DESC:The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

This application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Applications 5328/CHE/2015 and 5391/CHE/2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present disclosure relates to the field of multi-IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards and more particularly to managing Wi-Fi connections for devices comprising of at least one multi-IMSI SIM card.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[002] Currently, network operators have started operating Wi-Fi networks/hotspots in specific locations within their coverage area, such as airports, shopping centers, parks, bus stations, and so on. Use of these Wi-Fi networks results in a reduction in the load on the cellular network, enabling the operator to provide better service, speeds and so on to the users.
[003] However, the operators typically make the Wi-Fi networks available only to select users, with some users not being permitted to connect to the Wi-Fi network such as users who are currently in roaming mode in the coverage area of the network operator.
[004] Also, these days many operators support multi-IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards to provide their customers better roaming coverage worldwide. Multi-IMSI SIM cards comprise of multiple accounts/subscriptions, wherein a user can use any one of the available accounts for accessing services. Depending on the usage, the user can reduce costs by selecting an appropriate account, especially when roaming.
[005] Consider an example scenario where a user has a device comprising of a multi-IMSI SIM card, which has been registered in the home cellular network. When the device moves to a location X outside the home cellular network, the device can switch to a non-home IMSI (if available).
[006] Consider that a home network Wi-Fi service is available at location X. On detecting that the home network Wi-Fi service is available, the device can attempt to register for the home network Wi-Fi service. On attempting to register with the home network Wi-Fi service, the Wi-Fi network requests for the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Identity request comprising of the current active IMSI. On the user device responding with the non-home IMSI, the validation is not successful with the network and hence the user will not be able to use the services over the home network Wi-Fi service, while in roaming mode.
[007] This can cause an increase in costs to the user such as costs resulting from data usage while in roaming cellular network, as the user is not able to use the Home Wi-Fi services.
[008] Further consider the case where a device has registered with a Wi-Fi service (such as a Wi-Fi network in a hotel, home, office, mall, and so on), which is not associated with the operator and the device has Wi-Fi calling support. The device includes the current non-home IMSI MCC/MNC (Mobile Country Code/Mobile Network Code) in the NAI/FQDN (Network Access Identifier/Fully Qualified Domain Name) value for ePDG (evolved Packet Data Gateway) selection and the device may end up selecting a roaming ePDG associated with roaming network or selection failure if the ePDG of the roaming operator is not accessible or the roaming operator does not provide a ePDG. In case, the device registers with the ePDG of the roaming operator, all the calls made to the user’s home country shall be considered as international/long distance calls.
OBJECT OF INVENTION
[009] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to disclose methods and systems for managing Wi-Fi connections for a device, wherein the device comprises of at least one multi-IMSI SIM card.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to disclose methods and systems for enabling selection of an appropriate IMSI value for Wi-Fi authentication for a device, wherein the device comprises of at least one multi-IMSI SIM card.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to disclose methods and system for choosing an appropriate IMSI value for ePDG selection for VoWi-Fi registration for a device, wherein the device comprises of at least one multi-IMSI SIM card.

SUMMARY
[0012] Accordingly the invention provides a method for managing a Wi-Fi connection for a device comprising of a multi IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card. The method comprising checking for a IMSI corresponding to a Wi-Fi network in a memory by the device, wherein the device is being authenticated by the Wi-Fi network; and using the corresponding IMSI by the device for authentication procedure with the Wi-Fi network.
[0013] The invention further provides a device comprising of a multi IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, the device further configured for checking for a IMSI corresponding to a Wi-Fi network in a memory, wherein the device is being authenticated by the Wi-Fi network; and using the corresponding IMSI for authentication procedure with the Wi-Fi network.
[0014] These and other aspects of the example embodiments 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, while indicating example embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the example embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the example embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0015] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts a device located in the coverage area of a Home Wi-Fi network and with overlapping cellular coverage area of a visited PLMN, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts the device comprising of at least one multi-IMSI SIM card, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting the process of choosing an IMSI for Wi-Fi authentication, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0019] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting the process of choosing an IMSI for VoWi-Fi registration (ePDG selection), according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0020] The example embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The description herein is intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the example embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the example embodiments herein. Accordingly, this disclosure should not be construed as limiting the scope of the example embodiments herein.
