METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PAIRING A MOBILE DEVICE TO AN OUTPUT DEVICE

摘要

Methods and systems for associating or pairing a mobile device with a local output device via a central or mobile connect server system are provided. Pairing is performed by initiating a pairing request from an output device that is passed to the mobile connect server for processing. The mobile connect server responds to the request with a pairing code that is displayed by the output device. A user of the mobile device then enters the displayed pairing code in the mobile device. The mobile device transmits the entered pairing code to the mobile connect server and, in response to a match, the mobile device is paired to the output device. Pairing can enable various functions, including an ability to apply stored user preference data to control programming or other information displayed by the output device in response to commands entered in the mobile device.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
generating a first pairing code using a first server, wherein the first server is interconnected to a plurality of output devices at different geographic locations; communicating using a first output device included in the plurality of output devices the first pairing code to a first user device; after communicating the first pairing code to the first user device, communicating the first pairing code from the first user device to the first server, and receiving the first pairing code at the first server; and in response to receiving by the first server the first pairing code communicated from the first user device, associating the first user device with at least one of the first output device and a second output device.