Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A content addressable memory (CAM) system, is disclosed for writing data including a key portion and an extended portion, and for reading the extended portion in response to the match of a search key a key portion of the data. The system includes a conventionally addressed RAM, organized into segments, each segment of which is identified by a starting address. It also includes a CAM, also organized into words. Each of the words of the CAM is identified by a CAM address. Data to be written into the memory includes a key portion and an extended data portion. The key portion of the data is written into the CAM at a selected address, and the extended data portion is written into a segment of the random access memory which begins at an address determined from the selected address. Data in the random access memory is read by searching the CAM for a search key and then using address of matching entries found in the CAM to generate address values for the random access memory. The random access memory is then addressed to fetch the extended data associated with each of the matching entries. In one exemplary embodiment, the memory system is used to hold a database of television programs in a cable television scheduling system.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim