Abstract: A method for operating a data processing system to decode a data packet and computer readable medium that causes a data processor to perform that method when the media read by the data processing system is disclosed. The method provides a model of the possible data packet formats and an iterative process for moving through the model to decode a data packet. The model includes a plurality of nodes connected by arcs. The program iteratively examines the data packet by proceeding to a next node from a current node. The current node examines a portion of the data packet by matching each of a plurality of candidate matches to that portion of the data packet. The candidate matches include a pattern to be matched against the portion, a priority that determines the order in which the candidates matches are matched, and the identity of the next node.

Abstract: A measurement instrument receives an analog input signal from a measurement target, converts the input signal into a digital signal, scans the digital signal and comparing the scanned digital signal with a pattern signature using a flexible matching procedure implemented by hardware, and triggers the measurement instrument according to a result of the flexible matching procedure.

Abstract: A method for operating a data processing system to extract information from a record is disclosed. The method includes defining a plurality of ALTERNATIVE statements. Each ALTERNATIVE statement includes a label that identifies that ALTERNATIVE statement, a Signature that defines a test that is to be performed on a field in the data record defined by a first window, and a NEXT statement that defines a different ALTERNATIVE statement and a second window for testing by that different ALTERNATIVE statement. In one aspect of the invention, the test includes a regular expression that is to match the field. The method defines a SCHEMA statement that defines a plurality of fields within the record. One of the defined fields includes an offset defining a location in the record, a field name, and a field length. The offset and/or the field length are computed by the data processing system.

Abstract: A measurement instrument receives an analog input signal from a measurement target, converts the input signal into a digital signal, scans the digital signal and comparing the scanned digital signal with a pattern signature using a flexible matching procedure implemented by hardware, and triggers the measurement instrument according to a result of the flexible matching procedure.