# US 2014/0192985 A1 · Implicit rekeying mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192985 A1 - Document ID: US20140192985A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/148,349 - Filed: 2014-01-06 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-07 - Assignees: QUALCOMM Incorporated - Applicants: QUALCOMM Incorporated - Inventors: Maarten Menzo WENTINK; Jouni MALINEN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192985A1 ## CPC - H04W 12/0431: Key distribution or pre-distribution; Key agreement - H04W 12/0433: Key management protocols - H04L 63/068: {using time-dependent keys, e.g. periodically changing keys (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for controlling usage of secret information H04L9/088)} - H04W 84/12: WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks] - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for secure transmission of packets with short headers. The methods may include temporarily suspending the use of packets that use a short MAC header (that lack a Key ID) during re-keying procedures and resuming the use of such packets after a new default Key ID is established via the re-keying procedures. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising: a receiver configured to receive short packets from a device, said short packets lacking a key ID field identifying a key agreed upon between the apparatus and the device; and a decoder configured to: decode, using a first default key ID, some of the received short packets, participate in a re-keying procedure with the device, and decode, using a second default key ID established during the re-keying procedure, some of the received short packets after the re-keying procedure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, during the re-keying procedure, the apparatus receives additional packets from the device that include a key ID field. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the key ID field identifies the first default key ID. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the decoder is further configured to determine the re-keying procedure is complete after receiving more short packets that lack a key ID field. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the decoder is further configured to determine the second default Key ID field based on receipt of a packet including a key ID field set to the second default key ID. ### Claim 6 An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising: an encoder configured to: encode, using a first default key ID, first short packets that lack a key ID field identifying a key agreed upon between the apparatus and a device, participate in a re-keying procedure with the device, and encode, using a second default key ID established during the re-keying procedure, second short packets that lack the key ID after the re-keying procedure; and a transmitter configured to transmit the first and second short packets. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, during the re-keying procedure, the apparatus transmits packets to the device that include a key ID field. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the key ID field identifies the first default key ID. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is configured to indicate the re-keying procedure is complete by transmitting the second short packets that lack a key ID field. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus is configured to indicate the second default Key ID field based on transmission of a packet including a key ID field set to the second default key ID. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the first and second short packets are encoded using a Pairwise Transient Key (PTK). ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the first and second short packets are encoded using a Group Temporal Key (GTK). ### Claim 13 A method for wireless communications by an apparatus, comprising: receiving short packets from a device, said short packets lacking a key ID field identifying a key agreed upon between the apparatus and the device; decoding, using a first default key ID, some of the received short packets; participating in a re-keying procedure with the device; and decoding, using a second default key ID established during the re-keying procedure, some of the received short packets after the re-keying procedure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein, during the re-keying procedure, the apparatus receives additional packets from the device that include a key ID field. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the key ID field identifies the first default key ID. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising determining the re-keying procedure is complete after receiving more short packets that lack a key ID field. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising determining the second default Key ID field based on receipt of a packet including a key ID field set to the second default key ID. ### Claim 18 A method for wireless communications by an apparatus, comprising: encoding, using a first default key ID, first short packets that lack a key ID field identifying a key agreed upon between the apparatus and a device; participating in a re-keying procedure with the device; encoding, using a second default key ID established during the re-keying procedure, second short packets that lack the key ID after the re-keying procedure; and transmitting the first and second short packets. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein, during the re-keying procedure, the apparatus transmits packets to the device that include a key ID field. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the key ID field identifies the first default key ID. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising indicating the re-keying procedure is complete by transmitting the second short packets that lack a key ID field. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising indicating the second default Key ID field based by transmitting a packet including a key ID field set to the second default key ID. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein: the first and second short packets are encoded using a Pairwise Transient Key (PTK). ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein: the first and second short packets are encoded using a Group Temporal Key (GTK).