Enabling/disabling display data channel access to enable/disable high-bandwidth digital content protection

Abstract

A switcher device comprises a multiplexer coupled in-between at least one input and output cards. The multiplexer detects the presence of an event signal from an activated sink. In response to the detection of the event signal, the switch dynamically switches to a closed position in order to enable the at least one source to authenticate with the input card and the output card to authenticate with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption. In response to the non-detection of the event signal, the switch switches dynamically to an open position in order to disable the at least one source from authenticating with the input card, therefore the output card also does not attempt to authenticate with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for enabling/disabling Display Data Channel (DDC) access to enable/disable a security protocol, the system comprising:
 at least one source;   at least one sink; and   a switcher device communicatively coupled in-between the at least one source and the at least one sink, the switcher device comprises:
 a multiplexer coupled in-between at least one input and output cards and configured to transmit an audiovisual signal from the at least one input card to a first and at least a second output card via a physical connection; wherein the multiplexer is configured to dynamically switch between the first and at least second output card based on a user control signal that activates one of the at least one sinks, wherein each of the output cards is coupled to the at least one sink; 
 wherein the input card comprises:
 an integrated circuit that includes High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) enabled receiver; and 
 a switch coupled in-between the HDCP enabled receiver and an Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) memory, wherein the input card is configured to detect the presence of an event signal from at least one user interfaced device,
 wherein in response to the detection of the event signal, the switch is configured to dynamically switch to a closed position in order to enable the at least one source configured to perform a first authentication with the input card and the output card configured to perform a second authentication with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption and the input card is configured to permit the transmission of the audiovisual signal from the at least one source to the at least one sink, and 
 wherein in response to the non-detection of the event signal, the switch is configured to dynamically switch to an open position in order to disable the at least one source from initiating a first authentication with the input card, therefore the output card also does not attempt to initiate a second authentication with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption and the input card is configured to permit the transmission of the audiovisual signal from the at least one source to the at least one sink; 
 
 wherein the input card is configured to enable the at least one sink from being able to record since the audiovisual signal includes a non-copy protected content. 
 
   
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one source and sink are High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection compliant. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one physical connection interconnects to the at least one source, the switcher device, and the at least one sink device. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the physical connection comprises an HDMI cable that carries Transition Minimized Differential Signal (TMDS), Digital Display Channel (DDC), and Hot Plug Detect (HPD) signals. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit comprises the switch device, HDCP enabled receiver, and EDID memory, wherein the HDCP enabled receiver and EDID memory are in parallel with respect to each other, and wherein the combination of the HDCP enabled receiver and EDID memory are in series with the switch device. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the integrated circuit is in parallel with another EDID memory. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the switch device comprises a mechanical switch, electrically operated switch, solid state relay, latching relay, reed relay, Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) relay, Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) relay, Double Pole Single Throw (DPST) relay, and Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) relay. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the switcher device further comprises a processor coupled to a transceiver for bidirectional communication with the at least one user interface device, wherein the processor and transceiver are configured to process and receive the user control signal in response to a user activating the at least one user interface device. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one user interface device comprises a graphical user interface (GUI) touch panel, mobile device, tablet, and computer. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one user interface device is configured to transmit the user control signal wired or wirelessly. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one user interface device further comprises software tools to assist the user in selecting the at least one source. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one source comprises a game console, digital versatile disc (DVD) player, cable box, desktop computer, laptop, and blu-ray player. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the least one sink comprises a display device, wherein the display device is a television. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the input card is configured to disable the at least one sink from being able to record since the audiovisual signal includes copy protected content. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the input card is configured to permit the transmission of audiovisual signal from the at least one source to the at least one sink. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second authentication is attempted if the first authentication is successful between the at least one source and the input card. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second authentications includes an encryption. 
     
