JP2009027678A - Audio output apparatus, audio input apparatus, audio control apparatus, audio control system, and audio control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an audio output apparatus, an audio input apparatus, an audio control apparatus, an audio control system and an audio control method which can easily be operated by a user. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 101 of a TV 100 checks whether a headphone 400 is being connected to an HP output terminal 111 or not. In a case where the CPU 101 detects a change in the connection state, for example, in a case where the headphone 400 is connected to the HP output terminal 111, the CPU 101 generates a control signal of "headphone presence" and transmits the control signal to an AV amplifier 200 via an HDMI source 116. In a case where the control signal of "headphone presence" is received via an HDMI sync 204, the AV amplifier 200 controls an audio processing section 208 to stop outputting an audio signal to a speaker 213. Namely, even when a user does not operate the AV amplifier 200, the AV amplifier 200 performs silencing control, thereby saving time and effort for operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio output device, an audio input device, an audio control device, an audio control system, and an audio output device capable of controlling at least an audio signal between two or more devices connected by HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface). The present invention relates to a voice control method.

  Conventionally, there is a system in which a television receiver (hereinafter referred to as TV) and an AV (Audio Visual) amplifier are connected by, for example, HDMI (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, a TV is a sink device, an AV amplifier is a repeater device, and a DVD player is a source device. Of the audio and video signals transmitted from the DVD player, the video signal is basically retransmitted from the AV amplifier to the TV. And output as video by the TV. The audio signal may be processed inside the AV amplifier and output as audio from an external speaker, or may be retransmitted to the TV and output as audio from the TV built-in speaker.

  Of course, the TV may be the source device and the AV amplifier may be the sink device. Alternatively, if each device has two HDMI input / output systems, audio and audio between these devices may be used. Bidirectional communication of video signals is also possible.

JP 2007-124469 A (paragraph [0013], FIG. 1)

  When the system is constructed by the HDMI connection as described above, for example, when the user changes the volume of the TV built-in speaker or the sound is muted, the AV amplifier connected to the TV cannot be controlled. There's a problem. Therefore, when the user tries to operate the output from the external speaker connected to the AV amplifier, the user needs to operate the AV amplifier, which is troublesome.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a voice output device, a voice input device, a voice control device, a voice control system, and a voice control method that can be easily operated by a user.

  In order to achieve the above object, an audio output device according to the present invention is an audio output device that outputs the audio signal to an audio control device that controls processing of an audio signal and is connectable to an external terminal, wherein the external terminal An output terminal for outputting the audio signal to the outside via a detection means, a detection means for detecting whether or not the external terminal is connected to the output terminal, and a control signal is generated based on a detection result by the detection means And generating means for transmitting the generated control signal to the sound control apparatus in order to cause the sound control apparatus to control processing of the sound signal based on the control signal.

  In the present invention, it is detected whether or not the external terminal is connected to the output terminal, and the sound processing of the sound control device is controlled based on the control signal based on the detection result. Therefore, the user can save time and effort of operating the voice control device, and the operation is simplified.

  The “voice signal” is a “voice” signal in a comprehensive sense, and the type, waveform, format, and the like of the signal are not limited. That is, even when “the audio signal” is described, this means an “audio signal” which is a comprehensive concept. The same applies to each of the following inventions.

  In the present invention, the transmission means has HDMI capable of transmitting the audio signal and the control signal. That is, since the control signal is transmitted to the audio control apparatus using HDMI, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated line for transmitting the control signal.

  In the present invention, the audio output device further includes output means for outputting the audio signal in a format different from the HDMI. For example, the output means can output a compressed audio signal compressed in a predetermined format. Thereby, for example, when the audio control apparatus transfers the compressed audio signal to another device or records it on the recording device, the transfer time can be shortened or the storage capacity of the recording device can be reduced. . Further, it is not necessary for the voice control device to perform compression processing, and the load on the voice control device can be reduced. The recording device may be built in the audio control device, or may be a recording device separate from the audio control device.

  In the present invention, the transmission means transmits the control signal via the HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) line.

  In the present invention, the HDMI is a wireless type or a wired type.

  In the present invention, the external terminal is a headphone connection terminal, an earphone connection terminal, a head-mounted speaker connection terminal, or a stationary speaker connection terminal.

  An audio control device according to the present invention is an audio control device to which the audio signal output from an audio output device having an output terminal that outputs an audio signal to the outside through an external terminal is input, An audio processing unit to process and the audio output device detect whether the external terminal is connected to the output terminal, generate a control signal based on the detection result, and transmit the generated control signal In this case, a receiving unit that receives the transmitted control signal and a control unit that controls processing of the audio signal by the audio processing unit based on the received control signal are provided.

  In the present invention, the receiving means is an audio control apparatus having HDMI capable of receiving the audio signal and the control signal. That is, the control signal is transmitted from the audio output device using HDMI, and the reception unit receives the control signal. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated line for transmitting the control signal.

  The audio control system according to the present invention is an audio control system to which an external terminal can be connected, and includes an audio output device and an audio control device. The audio output device includes an output terminal that outputs an audio signal to the outside via the external terminal, a detection unit that detects whether the external terminal is connected to the output terminal, and a detection by the detection unit It has a generating means for generating the control signal based on the result and a transmitting means for transmitting the generated control signal, and outputs the audio signal to the outside. The audio control device receives the output audio signal, and processes an audio processing unit that processes the input audio signal, receiving means that receives the transmitted control signal, and based on the received control signal. And control means for controlling processing of the audio signal by the audio processing unit.

  An audio input device according to the present invention is an audio input device to which the audio signal output from an audio control device that controls processing of an audio signal is input and to which an external terminal can be connected, and the input audio signal is An output terminal that outputs to the outside via the external terminal, a detection means that detects whether the external terminal is connected to the output terminal, and a control signal based on a detection result by the detection means. And generating means for generating and transmitting means for transmitting the generated control signal to the sound control apparatus in order to cause the sound control apparatus to control processing of the sound signal based on the control signal. The voice control device outputs a voice signal and inputs the outputted voice signal to the voice input device. The audio input device typically reproduces the input audio signal.

