Abstract: A computer implemented apparatus and method of pattern recognition utilizing a pattern recognition engine coupled with a general purpose computer system. The present invention system provides increased accuracy and performance in handwriting and voice recognition systems and may interface with general purpose computer systems. A pattern recognition engine is provided within the present invention that contains five pipelines which operate in parallel and are specially optimized for Dynamic Time Warping and Hidden Markov Models procedures for pattern recognition, especially handwriting recognition. These pipelines comprise two arithmetic pipelines, one control pipeline and two pointer pipelines. Further, a private memory is associated with each pattern recognition engine for library storage of reference or prototype patterns. Recognition procedures are partitioned across a CPU and the pattern recognition engine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for securely providing an encryption scheme for a highly integrated circuit arrangement using external function-enabling keys. Unencrypted question and encrypted expected answer values are stored in question and answer registers respectively. The encrypted expected answer value is derived from a suitably secure encryption scheme. An external key chip incorporating a coding block implementing the identical encryption scheme is provided for each optional feature to be enabled. The unencrypted question value is routed to the input of the coding block. The coding block returns an encrypted key answer value to a comparator in the circuit arrangement. The encrypted key answer value is compared to the encrypted expected answer value stored in the answer register and, if equivalent, the comparator signals the circuit arrangement that a match has been found and that the optional function is to be enabled.