Solution for wireless cross-pairing of interconnected devices

Abstract

[0003] Described herein are systems and methods for pairing wireless peripherals with networked devices. Using knowledge of the location of the networked device, audio can be correctly routed or sent to the paired wireless peripheral, regardless of whether it is paired with the correct networked device when the wireless peripheral is networked with other possible devices. This can be accomplished by requiring the user to select an input based on an audio challenge to determine which of the wireless peripherals should be mapped to which of the networked hosts.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application having Serial No. 62 / 979,074, filed February 20, 2020. This and all other referenced external materials are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In the event that a definition or use of a term in a reference incorporated by reference conflicts or is contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein shall be deemed controlling.

[0002] The field of the invention is pairing of devices with wireless peripherals. [Background technology]

[0003] The following description contains information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. No admission is made that any of the information provided herein is prior art or related to the presently claimed invention, or that any reference specifically or impliedly referenced is prior art.

[0004] In an environment where multiple users simultaneously wish to pair headsets or other wireless peripherals with audio sources or other networked devices, such as seatback display units of an in-flight entertainment system on an aircraft, it can be complicated to ensure that each peripheral is paired with the desired audio source. On an aircraft, for example, each seatback display unit may have a wireless transceiver that is paired with the peripherals of the user sitting in that display unit's associated seat. However, because headsets and other peripherals often do not have displays, cross-pairing with incorrect screens can occur. Instead, pairing typically relies on matching names and identification numbers associated with the peripherals, which may not always be obvious or known to the users.

[0005] Pairing headphones (speakers or headsets) or other peripherals with an audio source using the Bluetooth protocol typically involves initiating a pairing sequence by pressing a discovery button on the audio source to enter discovery mode. The user is then asked to select a Bluetooth-enabled peripheral name or BT_ADDR (MAC address) from a list on the audio source. However, the BT_ADDR and peripheral name participating devices are cryptographic. For example, if people have the same brand of peripherals, the names and numbers may be similar. Once the selection is made, verification typically involves the user with the peripheral entering a generic PIN such as 0000 or 1234, and the connection is complete. These steps work when the number of devices to be selected is small, so pairing operations are infrequent and there is physical distance.

[0006] This approach is impractical on an airplane or other vehicle or room full of users, where many of them may be pairing peripherals at the same time. The likelihood of cross-pairing (mismatching an audio source with a peripheral) is greatly increased by common or unknown peripheral names, such as BT_ADDR.

[0007] Other solutions exist that attempt to address this problem, but they all suffer from one or more disadvantages. For example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016 / 0029154 describes using barcodes to aid in the pairing process. However, such a concept is not widely used in consumer devices and does not appear to work with established devices that do not have scanners.

[0008] In another example described in U.S. Patent No. 7,831,207, the user is prompted to enter a challenge digit or code to authenticate the connection. If an incorrect code is entered, the pairing of the devices is aborted. Although such a process can ensure that an incorrect device is not paired, the process does not facilitate pairing of devices in a crowded space where multiple similar peripheral names are presented and the user does not know which one to select.

[0009] Other possible solutions are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016 / 0360350 and WIPO Publication No. 2016 / 168409, which describe automatic pairing of devices by utilizing a user's account to connect devices registered to the account through various means.

[0010] Thus, while the above concepts are all directed at ensuring that correct pairing occurs, they fail to address the problems that exist when attempting to connect multiple devices in a crowded area.

[0011] All publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. In the event that a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference contradicts or is contrary to a definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein shall apply and the definition of that term in the reference shall not apply.

[0012] Thus, there remains a need for an improved process for pairing a wireless device with a source. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The subject matter of the invention provides apparatus, systems, and methods for simplified pairing of networked devices with wireless peripherals. The subject matter of the invention is applicable when a user desires to pair a wireless peripheral having a limited interface with a networked device having a rich interface. Such systems and methods can be configured to work in a variety of locations including, for example, airplanes, buses, trains, cars, ferries and other boats, and other vehicles, as well as movie theaters, classrooms, amusement parks, and other public spaces or buildings where multiple displays or other networked devices may be present and where a wireless headset or other peripheral needs to be paired with a networked device.

