Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a communication apparatus which commonly uses a function circuit required both for a voice communication and an image communication so that the number of parts of the apparatus is reduced and the apparatus is realized at a low cost; therefore the communication apparatus 1 using a telephone line according to the invention includes a speech circuit 6 for use in a telephone set, wherein the speech circuit 6 is connected to the telephone line for selectively transmitting and receiving a voice signal and an image signal via the telephone line and responds to an output of an operation panel 7 for instructing a start of transmitting the voice signal and the image signal so that the telephone line L is closed by controlling a circuit control circuit 3 for closing and opening the telephone line thereby separating a modem 11 connected to the circuit control circuit 3 for transmitting and receiving an image signal via the telephone line L upon an instruction being given to start

Abstract: A telephone line interface section, which has a selector switch for selectively connecting two of a facsimile section, a telephone line and an information unit such as a personal computer, is provided. The telephone line interface section is provided with a telephone line monitor which detects an ON/OFF state of a start switch for directing the facsimile section to be operated and detects existence or non-existence of a DC loop current which is a connecting signal at the time when the facsimile section is connected to an external telephone switchboard via the telephone line. The selector switch connects the facsimile section to the information unit based upon the telephone line monitor when the start switch is in the ON state and the connecting signal is not detected. As a result, in the case where the facsimile section is used as a scanner and printer of the information unit, the facsimile section can be simply connected to the information unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus such as a video camera including a pickup tube, a diaphragm mechanism and an electrochromic filter plate which are disposed along the optical path of incident image light on the pickup tube. When an illuminance of an object to be photographed is lower than a predetermined illuminance, only the diaphragm mechanism is used to suitably control an exposure of the pickup tube. However, when the illuminance of the object exceeds the predetermined illuminance level, the diaphragm mechanism is operated to keep its aperture size at a predetermined aperture size which is larger than an original minimum aperture size corresponding to a pinhole state. At the same time, the electrochromic filter plate continuously changes its light transmissivity in response to an aperture control signal, thereby controlling the exposure of the pickup tube.

Abstract: The invention provides a color image pickup device in which image light from a white object to be photographed or image light integrated by a diffusion plate or the like is incident on a pickup tube through an electrochromic element. Two primary color signals are separated from a video signal from the pickup tube, a voltage corresponding to a difference between the two primary color signals is detected by a differential amplifier, and the voltage is then applied across an electrochromic element. A spectral transmittance of which is then controlled, thereby achieving an optimal white balance.