JP2001359064A - Video phone and method for controlling the video phone - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video phone that can match lines of sight of talking parties by providing a transparent characteristic to a display section and picking up an operator by a light passing through the display section. SOLUTION: The video phone is provided with the display section that has a transparent characteristic and an image pickup section 14 that picks up a video image passing through the display section 11. The light passing through the display section 11 is bent by 90 degrees in a reflection mirror 12 and the bent light is made incident onto an optical system 13, and then picked up by the image pickup section 14. The line of sight of the video image picked up by the image pickup section 14 is nearly in matching with the line of sight of a video image 15 displayed on the display section 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video telephone apparatus provided with a display section for displaying a received image and an image pickup section for picking up an operator, and a control method in the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable telephone devices have been used for their convenience,
It has acquired many owners because of its interactiveness and low cost. In addition, inexpensive portable videophone devices have been released, and inexpensive videophones have become possible.

In such a portable videophone device, an LCD serving as a display section is provided below a CMOS sensor serving as an imaging section.
(Liquid crystal display). For this reason, there is a drawback in that if one speaks poetry while looking at the displayed partner's face, his or her line of sight turns downward, and it is not possible to speak while matching his or her line of sight. Such a conversation in which the eyes are not coincident with each other is unnatural, and there is also a state in which the excitement of the conversation is lacking.

[0004] Such a technique of matching the lines of sight is, for example, a technique using a half mirror (Japanese Patent No. 260181).
No. 8), which performs time division driving (Japanese Patent No. 2645076)
JP-A-6-217298, JP-A-6-269
No. 002), those using holography (JP-A-5-328336, JP-A-8-30520), and those forming an image pickup unit on a display unit (JP-A-5-305).
-14880, JP-A-9-186312)
Etc.

[0005]

The method using a half mirror occupies a large volume in the case of a portable videophone and the like, and the amount of light incident on the image pickup unit is reduced to half by the half mirror. This is not a preferred mode for both the unit and the display unit. Further, the display quality is degraded because the display section is not present on the outermost surface. Further, although the method of performing the time-division driving is smart, it is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 26450.
The time-sharing mirror in No. 76 is not suitable as a practical solution.

Although the use of the liquid crystal display device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-217298 is practical, it lacks the speciality of a portable videophone and the consideration of a color display device. That is, there are problems in measures for reducing the size, thickness, and consumption of the device, and specific methods for handling color images.

Further, in the embodiment described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-217298, a backlight is used for the LCD, but there is a possibility that light from this backlight may enter the image pickup unit. In addition, display devices used in portable devices are mainly reflective display devices with low power consumption,
Such a backlight is not usually used. Further, the apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-269002 uses a projector, and thus has difficulty in reducing the thickness.

In the case of using holography, it is difficult to handle a clear color image, and an example in which an image pickup section is formed on a display device is a new method for forming a human image on the display device. This method is not suitable for a portable telephone because it requires a special optical system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and has a display unit having a transmission characteristic, and an image of an operator is taken by light passing through the display unit, so that the line-of-sight between persons during a call can be obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a videophone device and a control method in the videophone device, which are made to match each other.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a video telephone according to the present invention has the following arrangement. That is, a display unit having transmission characteristics, and an imaging unit that captures an image passing through the display unit, and a reference position of an image captured by the imaging unit and a reference position of an image displayed on the display unit Are configured to substantially coincide with each other.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, a control method in a videophone device according to the present invention includes the following steps. That is, a control method for a videophone device including a display unit having a transmission characteristic and an imaging unit that captures an image passing through the display unit, wherein the transmission characteristic is controlled by supplying predetermined data to the display unit. And a step of capturing an image passing through the display unit by the imaging unit in response to the controlled transmission characteristic.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image pickup unit and a display unit of a videophone device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a TN reflection type liquid crystal display (LCD) having a display screen size of 32 mm.
× 24 mm and the number of display pixels is 320 × 240 = 7
6,800 pixels are 100 μm square.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the LCD 11.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a TFT substrate having a thickness of 0.7 mm. A TFT (not shown) and a reflective electrode 22 made of Al and having a size of 98 μm × 90 μm and a thickness of 1 μm are formed on a glass substrate. . Reference numeral 24 denotes a TN type liquid crystal portion having a thickness of 2 μm, which is homogeneously aligned. Reference numeral 26 denotes a counter substrate on which a transparent ITO counter electrode 25 is formed. A polarizing plate 27 is provided on the surface side of the counter substrate 26.
Is affixed, and TN reflection display is possible as a whole. A linear 100 μ without the reflective electrode 22
Since no voltage is applied to the space 23 of mx10 μm, the transmittance is constant without change regardless of display. Further, in the reflective display portion where the transmittance is changed by the applied voltage, light transmission is prevented by the Al electrode 22 having a thickness of 1 μm.

