PURPOSE: To generate and print a pattern by automatically deciding a type of a code even if a code system of code data to be received is not designated.

CONSTITUTION: When receiving code data from a host computer 101, a work memory 106 temporarily stores the received data. Then, the stored data is output, and data peculiar for a special code system is searched. In the case of a code system which can be handled, data peculiar for the code system is previously stored. If the peculiar code is discovered in the received data, a system for controlling the received data is decided. The received code data is converted into an internal code based on the decision, a pattern is further generated from font data, and output.