Device pairing in a network

Abstract

A method for device pairing including displaying at least one image having a first characteristic using a first application by a first electronic device. It is determined if the image is recognizable. A second electronic device sends a time stamped first command to a server including the image. The first electronic device sends a time stamped second command to the server including the image. The server pairs the first electronic device with the second electronic device based on matching the time stamp of the first command, the time stamp of the second command and the image.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for device pairing, comprising:
 displaying at least one image having a first characteristic using a first application by a first electronic device;   determining if the image is recognizable;   sending, by a second electronic device, a time stamped first command to a server including the at least one image;   sending, by the first electronic device, a time stamped second command to the server including the at least one image;   pairing, by the server, the first electronic device with the second electronic device based on matching the time stamp of the first command, the time stamp of the second command and the at least one image.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pairing the first electronic device with the second electronic device further comprises:
 sending location information for the first electronic device and the second electronic device to the server; and   matching the first electronic device and the second electronic device using the location information for the first electronic device and the second electronic device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pairing the first electronic device with the second electronic device further comprises:
 sending an invitation including shared information to a plurality of electronic devices and the server; and   matching the first electronic device and the second electronic device using the shared information for the first electronic device and the second electronic device.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pairing the first electronic device with the second electronic device further comprises:
 the first electronic device displaying the at least one image in front of the second electronic device;   other connected electronic devices each displaying at least one image;   the second electronic device recognizing the at least one image from the first electronic device and each at least one image from the other connected electronic devices;   the second electronic device sending the server information about the at least one image from the first electronic device and the at least one image from each of the other connected electronic devices; and   pairing, by the server, the first electronic device, with the other connected electronic devices in front of the second electronic device with the second electronic device based on the information about the at least one image from the first electronic device and the at least one image from each of the other connected electronic devices.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pairing the first electronic device with the second electronic device further comprises:
 matching wireless access points in a vicinity of the first electronic device with any access points used by the second electronic device for distributing credentials for using unique identification information and signal strength information.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pairing other electronic devices with the second electronic device comprises:
 sending commands to the first electronic device and the other electronic devices that are candidates for pairing with the second electronic device, wherein the commands comprise a request to change a first characteristic to a randomly selected characteristic for display on the first electronic device and the other electronic devices;   recognizing a change to the first characteristic of a particular electronic device in front of the second electronic device;   the second electronic device sending the server information about the first characteristic of the particular electronic device;   the particular electronic device provides information assisting in narrowing location determination for the particular electronic device to the server and requests a unique code to display for any electronic devices that the particular electronic device needs to identify;   displaying the unique code by the particular electronic device in front of the second electronic device; and   sending, by the second electronic device, the displayed unique code to the server.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 sending, by the second electronic device to the server, a unique identification for an access point connected to the second electronic device and an identifier for the second electronic device;   identifying, by the server, the particular electronic device based on the at least one image;   sending to the particular electronic device, by the server, the unique identification and the identifier; and   applying, by the particular electronic device, access point settings for connecting to a second application.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 performing facial recognition by the second electronic device for recognizing users of the connected devices;   assigning the recognized users distinct identifications;   placing the first electronic device in front of a user face;   recognizing the user face of the first electronic device;   determining a distance from the first electronic device to the second electronic device based on a size of the at least one image and a focal length of an imaging device of the second electronic device; and   adjusting a display of the second device based on one or more of personal preferences associated with the user face, and the determined distance from the first electronic device to the second electronic device.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 performing facial recognition by the second electronic device for recognizing users of the connected devices;   assigning the recognized users distinct identifications;   placing the first electronic device in front of a first user face, and a third electronic device in front of a second user face;   recognizing the first user face of the first electronic device and the second user face of the third electronic device;   determining a relative position of the first electronic device to the third electronic device; and   adjusting a display of the second device based on one the determined relative position of the first electronic device and the third electronic device.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 if the image is determined to not be recognizable or distinguishable from images with a first characteristic for any other electronic devices that are present within a particular area:
 receiving a request to change the first characteristic by the first electronic device and any other electronic devices that are present within the particular area; 
 changing the first characteristic to one or more second characteristics by the first electronic device and any other electronic devices that are present within the particular area; 
 recognizing the change to the one or more second characteristics for the first electronic device by the second electronic device; and 
 pairing the first electronic device with the second electronic device, wherein the one or more second characteristics are different for the first electronic device and any other electronic devices that are present within the particular area. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first characteristic and the second characteristic comprises one of a graphic object having one or more of: a static color, a static shape, a static pattern and a dynamic pattern. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first characteristic or the one or more second characteristics of the first electronic device and the one or more other electronic devices are assigned for future connections to the second electronic device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first electronic device comprises a mobile electronic device and the second electronic device comprises a television or monitor device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the mobile electronic device comprises one of a mobile phone, a tablet device, a wearable device or a mobile computing device. 
     
