DESC:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“Method and an electronic device for managing a Hotspot 2.0 subscription”

APPLICANTS:
Name Nationality Address
SAMSUNG R&D Institute India - Bangalore Private Limited India # 2870, Orion Building, Bagmane Constellation Business Park, Outer Ring Road, Doddanekundi Circle, Marathahalli Post, Bangalore-560037, India

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

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to the field of Wi-Fi networks and more particularly to Hotspot 2.0 services in the Wi-Fi networks.

BACKGROUND
[002] Hot Spot 2.0 (HS 2.0), often referred to as Wi-Fi Certified Passpoint, is a standard for a Wi-Fi network for public access that automates and secures Wi-Fi connection. Hotspot 2.0 provides dynamic policy to a connection manager of an electronic device (client device), that enables management of cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity between mobile applications. Phase 1 or Release 1 of the HS 2.0 standard delivers the global interoperable Wi-Fi authentication standard enabling Wi-Fi roaming similar to cellular roaming and hand off experience. Release 1 introduced new capabilities for automatic Wi-Fi network discovery, selection, and 802.1X authentication based on an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP). In accordance with HS 2.0 Release 1 the client device and an access point (AP) (passpoint AP) exchange information prior to association, using the ANQP. The AP advertises ‘backend’ service providers (SPs) who can process authentication requests that are reachable from this hotspot. The client device then checks if it possesses passpoint credentials for one of those SPs (that is whether it is has a subscription to one of those SPs). If it does, the client device proceeds to associate and then authenticate to the AP using 802.1X standard with the provisioned passpoint credentials. Supported client credentials include SIM cards, USIMs, X.509 certificates and username/password pairs, with each credential associated with a specific Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP type). However, Release 1 specification does not address the problem arising when the client device does not possess the passpoint credentials of any of the advertised SPs. The solution to the problem is provided by the current HS 2.0 Release 2 that provides a standard format for managing the passpoint credential on the client device. Thus, if the client device does not possess the required passpoint credentials it can perform an online sign up with an Online Sign UP (OSU) server to acquire the credentials and take the online subscription. Further, the acquired passpoint credentials can be used to access the hotspot services through the AP.
[003] However, to follow HS 2.0 Release 2 procedure, the client devices need to support the Release 2 technology. Thus, the client devices that do not support the Release 2 specification cannot perform the online sign up and utilize the Hotspot 2.0 services. Further, the legacy Wi-Fi devices not supporting Release 2 technology are unable to access the Release 2 online sign up functionality.
[004] Also, for the client devices that support Release 2, each client device has to independently perform the online sign up to acquire the passpoint credentials. For example, a single user interested in subscribing to a same service provider for accessing the hotspot services on his/her mobile phone and tab has to do so independently for each client device (mobile phone and tab). Further, with current Hotspot 2.0 standard user needs to manually check each subscription corresponding to each SP selected and decide the pattern of Wi-Fi usage. Thereafter, according to the observed Wi-Fi usage pattern the user may have to rearrange the subscription for effective usage. However, each subscription has large amount of information that may create confusion and make it complicated for the user to understand. Further, with current Hotspot 2.0 standard, subscription with two different SUs cannot be merged and used.

OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method and a client device (a first client device) for managing a subscription for a Hotspot 2.0 by acquiring passpoint credentials from an Online Sign Up (OSU) server for a subscription of a Service Provider (SP) and sharing the passpoint credentials in a credential bundle with one or more client devices (one or more second client devices) to provide multiple shared subscriptions within the subscription at a device level.
[006] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for building the credential bundle comprising a Per Provider Subscription Management Object (PPSMO), which includes the passpoint credentials, and a plurality of components corresponding to the subscription.
[007] Another object of the embodiments is to provide a method for displaying information related to the Hotspot 2.0 subscription to a user of the first client device, wherein the information is related to the subscription with the SP, shared subscription provided to one or more second client devices, and other available subscriptions of plurality of SPs advertised by a plurality of Access Points (APs) in vicinity of the first client device.

SUMMARY
[008] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a method for managing a subscription for a Hotspot 2.0. The method comprises acquiring passpoint credentials corresponding to a subscription of a Service Provider (SP) from an Online Sign Up (OSU) server in a Per Provider Subscription Management Object (PPSMO) by performing a discovery and a sign up procedure. Further, the method comprises building a credential bundle, wherein said credential bundle comprises said PPSMO and a plurality of components corresponding to said subscription. Furthermore, the method comprises sharing said credential bundle with at least one second client device to provide multiple shared subscriptions within said subscription at a device level.
