The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and more specifically, relates to access network discovery and selection.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wi-Fi and cellular interoperability is the biggest challenge for network operators. Smooth and seamless roaming between non-3 GPP to 3 GPP network is available, but network operators are looking for effective ways to combine available standards to make a reliable wireless network. In order to address the above need, some of the prior art references are given below:
[0003] In a prior art reference "US10306507B2", a wireless communication traffic can be offloaded from a user equipment (UE) to two wireless points of access. For example, user equipment (UE) is connected to a radio access network (RAN) using a radio access technology (RAT) such as long-term evolution (LTE) network. The UE can determine which network capabilities are available for traffic offloading and adapt to the capabilities presented. In one embodiment, the UE can determine whether the network supports three different configurations and configure traffic offloading to operate within the network conditions: (1) RAN rules without access network detection and selection function (ANDSF), (2) ANDSF in conjunction with RAN rules or (3) enhanced ANDSF with RAN assistance.
[0004] In another prior art reference "US20140341076A1", a mechanism, named access network selection mechanism, presumes that one access network is selected for the communication of the mobile device by either the network or the mobile device itself and that a handover to the selected access network is executed to obtain a dynamic best connection according to the momentary characteristics of the access network and to the momentary requirements of the mobile device. Complementing the selection, an Access Network Discovery Mechanism (ANDM) is required which determines the access networks located in the vicinity of the mobile device, thus available to be selected and gives policies to control the selection mechanism.

[0005] In another prior art reference "US20150163716A1", a system for traffic management between a Wi-Fi network and an LTE network is disclosed that includes a network interface assignment module for determining from an operator side of the Wi-Fi network and the LTE network a set of Wi-Fi Access Points (APs) and LTE base stations for each user that provides a least a highest quality of experience for each of the users using input strength for all users to potential Wi-Fi access points and LTE base stations. The system may further include an interface switching service (ISS) module that includes a control logic and a network HTTP proxy for delivering network switching instructions to devices of users. The control logic receiving instructions from the NIA module and sending signal to the devices of the users to switch from WIFI and LTE networks through the LTE network based upon signal strength of the users.
[0006] In yet another prior art reference "US8787309B1", AP's associated with a communication network and any wireless devices desiring contact, operated according to a protocol in which each wireless device selects AP's with which to communicate. A system coordinator causes the AP's to operate so as to guide each wireless device to an AP selected by the system coordinator. This has the effect that, notwithstanding that the protocol involves having the wireless device make the selection of AP, functionally, the AP's make the selection for it. In a 1st technique, multiple AP's share an identifier, with the system coordinator directing one particular AP to respond to the wireless device, thus appearing to wireless devices as a "personal cell". In a 2nd technique, AP's each maintain identifiers substantially unique to each wireless device, with the system coordinator directing only one particular AP to maintain any particular wireless device's identifier, thus appearing to wireless devices as a "personal AP".
[0007] While the prior arts cover various techniques for Wi-Fi and cellular interoperability, however, the biggest challenge is finding a way to assist a mobile node to intelligently determine and select most preferable Point of Service, anytime, anywhere so that users can get the best access network for different individual data services. Also, the network operators need to be able to direct traffic among access networks intelligently to prevent congestion and optimize

wireless resources. In light of the above-stated discussion, there is a need to overcome the above stated disadvantages.
OBJECT OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] A principal object of the present disclosure is to provide a Wi-Fi client and a method for access network discovery and selection.
[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to assist a mobile node to intelligently determine and select most preferable Point of Service, anytime, anywhere so that users can get the best access network for different individual data services, wherein a UE (user equipment) associated with the Wi-Fi client is latched to an SSID (Service Set Identifier) and a BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) associated with a Wi-Fi AP (access point).
[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to facilitate network operators to direct traffic among access networks intelligently to prevent congestion and optimize wireless resources.
SUMMARY
[0011] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides access network discovery and selection techniques, in which a method for intelligently latching one or more portable UEs (user equipments) associated with a Wi-Fi client to one or more SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers) associated with one or more BSSIDs (Basic Service Set Identifiers), comprises sending instructions by the Wi-Fi client to the one or more portable UEs to automatically enable Wi-Fi on the one or more portable UEs when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs and when the portable UE associated with Wi-Fi client is pre-authenticated with the one or more SSIDs associated with the one or more BSSIDs associated with one or more access points, thereby enabling latching of the one or more portable UEs to the one or more SSIDs.
[0012] The method further comprises scanning, by the Wi-Fi client, for available one or more SSIDs even when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs associated with the Wi-Fi client. The method further comprises

