Device pairing based on graphically encoded data

One or more computer memory devices having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a first device, cause the one or more processors to perform operations rising:

• capturing one or more images displayed by a second device;
• sending the one or more images to a remote service that is separate from the first device to decode in lieu of decoding at the first device, from the one or more images, both an address and a secret, wherein the secret is not obtainable from the first device without the one or more images;
• receiving, from the remote service, the address and the secret;
• sending a communication initiation request to the address, the communication initiation request identifying the secret, the communication initiation request being verifiable by at least one of the second device or a third device associated with the second device to prove that the first device has knowledge of the secret;
• and
• continue communicating with the second device only if a confirmation of the communication initiation request is received.

A method implemented in a first device, the method comprising:

• capturing, in response to a user request for device pairing, a high capacity color barcode displayed on a screen of a second device;
• determining which of a plurality of graphical encoding techniques was used to encode the high capacity color barcode;
• decoding, from the high capacity color barcode, both an IP address of the second device and a secret based on the determined technique;
• sending, a communication initiation request to the IP address of the second device, the communication initiation request proving that the first device has knowledge of the secret and being verifiable by the second device that displayed the high capacity color barcode to prove that the first device has knowledge of the secret;
• and
• if a confirmation of the communication initiation request is received from the second device indicating that the second device has verified the first device has knowledge of the secret, then sending additional communications to the IP address of the second device, otherwise ceasing sending communications to the IP address of the second device.