Image communication system and method utilizing self-portrait and partner display windows

Abstract

An image communication system can transmit and receive an image via a communication line. The system supplies a self-portrait image from a self-portrait photographing unit and a partner image from a partner photographing unit and displays the self-portrait image on a self-portrait display window and the partner image on a partner display window on the same screen. The system discriminates whether a designated point exists in the self-portrait display window or the partner display window. If the designated point exists in the self-portrait window, self-portrait photographing unit control information is calculated by a self-portrait calculating method and if the designated point exists in the partner display window, partner photographing unit control information is calculated by a partner calculating method. If the designated point exists in the self-portrait window, the self-portrait photographing unit is controlled so as to move a part of an image at the designated point to a center of the self-portrait display window, whereas if the designated point exists in the partner display window, the partner photographing unit is controlled so as to move a part of an image at the designated point to a center of the partner display window.