[0014] The subject matter of the invention seeks to solve the above problems by utilizing a network abstraction of a networked device acting as an audio source along with a challenge system that matches audio challenges heard over a pair of headphones or other challenges presented on different types of wireless peripherals with displayed content on the networked device regardless of the physical pair link.

[0015] The contemplated systems and methods described herein may advantageously enable pairing of two or more wireless peripherals without knowing the identity of the peripherals. Thus, each of the wireless peripherals may pair with a unique source device (i.e., a networked device) without knowing whether the pairing is ultimately correct. To accomplish this, a software algorithm analyzes the received data to determine which networked device and wireless peripheral should be paired with. Although the following description refers to pairing via the Bluetooth® protocol, it is believed that the systems and methods may be equally applicable to pairing of devices and wireless peripherals via other wireless protocols, when problems arise with mass pairing of devices and peripherals.

[0016] Such data may include, for example, timing of cues (e.g., pressing the "pair" button), transmitter signal strength, and the user selected peripheral name or BT_ADDR. Thus, the systems and methods described herein can make the best prediction of which headset or other wireless peripheral should be paired with which networked device on, for example, an aircraft. This is particularly advantageous on aircraft where there may be hundreds of networked devices on an aircraft, all of which may each need to be paired with a wireless peripheral during flight. Thus, the systems and methods can facilitate pairing of wireless peripherals and networked devices in a manner that simplifies the process for the user.

[0017] After at least some of the networked devices are paired with the wireless peripheral, the system may be configured to abstract audio and video such that the network can transmit audio associated with any networked device (such as a display unit mounted in a seat back with a display screen) to any wireless peripheral (such as headphones). Once paired, the system may challenge each user connection with some unique code sequence (shape, number, etc.) that may be displayed on a component of the networked device, such as a display screen. When the user responds to the query, the system may remap the audio transmission based on the received response such that the wireless peripheral receives the correct audio from the networked device paired with the wireless peripheral. In this way, even if the wireless peripheral is not paired with the correct networked device, the wireless peripheral can still receive the correct audio transmission for a video being presented, for example, on a networked device in front of the user (e.g., a display unit in a seat back).

[0018] As used herein, the term "pair" or "pairing" is used to mean the process for establishing a peer-to-peer wireless connection between a networked device and a wireless peripheral, such as a connection typically established using the Bluetooth® protocol. As used herein, the term "match" means the audio path for the pair and is used to indicate that audio associated with a given networked device is routed to a set of headphones (or other wireless peripheral) worn by the passenger. Although a passenger may be paired to a transmitter of a networked device several rows away, an audio link is simply a match if the sound on the passenger's headphones represents activity on the networked device that the passenger is intended to see.

[0019] The inventive subject matter discussed herein advantageously leverages the intelligence and capabilities of a networked system to properly route or transmit audio to a paired wireless peripheral, regardless of whether the wireless peripheral is paired with the correct networked device. Many wireless transceivers act as audio sources that can communicate with each other, and audio can be mapped and synchronized, for example, from a server or from another networked device to any networked device via the wired and wireless network infrastructure.

[0020] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the subject invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 13 illustrates an audio challenge sent to a user after initial pairing. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 illustrates a user entering a response after receiving an audio challenge. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates remapping audio transmissions based on user input. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 illustrates relinking wireless peripherals based on user input. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flow chart of a method for determining a match between a wireless peripheral and a networked device. [Figure 6] 1 is a flow chart of a method for determining a match between a wireless peripheral and a networked device. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram of timeslot pairing of a networked device with a wireless peripheral. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Throughout the following discussion, numerous references are made to servers, services, interfaces, portals, platforms, or other systems formed from computing devices. Use of such terms should be understood to be considered to represent one or more computing devices having at least one processor configured to execute software instructions stored on a computer-readable, tangible, non-transitory medium. For example, a server may include one or more computers operating as a web server, database server, or other type of computer server to fulfill the described roles, capabilities, or functions.