[0021] The embodiments herein disclose methods and systems for managing Wi-Fi connections for a device, wherein the device comprises of at least one multi-IMSI SIM card. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown example embodiments.
[0022] A device as referred to herein can be a device comprising of at least one multi-IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card. Examples of the device can be mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, laptops, computers, dongles, wearable computing devices, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, or any other device configured for using a SIM card and a Wi-Fi connection.
[0023] Embodiments herein enable the device to use a Wi-Fi network belonging to his Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) while present in a coverage area of a visiting PLMN (VPLMN), when the non-Home IMSI is active.
[0024] The embodiments herein achieve choosing of an appropriate IMSI value (MCC/MNC) (Mobile Country Code/Mobile Network Code) for forming the FQDN in order to select an ePDG (evolved Packet Data Gateway) for VoWi-Fi (Voice over Wi-Fi) registration by the device.
[0025] FIG. 1 depicts a device located in the coverage area of a Home Wi-Fi network and with overlapping cellular coverage area of a VPLMN. The device 101 is located in the cellular coverage area of a VPLMN, and outside the cellular coverage area of the HPLMN. The device 101 can further be located in the coverage area of a Home Wi-Fi network. The Wi-Fi network can be operated by the home network operator. The Wi-Fi network can be a network operated by an entity/user other than the home network operator, such as a home network, office network, and so on. The device 101 can switch to a non-home IMSI and register with the VPLMN using the non-home IMSI.
[0026] The device 101 can store all the IMSIs present in the SIM card currently present in the device 101 in a suitable storage location such as a non-volatile memory. In an embodiment herein, the first IMSI read by the device 101, on the device 101 startup can be considered as the home IMSI or any other method used for considering the home IMSI in multi IMSI SIM Card. The device 101 can denote the home IMSI using a suitable notification. The device 101 can store a corresponding Wi-Fi network name for each IMSI in the storage location. On detecting that the device 101 has successfully registered with a Wi-Fi network, the device 101 can update the storage location with the Wi-Fi network name and the corresponding IMSI. The device 101 shall clear the storage location, on detecting SIM card change.
[0027] On detecting an input to connect to a Wi-Fi network or on detecting a Wi-Fi network, the device 101 can check if the Wi-Fi name has a corresponding IMSI in the storage location. In an embodiment herein, the Wi-Fi network can be a home operator Wi-Fi network. On finding the corresponding IMSI, the device 101 can use the matched IMSI for Wi-Fi Authentication procedure initiated by the network as a part of Wi-Fi Attach procedure.
[0028] FIG. 2 depicts the device comprising of at least one multi-IMSI SIM card. The device 101, as depicted, comprises of a controller 201, at least one memory 202, at least one SIM card 203, at least one communication interface 204, and at least one user interface 205. The at least one memory 202 can be a non-volatile memory. The at least one memory 202 can be at least one of an internal memory or an expandable storage means. The at least one SIM card 203 can comprise of more than one IMSI. The at least one communication interface 204 can enable the device 101 to communicate with other networks, and other entities, using at least one of wired and wireless means. In an example herein, the communication interface 204 can use cellular communication protocols or Wi-Fi for communication such as calls, Short Messaging Service (SMS), and so on. The at least one user interface 205 can enable a user to interact with the device 101. Examples of the user interface 205 can be a display, a touchscreen display, a keyboard, a mouse pad, a mouse, at least one physical button, or any other equivalent means.
[0029] The controller 201 can fetch all the IMSIs present in the SIM card 203 and store all the IMSIs in the memory 202. In an embodiment herein, the controller 201 can consider the first IMSI read, on the device 101 startup, as the home IMSI. The controller 201 can denote the home IMSI stored in the memory 202 using a suitable notification. The controller 201 can store a corresponding Wi-Fi network name for each IMSI in the memory 202. On detecting that the device 101 has successfully registered with a Wi-Fi network, the controller 201 can update the memory 202 with the Wi-Fi network name and the IMSI corresponding to the Wi-Fi network. The controller 201 can clear the memory 202, on detecting that the SIM card 203 is removed or changed.