[009] Embodiments further disclose a client device for managing a subscription for a Hotspot 2.0, wherein said client device comprises a subscription management module configured to acquire passpoint credentials corresponding to a subscription of a Service Provider (SP) from an On line Sign Up (OSU) server by performing a discovery and a sign up procedure, wherein said passpoint credentials are present in a Per Provider Subscription Management Object (PPSMO). Further, the subscription management module is configured to build a credential bundle, wherein said credential bundle comprises said PPSMO and a plurality of components corresponding to said subscription. Furthermore, the subscription management module is configured to share said credential bundle with at least one second client device to provide multiple shared subscriptions within said subscription, at a device level.
[0010] These and other aspects of the 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 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 embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0011] The embodiments of this invention are 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:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for providing Wi-Fi hot spot services, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of components of a first client device (client device), according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing a subscription for a Hotspot 2.0 by sharing passpoint credentials acquired by a client device (first client device) with one or more client devices (one or more second client devices) using a credential bundle to provide multiple subscriptions within the subscription at a device level, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an example illustrating user interfaces of the first client device and a second client device when the passpoint credentials are shared between them, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates components of the credential bundle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates plurality of fields and subfields of a Per Provider Subscription Management Object (PPSMO) that is edited at the device level of the first client device to provide the multiple subscriptions within the subscription of the first client device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 7a and FIG 7b illustrate example screen shots of user interfaces of the first client device displaying information details for a plurality of Service Provider(SPs) with whom a user is subscribed for Hotspot 2.0 subscription, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0019] FIG. 8a and FIG 8b illustrate example screen shots of user interfaces of the first client device displaying consolidated view of available online service providers (OSU’s) in the vicinity of the first client device and consolidated view of plurality of Service Provider(SPs) with whom the user is subscribed for Hotspot 2.0 subscription , according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The 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 examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0021] The embodiments herein achieve a method and a client device (a first client device) for managing a subscription for a Hotspot 2.0 (Wi-Fi Certified Passpoint) by acquiring passpoint credentials corresponding to a subscription of a Service Provider (SP). The passpoint credentials are acquired from an Online Sign Up (OSU) server in a Per Provider Subscription Management Object (PPSMO). Further, the method includes sharing the acquired passpoint credentials with one or more client devices (one or more second client devices) in a credential bundle to provide multiple shared subscriptions within the subscription, at a device level.
[0022] The first client device refers to an electronic device that supports both Release 1 and Release 2 technology of the Hotspot 2.0 standard.
[0023] The second client device refers to an electronic device that supports at least one of Release 1 and Release 2 technology or a Wi-Fi only technology.
[0024] In an embodiment, the client device is an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant, a laptop, a wearable computing device, a computer, a household device/appliance, or any other electronic device supporting Wi-Fi functionality.
[0025] The method includes building the credential bundle comprising the PPSMO and a plurality of components corresponding to the subscription. The passpoint credentials are present in the PPSMO. The method includes allowing the first client device to edit and modify the PPSMO at the device level using added subfields such as CredShareCount subfield and AbleToShare subfield in one or more credential fields of the PPSMO. Other additional information such as a data limit, a time limit, can also be added for the shared subscription at the device level. This addition of the sub-fields enables the first client device, or the user of the first client device, to manage one or more shared subscriptions for each second client device. Further, the method includes displaying information related to the Hotspot 2.0 subscription to the user of the first client device. The information may be related to the subscription of the first client device with the SP, the shared subscription provided to one or more second client device through the first client device, other available subscriptions of plurality of SPs advertised by plurality of Access Points (APs) in vicinity (within the Wi-Fi range of the first client device) of the first client device, a connectable best AP in the vicinity or the like. The information displayed is dynamically consolidated information making it easier for the user to manage multiple shared subscriptions.
[0026] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 8, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for providing Wi-Fi hotspot services, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system 100 includes a first client device 102, one or more second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively. Further, the system 100 includes an Access point (AP) 106a and AP 106b, and an Online Sign Up (OSU) server 108.
