US Patent 11159338 Device state information access through machine-readable labels

A controlling device scans a label of a network-connected device to obtain a first set of information from a primary layer of the label, where the first set of information is about the network-connected device. The controlling device scans the label to obtain a second set of information from a secondary layer of the label, whereby the secondary layer is distinct from the primary layer. The controlling device transmits a request to a device server associated with the network-connected device to obtain device records for the device, whereby the request includes the second set of information. In response to the request, the controlling device receives the one or more device records.