Returning to FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a reflection mirror, which has a function of bending the optical path by 90 °. 13 is light collection,
It is a convex lens for image formation, and forms an optical system together with the mirror 12. 14 is 1/6 (inch) diameter, 320 pixels
× 240 = 76,800 CCD imaging units. The optical correspondence between the imaging unit 14 and the display unit 11 is such that the imaging unit 14 is arranged at a position about 10 mm from above the display unit 11. About 1/10 of the light amount incident on the display unit 11 is incident on the imaging unit 14. Reference numeral 15 denotes an example of an image to be displayed. When a bust of a communication partner is captured, the position of the eye of the partner is exactly at the position corresponding to the imaging unit 14. Reference numeral 16 denotes an optical axis of the imaging unit 14, and the optical axis 1
Positioning the line of sight of both callers in the vicinity of 4 allows a stable and secure conversation to be established. 17 is the imaging unit 1
4 is an image output terminal, which is connected to the transmission unit 103 (FIG. 3). Reference numeral 18 denotes an image input terminal of the display unit 11,
An image signal is sent from the demodulator 114 (FIG. 3).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the videophone device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 101 denotes a microphone, and 14 denotes the above-described imaging unit, which transmits audio and image information to the transmission unit 10 respectively.
Send to 3. A carrier is input to the transmitting unit 103 from the synthesizer 105, and the carrier is modulated by the input audio and image information. The modulated carrier wave is radiated from the antenna 107 through the duplexer 106 to the other party of the call. 104 and 112 are oscillators.

Further, voice and image information from the other party are incident on an antenna 107 while riding on a carrier wave, separated by a duplexer 106, and separated by an amplifier 108,
The signal is input to a demodulator 114 through a mixer 113, mixers 111 and 111, and separated from a carrier. From the demodulator 114, audio information is output to the speaker 115, and image information is output to the display unit 11.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the display is thin and the display is good, and it is possible to make a call while the eyes of the people who are talking are in agreement. It should be noted that the display device according to the present embodiment is not limited to the reflection type LCD, but only needs to have transmission characteristics which are not affected by the display image. Similarly, the imaging unit 14 is a sensor other than the CCD, for example, a CMOS excellent in low power consumption.
It may be a sensor or the like. In the optical system shown in FIG. 1, other members capable of bending light, such as an optical fiber and a concave mirror, may be used instead of the reflection mirror 12.

[Embodiment 2] The pixel arrangement of the LCD display section 11 used in the videophone device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, reference numerals 31, 32, and 33 denote R, G, and B pixels, respectively, and a reflective electrode 22 is formed on a TFT substrate, so that color display is possible. Reference numeral 34 denotes a W pixel, on which the reflective electrode 22 is not formed,
The LCD is a light transmitting portion.

According to the second embodiment, the LCD display unit 1
Since 1/4 of the amount of light incident on 1 is transmitted through the imaging unit 14, a brighter pixel can be taken.

Further, if a liquid crystal mode in which a polarizing plate (for example, 27 in FIG. 2) is not used in the LCD display unit 11, for example, a guest-host type or a DS (dynamic scattering) type is adopted, the brightness becomes even brighter.

The arrangement of the pixels used in the second embodiment, that is, the arrangement of the color filters is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, but may have any other shape. In short, what is necessary is just to include a substantially transparent transmission pixel which does not perform display.

[Third Embodiment] Next, the relationship between the display position control circuit and the LCD display unit 11 of the videophone device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The display position control circuit detects the center of gravity of a human image included in an image to be received and displayed on the display unit 11, and optimally positions the human image on the screen of the display unit 11. Things.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 41 denotes a terminal connected to the demodulator 114. The bus 42 has a memory 43 and a DS
A P (Digital Signal Processor) 44 is connected, and the memory 43 and the DSP 44 are used in the third embodiment.
Is formed.

FIG. 6 shows a DSP 44 according to the third embodiment.
Is a flowchart showing a process according to the first embodiment.