[0028] The first client device 102, that supports the Release 1 and Release 2 technology of the Hotspot 2.0 when identifies the APs 106a and AP 106b (that are passpoint APs) in the vicinity (within its Wi-Fi communication range). However, when the first client device 102 identifies that it does not possess the required passpoint credentials of a desired SP among the SPs advertised by the AP 106a or the AP 106b that provide online sign up services, then in accordance with the Release 2 specification of the Hotspot 2.0 standard the first client device 102 performs an online sign up. The online sign up is performed through AP 106a (advertising the desired SP). The first client device 102 performs the discovery and sign up procedure and acquires the passpoint credentials corresponding to the subscription of the SP from the OSU server 108. The first client device 102 can be configured to provide shared subscriptions within the subscription of the SP to one or more second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively. Number of shared subscription that the first client device can include depends on a count set by the SP. For example, a user A may own multiple devices such as a first mobile phone supporting Hotspot 2.0 Release1 and Release 2, a second mobile phone supporting Hotspot 2.0 Release1 and Release 2, a tablet supporting Release 1, a laptop which is a Wi-Fi only device. The first client device 102 (first mobile phone) can perform online sign up, acquire passpoint credentials in the PPSMO and provide the passpoint credentials to shared subscriptions’ corresponding to the second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively (the second mobile phone, the tablet and the laptop). The first client device 102 can be configured to share the passpoint credentials through the credential bundle built by the first client device 102 using any communication technology such as Wi-Fi, BLE, NFC and the like. The credential bundle is described in conjunction with FIG 5. The credential bundle includes the PPSMO that can be edited by the first client device at the device level to manage the shared subscriptions. The PPSMO is described in detail in conjunction with FIG. 6. Further, the credential bundle includes plurality of components such as enrolment certificates, SP icons, Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) query information and so on. The credential bundle is such that the second client devices 104a, 104b and 104c are able to retrieve the passpoint credentials and other information provided in the bundle to utilize the Hotspot 2.0 services as defined by the shared subscription.
[0029] If the second client devices, for example 104a and 104b support the HS 2.0 Release 1 then they can get the credential bundle and get connected to AP 106a. However, they are unable to acquire services related to the policy update, password change and the like as they cannot connect to a subscription server. However, these services can be provided by the first client device102 through the shared subscriptions.
[0030] If the second client devices like 104c support Hotspot 2.0 Release 1 and Release 2 then they can acquire the credential bundle and connect to AP 106a. Further, with Release 2.0 support they connect to the subscription server and acquire the policy update service, the password change service on their own.
[0031] Even though, the description discusses about subscription of one desired SP, subscription for multiple such SPs can be acquired and provided as shared subscriptions. The user of the respective client devices may then select the desired SP or SPs and utilize the respective passpoint credentials to access services such as policy update, password change/update and the like provided by the SPs through the AP 106a.
[0032] Once one or more second client devices 104a, 104b and 104c respectively acquire the passpoint credentials through the credential bundle, they can directly communicate with the subscription server corresponding to the desired SP (through the AP 106a) without need to perform the discovery and sign up procedure. The communication can be for plurality of actions including upgrading of the shared subscription and the like. Further, based on the shared credential bundle, one or more second client device 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively can map the information available through the AP 106a in the current location and provide information to the user.
[0033] Thus, the method provides enhancement in the current Hotspot 2.0 by providing an online sign up option for second client devices that support only Release 1 technology or are Wi-Fi only devices. Further, the method eliminates the need for each client device (supporting Release 1 and Release 2) to individually perform the discovery and sign up procedure, rather allows one client device to perform it for all other client devices.
[0034] Further, the first client device 102 can be configured to display information related to the Hotspot 2.0 subscriptions to the user of the first client device 102. The information may be related to the subscription of the first client device 102 with the SP, the shared subscription provided to one or more second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively through the first client device 102, other available subscriptions of plurality of SPs advertised by plurality of Access Points (APs) in vicinity of the first client device 102, connectable best AP within said Wi-Fi range and the like. The information displayed to the user is described with examples in conjunction with FIG 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b respectively. Further, based on the information acquired by the first client device 102, the first client device 102 can be configured to select and switch to connectable best AP as the user roams around. The connectable best AP can be identified by analyzing the current information acquired from the APs, current Wi-Fi usage pattern of the user, current content browsed by the user, status such as remaining time and/or data of each subscription taken by the user and so on.