  An audio control device according to another aspect of the present invention is an audio control device that outputs the audio signal to an audio input device having an output terminal that outputs an audio signal to the outside via an external terminal, the audio signal And the voice input device detects whether the external terminal is connected to the output terminal, generates a control signal based on the detection result, and generates the generated control signal. When transmitted, it comprises receiving means for receiving the transmitted control signal, and control means for controlling processing of the audio signal by the audio processing unit based on the received control signal.

  In the present invention, the voice control device further includes voice input means for inputting the voice signal transmitted from the voice transmission device, and the control means performs processing of the input voice signal by the voice processing unit. Control. The audio input means may be an interface in the HDMI format or an interface in a format different from that of HDMI.

  A voice control system according to another aspect of the present invention is a voice control system including a voice input device to which an external terminal can be connected and a voice control device that outputs a voice signal to the voice input device. The voice input device includes an input unit that receives the voice signal output from the voice control device, an output terminal that outputs the input voice signal to the outside via the external terminal, and the external terminal. Detecting means for detecting whether or not the output terminal is connected, generating means for generating a control signal based on a detection result by the detecting means, and transmitting means for transmitting the generated control signal. Have. The voice control device controls a voice processing unit that processes the voice signal, a receiving unit that receives the transmitted control signal, and processing of the voice signal by the voice processing unit based on the received control signal. Control means. The input means may be an HDMI interface or an interface of a format different from HDMI.

  The audio control method according to the present invention detects whether or not the external terminal is connected to the output terminal for outputting an audio signal to the outside via the external terminal, and based on the detection result, A control signal is generated, the transmission of the generated control signal is transmitted, the transmitted control signal is received, and processing of the audio signal by the audio processing unit is controlled based on the received control signal.

  In the present invention, an audio output device having the output terminal outputs the audio signal, an audio output device having the output terminal and outputting the audio signal transmits the control signal, and has the audio processing unit. The voice control device to which the voice signal output from the voice output device is input receives the transmitted control signal, and the voice processing unit processes the voice signal based on the received control signal. To control. That is, in the present invention, the audio output device outputs an audio signal to the audio control device, and the audio signal is input to the audio control device.

  Alternatively, a voice control device having the voice processing unit outputs the voice signal to a voice input device having the output terminal, and the voice input device outputs the voice signal input to the voice input device to the output terminal. The audio signal may be output to the outside via an external terminal. That is, in the present invention, the voice control device outputs a voice signal to the voice input device, and the voice signal is input to the voice input device.

  An audio output device according to still another aspect of the present invention is an audio output device that outputs the audio signal to an audio control device that controls processing of an audio signal, and detects an operation signal generated by a user input operation. Detecting means; generating means for generating a control signal based on a detection result by the operation detecting means; and causing the voice control device to control processing of the voice signal based on the control signal. Transmitting means for transmitting to the voice control device.

  An audio control device according to still another aspect of the present invention is an audio control device to which an audio signal output from an audio output device is input, and an audio processing unit that processes the audio signal, and the audio output device includes A receiving means for detecting an operation signal generated by a user's input operation, generating the control signal based on a detection result, and transmitting the generated control signal when receiving the generated control signal; and Control means for controlling processing of the audio signal by the audio processing unit based on the received control signal.

  A voice control system in which the voice output device according to the invention is combined with the voice control device is also conceivable. The same applies to voice input devices and voice control devices according to the following inventions.

  A voice input device according to still another aspect of the present invention is a voice input device to which the voice signal output from a voice control device that controls processing of a voice signal is input, and an operation signal generated by a user's input operation. In order to control the processing of the audio signal based on the control signal, the operation detecting means for detecting the control means, the generating means for generating a control signal based on the detection result by the operation detecting means, Transmitting means for transmitting the control signal to the voice control device.

  A voice control device according to still another aspect of the present invention is a voice control device that outputs a voice signal to a voice input device, wherein the voice processing unit that processes the voice signal, and the voice input device is a user's An operation signal due to an input operation is detected, the control signal is generated based on a detection result, and when the generated control signal is transmitted, receiving means for receiving the transmitted control signal, and the received control signal And a control means for controlling the processing of the audio signal by the audio processing unit.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to save time and effort for the user to operate the voice control device and to simplify the operation. For example, in the case of a voice control system including a voice control device including a voice output device and a recording device, the voice output control of the voice control device caused by the user's mute operation or the insertion operation of headphones etc. On the other hand, it is possible to flexibly cope with storage of audio data in a recording device and the above audio output control.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a voice control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The audio control system 50 includes, for example, a TV 100 as an audio output device and an AV amplifier 200 as an audio control device.

  The audio output device is not limited to the TV 100, and may be a tuner device that does not have the display 106, a device that extracts AV signals from various recording media and outputs them to the outside, or a device that combines these.

  The audio control device is not limited to the AV amplifier 200, or may have a tuner function in addition to the function of the AV amplifier 200. Alternatively, the audio control device may be a recorder that can record not only audio signals but also video signals on a recording medium.

  The TV 100 includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, a tuner 112, a demodulation unit 113, a separation unit 114, a video processing unit 104, an audio processing unit 107, a video driving unit 105, a display 106, an audio driving unit 108, a speaker 109, and an HP (headphone). The output unit 110 includes an HP output terminal 111, a U / I (User Interface) control unit 117, an HDMI control unit 115, and an HDMI source 116.

  The CPU 101 controls the entire TV 100 in a centralized manner. The ROM 103 stores necessary programs, and the RAM 102 has an area where the programs are expanded, and functions as a work area of the CPU 101.

  The tuner 112 includes a digital tuner for digital broadcasting and an analog tuner for analog broadcasting. There may be two or more tuners 112. There is no need for an analog tuner. In the following description, it is assumed that the tuner 112 receives a digital broadcast wave. The demodulation unit 113 demodulates the modulated wave signal supplied from the tuner 112, and performs error correction processing, frame reconstruction, and the like. The separation unit 114 separates audio and video multiplexed data such as a data stream supplied from the demodulation unit 113 into audio data and video data.

  The video processing unit 104 decodes video data encoded (or compressed) in MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) or other formats. The video drive unit 105 performs D / A conversion or the like on the data supplied from the video processing unit, and drives the display 106 according to the video signal converted to analog.

