Audio output apparatus, audio input apparatus, audio control apparatus, audio control system, and audio control method
An audio output apparatus which outputs an audio signal to an audio control apparatus controlling processing of the audio signal, and to which an external device having an external terminal is connectable includes an output terminal, a detecting section, a generating section, and a transmitting section. The output terminal is connected with the external terminal and outputs the audio signal to the external device via the external terminal. The detecting section detects whether or not the external terminal is connected to the output terminal. The generating section generates a control signal based on a result of the detection by the detecting means. The transmitting section transmits the generated control signal to the audio control apparatus in order that the audio control apparatus controls the processing of the audio signal based on the control signal.
1. An audio output apparatus which outputs an audio signal to an audio control apparatus controlling processing of the audio signal, the audio output apparatus being connectable to an external device having an external terminal, the audio output apparatus comprising:
an output terminal to which the external terminal is connected and which outputs the audio signal to the external device via the external terminal;
a detecting means for detecting whether or not the external terminal is connected to the output terminal;
a generating means for generating a control signal based on a result of the detection by the detecting means; and
a transmitting means for transmitting the control signal to the audio control apparatus in order that the audio control apparatus controls the processing of the audio signal based on the control signal,
the control signal being transmitted via a hot plug detect line and a reserve line connected as a differential twisted pair,
the control signal being selectable from among at least four possible signals including a first signal specifying that recording is permitted and that the external device is connected, a second signal specifying that recording is permitted and that the external device is not connected, a third signal specifying that recording is not permitted and that the external device is connected, and a fourth signal specifying that recording is not permitted and that the external device is not connected.
2. The audio output apparatus as set forth in claim 1 ,
wherein the external device is one of headphones, earphones, a head-mounted speaker, and a stationary speaker.
3. An audio control apparatus to which an audio signal outputted from an audio output apparatus is inputted, the audio output apparatus having an output terminal outputting the audio signal to an external device via an external terminal of the external device, the audio control apparatus comprising:
an audio processing unit processing the audio signal;
a receiving means for receiving, when the audio output apparatus detects whether or not the external terminal is connected to the output terminal, a control signal based on a result of the detection; and
a control means for controlling the processing of the audio signal by the audio processing unit based on the control signal,
the control signal being received via a hot plug detect line and a reserve line connected as a differential twisted pair,
the control signal being selectable from among at least four possible signals including a first signal specifying that recording is permitted and that the external device is connected, a second signal specifying that recording is permitted and that the external device is not connected, a third signal specifying that recording is not permitted and that the external device is connected, and a fourth signal specifying that recording is not permitted and that the external device is not connected.
4. The audio control apparatus as set forth in claim 3 ,
wherein the control means controls the audio processing unit so that an output of the audio signal from the audio processing unit is stopped based on the control signal when it is detected that the external terminal is connected to the output terminal, and controls the audio processing unit so that the output of the audio signal from the audio processing unit is permitted based on the control signal when it is detected that the external terminal is not connected to the output terminal.
5. An audio control system to which an external device having an external terminal is connectable, comprising:
an audio output apparatus outputting an audio signal to the external device and includes
an output terminal outputting the audio signal to the external device via the external terminal,
a detecting means for detecting whether or not the external terminal is connected to the output terminal,
a generating means for generating a control signal based on a result of the detection by the detecting means, and
a transmitting means for transmitting the control signal; and
an audio control apparatus including
an audio processing unit to which the outputted audio signal is inputted and which processes the inputted audio signal,
a receiving means for receiving the control signal, and
a control means for controlling the processing of the audio signal by the audio processing unit based on the control signal,
the control signal being transmitted via a hot plug detect line and a reserve line connected as a differential twisted pair,
the control signal being selectable from among at least four possible signals including a first signal specifying that recording is permitted and that the external device is connected, a second signal specifying that recording is permitted and that the external device is not connected, a third signal specifying that recording is not permitted and that the external device is connected, and a fourth signal specifying that recording is not permitted and that the external device is not connected.
6. An audio control method, comprising:
detecting whether or not an external terminal of an external device is connected to an output terminal, the output terminal being operable to output an audio signal to the external device via the external terminal;
generating a control signal based on a result of the detection;
transmitting the control signal;
receiving the control signal; and
controlling processing of the audio signal by an audio processing unit based on the control signal,
the control signal being transmitted via a hot plug detect line and a reserve line connected as a differential twisted pair,
the control signal being selectable from among at least four possible signals including a first signal specifying that recording is permitted and that the external device is connected, a second signal specifying that recording is permitted and that the external device is not connected, a third signal specifying that recording is not permitted and that the external device is connected, and a fourth signal specifying that recording is not permitted and that the external device is not connected.
7. The audio control method as set forth in claim 6 ,
wherein the audio signal is outputted from an audio output apparatus having the output terminal,
wherein the control signal is transmitted from the audio output apparatus having the output terminal, and
wherein an audio control apparatus, comprising the audio processing unit and to which the audio signal outputted from the audio output apparatus is inputted, receives the transmitted control signal and controls the processing of the audio signal by the audio processing unit based on the received control signal.