First, in step S1, the image signal demodulated by the demodulator 114 is stored in the memory 43. Next, the process proceeds to step S2, where the LCD 11 stored in the memory 43
Is binarized, and in step S3, contours of the face, neck, chest, etc. are extracted. Next, the process proceeds to step S4, in which the closed area closed by the outline is painted out, and in step S5, the center of gravity of the bust represented by the outline is detected. Then, the process proceeds to step S6, and the painted bust is translated (translation operation) so that the center of gravity is at a predetermined position. Next, the process proceeds to step S7, in which the filled and parallel-transformed bust image is compared with a prepared bust image mask serving as a reference, and matching between these two patterns is checked. If the patterns do not match, the process proceeds to step S8, in which the filled bust is enlarged or reduced, or moved in parallel in the y direction (vertical direction of the human body), and the process proceeds to step S7, where pattern matching is performed again. I do. The processing steps 51 so far correspond to a received image recognizing unit. However, in the third embodiment, the bust image of the human image is recognized.

On the other hand, if these two patterns coincide with each other in step S7, the flow advances to step S9, and the parallel movement of the bust in step S6 is restored. Next, in step S10, if the original image has been enlarged or reduced, the original image is enlarged or reduced in order to restore the original magnification, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S11, and the image data is output to the LCD 11 for display. .

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the bust image of the called party is displayed on the display unit 11 in a predetermined size and position, so that it is possible to quickly match the eyes. Obtainable.

In the third embodiment, the bust is detected. However, a face, eyes, or other facial structures may be used. In short, it is only necessary to bring the eye of the other party of the call to a predetermined position (a position corresponding to the imaging unit).

[Embodiment 4] FIG. 7 is a block diagram mainly showing an image pickup display unit in a videophone apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Portions common to FIG. Description is omitted.

In FIG. 7, a CCD type image pickup unit 14 is a CCD type image pickup unit having no color filter capable of picking up a moving image, and constantly outputs a moving image. Reference numeral 65 denotes a switch for switching the image pickup display mode, and reference numeral 66 denotes a control circuit thereof. Reference numeral 69 denotes a pattern generation unit which is used to generate a solid pattern, pass an image of the operator, and send the image to the imaging unit 14.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart illustrating the switching timing of the display mode according to the fourth embodiment.

In the figure, 7 in the frame period (1 second)
At 00 ms (T1), the switch 65 is connected as shown in FIG. Accordingly, an image signal is input to the display unit 11 from the image input terminal 18 connected to the demodulator 114. As a result, the other party is displayed on the display unit 11. The remaining 300 ms of this one frame period (T
2) is a period during which the imaging unit 14 performs imaging. At this time, the switch 65 is connected to the left side, and the imaging unit 14 and the terminal 17 are connected. Each of R, G, B
A uniform solid pattern for the pixels is supplied to the display unit 11 through the switch 65. As a result, the image of the operator that has passed through the display unit 11 is input to the imaging unit 14.

In other words, the first 10 divided into approximately three equal periods T2
At 0 ms, all the R pixels of the display unit 11 are in a transmissive state by the pattern data from the pattern generation unit 69, and all G,
The B pixel becomes non-transparent. As a result, only the red light can pass through the display unit 11. During this period, the imaging unit 14 transmits the image captured in red to the transmission unit 103 through the output terminal 17.
To supply.

Similarly, in the next 100 ms, all the G pixels of the display unit 11 are in a transmissive state and all the R and B pixels are in a non-transmissive state by the data from the pattern generating unit 69. A green light image is captured, and the captured image signal is supplied to the transmission unit 103. A similar operation is repeated for all B pixels. Thus, the imaging unit 14 transmits the R, G, B image data to the transmission unit 1
03 sequentially. The transmitted image data of each color is converted into a predetermined format and transmitted.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, no special work is required for the display unit 11 and the imaging unit 14, and no color filter is required in the imaging unit 14. Therefore, an inexpensive LCD and an imaging unit can be used. Further, as a result of removing the color filter from the imaging unit 14, a bright image can be obtained.

Further, according to the data output from the pattern generating section 69, the transmitted pixels are not R, G, B, but
By using a combination (complementary color) of a plurality of colors (R, G), (R, B), and (B, G), the amount of light incident on the imaging unit 14 increases, so that a brighter image is obtained. be able to.

