Patent ID: 7194627

Claim:
A method for encrypting and decrypting data, the method comprising: receiving data from a memory device coupled to a first memory interface; determining which one of an encryption operation, a decryption operation and a bypass operation to be performed within a chip on said received data; if said determined encryption operation is to be performed, executing said encryption operation on said received data within said chip; and transferring resulting data from said executed encryption operation back to said memory device; if said determined decryption operation is to be performed, executing said decryption operation on said received data within said chip; and transferring resulting data from said executed decryption operation back to said memory device; if said determined bypass operation is to be performed, executing said bypass operation on said received data within said chip; transferring said received data back to said memory device; and buffering said received data in at least one buffer integrated within said chip prior to said execution of said encryption and decryption operations.