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ApplePatent applicationNetworks & wirelessInterest 2/10

Apple patents way for phones to tell cell tower channel types

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Apple describes a method where a phone receives an identification number from a cell tower to determine the type of communication channel it is using. The phone checks if the number falls into a specific range to identify the channel type.

Why it mattersThis is a routine improvement to how mobile devices manage their connection to cell networks, likely helping them switch between different types of data channels more efficiently.

In the filing’s own words

A user equipment (UE) configured to receive, from a target cell, a cell identification (ID) number and determine the cell ID number is in one of a first range of values or a second range of values, wherein the first range of values indicates a channel being served by the target cell is a first type of channel and the second range of values indicates the channel being served by the target cell is a second type of channel.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. (canceled)

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Channel Access Procedures for User Equipment
Publication number
US20260313521A1
Application number
19482427
Filed
May 9, 2023
Published
Oct 8, 2026
Inventors
7
Claims
18

Classified under

H04W 48/10 Electricity & electronicsH04W 48/20 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.