[0030] On detecting an input to connect to a Wi-Fi network received from the user interface 205 or on detecting a Wi-Fi network using the communication interface 204, the controller 201 can check if the Wi-Fi name has a corresponding IMSI in the memory 202. On finding the corresponding IMSI, the controller 201 shall use the matched IMSI for authentication procedure triggered as a part of Wi-Fi Attach procedure.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting the process of choosing an IMSI for Wi-Fi authentication. On attempting to be authenticated by a Wi-Fi network (wherein the Wi-Fi network can be a home operator Wi-Fi network), the controller 201 checks (301) if the Wi-Fi name has a corresponding IMSI in the storage location. On finding the corresponding IMSI, the controller 201 uses (302) the matched IMSI for authentication procedure. The various actions in method 300 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 3 may be omitted.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting the process of choosing an IMSI for VoWi-Fi registration (ePDG selection). The controller 201 checks (401) for any change in the IMSI. On detecting a change in the IMSI, the controller 201 checks (402) if the non-home IMSI is active. The controller 201 can check for the change in the IMSI by comparing the current IMSI being used to the home IMSI stored in the memory 202. If the non-home IMSI is active, the controller 201 checks (403) if the device 101 is connected to a Wi-Fi network and if the device supports VoWi-Fi feature. In an embodiment herein, the controller 201 can select the IMSI in an automatic manner. In an embodiment herein, the controller 201 can enable the user to select the IMSI. The controller 201 then registers (405) with VoWi-Fi using the selected IMSI. In an embodiment herein, the controller 201 can switch the non-home IMSI to the home IMSI by simulating at least one IMSI switch condition. The controller 201 can post the Home network location information to SIM card, so that SIM assumes that user moved back to Home Cellular coverage. The various actions in method 400 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 4 may be omitted.
[0033] Embodiments herein enable the device to perform Wi-Fi calling by selecting home ePDG from any roaming area. With Wi-Fi calling support on roaming area connecting to home ePDG, the user of the device can avail home tariff for voice calls/SMS in roaming cellular network area.
[0034] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements. The elements shown in Figs. 1 and 2 can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0035] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A method for managing a Wi-Fi connection for a device (101) comprising of a multi IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card (203), the method comprising
checking (301) for a IMSI corresponding to a Wi-Fi network in a memory (202) by the device (101), when the device (101) is being authenticated by the Wi-Fi network; and
using (302) the corresponding IMSI by the device (101) for authentication procedure with the Wi-Fi network.
2. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory (202) further comprises of Wi-Fi network names and all IMSIs present in the SIM card corresponding to each of the Wi-Fi network names.
3. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises of
selecting (404) a IMSI from the memory (202) by the device (101), if the device (101) is connected to a Wi-Fi network and the device (101) is capable of providing VoWi-Fi (Voice over Wi-Fi) services; and
registering (405) the device (101) with the VoWi-Fi service using the selected IMSI by the device (101).
4. The method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the method further comprises of at least one of the device (101) selecting the IMSI automatically and a user of the device selecting the IMSI.
5. The method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the method further comprises of simulating IMSI switch conditions by the device (101), if the selected IMSI is different from IMSI currently being used.
6. A device (101) comprising of a memory (202), and a multi IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card (203), the device (101) configured for
checking for a IMSI corresponding to a Wi-Fi network in the memory (202), when the device (101) is being authenticated by the Wi-Fi network; and
using the corresponding IMSI for authentication procedure with the Wi-Fi network.
7. The device, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the memory (202) further comprises of Wi-Fi network names and all IMSIs present in the SIM card corresponding to each of the Wi-Fi network names.
8. The device, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the device (101) is further configured for
selecting a IMSI from the memory (202) of the device (101), if the device (101) is connected to a Wi-Fi network and the device (101) is capable of providing VoWi-Fi (Voice over Wi-Fi) services; and
registering the device (101) with the VoWi-Fi services using the selected IMSI.
9. The device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the device (101) is further configured for of at least one of the device (101) selecting the IMSI automatically; and a user of the device (101) selecting the IMSI.
10. The device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the device (101) is further configured for simulating IMSI switch conditions, if the selected IMSI is different from IMSI currently being used.

Dated this 5th of October 2016 Signature:
Name of the signatory: Dr. Kalyan Chakravarthy