[0035] In an embodiment, if the first client device 102 supports only Release 1 technology, then the first device 102 can acquire the passpoint credentials by accessing the credential bundle from the OSU server 108. The SPs can maintain such credential bundles in the subscription servers that enable Release 1 technology supporting client devices to perform the online sign up without support or assistance from the Release 2 technology supporting client devices. Once the credential bundle is received by the first client device (in case if supports Release 2), or the second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104 c (in case if supports Release 2) respectively through the shared subscription process, they need not communicate with the OSU server 108 but can directly communicate with the subscription server for the services.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a limited overview of the system 100. The system 100 may include plurality of other components or modules, units or client devices that directly or indirectly interact with the components or modules shown in FIG. 1. However, other components are not described here for brevity. Further, the names of the other components of the system 100 are illustrative and need not be construed as a limitation.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of components of the first client device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Referring to figure 2, the first client device 102 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the first client device 102 may include at least one processor 202, an input/output (I/O) interface 204 (herein a configurable user interface), a memory 206. The at least one processor 202 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the at least one processor 202 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 206.
[0038] The I/O interface 204 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like. The I/O interface 204 may allow the first client device 102 to communicate with other devices. The I/O interface 204 may facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, D2D communication network, Wi-Fi networks and so on.
[0039] The modules 208 include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks, functions or implement particular abstract data types. In one implementation, the modules 208 may include a subscription management module 210. The subscription management module 210 can be configured to perform the discovery and sign up procedure and acquire the passpoint credentials corresponding to the subscription of the SP from the OSU server 108. The subscription management module 210 can be configured to provide shared subscriptions within the subscription of the SP to one or more second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively. Further, for the shared subscriptions, the subscription management module 210 can be configured to build the credential bundle including the PPSMO and the plurality of components. The plurality of components may include the enrolment certificates, the SP icons, and Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) query information and so on. The subscription management module 210 can be configured to edit the PPSMO at the device level using added subfields such as the CredShareCount subfield and the AbleToShare subfield in one or more credential fields of the PPSMO. Further, any other additional information such as the data limit, the time limit and the like required for the shared subscription may be added in the credential bundle at the device level. This addition of the sub-fields and other information enables the first client device, or the user of the first client device, to manage one or more shared subscriptions for each second client device. Further, the subscription management module 210 can be configured to display information related to the Hotspot 2.0 subscription to the user of the first client device 102. The information may be related to the subscription of the first client device 102 with the SP, the shared subscription provided to one or more second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively through the first client device 102. The displayed information also includes other available subscriptions of plurality of SPs advertised by plurality of APs (AP 106a and AP 106b) in vicinity of the first client device, the connectable best AP within the Wi-Fi range of the first client device or the like. The information displayed is dynamically consolidated information making it easier for the user to manage multiple shared subscriptions, know the current Wi-Fi usage pattern for each shared subscription and of the first client device 102, and know the available SPs within the range and so on.
[0040] In an embodiment, the subscription management module 210 can be configured to select and switch to a connectable best AP as the user roams around. The connectable best AP can be dynamically identified by analyzing the information acquired from the APs, current Wi-Fi usage pattern of the user, current content browsed by the user, status of each subscription taken by the user of the first client device and so on.
[0041] The modules 208 may include programs or coded instructions that supplement applications and functions of the first client device 102. The data 212, amongst other things, serves as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules 208. Further, the names of the other components and modules of the first client device 102 are illustrative and need not be construed as a limitation.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 for managing a Hotspot 2.0 subscription by sharing passpoint credentials acquired by a client device (first client device) with one or more client devices (one or more second client devices) using a credential bundle to provide multiple subscriptions within the subscription at a device level, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0043] At step 302, the method 300 includes allowing the subscription management module 210 to acquire passpoint credentials corresponding to the subscription of the SP (desired SP among available SPs) from the OSU server 108 by performing the discovery and the sign up procedure. The passpoint credentials are present in a Per Provider Subscription Management Object (PPSMO) received from the OSU server 108.
[0044] At step 304, the method 300 includes allowing the subscription management module 210 to build the credential bundle that includes the PPSMO and the plurality of components corresponding to the subscription. The plurality of components in the credential bundle, include the enrolment certificates, the SP icons, and/or the GAS query information. The PPSMO is edited at the device level by adding the data limit, the time limit, the CredShareCount subfield and the AbleToShare subfield and the like in one or more credential fields of the PPSMO. These added CredShareCount subfield and AbleToShare subfield, the data limit, the time limit, and other additional information enable the first client device 102 to manage shared subscription for one or more one second client device 104 a, 104b, and 104 c within the subscription. The management of shared subscription is device implementation dependent and can be handled by the subscription management module 210 whenever the credentials in the received PPSMO include the CredShareCount subfield and the AbleToShare fields. In an embodiment, the first client device can add/edit//remove information in the PPSMO before sharing to first device based on user inputs.
