# 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. - **Patent:** US 11853535 - **Original title:** Sharing and using passes or accounts - **Owner:** Apple Inc - **Granted:** 2023 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, software, finance ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Apple Wallet boarding passes 2. Digital event tickets in mobile apps 3. Secure QR-based transit passes ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11853535/vision-pro-hand-gesture-recognition **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US11853535 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Wearable Devices Act as Secure Bridges for Transactions](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9699159/microsoft-teams) — A system where a wearable device acts as a secure middleman between your phone and a payment terminal or electronic lock to verify your identity and complete transactions. - [How a Single Card Can Pay for Transit Using Loyalty Points](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10176475/square-point-of-sale) — A system that lets one payment card handle both retail shopping and transit fares, automatically converting loyalty points between different geographic regions to cover travel costs. - [How Smartphones Manage Multiple Notifications on a Locked Screen](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11921980/vision-pro-optic-id) — A patent describing how a locked smartphone displays multiple notifications from different apps and allows users to interact with them individually without unlocking the phone. - [Securing Data Storage Commands with Passcodes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10102356/macos-dark-mode) — This patent describes a system for securely executing commands on data storage systems by requiring a generated passcode, which is based on user authentication and specific storage entity attributes. - [How Apple's Interface Switches Between Music Playlists and Menus](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10928980/ios-widgets-on-home-screen) — A method for navigating through a stack of music playlists on a touchscreen or dial, which automatically shifts to a menu view when you reach the end of the list.