Identifying works, using a sub linear time search or a non exhaustive search, for initiating a work-based action, such as an action on the internet

A method for associating an electronic document work with an action, the document work comprising at least one of an image and text, the method comprising:

• a) electronically extracting within a portable client device features from the electronic document work;
• b) transmitting the extracted features from the portable client device to one or more servers;
• c) receiving at the portable client device from the one or more servers an identification of the electronic document work based on the extracted features, wherein the identification is based on a non-exhaustive search identifying a neighbor;
• d) electronically determining an action based on the identification of the electronic document work;
• and
• e) electronically performing the action on the portable client device.

Apparatus comprising:

• a) at least one processor;
• and
• b) at least one storage device storing processor-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method of associating an electronic document work with an action, the document work comprising at least one of an image and text, the method including:
• 1) electronically extracting within a client device features from the electronic document work;
• 2) transmitting the extracted features from the client device to one or more servers;
• 3) receiving at the client device from the one or more servers an identification of the electronic document work based on the extracted features,
• wherein the identification is based on a sub-linear search;
• 4) electronically determining an action based on the identification of the electronic document work;
• and
• 5) electronically performing the action on the client device.