     
       18. A switcher device, comprising:
 a multiplexer coupled in-between at least one input and output cards and configured to transmit an audiovisual data signal from the at least one input card to a first and at least a second output card;   wherein the multiplexer is configured to dynamically switch between the first and at least second output card based on a user control signal that activates one of at least one sinks;   wherein each of the output cards is coupled to the at least one sink;   wherein the input card comprises:
 an integrated circuit that includes a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) enabled receiver; and 
 a switch coupled in-between the HDCP enabled receiver and an Extended Display identification Data (EDID) memory, wherein the at least one input card is configured to detect the presence of an event signal from the at least one user interface device;
 wherein in response to the detection of the event signal, the switch is configured to dynamically switch to a closed position in order to enable the at least one source configured to authenticate with the input card and the output card configured to authenticate with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption and the input card is configured to permit the transmission of the audiovisual signal from the at least one source to the at least one sink, and 
 wherein in response to the non-detection of the event signal, the switch is configured to dynamically switch to an open position in order to disable the at least one source from initiating an authentication with the input card, therefore the output card also does not attempt to initiate an authentication with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption and the input card is configured to permit the transmission of the audiovisual signal from the at least one source to the at least one sink; 
 
 wherein the input card is configured to enable the at least one sink from being able to record since the audiovisual signal includes non-copy protected content. 
   
     
     
       19. The switcher device of  claim 18 , wherein the integrated circuit comprises the switch device, HDCP enabled receiver, and EDID memory, wherein the HDCP enabled receiver and EDID memory are in parallel with respect to each other, and wherein the combination of the HDCP enabled receiver and EDID memory are in series with the switch device. 
     
     
       20. The switcher device of  claim 19 , wherein the integrated circuit is in parallel with another EDID memory. 
     
     
       21. The switcher device of  claim 18 , wherein the switch device comprises a mechanical switch, electrically operated switch, solid state relay, latching relay, reed relay, Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) relay, Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) relay, Double Pole Single Throw (DPST) relay, and Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) relay. 
     
     
       22. The switcher device of  claim 18 , further comprises a processor coupled to a transceiver for bidirectional communication with the at least one user interface device, wherein the processor and transceiver are configured to process and receive the user control signal in response to a user activating the user activating the at least one user interface device. 
     
     
       23. The switcher device of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one user interface device comprises at least one graphical user interface (GUI) touch panel, mobile device, tablet, and computer. 
     
     
       24. The switcher device of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one user interface device is configured to transmit the user control signal wired or wirelessly. 
     
     
       25. The switcher device of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one user interface device further comprises software tools to assist the user in selecting the at least one source. 
     
     
       26. The switcher device of  claim 18 , wherein the least one source comprises a game console, digital versatile disc (DVD) player, cable box, desktop computer, laptop, and blu-ray player. 
     
     
       27. The switcher device of  claim 18 , wherein the least one sink comprises a display device, wherein the display device is a television. 
     
     
       28. A method for enabling/disabling Display Data Channel (DDC) access to enable/disable High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection source, the method comprising:
 providing at least one source;   providing at least one sink;   coupling a switcher device communicatively in-between the at least one source and the at least one sink;   coupling a multiplexer in-between at least one input and output cards for transmitting an audiovisual signal from the at least one input card to a first and at least a second output card via physical connection; wherein the input card includes High-Bandwidth Content Protection (HDCP) enabled receiver;   detecting, using an input card, a user control signal to activate one of at least one sinks;   in response to the detection of the user control signal, enabling the selected at least one sink for receiving audiovisual signal;   detecting an event signal;   wherein in response to the detection of the event signal, switching the switcher device dynamically to a closed position for enabling the at least one source to authenticate with the input card and enabling the output card to authenticate with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption;
 permitting the transmission of audiovisual signal from the at least one source to the enabled at least one sink upon successful authentication; and 
 disabling control of the enabled at least one sink from being able to record since the audiovisual signal contains copy protected content; 
   wherein in response to the non-detection of the event signal, switching the switcher device dynamically to an open position in order to disable the at least one source from initiating an authentication with the input card, therefore the output card also does not attempt to initiate an authentication with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption;
 permitting the transmission of the audiovisual signal to be displayed from the at least one source to the enabled at least one sink; and 
 enabling control of the enabled at least one sink from being able to record since the audiovisual signal contains non-copy protected content. 
   
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 28 , wherein the event signal is a signal that includes activating a particular mode of the at least one source, wherein the mode includes playing a blu-ray DVD, displaying a PowerPoint presentation, displaying a website, collaborating on a white board application, using a document camera, and streaming content from a media player. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 29 , wherein the mode is associated with the audiovisual signal containing either copy protected content or non-copy protected content. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 28 , wherein detecting the user control signal wired or wirelessly. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 28 , wherein in response to detecting the event signal, changing an address of the HDCP enabled receiver to another address so that the at least one source does not detect the HDCP compatibility of the input card. 
     