  Similarly, the audio processing unit 107 decodes audio data encoded (or compressed) in a predetermined format. The audio driving unit 108 performs D / A conversion or the like on the data supplied from the audio processing unit 107, and drives the built-in speaker 109 according to the audio signal converted into analog.

  Hereinafter, a signal including at least one of a video signal and an audio signal may be referred to as an AV signal.

  The HP output unit 110 supplies the analog audio signal supplied from the audio processing unit 107 to the HP output terminal 111. The HP output terminal 111 is a connection terminal to which a detachable external terminal is connected. Examples of the device having an external terminal include headphones, earphones, other head-mounted speakers, and stationary speakers. In the following description, it is assumed that the HP output terminal 111 is a terminal to which the headphones 400 (output terminals thereof) are connected.

  The U / I control unit 117 receives an operation signal input by the user using a remote controller for remotely controlling the TV 100, or an operation signal input by the user via an operation button or the like provided on the operation panel of the TV 100. The received operation signal is sent to the CPU 101. As this operation signal, there are various signals such as turning on / off the power of the TV 100, channel selection by the tuner 112, operation relating to video, and operation relating to audio.

  For example, with respect to an AV signal output mode, there are a blanking mode, a multi-screen mode, a muting mode, a multiplexed audio output mode, and the like. In these cases, the CPU 101 or the like functions as a generation unit that generates a control signal for executing these output modes in accordance with the operation signal. In this case, the control signal may be the operation signal itself.

  Further, as will be described later, the CPU 101 functions as a detection unit that detects whether or not headphones are connected to the HP output terminal 111, and relates to the output mode in response to detection of the connection of headphones. Generate a control signal.

  The HDMI control unit 115 controls transmission / reception of AV signals and control signals at the HDMI source 116.

  The AV amplifier 200 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, an audio input unit 207, an audio processing unit 208, an audio drive unit 209, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 210, an interface 211 of the HDD 210, a U / I control unit 206, and an HDMI control unit 205. And an HDMI sink 204.

  The CPU 201 controls the AV amplifier 200 as a whole. The ROM 203 stores a program necessary for realizing the present embodiment, and the RAM 202 has an area where the program is expanded, and functions as a work area of the CPU 201.

  The HDMI control unit 205 controls transmission / reception of AV signals and control signals in the HDMI sink 204. An audio signal in a format different from the HDMI format is input to the audio input unit 207. The voice input unit 207 has an interface such as RCA or optical digital, for example. The audio processing unit 208 performs processing such as encoding, decoding, and volume adjustment of an HDMI format audio signal and an audio signal input via the audio input unit 207.

  The HDD 210 records the audio data encoded by the audio processing unit 208.

  The U / I control unit 206 receives a user operation signal from a remote controller that remotely controls the AV amplifier 200 or an operation signal input by the user via an operation button or the like provided on the operation panel of the AV amplifier 200. The received operation signal is sent to the CPU 201.

  The audio driving unit 209 generates a driving signal for driving the external speaker 213 according to the audio signal processed by the audio processing unit 208. The speaker 213 may be built in the AV amplifier 200.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a basic electrical configuration of the HDMI source 116 and the HDMI sink 204.

  In the present embodiment, the HDMI source 116 of the TV 100 is a source (HDMI output unit), and the HDMI sink 204 of the AV amplifier 200 is a sink (HDMI input unit). Of course, this is merely an example, and various changes can be made depending on the device. Some devices have both source and sink HDMI.

  In the HDMI source 116, the video signal, the audio signal, and the clock signal thereof are transmitted by the transmitter 120, and in the HDMI sink 204, these signals are received by the receiver 220. As a transmission system of these signals, a TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) system is used. The HDMI also includes a DDC (Display Data Channel) 121 that transmits unique information such as the display 106 and the like, and a CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) line 122 as a control line. The CEC line 122 is a bidirectional communication line.

  The HDMI source 116 and the HDMI sink 204 may be connected by wire or may be connected wirelessly.

  The TV 100 and the AV amplifier 200 are connected by an HDMI source 116 and an HDMI sink 204, and video signals, audio signals, and the like are supplied from the TV 100 to the AV amplifier 200 through the connection. Therefore, the audio signal of the TV 100 can be reproduced by either the speaker 109 or the speaker 213. Which of the speaker 109 and the speaker 213 is used for playback may be set in accordance with an input operation to the TV 100 or an input operation to the AV amplifier 200 by the user. Alternatively, the setting may be made according to whether or not the HDMI cable is connected between the two devices 100 and 200. Now, as described later, it is assumed that the audio signal of the TV 100 is set to be reproduced by the speaker 213 instead of the speaker 109.

  The TV 100 outputs the video signal processed by the video processing unit 104 to the video driving unit 105 and the HDMI control unit 115. The audio signal processed by the audio processing unit 107 is output to the HP output unit 110 and the HDMI control unit 115 and is not output to the audio driving unit 108. The video signal and audio signal AV signal supplied to the HDMI control unit 115 are output to the AV amplifier 200 via the HDMI source 116. The AV amplifier 200 outputs an audio signal among the AV signals received by the HDMI sink 204 to the external speaker 213 via the audio processing unit 208 and the audio driving unit 209. Through the above operation, the audio signal of the TV 100 is reproduced not by the speaker 109 but by the speaker 213.

  Next, an example of the operation of the voice control system 50 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the TV 100, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the AV amplifier 200 at that time. FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation related to the connection / disconnection of the headphones 400 to the HP output terminal 111 as described above.

  The CPU 101 of the TV 100 checks whether or not the headphones 400 are connected to the HP output terminal 111 (step 101), and proceeds to step 102. In step 102, if the CPU 101 detects a change in connection state, such as connection to non-connection or non-connection to connection, the process proceeds to step 103. If no connection state change is detected, the process returns to step 101. In step 103, the CPU 101 generates a control signal according to whether or not the headphones 400 are connected to the HP output terminal 111, and the process proceeds to step 104. This control signal is, for example, a signal indicating that the connection of the headphones 400 has been detected, for example, a “headphones present” signal. Further, for example, a signal indicating that the connection of the headphones 400 is not detected, for example, a “no headphones” signal.

