Method and apparatus for changing received streaming content channels

Abstract

An apparatus and method is disclosed in which a buffer receives a first content stream carrying a content channel signal. The first content stream carries the content channel signal at a rate substantially greater than the streaming content playout rate, for initially loading the buffer. The buffer switches its reception of the content channel signal from the first content stream to a second content stream. The second content stream is at a rate substantially the same as the streaming content playout rate. Generally, this switch occurs when some predefined threshold of the content channel signal is buffered.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for transferring a digital signal comprising the steps of: 
 receiving, at a buffer and at a rate substantially greater than a streaming content playout rate, a first content stream carrying a content channel signal; and    switching from the first content stream to a second content stream carrying the content channel signal, wherein the second content stream is transferred to the buffer substantially at the display rate.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the content channel signal is comprised of streaming video.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the content channel signal is comprised of streaming audio data.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of switching from the first content stream to the second content stream further comprises the step of: 
 determining that the buffer is substantially full prior to switching.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of switching from the first content stream to the second content stream further comprises the step of: 
 determining that the buffer contains a predefined amount of channel content data prior to switching.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second content stream is of the type selected from the group consisting of multicast, broadcast, and asynchronous-transfer-mode point-multipoint.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for transferring a digital signal comprising: 
 means for receiving at a buffer, and at a rate substantially greater than a streaming content playout rate, a first content stream carrying a content channel signal; and    means for switching from the first content stream to a second content stream carrying the content channel signal, wherein the second content stream is transferred to the buffer substantially at the display rate.    
     
     
         8 . A method for changing from a first digital video channel to a second digital video channel comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a channel change command;    transferring a first video stream carrying the second digital video channel from a first buffer to at least a second buffer at a rate greater than a display rate;    changing from the first digital video channel to the second digital video channel upon receiving the second digital video channel; and    switching from the first video stream to a second video stream carrying the second digital video channel, wherein the second video stream is transferred to the second buffer at the display rate.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second video streams comprise a digital subscriber line signal.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of switching from the first video stream to the second video stream further comprises the step determining that the second buffer has been filled to a desirable level prior to switching.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprises the step of loading the first buffer with the first video stream at about the display rate.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of receiving a channel change command further comprises the step of establishing a one-to-one connection between the first buffer and the second buffer.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second video stream is one of multicast, broadcast, and asynchronous-transfer-mode point-multipoint.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the digital video channel is distributed to the second buffer by one of a digital subscriber line, a cable modem and an integrated services digital network.  
     
     
         15 . A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for changing from a first digital video channel to a second digital video channel, the method steps comprising: 
 receiving a channel change command;    transferring a first video stream carrying the second digital video channel from a first buffer to at least a second buffer at a rate greater than a display rate;    changing from the first digital video channel to the second digital video channel upon receiving the second digital video channel; and    switching from the first video stream to a second video stream carrying the second digital video channel, wherein the second video stream is transferred to the second buffer at the display rate.    
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for changing from a first digital video channel to a second digital video channel comprising: 
 means for receiving a channel change command;    means for transferring a first video stream carrying the second digital video channel from a first buffer to at least a second buffer at a rate greater than a display rate;    means for changing from the first digital video channel to the second digital video channel upon receiving the second digital video channel; and    means for switching from the first video stream to a second video stream carrying the second digital video channel, wherein the second video stream is transferred to the second buffer at the display rate.