     
       33. An integrated circuit, comprising:
 an enabled High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) receiver;   an Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) memory; and   a switch coupled in-between the security protocol enabled receiver and the EDID memory, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to detect the presence of an event signal from at least one user interface device,
 wherein in response to the detection of the event signal, the switch is configured to dynamically switch to a closed position in order to enable the at least one source configured to authenticate with an input card and an output card configured to authenticate with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption and the input card is configured to permit the transmission of the audiovisual signal from the at least one source to the at least one sink, and 
 wherein in response to the non-detection of the event signal, the switch is configured to dynamically switch to an open position in order to disable the at least one source from initiating an authentication with the input card, therefore the output card also does not attempt to initiate an authentication with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption and the input card is configured to permit the transmission of the audiovisual signal from the at least one source to the at least one sink; 
   wherein the input card is configured to enable the at least one sink from being able to record since the audiovisual signal includes non-copy protected content.   
     
     
       34. A computer program product for enabling and disabling a security protocol, the computer program product comprising: a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprising: computer readable program code configured to:
 provide at least one source;   provide at least one sink;   couple a switcher device communicatively in-between the at least one source and the at least one sink;   couple a multiplexer in-between at least one input and output cards for transmitting an audiovisual signal from the at least one input card to a first and at least a second output card via physical connection;   detect, using an input card, a user control signal to activate one of at least one sinks; wherein the input card includes High-Bandwidth Content Protection (HDCP) enabled receiver;   in response to the detection of the user control signal, enabling the selected at least one sink for receiving audiovisual signal;   detect an event signal;   wherein in response to the detection of the event signal, switching the switcher device dynamically to a closed position for enabling the at least one source to authenticate with the input card and enabling the output card to authenticate with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption;
 permit the transmission of audiovisual signal from the at least one source to the enabled at least one sink upon successful authentication; and 
 disable control of the enabled at least one sink from being able to be recorded since the audiovisual signal contains copy protected content; 
   wherein in response to the non-detection of the event signal, switch the switcher device dynamically to an open position in order to disable the at least one source from initiating an authentication with the input card, therefore the output card also does not attempt to initiate an authentication with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption;
 permit the transmission of the audiovisual signal to be displayed from the at least one source to the enabled at least one sink; and 
 enable control of the enabled at least one sink from being able to record since the audiovisual signal contains non-copy protected content. 
   
     
     
       35. The computer program product of  claim 34 , wherein detecting the user control signal wired or wirelessly. 
     
     
       36. The computer program product of  claim 34 , further comprising in response to detecting the event signal, changing an address of the HDCP enabled receiver to another address so that the at least one source does not detect the HDCP compatibility of the input card. 
     
     
       37. A system for transmitting audiovisual signals containing copy-protected content or non-copy protected content, the system comprising:
 a source comprising an output, said output outputting audiovisual signals containing at least one of copy-protected content and non-copy protected content;   a sink comprising an input;   a signal indicating whether to enable or disable HDCP;   a switcher device coupled in-between the at least one source and the at least one sink, said switcher device comprising:
 an input circuitry coupled to the output of the source, wherein the input circuitry comprises a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) enabled receiver and an Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) memory, wherein the input circuitry is configured to detect the signal; 
 an output circuitry coupled to the input of the sink; 
 wherein in response to detecting a signal indicating to enable HDCP, the input circuitry is configured to:
 enable access to the HDCP receiver thereby causing the at least one source to authenticate with the input circuitry and the output circuitry to authenticate with the at least one sink; and 
 permit a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing copy-protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink upon successful authentication; and 
 
 wherein in response to detecting a signal to disable HDCP, the input circuitry is configured to:
 disable access to the HDCP receiver such that the at least one source does not detect HDCP capability of the input circuitry and does not initiate authentication with the input circuitry and thereby the output circuitry also does not initiate authentication with the at least one sink; and 
 permit a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing non-copy protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink, thereby enabling the at least one sink to be able to record. 
 