identifying, by the Wi-Fi client, one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs of available one or more SSIDs based on an SSID-BSSID database, wherein the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs correspond to the one or more BSSIDs, wherein the SSID-BSSID database correlates the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs for the one or more BSSIDs. The method further comprises storing, by the Wi-Fi client, one or more pre-authenticated BSSIDs corresponding to the one or more SSIDs in the SSID-BSSID database.
[0013] The one or more SSIDs are associated with the one or more BSSIDs for the Wi-Fi APs, by associating the one or more portable UEs with a first access point in a wireless network using a uniquely assigned BSSID among a plurality of stored uniquely assigned BSSIDs assigned to a plurality of UEs.
[0014] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides access network discovery and selection techniques, in which a Wi-Fi client associated with one or more SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers) comprises a controller to control embedded features present in the Wi-Fi client and assist in connecting one or more portable UEs (User Equipments) with an operator's broadband services or any other Wi-Fi broadband services and a transmitter instructively coupled with the controller, wherein the transmitter is configured to send instructions to the one or more portable UEs to automatically enable Wi-Fi on the one or more portable UEs when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs and when the portable UE associated with Wi-Fi client is pre-authenticated with the one or more SSIDs, thereby enabling latching of the one or more portable UEs to the one or more SSIDs.
[0015] The controller comprises an authenticator that identifies one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs of available one or more SSIDs based on an SSID-BSSID database, wherein the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs correspond to the one or more BSSIDs, wherein the SSID-BSSID database correlates the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs for the one or more BSSIDs.
[0016] The Wi-Fi client further comprises a scanner configured to scan for available one or more SSIDs even when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs associated with the Wi-Fi client and a memory configured to store

the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs corresponding to the one or more BSSIDs in the SSID-BSSID database.
[0017] The Wi-Fi client contains data management and control functions necessary to provide network discovery and selection assistance, wherein the Wi-Fi client responds to the one or more portable UEs' requests for access network discovery information and is able to initiate offload to facilitate data transfer to the one or more portable UEs based on network triggers or because of previous communication with the one or more portable UEs. The Wi-Fi client comprises a list of SSIDs that are available in a vicinity of the one or more portable UEs, wherein information related to the list of SSIDs is received in response to a request made by the one or more portable UEs, which contains their location and capability like types of supported interfaces.
[0018] These and other aspects herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention herein without departing from the spirit thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0019] The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the drawings. The invention herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a Wi-Fi client for access network discovery and selection.
[0021] FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 are flow-charts depicting a method for access network discovery and selection.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced with or without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention.
[0023] Furthermore, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these alternatives only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without parting from the scope of the invention.
[0024] The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the alternatives presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings. Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element from another.
[0025] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a Wi-Fi client 100 for access network discovery and selection. The Wi-Fi client is an ANDSF (Access Network Discovery and Selection Function) client. Typically, ANDSF is an entity within EPC (evolved packet core) to assist user equipments (UEs) in the discovery/selection of the access networks, such as Wi-Fi, Wi-MAX, and LTE, in their vicinity, providing them with rules policing the connection to the networks. The ANDSF is used for access network selection and traffic steering between 3GPP access and WLAN (wireless local area network) access.
[0026] The Wi-Fi client 100, which runs on a UE, interacts with an ANDSF server using OMA-DM (Open Mobile Alliance Device Management) protocol over an S14 interface, which is an IP-based interface that supports 'pull' as well as 'push' mechanisms for communication. The Wi-Fi client 100 may be associated with an SSID (Service Set Identifier). In general, an SSID is a name

