JPH01173965A - Teleprinter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically attach a communication text by converting an accumulated communication text to image data, and sending it to an image communication network with inputted picture data. CONSTITUTION:The communication text is accumulated in a code accumulation part 18 by using code data in a code input/output part 30, and next, it is converted to the image data at an image data developing part 52. And the communication text converted to the image data is attached on the front or the rear of a document inputted to an image input/output part 40 at an image transfer control part 60, and is sent to the image information communication network. In such a way, it is possible to use a covering sheet or another communication text accumulated in the code accumulation part 18 repeatedly, and to simplify the generating work of the communication text, etc., and to attach the communication text directly on an original.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a teleprinter having a facsimile function.

(Prior Art) Communication networks for exchanging data and information can be classified according to the nature of the information they transmit, such as telephone networks, code communication networks, and image communication networks.

Here, the encoding communication network is a communication network that encodes and transmits information such as characters, symbols, and numbers. For example, a telex terminal is connected to this code communication network to transmit and receive data.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional telex terminal.

In the figure, communication data is input from the keyboard,
The data is stored in the memory unit 4. Note that the keyboard 1 is controlled by a keyboard control section 2. The data stored in the memory section 4 is sent to the code communication network 1 through the telex transmission control section 7.
sent to 0. At this time, the word processing function using the display 5 makes it easier to create communication data. The display screen of the display 5 is controlled by a display control section 6. Further, communication data received from the code communication network 10 is stored in the memory section 4 through the telex reception control section 8. This memory section 4
The data stored in can be printed on the printer 9. The printer 9 is controlled by a printer control section 11 for 0 editing processing, and the message management section 3 performs word processing control and management of messages and the like stored in the memory section 4.

On the other hand, an image communication network is a communication network whose purpose is to transmit image information. For example, a facsimile terminal is connected to this image communication network to transmit and receive data.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional fax terminal.

In the figure, communication data read by an image reader 12 is sent to a facsimile transmission control section 14 via an image reader control section 13. After the facsimile transmission control unit 14 completes the connection to the other party's terminal instructed by the operator in advance, the facsimile transmission control unit 14 processes the communication data from the image reader 12 into data for the image communication network 20 (here, facsimile line) and sends it out. When an incoming call is received from the image communication network 20, the facsimile reception control section 17 performs incoming call processing, decompresses the received data that is subsequently received, and sends it to the image printer control section 16. The image printer control unit 16 controls the image printer 15 to print received data.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Conventionally, users who own both a telex terminal and a facsimile terminal as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 have had the following problems.

For example, it may be desired to transmit data received at a telex terminal using a fax terminal for some purpose. In this case, it is necessary to first output the received data to the printer 9 at the telex terminal, then create a fax document and set it in the image reader 12 of the fax terminal. Not only is this operation cumbersome, but the use of the image reader 12 also poses a problem in that the fax receiver receives a document with lower print quality than the document received at the telex terminal. Ta.

Also, if you want to send a message urgently, and the other party has both a telex terminal and a fax terminal, first try sending the message using either terminal, and then try to send the message using either terminal until the other party is unable to receive the message (busy). In this case, a method is adopted in which the message is sent from the other terminal.

However, even if the message has the same content, the message creation method is different between the telex terminal and the fax terminal, so the work has to be done twice, which makes it difficult to operate and also reduces the sense of urgency. There's a problem.

Furthermore, facsimile documents usually include the recipient's name, sender's name, sending date, etc. on a so-called invoice (covering sheet).
attached as. However, this invoice is created by hand or by a word processor each time a document is sent, resulting in wasted paper and complicated operations.

The present invention has been made with attention to the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a teleprinter that is connected to both a code communication network and an image communication network and can automatically add correspondence such as invoices. This is the purpose.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The teleprinter of the present invention has a code input/output unit connected to a code communication network and an image communication network, and inputs and outputs code data, and a code input/output unit that inputs and outputs image data. an image input/output unit for performing the code input/output, a code storage unit for accumulating a message consisting of the coded data inputted in the code input/output unit, and an image data expansion unit for converting the message stored in the code storage unit into image data. and an image transmission/reception control section that sends a message consisting of the image data to the image communication network together with the image data inputted at the image input/output section.

(Operation) The above device is connected to both the code communication network and the image communication network. Then, this device uses the code data in the code input/output unit to store the message in the code storage unit. Next, this is converted into image data in an image data development section. Then, the image transmission/reception control section sends the image-converted message to the image communication network by adding it before or after the document inputted at the image input/output section.

This makes it possible to repeatedly use the covering sheet and other correspondence stored in the code storage section, thereby simplifying the work of creating the correspondence.

(Embodiment) Block Diagram of Teleprinter> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the teleprinter of the present invention. In this figure, blocks having the same functions as those in FIGS. 2 and 3 are given the same numbers.

In this device, code data (hereinafter referred to as text data in this embodiment) is input as transmission data from a keyboard 1 and stored in a memory section 4 via a keyboard control section 2. At this time, editing processing can be performed using the editing processing and word processing functions of the message management section 3. Further, the input text data is displayed on the display 5 under the control of the display control section 6.

In the present invention, a circuit including the keyboard 1, keyboard control section 2, display 5, and display 6 will be referred to as a code input/output section 30.

The text data stored in the memory section 4 is sent to the telex/fax switching circuit 51 in response to a transmission instruction entered from the keyboard 1, and if the transmission instruction is a telex transmission, it is sent to the telex transmission control section 7, and the text data is sent to the telex transmission control section 7, If the instruction is to send a fax, it is sent to the fax image development circuit 52. That is, the telex/fax switching circuit 51 is comprised of a readout control circuit for the memory section 4, an output destination switching circuit, and the like. The fax/image expansion circuit 52 is a circuit that receives text data, performs character code/image data conversion processing using a built-in character/symbol font memory, etc., and outputs the same.

Furthermore, the circuit shown in FIG.
8 is provided. This is a section having substantially the same function as the memory section 4, but in this embodiment of the present invention, it is used as a memory exclusively for messages sent together with image data.

In the present invention, a circuit including the telex/fax switching circuit 51 and the fax/image development circuit 52 is called an image data development section 50.

The text data sent from the telex/fax switching circuit 51 to the telex transmission control unit 7 is subjected to predetermined processing such as encoding and output to the public line (code communication network 10). The text data sent to the fax image development circuit 52 is developed into image data and sent to the fax transmission/print switching circuit 61. The fax transmission/print switching circuit 61 is a circuit for switching the transfer direction so that the image data input thereto is sent either to the fax transmission control section 14 or to the image printer control section 16. In the present invention,
The part including this circuit and peripheral connections is the image transmission/reception control unit 6.
I call it 0.

When this image data is sent to the facsimile transmission control section 14, the facsimile transmission control section 14 performs processing such as compression on the image data and sends it out to the public line (image communication network 20). Further, when the image data is sent to the image printer control section 16, the image printer 15
The image will be printed out.

On the other hand, when inputting image data as transmission data from the image reader 12, set the original with the content you want to send written on the image reader 12, and press the keyboard 1.
The document is read by operating the image reader control unit 13 or by operating the operation panel provided in the image reader control unit 13, and sent to the public line (image communication network 20) via the facsimile transmission control unit 14.

Next, the case of reception will be explained.

When the telex reception control unit 8 receives text data as received data from the code communication network 10, this text data is stored in the memory unit 4.

The text data stored in the memory section 4 is developed into image data by the fax/image development circuit 52 according to an instruction inputted from the keyboard 1, and then transmitted through the fax transmission/print switching circuit 61 and the image printer control section 16. The image is printed out to the image printer 15.

Further, when the facsimile reception control unit 17 receives image data from the image communication network 20, it is sent to the image printer control unit 16 and printed out by the image printer 15.

Operation Panel> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing keys and operation display portions provided in the teleprinter of the present invention.

This teleprinter 100 is provided with, for example, four types of displays consisting of light emitting diodes and the like.

r pow display" 101 is a display that lights up when the power is turned on. r LINE display" 102 is a display that lights up when the device is connected to a communication network and is in a communicable state. "rALM display" 103 is a display that lights up when some kind of failure occurs. r FINE display”1
04 is a display that lights up when the fax transmission mode is FINE.

Further, the keyboard 1 (FIG. 1) of this teleprinter is provided with the following switches and keys.

