Methods and systems for pairing devices

• US 9,479,594 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Paluch, Bryan, Mathur, Arpit
• Primary Examiner(s): Bates, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCRAY, CLARENCE D
• Application Number:
  US13/827,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20140280983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,321 Days
• Field of Search: 709/227
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for pairing devices such as control devices and user devices, by determining location information relating to one or more of the control devices and the user devices. Location information can be used to identify at least one user device proximate to the control device. The method and system then identifies a selected user device to be paired with the control device. The control device is then paired with the selected user device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining a location of a control device;

identifying at least two user devices proximate to the control device;

causing a signal to be transmitted from each of the at least two identified proximate user devices, wherein each of the at least two identified proximate user devices transmits at a different frequency from the others of the at least two identified proximate user devices;

selecting, from among the at least two identified proximate user devices, a user device to be paired with the control device based on the frequencies of the transmitted signals; and

causing the control device to be paired with the selected user device.

2. The method of claim 1;

wherein the control device comprises a second screen device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the control device comprises a mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting the user device comprises the steps of:

playing, with the user device, a program;

receiving, with the control device, audio associated with the program;

determining, based on the audio associated with the program;

an identity of the program; and

determining, based on the identity of the program, the user device playing the program as the selected user device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting the user device comprises the steps of:

transmitting, by each user device, a tone, wherein each user device transmits a tone at a different frequency from each other user device;

receiving one of the tones at the control device; and

determining, based on the frequency of the received tone, the user device that transmitted the received tone, wherein the user device that transmitted the received tone becomes the selected user device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting the user device comprises the steps of:

receiving location information from a global positioning system receiver associated with each user device; and

determining, based on the location information, the user device that is closest to the control device, wherein the user device that is closest to the control device comprises the selected user device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the control device comprises a global positioning system receiver, and wherein determining the location of the control device comprises receiving location information from the global positioning system receiver.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of identifying at least two user devices proximate to the control device comprises searching a database of user device locations for locations within a predetermined distance of the control device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of causing the control device to be paired with the selected user device comprises at least one of:

mirroring an output of the user device on the control device, transmitting audio from the user device to the control device, transmitting video from the user device to the control device, and controlling user device with the control device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of causing the control device to be paired with the selected user device comprises the steps of:

requesting permission to allow the control device to control the selected user device; and

pairing the control device with the selected user device in response to receiving permission.

11. A system comprising:

a control device comprising a location device configured to determine a location of the control device;

a plurality of user devices; and

a server configured to communicate with the plurality of user devices and the control device, the server further configured to receive the location of the control device and determine a location of each of the plurality of user devices, wherein the control device transmits a request to control a user device to the server, wherein, in response to the request, the server causes one or more of the plurality of user devices to transmit a signal, wherein each of the one or more of the plurality of user devices transmits a signal at a different frequency from the others of the one or more of the plurality of user devices, and the server selects a user device to be paired with the control device based on the location of the control device, the location of the selected user device and a frequency of one of the respective signals.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the control device further comprises:

a receiver configured to receive output from one or more of the plurality of user devices; and

a transmitter configured to transmit at least a portion of the output to the server, wherein the server identifies the output and, based on the identity of the output, identifies the user device generating the output.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the output comprises a television program.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the output comprises a tone, and wherein each of the plurality of user devices outputs a distinct tone.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein each tone comprises a frequency that is inaudible to humans.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of user devices comprises a set top box.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the location device is a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the server allows the control device to control the selected user device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the server is further configured to identify an individual previously authorized to control the selected user device and transmit a request for permission to control the selected user device to the individual, and to allow the control device to control the selected user device after receiving an indication from the individual of consent to control.

20. A method comprising:

receiving a request to control a user device from a requestor device, the request comprising an indication of an identity of the requestor device and an indication of the location of the requestor device;

identifying a plurality of user devices proximate to the location of the requestor device; and

selecting, from the plurality of user devices, a user device to be paired with the requestor device, wherein the selecting step comprises;

causing a signal to be transmitted from each of the plurality of user devices,

identifying content from a portion of the signal,

determining which of the plurality of user devices is transmitting the identified content, and

accepting control signals from the requestor device.