A lookup mechanism provides an input value to a datapath element disposed in an execution datapath of a processor and causes the datapath element to compare the input value to stored identifier values. The lookup mechanism receives from the datapath element a result based on the comparison. ...http://www.google.com/patents/US20050132132?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20050132132 - Software controlled content addressable memory in a general purpose execution datapath
