JPH06261167A - Portable device for image communication and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To display the thinned reduction image of a transmission image on a small liquid crystal display to display information provided at a portable device for image communication. CONSTITUTION:When compression image data recorded on a memory card 1 is transmitted, the compression image data is read. and it is data-extended by a compression/extension circuit 25, and is stored in extension image memory 27. The image data is thinned and read out from the extension image memory 27 by an extension image controller 26, and is binalized by a CPU 21. Luminance data can be obtained by binarization, and thinned luminance data is supplied to a liquid crystal display 20, then, a thinned image is displayed. The image of the image data to be transmitted is confirmed on the liquid crystal display 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable device for image communication and its control method.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART An image communication device is a device that transmits and receives image data through a line. In recent years, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
) Is becoming popular. ISDN has the features that it can perform high-quality communication such as resistance to noise and crosstalk, has a strong affinity with computers, and facilitates communication processing. Therefore, not only voice but also various data including image data can be communicated. Can be used for.

When image data is transmitted using an image communication device, generally the image represented by the image data to be transmitted is confirmed. When confirming the image,
A monitor display device is connected to the video signal output terminal of the image communication device to display an image. There is also an image communication device that has a built-in monitor display device for image display. In such an image communication device, an image is displayed on the built-in monitor display device.

When a monitor display device is connected to the video signal output terminal of the image communication device to confirm the image, the image cannot be confirmed only by the image communication device, which is inconvenient especially for a portable type which can be carried. .

In a stationary image communication device having a built-in monitor display device for displaying an image and displaying the image on the built-in monitor display device to confirm the image, the image display is performed. Since it is a dedicated monitor display device, the size of the image communication device becomes large, the power consumption increases, and the price becomes high, which is not preferable. Moreover, if a stationary monitor display device is connected to the outside, the built-in monitor display device becomes unnecessary.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it possible to relatively easily confirm an image represented by transmitted image data even with a portable image communication device.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to confirm the image represented by the received image data relatively easily.

The portable device for image communication according to the present invention reads the compressed image data from the recording medium on which the compressed image data is recorded and expands the data, and the image data expanded by the data expanding unit, Image reducing means for converting into image data representing a reduced image,
A display device for switching and displaying a reduced image represented by reduced image data obtained from the image reducing means and information relating to communication operation, selecting means for selecting image data of an image to be transmitted, selection to the selecting means. Control means for operating the image reducing means in response to the input of data to control to display the reduced image of the image selected by the selecting means on the display device, and the image selected by the selecting means. The image data transmitting means for transmitting the image data representing

Further, according to the present invention, a display device capable of switching and displaying a reduced image and information relating to communication operation is provided on a portable device for image communication, and an image represented by compressed image data recorded on a recording medium is displayed. Of these, the compressed image data of the image to be transmitted is selected, the selected compressed image data is decompressed, the decompressed image data is converted to reduced image data representing a reduced image, and the display device is switched to the reduced image data. The reduced image represented by is displayed on the display device, and the selected compressed image data is transmitted.

In the above, when the selection data is not input by the selection means for a certain time or more, the information data regarding the communication operation is not input for a certain time or more, the telephone number for designating the destination of the call or the image data is input. In this case, when the call data transmitted from the image communication device is received, it is preferable to switch the display on the display device from the reduced image display to the information display related to the communication operation.

According to the present invention, the portable device for image communication is provided with the display device capable of switching and displaying the reduced image and the information regarding the communication operation, and the image represented by the image data transmitted to the display device is displayed. Is displayed.

When displaying the image represented by the image data to be transmitted, it is sufficient if the image can be confirmed or selected.

According to the present invention, a reduced image to the extent that an image can be confirmed or selected is displayed on the display device, and the image represented by the transmitted image data is confirmed.
Since this display device can switch between information display related to communication operation and reduced image display, the display device can be further downsized and power consumption can be reduced. Moreover, since the image represented by the image data to be transmitted can be confirmed or selected without connecting a monitor display device to the outside, it is highly portable.