The power switch 105 is a power on/off switch. The character input key 106 is a well-known key for inputting characters such as kana and alphabets. Numeric keypad 1
07 is a well-known key for inputting numbers. R.E.
IN-108 has character input key-106 and numeric keypad 107.
Instruct the transfer of input data and commands using
This is the so-called return key.

This device is equipped with several other function keys, including the rCALL/CLEAR key (10).
9,'TLX CALL+-JIIOlrFAX
CALL key" 112, rAtlTOCALL key" 1
12, rEND/CANCL key 113, r
5ERCH key "114" is displayed. The functions of these keys are detailed in the description below.

Text/Fax Transmission> The apparatus of the present invention shown in this embodiment has the following features in FIG.
Text data input from the keyboard 1 is stored in the memory section 4, among which messages are stored in the code storage section 18, which is converted into image data and sent to the image communication network 20. In addition to this, code communication network 1
It also has a function of directly or once storing text data received from 0 in the memory section 4 and then similarly converting it into image data and transmitting it to the image communication network 20.

FIG. 5 shows a text/FAX transmission flowchart for explaining this operation.

In the figure, first, a startup menu (see FIG. 8) is displayed on the display 5 (FIG. 1), and is in a state of waiting for input (step Sl). In the flowchart below, the corresponding drawing number is written at the bottom right of each display screen.

In FIG. 8, this startup menu includes the "Prepare" task for preparing to create a message, which is text data for sending, the "Edit" task for calling up an edited message, and the "5" task for sending.
"end" work, "Pr1nt" work for printing, and "Delete" work for deleting the message.
"Utilities" task for calling other functions is displayed. Then, enter the task number of one of them to the right of the "Number" display, and press "RET".
When you press the "URN" key 108 (Fig. 4), the task is selected and a screen corresponding to the task is displayed.At the bottom left of the screen,
Enter number: “R” as a guide to that effect.
"ETURN" is displayed.Also, the FAX
When calling the other party manually (Manual c
"(:ALL/CLEAR" key 10)
Press 9 (Figure 4).

On the other hand, when automatically calling the other party (Out).

call), “TLX CALL” 110 (4th
(Figure 4) or "FAX CALL" key 111 (Figure 4)
Press. These are displayed on the startup menu in FIG. 8.

Now, when the operator enters work number 1, the message creation/editing screen (9th page) appears on the display 5 (Figure 1).
(see figure) is displayed (step S3 in Figure 5), and it becomes possible to create a message.

At this time, the message number (displayed as 016 (ASC))
is automatically numbered. Messages can be typed into the blank area in the center of the screen.

Also, if you want to cancel or end the work and return to the startup menu, click Cancel 1oper.
Press the "END/CANCL" key 73 (FIG. 4) according to the display of "Ation/Finish editing". During this screen, other manual call %Out
o cal1 display is the startup menu (Figure 8)
It is similar to that of .

When job number 2 is entered on the startup menu screen (FIG. 8), an edit message designation screen (see FIG. 10) is displayed on the display 5 (FIG. 1) (step S2 in FIG. 5). On this edit message designation screen, messages already stored in the memory section 4 (FIG. 1) are displayed, and it is possible to search for a message to be edited from among them, input the number of the message, and call it up.

Here, each item on the message designation screen will be explained from the left side of the paper, taking the upper row as an example.

In the display of "0OIE", 001 indicates the message number and E indicates the message attribute. As message attributes, E indicates a message created by inputting from keyboard 1 (Fig. 1), and the symbol A indicates that the message is waiting for an auto call or is being executed. There is a symbol U indicating that the message is a failure or cancellation, a symbol S indicating that the message has been sent, and a symbol R indicating that the message is received from the code communication network 10 (FIG. 1).

The display of "(001)" indicates the total number of lines of messages stored in the memory unit 4 (FIG. 1). Even if the message has multiple lines, only the first line of each message is displayed. The display of "P" is a protection designation, which is designated for each message so that it cannot be edited or deleted. The display “[ASC]” indicates a message composed of ASCII characters;
CITT No. There is [TLX] which indicates a message consisting of two characters. The display of "GO" indicates group designation, and is designated for each message in the GO range. The display of "ABC...567" is the first line of the message specified by message number 001.