[0023] The following discussion provides a number of exemplary embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0024] In Figures 1-3, three users / persons are shown, each having a display screen in front of them coupled to a display unit configured to present content on the display screen. Each of the display units is a component of a networked device that may be communicatively coupled to a server 130 as shown, and / or to each other. Although a central server is shown, it is contemplated that the systems and methods herein may be used without a centralized server. For example, the servers used herein may be ad-hoc or mesh in nature and may reside on one or more of the networked devices.

[0025] As shown, person X is attempting to pair headset 101 with networked device 100, person Y is attempting to pair headset 103 with networked device 102, and person Z is attempting to pair headset 105 with networked device 104.

[0026] Although a headset is shown and described below, any wireless peripheral that requires pairing with a networked device may be used instead without departing from the scope of the invention herein.

[0027] During pairing, each of the networked devices 100, 102, and 104 may be associated with one of the headsets 101, 103, and 105, either randomly or by best prediction. In some embodiments, users may initiate pairing from the display screen of the networked device in front of them. Users may select a headset or other wireless peripheral that they believe is correct, or the wireless peripherals may be paired either randomly or by best prediction from available data, such as passenger headset selection, time of pairing, and signal strength. Since the initial pairing may occur without first needing to determine whether the pairing is correct, incorrect pairing of the networked device with a headset or other wireless peripheral is predicted. As shown in FIG. 1, the pairings for person X and person Z have been swapped (e.g., unintended match), headset 101 is paired with networked device 104, and headset 105 is paired with networked device 100. Headset 103 is correctly paired with networked device 102 (e.g., intended match).

[0028] Once the initial pairing is complete, remapping of audio transmissions may occur using one or more of the methods described below.

[0029] At this point, the server 130 does not know which networked device is paired with which user's headset. To determine this, the server 130 can send a command over a wired or wireless network to each of the networked devices 100, 102, and 104 to present an input request, such as "XYZ" shown in FIG. 1. Although each of the networked devices 100, 102, and 104 is shown displaying the same input request, it is contemplated that the specific request may vary between one or more of the networked devices 100, 102, and 104. Additionally, while alphabetical characters are shown, it is contemplated that any combination of objects, symbols, colors, or other things may be shown, so long as the user may be requested to select from among those shown. In some embodiments, a single object, such as an arrow, may be shown pointing in various directions. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the user may be requested to input something upon request, which may be drawing a letter or number, swiping in a particular direction, etc.

[0030] The user may then receive one or more audio challenges. It is contemplated that the audio challenges may comprise unique challenges between users. As shown in FIG. 1, person X receives the audio challenge "press Z" at headset 101 via audio path 110, person Y receives the audio challenge "press Y" at headset 103 via audio path 112, and person Z receives the audio challenge "press X" at headset 105 via audio path 114. However, in the case of multiple users, it is contemplated that some of the users may receive the same audio challenge. However, in such a situation, the timing of the challenge may be varied to help the system determine which networked device the user's wireless peripheral should be paired with, and / or the determination may be based on signal strength and other factors.

[0031] Users respond to the audio challenge by entering their selections via a touchscreen or other input on the networked device in front of them, as shown in Figure 2. As shown, person X enters "Z", person Y enters "Y", and person Z enters "X".

[0032] These inputs by the users to their respective networked devices provide feedback to server 130, thereby enabling server 130 or other components of the networked apparatus, including but not limited to networked devices 100, 102, and 104, to associate each user with a networked device associated with the user's seat. If one or more of the networked devices comprises server 130, it is contemplated that the inputs enable the networked device(s) acting as the server to associate each user with a networked device associated with their seat. Thus, depending on the number of networked devices and the network architecture, it is contemplated that the system may have multiple servers that function to associate each user with a networked device associated with the user's seat.

[0033] To further eliminate collisions, it is contemplated that multiple audio challenges may be used, as necessary, until all active headphones or other wireless peripherals and networked devices are matched with an acceptable degree of confidence.

