Patent ID: 6434144
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A device for identifying an item that is an optimal match for a search key, the device comprising:a first search stage, comprising an input for receiving a signal corresponding to a first part of the search key, a first output for developing a first control signal indicating whether the item can be identified from the first part of the search key, and a second output for developing a first item identifier signal identifying the item if the item can be identified from the first part of the search key and for developing a second control signal if the item cannot be identified from the first part of the search key; a second search stage for identifying the item based on the second control signal and a second part of the search key, comprising a first input coupled-to the second output of the first search stage, a second input for receiving a signal corresponding to the second part of the search key, and the first output for developing a second item identifier signal identifying the item; and a demultiplexor for selecting a select one of the first item identifier signal and the second item identifier signal based on the first control signal.