Patent ID: 8204055
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for receiving a multicast transmission in user devices in a network, the method comprising: receiving, by an intermediate device, a request from a first user device to join a multicast group; identifying multicast data packets associated with said multicast group; monitoring transmissions of said multicast data packets from said intermediate device, by said first user device operating in monitor mode, to determine whether said identified multicast data packets are being transmitted between said intermediate device and a second user device in an already established unicast session between said second user device and said intermediate device, the already established unicast session comprising the multicast data packets encapsulated in frames for unicast transmission; capturing said multicast data packets by said first user device, without the need to communicate with the intermediate device, if said second user device is in said already established unicast session between said second user device and said intermediate device; and establishing a unicast session between said first user device and said intermediate device and switching to normal mode and processing multicast data packets by said first user device, if one of a) said second user device is not in said already established unicast session and b) said first user device is no longer in a coverage area for receiving transmissions between said second user device and said intermediate device.