Patent ID: 6853640

Claim:
A data selection apparatus comprising: search units each of which search units includes table search circuits and a first circuit which performs a first selection process in which a table search circuit which outputs data is selected from table search circuits each of which succeeds in a search based on input data; and a second circuit which performs a second selection process in which a search unit which outputs data is selected from search units each of which includes a table search circuit which succeeds in a search; wherein: when said first circuit receives a first signal which indicates that there is a table search circuit which succeeds in a search, said first circuit sends a second signal to said second circuit before performing said first selection process, said second signal indicating that there is at least one table search circuit which succeeds in a search; said second circuit performs said second selection process when said second circuit receives said second signal; a search unit which is selected by said second selection process outputs data of a table search circuit that is selected by said first selection process; and said first selection process and said second selection process are performed in parallel at least in part so that output data of a table search circuit is selected.