Patent ID: 7451326
Filing Date: 2008-11-11
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for processing data comprising the steps of: a) providing a pipeline processor including a plurality of individual processing elements arranged in a serial array such that a first processing element precedes a second processing element which precedes a final processing element; b) providing an encryption key of a length of one of a plurality of possible lengths to the pipeline processor; c) providing data indicative of the encryption key length to the pipeline processor; d) providing data to the first processing element for processing; e) determining a last processing element in dependence upon at least the data indicative of the encryption key length; f) providing a signal to the last processing element indicative of the processing element being the last processing element, g) propagating data along a forward processing path for further processing in a step-wise forward serial fashion from the first processing element only until the last processing element and precluding the data from passing through further processing elements after the last processing element; and, wherein at least two of the processing elements within a same pipeline processor are determinable as the last processing element with the last processing element being other than the final processing element.