How Apple Devices Securely Display Digital Passes and Tickets
A system for securely displaying digital tickets or account codes on a screen only after verifying the user's identity, and automatically hiding them once used or if time runs out.
Original patent title: “Sharing and using passes or accounts”
A system for securely displaying digital tickets or account codes on a screen only after verifying the user's identity, and automatically hiding them once used or if time runs out. Granted to Apple Inc in 2023 with 33 claims.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a secure method for managing digital passes, like boarding passes or event tickets, on a mobile device. When a user wants to view their ticket's machine-readable code (like a QR code), the device requires authentication, such as a passcode or biometric scan. Once verified, the code appears, but the system monitors for a second authentication or a time limit to ensure the display remains secure. If the code is successfully scanned or the time expires, the system automatically hides the code and confirms the transaction, preventing unauthorized access to the underlying account.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover the physical scanning hardware or optical sensors used to read the code.
- Does not cover the underlying network protocols used to transmit the pass data from a server.
- Does not cover methods of authentication that do not rely on a predetermined time-based verification window.
- Does not cover the creation or issuance of the digital passes by the service provider.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The system treats the display of the code as a temporary, high-security state that is automatically revoked upon confirmation of use, rather than just a static image stored in an app.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Apple Wallet boarding passes
Digital event tickets in mobile apps
Secure QR-based transit passes
Why it matters
The bigger picture
As digital wallets replace physical cards and paper tickets, security becomes a major concern. This patent provides a standardized way to ensure that sensitive account information is only exposed for the exact moment it is needed, reducing the risk of shoulder-surfing or unauthorized use if a phone is left unlocked.
Filed
September 23, 2020
Granted
December 26, 2023
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Apple is the primary developer of this technology within its Wallet ecosystem. Other major players like Google, with its Google Wallet, and various banking apps are building similar secure display mechanisms to protect digital credentials.
Market impact
This patent reinforces the trend toward 'just-in-time' credential display, where sensitive data is hidden by default. It helps solidify the user experience for digital wallets, making them more secure and reliable for high-stakes transactions like travel and event entry.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a secure method for managing digital passes, like boarding passes or event tickets, on a mobile device. When a user wants to view their ticket's machine-readable code (like a QR code), the device requires authentication, such as a passcode or biometric scan. Once verified, the code appears, but the system monitors for a second authentication or a time limit to ensure the display remains secure. If the code is successfully scanned or the time expires, the system automatically hides the code and confirms the transaction, preventing unauthorized access to the underlying account.
The clever bit
The system treats the display of the code as a temporary, high-security state that is automatically revoked upon confirmation of use, rather than just a static image stored in an app.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover the physical scanning hardware or optical sensors used to read the code.
- Does not cover the underlying network protocols used to transmit the pass data from a server.
- Does not cover methods of authentication that do not rely on a predetermined time-based verification window.
- Does not cover the creation or issuance of the digital passes by the service provider.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$58K – $184K
Midpoint $115K · 14.3 yr remaining · industry ×1.6
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
33 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Grainger, M., FENENGA, R., & Miller, T. J. (2023). How Apple Devices Securely Display Digital Passes and Tickets (U.S. Patent No. 11,853,535). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11853535/vision-pro-hand-gesture-recognition
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Apple Devices Securely Display Digital Passes and Tickets cover?
A system for securely displaying digital tickets or account codes on a screen only after verifying the user's identity, and automatically hiding them once used or if time runs out.
Who owns patent US 11853535?
Apple Inc owns this patent, granted in 2023.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on December 26, 2043, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
As digital wallets replace physical cards and paper tickets, security becomes a major concern. This patent provides a standardized way to ensure that sensitive account information is only exposed for the exact moment it is needed, reducing the risk of shoulder-surfing or unauthorized use if a phone is left unlocked.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover the physical scanning hardware or optical sensors used to read the code.
Same assignee
More from Apple Inc
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