at least partially impede relative rotation of the tumblers that include the recessions and the raised members.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the indicia on each of the tumblers includes N separate characters equi-spaced about the tumbler axis, each of the first surfaces of the tumblers forms a separate recession for each of, and that is radially aligned with each of the characters on the external surface and each of the second surfaces of the tumblers forms at least one raised member radially aligned with one of the characters on the external surface where the raised member is receivable within any one of the recessions formed by the adjacent first surface when aligned therewith such that the raised members and recessions cooperate to at least partially impede relative rotation of the tumblers.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the indicia on each of the tumblers includes N different characters.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein each of the tumblers includes detent features that impede rotation of the tumbler when the tumbler is in one of N rotational positions.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the indicia includes characters radially spaced about the tumbler axis, the apparatus further including a tumbler retainer and a portion of the apparatus forming at least one alignment mark adjacent a first end of the stack such that when a specific order of characters on the external surfaces of the tumblers is aligned with the alignment mark, the pins are aligned with the gaps.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the tumbler retainer includes first and second oppositely facing surfaces on opposite ends of the stack, the tumbler stack mounted therebetween for rotation about the tumbler axis.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the tumbler retainer includes first and second end members and at least one linking member, the first and second end members forming the first and second oppositely facing surfaces and the linking member mounted between the first and second end members to maintain their positions, the first end member forming an end member opening that is aligned with the tumbler channel, the shaft member passing through the end member opening when inserted into the tumbler channel.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the key further includes a head member, the shaft member extending from the head member.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the head member covers the channel and the gap.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein a portion of the tumbler retainer comprises a first stop member, a portion of the key forms a second stop member and where the first and second stop surfaces are adjacent when the key is in the tumbler channel and restrict rotation of the key shaft member within the tumbler channel.  
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19  wherein the first stop surface includes a first rotation restrictor and the second stop surface forms a second rotation restrictor and wherein the first and second rotation restrictors cooperate to restrict rotation of the key within the tumbler channel.  
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 20  wherein the first restrictor is a recess and the second restrictor is a pin that extends into the recess when the shaft member is received within the tumbler channel.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the linking member includes at least three linking members equi-spaced about the tumbler stack and each linking the first and second end members.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the linking member includes at least four linking members equi-spaced about the tumbler stack and each linking the first and second end members.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one of an item retainer and a message retainer is a compartment.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the compartment is formed within one side of the shaft member.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the shaft member includes first and second ends and wherein the compartment is formed within the first end of the shaft member and extends at least partially along the length of the shaft member.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the key couplers are pins.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein the shaft member has a substantially cylindrical cross section and wherein each of the tumbler openings is substantially cylindrical between the first and second surfaces.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 28  wherein each ridge extends inward from an associated opening adjacent the first surface and the ridge formed by the end tumbler extends inward from the recess adjacent the first surface.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the recess formed by the end tumbler is an opening that extends from the first surface to the second surface of the end tumbler.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the indicia on each of the external surfaces includes N characters and wherein the external surface of each of the tumblers includes N similarly shaped surfaces, a separate surface for each of the N characters included thereon.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the key and at least one of the tumblers is modifiable such that at least a subset of the coupler pairs allow key movement along the tumbler axis independent of the rotational position of at least one of the tumbler members.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the key is modifiable to alter the length of the shaft member.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the shaft member includes at least first and second shaft members that are linkable at adjacent first ends, wherein the shaft member length is modifiable by de-linking the second shaft member from the first shaft member.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 34  wherein the shaft member further includes at least a third shaft member that is linkable to the second shaft member at a second end thereof, the shaft member length further modifiable by de-linking the third shaft member from the second shaft member.  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a tumbler restraint mechanism that can be optionally used to restrain at least one of the tumblers in a specific rotational orientation.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 36  wherein the restraint mechanism restrains the at least one tumbler into an orientation such that the coupler pair including the tumbler coupler and the associated key coupler are aligned.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the restraint mechanism includes a first restraint recess formed in at least one of the first and second surfaces of the at least one tumbler member and a restraint pin that extends into the first locking recess.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein the restraint mechanism includes a second restraint recess formed by a surface adjacent the surface of the tumbler that forms the first restraint recess wherein the restraint pin extends into each of the first and second restraint recesses.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 39  further including a separate spacer member between each two adjacent tumblers, each of the spacer members forming a spacer opening that is aligned with the tumbler axis when the tumblers are stacked.  
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 40  wherein each of the second locking recesses is formed in one of the spacer members.  
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a separate spacer member between each two adjacent tumblers, each of the spacer members forming a spacer opening that is aligned with the tumbler axis when the tumblers are stacked.  
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 42  further including a tumbler retainer including first and second end members and at least one connecting member that traverses the distance between the first and second end members.  
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 43  wherein each of the spacer members is connected to the at least one connecting member.  
   