The portable device for image communication of the present invention receives the compressed image data transmitted by the receiving means, the recording means recording the compressed image data received by the receiving means on a recording medium, and the receiving means. Data decompression means for decompressing compressed image data, image reduction means for converting the image data decompressed by the data decompression means into image data representing a reduced image, and reduced image data obtained from the image reduction means A display device for switching and displaying a reduced image and information relating to communication operation represented by the above, and the image reducing means is operated in response to reception of the compressed image data by the receiving means, and is represented by the received compressed image data. The reduced image of the image is displayed on the display device, and the received compressed image data is used by the recording means. Characterized in that it comprises a control means for recording on a recording medium Te.

Further, according to the present invention, a display device capable of switching and displaying a reduced image and information regarding communication operation is provided on a portable device for image communication, receives compressed image data to be transmitted, and receives the compressed image. Characterized by decompressing data, converting the decompressed image data into image data representing a reduced image, switching the display of the display device to display the reduced image, and recording the received compressed image data in a recording medium. And

Also in the present invention, the portable device for image communication is provided with the display device capable of switching and displaying the reduced image and the information on the communication operation, and the image represented by the image data received by the display device is displayed. Is displayed.
When displaying the image represented by the received image data, it is sufficient if the image can be confirmed.

According to the present invention, a reduced image to the extent that the image can be confirmed is displayed on the display device, and the image represented by the received image data is confirmed. Since this display device can switch between information display related to communication operation and reduced image display, the display device can be further downsized and power consumption can be reduced. Moreover, the image represented by the received image data can be confirmed without connecting a monitor display device to the outside, which is highly portable.

In the above, the reduced image displayed on the display device may be a black-and-white image represented by the luminance data. In this case, a simpler reduced image display is possible.

The reduced image may be a thinned image obtained by thinning image data at a predetermined thinning rate, or may be an averaged image obtained by averaging the data.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an image communication device for transmitting image data using an ISDN line will be described in detail below.

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the image communication apparatus.
The image communication device is composed of a stationary device 30 and a portable device (portable device for image communication) 10 which is detachably connected to the stationary device 30. Figure 1
Shows a state in which the portable device 10 is separated from the stationary device 30. The portable device 10 has a basic function for image communication, and the stationary device 30 has an extended function.

On the upper surface of the portable device 10, a key group 18 and a liquid crystal display 20 for displaying simple information such as thinned-out images (reduced images) and telephone numbers are provided.

The key group 18 includes ten keys 11 for dialing, function keys 12, an image key 13 that is pressed when transmitting image data, a call key 14 that is pressed when talking, and an image to be transmitted. A selection key 15 for presetting and selecting when there are data for a plurality of images, a forward key 16 for sequentially advancing images frame by frame, and a reverse key 17 for reversing images one frame at a time are included.

The liquid crystal display 20 is capable of displaying images and information. In the image display mode in which an image is displayed as shown in FIG. 3A, an image display section 20A and an image information display section 20B appear on the display portion of the liquid crystal display 20. The image display unit 20A displays a thinned image represented by the thinned image data obtained by thinning out the image data to be transmitted at a predetermined thinning rate, and the image information display unit 20B displays the thinned image of the image displayed on the image display unit 20A. Information (title, frame number, frame number of selected image when performing preset transmission, etc.) is displayed. In FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display 20 is in the image display mode. Figure 3
In the information display mode, as shown in (B), the liquid crystal display
The display portion of 20 becomes an information display portion 20C, and information about communication operation such as telephone number and time is displayed.

On the lower surface of the portable device 10, there is provided a connector 5 which is connected to the connector 41 of the stationary device 30 when coupled to the stationary device 30. The connector 5 is not shown in FIG.

A slot 2 for inserting the memory card 1 is formed on the rear surface of the portable device 10. The memory card 1 has a built-in semiconductor memory, and image data is stored in this semiconductor memory. The memory card 1 can be attached to a digital electronic still camera, and data representing a still image captured by the camera is stored in the memory card 1 in a data compressed form. If necessary, the memory card 1 may store the telephone number of the communication device of the communication destination. This enables automatic dialing.

A headset 6 for talking is further connected to the portable device 10. The handset to the stationary device 30
Since there is 48, it is not always necessary to connect the headset 6 to the portable device 10.

