Patent ID: 8369721

Claim:
An image output apparatus, which outputs an image on a recording medium, and which is activated in an activation mode including a first activation mode and a second activation mode that consumes less power than the first activation mode, the image output apparatus comprising: a switching unit that selects one of the first activation mode and the second activation mode as the activation mode for activating the image output apparatus; and a storage unit that stores a total amount of power consumed on and after a reference time; and a printing unit comprising an exposure unit, a transfer unit and heating and fixing unit so as to print the image on the recording medium electrophotographically, wherein the switching unit switches the activation mode from the first activation mode to the second activation mode when the amount of total power consumption stored in the storage unit is equal to or more than a first threshold value, wherein the activation mode further includes a third activation mode in which the heating unit is heated at a heating temperature lower than that in the second activation mode, and wherein the switching unit switches the activation mode from the second activation mode to the third activation mode when the amount of total power consumption is equal to or more than a second threshold value larger than the first threshold value.