Patent ID: 7793329
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of changing a data stream from a first data stream to a second data stream, the first data stream being received on a first channel and the second data stream being received on a second channel, the method comprising: (1) determining the multicast said data stream needs to join to experience the best latency for channel change, and generating a join request which is sent to a channel server; (2) for the new join request received by the channel server, querying a buffer list storing metadata related to the data stream; further comprising: (3) determining a nearest existing multicast group (nMG) for a channel that satisfies or comes the closest to satisfying predetermined goals or conditions; (4) receiving an identity of the nearest existing multicast group (nMG); and (5) a client joining the nearest existing multicast group (nMG).