Digital reproduction control method and apparatus having autonomous and command control modes

An apparatus for reproducing images on image supports, comprising:

• a generator for generating digital image information including a connection unit for receiving and processing digital information from a digital environment;
• a printing unit for printing an image on an image support in accordance with the digital image information generated by said generator;
• an operating unit provided with operating means located on or near the apparatus for permitting an operator to interact with the apparatus;
• and
• a control unit connected to the connection unit, said printer unit and said operating unit, for controlling the apparatus in either a command-controlled mode in which the control unit controls the apparatus to start a reproduction process in response to a start command given by the operator via said operating means, or an autonomous mode in which the control unit controls the apparatus to start a reproduction process automatically in response to receiving a remote print order from the digital environment via the connection unit;
• said control unit including detecting means for detecting a physical interaction between the operator and the apparatus;
• said control unit further including an announcement time period counter counting an announcement time period having a predetermined length and announcement means for announcing that a remote print order is about to be reproduced in the autonomous mode,
• said control unit further including means for checking whether a remote print order has been received by the connection unit from the digital environment and, in response thereto, automatically setting the autonomous mode;
• said control unit starting the announcement time counter and activating the means for announcing a print order when the autonomous mode is set for the execution of a remote print order received by the connection unit;
• said control unit responding, during the announcement time period, to said detecting means detecting the physical interaction between an operator and the apparatus by switching to the command-controlled mode;
• said control unit starting a reproduction process in the autonomous mode for executing the remote print order only after expiry of the announcement time period in the announcement time period counter.