  In step 104, the CPU 101 sends a control signal “with headphones” or “without headphones” to the HDMI source 116, outputs it to the AV amplifier 200 via HDMI, and proceeds to step 105. This control signal is output via the CEC line 122. In step 105, the CPU 101 checks the power state of the TV 100. If the power is off, the flowchart of FIG. 3 is terminated, and if the power is on, the process returns to step 101.

  In the flowchart (FIG. 3), it is also possible to control the flowchart in which the process of step 102 is deleted and the process proceeds from step 101 to step 103. In this case, the CPU 101 checks whether or not the headphones 400 are connected to the HP output terminal 111 (step 101), generates a control signal based on the checked result, and outputs it to the AV amplifier 200 via HDMI. To do. Here, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The CPU 201 of the AV amplifier 200 receives the AV signal and the control signal via the HDMI sink 204. The CPU 201 checks the control signal via the HDMI sink 204 (step 201) and proceeds to step 202. In step 202, if there is a change in the control signal (for example, from the control signal “with headphones” to the control signal without “headphones”), the routine proceeds to step 203. If there is no change in the control signal, the process returns to step 201.

  In the case of a change from the control signal “with headphones” to the control signal “without headphones”, the process proceeds from step 203 to step 205. In the case of a change from the control signal “without headphones” to the control signal “with headphones”, the process proceeds from step 203 to step 204. In step 204, the CPU 201 controls the audio processing unit 208 so as to stop the audio output from the audio processing unit 208 to the audio driving unit 209. In step 205, the CPU 201 controls the sound processing unit 208 to permit sound output from the sound processing unit 208 to the sound driving unit 209. When the processing of step 204 and step 205 is completed, the CPU 201 proceeds to step 206, and when the power of the AV amplifier 200 is turned off, the flowchart of FIG. If the AV amplifier is powered on, the process returns to step 201 and the flowchart of FIG. 4 is continued.

  Thus, the audio output to the speaker 213 of the AV amplifier 200 is controlled according to the connection state of the headphones 400 to the TV 100. Thereby, when the headphones 400 are connected to the TV 100, it is possible to prevent sound from being output from the speaker 213 connected to the AV amplifier 200. That is, even if the user does not operate the AV amplifier 200, the AV amplifier 200 performs the mute control, so that the user's operation can be saved.

  Further, since the control signal is transmitted to the AV amplifier using HDMI, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated line for transmitting the control signal.

  The AV amplifier 200 includes an HDD 210. Therefore, the CPU 201 can transmit the audio signal from the TV 100 received by the HDMI sink 204 to the HDD 210 after being encoded by the audio processing unit 208 and store the audio signal in the HDD 210. As described above, the CPU 201 adjusts the volume of the audio signal received from the TV 100 received by the HDMI sink 204 by the audio processing unit 208, transmits the audio signal by the audio drive unit 209, and drives the audio signal by the audio drive unit 209. Playback with the speaker 213 is also possible. In this case, the CPU 201 can perform the following four (a to d) controls on the audio signal from the TV 100 received by the HDMI sink 204.

a) Allow storage in the HDD 210 and do not play back with the speaker 213.
b) Allow storage in the HDD 210 and play back with the speaker 213.
c) Do not allow storage in the HDD 210 and do not play back with the speaker 213.
d) Playback with the speaker 213 without permitting storage in the HDD 210.

  The setting of permission / non-permission of storage in the HDD 210 may be selected, for example, when the user operates the TV 100 via a setting screen or the like that the TV 100 has. In that case, for example, the following four (0, 1, 2, 3) control signals may be used as the control signals in FIGS.

0: Control signal “allows recording” and “with headphone” permitting storage in HDD 210 1: Control signal “with recording possible” and “without headphone” 2: Storage in HDD 210 “No recording” and “with headphones” control signal that does not allow the recording to be performed 3: Control signal with “no recording” and “without headphones”.

  For example, when the user permits the storage in the HDD 210 via the setting screen etc. of the TV 100, the control signal of 0 is generated when the connection of the headphones 400 is detected in step 103 of FIG. When the disconnection of the headphones 400 is detected, the control signal 1 is generated. If the user does not permit storage in the HDD 210 via the setting screen of the TV 100 or the like, in step 103 in FIG. When the non-connection is detected, the above control signal 3 is generated.

  In FIG. 4, when the control signals 0 and 2 (“with headphones”) are received in step 203, the process proceeds to step 204. In the case of the above control signals 1 and 3 (“no headphones”), the process proceeds to step 205.

  Also in this case, the audio output to the speaker 213 of the AV amplifier 200 is controlled according to the connection state of the headphones 400 to the TV 100. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent sound from being output from the speaker 213 connected to the AV amplifier 200 when the headphones 400 are connected to the TV 100 while corresponding to the setting of accumulation in the HDD 210 by the user.

  In the conventional audio output device corresponding to the TV 100, the audio mute caused by the user's mute operation or the headphone insertion operation is generally a mute process inside the audio output device. In such a case, in the system corresponding to the conventional audio control system 50, since the audio signal is muted inside the TV 100, the audio signal cannot be stored in the HDD 210 of the AV amplifier 200. It was. However, in the system of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 according to the above-described embodiment, the audio signal of the TV 100 can be flexibly dealt with, for example, being stored in the HDD 210 and being muted with the speaker 213.

  5 and 6 are flowcharts of operations according to other embodiments of the TV 100 and the AV amplifier 200, respectively. In this embodiment, a control signal corresponding to the operation signal to the user's TV 100 is used. For example, as a user operation on the TV 100, there is a selection of a mute mode. The mute mode proposed by the present embodiment is that when the audio signal of the TV 100 is reproduced by the speaker 213 via the AV amplifier 200, the mute mode is not output to the speaker 213 when the mute mode is on. In this mode, the audio control system 50 is controlled so that an audio signal is output to the speaker 213 when the mode is off.

  The flowchart of TV100 regarding the said mute mode is demonstrated using FIG. It is assumed that the CPU 101 of the TV 100 outputs the audio signal processed by the audio processing unit 107 to the AV amplifier 200 via the HDMI source 116. For example, when the mute mode setting is changed by a user operation (YES in step 301), the CPU 101 generates a control signal corresponding to the mute mode operation signal (step 302) and proceeds to step 303. For example, when the mute mode is on, this control signal is a signal indicating that the mute mode is turned on, for example, a “mute mode on” signal. When the mute mode is off, it is a signal indicating that the mute mode is turned off, for example, a signal of “mute mode off”.