[0034] To accomplish this, audio for each user may continue to be transmitted from the networked device with which the user originally paired, but the content is synchronized with the user's local networked device (e.g., the networked device located in front of the user) via the server 130. For example, FIG. 3 shows the networked device 100 transmitting audio to person Z's headset 105, and the content on the display 104 is synchronized with the audio transmitted from the networked device 100. Similarly, the networked device 104 may transmit audio to person X's headset 101. Thus, persons X and Z continue to receive audio transmissions from a networked device not associated with their seats (a remote source), but the content is synchronized with the user's local networked device via the network. FIG. 3 shows that the networked audio may be transmitted wirelessly from the server 130 to a particular networked device, but a wired connection is also contemplated.

[0035] Users may not be aware that they may not be directly connected to their screen, they simply follow the instructions during the set up process and once that is complete the audio is matched. Advantageously, the user does not need to know the details of their peripheral such as the wireless peripheral name, BT_ADDR or pin. Instead, the user is only required to select the correct entry when prompted by the audio challenge.

[0036] Alternatively, the audio may be remapped such that the local networked device transmits the audio to the user in an optimal configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the server 130 may remap the audio based on the user's input. Thus, for example, because person X types "Z" into the networked device 100, the server 130 determines that the headset 101 is unintentionally paired with an incorrect networked device, which in this example may be the networked device 104. Similarly, because person Z types "X" into the networked device 104, the server 130 determines that the headset 105 is unintentionally paired with an incorrect networked device, which may be the networked device 100. The server 130 also determines that the headset 103 is likely paired with the intended match to the networked device 102 based on person Y typing "Y" into the networked device 102.

[0037] The server 130 can then intelligently relink the wireless pairings of the networked devices and the wireless peripherals. In this example, once the server 130 has determined which headset should be associated with which networked device, the server 130 can remap the audio transmissions from the networked device 100 to Person X and the audio transmissions from the networked device 104 to Person Z. This can occur by the server 130 delinking the wireless connections and then relinking the wireless peripherals to be paired with one of the networked devices (i.e., the closest networked device) based on, for example, shortest distance. Thus, Persons X and Z will no longer receive audio transmissions from a networked device other than the one located in front of them.

[0038] The server 130 may utilize various methods, including those described above, to determine which headsets or other wireless peripherals should be linked with which networked devices. For example, with intelligent relinking, the server 130 knows the identifiers of each headset and the mac address or other identifiers of each device. The server 130 may remove the wireless links and re-establish them to optimize for minimum RF distance. The server 130 could then prompt the user for another challenge with one or more voice challenges. With the user's input, a match may be determined for each headset. If no match is determined for a particular headset, the wireless pairing / link may be removed so that the headset or other wireless peripheral is free to pair with other devices, such as phones and laptops.

[0039] After the correct pairing is identified, the server 130 may optionally optimize the link between the networked device and the wireless peripheral by rerouting the connection for best performance or to accommodate a moving user as the wireless protocol allows. Such rerouting may occur, for example, to reduce interference between peripherals or due to hardware issues. If automatic switching is not supported (e.g., the Bluetooth protocol requires that a pairing button be pressed to place the peripheral in discovery mode), it is contemplated that one or more of the users may receive a voice message to press the pairing button to enable the desired rerouting. Scenarios are also contemplated in which one or more of the networked devices support the same or different audio for more than one of the headsets 101, 103, 105, etc.

[0040] Thus, as described above, the systems and methods herein advantageously allow cross-pairing of a networked device and a wireless peripheral to be resolved later via remapping or relinking of the networked device with a wireless peripheral, such as a headset. In this manner, any pairing may be initially tolerated, even if erroneous or unintended. The user may then go through a challenge step to match the user's wireless peripheral with the networked device. In a worst case scenario, the user may erroneously respond to an audio challenge. This may result in an erroneous audio feed / transmission, requiring the user to start the challenge process over. While this is a similar disadvantage compared to conventional pairing, the subject matter of the invention can greatly minimize erroneous matches compared to conventional headset pairing techniques.