   
     
     
       38. A switcher device comprising at least one input circuitry configured for coupling with at least one source and at least one output circuitry configured for coupling with at least one sink, wherein the input circuitry comprises:
 a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) enabled receiver; and   wherein the input circuitry is configured to detect a signal indicating whether to enable or disable HDCP:
 wherein in response to detecting a signal indicating to enable HDCP, the input circuitry is configured to:
 enable access to the HDCP receiver thereby causing the at least one source to authenticate with the input circuitry and the output circuitry to authenticate with the at least one sink; and 
 permit a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing copy-protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink upon successful authentication; and 
 
 wherein in response to detecting a signal indicating to disable HDCP, the input circuitry is configured to:
 disable access to the HDCP receiver such that the at least one source does not detect HDCP capability of the input circuitry and does not initiate authentication with the input circuitry and thereby the output circuitry also does not initiate authentication with the at least one sink; and 
 permit a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing non-copy protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink, thereby enabling the at least one sink to be able to record. 
 
   
     
     
       39. The switcher device of claim 38 further comprising a switch configured for enabling or disabling access to the HDCP receiver. 
     
     
       40. The switcher device of claim 39, wherein the HDCP enabled receiver is parallel with an Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) memory, and wherein the combination of the HDCP enabled receiver and the EDID memory are in series with the switch. 
     
     
       41. The switcher device of claim 40, wherein the combination of the HDCP enabled receiver and the EDID memory are parallel with another EDID memory. 
     
     
       42. The switcher device of claim 39, wherein the switch is coupled in-between the HDCP enabled receiver and an Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) memory. 
     
     
       43. The switcher device of claim 39, wherein the HDCP enabled receiver is in series with the switch, and wherein the combination of the HDCP enabled receiver and the switch are in parallel with an Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) memory. 
     
     
       44. The switcher device of claim 39, wherein the switch comprises at least one of a relay, a FET switch, an I2C buffer, a mux, digital logic, a mechanical switch, an electrically operated switch, a solid state relay, a latching relay, a reed relay, a Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) relay, a Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) relay, a Double Pole Single Throw (DPST) relay, and a Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) relay. 
     
     
       45. The switcher device of claim 38, wherein the input circuitry is configured to receive the signal indicating whether to enable or disable HDCP from at least one user interface. 
     
     
       46. The switcher device of claim 45, wherein the at least one user interface comprises at least one of a graphical user interface (GUI) touch panel, a mobile device, a wireless device, a tablet, and a computer. 
     
     
       47. The switcher device of claim 38, wherein the input circuitry is configured to enable access to the HDCP receiver when the audiovisual signal includes copy-protected content. 
     
     
       48. The switcher device of claim 38, wherein the signal is a signal that includes activating a particular mode of the at least one source. 
     
     
       49. The switcher device of claim 48, wherein the mode includes at least one of playing a blu-ray DVD, displaying a PowerPoint presentation, displaying a website, collaborating on a white board application, using a document camera, and streaming content from a media player. 
     
     
       50. The switcher device of claim 48, wherein the mode is associated with the audiovisual signal containing either copy protected content or non-copy protected content. 
     
     
       51. The switcher device of claim 38, wherein in response to detecting the signal indicating to enable HDCP, the input circuitry is further configured to drop hot plug detection before enabling access to the HDCP receiver and raise hot plug detection after enabling access to the HDCP receiver. 
     
     
       52. The switcher device of claim 38, wherein in response to detecting the signal indicating to disable HDCP, the input circuitry is further configured to drop hot plug detection before disabling access to the HDCP receiver and raise hot plug detection after disabling access to the HDCP receiver. 
     
     
       53. An switcher device comprising at least one input circuitry configured for coupling with at least one source and at least one output circuitry configured for coupling with at least one sink, wherein the input circuitry comprises:
 a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) enabled receiver; and   an Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) memory;   wherein the input circuitry is configured to receive a signal:
 wherein in response to receiving a signal indicating to enable HDCP, the input circuitry is configured to:
 enable HDCP encryption thereby causing the at least one source to authenticate with the input circuitry and the output circuitry to authenticate with the at least one sink; and 
 permit a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing copy-protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink upon successful authentication; and 
 
 wherein in response to receiving a signal to disable HDCP, the input circuitry is configured to:
 disable HDCP encryption such that the at least one source does not detect HDCP capability of the input circuitry and does not initiate authentication with the input circuitry and thereby the output circuitry also does not initiate authentication with the at least one sink; and 
 permit a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing non-copy protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink, thereby enabling the at least one sink to be able to record. 
 
