Search engine having multiple co-processors for performing inexact pattern search operations

A method performed by a content search system for determining whether a selected portion of an input string including a plurality of input characters matches a regular expression including an inexact pattern, comprising:

• receiving a microprogram embodying the inexact pattern and comprising a plurality of commands, wherein each command embodies a different portion of the inexact pattern;
• for each command, delegating the command to a corresponding co-processor that is dedicated to execute the command;
• and
• processing the commands in the corresponding co-processors, wherein each co-processor implements an associated portion of an inexact pattern match operation between the input string and the inexact pattern, wherein the inexact pattern comprises a specified range of instances of selected characters each belonging to a specified set of characters.

A search engine for determining whether a selected portion of an input string including a plurality of input characters matches a regular expression including an inexact pattern, comprising:

• means for receiving a microprogram embodying the inexact pattern and comprising a plurality of commands, wherein each command embodies a different portion of the inexact pattern;
• means for delegating each command to a corresponding co-processor that is dedicated to execute the command;
• and
• means for processing the commands in the corresponding co-processors, wherein each co-processor implements an associated portion of an inexact pattern match operation between the input string and the inexact pattern, wherein the inexact pattern comprises a specified range of instances of selected characters each belonging to a specified set of characters.