The stationary device 30 has a portion 30A protruding upward on the left side portion of the upper surface thereof, and the handset 48 is provided on the protruding portion 30A. The upper surface of the stationary device 30 has a protrusion 30.
The portions other than A are formed flat, and the connector 41 is provided at the substantially central portion of the flat portion 30B.

The portable device 10 is placed on the flat portion 30B and
The connector 41 of 30 and the connector 5 of the portable device 10 are coupled.

The portable device 30 has a mouse 34 for extended functions.
However, the monitor display devices 32 are respectively connected by the video signal output terminals. Further, an AC outlet plug 42 for supplying power is connected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of the image communication apparatus.

The portable device 10 is a CPU that controls the entire operation.
21, a peripheral portion 22 for assisting the processing execution of the CPU 21 (ROM that stores an execution program, constant data and the like in advance, RA that stores various data such as image data and input data)
M, including a timer for time management), a memory card interface 19 for recording image data on the memory card 1 or reading image data recorded on the memory card 1, the above-mentioned key group 18, Compressed image controller for controlling data-compressed compressed image data
23, a compressed image memory 24 for temporarily storing compressed image data, an image data compression / expansion circuit 25 for performing a process of compressing the image data and a process of expanding the compressed image data, and a compressed image data Decompressed image controller that controls and thins image data at a predetermined thinning rate
26, a decompressed image memory 27 for temporarily storing decompressed image data and a communication control unit 28 for connecting an ISDN line, which are mutually connected by a bus.

Further, the CPU 21 outputs the expanded image data to 2
The data is binarized and the color image data is converted to data for monochrome images as luminance data.

The portable device 10 is also provided with a codec 29 for making a call using the headset 6 using the ISDN line.

The portable device 10 is further supplied from the battery 3 and the supply power of the battery 3 and the stationary device 30 for supplying operating power to the above-mentioned respective parts when the portable device 10 is used alone. A power supply switching circuit 4 for switching between the power supply and the power supply is provided.

When the portable device 10 is connected to the stationary device 30, the power supplied from the stationary device 30 is supplied to each part of the portable device 10 by switching by the power source switching circuit 4.

The stationary device 30 includes a mouse interface 33 for a mouse 34, a cursor generation unit 35 for displaying a cursor on an image, and an on-screen character unit 36 for displaying a character on the image. These are bus-connected to each other.

The stationary device 30 also receives the image data provided from the portable device 10 and the cursor output from the cursor generator 35.
Mixing circuit 37 for mixing data and character data output from on-screen character section 36, digital / analog conversion circuit 38 for converting digital data into an analog signal, and converting the analog signal into a video signal of a predetermined format It is provided with an encoder 39 for outputting the output. The video signal output from the encoder 39 is provided to the monitor display device 32.

The stationary device 30 further includes a DC power supply circuit 43. The stationary device 30 is supplied with a commercial AC 100 V power source by an outlet plug 42. The power supply circuit 43 converts this commercial power supply into a DC power supply of an appropriate voltage and supplies it to the above-mentioned respective parts, and when the portable device 10 is coupled to the stationary device 30, the portable device 10 is connected via the connectors 5 and 41. Supply to.

The connectors 5 and 41 mutually connect the bus and power supply line of the portable device 10 and the bus and power supply line of the stationary device 30.

The portable device 10 can be used alone.
In this case, as described above, the battery 3 to the portable device 10
The operating power is supplied to each part of the.

4 and 5 show the overall operation procedure of the image communication apparatus.

The image communication device is in communication with the headset 6 or the handset 48, is communicating image data, or has keys.
Except when there is 18 push down, it is in idling state,
A timer included in the peripheral portion 24 keeps time.

When any one of the keys in the key group 18 is pressed (YES in step 51 in FIG. 4), the timer is once cleared and time counting is started again (step 52 in FIG. 4).

