Abstract: Through the use of remote actor (5) messaging, the system (10) described herein concurrently scans high volumes of digital information (1) to look for potential content matches using a variety of scan techniques and a variety of types of scanner (6) (e.g., fingerprint scanners, pattern scanners, dictionary scanners, etc.). The scanners (6) are organized into a plurality of scanner worker modules (5). Some or all of the scanner worker modules (5) can reside and operate together on the same device (computer) (4), or they can all be distributed across many horizontally scalable computers (4). This architecture (10) allows distributing the incoming digital content (1) to some or all of the scanners (6) at once, and have them all look for matches in parallel, i.e., simultaneously. It also allows a user to add new types of content scanning (6) and/or to modify scan parameters (23, 34) dynamically, without introducing unwanted latency into the system (10).

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling transmission of data packets in an information network comprises a Regional Transaction Processor (RTP) 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 the 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.