Apple patents method to hide timing data in wireless beacons
Apple describes a method for wireless devices to send small data packets called beacons. The device adds a random shift to the timing information inside the packet and encrypts it to make the data harder for outsiders to read.
In the filing’s own words
Techniques are disclosed for obfuscation in a privacy beacon. An example method includes a first communication device creating a beacon field to be included in a beacon frame. The first communication device can generate a timing synchronization field to be included in the beacon frame. The first communication device can apply an offset to the timing synchronization field of the beacon frame. The first communication device can transmit the beacon frame to a second communication device, the beacon frame comprising the offset timing synchronization field and the beacon field.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method, comprising; by a first communication device: creating a beacon field to be included in a beacon frame; generating a timing synchronization field to be included in the beacon frame; applying an offset to the timing synchronization field of the beacon frame to create an offset timing synchronization field; obfuscating the offset timing synchronization field based at least in part on applying the offset; encrypting the beacon frame based at least in part on the obfuscation of the timing synchronization field; and transmitting the encrypted beacon frame to a second communication device, the encrypted beacon frame comprising the obfuscated offset timing synchronization field and the beacon field.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Obfuscation in privacy beacon
- Patent number
- US12732486B2
- Application number
- 18231641
- Filed
- Aug 8, 2023
- Granted
- Sep 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 9
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04L 63/0421 Electricity & electronicsH04L 5/0048 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/02 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/037 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Security & privacy
- Apple patents way to spot if a lost item tracker is following you Sep 29, 2026
- Apple patents eye-area scans that use 3D shadows for security Oct 13, 2026
- Apple patents eye-tracking to unlock nearby devices automatically Sep 24, 2026
- Apple patents eye-based guest mode for shared devices Sep 8, 2026
- Apple patents call screen that hides sensitive images before you answer Sep 15, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.