Method and apparatus for reducing the number of control messages transmitted by a set top terminal in an sdv system

[0011]As detailed below, the number of channel change messages that need to be sent from a subscriber to the SDV manager or other appropriate entity is reduced by accumulating a history or log of channel changes that have been previously performed by the subscriber. In addition, the subscriber can access an SDV channel without sending a request to the SDV manager. This can be accomplished with the use of the active services list that is repeatedly transmitted to the subscriber terminals.

[0012]FIG. 1 is a system architecture 100 for delivering switched digital channels to a subscriber during a switched digital video (SDV) session. The SDV session is implemented through a service offering in which application level data generated by a set-top terminal initiates a SDV session request and an SDV manager routes data in accordance with the request to provision the service. Among other components, system architecture 100 comprises a content source such as a headend 110 that is connected to...