Transmission apparatus, reception apparatus, and transmission method

A reception apparatus comprising:

• a reception module configured to input a video signal or an audio signal from a TMDS line of an HDMI cable in a form based on an HDMI standard;
• a controller configured to input and output an HEAC signal according to the HDMI standard;
• a signal transmission module configured to perform signal transmission based on a method other than the HDMI standard;
• and
• a selection module configured to selectively switch an HEAC line of the HDMI cable to either a state in which the HEAC line of the HDMI cable is used for transmission of the HEAC signal that is input to and output from the controller or a state in which the HEAC line of the HDMI cable is used for transmission of a signal that is input to and output from the signal transmission module.

A transmission method comprising:

• causing a transmission apparatus to output a video signal or an audio signal to a TMDS line of an HDMI cable in a form based on an HDMI standard;
• causing a reception apparatus to recover the video signal or the audio signal that is output to the TMDS line;
• causing the transmission apparatus to output, to a CEC line of the HDMI cable, a signal for inquiry as to whether a signal transmission function according to a method other than the HDMI standard is provided or not;
• causing the reception apparatus to output, to the CEC line, a response signal in reply to the inquiry signal that is output to the CEC line;
• causing the transmission apparatus and the reception apparatus to selectively switch, based on the response signal, an HEAC line of the HDMI cable to either a state in which the HEAC line of the HDMI cable is used for transmission of the HEAC signal according to the HDMI standard or a state in which the HEAC line of the HDMI cable is used for transmission of a signal based on a method other than the HDMI standard.