[0045] The GAS query information that may be included in the credential bundle provides additional information. For example, in case of Hotspot 2.0, the GAS query information provides all related ANQP information that can be shared directly through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Near Field Communication (NFC). This may eliminate the first client device 102 from scanning for SP list or connecting to an AP (passpoint AP) to acquire the information. This effectively reduces power consumption of the first client device 102.
[0046] At step 306, the method 300 includes allowing the subscription management module 210 to share the credential bundle with one or more second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively to provide multiple shared subscriptions within the subscription at the device level. The shared passpoint credentials then can be utilized by one or more second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively to access Hotspot 2.0 services of the SP through the AP 106a. Once one or more second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively acquire the passpoint credentials through the credential bundle, they can directly communicate with the OSU server 108 (through the AP 106a) without need to perform the discovery and sign up procedure. The communication can be for plurality of actions including upgrading of the shared subscription such as downloading an expiring password and the like. Further, based on the shared credential bundle, one or more second client device 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively can map the information available through the AP 106a in the current location and provide information to a user of the second client device.
[0047] At step 306, the method 300 includes allowing the subscription management module 210 to display information related to the Hotspot 2.0 subscription to the user of the first client device. The information may be displayed using a notification, a consolidated table and so on. The information is related to the subscription of the first client device 102 with the SP, the shared subscription provided to one or more second client device 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively, and/or other available subscriptions of plurality of SPs advertised by plurality of APs in vicinity of the first client device 102.
[0048] The displayed information can provide the consolidated view of subscriptions from different service providers and operators to the user. For example user of the first device 102 has 10 subscriptions, with 10 minutes of subscription time left for each. The method 300 includes providing notification to the user when any status change in total subscriptions or any particular subscription has been met. For example, the passpoint credentials are either time based or data usage based. Thus, the user may be notified expiry of the passpoint credentials. Further, the first client device may renew the expiring passpoint credentials automatically or based on user inputs.
[0049] In an embodiment, the method 300 includes allowing the first client device to aggregate all information regarding available online service providers by scanning the APs in the vicinity. This reduces the need for individually checking with all available APs. In an embodiment, the aggregated information is displayed by creating a dynamic virtual AP through which user can have access to all SPs, when SP is available in current location. This provides a consolidated view of online SPs in current location without need to reveal the actual names of the APs (where such details are of no much use to the user).
[0050] The dynamic Virtual AP option appears on the screen based on SPs available for subscription at current location. The dynamic appearance can also be based on current network information provided by AP and client devices in current locations.
[0051] In an embodiment, the method 300 includes displaying notification to the user, where the notifications are associated with corresponding SP icons. The notification along with the SP icons may be displayed after/during subscription or after/during receiving the shared subscription information. Also, other network information’s at current location may be displayed to the user.
[0052] Once, the first client device acquires the passpoint credentials for say multiple SPs, the displayed information can provide a view through of all SPs and user can decide upon the SP to be selected that can provide effective data or time usage. Further, the first client device 102 can allow the user to merge multiple subscriptions, or user can initiate subscription sharing, users can initiate subscription.
[0053] In an embodiment, the displayed information can include indicating a connectable best AP (another AP) to which the user can switch to. The connectable best AP can be of current location, or it can be most used AP. The user is provided information the connectable best AP at current location for each subscription based on network information’s, current network status, load, subscription etc. The selection of connectable best AP can be based on current user action like browsing and so on. For example, if the user is watching a video online, then a high bandwidth providing AP is preferred over a preselected user defined AP that may not provide the required bandwidth for current user actions.
[0054] In an embodiment, the displayed information includes providing detailed information about the subscription to user when requested by user or when the first client device 102 uses the subscription to connect to the AP.
[0055] In an embodiment, the displayed information includes providing a live Wi-Fi subscription usage information notification to user when subscription is in use. The notification, for example may provide remaining time, remaining data usage.
[0056] In an embodiment, the method 300 includes allowing the subscription management module 210 to add SP’s information/options in subscription information that the subscription management module 210 needs to use/take care while sharing passpoint credentials.
