Patent ID: 6957215

Claim:
A device for storing data in a memory, and for extracting the data therefrom based on a multi-dimensional input (MDI) key, the device comprising: (a) a first associative search engine (ASE), and (b) at least a second ASE, each ASE including: (i) a memory having: (A) a first array of cells containing a field of entries, each of said cells having a unique address and being accessible via an input key including a string corresponding to at least a portion of the MDI key, and (B) a second array of cells having a plurality of associated data entries, each of said associated data entries being associated with a particular one of said entries in said first array, and (ii) control logic for said memory, said control logic operatively connecting said first ASE and said second ASE, said control logic designed and configured for processing at least a portion of said entries in said first array from each said ASE, in response to said input key, so as to make a determination if there exists a match between said input key and an entry of said entries in said field; said control logic designed and configured to produce a result based on said determination, wherein said result pertains to at least one of said associated data entries, and wherein said control logic utilizes said result from said first ASE in said processing of said second ASE, so as to narrow searching within said second ASE.