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

#§1.1 Field of the Invention

#The present invention concerns linking traditional media to new interactive media, such as that provided over the Internet for example. In particular, the present invention concerns identifying a work (e.g., content or an advertisement delivered via print media, or via a radio or television broadcast) without the need to modify the work.

#§1.2 Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a process bubble diagram of operations that may be performed in accordance with one version of the present invention, in which intra-work information is used to identify the work.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention, in which intra-work information is used to identify the work.

#FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention, in which intra-work information is used to identify the work.

#The present invention may involve novel methods, apparatus and data structures for identifying works without the need of embedding signals therein. Once identified, such information can be used to determine a work-related action. The following description is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of particular embodiments and methods. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles set forth below may be applied to other embodiments, methods and applications. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments and methods shown and the inventors regard their invention as the following disclosed methods, apparatus, data structures and any other patentable subject matter to the extent that they are patentable.

#§4.1 Functions

#The present invention functions to identify a work without the need of inserting an identification code into a work. The present invention may do so by (i) extracting features from the work to define a feature vector, and (ii) comparing the feature vector to feature vectors associated with identified works. Alternatively, or in addition, the present invention may do so by (i) accepting extra-work information, such as the time of a query or of a rendering of the work, the geographic location at which the work is rendered, and the station that the audience member has selected, and (ii) use such extra-work information to lookup an identification of the work. In either case, an identification code may be used to identify the work.