Methods and apparatus for providing a control channel in a data network

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing a control channel in a data network. A method is provided that operates to provide a control channel in a data network. The method includes receiving one or more server digests, and generating a control channel digest from the one or more server digests. The method also includes communicating with a device, and transmitting the control channel digest to the device.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
   
   
       51 . A method for providing control information on a network, the method comprising:
 receiving a server digest from each of a plurality of servers, each server digest identifying a current state to which a device should be synchronized to communicate with the server associated with the server digest;   generating a control channel digest from a plurality of the server digests, the control channel digest identifying a current state of each of the plurality of servers; and   transmitting the control channel digest to devices on the network.   
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising:
 updating the control channel digest on a periodic basis; and   transmitting the updated control channel digest.   
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the step of transmitting comprises transmitting the control channel digest over the data network on a control channel to a plurality of wireless devices that communicate with the plurality of servers. 
   
   
       54 . A method of operating a server on a data network comprising:
 transmitting a server digest including a state to which a device should be synchronized to interact with the first server;   receiving a control channel digest identifying, for each of a plurality of servers, a state to which a device should be synchronized to interact with the respective server; and   transmitting the control channel digest to a plurality of devices.   
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising:
 transmitting an updated server digest on a periodic basis; and   receiving updated control channel digests on a periodic basis.   
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 54  wherein the step of transmitting comprises transmitting the control channel digest to a device as part of other server information. 
   
   
       57 . A control channel server on a network comprising:
 means for receiving server digests from a plurality of servers, each digest indicating a state to which a device should be synchronized to communicate with a respective server;   means for generating a control channel digest from the server digests, the control channel digest indicting a state to which a device should be synchronized to communicate with each of the plurality of servers; and   means for transmitting the control channel digest to devices on the network.   
   
   
       58 . A server in a multi-server content distribution system, the server comprising:
 means for transmitting a server digest indicating a state to which a device should be synchronized to communicate with the server;   means for receiving a control channel digest that for each of a plurality of servers in the multi-server content distribution system indicates a state to which a device should be synchronized to communicate with that server; and   means for transmitting the control channel digest to the device.   
   
   
       59 . A control channel server comprising:
 receiving logic configured to receive a plurality of server digests, each server digest indicating a state to which a device should be synchronized to communicate with a respective server;   digest logic configured to generate a control channel digest from the server digests, the control channel digest identifying, for each server a state to which a device should be synchronized to communicate with that server; and   transmitting logic configured to transmit the control channel digest to devices in the data network.   
   
   
       60 . A server in a multi-server content distribution system, the server comprising:
 digest logic configured to transmit a server digest indicating a state to which a device should be synchronized to communicate with the server;   receiving logic configured to receive a control channel digest that for each of a plurality of servers in the multi-server content distribution system indicates a state to which a device should be synchronized to communicate with that server; and   transceiver logic configured to transmit the control channel digest to devices on the multi-server content distribution system.   
   
   
       61 . A computer-readable medium having a computer program, which when executed by at least one processor, operates to provide a control information in a data network, the computer program comprising:
 instructions for receiving a server digest from each of a plurality of servers, each server digest identifying a current state to which a device should be synchronized to communicate with the server associated with the server digest;   instructions for generating a control channel digest from a plurality of the server digests, the control channel digest identifying a current state of each of the plurality of servers; and   instructions for transmitting the control channel digest to devices on the network.   
   
   
       62 . A computer-readable medium having a computer program, which when executed by at least one processor, operates to provide a control information in a data network, the computer program comprising:
 instructions for transmitting a server digest including a state to which a device should be synchronized to interact with the first server;   instructions for receiving a control channel digest identifying, for each of a plurality of servers, a state to which a device should be synchronized to interact with the respective server; and   instructions for transmitting the control channel digest to a plurality of devices.