When transmitting the image data recorded in the memory card 1, it is necessary to confirm the image, and the forward key 16 or the backward key 17 is pressed to search for the image represented by the image data to be transmitted. For this reason, it is determined whether or not the key depression is the forward feed key 16 or the reverse feed key 17 (step 52 in FIG. 4). When the forward key 16 or the reverse key 17 is pressed (Fig. 4, step 53)
YES), the content of the image represented by the image data recorded in the memory card 1 is confirmed by the liquid crystal display 20. Therefore, when the image display mode is not set, the image display mode is set (see FIG. 4 step).
54, 55). LCD display by switching to image display mode
In the display area of 20, as shown in FIG.
And the image information display section 20B appear.

When the forward key 16 is pressed (step 56 in FIG. 4), the frame number is incremented (step 57 in FIG. 4). The initial value of the frame number is 1, and the frame number is 2 in the initial state. When the reverse feed key 17 is pressed (step 58 in FIG. 4), the frame number is decremented (step 59 in FIG. 4). In the initial state, the piece number is 1,
At this time, when the frame number is decremented, it becomes the maximum frame number that can be recorded on the memory card 1. For example, if the maximum number of frames recorded on the memory card 1 is 25, the frame number will be 25 by decrementing in the initial state, and the maximum number of frames recorded on the memory card 1 will be 50.
Then the piece number will be 50. When the frame number is the maximum number of frames and incremented by pressing the forward key 16 (step 57 in FIG. 4), the frame number becomes the minimum number (= 1).

In any case, when the frame number recorded in the memory card 1 is designated by the forward key 16 or the backward key 17, the compressed image data of the designated frame number is passed through the memory card interface 19. Read from the memory card 1. The read compressed image data is temporarily stored in the compressed image memory 24 by the compressed image controller 23 and expanded by the compression / expansion circuit 25. The decompressed image data is stored in the decompressed image memory 27 via the decompressed image controller 26. This image data is thinned out and read out from the expanded image memory 27 by the expanded image controller 26 at a predetermined thinning rate. The read out thinned-out image data is binarized based on the luminance data under the control of the CPU 23 and is given to the liquid crystal display 20. As a result, a thinned image corresponding to the image of the frame number designated by the forward key 16 or the reverse key 17 is displayed on the image display section 20A of the liquid crystal display 20 (FIG. 4).
Step 60). By looking at the image display unit 20A, the image represented by the image data to be transmitted can be confirmed.

Further, the image of the frame number 1 may be displayed on the image display unit 20A as an initial image when the memory card 1 is attached to the image communication apparatus.

The image communication device shown in FIG. 1 can also transmit image data representing images of a plurality of frames. In this case, the selection key 14 is pressed after the frame number is specified by the forward key 16 or the reverse key 17 (step 6 in FIG. 4).
1). When the selection key 15 is pressed, the designated frame number is stored in the RAM, and the frame number is displayed on the image information display section 20B (step 62 in FIG. 4).

Even when the image display mode is entered, no key is input and a certain period of time elapses (step 6 in FIG. 4).
4), the information display mode is changed to that shown in FIG. 3B, and information such as time is displayed (steps 65 and 66 in FIG. 4).

If there is a key input from the ten keys 11 (step 63 in FIG. 4), the mode is changed to the information display mode (steps 67 and 68 in FIG. 5). The telephone number of the other party input by the ten keys 11 is stored in the number storage area included in the RAM (step 69 in FIG. 5). By changing to the information display mode, as shown in Fig. 3 (B),
The telephone number entered by the key 11 is displayed on the information display section 20C. This allows you to check the entered phone number.

If there is no key input within a certain time after the input with the ten keys 11, the image communication apparatus returns to the idling state again (steps 70 and 71 in FIG. 5). If there is a key input within a fixed time after the input with the ten keys 11, the timer is cleared and the time counting operation is started again (step 72 in FIG. 5).

If the key input is the numeric keypad 11 or the function key 12, it is determined that the telephone number has been input again, and the input telephone number is stored again in the number storage area of the RAM (FIG. 5). Steps 73, 69).

When the telephone key 14 is pressed, it is determined that the ten key 11 has been pressed for communication (step 74 in FIG. 5), and the image communication device having the telephone number stored in the number storage area is called. (FIG. 5, step 80). If communication is not being performed using the image communication device having the telephone number, the image communication device and I
The SDN line is connected and communication becomes possible (step 81 in FIG. 5). The operator of the device talks using the handset 6 or 48.

