Patent ID: 6567982
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A device for switching from a first session conducted over a first channel to a second session conducted over at least one second channel upon receiving at least one signal indicating the availability of the at least one second session and upon selection by a user, comprising:a receiving set, having at least one receiver, for receiving the first session on the first channel, and for receiving the signal indicating availability of the at least one second session, and capable of being adjusted from receiving the first session on the first channel to receiving the at least one second session over the second channel; and a processor, coupled to the receiving set and adapted to receive a selection signal originating with the user, the processor being programmed to process transmissions received by the receiving set to detect the signal indicating the availability of the at least one second session, and to cause the receiving set to adjust to the at least one second channel to receive the at least one second session upon receiving a selection signal from the user; and memory means coupled to the processor, and wherein the processor is further programmed to: store the identity of the first channel of the first session in the memory means prior to causing the receiver to adjust to the at least one second channel; retrieve the identity of the first channel from the memory means at a desired time; and cause the receiving set to re-adjust to the first channel to receive the first session.