  If the mute mode setting does not change in step 301 (No in step 301), the CPU 101 returns to step 301 again. In step 303, the CPU 101 outputs the control signal to the AV amplifier 200 via the HDMI source 116 and proceeds to step 304. In step 304, if the TV 100 is powered off, the flowchart of FIG. 5 is terminated. If the TV 100 is powered on, the process returns to step 301 to continue the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, a flowchart of the AV amplifier 200 regarding the mute mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  Assume that the CPU 201 of the AV amplifier 200 receives an AV signal and a control signal via the HDMI sink 204, as in the case of FIG. The CPU 201 inputs an audio signal from the AV signal of the HDMI sink 204 to the audio processing unit 208 or the like.

  In step 401, the CPU 201 examines a change in the control signal received from the HDMI sink 204. If there is no change in the control signal, the process returns to step 401 to continue checking the control signal. If there is a change in the control signal, the process proceeds to step 402. If the change in the control signal in step 402 is a change from “silence mode off” to “silence mode on”, the CPU 201 interprets that the silence mode setting is on and proceeds to step 404. In step 402, if the change in the control signal is from “silence mode on” to “silence mode off”, the CPU 201 interprets that the silence mode setting is off and proceeds to step 403.

  In step 404, the CPU 201 stops output from the audio processing unit 208 to the audio driving unit 209 and does not output audio to the speaker 213. In step 403, the CPU 201 permits output from the sound processing unit 208 to the sound driving unit 209 and outputs sound to the speaker 213.

  In the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4, sound is output from the speaker 213 connected to the AV amplifier 200 when the headphones 400 are connected to the TV 100 while corresponding to the setting of accumulation in the HDD 210 by the user. The example which can prevent is shown. If the user sets the storage in the HDD 210 and generates a control signal corresponding to the user's mute setting, the processing in FIGS. 5 and 6 also corresponds to the user's storage setting in the HDD 210. However, it is possible to control the sound output from the speaker 213 based on the user's mute setting. Since the operation is the same as in FIGS. 3 and 4, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Embodiments according to the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and other various embodiments are conceivable.

  In FIG. 1, the HDD 210 is shown as being built in the AV amplifier 200, but may be an HDD connected from the outside to the AV amplifier 200 (or other audio control device). The connection from the outside may be a local connection or includes a case of connection via a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or the Internet.

  3, 4, 5, and 6 is not limited to the case where the control signal is transmitted / received via HDMI. For example, it may be via a LAN (Local Area Network) in which IP (Internet Protocol) is used, via Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), or via another interface. It may be via wireless or wired.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a voice control system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the description of blocks and the like included in the voice control system 50 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the like will be simplified or omitted, and different points will be mainly described.

  The voice control system 150 includes a voice output unit 118. The audio output unit 118 functions as an output unit that outputs the audio signal processed by the audio processing unit 107 to the AV amplifier 200 in a format different from the HDMI format. The audio signal output from the audio output unit 118 is input to the audio input unit 207 of the AV amplifier 200. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the audio output unit 118 and the audio input unit 207 have an RCA or digital (for example, optical digital) interface. In the case of an optical digital interface, the audio output unit 118 can also output an audio signal compressed in a predetermined format. The audio input unit 207 receives this compressed audio signal. Examples of the predetermined format include MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3), ATRAC (Adaptive TRansform Acoustic Coding), AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), WMA (Windows (registered trademark) Media Audio), and other formats. Can be mentioned.

  The same can be said for the voice input unit 207 in FIG.

  Note that the TV 100 may include a video output unit that outputs the video signal processed by the video processing unit 104 in a format different from the HDMI format. The format different from the HDMI format is, for example, a format such as RCA, S video, component video, or D video.

  The audio signal output from the audio output unit 118 and input to the audio input unit 207 is processed by the audio processing unit 208 and output to the speaker 213 by driving the audio driving unit 209. When the audio signal is a compressed audio signal, the audio processing unit 208 performs a decoding process on the compressed audio signal and outputs it to the audio driving unit 209.

  Also in the audio control system 150 according to the present embodiment, sound is output from the speaker 213 connected to the AV amplifier 200 when the headphones 400 are connected to the TV 100 by the processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Can be prevented. Alternatively, the voice control system 150 can control the voice output from the speaker 213 based on the user mute setting by the processing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

  Further, the audio control system 150 has the following advantages when the audio signals from the audio output unit 118 and the audio input unit 207 are the above-described compressed audio signals. First, since it is a compressed audio signal, the amount of data is less than that of the HDMI format, and the transfer efficiency is improved. Second, when the AV amplifier 200 stores compressed data based on the compressed audio signal in the HDD 210, the compressed data can be stored in the HDD 210 in the same format. That is, it is not necessary to encode the audio signal by the audio processing unit 208, and the load on the AV amplifier 200 can be reduced.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a voice control system according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

  The audio control system 250 includes a TV 160 as an audio input device, an AV amplifier 260 as an audio control device, and a recording / reproducing device 300 as an audio transmission device. As the TV 160 and the AV amplifier 260, basically, the TV 100 and the AV amplifier 200 described in FIG. 1 or FIG. A speaker 213 is connected to the AV amplifier 260. The AV amplifier 260 may be a device in which the speaker 213 and the AV amplifier 260 are integrated.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus 300 is an apparatus that records and reproduces audio and / or video, for example. Examples of the recording medium for the audio and / or video signal include a hard disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, and other recording media. The recording / reproducing apparatus 300 may be a reproduction-only apparatus that does not perform recording. Hereinafter, the recording / reproducing apparatus 300 will be described as an apparatus capable of recording and reproducing both audio signals and video signals.

  There are two differences between the TV 160 and AV amplifier 260 in FIG. 8 and the TV 100 and AV amplifier 200 in FIG. 1 or FIG. One is that the source and sink are reversed for the HDMI sink 166 (input means) of the TV 160 and the HDMI source 254 of the AV amplifier 260. The other is that the AV amplifier 260 includes an audio input unit 257 (audio input means) and a video input unit 258 to which an audio signal and a video signal output from the recording / reproducing apparatus 300 are input. Except for these configurations of the TV 160 and the AV amplifier 260 in FIG.

