1. The method of mapping a subset of elements of a first set of elements into a second set of elements comprising the steps of: assigning to each element within the first set a different multidigit encoded state from a first set of multidigit encoded states wherein each encoded state is represented by a different combination of multistate digits; assigning to each element within the second set a different multidigit encoded state from a second set of multidigit encoded states wherein each encoded state is represented by a different combination of multistate digits; grouping the digits representing the first set of encoded states into a plurality of groups with each group having at least one digit of the digits representing the first set of encoded states and with all of the digits of any given group being mutually exclusive of the digits of any other group, each group of at least one digit having a plurality of different definable group states defined by different combinations of the states of the at least one digit in the group; storing for each given element of the subset the encoded state from the second set of encoded states assigned to the element of the second set of elements to which the given element is to be mapped, with each digit of the stored encoded state from the second set of encoded states being stored in association with a state of a group, the group state being defined by the state of each of the at least one digit in the group for the encoded state from the first set of encoded states assigned to the given element of the subset; detecting the occurrence of a multidigit encoded state assigned to an element within the subset; and retrieving the digits representing the encoded state from the second set of encoded states stored in association with the group states defined by the digits of the detected multidigit encoded state.