Patent attributes
The present invention relates generally to fingerprinting, e.g., a reduced-bit representation or other identifier of a media signal (e.g., audio, video or still images). One method recites: receiving a partial fingerprint of a media signal, wherein the partial fingerprint is derived from the media signal itself, the partial fingerprint being computed a first location; processing the partial fingerprint to obtain a more refined fingerprint, relative to the partial fingerprint, the act of processing occurring at a second location that is remote from the first location; and based at least in part of the refined fingerprint, identifying the media signal or information associated with the media signal. Another method recites: obtaining a fingerprint derived from a media signal, the fingerprint comprising a reduce-bit representation of the media signal; determining information associated with the fingerprint or the media signal; and causing a text message to be sent to a mobile device representing at least a portion of the information. Of course, other methods and combinations are described and claimed as well.