When the image key 13 is pressed, it is judged that the ten key 11 has been pressed to transmit the image data (step 75 in FIG. 5), and the image communication measure of the telephone number stored in the number storage area is issued. It is called (step 76 in FIG. 5). If the image communication device of that telephone number is not transmitting or receiving image data, the image communication device of the other party is connected to the ISDN line. When it is set to send the data of a plurality of images at the time of sending the image data (YES in step 61 of FIG. 4), the data of the images of all the set frame numbers are sent ( 5 Step 77: YES, 7
9). When the transmission of the data of a plurality of images is not set (NO in step 61 of FIG. 4), the image data representing the image of the frame number currently displayed on the liquid crystal display 20 is transmitted (step 78 of FIG. 5). ).

The image communication apparatus using the ISDN line can transmit and receive image data even during communication, and image data can be transmitted even when the other party of image data is communicating. The image data can be transmitted even while the image data is being communicated.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when there is a telephone call from the image communication apparatus.

When the data of the telephone call is received from the image communication apparatus, it is judged whether or not the current state is a telephone call or a telephone call (step 91). If a telephone call is being made or a telephone call is being made, the incoming call is rejected without answering the telephone call from the image communication device (step 95). If the telephone call is not being made or the telephone call is not being made (NO in step 91), the incoming call is permitted and the image display mode is changed to the information display mode (steps 92 and 93).

By changing to the information display mode, information such as time is displayed on the liquid crystal display 20. Further, a call is made using the handset 6 or 48 via the communication controller 28 and the codec 29 (step 94).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure when there is an image call which is a request for receiving image data from the image communication apparatus.

When the image call data is received from the image communication apparatus, it is judged whether the current state is the image call call or the image data communication (step 101). Further, it is determined whether or not the memory card 1 is attached to the image communication apparatus and the recording area has an empty area to the extent that the image data transmitted to the attached memory card can be recorded. (Step 102).

During the calling of an image call or during a call, when the memory card 1 is not attached to the image communication apparatus, or when the memory card 1 does not have an empty storage area for recording image data, The incoming call is rejected without answering the image call from the image communication device (step 106).

The memory card 1 is installed in the image communication apparatus and the image data is recorded in the memory card 1 neither during the calling of the image call nor during the communication of the image data (NO in step 101). When there is an empty area to which the call can be made (YES in step 102), the incoming call is permitted and the image display mode is changed to the information display mode (steps 103 and 104).

The compressed image data transmitted by permitting the incoming call is received, and is given to the compression / expansion circuit 25 via the compressed image controller 23 to be expanded. The decompressed image data is given to the mix circuit 37 via the decompressed image controller 26, and is combined with the cursor data output from the cursor generation unit 35 or the character data output from the on-screen character unit 36 if necessary. It The image data is converted into an analog video signal by the digital / analog conversion circuit 32, and converted into a video signal of a predetermined system by the encoder 39. The video signal is given to the monitor display device 32 and is visually displayed (step
105).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure when there is an image call from the image communication apparatus. In FIG. 8, the same processes as those shown in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 8, when the reception of the image data is permitted in response to the image call, the image display mode is set (steps 103 and 111). The transmitted image data is subjected to data expansion by the compression / expansion circuit 25 via the compression controller 23 and stored in the expanded image memory 27 via the expanded image controller 26. The decompressed image data is thinned out by the decompressed image controller 26, read out, and binarized by the CPU 23. This thinned-out data is given to the liquid crystal display 20 to display a thinned-out image. The image of the transmitted image data can be confirmed on the liquid crystal display 20 (step 112).

The expanded image data is read out without being thinned out and displayed on the monitor display device 32 in the same manner as the processing shown in FIG. 7 (step 105).

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image communication device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image communication device.

