Patent ID: 9442446
Filing Date: 2016-09-13
CPC Classification: G03G

Claim Text:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a user authentication function circuit that performs a user authentication operation, wherein the user authentication function circuit can deactivate the user authentication operation such that printing from the image forming apparatus is allowed without requiring user authentication; an operation mode switching circuit that performs a switching action that switches from a current operation mode to a specific operation mode; a disaster information acquire circuit that acquires disaster information that is indicative of an alarm level; and a system control circuit that controls, depending on the alarm level, the user authentication operation by the user authentication function circuit and the switching action by the operation mode switching circuit; wherein the specified operation mode is one of a first power saving mode, a second power saving mode in which the power consumption thereof is less than the first power saving mode, and an emergency stop, wherein the operation mode switching circuit can switch from the current operation mode to one of said specified operation modes; and wherein when the alarm level is less than the first determination level, the system control circuit maintains the user authentication operation by the user authentication function circuit, and causes the operation mode switching circuit to switch to the first power saving mode; when the alarm level is not less than the first determination level and is less than a second determination level the system control circuit deactivates the user authentication by the user authentication function circuit, and causes the operation mode switching circuit to switch to the second power saving mode; and when the alarm level is not less than the second determination level, the system control circuit causes the operation mode switching circuit to switch to the emergency stop.