[0057] In an embodiment, the displayed information includes providing amount spent by each subscription for a particular data to the user by determining the network load, congestion in current location and based on data size.
[0058] In an embodiment, if the first client device supports only Release 1 technology then the method 300 includes allowing the subscription management module to acquire the passpoint credentials by accessing the credential bundle from the OSU server 108. The SPs can maintain such credential bundles in the OSU servers that enable Release 1 technology supporting client devices to perform the online sign up without support or assistance from the Release 2 technology supporting client devices.
[0059] Once the credential bundle is received by the first client device (in case if supports only Release 1) or the second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104 c respectively through the shared subscription process, they need not communicate with the OSU server 108 but can receive services from the subscription server. However, the client devices that support Release 2 can connect directly to the subscription server using information from the credential bundle, while the client devices (not supporting Release 2) can receive the subscription services by connecting to the corresponding AP using the credential information received in the credential bundle.
[0060] 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.
[0061] FIG. 4 is an example illustrating user interfaces of the first client device and a second client device when the passpoint credentials are shared between them, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In the example, the mobile phone 402 (first client device) that has acquired the passpoint credentials for a desired SP shares the passpoint credentials to the tablet 404 (second client device) with a click of the share button. The display also indicates to the user the number of shared subscriptions that are still available from the total shared subscription count that was allowed by the SP. The notification for the shared subscription is displayed on the tablet 404.
[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates components of the credential bundle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the credential bundle 502 built by the first client device for managing the shared subscriptions includes a PPSMO 504, CA certificates 506, Client certificates 508, SP icons 510. In an embodiment, the PPSMO 504 can replaced with cred.conf files which include all the information related to subscription and also includes links to other files related to that subscription whose credentials are to be shared with one or more second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104c respectively. In an embodiment, both, the PPSMO 504 and the cred.conf files may be included in the credential bundle. The files that are linked in the PPSMO 504 and/or Cred.conf are located in the credential bundle to be used for the second client device (say 104a). The credential bundle 502 further includes the SP icon 510 files that are fetched by the first client device 102 during the ANQP request. The first client device 102, in certificate enrollment, retrieves the certificates including the CA certificates 506 and client certificates 508. Further, the first client device 102 can fetch necessary ANQP information.
[0063] In an embodiment, GAS query information 512 may be included in the credential bundle that provides more information about the network (SP) before associating. This reduces the need for the second client device to send a GAS query separately to know the information before subscribing to a network (SP).
[0064] In an embodiment, the existing data limit sub field and the time limit sub field in the received PPSMO can be used for setting the data limit and the time limit for the shared subscriptions while sharing the credential bundle.
[0065] FIG. 6 illustrates plurality of fields and subfields of a Per Provider Subscription Management Object (PPSMO) 504 that is edited at the device level of the first client device 102 to provide the multiple subscriptions within the subscription of the first client device 102, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0066] In the Hotspot 2.0, the received PPSMO 504 from the OSU server 108 includes plurality of fields such as the credentials 602 and an extension in accordance with the Hotspot 2.0. Further, the credential 602 includes plurality of fields such as UsernamePassword 604, a digital certificate 606 and the like in accordance with Hotspot 2.0. In the current Hotspot 2.0, the AbletoShare subfield is present only in the UsernamePassword 604 credential field. The method includes allowing the subscription management module 210 to share the AbleToShare subfield to be added in all type of credentials. For example, an AbleToShare subfield 612 is added in the digital certificate 606 as shown in Fig. 6. Further, the CredShareCount may be added in one or more fields of the passpoint credential 602. For example, CredShareCount 608 subfield is added to UsermanePassword 604 and CredShareCount 610 subfield is added to digital certificate 606. The addition of the CredShareCount enables the first client device 102 to obey SP policy while sharing the passpoint credentials 602 with one or more second client devices 104a, 104b, and 104 c respectively. Utilizing the credential bundle 502 while sharing passpoint credentials helps to take care of any type of credentials and number of times that can shared. Further other information added to the PPSMO 504 by the first client device may include the data limit, the time limit for the shared subscription. Thus the first client device can individually manage the amount of data access and the time allotment for the data access for each second client device.