[Embodiment 5] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image pickup section and a display section of a videophone apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. And description thereof is omitted.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 90 denotes an optical shutter, which can switch between transmission and non-transmission of light in units of m seconds.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining the switching timing of the imaging display mode according to the fifth embodiment.

In FIG. 10, the display unit 11 repeats the display for 90 ms for 10 times during one frame period (1 second). A period T4 of 10 ms between the display periods T3
Is a period during which imaging is performed by the imaging unit 14, and the transmission state of all pixels of 10 ms × 10 times is formed by pattern data from the pattern generation unit 69. Reference numeral 14 denotes a CCD type imaging unit having a color filter.
4, the imaging light is incident.

According to the fifth embodiment, the display on the display section 11 is smooth, and a good display with no noticeable flicker and a bright image can be taken.

The display unit (LC) used in the fifth embodiment
D) 11 requires high-speed driving in units of milliseconds, and therefore, for example, a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLCD) or an antiferroelectric liquid crystal (AF)
It is desirable to use a display such as an LCD.

Also, as in the third embodiment, R,
By creating the G and B transmission states, the color filters of the imaging unit 14 can be omitted.

In the fifth embodiment, a high-speed optical shutter is used.
The optical shutter can be omitted.

[Embodiment 6] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an equivalent circuit of a pixel of a CMOS sensor type image pickup unit used in a videophone device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 211 denotes a photodiode, which outputs an optical signal charge, which is an optical signal accumulated in the photodiode 211 by a transfer switch 212, a pixel amplifier 213, and a row selection switch 214, to a vertical signal line 215. . 216 is a pixel reset switch for applying a potential to the photodiode 211, 217 is a signal line for controlling the transfer switch 212, 218 is a signal line for controlling the row selection switch 214, and 219 is a pixel line for controlling the pixel amplifier 213. Control signal lines for
0 is a signal line for controlling the switch 216.

Also in the sixth embodiment, the display unit 11
In the display period in which an image is displayed on the image sensor and inappropriate light enters the image pickup unit 14, the pixel signal in the CMOS sensor type image pickup unit is in a reset state.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing switching of the image pickup display mode of the pixel according to the sixth embodiment and operation timing corresponding thereto.

During a 1-second frame period, a display period (T5) of 90 ms and an imaging period (T6) of 10 ms are each 10 seconds.
There exist times. The pixel reset switch 216 connected to the photodiode 211 is open during 92 ms (T7), which is equal to or longer than the display period (T5). As a result, the photodiode 211 is connected to the positive power supply, and the pixel is reset. As a result, the photoelectric charges generated by the incident light can be quickly transferred to the photodiode 2.
11 is removed.

During 7 ms (T8) of the imaging period (T6), the two switches 212 and 216 connected to the photodiode 211 are both in a closed state, and the photoelectric charge is accumulated in the photodiode 211. In a state of Thereafter, the switch 216 is opened for 5 μsec (T9),
The photocharge accumulated in the photodiode 211 is supplied to the gate electrode of the pixel amplifier 213. As a result, the photocharge accumulated in the photodiode 211 becomes empty.

The photocharges supplied to the gate electrode of the pixel amplifier 213 are totaled during a total of 10 imaging periods, and read out from the vertical line 215 collectively. Therefore, the total exposure time is about 70 ms. This is a sufficiently long time, and a satisfactory image can be obtained even under weak illumination such as a night view.

Incidentally, the image pickup section used in the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 11, and an electronic shutter for removing light unsuitable for image pickup during the display period is used. Any sensor may be provided.

It is also effective to use a combination LCD with reflection and transmission for the display device of the videophone device according to the present embodiment. At this time, it is conceivable to use a backlight for the transmissive display. However, if the backlight is used carelessly, light from the backlight enters the imaging unit 14 and causes noise.

[Seventh Embodiment] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an image pickup unit and a display unit of a videophone device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. I have.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 11 denotes a reflection or transmission type L
It is a CD, and uses a backlight 240 during transmissive display. A light guide plate 241 guides light of the backlight 240 including the LED to the display unit (LCD) 11. The backlight 240 can be turned on and off at a high speed, and when the imaging unit 14 is performing imaging (imaging period), the backlight 240 is turned off to prevent light from entering. 2
Reference numeral 42 denotes a switch for controlling on / off of the backlight 240, and the switching is controlled by the control circuit 236. The switch 235 is switched to the pattern generating section 69 during the imaging by the imaging section 14 under the control of the control circuit 236, and predetermined pattern data is supplied to the display section 11.

