Automatic Device Pairing via IP Address Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process of pairing mobile devices with other devices, such as televisions, for control purposes is tedious and inefficient, requiring users to manually provide credentials and identify specific devices.
Innovation Solution
A system where content providers, like Internet service providers, determine and use device identifiers, such as public-facing IP addresses, to automatically pair devices. This is achieved by exposing device identifiers through resource locators, allowing for bi-directional communication and control between paired devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual credential input and device identification is used for pairing, then device control security is maintained, but user operation complexity increases and pairing time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining device identifiers (such as IP addresses) before the pairing process begins. The set-top box retrieves its identifier and prepares pairing information in advance, so that when pairing is initiated, the devices can be matched automatically without requiring manual credential input or device identification, thus reducing pairing time and operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pairing process is made self-service by enabling devices to automatically identify and pair with each other using their own identifiers. The mobile device and set-top box autonomously exchange identification information and establish connections without requiring user intervention for credential verification or device selection, thereby simplifying the pairing operation
2Productivity
If automatic identifier-based pairing is implemented, then pairing efficiency is improved, but device identification security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary verification mechanism where the set-top box acts as a trusted mediator that validates the mobile device's identifier against its own identifier. This intermediary role ensures that automatic pairing based on identifiers maintains security by verifying that the requesting device is authorized to control the set-top box, thus balancing pairing efficiency with identification security
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for pairing devices are disclosed. A user device may be used to navigate to a resource locator using. In response to a determination that an identifier associated with the user device matches at least one identifier associated with one or more devices accessing a first network, a paired communication may be established between the user device and a display device to facilitate control of one or more features of display device.