Note that 'E' provided on keyboard 1 (Fig. 1)
By pressing the ND/CANCL" key 113 (Fig. 4), you can return to the startup menu (Fig. 8). You can also return to the edit message specification screen (Fig. 10).
If you want to search for a predetermined character string in Charac
After pressing the "5EARC)l" key 114 (FIG. 4), type a character string and press the "RETURN" key 108 (FIG. 4), as displayed as ter string 5arch.

If you enter, for example, "001E" as the message number on this editing message designation screen, the message creation/editing screen (
(see Figure 9) is displayed. At this time, the inputted message number is displayed at the top of the screen, and the message corresponding to this message number is displayed and can be edited. Note that illustration of the screen is omitted.

Next, when job number 3 is entered on the startup menu screen (FIG. 8), a transmission message designation screen (see FIG. 11) is displayed on the display 5 (FIG. 1) (step S4 in FIG. 5). This is a screen with almost the same content as in FIG. 10, but in this screen, the user only has to specify the message number of the message he or she wants to send.

As mentioned above, to send a message after selecting or creating a message, you must either display the startup menu screen (Figure 8) or the message creation/edit screen (
(Figure 9) or when the sending message specification screen (1st
Perform this when displaying Figure 1). In that case, keyboard 1 (
CALL explained in Fig. 4, which is provided in Fig. 1)
/CLEAR key 109 or TLX CALL key 1
Press IO1 or FAX CALL4-111. The message transmission method is determined by which key is pressed.

When the CALL/CLEAR key 109 is pressed, telex transmission by manual call is designated. A telex manual call screen (see FIG. 12) is displayed on the display 5 (see FIG. 1) (step S5).

This screen displays a speed dial list.
Enter the speed dial in the “Number to call” field, for example “OK”, and press X 5end.
When you enter a message number in the "message number" field, the first 10 lines of the message corresponding to the dialed number and the entered message number are displayed (see Figure 13) (Step S6 in Figure 5). Now you can send a telex message. Preparation is complete.

When the TLX CALL key 110 is pressed, telex transmission by autocall is designated (step S7 in FIG. 5). The telex call screen (see Fig. 14) is displayed on the display 5 (Fig. 1), and “Num
Cursor 70 in the field "ber to call"
When you move , the speed dial list will be displayed.
When a message number is input in the "end message number" field, the first 10 lines of the message corresponding to the input message number are displayed (see FIG. 15) (step S8 in FIG. 5).

If you enter "Y" in the "Next destination" field on the telex auto call screen (see Figure 14), you will be able to specify multiple addresses, which means sending the same message to multiple locations. Communication becomes possible.

When the FAX CALL key 111 is pressed, fax transmission by autocall is designated (step S9 in FIG. 5). A FAX call screen (see FIG. 16) is displayed on the display 5 (FIG. 1). On this screen, when the cursor 70 is placed on the "Number to call" field, a speed dial list of destinations is displayed at the bottom of the screen, and if the desired destination is in the list, the corresponding speed dial (2 digits) is displayed. (alphanumeric characters). If you want to send a message to a dialed number that is not on the speed dial, enter the number directly from Keyboard 1 (Figure 1). In the "Time to 5end" field, the transmission time (hours 81 minutes M) can be set. “5end message number
” field, the first 10 lines of the message will be displayed at the bottom of the screen to confirm the contents of the message (see Figure 17) (Step 310 in Figure 5). Fax from the screen (Figure 9) or the sending message specification screen (Figure 11)
If the auto call screen is displayed,
The message number is automatically displayed in the "message number" field.

“Following document (Y/N)
” field is displayed only when a message number is specified, and is used to specify whether or not to send the original after sending the message (text image, which will be described later, is currently used for FAX transmission). “Covering 5he
et(Y/N)” if you do not specify a message number (
This is only valid for image FAX transmission (described later), and specifies whether or not a covering sheet is to be transmitted before the original. Also, "Sendmode" specifies the resolution, and "Nextdestination"
” specifies broadcast communication.

