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:
receiving user preference data; storing the received user preference data; 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, wherein the first pairing code is generated by the first server in response to a request from a first output device included in the plurality of output devices, wherein the first pairing code is generated prior to any communication between the first output device and a first user device, and wherein the first output device sends the request to the first server using a first communication channel; communicating the first pairing code from the first server to the first output device; communicating using the first output device included in the plurality of output devices the first pairing code to the first user device, wherein the first user device first receives the first pairing code as a result of the communicating by the first output device; communicating the first pairing code from the first user device to the first server, wherein the first user device sends the first pairing code to the first server using a second communication channel, and wherein the first communication channel is separate from the second communication channel; in response to receiving by the first server the first pairing code communicated from the first user device, associating by the first server the first user device with the first output device; providing the stored user preference data to at least one of the first server and a second server, wherein the stored user preference data is associated with the first user device; applying the user preference data by the at least one of the first server and the second server, to control aspects of operation of the first output device.