Patent ID: 8370507

Claim:
An access control method for an internet television system where each of a plurality of television channels is carried over a different multicast group, and subscribers join a particular multicast group in order to receive a particular channel, the access control method comprising: distributing multicast group access control information from a distribution device to a plurality of access devices for use by the access devices in authenticating requests made subsequent to the distribution of access control information by individual host devices to join a television channel multicast group in order to reduce delay in authentication when a host device changes television channels, wherein each access device is logically closer to the host device from which the access device receives the request than the distribution device; receiving, by one of the access devices, a subsequent request by one of the host devices to join the television channel multicast group in order to change television channels; determining, by the access device, whether the host device is authorized to join the television channel multicast group, and receive a particular television channel, based upon the access control information distributed from the distribution device; and admitting, by the access device, the host device to the television channel multicast group if and only if the host device is determined to be authorized to join the television channel multicast group, whereby the access device receives the access control information before it is needed for determining whether the host device is authorized to join the multicast group, thereby facilitating changing channels by reducing authentication delay.