Patent ID: 8773590

Claim:
An image output apparatus comprising: a first generating unit that generates, based on first image data and first information, second image data; an interface that is used for connecting an external device via a cable, wherein the cable includes a first path, a second path, a third path, and a fourth path; a first output unit that outputs the first image data or the second image data to the external device via the first path, wherein the external device includes a second generating unit that generates, based on the first image data and the first information, third image data; a second output unit that outputs the first information to the external device via the second path; a receiving unit that receives a control signal from the external device via the third path; an acquiring unit that acquires second information including identification information of the external device from the external device via the fourth path; and a control unit that (a) detects, using the second information acquired from the external device, a function of the second generating unit, (b) selects, based on a detected function of the second generating unit, either the first image data or the second image data, and (c) causes the first output unit to output selected image data to the external device via the first path.