[0041] The examples in Figures 1-4 presented above are simplified examples illustrating the application of the system and method to incorrect pairings, each of which comprises a networked device with an unintended match with a wireless peripheral and another networked device with an intended match with the wireless peripheral. However, the inventive concept is not limited to only pairings of networked devices with wireless peripherals, but may be extendable to any number of incorrect pairings within a transceiver and control network. The system and method are also not limited to pairing a display screen with a headset in an aircraft. For example, the system and method may be used with different networked devices, such as a display screen and a separate audio hub or wireless speaker. They may also be used with VR headsets, WiFi connections, and pairing of a user's device, such as a tablet PC or smartphone, with an in-flight entertainment unit (such as one located on an aircraft). Of course, the system and method may be used in any vehicle or other situation where cross-pairing may occur.

[0042] 5 shows one embodiment of a method utilized in the above system. As shown, there are three wireless peripherals, each paired with a specific networked device. After initial pairing, an audio challenge may be sent to each of the wireless peripherals. After receiving the audio challenge, each user may enter a response, preferably into one of the networked devices.

[0043] Based on the response received from each user, a trust value for one or more of the networked devices may be incremented. It is contemplated that the trust value may be generated based on whether the user's response equals an expected response, the distance of the wireless peripheral to one or more of the networked devices, signal quality, and other factors. Thus, if person X receives a voice challenge to enter "X" and enters "X", the trust value for networked device X may be incremented. Similarly, if person X enters "Y" or "Z", the trust value for networked device Y or networked device Z, respectively, may be incremented instead.

[0044] After receiving the user's input, the system checks to see if the confidence value for each pairing exceeds a threshold. If so, the system determines a match. If not, the system may send another audio challenge to one or more of the user's wireless peripherals until the confidence value exceeds the threshold, or the system may remove the initial pairing. It is contemplated that the confidence threshold may be determined by weighting factors such as user experience, type of challenge, and / or match accuracy. A higher confidence threshold typically requires a greater number of questions, but with diminishing returns.

[0045] Similarly, Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of a method for use in the above system, but with any number of networked devices and wireless peripherals. First, one or more pairings (n pairings) of networked devices and wireless peripherals may be created, where n>=1, with the upper limit limited only by system resources.

[0046] After initial pairing, an audio challenge may be sent to each of the wireless peripherals. After receiving the audio challenge, each user may enter a response.

[0047] Based on the responses received from each user, the trust value for one or more of the networked devices may be incremented. Thus, if person X receives an audio challenge to enter "X" and enters "X", the trust value for networked device X may be incremented. Similarly, if person X enters "Y" or "Z", the trust value for networked device Y or networked device Z, respectively, may be incremented instead.

[0048] After receiving the user's input, the system checks to see if the trust value for each pairing exceeds a threshold. If so, the system determines a match. If the trust value for each pairing does not exceed the threshold, the system may send another audio challenge to one or more of the users until the trust value exceeds the threshold, or it may determine that no match is found and unlink any wireless peripherals and networked devices.

[0049] In this way, the above system and method allows audio to be routed to any networked device once the system is networked. Thus, it does not matter which networked device the audio is physically being transmitted from, only that the user's wireless headphones or other wireless peripherals receive the correct transmission that matches the content on the display (networked device) in front of them. Many of the following embodiments are strategies that can be optionally used and / or combined to generate matches with as few audio challenges as possible.

[0050] 7 illustrates a time slot approach in which time slots are used to allow pairing on some networked devices to the exclusion of others. For example, server 230 may be used to organize and assign specific time slots to wireless peripherals for pairing, thereby blocking other wireless devices from pairing at the same time. As shown, server 230 sends a command to allow person Y's wireless peripheral 203 to pair with networked device 204. Similarly, server 230 may send a command to prevent wireless peripherals 201 and 205 from pairing during this time slot.