Here, if the message edited on the message creation/editing screen (FIG. 9) is selected for transmission, the code data input from the code input section 30 in FIG. 1 is sent to the image communication network 20 in FIG. It will have been sent out. Further, when the received message stored in the memory section 4 of FIG. 1 is selected for transmission, the coded data received from the coded communication network 10 of FIG. 1 is transferred to the image communication network 20. It turns out.

In the present invention, when image data is sent to the image communication network 10, a message is added before or after the image data. In this embodiment, the correspondence sent prior to the original is called a covering sheet.

Here, if this message is to be used only for image communication, the output of the code storage section 18 (FIG. 1) should be input directly to the fax image expansion circuit 52 as shown in FIG. It may be wired. However, as long as it is commonly used for code communication, it may be stored in the memory unit 4 together with other messages. In that case, part of the memory section 4 will function as the code storage section 18.

When sending a text fax, at least the Number
to call” and 5-end messagegenum
ber”. When the input specification is completed, the FAX machine installed on the keyboard 1 (Fig. 1)
By pressing the CALL key 111, transmission registration is completed (step 511 in FIG. 5), and the process moves to transmission processing (step 512 in FIG. 5). “Time.

5end" (Figure 17), the transmission process will begin after the set time. At this time, if the line is not connected to the destination, the transmission will be repeated several times at regular intervals (main In the embodiment, the retry is performed up to 3 times in 3 minutes). When the line is connected to the destination, the display 5 (Figure 1) displays a communication status display screen (Step 513 in Figure 5), not shown. After the transmission is completed, the communication result confirmation display screen (not shown) (Step 5 in Figure 5) will appear.
14) is displayed. Note that these screens display the type of transmission/reception, communication partner, number of pages transmitted/received, date, time, communication results, etc. Once the transmission is complete, a communication management report will be created containing the communication method, transmission/reception distinction, date and time, communication time, etc.
Message numbers, communication results, etc. are registered and output as necessary (step 515 in FIG. 5).

Image FAX Transmission> Next, the case of normal facsimile transmission will be described.

FIG. 6 shows an image FAX transmission flowchart.

Image FAX transmission includes automatic call transmission and manual transmission. Manual transmission is a method that uses a telephone and an operation panel. Place the original on the image reader 12 (Figure 1) (Step S1 in Figure 6), make a call using the telephone (Step S2 in Figure 6), and press 5 on the operation panel.
Transmission is started by pressing the TART switch (step S4 in FIG. 6). Also, if necessary, set the resolution using the FINE switch (not shown) (6th
Figure step S3).

To send an auto call, press the startup menu screen (see Figure 8) or the FAX CALL key 111 (see Figure 4).
(Step S5 in Figure 6) to display the FAX auto call screen (see Figures 16 and 17), and input the required items (Step S6 in Figure 6).
“5end message number” on the screen shown in the figure.
Leave this field blank without specifying it. Also, Covering
5heet (Y/N)" field, the covering sheet is specified. When the covering sheet is specified, the covering sheet setting screen (see Fig. 18) is displayed on display 5 (Fig. 1). be done (6th
Figure step S7). The "part" on the screen in Figure 18 is the input section. Editing is done line by line, and insertion and deletion within a line is possible. The current date is automatically entered in the "Date" field. The covering sheet created in this way is sent before the original is sent.This eliminates the need for tasks such as creating correspondence.

FIG. 24 shows an example of the output of the covering sheet received at the other party. The contents are the same as those entered in FIG.

Note that the processing from steps S8 to 313 in FIG.
This is similar to the corresponding processing from step 512 to step S15 in the figure.

Text/image mixed fax transmission> According to the teleprinter of the present invention, the image reader 12 (
Before or after facsimile transmission of a document read by the computer (FIG. 1), code data inputted in the code input section 30 (FIG. 1) can be attached and sent to the image communication network 20 (FIG. 1). .

FIG. 7 shows a text/image mixed FAX transmission flowchart.

The operating method is almost the same as the above-mentioned text FAX transmission (FIG. 5). Therefore, in this figure, the same step numbers as in FIG. 5 have been assigned.

By the way, this text image mixed transmission is text F.
The difference from AX transmission is that the original is set on the image reader 12 (step So), and the original can be set at any time before step Sll. If you would like to add a message after sending this document, select “Followi” on the FAX call screen (see Figure 17).
ngdocument (Y/N)” field.
Enter.

