Fast switching using variable refresh rate in a repeater environment

A method of fast transitioning a decoder from receiving and delivering a first video signal provided by a first source to receiving and delivering a second video signal provided by a second source, the method comprising

• (a) receiving the first video signal through a first data connection with a first encoder over a data network, the first encoder receiving the first video signal from the first source, and delivering the first video signal to a sink device connected to the decoder, the first encoder and the sink device being previously authenticated;
• (b) terminating the first data connection with the first encoder to terminate the delivery of the first video signal to the sink device,
• (c) authenticating, over the data network, a second encoder that receives the second video signal from the second source, including
• (1) determining that the sink device supports a variable refresh rate (VRR),
• (2) setting a frame rate of a temporary video signal to a minimum VRR supported by the sink device (minimum supported VRR), the minimum supported VRR being less than a frame rate of the first video signal, and
• (3) delivering the temporary video signal to the sink device so that the sink device remains authenticated while the second encoder is being authenticated,
• (4) verifying that the decoder is authorized to receive the second video signal from the second encoder,
• (5) affirming to the second encoder that the decoder is authorized to receive the second video signal, and
• (6) exchanging private keys with the second encoder;
• (d) upon completing the authenticating of the second encoder,
• (i) discontinuing delivery of the temporary video signal to the sink device, and
• (ii) receiving the second video signal through a second data connection with the second encoder over the data network, and delivering the second video signal to the sink device.

A method of fast transitioning a switcher device from receiving and delivering a first video signal provided by a first source to receiving and delivering a second video signal provided by a second source, the switcher device including a multiplexer, the method comprising:

• (a) receiving the first video signal at a first input of the switcher device, and delivering the first video signal to the sink device over a data connection that includes a connection via the multiplexer between the first input and an output of the switcher device, the first source and the sink device each being previously authenticated;
• (b) terminating the connection via the multiplexer between the first input and the output to terminate delivery of the first video signal to the sink device;
• (c) authenticating the second source, including
• (1) determining that the sink device supports a variable refresh rate (VRR),
• (2) setting a frame rate of a temporary video signal to a minimum VRR supported by the sink device (minimum supported VRR), the minimum supported VRR being less than a frame rate of the first video signal,
• (3) delivering the temporary video signal through the output of the switcher device to the sink device so that the sink device remains authenticated while the second source is being authenticated,
• (4) verifying that the switcher device is authorized to receive the second video signal from the second source,
• (5) affirming to the second source, through a second input connected to the second source, that the switcher device is authorized to receive the second video signal, and
• (6) exchanging private keys with the second source through the second input;
• and
• (d) upon completing the authenticating of the second source,
• (A) discontinuing delivery of the temporary video signal to the sink device, and
• (B) receiving the second video signal from the second input of the multiplexer, and delivering the second video signal to the sink device over a further data connection that includes a connection via the multiplexer between the second input and the output of the switcher device.