Optically readable codes in a content delivery system
A method, apparatus, and software are provided for using an optically-readable code such as a quick-response (QR) code. The optically-readable code may represent a uniform resource identifier (URI) including parameters that represent a query, such as a query for content and/or other data. The query results may be used to command a content consumption device to record or otherwise obtain an item of content. The optically-readable code may additionally or alternatively be determined based upon a status of the device, such as what content, or portion thereof, is currently being displayed, and/or what error condition is being experienced.
1 . A method comprising:
outputting, by a computing device and to assist a user device in communicating with the computing device, an optically-readable code that is based on status information associated with the computing device;
receiving, from the user device, a command comprising at least a portion of the status information; and
executing the command.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the status information comprises one or more of: one or more instructions to configure the user device to communicate with the computing device, an identifier, a network address, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a Media Access Control (MAC) address, a serial number, a power status, packet identifier, video identifier, audio identifier, transport stream identifier, channel information, frequency information, stream information, display information, tuner information, recording information, a password, or a key.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating the optically-readable code by encoding the status information into the optically-readable code.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the outputting the optically-readable code is based on receiving a request from the user device to pair with the computing device.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, from a second user device, a second command; and
based on the second command lacking the status information, failing to execute the second command.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, by the computing device and from the user device, a request for an optically readable code; and
based on receiving the request, determining the status information.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
causing, based on the optically-readable code, configuration of the user device.
8 . A computing device comprising:
one or more processors; and
memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing device to:
output, to assist a user device in communicating with the computing device, an optically-readable code that is based on status information associated with the computing device;
receive, from the user device, a command comprising at least a portion of the status information; and
execute the command.
9 . The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the status information comprises one or more of: one or more instructions to configure the user device to communicate with the computing device, an identifier, a network address, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a Media Access Control (MAC) address, a serial number, a power status, packet identifier, video identifier, audio identifier, transport stream identifier, channel information, frequency information, stream information, display information, tuner information, recording information, a password, or a key.
10 . The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the computing device to:
generate the optically-readable code by encoding the status information into the optically-readable code.
11 . The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing device to:
output the optically-readable code by outputting the optically-readable code based on receiving a request from the user device to pair with the computing device.
12 . The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the computing device to:
receive, from a second user device, a second command; and
based on the second command lacking the status information, fail to execute the second command.
13 . The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the computing device to:
receive, from the user device, a request for an optically readable code; and
based on receiving the request, determine the status information.
14 . The computing device of claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the computing device to:
cause, based on the optically-readable code, configuration of the user device.
15 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed, cause:
outputting, by a computing device and to assist a user device in communicating with the computing device, an optically-readable code that is based on status information associated with the computing device;
receiving, from the user device, a command comprising at least a portion of the status information; and
executing the command.
16 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the status information comprises one or more of: one or more instructions to configure the user device to communicate with the computing device, an identifier, a network address, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a Media Access Control (MAC) address, a serial number, a power status, packet identifier, video identifier, audio identifier, transport stream identifier, channel information, frequency information, stream information, display information, tuner information, recording information, a password, or a key.
17 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:
generating the optically-readable code by encoding the status information into the optically-readable code.
18 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the outputting the optically-readable code by causing outputting the optically-readable code based on receiving a request from the user device to pair with the computing device.
19 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:
receiving, from a second user device, a second command; and
based on the second command lacking the status information, failing to execute the second command.
20 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:
receiving, by the computing device and from the user device, a request for an optically readable code; and
based on receiving the request, determining the status information.
21 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause:
causing, based on the optically-readable code, configuration of the user device.