To provide an image information transmission reception system that can communicate a video signal while recognizing privacy of an opposite party.

The system allows a party to forcibly view an image of an opposite party only when no reaction comes from a videophone 22 of the opposite party called by a videophone 21 installed in a kitchen. Furthermore, the system allows the party to communicate with the opposite party in voice and also switches the voice into an image. When the opposite party is in a sleep state, the system forcibly shifts the opposite party to an active state. Thus, even when the party desires to confirm a state of the opposite party by means of a video without fail, the party can make video communication while recognizing the privacy of the opposite party.