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ApplePatent applicationNetworks & wirelessInterest 4/10

Apple patents Wi-Fi method to switch connections for better privacy

Apple has filed a patent for a way Wi-Fi devices can find and connect to routers that support a specific privacy feature called BSS Privacy Enhancement. The system allows a device to ask a router to switch its connection to a different link that offers this enhanced privacy protection.

Why it mattersThis filing suggests Apple is working on improving the security and privacy of standard Wi-Fi connections by helping devices automatically find the most secure available network path.

In the filing’s own words

An electronic device is described. During operation, the electronic device can receive, associated with a second electronic device, a beacon or a probe response that indicates a presence of at least another electronic device with a basic service set (BSS) privacy enhancement (BPE) capability in a network. Then, the electronic device can associate and authenticate with the second electronic device, where, during or after the association or the authentication, the electronic device indicates a BPE capability of the electronic device. Next, the electronic device can receive, associated with the second electronic device, a unicast management frame recommending that the electronic device transition to a link associated with the other electronic device and having the BPE capability. Note that the second electronic device can include a BPE access point multi-link device (MLD).

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An electronic device, comprising: an antenna node configured to communicatively couple to an antenna; and one or more interface circuits, communicatively coupled to the antenna node, configured to: receive, associated with a second electronic device, a beacon or a probe response that indicates a presence of at least another electronic device with a basic service set (BSS) privacy enhancement (BPE) capability in a network; associate and authenticate with the second electronic device, wherein, during or after the association or the authentication, the electronic device indicates a BPE capability of the electronic device; and receive, associated with the second electronic device, a unicast management frame recommending that the electronic device transition to a link associated with the other electronic device and that has the BPE capability.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Roaming and Discovery of Client Privacy Enhanced Access Point Multi-Link Devices
Publication number
US20260270674A1
Application number
19553012
Filed
Feb 27, 2026
Published
Sep 10, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
20

Classified under

H04W 8/08 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/02 Electricity & electronicsH04W 12/06 Electricity & electronicsH04W 76/15 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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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.