that identifies a wireless network. The UEs on a Wi-Fi network use the SSID for communications via the Wi-Fi network. The UE may be, but not limited to, mobile phone, laptop, desktop, tablet.
[0027] The below features are embedded in the Wi-Fi client 100 and are especially useful for connecting the UEs with the operator's broadband services (Home Wi-Fi) or any other Wi-Fi (Any WIFI) broadband services. The Wi-Fi client 100 has Any Wi-Fi / Home Wi-Fi (ONT) solution as an inbuilt feature, which helps in identifying if a network is a home network or any other personal Wi-Fi network and helps the Wi-Fi client 100 offload the UE to a desired network. The Wi-Fi client 100 may maximize the use of the access networks through selective offload and traffic optimization using intelligent offload. The first time when a user installs the Wi-Fi client 100, the Wi-Fi client 100 may fetch and store the information of the Wi-Fi networks that are pre-configured in the UE. In a single policy request, the Wi-Fi client 100 may get the policy for a default PLMN (Public land mobile network) as well as a Network PLMN, where PLMN is a mobile operator's cellular network in a specific country.
[0028] If any of the SSID, manually configured by the user, is in a range, then the Wi-Fi client 100 may latch on that SSID automatically in a real-time call-back. After latching on the SSID, the Wi-Fi client 100 may perform HTTP(s) Post (configured on validation server), which is only accessible from an operator network SSID (or any other URL freely accessible by the internet).
[0029] If the HTTP(s) Post is successful, then the Wi-Fi client 100 may consider the same SSID as a trusted SSID and mark it in a local database along with a corresponding BSSID. Once it is confirmed that SSID is from a trusted network, the Wi-Fi client 100 may start further Quality of experience (QoE) process and remain connected with the SSID.
[0030] If the HTTP(s) Post fails, then the Wi-Fi client 100 may mark that SSID along with BSSID as "Non-trusted SSID" and the Wi-Fi client 100 never tries to latch on to the same SSID again during the real-time call-back in the future. The Wi-Fi client 100 may pass the SSID name for all access networks

(Home Wi-Fi/ Any Wi-Fi) to analytics server, to help segregation of reports based on a policy Wi-Fi name.
[0031] If the user relates to any other preferred SSID, then there may not be intervention from the Wi-Fi client 100.
[0032] To perform the aforesaid functions, the Wi-Fi client 100 may comprise a controller 102 and a transmitter 104. The controller 102 may control embedded feature(s) present in the Wi-Fi client 100 and assist in connecting one or more portable UEs with an operator's broadband services (Home Wi-Fi) or any other Wi-Fi (Any Wi-Fi) broadband services by latching the one or more portable UEs to one or more SSIDs. The controller 102 may control a series of processes so that the Wi-Fi client 100 can operate according to the present disclosure. There may be a plurality of controllers that may perform a component control operation of the Wi-Fi client 100.
[0033] The transmitter 104 may be instructively coupled with the controller 102. The transmitter 104 may be configured to send instructions to the one or more portable UEs to automatically enable Wi-Fi on the one or more portable UEs when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs and when the portable UE associated with Wi-Fi client 100 is pre-authenticated with the one or more SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers) associated with one or more BSSIDs (Basic Service Set Identifiers) associated with one or more Wi-Fi APs (access points), thereby enabling latching of the one or more portable UEs to the one or more SSIDs.
[0034] The one or more SSIDs may be associated with the one or more BSSIDs that are further associated with the one or more Wi-Fi APs and the Wi-Fi client 100, which includes associating the one or more portable UEs with a first access point in a wireless network using a uniquely assigned BSSID among a plurality of stored uniquely assigned BSSIDs assigned to a plurality of UEs. Generally, BSSID is a MAC (Medium Access Control) physical address of a wireless router or an access point the user is using to connect via Wi-Fi.
[0035] The Wi-Fi client 100 may further comprise a scanner 106 configured to scan for available one or more SSIDs, associated with the one or

