Patent ID: 7237033
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of streaming data units to terminals, the method comprising: using a duplicating switch to receive communications; using the duplicating switch to selectively filter the communications; receiving a received stream of data units at the duplicating switch, wherein the received stream is addressed to a unicast address associated with the duplicating switch and the data units include a payload portion and an attribute portion; using the duplicating switch to store content from the payload portion of the received stream; using the duplicating switch to generate forwarded streams that incorporate the content for use by two or more terminals having address information that was not part of the received stream; and in response to a request received at the duplicating switch, using the duplicating switch to forward the forwarded streams that incorporates the content, with each forwarded stream being forwarded to a unicast address of each of the two or more terminals, wherein the duplicating switch is structured and arranged to selectively filter the communications and forward the forwarded streams based on address information sent in the request to the duplicating switch.