Proximity detection by mobile devices

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a processor of a device coupled to a media player, a notification from a location service that a mobile device is within a predetermined range of the device;

activating a microphone of the device in response to the notification received from the location session;

initiating, by a processor of the device, a listening session including listening for a sub-sonic signal including a message from a mobile device;

receiving, by the microphone of the device, the sub-sonic signal including the message from the mobile device using only the microphone of the device, the message including configuration data for a network, the configuration data including at least one of a secure identifier, a password, or a preferred network identifier for access to the network, the network being independent of the listening session; and

in response to receiving the sub-sonic signal including the message from the mobile device, initiating, by the processor of the device, an access session with the network using the configuration data, wherein a user interface displayed on the device is configured to be remotely controlled by a user interface of the mobile device via the access session.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is coupled to a media player.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the media player is a television.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network includes at least one of a WIFI network, a BLUETOOTH network, an audio channel, or a near field communication network.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the initiating occurs after the device fails to connect to any network.

6. A method, comprising:

receiving a notification from a location service that a mobile device is within a predetermined range of a removable device;

activating a microphone of the mobile device in response to the notification;

generating, by a processor of the mobile device, a first sub-sonic signal including a message for receipt by a removable device using only a microphone of the removable device over a first listening session, the message including configuration data for a network, the configuration data including at least one of a secure identifier, a password, or a preferred network identifier for access to the network, the network being independent of first listening session;

initiating, by the processor of the mobile device, a second listening session in response to the first listening session, the second listening session including listening for a signature from the removable device, wherein the removable device is coupled to a media player and wherein the signature is encoded in a second sub-sonic signal;

detecting the signature; and

in response to detecting the signature, initiating, by the processor of the mobile device, an access session with the removable device, using the signature, the mobile device including a user interface configured to remotely control a user interface displayed on the media player coupled to the removable device via the access session.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

initiating a broadcast session including broadcasting the signature from the media player.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the media player is a television.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first sub-sonic signal and the second sub-sonic signal is a pulse coded modulation signal.

10. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

interpreting the signature by the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the signature is a unique pattern and includes access information that allows the mobile device to pair with the removable device.

12. A system comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory that stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to perform operations of:

receive a notification from a location service that a mobile device is within a predetermined range of a removable device;

activating a microphone of the mobile device in response to the notification;

generate a first sub-sonic signal including a message for receipt by the removable device using only a microphone of the removable device over a first listening session, the message including configuration data for a network, the configuration data including at least one of a secure identifier, a password, or a preferred network identifier for access to the network, the network being independent of first listening session;

initiate a second listening session in response to the first listening session, the second listening session including listening for a signature from the removable device, wherein the removable device is coupled to a media player and wherein the signature is encoded in a second sub-sonic signal; and

in response to detecting the signature from the removable device, initiate an access session with the removable device, using the signature, the mobile device including a user interface configured to remotely control of a user interface displayed on the media player coupled to the removable device via the access session.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first sub-sonic signal and the second sub-sonic signal is a pulse coded modulation signal.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the signature is a unique pattern and includes access information that allows the system to pair with the removable device.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the instructions further comprise instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to perform operations of:

receiving a challenge from the removable device; and

issuing a response to the challenge.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the response is an audio signal.

17. The system of claim 12 , wherein the media player is a television.