PURPOSE: To send image data to a host computer without use of an exclusive software by coding image data and adding a command of a standard communication protocol to the data and sending the data as a facsimile signal.

CONSTITUTION: Image data from an image scanner 14 in the case of facsimile transmission are compression-coded by a processing section 16 and a command of a communication protocol in compliance with the CCITT recommendations is added to the coded data and the resulting data are sent to a line via a modem 18 and a signal management section 19. The coded image data received from the line via the management section 19 and the modem 18 in the facsimile reception are decoded by a processing section 167 and printed out onto recording paper by a printer 15. Furthermore, the coded image data received by the facsimile equipment depending on the setting are transferred to a host computer via an interface section 20 while the command of the communication protocol of the EIA class 1 standards are added to the data. Moreover, the picture data from the scanner 14 are sent to the printer 15 as they are in the copying state.