[0067] FIG. 7a and FIG 7b illustrate example screen shots of user interfaces of the first client device displaying information details of a plurality of Service Provider (SPs) with whom the user is subscribed for Hotspot 2.0 subscription, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. FIG. 7a provides the details of the subscribed SP creation date, expiration date and signal strength and the like.
[0068] FIG.7b provides the user to details for prioritizing the subscribed credentials and also the data usage view of the SP’s.
[0069] FIG. 8a and FIG 8b illustrate example screen shots of user interfaces of the first client device displaying consolidated view of available online service providers (OSU’s) in the vicinity of the first client device and consolidated view of plurality of Service Provider(SPs) with whom the user is subscribed for Hotspot 2.0 subscription, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0070] FIG. 8a provides a dynamic Passpoint (AP) if OSU SP’s are available. If user selects the dynamic AP, first client device 102 displays list of OSU providers. FIG. 8b provides the consolidated view for all the SP’s with the data usage pattern.
[0071] 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 network elements. The network elements shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 8 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0072] 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.
STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A method for managing a subscription for a Hotspot 2.0, said method comprising:
acquiring, by a first client device, passpoint credentials corresponding to a subscription of a Service Provider (SP) from an On line Sign Up (OSU) server in a Per Provider Subscription Management Object (PPSMO) by performing a discovery and a sign up procedure;
building, by said first client device, a credential bundle, wherein said credential bundle comprises said PPSMO and a plurality of components corresponding to said subscription; and
sharing, by said first client device, said credential bundle with at least one second client device to provide multiple shared subscriptions within said subscription at a device level.,
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first client device supports a Release 1 and a Release 2 technology of said Hotspot 2.0.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of components in said credential bundle comprises at least one of enrolment certificates, SP icons and a Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) query information.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said PPSMO is edited at said device level by adding a data limit, a time limit, a CredShareCount subfield and a AbleToShare subfield in at least one credential field of said PPSMO to manage shared subscription for said at least one second client device within said subscription, wherein said at least one second client device is one of a client device supporting said Release 1 and said Release 2 technology, a client device supporting said Release 1 technology, and a client device supporting a Wi-Fi-only technology.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first client device displays information related to said subscription to a user of said first client device using at least one of a notification, and a consolidated table, wherein said information is related to said subscription of said first client device with said SP, said shared subscription provided to said at least one second client device, other available subscriptions of plurality of SPs advertised by plurality of Access Points (APs) within a Wi-Fi range of said first client device, a connectable best AP within said Wi-Fi range.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said passpoint credentials shared through said credential bundle allow said second device to communicate with a subscription server to utilizes said Hotspot 2.0 services of said SP through an AP without performing said discovery and said sign up procedure with said OSU server
7. A client device for managing a subscription for a Hotspot 2.0, wherein said client device comprises a subscription management module configured to:
acquire passpoint credentials corresponding to a subscription of a Service Provider (SP) from an On line Sign Up (OSU) server by performing a discovery and a sign up procedure, wherein said passpoint credentials are present in a Per Provider Subscription Management Object (PPSMO);
build a credential bundle, wherein said credential bundle comprises said PPSMO and a plurality of components corresponding to said subscription; and
share said credential bundle with at least one second client device to provide multiple shared subscriptions within said subscription, at a device level.
8. The client device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said client device supports a Release 1 and a Release 2 technology of said Hotspot 2.0.
9. The client device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said plurality of components in said credential bundle comprises at least one of enrolment certificates, SP icons, and a Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) query information.
10. The client device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said subscription management module is configured to edit said PPSMO at said device level by adding a data limit, a time limit a CredShareCount subfield and an AbleToShare subfield in at least one credential field of said PPSMO to manage shared subscription for said at least one second client device within said subscription, wherein said at least one second client device is one of a client device supporting said Release 1 and said Release 2 technology, a client device supporting said Release 1 technology, and a client device supporting a Wi-Fi-only technology.
11. The client device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said subscription management module is configured to display information related to said subscription to a user of said client device using at least one of a notification, and a consolidated table, wherein said information is related to said subscription of said first client device with said SP, said shared subscription provided to said at least one second client device, other available subscriptions of plurality of SPs advertised by plurality of APs within a Wi-Fi range of said first client device, a connectable best AP within said Wi-Fi range.
12. The client device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said passpoint credentials shared through said credential bundle allow said second client device to communicate with a subscription server to utilize said Hotspot 2.0 services of said SP through an AP without performing said discovery and said sign up procedure with said OSU server.