   
     
     
       54. A switcher device comprising at least one input circuitry configured for coupling with at least one source and at least one output circuitry configured for coupling with at least one sink, wherein the input circuitry comprises:
 a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) enabled receiver; and   an Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) memory;   wherein the input circuitry is configured to receive a signal:
 wherein in response to receiving a signal indicating to enable HDCP, the input circuitry is configured to:
 enable HDCP capability of the HDCP receiver thereby causing the at least one source to authenticate with the input circuitry and the output circuitry to authenticate with the at least one sink; and 
 permit a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing copy-protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink upon successful authentication; and 
 wherein in response to receiving a signal to disable HDCP, the input circuitry is configured to:
 disable HDCP capability of the HDCP receiver such that the at least one source does not detect HDCP capability of the input circuitry and does not initiate authentication with the input circuitry and thereby the output circuitry also does not initiate authentication with the at least one sink; and 
 permit a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing non-copy protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink, thereby enabling the at least one sink to be able to record. 
 
 
   
     
     
       55. A method by a switcher device for transmitting audiovisual signals containing copy-protected content or non-copy protected content, wherein the switcher device is coupled in-between at least one source via at least one input circuitry and at least one sink via at least one output circuitry, wherein the input circuitry comprises a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) enabled receiver, the method comprising:
 receiving a signal indicating whether to enable or disable HDCP;   wherein in response to receiving a signal to enable HDCP:
 enabling access to the HDCP receiver thereby causing the at least one source to authenticate with the input circuitry and the output circuitry to authenticate with the at least one sink; and 
 permitting a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing copy-protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink upon successful authentication; and 
   wherein in response to receiving a signal to disable HDCP:
 disabling access to the HDCP receiver such that the at least one source does not detect HDCP capability of the input circuitry and does not initiate authentication with the input circuitry and thereby the output circuitry also does not initiate authentication with the at least one sink; and 
 permitting a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing non-copy protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink, thereby enabling the at least one sink to be able to record. 
   
     
     
       56. A switcher device comprising at least one input circuitry configured for coupling with at least one source and at least one output circuitry configured for coupling with at least one sink, wherein the input circuitry comprises a hardwired circuity without software instructions comprising:
 a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) enabled receiver; and   wherein the input circuitry is configured to receive a signal:
 wherein in response to receiving a signal indicating to enable HDCP, the input circuitry is configured to:
 enable access to the HDCP receiver thereby causing the at least one source to authenticate with the input circuitry and the output circuitry to authenticate with the at least one sink; and 
 permit a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing copy-protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink upon successful authentication; and 
 
 wherein in response to receiving a signal indicating to disable HDCP, the input circuitry is configured to:
 disable access to the HDCP receiver such that the at least one source does not detect HDCP capability of the input circuitry and does not initiate authentication with the input circuitry and thereby the output circuitry also does not initiate authentication with the at least one sink; and 
 permit a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing non-copy protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink, thereby enabling the at least one sink to be able to record. 
 
   
     
     
       57. A switcher device comprising at least one input circuitry configured for coupling with at least one source and at least one output circuitry configured for coupling with at least one sink, wherein the input circuitry comprises a hardwired circuity in combination with software instruction comprising:
 a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) enabled receiver; and   wherein the input circuitry is configured to receive a signal:
 wherein in response to receiving a signal indicating to enable HDCP, the input circuitry is configured to:
 enable access to the HDCP receiver thereby causing the at least one source to authenticate with the input circuitry and the output circuitry to authenticate with the at least one sink; and 
 permit a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing copy-protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink upon successful authentication; and 
 
 wherein in response to receiving a signal indicating to disable HDCP, the input circuitry is configured to:
 disable access to the HDCP receiver such that the at least one source does not detect HDCP capability of the input circuitry and does not initiate authentication with the input circuitry and thereby the output circuitry also does not initiate authentication with the at least one sink; and 
 permit a transmission of an audiovisual signal containing non-copy protected content from the at least one source to the at least one sink, thereby enabling the at least one sink to be able to record.