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ApplePatent applicationNetworks & wirelessInterest 4/10

Apple patents phone feature that tells cell towers which AI tasks it can run

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Apple has filed a patent for a method where a phone tells a cell tower if it can run specific AI or machine learning tasks. The phone also reports if its AI model supports certain features based on its location or current measurements.

Why it mattersThis helps networks manage data more efficiently by knowing exactly what AI capabilities a connected device has.

In the filing’s own words

This application relates to an improved method of operating a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving, at the UE, a first capability inquiry from a base station, relating to a capability of the UE to perform at least one task using a first model based on artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML); transmitting, to the base station, a response to the first capability inquiry, indicating UE whether the UE can perform the at least one task; receiving, at the UE, an indication of a particular AI or ML feature; evaluating, by the UE, whether the first mod-gNodeB el supports the particular AI or ML feature (e.g., based on a current UE position for a site-specific model, UE measurement for a scenario-specific model, and/or assistance information for a configuration-specific model); and transmitting, from the UE to the base station, an indication of whether the first model supports the particular AI or ML feature.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method of operating a wireless device, the method comprising: receiving a first capability inquiry from a base station, wherein the first capability inquiry relates to a capability of the UE to perform at least one task using a first model based on artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML); transmitting, to the base station a response to the first capability inquiry, wherein the response indicates whether the UE can perform the at least one task; receiving an indication of a particular AI or ML feature; evaluating, by the UE, whether the first model supports the particular AI or ML feature; and transmitting, to the base station an indication of whether the first model supports the particular AI or ML feature.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Dynamic Artificial Intelligence (AI) Functionality and AI Model User Equipment (UE) Capability Reporting
Publication number
US20260322704A1
Application number
19482629
Filed
Apr 30, 2024
Published
Oct 15, 2026
Inventors
6
Claims
26

Classified under

H04L 41/16 Electricity & electronicsH04W 24/10 Electricity & electronicsH04W 76/27 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.