FIG. 3A shows the display state of the liquid crystal display in the image display mode, and FIG. 3B shows the display state of the liquid crystal display in the information display mode.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of communication control of the image communication apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of communication control of the image communication apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when an incoming telephone call is received.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when an image call is received.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure when an image call is received.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Portable device 20 Liquid crystal display 21 CPU 23 Compressed image controller 24 Compressed image memory 25 Compression / expansion circuit 26 Expanded image controller 27 Expanded image memory

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A data decompression means for reading compressed image data from a recording medium on which compressed image data is recorded and decompressing the compressed image data, and image data representing the reduced image of the image data decompressed by said data decompression means. Image reducing means for converting into a display, a display device for switching and displaying a reduced image represented by reduced image data obtained from the image reducing means and information relating to communication operation, and a selecting means for selecting image data of an image to be transmitted. Controlling means for operating the image reducing means in response to the input of the selection data to the selecting means to display a reduced image of the image selected by the selecting means on the display device; For image communication, comprising image data transmitting means for transmitting image data representing the image selected by the selecting means Band device. 2. The control means controls the display on the display device to switch from the reduced image display to the display of information regarding communication operation when the selection data is not input by the selection means for a predetermined time or more. The portable device for image communication according to claim 1. 3. A reduced image of the display on said display device, further comprising input means for inputting data of information relating to communication operation, wherein said control means reduces the display on said display device when data input by said input means has not been performed for a certain period of time or more. The portable device for image communication according to claim 1, which is controlled so as to switch from display to display of information regarding communication operation. 4. A dial input means for inputting a telephone number for designating a destination of a call or image data, wherein the control means is operable to input the telephone number by the dial input means. The portable device for image communication according to claim 1, wherein the display on the display device is controlled so as to switch from a reduced image display to a display of information related to communication operation. 5. A reduced image of a display on the display device, comprising: receiving means for receiving calling data transmitted from the image communication device, wherein the control means reduces the display on the display device when the calling data is received by the receiving means. The portable device for image communication according to claim 1, which is controlled so as to switch from display to display of information regarding communication operation. 6. Receiving means for receiving the transmitted compressed image data, recording means for recording the compressed image data received by the receiving means on a recording medium, and decompressing the compressed image data received by the receiving means. Data decompression means, image reduction means for converting the image data decompressed by the data decompression means into image data representing a reduced image, reduced image represented by the reduced image data obtained from the image reduction means, and communication operation A display device for switching and displaying information relating to the compressed image data, and operating the image reducing device in response to the reception of the compressed image data by the receiving device to display a reduced image of the image represented by the received compressed image data. So that the received compressed image data is recorded on a recording medium by using the recording means. Control controlling means, the image portable device for communication with a. 7. A reduced image displayed on the display device,
The portable device for image communication according to claim 1 or 6, which is a monochrome image represented by luminance data. 8. An image communication portable device is provided with a display device capable of switching between a reduced image and information relating to communication operation and displaying the image, and transmitting the image represented by the compressed image data recorded on a recording medium. Select the compressed image data of the desired image, decompress the selected compressed image data, convert the decompressed image data to reduced image data representing a reduced image, switch the display device, and display by the reduced image data. A method for controlling a portable device for image communication, which displays a reduced image on the display device and transmits selected compressed image data. 9. The image according to claim 8, wherein when there is no data input for selecting the compressed image data for a certain time or more, the display on the display device is switched from a reduced image display to a display of information related to communication operation. Control method for portable communication device. 10. The portable device for image communication according to claim 8, wherein the display on the display device is switched from a reduced image display to a display of information related to communication operation when data input of information related to communication operation is not performed for a predetermined time or more. Control method. 11. The display on the display device is switched from a reduced image display to a display of information on communication operation when a telephone number for designating a call or a destination of image data is not input for a predetermined time or more. A method for controlling a portable device for image communication as described. 12. The mobile phone for image communication according to claim 8, wherein when the calling data transmitted from the image communication device is received, the display on the display device is switched from a reduced image display to a display of information regarding communication operation. Control method. 13. A portable device for image communication is provided with a display device capable of switching between a reduced image and information related to communication operation and displaying the compressed image data to be transmitted, and the received compressed image data is converted into data. Decompressing, data Converting decompressed image data into image data representing a reduced image, switching the display of the display device to display a reduced image, and recording the received compressed image data in a recording medium. Control method. 14. The method for controlling a portable device for image communication according to claim 8, wherein the reduced image displayed on the display device is a monochrome image represented by luminance data.