Apple patents animated codes that change shape to hide data
Apple describes a method for creating moving codes, like QR codes, that store information by changing their visual patterns over time. The system breaks data into groups of shapes and displays them in a sequence of frames to create a video-like code. This allows the code to be embedded directly into video or other media files.
In the filing’s own words
The embodiments set forth techniques for encoding information into animated codes. The techniques can include the steps of (1) receiving a request to generate an animated code based on the input data, (2) generating a sequence of visual elements based on the input data, (3) separating the sequence of visual elements into a plurality of visual element groups based on a number of containers that are simultaneously displayed within the animated code, (4) generating a sequence of frames for the animated code, where each frame includes a successive and respective visual element group of the plurality of visual element groups, and the visual elements in the respective visual element group are formatted in accordance with the containers, (5) compiling the sequence of frames to produce the animated code, and (6) integrating the animated code into at least one media item for display on at least one display device.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. (canceled)
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- TECHNIQUES FOR MANAGING ANIMATED CODES
- Publication number
- US20260278322A1
- Application number
- 19356396
- Filed
- Oct 13, 2025
- Published
- Sep 17, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 21
Classified under
G06K 7/1417 Physics & computingG06T 7/10 Physics & computingG06T 9/00 Physics & computingG06T 13/80 Physics & computingMore from Apple in AI & software
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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.