Patent ID: 7499912

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of searching an ordered database using transformed key entries, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a system including: (i) a memory adapted to store a plurality of key entries, and (ii) processing logic operative to: (A) transform each key entry of said key entries into a respective coded entry, said respective coded entry containing information corresponding to some information present in said key entry, and (B) search said coded entries; (b) performing a pre-determined transformation of each said key entry to produce said respective coded entry, to obtain a plurality of coded entries, and (c) performing a deterministic search in at least one data structure within said memory to obtain a match between an input key and a key entry of said key entries, wherein a length, expressed as a number of bits, of said respective coded entry is reduced with respect to a length, expressed as a number of bits, of said key entry from which said respective coded entry was transformed, and wherein a function operative to perform said pre-determined transformation is substantially independent of specific content of each said key entry of said key entries.