1. A method of remotely controlling a local data processor, which is coupled through a local facsimile device to a telephone communication line, comprising the steps of transmitting, from a remote facsimile device to the local data processor via the local facsimile device, a facsimile image which specifies data processor commands to be executed by the local data processor, said local data processor receiving said facsimile image and responding to the receipt of the image by recognizing specified data processor commands contained within the received image, and executing the recognized specified data processor commands.