Secure remote-less configuration of a media playback device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2026039890-A1
Application number	US-202519357282-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 14, 2025
Priority date	Jul 21, 2020
Publication date	Feb 5, 2026
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to embodiments for securely reconfiguring a media playback device. For example, a method may include determining whether a media playback device is being controlled by a user. In response to determining that the media playback device is not being controlled by the user, the method may further include: causing display of a pictograph that includes an encrypted payload with information for wirelessly connecting to the media playback device and is configured to be scanned by a client device; determining whether a request from the client device to wirelessly connect to the media playback device is a valid request; in response to the request being valid, wirelessly connecting the client device to the media playback device via a soft access point; and receiving, at the media playback device, information for reconfiguring the media playback device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system, comprising:
one or more memories; and at least one processor each coupled to at least one of the one or more memories and configured to perform operations comprising:
capturing, by an image capture device of the system, a pictograph displayed by a media playback device, wherein the pictograph comprises a payload comprising encrypted information for communicatively coupling the system to the media playback device and a cryptographic certificate to identify the media playback device;
sending, via a network, the payload to a server for identifying the media playback device;
receiving a request from the server based on a successful identification of the media playback device, wherein the request includes a server-decrypted version of the information for communicatively coupling the system to the media playback device; and
communicatively coupling the system to the media playback device based on the request.

2 . The system of claim 1 , the operations further comprising:
reconfiguring the media playback device based on updated wireless settings of the media playback device.

3 . The system of claim 1 , the operations further comprising:
receiving user credentials for a user account associated with the media playback device; and providing the user credentials to the server for authentication thereby.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the information included in the request includes a service set identifier (SSID) and a passphrase, and the encrypted information of the payload includes an encrypted version of the SSID and an encrypted version of the passphrase.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is communicatively coupled to the media playback device via a soft access point, and the payload comprises a network name and a passphrase for the soft access point.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the pictograph comprises a quick response (QR) code.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the image capture device supports one or more image resolutions.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is a mobile phone.

9 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
capturing, by an image capture device of a computing device, a pictograph displayed by a media playback device, wherein the pictograph comprises a payload comprising encrypted information for communicatively coupling the computing device to the media playback device and a cryptographic certificate to identify the media playback device; sending, via a network, the payload to a server for identifying the media playback device; receiving, by at least one computer processor of the computing device, a request from the server based on a successful identification of the media playback device, wherein the request includes a server-decrypted version of the information for communicatively coupling the computing device to the media playback device; and communicatively coupling the computing device to the media playback device based on the request.

10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , further comprising:
reconfiguring the media playback device based on updated wireless settings of the media playback device.

11 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , further comprising:
receiving user credentials for a user account associated with the media playback device; and providing the user credentials to the server for authentication thereby.

12 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein the information included in the request includes a service set identifier (SSID) and a passphrase, and the encrypted information of the payload includes an encrypted version of the SSID and an encrypted version of the passphrase.

13 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein the computing device is communicatively coupled to the media playback device via a soft access point, and the payload comprises a network name and a passphrase for the soft access point.

14 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein the pictograph comprises a quick response (QR) code.

15 . The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , wherein the image capture device supports one or more image resolutions.

16 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is a mobile phone.

17 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one computing device, cause the at least one computing device to perform operations comprising:
capturing, by an image capture device of the at least one computing device, a pictograph displayed by a media playback device, wherein the pictograph comprises a payload comprising encrypted information for communicatively coupling the at least one computing device to the media playback device and a cryptographic certificate to identify the media playback device; sending, via a network, the payload to a server for identifying the media playback device; receiving a request from the server based on a successful identification of the media playback device, wherein the request includes a server-decrypted version of the information for communicatively coupling the at least one computing device to the media playback device; and communicatively coupling the at least one computing device to the media playback device based on the request.

18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , further comprising:
reconfiguring the media playback device based on updated wireless settings of the media playback device.

19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , further comprising:
receiving user credentials for a user account associated with the media playback device; and providing the user credentials to the server for authentication thereby.

20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the information included in the request includes a service set identifier (SSID) and a passphrase, and the encrypted information of the payload includes an encrypted version of the SSID and an encrypted version of the passphrase.

Assignees

• Roku Inc

Inventors

• Esfahani Cameron
• King Brian
• Young Mark
• Bishop Alex

Classifications

• H04W76/10

  Connection setup · CPC title

• H04N21/63775

  for uploading keys, e.g. for a client to communicate its public key to the server (key management H04L9/08; network support of key management H04L63/06) · CPC title

• H04N21/443

  OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB · CPC title

• H04N21/4222

  Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy (remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415) · CPC title

• H04N21/25875

  involving end-user authentication (restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06) · CPC title