Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.

Mariappan Chellam

Arjun Baskaran

Padmakumar Rajan

Dongchen Wang

Michael Patrick Ruffini

Brian Edward Bond

Harpal Singh Bassali

Armando Paul Stettner

Akhil Malhotra

Harshi Agrawal

A device may include a communication interface configured to receive programming information and index data associated with the programming information from a service provider multicast over a plurality of channels. The device may also include logic configured to request address information from the service provider, receive the address information, wherein the address information includes a first multicast address, and join a first multicast group corresponding to the first multicast address, wherein the first multicast group is associated with the index data. The logic may also be configured to receive, via the communication interface, the index data, identify a second multicast address associated with at least some of the programming information, join a second multicast group corresponding to the second multicast address, and receive, via the communication interface, at least some of the programming information.

Data distribution

An approach is provided for simulating a connection to a head-end system to enable execution of content and features of a set-top box. A simulation platform stores a plurality of control data signals associated with a head-end system. In response to a determined loss of connectivity to the head-end system, the platform invokes a head-end simulation process using the control data signals, including timing information, dynamic data and channel map data.

Method and apparatus for simulating head-end connectivity on a set-top box

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Chennai, India

Mariappan Chellam