more Wi-Fi APs, even when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs associated with the Wi-Fi client 100.
[0036] The Wi-Fi client 100 may further comprise a memory 108 configured to store one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs corresponding to the one or more BSSIDs in an SSID-BSSID database. The one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs correspond to the one or more BSSIDs, wherein the SSID-BSSID database correlates the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs for the one or more BSSIDs. Advantageously, the memory 108 consists of a list of access networks (SSIDs), such as Wi-Fi, that may be available in a vicinity of the one or more portable UEs. The information related to the list of access networks may be received in response to a request made by the one or more portable UEs, which contains their location and capability, such as types of supported interfaces, for example. The received information may assist the one or more portable UEs to expedite the connection to the list of networks in the vicinity.
[0037] The memory 108 may store programs and data necessary for the operation disclosed in the present disclosure. In addition, the memory 108 may store control information or data included in signals transmitted and received by the one or more portable UEs. The memory 108 may be composed of a storage medium such as SD card and external storage devices, compact disc (CD), and digital versatile disc (DVD), or a combination of storage media.
[0038] The Wi-Fi client 100 may further comprise an authenticator 110. The authenticator 110 may reside in the controller 102. Alternatively, the authenticator 110 may be a separate entity. The authenticator 110 may identify the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs of the available one or more SSIDs based on the SSID-BSSID database.
[0039] Further, the Wi-Fi client 100 may contain data management and control functions necessary to provide network discovery and selection assistance as per operators' policy and may respond to the one or more portable UEs' requests for access network discovery information, therefore termed as pull mode operation and may be able to initiate offload to facilitate data transfer to the one or more portable UEs (hence called as push mode operation), based on network

triggers or because of previous communication with the one or more portable UEs.
[0040] In general, users are not aware about nearby Wi-Fi and always require manual intervention to connect with Wi-Fi, such drawback has been addressed by the present disclosure, thus no human intervention is required. Unlike conventional solutions, the present disclosure enables keeping a track of pre-configured networks, which makes the Wi-Fi client resilient. Further, the SSID and BSSID based identification provides accuracy, where SSID validation is based on the operators' requirement. The present disclosure supports and enables the operators with new standards like Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) that further enables operator managed offload and traffic steering by supporting devices (UEs) to intelligently discover access networks, like Wi-Fi, in nearby locality and dynamically select the preferred network and levy defined policies on the UEs, preferences, etc., thereby enhancing smooth Wi-Fi and cellular interworking.
[0041] Although FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show various components of the Wi-Fi client 100, but it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereon. The Wi-Fi client 100 may include less or more number of components. Further, the labels or names of the components are used only for illustrative purpose and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. One or more components can be combined together to perform same or substantially similar function in the Wi-Fi client 100.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a flow-chart 300 depicting a method for access network discovery and selection. It may be noted that in order to explain the flow-chart 300, references will be made to the elements explained in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
[0043] The method for access network discovery and selection intelligently latches the one or more portable UEs associated with the Wi-Fi client 100 to the one or more SSIDs associated with the one or more BSSIDs of the one or more Wi-Fi APs, thus may be referred to as a method for intelligently latching the one or more portable UEs having the Wi-Fi client 100 to the one or more SSIDs associated with the one or more BSSIDs.

