Patent ID: 7054994

Claim:
A system for storing arranged data in a memory, the system comprising: (a) a plurality of random access memories, each random access memory (RAM) of said plurality including: (i) a first array of cells, said first array having at least two dimensions and having rows and columns, said first array designed and configured to contain a plurality of key entries, each of said cells having a unique address including a row index and a column index, each of said key entries for matching with an input key, and (b) a processor designed and configured to search said plurality of key entries for a match, in response to said input key, said plurality of RAMs designed and configured such that: (i) at least one row in a second of said RAMs has a row index that is identical to a row index in a first of said RAMs, and (ii) said key entries are arranged within each of said plurality of RAMs in monotonic order, and wherein said plurality of RAMs is further designed and configured such that a particular row of key entries in said second of said RAMs is in mixed order with respect to said particular row of key entries in said first of said RAMs.