Communicating with an endpoint using matrix barcodes

• US 8,854,413 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2012
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mustafa Hashim, Hani, Frysa, Rune, Martinsen, Pl-Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US13/486,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20130321554A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 348 1401- 1416, 709/204, 235/380
• US Class Current: 348/14.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1818 Conference organisation arrangements, e.g. handling schedules, setting up parameters needed by nodes to attend a conference, booking network resources, notifying involved parties
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/14 Systems for two-way working H04N7/12, H04N7/173 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by an endpoint from a client, an image generated by the client. The endpoint determines that the image generated by the client includes a matrix barcode. The endpoint decodes the matrix barcode to determine one or more instructions associated with text encoded within the matrix barcode. The method further includes performing the one or more instructions associated with the encoded text.

Claims

1. A telepresence system comprising:

a memory configured to store computer executable instructions; and

one or more processors coupled to the memory, the processors configured, when executing the instructions, to;

receive a video stream from a client via a video cable, the video stream including an image generated by the client;

determine that the image includes a matrix barcode;

decode the matrix barcode into text, the text specifying user credentials of a user associated with the client; and

provision the telepresence system for the client in response to a determination that the user credentials are valid.

2. A method, comprising:

receiving, by an endpoint from a client, an image generated by the client;

determining, by the endpoint, that the image generated by the client includes a matrix barcode;

decoding, by the endpoint, the matrix barcode to determine one or more instructions associated with text encoded within the matrix barcode; and

performing the one or more instructions associated with the encoded text;

receiving a video stream from the client, the video stream including the image generated by the client; and

wherein the video stream is received over a Video Graphics Array (VGA), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), or High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) video cable coupled between the endpoint and the client.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the video stream is received from the client while the video stream is displayed by the client.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining that the image generated by the client includes a matrix barcode comprises determining that the image includes a Quick Response (QR) code.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the text encoded within the matrix barcode is one or more user credentials of a user associated with the client.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the performing the one or more instructions associated with the encoded text includes:

verifying the user credentials with a login server connected to the endpoint through a network; and

providing the client with access to one or more functions of the endpoint in response to the verification of the user credentials.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the performing the one or more instructions associated with the encoded text includes customizing the endpoint according to one or more customization parameters associated with the login information.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

displaying a prompt querying whether the one or more instructions should be performed; and

wherein the one or more instructions are performed after receiving a positive response to the displayed prompt.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the image is a first image and the method further comprises:

capturing a second image generated by the client;

determining that the second image generated by the client does not include a matrix barcode; and

capturing the first image upon waiting a predetermined period of time after the second image is captured or after the determination that the second image generated by the client does not include a matrix barcode.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the performing the one or more instructions associated with the encoded text includes establishing a communication session with one or more users that are distinct from a user of the client.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the endpoint is a computing system that includes a processor capable of facilitating a videoconference session with another endpoint.

12. One or more computer readable tangible media comprising logic that when executed is operable to:

receive, from a client, an image generated by the client;

determine that the image generated by the client includes a matrix barcode;

decode the matrix barcode to determine one or more instructions associated with text encoded within the matrix barcode; and

perform the one or more instructions associated with the encoded text;

wherein the image is received in a video stream from the client; and

wherein the video stream is received over a Video Graphics Array (VGA), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), or High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) video cable coupled between the endpoint and the client.

13. The media of claim 12, wherein determining that the image generated by the client includes a matrix barcode comprises determining that the image includes a Quick Response (QR) code.

14. The media of claim 12, wherein the text encoded within the matrix barcode is one or more user credentials of a user associated with the client.

15. The media of claim 12, wherein the logic is further configured to receive the image by capturing a photo or video of a display of the client.