   
       45 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein the at least one connecting member includes a plurality of connecting members that connect the first and second end members.  
   
   
       46 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one of an item retainer and a message retainer includes an electronic memory for storing information and a power source.  
   
   
       47 . The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein the at least one of an item retainer and a message retainer also includes at least one of a visual display and an audio device for presenting at least the message.  
   
   
       48 . The apparatus of  claim 47  wherein the at least one of an item retainer and a message retainer includes a visual display and wherein the visual display is blank until the key is removed from the channel.  
   
   
       49 . The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein the information stored in the electronic memory is alterable.  
   
   
       50 . The apparatus of  claim 1  also including a processor, an electronic memory for storing information, a power source and one of an audio and a visual information output device, the output device juxtaposed with respect to the other apparatus components so that information can be communicated thereby prior to the key being removed form the channel.  
   
   
       51 . The apparatus of  claim 50  wherein the key couplers and tumbler couplers are aligned when the indicia aligned along the alignment axis form a specific answer word, the memory storing at least one clue to the answer word and the processor presenting the clue at least once via the output device.  
   
   
       52 . The apparatus of  claim 51  wherein the memory stores a plurality of clues to the answer word and the processor presents the clues one at a time.  
   
   
       53 . The apparatus of  claim 52  further including a timer linked to the processor wherein the processor presents the clues one at a time with delay periods between the presentations of consecutive clues.  
   
   
       54 . An apparatus for concealing at least one of an item and a message that is obtainable by opening the apparatus via manipulation of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of tumblers including at least one end tumbler and a sub-set of additional tumblers, each tumbler including first and second oppositely facing surfaces, an external surface between the first and second oppositely facing surfaces and indicia on the external surface, at least the sub-set of additional tumblers including an internal surface that forms an opening that extends from the first surface to the second surface of the tumbler along a tumbler axis, the end tumbler forming at least an opening in the first surface, each tumbler also including at least one tumbler coupler, the tumblers stackable with the end tumbler at one end of the stack and the first surfaces facing second surfaces of adjacent tumblers such that the tumbler openings are aligned to form a channel wherein each of the tumblers is rotatable about the tumbler axis to modify the indicia on the external surface that is aligned along an alignment axis parallel to the tumbler axis;    a key including an elongated shaft member and at least one separate key coupler for each of the tumblers in the plurality, the key couplers spaced along the shaft member such that each key coupler is proximate an adjacent one of the tumbler couplers when the shaft member is received within the channel, each proximate tumbler coupler and key coupler forming a coupler pair;    wherein, the key is moveable along the tumbler axis when the key couplers and tumbler couplers are aligned along the alignment axis; and    wherein, at least one of the key and one of the tumblers is modifiable such that at least a subset of the coupler pairs allow key movement along the tumbler axis independent of the rotational position of at least one of the tumbler members.    
   
   
       55 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein a portion of the apparatus includes at least one of an item retainer and a message retainer.  
   
   
       56 . The apparatus of  claim 55  wherein the at least one of an item retainer and a message retainer includes a compartment formed in the shaft member.  
   
   
       57 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein a first coupler in each coupler pair includes a pin and a second coupler in each coupler pair includes a ridge that forms at least one gap, the key moveable along the tumbler axis when the pin and gap of each coupler pair is aligned and blocked from movement along the tumbler axis when at least one of the pins and gaps is misaligned.  
   
   
       58 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein the key is modifiable to alter the length of the shaft member.  
   