According to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to provide a videophone device that is closer to the actual shape.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), a device including one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc.) ) May be applied.

Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or a computer) of the system or the apparatus. This is also achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. When the computer executes the readout program codes, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program codes. This also includes a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. , The CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
The case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a line-of-sight matching technique indispensable to a portable videophone device at a low cost in a highly feasible form.

It is also possible to detect the position of the eyes of the displayed person and apply an approximation operation or the like to the bust by the above-described display position control circuit to bring the position of the eyes to a position corresponding to the imaging unit. . As a result, the conversation can be started immediately without being affected by hand shake or the like.

There are roughly two methods for setting the image pickup period of the image pickup unit. One is continuous image pickup similar to a normal image pickup unit, and the other is time-division. In the former case, the transmission characteristics of the display unit must not be affected by the display characteristics. Therefore, a transmission hole is controlled by providing a small hole or a transparent portion in a portion of the display unit where no image is displayed.

In the latter case, it is only necessary that the pixel arrangement of the display section is substantially transparent, and it is not necessary to provide a special area. In this case, the imaging unit performs imaging in synchronization with the moment when uniform display is artificially applied to a part of the pixel array.
When a color filter is attached to the display unit, the imaging unit can perform imaging for each color in addition to imaging all colors simultaneously. That is, an image of a specific color can be detected by setting a specific color or a combination of colors to a transmissive state and setting the other colors to a non-transmissive state. Thereby, the color filter in the imaging unit can be omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the amount of light incident on the image pickup unit is reduced by small holes or transparent portions in the display unit, color filters, and time division driving. Is low, the image is transmitted only once every few seconds, and the exposure time of the imaging unit can be sufficiently obtained.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention, the display section has transmission characteristics, and the operator is imaged by light passing through the display section, so that the lines of sight of the persons who are talking can be seen. Can be matched.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a display unit and an imaging unit of a portable videophone device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a liquid crystal display unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable videophone device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a pixel arrangement in a display unit of a portable videophone device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display unit of a portable videophone device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing by a DSP according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a display unit and an imaging unit of a portable videophone device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining operations of a display unit and an imaging unit according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining a display unit and an imaging unit of a portable videophone device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart for explaining operations of a display unit and an imaging unit according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a transmission circuit of a pixel of a CMOS sensor type imaging unit used in a videophone device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart for explaining operations of a display unit and an imaging unit according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining an imaging unit and a display unit of a videophone device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

Claims (14)

[Claims] A display unit having a transmission characteristic; and an image pickup unit for picking up an image passing through the display unit, wherein a reference position of the image picked up by the image pickup unit and an image displayed on the display unit are provided. A videophone device characterized in that the videophone device is configured to substantially match the reference position of the videophone. 2. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein the reference position is a line of sight of a face. 3. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission characteristic is realized by a transparent portion or a small hole provided corresponding to each pixel position of the display unit. 4. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission characteristic is realized by controlling the number of transparent pixels provided in a pixel array of the display unit. 5. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a liquid crystal display unit. 6. The videophone device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit includes a CMOS sensor. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for associating an area where a face of a partner included in a received image is displayed on the display unit with an imaging area of the imaging unit. The videophone device according to the item. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling transmission characteristics in the display unit, wherein the imaging unit performs imaging in synchronization with control of the transmission characteristics by the control means. Video phone equipment. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the transmission characteristic of the display unit a plurality of times during one frame period of the image, and performs imaging by the imaging unit during a period in which the transmission characteristic is enhanced. The videophone device according to claim 8. 10. A control method for a videophone device having a display unit having a transmission characteristic and an image pickup unit for picking up an image passing through the display unit, wherein a predetermined data is supplied to the display unit and the transmission is performed. A control method for a videophone device, comprising: controlling a characteristic; and capturing an image passing through the display unit by the imaging unit in response to the controlled transmission characteristic. 11. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: a step of obtaining a human image in the image displayed on the display unit; and a step of matching a reference position included in the human image with an imaging position of the imaging unit. The control method in the videophone device according to claim 10. 12. The control method according to claim 10, wherein, in the step of controlling the transmission characteristics, control is performed such that only light of a predetermined color passes through the display unit. 13. The control method according to claim 10, further comprising a step of controlling light incident on the imaging unit in response to the control of the transmission characteristic. 14. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the control method in the videophone device according to claim 10. Description: