Secure Element Authentication Using Over-the-Air Optical Communication

ChangeBridge: Patent Grants - Networking (H04L)

Published March 31st, 2026

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

The USPTO granted Patent US12592773B2 to Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC covering a system for secure element authentication using over-the-air optical communication between devices. The technology enables two systems to establish secure communications by emitting and detecting light signals within a predefined field of view, preventing unauthorized interception. The patent includes 20 claims and covers CPC classifications H04L 63/0861, H04L 63/0428, and H04B 10/114.

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What changed

USPTO granted Patent US12592773B2 to Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC for a system enabling secure communications through over-the-air optical signaling. The system accesses a secure element upon determining an authorized user is present, then causes a light emitter to transmit an output light signal constrained by a predefined field of view. When both systems detect each other's light signals, secure communication is enabled. The patent, filed April 25, 2024 (Application No. 18646454), contains 20 claims covering H04L 63/0861, H04L 63/0428, and H04B 10/114 classifications.

Patent grants do not impose compliance obligations on third parties. Organizations developing secure authentication systems or optical communication technologies should review this patent to understand existing intellectual property in this space and assess freedom-to-operate implications. No action is required for compliance purposes, but legal teams should consider this patent when designing similar authentication technologies to avoid potential infringement issues.

Source document (simplified)

← USPTO Patent Grants

Secure element authentication using over the air optical communication

Grant US12592773B2 Kind: B2 Mar 31, 2026

Assignee

Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Inventors

Jouya Jadidian, Mohit Narang, Rubén Caballero

Abstract

A system for facilitating secure communications accesses a secure element in response to determining that an authorized user operates the system. The system causes a light emitter to emit an output light signal for detection by a second system. The output light signal is emitted according to a predefined field of view, which operates as a constraint to prevent devices outside of the field of view from detecting the output light signal. The system also configures the light detector to detect a second output light signal emitted by a second light emitter of the second system. In response to (i) detection of the output light signal by a second light detector of the second system and (ii) detection of the second output light signal by the light detector, the system enables secure communication between the system and the second system.