Patent ID: 8767238

Claim:
An image forming apparatus having a normal mode and a power-saving mode, said image forming apparatus comprising: a network interface unit for communication with an electronic mail server connected to a communication network; a main control unit that controls an entire operation of said image forming apparatus, said main control unit being configured not to operate in said power-saving mode; a sub control unit that performs an inquiry to said electronic mail server via said network interface unit in said power-saving mode about whether an electronic mail addressed to said image forming apparatus is stored in said electronic mail server, and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, wherein, when said sub control unit judges that an electronic mail addressed to said image forming apparatus is stored in said electronic mail server based on a result of said inquiry, said sub control unit activates said main control unit to cause said image forming apparatus to shift from said power-saving mode to said normal mode; wherein, after said main control unit causes said image forming apparatus to shift from said power-saving mode to said normal mode, said main control unit acquires said electronic mail from said electronic mail server via said network interface unit; wherein said image forming unit forms an image on said recording medium according to an attachment file attached to said electronic mail acquired by said main control unit; wherein, when said sub control unit judges that an electronic mail addressed to said image forming apparatus is stored in said electronic mail server based on a result of said inquiry, said sub control unit acquires said electronic mail from said electronic mail server via said network interface unit; and wherein, when said electronic mail contains a description of a status request, said sub control unit returns an electronic mail containing status information indicating a current status of said image forming unit via said network interface unit, without activating said main control unit.