Date: 05 November 2015 Signature:
Kalyan Chakravarthy

ABSTRACT
A method and a client device for managing a subscription for a Hotspot 2.0 are described. The method comprises acquiring passpoint credentials corresponding to a subscription of a Service Provider (SP) from an On line Sign Up (OSU) server by performing a discovery and a sign up procedure. The passpoint credentials are present in a Per Provider Subscription Management Object (PPSMO). Further, the method includes building a credential bundle, wherein the credential bundle comprises the PPSMO and a plurality of components corresponding to the subscription. Further, the method includes sharing the credential bundle with the at least one second client device to provide multiple shared subscriptions within the subscription, at a device level. Further, the at least one second client device utilizes Hotspot 2.0 services of the SP through a Access Point (AP) using the passpoint credentials obtained from the credential bundle.
FIG. 3

,CLAIMS: STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A method for managing a subscription for a Hotspot 2.0, said method comprising:
acquiring, by a first client device, passpoint credentials corresponding to a subscription of a Service Provider (SP) from an On line Sign Up (OSU) server in a Per Provider Subscription Management Object (PPSMO) by performing a discovery and a sign up procedure;
building, by said first client device, a credential bundle, wherein said credential bundle comprises said PPSMO and a plurality of components corresponding to said subscription; and
sharing, by said first client device, said credential bundle with at least one second client device to provide multiple shared subscriptions within said subscription at a device level.,
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first client device supports a Release 1 and a Release 2 technology of said Hotspot 2.0.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of components in said credential bundle comprises at least one of enrolment certificates, SP icons and a Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) query information.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said PPSMO is edited at said device level by adding a data limit, a time limit, a CredShareCount subfield and a AbleToShare subfield in at least one credential field of said PPSMO to manage shared subscription for said at least one second client device within said subscription, wherein said at least one second client device is one of a client device supporting said Release 1 and said Release 2 technology, a client device supporting said Release 1 technology, and a client device supporting a Wi-Fi-only technology.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first client device displays information related to said subscription to a user of said first client device using at least one of a notification, and a consolidated table, wherein said information is related to said subscription of said first client device with said SP, said shared subscription provided to said at least one second client device, other available subscriptions of plurality of SPs advertised by plurality of Access Points (APs) within a Wi-Fi range of said first client device, a connectable best AP within said Wi-Fi range.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said passpoint credentials shared through said credential bundle allow said second device to communicate with a subscription server to utilizes said Hotspot 2.0 services of said SP through an AP without performing said discovery and said sign up procedure with said OSU server
7. A client device for managing a subscription for a Hotspot 2.0, wherein said client device comprises a subscription management module configured to:
acquire passpoint credentials corresponding to a subscription of a Service Provider (SP) from an On line Sign Up (OSU) server by performing a discovery and a sign up procedure, wherein said passpoint credentials are present in a Per Provider Subscription Management Object (PPSMO);
build a credential bundle, wherein said credential bundle comprises said PPSMO and a plurality of components corresponding to said subscription; and
share said credential bundle with at least one second client device to provide multiple shared subscriptions within said subscription, at a device level.
8. The client device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said client device supports a Release 1 and a Release 2 technology of said Hotspot 2.0.
9. The client device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said plurality of components in said credential bundle comprises at least one of enrolment certificates, SP icons, and a Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) query information.
10. The client device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said subscription management module is configured to edit said PPSMO at said device level by adding a data limit, a time limit a CredShareCount subfield and an AbleToShare subfield in at least one credential field of said PPSMO to manage shared subscription for said at least one second client device within said subscription, wherein said at least one second client device is one of a client device supporting said Release 1 and said Release 2 technology, a client device supporting said Release 1 technology, and a client device supporting a Wi-Fi-only technology.
11. The client device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said subscription management module is configured to display information related to said subscription to a user of said client device using at least one of a notification, and a consolidated table, wherein said information is related to said subscription of said first client device with said SP, said shared subscription provided to said at least one second client device, other available subscriptions of plurality of SPs advertised by plurality of APs within a Wi-Fi range of said first client device, a connectable best AP within said Wi-Fi range.
12. The client device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said passpoint credentials shared through said credential bundle allow said second client device to communicate with a subscription server to utilize said Hotspot 2.0 services of said SP through an AP without performing said discovery and said sign up procedure with said OSU server.

Date: 05 November 2015 Signature:
Kalyan Chakravarthy