   
       59 . The apparatus is  claim 58  wherein the tumblers are prevented from separating by placing them in a retainer, the retainer having a retainer top, a retainer bottom and at least one connector between the retainer top and the retainer bottom and where the at least one connector can be changed in length by one of altering the at least one connector or replacing the at least one connector with a different connector having another length.  
   
   
       60 . The apparatus of  claim 58  wherein the shaft member include at least first and second shaft member components that are linkable at adjacent first ends, wherein the shaft member length is modifiable by de-linking the second shaft member from the first shaft member.  
   
   
       61 . The apparatus of  claim 60  wherein the shaft member further includes at least a third shaft member that is linkable to the second shaft member at a second end thereof, the shaft member length further modifiable by de-linking the third shaft member from the second shaft member.  
   
   
       62 . The apparatus of  claim 57  wherein the key couplers are pins.  
   
   
       63 . The apparatus of  claim 62  wherein the key is modifiable to allow key movement along the tumbler axis independent of the rotational position of at least one of the tumbler members by removing at least a subset of the pins.  
   
   
       64 . An apparatus for concealing at least one of an item and a message that is obtainable by opening the apparatus via manipulation of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of tumblers including at least one end tumbler and a sub-set of additional tumblers, each tumbler including first and second oppositely facing surfaces, an external surface between the first and second oppositely facing surfaces and indicia on the external surface, at least the sub-set of additional tumblers including an internal surface that forms an opening that extends from the first surface to the second surface of the tumbler along a tumbler axis, the end tumbler forming at least an opening in the first surface, each tumbler also including at least one tumbler coupler, the tumblers stackable with the end tumbler at one end of the stack and the first surfaces facing second surfaces of adjacent tumblers such that the tumbler openings are aligned to form a channel wherein each of the tumblers is rotatable about the tumbler axis to modify the indicia on the external surface that is aligned along an alignment axis parallel to the tumbler axis;    a key including an elongated shaft member and at least one separate key coupler for each of the tumblers in the plurality of tumblers, the key couplers spaced along the shaft member such that each key coupler is proximate an adjacent one of the tumbler couplers when the shaft member is received within the channel, each proximate tumbler coupler and key coupler forming a coupler pair; and    a tumbler restraint mechanism that can be optionally used to restrain at least one of the tumblers into a specific rotational orientation;    wherein, the key is moveable along the tumbler axis when the key couplers and tumbler couplers are aligned.    
   
   
       65 . The apparatus of  claim 64  wherein the restraint mechanism is useable to restrain the at least one tumbler into an orientation such that the coupler pair including the tumbler coupler and the associated key coupler are aligned.  
   
   
       66 . The apparatus of  claim 65  wherein the restraint mechanism includes a first restraint recess formed in at least one of the first and second surfaces of the at least one tumbler member and a restraint pin that extends into the first restraint recess.  
   
   
       67 . The apparatus of  claim 66  wherein the restraint mechanism includes a second restraint recess formed by a surface adjacent the surface of the tumbler that forms the first restraint recess wherein the restraint pin extends into each of the first and second restraint recesses.  
   
   
       68 . The apparatus of  claim 67  further including a separate spacer member between each two adjacent tumblers, each of the spacer members forming a spacer opening that is aligned with the tumbler axis when the tumblers are stacked.  
   
   
       69 . The apparatus of  claim 68  wherein each of the second restraint recesses is formed in one of the spacer members.  
   
   
       70 . The apparatus of  claim 64  wherein at least one of the key and at least one of the tumblers includes at least one of an item retainer and a message retainer.  
   
   
       71 . The apparatus of  claim 64  wherein the at least one of an item retainer and a message retainer includes a compartment formed in the shaft member.  
   