[0044] At step 302, the method includes sending instructions, by the Wi-Fi client 100, to the one or more portable UEs to automatically enable Wi-Fi on the one or more portable UEs when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs and when the portable UE associated with Wi-Fi client 100 is pre-authenticated with the one or more SSIDs associated with the one or more BSSIDs associated with one or more access points, thereby enabling latching of the one or more portable UEs to the one or more SSIDs.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a flow-chart 400 depicting a method for access network discovery and selection. It may be noted that in order to explain the flow-chart 400, references will be made to the elements explained in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
[0046] The method for access network discovery and selection intelligently latches the one or more portable UEs associated with the Wi-Fi client 100 to the one or more SSIDs associated with the one or more BSSIDs of the one or more Wi-Fi APs, thus may be referred to as a method for intelligently latching the one or more portable UEs having the Wi-Fi client 100 to the one or more SSIDs associated with the one or more BSSIDs.
[0047] At step 402, the method includes sending instructions, by the Wi-Fi client 100, to the one or more portable UEs to automatically enable Wi-Fi on the one or more portable UEs when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs and when the portable UE associated with Wi-Fi client 100 is pre-authenticated with the one or more SSIDs associated with the one or more BSSIDs associated with one or more access points, thereby enabling latching of the one or more portable UEs to the one or more SSIDs.
[0048] At step 404, the method includes scanning, by the Wi-Fi client 100, for available one or more SSIDs even when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs associated with the Wi-Fi client 100.
[0049] At step 406, the method includes identifying, by the Wi-Fi client 100, the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs of the available one or more SSIDs based on the SSID-BSSID database. The one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs correspond to the one or more BSSIDs and the SSID-BSSID database correlates the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs for the one or more BSSIDs.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a flow-chart 500 depicting a method for access network discovery and selection. It may be noted that in order to explain the flow-chart 500, references will be made to the elements explained in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
[0051] The method for access network discovery and selection intelligently latches the one or more portable UEs associated with the Wi-Fi client 100 to the one or more SSIDs associated with the one or more BSSIDs of the one or more Wi-Fi APs, thus may be referred to as a method for intelligently latching the one or more portable UEs having the Wi-Fi client 100 to the one or more SSIDs associated with the one or more BSSIDs.
[0052] At step 502, the method includes sending instructions, by the Wi-Fi client 100, to the one or more portable UEs to automatically enable Wi-Fi on the one or more portable UEs when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs and when the portable UE associated with Wi-Fi client 100 is pre-authenticated with the one or more SSIDs associated with the one or more BSSIDs associated with one or more access points, thereby enabling latching of the one or more portable UEs to the one or more SSIDs.
[0053] At step 504, the method includes scanning, by the Wi-Fi client 100, for available one or more SSIDs even when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs associated with the Wi-Fi client 100.
[0054] At step 506, the method includes identifying, by the Wi-Fi client 100, the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs of the available one or more SSIDs based on the SSID-BSSID database. The one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs correspond to the one or more BSSIDs and the SSID-BSSID database correlates the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs for the one or more BSSIDs.
[0055] At step 508, the method includes storing, by the Wi-Fi client 100, the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs corresponding to the one or more BSSIDs in the SSID-BSSID database.
[0056] Advantageously, the aforementioned methods automatically offload on the operators as well as the user's personal Wi-Fi with better network experience, even when the user is not actively using the Wi-Fi client. The methods

enable automatic searching of nearby Wi-Fi and connect the user on the Wi-Fi by measuring quality of Wi-Fi.
[0057] The present solution offloads the UEs to Wi-Fi SSID based on periodic and real-time evaluation of configured cell IDs in an ISMP (Inter-system mobility policy), hence facilitates faster offload on to the Any/Home Wi-Fi compared to the other traditional evaluation methods, which improves Wi-Fi offload rate and reduces network congestion, thereby improving user experience. Further, the present disclosure helps to leverage potential of accessing operator's Home-Wi-Fi SSID or Any-Wi-Fi SSID as potential candidates, where the UEs can be offloaded, which is beneficial for provider of telecommunications services.
[0058] It may be noted that the flow-charts 300, 400 and 500 are explained to have above stated process steps; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the flow-charts 300, 400 and 500 may have more/less number of process steps which may enable all the above stated implementations of the present disclosure.
[0059] The various actions act, blocks, steps, or the like in the flow chart and sequence diagrams may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some implementations, some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, or the like without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0060] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented using at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements.
[0061] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention. While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-de scribed

embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope of the invention. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary, with the true scope of the invention being indicated by the claims.
[0062] The methods and processes described herein may have fewer or additional steps or states and the steps or states may be performed in a different order. Not all steps or states need to be reached. The methods and processes described herein may be embodied in, and fully or partially automated via, software code modules executed by one or more general purpose computers. The code modules may be stored in any type of computer-readable medium or other computer storage device. Some or all of the methods may alternatively be embodied in whole or in part in specialized computer hardware.
[0063] The results of the disclosed methods may be stored in any type of computer data repositories, such as relational databases and flat file systems that use volatile and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., magnetic disk storage, optical storage, EEPROM, solid-state RAM and/or SD card).
[0064] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, routines, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. The described functionality can be implemented in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the disclosure.
[0065] Moreover, the various illustrative logical blocks and modules described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed by a machine, such as a general purpose processor device, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit

(ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor device can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor device can be a controller, microcontroller, or state machine, combinations of the same, or the like. A processor device can include electrical circuitry configured to process computer-executable instructions. In another embodiment, a processor device includes an FPGA or other programmable device that performs logic operations without processing computer-executable instructions. A processor device can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Although described herein primarily with respect to digital technology, a processor device may also include primarily analog components. A computing environment can include any type of computer system, including, but not limited to, a computer system based on a microprocessor, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, a portable computing device, a device controller, or a computational engine within an appliance, to name a few.
[0066] The elements of a method, process, routine, or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor device, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. An exemplary storage medium can be coupled to the processor device such that the processor device can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor device. The processor device and the storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor device and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0067] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "may," "might," "may," "e.g.," and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey those certain alternatives include, while other alternatives do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more alternatives or that one or more alternatives necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without other input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular alternative. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term "or" is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term "or" means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.
[0068] Disjunctive language such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, Z," unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain alternatives require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.
[0069] While the detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features as applied to various alternatives, it can be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices or algorithms illustrated can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As can be recognized, certain alternatives described herein can be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately from others.

CLAIMS
We Claim:

1. A method of intelligently latching one or more portable UEs (User
Equipments) having a Wi-Fi client (100) to one or more SSIDs (Service Set
Identifiers) associated with one or more BSSIDs (Basic Service Set Identifiers),
the method comprising:
sending instructions, by the Wi-Fi client (100), to the one or more portable UEs to automatically enable Wi-Fi on the one or more portable UEs when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs and when the portable UE associated with Wi-Fi client 100 is pre-authenticated with the one or more SSIDs associated with the one or more BSSIDs associated with one or more access points, thereby enabling latching of the one or more portable UEs to the one or more SSIDs.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
scanning, by the Wi-Fi client (100), for available one or more SSIDs even when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs associated with the Wi-Fi client (100).
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
identifying, by the Wi-Fi client (100), one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs of available one or more SSIDs based on an SSID-BSSID database, wherein the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs correspond to the one or more BSSIDs, wherein the SSID-BSSID database correlates the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs for the one or more BSSIDs.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

storing, by the Wi-Fi client (100), one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs corresponding to the one or more BSSIDs in an SSID-BSSID database.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein associating the one or more
SSIDs with the one or more BSSIDs for the one or more portable UEs
comprising:
associating the one or more portable UEs with a first access point in a wireless network using a uniquely assigned BSSID among a plurality of stored uniquely assigned BSSIDs assigned to a plurality of UEs.
6. A Wi-Fi client (100) associated with one or more SSIDs (Service Set
Identifiers), the Wi-Fi client (100) comprising:
a controller (102) to control embedded features present in the Wi-Fi client (100) and assist in connecting one or more portable UEs (User Equipments) with an operator's broadband services or any other Wi-Fi broadband services; and
a transmitter (104) instructively coupled with the controller (102), wherein the transmitter (104) is configured to send instructions to the one or more portable UEs to automatically enable Wi-Fi on the one or more portable UEs when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs and when the portable UE associated with Wi-Fi client 100 is pre-authenticated with the one or more SSIDs, thereby enabling latching of the one or more portable UEs to the one or more SSIDs.
7. The Wi-Fi client (100) as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a scanner (106) configured to scan for available one or more SSIDs even when Wi-Fi is disabled on the one or more portable UEs associated with the Wi-Fi client (100).
8. The Wi-Fi client (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the controller (102) comprises an authenticator (110), wherein the authenticator (110) identifies one or

more pre-authenticated SSIDs of available one or more SSIDs based on an SSID-BSSID database, wherein the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs correspond to the one or more BSSIDs, wherein the SSID-BSSID database correlates the one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs for the one or more BSSIDs.
9. The Wi-Fi client (100) as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a memory (108) configured to store one or more pre-authenticated SSIDs corresponding to the one or more BSSIDs in an SSID-BSSID database.
10. The Wi-Fi client (100) as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a list of SSIDs that are available in a vicinity of the one or more portable UEs, wherein information related to the list of SSIDs is received in response to a request made by the one or more portable UEs, which contains their location and capability like types of supported interfaces.
11. The Wi-Fi client (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the Wi-Fi client (100) contains data management and control functions necessary to provide network discovery and selection assistance, wherein the Wi-Fi client (100) responds to the one or more portable UEs' requests for access network discovery information and is able to initiate offload and facilitate data transfer to the one or more portable UEs based on network triggers or because of previous communication with the one or more portable UEs.