  When the AV amplifier 260 is dedicated to audio, a mode in which the video input unit 258 is not provided is also conceivable.

  In the audio control system 250, the TV 160 may be further provided with a source HDMI, and the AV amplifier 260 may be further provided with a sink HDMI.

  The audio input device is not limited to the TV 160, and any device such as a computer (for example, a PC) or a game machine may be used as long as audio is input from an AV amplifier. The audio control device is not limited to the AV amplifier 260, and may be a computer (for example, a PC) or a device such as a selector. The same applies to the TV 100 and the AV amplifier 200 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 300.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus 300 includes a CPU 301, a RAM 302, a ROM 303, a tuner 312, a demodulation unit 313, a separation unit 314, a video processing unit 304, an audio processing unit 307, a U / I control unit 317, a D / A conversion unit 310, and a video output unit. 308, an audio output unit 309, a recording device 306, and an interface 311 of the recording device 306.

  The CPU 301, RAM 302, ROM 303, tuner 312, demodulator 313, separator 314, video processor 304, audio processor 307, and U / I controller 317 are the CPU 101 and RAM 102 of the TV 100 shown in FIG. , ROM 103, tuner 112, demodulation unit 113, separation unit 114, video processing unit 104, audio processing unit 107, and U / I control unit 117, respectively.

  The video output unit 308 and the audio output unit 309 may be HDMI, or may be an interface of a different format (for example, RCA, S video, D video, component video, or optical digital audio). Good. When the video output unit 308 and the audio output unit 309 are digital outputs, the D / A conversion unit 310 is not used. When the video output unit 308 and the audio output unit 309 are analog outputs, the D / A conversion unit 310 is used.

  The audio input unit 257 and the video input unit 258 of the AV amplifier 260 have a format corresponding to the interface of the audio output unit 309 and the video output unit 308. For example, as described above, there are formats such as HDMI, RCA, S video, D video, component video, or optical digital audio.

  Examples of the recording device 306 include a hard disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic tape, and other recording media as described above.

  The D / A converter 310 is used when the video output unit 308 and the audio output unit 309 are analog interfaces. Typically, the D / A conversion unit 310 converts video data and audio data mainly decoded by the video processing unit 304 and the audio processing unit 307 into analog signals, and these analog signals are converted into video output units 308 and 308. The data is transmitted to the AV amplifier via the audio output unit 309.

  When the tuner 312 is a tuner that receives an analog signal, the recording / reproducing apparatus 300 includes, for example, a decoder (for example, NTSC (National Television System Committee)) corresponding to the analog broadcast wave. This decoder may also include a TV 160. The recording / reproducing apparatus 300 includes an encoder that converts the received analog signal into a digital signal of a predetermined format such as MPEG, and records the audio and / or video data encoded by the encoder on a recording device.

  The audio transmitting apparatus is not limited to the recording / reproducing apparatus 300, and may be an apparatus having no audio signal recording device, such as a radio receiver. Alternatively, any device that can transmit voice may be used.

  In the audio control system 250 configured as described above, the TV 160 and the AV amplifier 260 execute the same processes as in FIGS. As a premise when the audio control system 250 executes the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4, the recording / reproducing apparatus 300 reproduces an audio signal and / or video signal (hereinafter referred to as an AV signal) recorded in the recording device 306. The AV signal is transmitted to the AV amplifier 260 via the video output unit 308 or the audio output unit 309. Alternatively, as a premise when the audio control system 250 executes the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4, the recording / reproducing apparatus 300 reproduces the AV signal received by the tuner 312, and the AV signal is output to the video output unit 308 or the audio output unit. The AV signal is output to the AV amplifier 260 via 309. In these cases, the AV signal output from the recording / reproducing apparatus 300 is input to the AV amplifier 260 via the audio input unit 257 and the video input unit 258. The AV amplifier 260 outputs this AV signal via the HDMI source 254 and outputs an audio signal to the external speaker 213. The TV 160 receives the AV signal transmitted from the HDMI source 254 of the AV amplifier 260 via the HDMI sink 166.

  That is, as a premise of the operation of the audio control system 250, the AV signal reproduced by the recording / reproducing apparatus 300 is output from the display 106 and / or the speaker 109 of the TV 160 via the AV amplifier 260, and the audio signal is output from the speaker 213. It is output.

  Referring to FIG. 3, CPU 101 of TV 160 checks whether or not headphones 400 are connected to HP output terminal 111 (step 101), and proceeds to step 102. In step 102, if the CPU 101 detects a change in connection state, such as connection to non-connection or non-connection to connection, the process proceeds to step 103. If no connection state change is detected, the process returns to step 101. In step 103, the CPU 101 generates a control signal according to whether or not the headphones 400 are connected to the HP output terminal 111, and the process proceeds to step 104. This control signal is, for example, a signal “with headphones” and a signal “without headphones” as described above.

  In step 104, the CPU 101 sends a control signal “with headphones” or “without headphones” to the HDMI sink 166, outputs it to the AV amplifier 260 via HDMI, and proceeds to step 105. This control signal is output via the CEC line 122. In step 105, the CPU 101 checks the power state of the TV 160. If the power is off, the flowchart of FIG. 3 is terminated, and if the power is on, the process returns to step 101.

  In the flowchart (FIG. 3), it is also possible to control the flowchart in which the process of step 102 is deleted and the process proceeds from step 101 to step 103. In this case, the CPU 101 checks whether or not the headphones 400 are connected to the HP output terminal 111 (step 101), generates a control signal based on the checked result, and outputs it to the AV amplifier 260 via HDMI. To do. Here, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The AV amplifier 260 performs AV signal transmission and control signal communication via the HDMI source 254. The CPU 201 of the AV amplifier 260 checks the control signal via the HDMI source 254 (step 201) in the flowchart of FIG. This control signal is input via the CEC line 122. In step 202, if there is a change in the control signal (for example, from the control signal “with headphones” to the control signal without “headphones”), the routine proceeds to step 203. If there is no change in the control signal, the process returns to step 201.