     
         17 . A system for pairing devices, comprising:
 a first electronic device that displays at least one image having a first characteristic using a first application; and   a second electronic device that determines if the image is recognizable, wherein the second electronic device sends a time stamped first command to a server including the at least one image, wherein the server pairs the first electronic device with the second electronic device based on matching the time stamp of the first command, a time stamp of a second command received from the first electronic device, and the at least one image.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the server receives location information for the first electronic device and the second electronic device, and the server matches the first electronic device and the second electronic device using the location information for the first electronic device and the second electronic device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein
 the first electronic device, a plurality of electronic devices and the server receive an invitation including shared information from a host using the second electronic device; and   the server matches the first electronic device and the second electronic device using the shared information for the first electronic device and the second electronic device.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first electronic device displays the at least one image in front of the second electronic device;   other connected electronic devices each display at least one image;   the second electronic device recognizes the at least one image from the first electronic device and each at least one image from the other connected electronic devices;   the second electronic device sends the server information about the at least one image from the first electronic device and the at least one image from each of the other connected electronic devices; and   the server pairs the first electronic device with the other connected electronic devices in front of the second electronic device with the second electronic device based on the information about the at least one image from the first electronic device and the at least one image from each of the other connected electronic devices.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the server matches wireless access points in a vicinity of the first electronic device with any access points used by the second electronic device for distributing credentials for using unique identification information and signal strength information. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the second electronic device sends commands to the first electronic device and the other electronic devices that are candidates for pairing with the second electronic device, wherein the commands comprise a request to change a first characteristic to a randomly selected characteristic for display on the first electronic device and the other electronic devices;
 wherein the second electronic device recognizes a change to the first characteristic of a particular electronic device in front of the second electronic device;   wherein the second electronic device sends the server information about the first characteristic of the particular electronic device;   wherein the particular electronic device provides information assisting in narrowing location determination for the particular electronic device to the server and requests a unique code to display for any electronic devices that the particular electronic device needs to identify;   wherein the particular electronic device displays the unique code in front of the second electronic device; and   wherein the second electronic device sends the displayed unique code to the server.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein:
 the second electronic device sends a unique identification for an access point connected to the second electronic device and an identifier for the second electronic device to the server;   the server identifies the particular electronic device based on the at least one image;   the server sends the unique identification and the identifier to the particular electronic device; and   the particular electronic device applies access point settings for connecting to a second application.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the second electronic device performs facial recognition for recognizing users of the connected devices, and assigns the recognized users distinct identifications, recognizes a user face in front of the first electronic device, determines a distance from the first electronic device to the second electronic device based on a size of the at least one image and a focal length of an imaging device of the second electronic device, and adjusts a display of the second device based on one or more of personal preferences associated with the user face, and the determined distance from the first electronic device to the second electronic device.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein:
 the second electronic device performs facial recognition for recognizing users of the connected devices, assigns the recognized users distinct identifications, places the first electronic device in front of a first user face, and a third electronic device in front of a second user face, recognizes the first user face of the first electronic device and the second user face of the third electronic device, determines a relative position of the first electronic device to the third electronic device, and adjusts a display of the second device based on one the determined relative position of the first electronic device and the third electronic device.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the first characteristic and the second characteristic comprises one of a graphic object having one or more of: a static color, a static shape, a static pattern and a dynamic pattern, wherein the first characteristic or the one or more second characteristics of the first electronic device and the one or more other electronic devices are assigned for future connections to the second electronic device. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first electronic device comprises a mobile electronic device and the second electronic device comprises a television or monitor device, wherein the mobile electronic device comprises one of a mobile phone, a tablet device, a wearable device or a mobile computing device. 
     
     
         28 . A method for device pairing, comprising:
 displaying at least one image having a first characteristic using a first application by a first electronic device;   determining if the image is recognizable;   sending, by a second electronic device, a time stamped first command to a server including the at least one image, wherein the second electronic device is connected to a network that comprises one of a campus area network (CAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN) or a public wireless network, and executes a second application;   sending, by the first electronic device, a time stamped second command to the server including the at least one image;   pairing, by the server, the first electronic device with the second electronic device based on matching the time stamp of the first command, the time stamp of the second command and the at least one image,   
       wherein the first electronic device pairs with the second electronic device in the network, and the first electronic device connects to the second application. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 placing the first electronic device in front of a first user face;   recognizing the first user face by the second electronic device;   associating the first user face with the first electronic device;   determining a distance from the first electronic device to the second electronic device based on a size of the at least one image and a focal length of an imaging device of the second electronic device;   determining, by the second electronic device, relative position of the first electronic device with respect to the user face to the second electronic device; and   adjusting a display of the second device based on one or more of the determined distance from the first electronic device to the second electronic device and the determined relative position.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising:
 targeting content of a display of the second electronic device for a user of the first electronic device based on recognition of the user face of the first electronic device.