[0051] This approach advantageously limits the number of pairings occurring simultaneously by preventing wireless peripherals from initiating pairing operations at the same time. Of course, it is contemplated that more than one configured networked device / wireless peripheral may be paired in a single time slot if the number of peripherals to be paired is greater or the size of the space in which the peripherals are located is larger (such as when there is no high probability of interference between the devices and peripherals or when there is a measurable difference in signal strength between those that are permitted to pair). However, this approach does not completely prevent cross-pairing or erroneous matching, as a user may still enter it incorrectly or nearby users may activate their headphones or other wireless peripherals and establish an erroneous pair or unintended match. It is further contemplated that this approach may be used to complement the systems and methods described above with respect to Figures 1-4. With respect to the remaining numbers in Figure 7, the same considerations apply as for like-numbered like components in Figure 1.

[0052] In other embodiments, the initial pairing of the networked device with the wireless peripheral can be done using a best guess based on information such as signal strength and timing for pairing with the user's wireless peripheral (e.g., when input is received in response to a voice challenge). This approach can be used to reduce the number of false pairings by actively determining possible pairings of the wireless peripheral with the networked device first. This can be used to optimize signal strength and reduce the set of challenges in the above embodiments.

[0053] In another embodiment, a preferred language may be selected by the user on the networked device or elsewhere first before attempting voice pairing, or a default set of languages ​​may be pre-populated based on the flight demographics known to the server. The challenge command in a multi-language scenario configured to actively pair the networked device with a wireless peripheral may simply be repeated in every language.

[0054] In such an embodiment, the challenge questions to aid in the matching process could vary by language, for example asking a user to press a red button or a specific letter in Spanish and then asking the same person to press a green button or a different letter in English, however, scripting of instructions should take into account that some users may be multilingual.

[0055] Timing and language can also be used to increase the confidence of a match or to make voice prompts faster. If one user always responds during German commands in a multilingual set, they are most likely a German speaker and have likely selected German as the language used on their display. This user would not need any more other language prompts if further challenge questions were required or a prompt in German could occur first.

[0056] It is also contemplated that a blanking period may be initially implemented where pairing does not occur automatically and allows the user time to manually pair with their wireless peripheral. Such an algorithm may be selectively implemented when a wireless peripheral or networked device is discovered to be in pairing mode.

[0057] In aircraft or other vehicle applications or other applications where the user's seating location may be known or the user has an account known to a server or other component of the system, it is contemplated that initial pairing may be streamlined using historical peripheral connection data. Once a user pairs and matches a wireless peripheral with a networked device in the system, the system may store the wireless peripheral and associate it with the user for future matching. In such an embodiment, it is contemplated that a verification step may still be necessary, such as in cases where the stored information in the system may be inaccurate because some users may switch wireless peripherals or seats.

[0058] Similarly, a user could be linked to the server or other components of the system using an application on the user's smartphone or other portable computing device (e.g., smartphone, tablet PC, laptop, smartwatch, etc.). The application could have information about the user's wireless peripherals. For example, the user's portable computing device could link with the server via a wireless network connection, and the server could ask the user to identify their seat or other location. The server could then initiate pairing of the user's wireless peripherals with networked devices at the user's location. This approach could complement, but not replace, the above systems and methods, further reducing the total number of pairings made.

[0059] In another embodiment, once a wireless peripheral is linked with the system and its location is known, the system may automatically or manually provide the user with a request to re-pair if the current link is suboptimal. This may allow the source antenna or RF channel to be changed, which may improve a poor connection. In the current Bluetooth protocol, this requires the client to press a discovery button.

[0060] Once the networked device and the wireless peripheral are paired, it is contemplated that the server may provide a handoff function for the wireless peripheral match. For example, if a user wants to move to a different seat or other location, the server may receive a request and the user's wireless peripheral may be rematched to the networked device in the new location. It is important to note that the systems and methods described herein do not necessarily prohibit multiple wireless peripherals from being paired with a single networked device. Possible limitations will depend on the wireless protocol. For example, in applications using the Bluetooth protocol, the number of wireless peripherals paired with a single device is typically limited to one or two peripherals (i.e., Bluetooth 5.0).

