Methods and apparatus to perform media device asset qualification

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• memory including instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to at least:
• generate a hash table using candidate media device assets generated by media devices in response to respective presentations of media by the media devices, the candidate media device assets including A) a signature and B) a media identifier that identifies the media, wherein the media does not have a reference signature in a reference database;
• calculate one or more counts of matches between C) a first signature and a first media identifier of a first candidate media device asset of the candidate media device assets and D) respective signatures and media identifiers of multiple ones of the candidate media device assets using the hash table, the multiple ones of the candidate media device assets not including the first candidate media device asset;
• identify the first signature as the reference signature based on the one or more counts of the matches;
• and
• in response to identifying the first signature as the reference signature, load the reference signature into the reference database.

A system comprising:

• a plurality of media devices to generate candidate media device assets in response to respective presentations of media, the candidate media device assets including A) a signature and B) a media identifier that identifies the media;
• and
• at least one server to:
• in response to obtaining the candidate media device assets from the plurality of media devices via a network, determine that the media does not have a reference signature in a reference database;
• generate a hash table based on the candidate media device assets;
• calculate, using the hash table, one or more counts of matches between C) a first signature and a first media identifier of a first candidate media device asset of the candidate media device assets and D) respective signatures and media identifiers of multiple ones of the candidate media device assets, the multiple ones of the candidate media device assets not including the first candidate media device asset;
• identify the first signature as the reference signature based on the one or more counts of the matches;
• and
• in response to identifying the first signature as the reference signature, load the reference signature into the reference database.