Method, apparatus and set-top device for transmitting content to a receiver

1. A method for transmitting first and second content to a receiver via a digital video interface, the first content having a first format, the second content having a second format, and the first and second content having a plurality of vertical blanking intervals, the method comprising:

authenticating that the receiver is authorized to receive the content from a transmitter;

transmitting the first content as first encrypted content in the first format;

detecting a request to transition from the first content to the second content;

signaling that the first content will be transmitted unencrypted after a next vertical blanking interval associated with the first format;

responsive to detecting the request to transition, transmitting the first content unencrypted after the next vertical blanking interval associated with the first format;

adjusting the transmitter to transmit the second content in the second format;

waiting for the receiver to identify a vertical blanking interval;

after the adjusting the transmitter, signaling that the second content will be encrypted after another next vertical blanking interval associated with the second format; and

transmitting the encrypted second content in the second format after the another next vertical blanking interval associated with the second format,

wherein the receiver receives content without loss of authenticated communication caused by differing attributes of the first format and the second format in changing from the first format to the second format.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

after the adjusting the transmitter, waiting a predetermined period of time.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the signaling that the first content will be unencrypted occurs during a first vertical blanking interval after detecting the transition, the first vertical blanking interval associated with the first format.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the detecting the request to transition from the first format to the second format comprises detecting a change of a copy control information (“CCI”) flag.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first format and the second format are selected from the group consisting of: high definition television formats; and CCI statuses.

6. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the waiting a predetermined period of time comprises waiting at least about two seconds.

7. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the waiting for the receiver to identify the vertical blanking interval further comprises:

receiving an indication that the receiver identified a vertical blanking interval; and

verifying receipt of the indication that the receiver identified the vertical blanking interval.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the identified vertical blanking interval is associated with the first format.

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the identified vertical blanking interval is associated with the second format.

10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the verifying receipt of the indication that the receiver identified the vertical blanking interval occurs prior to the signaling that the first content will be unencrypted.

11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the verifying receipt of the indication that the receiver identified the vertical blanking interval occurs after the signaling that the first content will be unencrypted, and after the adjusting the transmitter to transmit the second content in the second format.

12. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the signaling that the second content will be encrypted occurs during a first vertical blanking interval associated with the second format.

13. An apparatus for transmitting first and second content to a receiver via a digital video interface, the first content having a first format, the second content having a second format, and the first and second content having vertical blanking intervals, the apparatus comprising:

a computer-readable storage medium that stores a computer program; and

a processor responsive to the computer program so the processor is operative to perform a method comprising:

authenticating that the receiver is authorized to receive the content from a transmitter;

transmitting the first content as first encrypted content in the first format;

detecting a request to transition from the first content to the second content;

signaling that the first content will be transmitted unencrypted after a next vertical blanking interval associated with the first format;

responsive to detecting the request to transition, transmitting the first content unencrypted after the next vertical blanking interval associated with the first format;

adjusting the transmitter to transmit the second content in the second format;

waiting for the receiver to identify a vertical blanking interval;

after the adjusting the transmitter, signaling that the second content will be encrypted after another next vertical blanking interval associated with the second format; and

transmitting the encrypted second content in the second format after the another next vertical blanking interval associated with the second format,

wherein the receiver receives content without loss of authenticated communication caused by differing attributes of the first format and the second format in changing from the first format to the second format.

14. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the high definition television formats have refresh rates selected from the group consisting of: 60 Hz and 30 Hz.