  In the case of a change from the control signal “with headphones” to the control signal “without headphones”, the process proceeds from step 203 to step 205. In the case of a change from the control signal “without headphones” to the control signal “with headphones”, the process proceeds from step 203 to step 204. In step 204, the CPU 201 controls the audio processing unit 208 so as to stop the audio output from the audio processing unit 208 to the audio driving unit 209. In step 205, the CPU 201 controls the sound processing unit 208 to permit sound output from the sound processing unit 208 to the sound driving unit 209. When the processing of step 204 and step 205 is completed, the CPU 201 proceeds to step 206, and when the power of the AV amplifier 260 is turned off, the flowchart of FIG. If the AV amplifier is powered on, the process returns to step 201 and the flowchart of FIG. 4 is continued.

  Thus, the audio output to the speaker 213 of the AV amplifier 260 is controlled in accordance with the connection state of the headphones 400 to the TV 160. Thereby, when the headphones 400 are connected to the TV 160, it is possible to prevent sound from being output from the speaker 213 connected to the AV amplifier 260. That is, even if the user does not operate the AV amplifier 260, the AV amplifier 260 performs mute control, so that the user's operation can be saved.

  Further, the voice control system 250 according to the present embodiment can also execute the same processing as the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 described above. Detailed description thereof is omitted. Also in this case, as a premise of the operation of the audio control system 250 of FIGS. 5 and 6, the AV signal reproduced by the recording / reproducing apparatus 300 is output from the display 106 and / or the speaker 109 of the TV 160 via the AV amplifier 260. The audio signal is output from the speaker 213.

  Further, also in the present embodiment, the CPU 201 can similarly perform the above-described four (a to d) controls on the audio signal from the TV 160 received by the HDMI source 254. In the operations of FIGS. 3 and 4, the above-described four (0, 1, 2, 3) control signals may be used.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of HDMI according to another embodiment. 10, the transmitter 120 of the HDMI transceiver unit (source) 500, the receiver 220 of the HDMI transceiver unit (sink) 600, the DDC line 121, and the CEC line 122 perform the same processing as in FIG. The description is omitted.

  In conventional general HDMI, an HPD (Hot Plug Detect) line pin and a reserve line pin are provided as signal lines for the source device to detect whether or not a sink device is connected. For example, in Type A HDMI, the HPD pin is a pin number 19 and the reserve pin is a pin number 14 pin.

  In the HDMI shown in FIG. 10, the HPD line and the reserve line are connected as a differential twisted pair, and are expanded to function as a high-speed data line 155 capable of bidirectional IP communication by differential signal transmission. . In FIG. 10, in this high-speed data line 155, the pin corresponding to the conventional HPD pin is referred to as HPD / Ether +, and the pin corresponding to the conventional reserve pin is referred to as Reserve / Ether-.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to perform bidirectional high-speed IP communication using Ethernet (registered trademark) using HDMI while maintaining compatibility with conventional HDMI. The maximum transmission speed of this high-speed data line is about 100 Mbps, but is not limited to this.

  In particular, when the HDMI of FIG. 10 is applied to the audio control system 50, 150, or 250, the “control signal” illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6 may be communicated via the high-speed data line 155.

  Alternatively, for example, the line connecting the audio output unit 118 and the audio input unit 207 shown in FIG. 7 may be replaced with the high-speed data line 155 provided in the HDMI shown in FIG. The same applies to the HDMI sink 166 and the source 254 shown in FIG. 8, or the same applies to the case where the audio output unit 309, the video output unit 308, the audio input unit 257, and the video input unit 258 are HDMI. It is.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the audio | voice control system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the basic electrical structure of HDMI. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of TV, 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the AV amplifier in the case of FIG. 3. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which concerns on other embodiment of TV. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the AV amplifier in the case of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the audio | voice control system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the audio | voice control system which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of HDMI which concerns on other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

50, 150, 250 ... voice control system 100, 160 ... TV
111... HP output terminal 115, 205... HDMI controller 116, 254.
166, 204 ... HDMI sink 122 ... CEC line 200, 260 ... AV amplifier 257 ... Audio input unit 258 ... Video input unit 300 ... Recording / playback device 308 ... Video output unit 309 ... Audio output unit 400 ... Headphone

Claims (29)