”Following document (Y/N)
By entering Y in ``, you can send an image fax after sending a text fax.Also, if you want to add a message before sending the original, press F.
“Coveringsh” on the AX call screen
eet (Y/N)" field. As a result, the covering sheet explained in FIGS. 18 and 24 is converted into an image and sent to the image communication network 20 (FIG. 1).

The other steps in FIG. 7 are the same as the corresponding steps in FIG. 5. However, step S in Figure 7
In step 7, the message or covering sheet and the original are transmitted in a predetermined order.

Other processing> By the way, the startup menu screen (see Figure 8)
When the "Pr1nt" work is specified in , the message printing screen (see Fig. 19) is displayed on the display 5, and when the message number is specified, the contents of the specified message can be printed out on the image printer 15 shown in Fig. 1. . In this case, the fax image print switching circuit 61 sends the output of the fax image expansion circuit 52 toward the image printer control section 16.

Also, if you specify the "Delete" operation on the startup menu screen, the message deletion screen (see Figure 20) will be displayed on the display 5, and if you specify the message number and press the Y key, the contents of the specified message number will be deleted. It is erased from the memory section 4 in FIG. Also, select “Utili” on the startup menu screen.
When you specify the "ties" task, a utility menu screen (see Figure 21) is displayed on the display 5. Various optional tasks are displayed here, and you enter the task for the item for which you want to set conditions. For example, if you specify job number 5, the speed dial editing screen for fax transmission (see Figure 22) will appear, and if you specify number 6, the speed dial editing screen for telex transmission (see Figure 23) will appear. It is also possible to set and edit speed dialing using the dial editing screen.Other operations are not directly related to the present invention, so description thereof will be omitted.

Applicable range> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

When the teleprinter of the present invention is used, for example, in a computer network, the code communication network and the image communication network may be multiplexed and integrated communication networks.

Further, the configuration of each block shown in FIG. 1 can be freely replaced with a known block having a similar function, and may be either separate or integrated. Furthermore, for example, the memory section not only stores the code data handled in this teleprinter, but also includes a magnetic disk device, etc., which can use data created by other word processors, etc. Good too.

Furthermore, as explained above, the memory section 4 and the code storage section may be completely integrated, and the message stored in the code storage section may be shared for both code communication and image communication. .

Further, in the above embodiment, a covering sheet added to the front of the document is shown as an example of the communication, but the communication may be a message with other contents added to the end of the document.

(Effects of the Invention) The teleprinter of the present invention described above can directly add messages to a document using the code input/output means, without having to create a message by hand or using a word processor. Therefore, there is an effect that paper is not wasted and operation time is shortened.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the teleprinter of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional telex terminal, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram of a conventional fax terminal, and FIG. 4 is a partial block diagram of keys and operation displays of the teleprinter of the present invention.
5, 6 and 7 are flowcharts explaining the operation of the teleprinter of the present invention, FIGS. 8 to 23 are display screens during each operation of the teleprinter of the present invention, and FIG. The figure shows the output format of the covering sheet received at the other party. 1...Keyboard, 2...Keyboard control section, 3.
...Editing processing and message management section, 4.Memory section, 5.Display, 6.Display control section, 7.Telex transmission control section, 8.Telex reception control section, 9. ...Printer, 1
o... Code communication network, 11... Printer control unit, 12
... Image reader, 13... Image reader control unit, 14... Fax transmission control unit, 15... Image printer, 16... Image printer control unit, 17... Fax reception control unit, 18 ... code storage section, 20 ... image communication network, 30 ... code input/output section,
40... Image input/output section, 5o... Image data expansion section, 60... Image transmission/reception control section, 51... Telex/fax switching circuit, 52...
-Fax image expansion circuit. Patent applicant Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. Figure 6

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A code input/output unit connected to a code communication network and an image communication network and inputting and outputting coded data; an image input/output unit inputting and outputting image data; and the code input/output unit. a code storage unit that stores a message consisting of code data inputted in the code storage unit; an image data expansion unit that converts the message stored in the code storage unit into image data; A teleprinter comprising: an image transmission/reception control section that transmits image data input to the image input/output section to the image communication network.