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AppleGranted patentNetworks & wirelessInterest 3/10

Apple patents method for phones to securely log into local edge networks

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Apple has been granted a patent describing how a phone can prove its identity to a local edge data network. The device creates a specific digital key and a security code based on its connection to the main cellular network to request access.

Why it mattersThis filing details a standard security handshake that helps ensure only authorized devices can connect to local data servers, improving the safety of mobile data connections.

In the filing’s own words

A user equipment (UE) may attempt to access an edge data network. The UE generates a first credential based on a second credential that was generated for a procedure between the UE and a network. The UE then generates an identifier corresponding to the first credential and generates a message authentication code based on the first credential and a count, wherein the count is associated with an identifier of an edge network client running on the UE. The UE then transmits an application registration request, message to a server associated with an edge data network, the application registration request message including the count, the message authentication code, the identifier corresponding to the first credential, and a public land mobile network identifier (PLMN ID) of the network. The UE then receives an authentication accept message or an authentication reject message from the server associated with the edge data network.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a transceiver configured to communicate with a network; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform operations comprising: generating a first credential based on a second credential, the second credential generated for a procedure between the UE and a cellular network; generating an identifier corresponding to the first credential; generating a message authentication code based on the first credential and a count, wherein the count is associated with an identifier of an edge network client running on the UE; transmitting an application registration request message to a server associated with an edge data network, the application registration request message including the count, the message authentication code, the identifier corresponding to the first credential, and a public land mobile network identifier (PLMN ID) of the network; and receiving an authentication accept message or an authentication reject message from the server associated with the edge data network.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
User equipment authentication and authorization procedure for edge data network
Patent number
US12764532B2
Application number
18546809
Filed
Feb 19, 2021
Granted
Oct 13, 2026
Inventors
10
Claims
8

Classified under

H04W 12/069 Electricity & electronicsH04L 9/3242 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/106 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/71 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/72 Electricity & electronics

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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.