An audio output device that outputs the audio signal to an audio control device that controls processing of the audio signal and is connectable to an external terminal,
An output terminal for outputting the audio signal to the outside via the external terminal;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the external terminal is connected to the output terminal;
Generating means for generating a control signal based on a detection result by the detecting means;
An audio output device comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the generated control signal to the audio control device so that the audio control device controls processing of the audio signal based on the control signal. The audio output device according to claim 1,
The audio output device having an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) capable of transmitting the audio signal and the control signal. The audio output device according to claim 2,
An audio output device further comprising output means for outputting the audio signal in a format different from the HDMI. The audio output device according to claim 3,
The audio output device capable of outputting a compressed audio signal compressed in a predetermined format. The audio output device according to claim 2,
The transmission means is an audio output device that transmits the control signal via the HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) line. The audio output device according to claim 2,
The HDMI is an audio output device of a wireless type or a wired type. The audio output device according to claim 1,
The audio output device, wherein the external terminal is a headphone connection terminal, an earphone connection terminal, a head-mounted speaker connection terminal, or a stationary speaker connection terminal. An audio control device to which the audio signal output from an audio output device having an output terminal that outputs an audio signal to the outside via an external terminal is input,
An audio processing unit for processing the audio signal;
When the audio output device detects whether the external terminal is connected to the output terminal, generates a control signal based on a detection result, and transmits the generated control signal, the transmitted Receiving means for receiving a control signal;
A voice control apparatus comprising: control means for controlling processing of the voice signal by the voice processing unit based on the received control signal. The voice control device according to claim 8,
The control means includes
When the detection means detects that the external terminal is connected to the output terminal, the audio processing unit is configured to stop the output of the audio signal from the audio processing unit based on the control signal. And when the detecting means detects that the external terminal is not connected to the output terminal, based on the control signal, the output of the audio signal from the audio processing unit is permitted. A voice control device that controls the processing unit. The voice control device according to claim 8,
The receiving means is an audio control apparatus having HDMI capable of receiving the audio signal and the control signal. The voice control device according to claim 10,
An audio control apparatus further comprising input means for inputting the audio signal in a format different from the HDMI. The voice control device according to claim 10,
The receiving means is an audio control apparatus that receives the control signal via the HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) line. An audio control system to which an external terminal can be connected,
An output terminal for outputting an audio signal to the outside via the external terminal;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the external terminal is connected to the output terminal;
Generating means for generating the control signal based on a detection result by the detecting means;
A transmission means for transmitting the generated control signal, and an audio output device for outputting the audio signal to the outside;
An audio processing unit that receives the output audio signal and processes the input audio signal;
Receiving means for receiving the transmitted control signal;
A voice control system comprising: a voice control device having control means for controlling processing of the voice signal by the voice processing unit based on the received control signal. The voice signal output from the voice control device that controls the processing of the voice signal is input, and a voice input device to which an external terminal can be connected,
An output terminal for outputting the input audio signal to the outside via the external terminal;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the external terminal is connected to the output terminal;
Generating means for generating a control signal based on a detection result by the detecting means;
A voice input device comprising: transmission means for sending the generated control signal to the voice control device so that the voice control device controls processing of the voice signal based on the control signal. The voice input device according to claim 14,
The transmission means includes
Audio input for transmitting the generated control signal to the audio control device in order to cause the audio control device to which the audio signal transmitted from the audio transmission device is input to control processing of the input audio signal. apparatus. A voice control device that outputs the voice signal to a voice input device having an output terminal that outputs a voice signal to the outside via an external terminal,
An audio processing unit for processing the audio signal;
When the voice input device detects whether the external terminal is connected to the output terminal, generates a control signal based on a detection result, and transmits the generated control signal, the transmitted Receiving means for receiving a control signal;
And a control unit that controls processing of the audio signal by the audio processing unit based on the received control signal. The voice control device according to claim 16, comprising:
A voice input means for inputting the voice signal transmitted from the voice transmission device;
The control unit is a voice control device that controls processing of the input voice signal by the voice processing unit. A voice control system comprising a voice input device to which an external terminal can be connected and a voice control device that outputs a voice signal to the voice input device,
The voice input device includes:
Input means for inputting the audio signal output from the audio control device;
An output terminal for outputting the input audio signal to the outside via the external terminal;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the external terminal is connected to the output terminal;
Generating means for generating a control signal based on a detection result by the detecting means;
Transmitting means for transmitting the generated control signal;
The voice control device
An audio processing unit for processing the audio signal;
Receiving means for receiving the transmitted control signal;
A voice control system comprising control means for controlling processing of the voice signal by the voice processing unit based on the received control signal. The voice control system according to claim 18, comprising:
A voice transmission device for transmitting the voice signal to the voice input device;
The voice control device receives the voice signal transmitted from the voice transmission device;
The voice processing unit is a voice control system that processes the received voice signal. Detecting whether the external terminal is connected to the output terminal for outputting an audio signal to the outside via the external terminal;
Generating the control signal based on the detection result;
Transmitting to transmit the generated control signal;
Receiving the transmitted control signal;
An audio control method for controlling processing of the audio signal by an audio processor based on the received control signal. The voice control method according to claim 20, wherein
An audio output device having the output terminal outputs the audio signal;
An audio output device having the output terminal and outputting the audio signal transmits the control signal,
An audio control device having the audio processing unit and receiving the audio signal output from the audio output device receives the transmitted control signal, and based on the received control signal, the audio processing unit A voice control method for controlling the processing of the voice signal by. The voice control method according to claim 20, wherein
A voice control device having the voice processing unit outputs the voice signal to a voice input device having the output terminal,
A voice control method in which the voice input device outputs the voice signal input to the voice input device to the outside via the output terminal and an external terminal. An audio output device that outputs the audio signal to an audio control device that controls processing of the audio signal,
An operation detecting means for detecting an operation signal by a user's input operation;
Generating means for generating a control signal based on a detection result by the operation detecting means;
An audio output device comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the control signal to the audio control device so that the audio control device controls processing of the audio signal based on the control signal. An audio control device to which an audio signal output from an audio output device is input,
An audio processing unit for processing the audio signal;
The voice output device detects an operation signal generated by a user input operation, generates the control signal based on a detection result, and receives the transmitted control signal when the generated control signal is transmitted. Receiving means;
A voice control apparatus comprising: control means for controlling processing of the voice signal by the voice processing unit based on the received control signal. An operation detecting means for detecting an operation signal by a user's input operation;
Generating means for generating a control signal based on a detection result by the operation detecting means;
An audio output device that transmits the control signal and outputs an audio signal to the outside;
An audio processing unit that receives the output audio signal and processes the input audio signal;
Receiving means for receiving the transmitted control signal;
A voice control system comprising: a voice control device having control means for controlling processing of the voice signal by the voice processing unit based on the received control signal. The voice control system according to claim 25, wherein
The operation detection means detects a signal requesting mute and a signal requesting release of the mute as the operation signal,
The control means controls the audio processing unit to stop the output of the audio signal from the audio processing unit based on the control signal when the operation signal is a signal requesting the mute. When the operation signal is a signal requesting cancellation of the mute, the audio processing unit is controlled to permit output of the audio signal from the audio processing unit based on the control signal. Voice control system. A voice input device to which the voice signal output from a voice control device that controls processing of a voice signal is input,
An operation detecting means for detecting an operation signal by a user's input operation;
Generating means for generating a control signal based on a detection result by the operation detecting means;
A voice input device comprising: a transmission means for sending the control signal to the voice control device so that the voice control device controls processing of the voice signal based on the control signal. A voice control device that outputs a voice signal to a voice input device,
An audio processing unit for processing the audio signal;
When the voice input device detects an operation signal generated by a user's input operation, generates the control signal based on a detection result, and transmits the generated control signal, the transmitted control signal is received. Receiving means;
A voice control apparatus comprising: control means for controlling processing of the voice signal by the voice processing unit based on the received control signal. A voice control system comprising a voice input device and a voice control device that outputs a voice signal to the voice input device,
The voice input device includes:
Input means for inputting the audio signal output from the audio control device;
An operation detecting means for detecting an operation signal by a user's input operation;
Generating means for generating a control signal based on a detection result by the operation detecting means;
Transmission means for transmitting the control signal,
The voice control device
An audio processing unit for processing the audio signal;
Receiving means for receiving the transmitted control signal;
A voice control system comprising control means for controlling processing of the voice signal by the voice processing unit based on the received control signal.

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