Real time content matching

Abstract

Apparatus, methods, and computer-readable media for controlling transmission of data packets in an information network. A Regional Transaction Processor (RTP) is operable to communicate with a Data Enabling Device (DED) and at least one workstation. The DED searches data packets for content match information. The RTP includes instructions to generate information to include in a prompt to be presented at the workstation when content match information is detected in at least one of the data packets. The prompt is based on information in the data packet. Transmission of the data packets through the information network is suspended by the DED until a response to the prompt is received that authorizes downloading the data packets to the workstation. If transmission of the data packets to the workstation is not authorized, the data packets are discarded by the DED.

1 . A system for controlling transmission of data packets through an information network, comprising:
 a Regional Transaction Processor (RTP); and   a data Enabling Device (DED) operable to:
 receive one or more data packets from the information network, 
 detect when the one or more data packets include content match information, and 
 issue a message to a workstation and invoke the RTP to process a transaction when the content match information is detected in the one or more data packets. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the transaction processed is based on the content match information. 
     
     
         3 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the DED is operable to detect when the one or more data packets include content match information at a rate proportional to the rate at which the data packets are received. 
     
     
         4 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the DED prevents further transmission of the one or more data packets based on the content match information. 
     
     
         5 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the RTP comprises a network server and a database, and is operable to process transactions for requests for content. 
     
     
         6 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the DED is located at a network access point (NAP). 
     
     
         7 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of DEDs along a network route, wherein each DED is operable to communicate with at least one of the other DEDs. 
     
     
         8 . The system, as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of DEDs include a first DED that generates a message and one or more intermediate DEDs operable to forward the message to the DED closest to the workstation along the network route. 
     
     
         9 . The system, as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of DEDs are operable to communicate with each other to prevent transmitting more than one message for the same data packet through the network route. 
     
     
         10 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the RTP transmits a Release_Content or Cease_Content message to the DED, based on whether the at least one data packet was authorized to be downloaded to the workstation. 
     
     
         11 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the DED includes Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). 
     
     
         12 . The system, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the FPGAs can be reprogrammed over the network to perform a content matching function. 
     
     
         13 . The system, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the DED can be dynamically reprogrammed and the DED is operable to continue processing the data packets during the partial reprogramming. 
     
     
         14 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a Central Storage and Backup System (CSBS) operable to communicate with the RTP, to monitor operation of the RTP, and to store transaction information. 
     
     
         15 . The system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the CSBS is operable to transmit information to reprogram the DED to communicate with another RTP. 
     
     
         16 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a content matching server operable to store content match information, to communicate with the DED, and to transmit the content match information to the DED. 
     
     
         17 . The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the DED is operable to suspend transmission of the data packets through the information network until a response to a prompt is received. 
     
     
         18 . A method for controlling transmission of data packets through an information network, each data packet comprising a content portion, a header, and a trailer, the information network having a plurality of user workstations communicatively coupled to a network access point (NAP), said method comprising:
 inspecting at least the content portions of data packets transiting the NAP with a data Enabling Device (DED), said DED being disposed at the NAP and communicatively coupled to a Regional Transaction Processor (RTP), said DED containing content match information;   forwarding an inspected data packet when information within the content portion of the inspected data packet is not substantially similar to content match information; and   when information within the content portion of an inspected data packet is substantially similar to content match information, temporarily storing the inspected data packet, issuing a prompt to a recipient user workstation, and invoking the RTP to process a transaction.   
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the prompt is based on control information associated with the content match information. 
     
     
         20 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising processing a transaction based on a response to the prompt received from the recipient user workstation. 
     
     
         21 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the information network comprises a plurality of DEDs, and the method further comprises transmitting a message among the plurality of DEDs to prevent transmitting more than one prompt for the same data packet. 
     
     
         22 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising processing a transaction based on a user response to the prompt, and transmitting a Release_Content or Cease_Content message to the DED based on whether content was authorized to be downloaded to the workstation as part of the transaction. 
     
     
         23 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising reprogramming a portion of the DED to detect different content match information. 
     
     
         24 . The method as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising suspending transmission of a data packet through the information network until a user response to the prompt is received. 
     
     
         25 . A computer program product comprising program instructions to implement the method of  claim 18 . 
     
     
         26 . A data signal comprising program instructions to implement the method of  claim 18 . 
     
     
         27 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the DED is further operable to search data packets for content match information to determine whether transmission of data packets containing particular content should be unconditionally prevented, and when the DED finds such content match information, the DED prevents, without additional processing, forwarding of data packets containing said particular content. 
     
     
         28 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a content provider supplies transaction instructions to the RTP for use by the RTP when processing a transaction when the DED finds content match information in a data packet. 
     
     
         29 . The system as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein the instructions include transmitting a transaction prompt to the recipient user workstation informing of a price to pay for content in a data packet, and allowing the user to accept or decline purchase of the content. 
     
     
         30 . The system as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein the instructions specify transmitting a prompt to inform a user that content infected with a virus is attempting to be transmitted from or received by the recipient user workstation, and that transmission or reception of the virus is being halted. 
     
     
         31 . The system as set forth in  claim 28  wherein the instructions include transmitting a prompt to the recipient user workstation to inform that content subject to security control is attempting to be transmitted from or received by the recipient user workstation, and that transmission or reception of the content is being halted. 
     
     
         32 . The system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the RTP tallies statistics regarding transmission of designated content.