US Patent 7499912 Search method using coded keys

A computer-implemented method of searching an ordered database using transformed key entries including the steps of: (a) providing a system having: (i) a memory for storing a plurality of key entries, and (ii) processing logic for transforming said key entries into coded entries, and for searching the coded entries; (b) performing a pre-determined transformation of each key entry so as to obtain a plurality of coded entries, and (c) performing a deterministic search in at least one data structure within the memory to obtain a match between an input key and a key entry.