Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for encoding digital data, comprising the steps of: storing the digital data in an input register; processing the digital data through a plurality of cipher stages, wherein the cipher stages are cascaded in series and the processing is performed at a first frequency that is limited by the process technology; storing encoded digital data from a last cipher stage in an output register; clocking the input register and the output register at a second frequency; determining a number of cycles for completing the processing step, wherein the number of cycles is a function of the first frequency and the second frequency; sampling the output register when the number of cycles has completed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for encoding digital data, comprising the steps of: storing the digital data in an input register; processing the digital data through a plurality of cipher stages, wherein the cipher stages are cascaded in series and the processing is performed at a first frequency that is limited by the process technology; storing encoded digital data from a last cipher stage in an output register; clocking the input register and the output register at a second frequency; determining a number of cycles for completing the processing step, wherein the number of cycles is a function of the first frequency and the second frequency; sampling the output register when the number of cycles has completed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of incrementing a programmable clock for counting the number of cycles, wherein the programmable clock indicates when the output register is to be sampled.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a decoding step which is comprised of the steps of: inputting the encoded data into a second input register; processing the encoded data through a second set of cipher stages to produce unencoded digital data; storing the unencoded digital data in a second output register; reading the unencoded digital data from the output register.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of controlling the second frequency to scale the processing step according to the first frequency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: feeding back the encoded digital data from the last cipher stage to an XOR gate; performing an XOR function on the encoded digital data with a subsequent unencoded digital data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of selecting between at least two modes of operation, wherein either an output from the XOR gate or the unencoded digital data is stored into the input register.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the cipher stages are comprised of sixteen independent blocks conforming to a data encryption standard.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the two modes of operation include cipher block chaining and electronic codebook modes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the digital data represents plain text.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for encoding digital data, comprising: an input register for storing digital data; a plurality of cipher stages coupled to the input register for encoding the digital data, wherein the cipher stages are cascaded in series and the encoding is performed at a first frequency; an output register coupled to a last cipher stage for storing encoded digital data; a clock coupled to the input register and the output register for clocking the input register and the output register at a second frequency; logic coupled to the output register for sampling the output register after a number of cycles have elapsed, wherein the number of cycles is a function of the first frequency and the second frequency.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus for encoding digital data, comprising: an input register for storing digital data; a plurality of cipher stages coupled to the input register for encoding the digital data, wherein the cipher stages are cascaded in series and the encoding is performed at a first frequency; an output register coupled to a last cipher stage for storing encoded digital data; a clock coupled to the input register and the output register for clocking the input register and the output register at a second frequency; logic coupled to the output register for sampling the output register after a number of cycles have elapsed, wherein the number of cycles is a function of the first frequency and the second frequency.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a programmable clock coupled to the output register for counting the number of cycles, wherein the programmable clock indicates when the output register is to be sampled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a decoder, wherein the decoder is comprised of: a second input register in which encoded data is stored; a second set of cipher stages coupled to the second input register for decrypting the encoded data; a second output register coupled to the second set of cipher stages for storing decrypted digital data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a controller for controlling the second frequency to scale the processing step according to the first frequency.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: an XOR gate coupled to the input register that performs an XOR function on the encoded digital data with a subsequent unencoded digital data; a feedback path feeding back the encoded digital data from the last cipher stage to the XOR gate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a selector coupled to the XOR gate which selects between at least two modes of operation, wherein either an output from the XOR gate or the unencoded digital data is stored into the input register.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the cipher stages are comprised of sixteen independent blocks conforming to a data encryption standard.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the two modes of operation include cipher block chaining and electronic codebook modes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the digital data represents plain text.