   
       72 . An apparatus for concealing at least one of a message and an item that is obtainable by via manipulation of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of tumblers, each tumbler including first and second oppositely facing surfaces, an external surface between the first and second oppositely facing surfaces and indicia on the external surface, at least the sub-set of additional tumblers including an internal surface that forms an opening that extends from the first surface to the second surface of the tumbler along a tumbler axis, the tumblers stackable with the end tumbler at one end of the stack and the first surfaces facing second surfaces of adjacent tumblers such that the tumbler openings are aligned to form a channel wherein each of the tumblers is rotatable about the tumbler axis to modify the indicia on the external surface that is aligned along an alignment axis parallel to the tumbler axis;    a key including an shaft member receivable within the channel;    the apparatus including at least one of an item retainer and a message retainer;    at least one sensor for sensing when the tumblers are in at least a first unlock position; and    a processor linked to the sensor and, when the tumblers are in the at least a first unlock position, rendering the at least one of the message and the item accessible.    
   
   
       73 . The apparatus of  claim 72  wherein the at least one sensor senses the positions of each of the tumblers.  
   
   
       74 . The apparatus of  claim 73  wherein each of the tumblers includes an electrically conductive member that extends from the first to the second surface of the tumbler and, wherein, the sensor senses when the conductor members in the tumblers are aligned.  
   
   
       75 . The apparatus of  claim 74  wherein the retainer includes at least one output device linked to the processor and, wherein, the step of rendering one of the item and message accessible includes the step of generating a message via the output device.  
   
   
       76 . The apparatus of  claim 75  wherein the output device is at least one of an audio output device and a visual output device.  
   
   
       77 . The apparatus of  claim 75  wherein the output device is a visual display device on the key that is observable when the key is removed from the channel.  
   
   
       78 . The apparatus of  claim 77  further including a locking mechanism that locks the key within the channel until the tumblers are in the first unlock position.  
   
   
       79 . The apparatus of  claim 78  wherein, when the key is removed from the channel prior to the tumblers being in the first unlock position, the message is rendered inaccessible via the display device.  
   
   
       80 . The apparatus of  claim 74  wherein the at least one of an item retainer and a message retainer includes a visual display device linked to the processor and, wherein, the step of rendering at least one of an item and a message accessible includes the step of generating the message via the display device.  
   
   
       81 . The apparatus of  claim 80  wherein the visual display device is on the key and is hidden when the shaft member is received within the channel.  
   
   
       82 . The apparatus of  claim 74  wherein the key is freely removable from the channel and, wherein, the processor only renders the message accessible when the tumblers are in the first unlock position upon removal of the key member.  
   
   
       83 . The apparatus of  claim 82  wherein, when the key is removed from the channel with the tumblers in other than the first unlock position, the processor times out a waiting period during which the message is inaccessible independent of tumbler positions.  
   
   
       84 . The apparatus of  claim 83  further including an output device linked to the processor that indicates when the waiting period has ended.  
   
   
       85 . The apparatus of  claim 72  wherein the retainer is a compartment.  
   
   
       86 . The apparatus of  claim 85  further including a locking mechanism controllable to retain the key within the channel, wherein the compartment is formed by the key and wherein the processor renders the one of the item and message accessible by unlocking the locking mechanism so that the key is removable form the channel.  
   
   
       87 . An apparatus for concealing at least one of an item and a message that is obtainable by opening the apparatus via manipulation of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 
 a retainer for retaining at least one of an item and a message;    a processor;    an electronic memory linked to the processor for storing at least an answer word and at least one clue to the answer word;    an output device linked to the processor for presenting the at least one clue; and    an input device linked to the processor for specifying a specified word;    wherein, the processor presents the at least one word puzzle via the output device, receives specified words via the input device and renders the one of an item and a message accessible via the retainer when the specified word matches the answer word.    
   
   
       88 . The apparatus of  claim 87  wherein the memory stores a plurality of clues to the answer word and, wherein, the processor presents the clues consecutively via the output device.  
   
   
       89 . The apparatus of  claim 88  wherein the processor presents the clues at spaced apart time intervals via the output device.  
   
   
       90 . The apparatus of  claim 87  wherein the answer word and associated word puzzle are a final answer word and a final word puzzle, respectively, and wherein the memory stores a series of intermediate answer words and associated intermediate word puzzle, the processor presenting the intermediate word puzzle prior to the final word puzzle, for each intermediate word puzzle, the processor presenting the intermediate word puzzle via the output device, receiving specified words via the input device and, when a specified word matches the intermediate answer word, skipping to the next intermediate word puzzle until all of the intermediate answer words have been matched.  
   
