Automatic identification of DVD title using internet technologies and fuzzy matching techniques

Abstract

An iterative search technique is used to quickly and accurately locate information in a database, such as one storing information about digital versatile discs (DVDs). First, a presumably unique search key is generated for an unidentified DVD and compared with corresponding keys in a database. If no match is found progressively less specific information is used to generate a series of search keys that are similarly compared with corresponding keys in the database. If at least one possibly matching record is found, it is determined whether the best matching record can be considered a match, otherwise, less specific information is used to search for a match until predefined least specific information is used.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . A method of searching for a match in a database, comprising: 
 obtaining a unique search key based on uniquely identifying information from data to be matched with a record in the database;    using the unique search key to search for a matching record in the database;    obtaining a non-unique search key based on non-uniquely identifying information from the data to be matched, if no match is found using the unique search key;    using the non-unique search key to search for at least one possibly matching record in the database; and    repeating said obtaining and said using of non-unique search keys based on progressively less specific information from the data to be matched each time no possibly matching records are found until predefined least specific information is used.    
     
     
         17 . A method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the unique and non-unique search keys include a hash code of at least a portion of the uniquely identifying information and the non-uniquely identifying information, respectively.  
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising storing, in relationship to the data to be matched, related data from the matching record in the database if the matching record is found.  
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising storing, in relationship to the data to be matched, related data from a record in the database most closely matching the data to be matched if at least one possibly matching record is found.  
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising using a portion of the data to be matched as the related information if no possibly matching records are found.  
     
     
         21 - 24 . (canceled)