[0061] It is further contemplated that during the pairing process, the server may automatically connect with the wireless peripheral and not require a pin entry and / or try standard pin codes such as 0000, 1111, 1234, etc. If some wireless peripherals fail to automatically pair, the challenge prompt portion may be a request for the user to enter a pin, with the assumption that a user with a unique pin will enter the pin into one of the networked devices. A response with a unique pin may be considered a correct challenge response and may be considered a trust for generating a match.

[0062] In the case of wireless peripherals with microphones, it is also contemplated that the system may transmit audio or ultrasound from one or more of the networked devices that may then be picked up by the microphone of the wireless peripheral. This may help to verify that a particular wireless peripheral is connected. Similarly, a microphone in a networked device may hear audio from a nearby wireless peripheral if the audio is loud enough to be detected by the microphone. Because the system is the source of the audio being transmitted to the wireless peripheral, a match may be generated when the expected audio is detected by the microphone.

[0063] Finally, if the wireless peripheral is equipped with a camera or light-sensitive device (e.g., smart glasses such as products by GOOGLE and others), the networked device may identify itself to the peripheral by visual means such as a bar code, text, color, image, flashing, etc.

[0064] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "coupled" as used herein is intended to include both direct coupling (wherein the two elements coupled to each other are in contact with each other) and indirect coupling (wherein at least one additional element is disposed between the two elements). Thus, the terms "coupled" and "coupled with" are used synonymously.

[0065] In some embodiments, numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties, such as concentrations, reaction conditions, and the like, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are understood to be modified in some instances by the term "about". Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and accompanying claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values ​​set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values ​​presented in some embodiments of the invention may necessarily contain certain errors due to the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0066] Unless dictated to the contrary by context, all ranges set forth herein should be construed as inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be construed as including only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values ​​should be considered as including intermediate values, unless dictated to the contrary by context.

[0067] As used throughout this description and the claims that follow, the meanings of "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used throughout this description, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on," unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0068] The recitation of ranges of values ​​herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of individually referring to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise stated herein, each separate value with a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually stated herein. Any method described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise stated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language provided with respect to specific embodiments herein (e.g., "such as") is intended merely to better clarify the invention and does not otherwise impose limitations on the scope of the claimed invention. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0069] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group may be included in or deleted from a group for reasons of convenience and / or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the description is considered herein to contain the group as modified thereby satisfying the literal description of the Markush group used in the appended claims.

[0070] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many further variations beyond those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concept herein. Thus, the subject matter of the invention is not to be limited except as by the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as non-exclusively referring to an element, component, or step, indicating that the referenced element, component, or step may be present or utilized or may be combined with other elements, components, or steps not expressly mentioned. When a claim of the specification refers to at least one selected from the group consisting of A, B, C... and N, the sentence should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, and not A+N, or B+N, etc.

Claims

1. 1. A method for pairing a networked device with a wireless peripheral, the method comprising: receiving first information regarding a set of two or more networked devices, each configured to transmit audio to one or more connected peripherals; receiving second information regarding the set of two or more wireless peripheral devices; analyzing the received first information and second information to determine which networked devices of the set of networked devices should be associated with which wireless peripherals of the set of wireless peripherals; generating a set of initial pairings, each pairing being between one of the networked devices and one of the wireless peripherals; transmitting a unique audio challenge to each of the set of wireless peripheral devices; receiving one or more inputs via the set of networked devices; generating a set of proposed pairings between one of the networked devices and one of the wireless peripherals based on the received input and associating a trust value with each of the proposed pairings, the set of proposed pairings being based on timing of input received via the set of networked devices, signal strength of the networked devices at the wireless peripheral, and an initial service set identifier (SSID) selected by a user via a connected networked device; associating the wireless peripheral device with the networked device of a proposed pairing if the trust value for the proposed pairing exceeds a threshold; A method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the networked devices is communicatively coupled to one another.

3. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the pairing of the wireless peripheral and its paired networked device utilizes the Bluetooth protocol.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial pairing set is based on the signal strength of the networked device and an initial service set identifier (SSID) selected by a user via a connected networked device.

5. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the proposed pairings comprises an incorrect pairing, the proposed pairing comprising a networked device that is an unintended match with the wireless peripheral device and another networked device that is an intended match with the wireless peripheral device.

6. The method comprises: For the incorrect pairing, synchronizing audio transmissions from the networked device of the incorrect pairing with a networked device that is an intended match for the wireless peripheral; mapping audio transmissions from the mis-paired networked device to the mis-paired wireless peripheral based on the synchronization; Furthermore, The method of claim 5 , wherein associating the wireless peripheral and the networked devices comprises determining a match of the wireless peripheral to one or more of the networked devices.

7. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the wireless peripheral device and the networked device comprises unlinking and re-pairing a first wireless peripheral device of the set of wireless peripheral devices and a first networked device of the set of networked devices.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein associating the wireless peripheral device and the networked devices comprises determining a location of the wireless peripheral device relative to one or more of the networked devices.

9. 1. A system for pairing a device in a network with a wireless peripheral, the system comprising: a server having a processor and a memory; a plurality of networked devices communicatively coupled to the server via a wired or wireless network, the memory storing the approximate location of each of the networked devices, and each of the plurality of networked devices configured to wirelessly transmit audio; Equipped with the server receives information regarding a set of wireless peripherals each configured to receive audio; the server analyzes the received information regarding the set of wireless peripherals to generate an initial set of pairings between one of the plurality of networked devices and one of the wireless peripherals; the server is configured to transmit an audio challenge to each of the wireless peripherals via a wireless connection between each of the wireless peripherals and each of the plurality of networked devices; the server receiving a set of inputs via one or more of the plurality of networked devices in response to the audio challenge; the server analyzes the set of inputs and generates a set of proposed pairings between one of the plurality of networked devices and one of the wireless peripherals, each of the proposed pairings comprising a trust value; for each proposed pairing, if a trust value for a proposed pairing exceeds a threshold, the server causes the wireless peripheral device and the networked device to become associated; For each proposed pairing, if the confidence value for a proposed pairing is less than the threshold, the server causes a second audio challenge to be sent to the wireless peripheral device; the server receives a second set of inputs via one or more of the plurality of networked devices in response to the second audio challenge; the server analyzes the second set of inputs and modifies the confidence value for each of the second set of proposed pairings; For each of the second set of proposed pairings, if the revised trust value for a proposed pairing exceeds a threshold, the server causes the wireless peripheral device and the networked device to become associated.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the associated wireless peripheral and networked device can be paired using the Bluetooth® protocol.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the initial pairing set is based on the signal strength of the networked device and an initial peripheral device name or BT_ADDR selected by a user via a connected networked device.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the set of proposed pairings is based on the timing of inputs received through the set of networked devices, the signal strength of the networked devices at the wireless peripheral, and an initial peripheral name or BT_ADDR selected by the user through a connected networked device.

13. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the proposed pairings comprises an erroneous pairing comprising a networked device from the plurality of networked devices that is an unintended match with the wireless peripheral device and another networked device from the plurality of networked devices that is an intended match with the wireless peripheral device.

14. The server further configured to determine a match between each of the wireless peripherals and one or more of the plurality of networked devices; For the incorrect pairing, the processor is configured to (i) synchronize audio transmissions from the incorrectly paired networked device with a networked device that is an intended match for the wireless peripheral, and (ii) map audio transmissions from the incorrectly paired networked device to the incorrectly paired wireless peripheral based on the synchronization. The system of claim 13.

15. The server further configured to determine a location of each of the wireless peripherals relative to one or more of the plurality of networked devices; Upon the incorrect pairing, the processor is configured to: (i) cause the wireless peripheral device to be delinked from the incorrectly paired networked device; and (ii) cause the wireless peripheral device to be paired with a networked device that is closer to the location of the wireless peripheral. The system of claim 13.

16. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein associating the wireless peripheral and the networked device comprises determining a location of the wireless peripheral relative to one or more of the plurality of networked devices.

17. The system of claim 9 , wherein one of the plurality of networked devices comprises the server.

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