MULTIPLE BUFFERED CHANNEL IP MULTICAST

摘要

A method to allow a user to change multicast channels received over the Internet without reception delay. The method for implementing the invention includes a multicast generating system (12) coupled to a public or private network (14), such as the internet. A network router (16) is coupled to the network and one or more user systems (20). Multicast channels are monitored for their amount of usage by the user. The multicast broadcasts with the most monitored usage are buffered for quick access. A multicast broadcast is buffered according to a determined available bandwith for a user system. Buffering of one or more multicast broadcasts is discontinued if the network is determined to be too congested.