   
       91 . The apparatus of  claim 87  wherein the retainer includes at least one of a visual display device and an audio device linked to the processor.  
   
   
       92 . The apparatus of  claim 87  wherein the retainer includes a container.  
   
   
       93 . The apparatus of  claim 92  further including a locking mechanism controllable by the processor to lock and unlock the container and, wherein, the step of rendering the at least one of the item and the message accessible includes unlocking the locking mechanism.  
   
   
       94 . The apparatus of  claim 87  wherein the input device is a keypad.  
   
   
       95 . The apparatus of  claim 87  wherein the input device includes a plurality of tumblers, each tumbler including a lateral surface, indicia on the lateral edge and rotatable about a tumbler axis.  
   
   
       96 . The apparatus of  claim 87  wherein the memory is re-programmable with other answer words and word puzzles.  
   
   
       97 . The apparatus of  claim 87  where the electronic memory is the retainer.  
   
   
       98 . An apparatus for concealing at least one of an item and a message that is obtainable by opening the apparatus via manipulation of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of tumblers including at least one end tumbler and a sub-set of additional tumblers, each tumbler including first and second oppositely facing surfaces, an external surface between the first and second oppositely facing surfaces and indicia on the external surface, at least the sub-set of additional tumblers including an internal surface that forms an opening that extends from the first surface to the second surface of the tumbler along a tumbler axis, the end tumbler forming at least an opening in the first surface, the tumblers stackable with the end tumbler at one end of the stack and the first surfaces facing second surfaces of adjacent tumblers such that the tumbler openings are aligned to form a channel wherein each of the tumblers is rotatable about the tumbler axis to modify the indicia on the external surface that is aligned along an alignment axis parallel to the tumbler axis, the tumblers having at least one unlocked juxtaposition;    a key including an shaft member wherein the key is receivable within the channel;    a retainer for retaining at least one of an item and a message;    a processor;    an electronic memory linked to the processor for storing at least an answer word;    a first sensor linked to the processor for sensing the key within the channel;    a second sensor linked to the processor for sensing the positions of the tumblers;    wherein, the processor monitors removal of the key from the channel and, when the key is removed from the channel, determines if the tumblers are in the unlocked juxtaposition and, if the tumblers are in the unlocked juxtaposition, renders the at least one item and message accessible.    
   
   
       99 . The apparatus of  claim 98  further including at least one of an audio and a visual display device and wherein the step of rendering the one of the item and the message accessible includes presenting the message via the at least one of the devices.  
   
   
       100 . The apparatus of  claim 98  wherein, when the key is removed from the channel and the tumblers are in other than the unlocked juxtaposition, the processor performs a secondary function.  
   
   
       101 . The apparatus of  claim 100  wherein the secondary function includes rendering the one of the item and the message inaccessible.  
   
   
       102 . The apparatus of  claim 100  wherein the secondary function includes rendering the one of the item and the message inaccessible independent of the positions of the tumblers and the key for a time out period and thereafter rendering the one of the item and the message accessible when the tumblers are in the unlocked juxtaposition when the key is subsequently removed from the channel.  
   
   
       103 . The apparatus of  claim 98  further including a manual latching mechanism that latches the key into the channel, the latching mechanism operable to de-latch the key so that the key is removable from the channel.  
   
   
       104 . The apparatus of  claim 98  wherein the first sensor includes at least one electrical contact on the key member.  
   
   
       105 . The apparatus of  claim 98  wherein the second sensor includes a separate electrical conductor associated with each tumbler where each conductor is positioned to form part of a closed circuit with the processor when specific indicia on the external surface are aligned along an alignment axis that is parallel to the tumbler axis.  
   
   
       106 . The apparatus of  claim 105  wherein the conductors of adjacent tumblers make electrical contact when the tumblers are aligned in the unlocked juxtaposition.  
   
   
       107 . The apparatus of  claim 98  wherein the memory is re-programmable so that each of the answer word and the unlocking juxtaposition can be modified.  
   
   
       108 . The apparatus of  claim 98  wherein the second sensor is part of the first sensor.