Patent ID: 8031351

Claim:
An image formation apparatus connected to a power supplying device capable of supplying power via a data communication line, comprising: a control unit; a power conversion unit for converting external power received from an external power source into first drive power and outputting said first drive power; a separation unit for separating a communication signal and power flowing in said data communication line and outputting as second drive power the power thus separated; a communication unit for communicating data with an external device; a power supply unit for supplying at least one of said first drive power and said second drive power to said control unit and said communication unit; a power supply switch, provided between said external power source and said power conversion unit, for opening/closing a power path in response to an instruction from said control unit; a power load unit, operable by receiving said first drive power, for performing an image formation process; an operation switch provided at a main body of said image formation apparatus; and an authentication unit for performing an authentication process based on identification information input by a user, said control unit being operative to: notify the user to switch on said operation switch and input said identification information, if said communication unit receives a print instruction while said power supply switch is in an open position, and cause said authentication unit to perform the authentication process based on said identification information input when said operation switch is switched on, and to close said power supply switch if the authentication process is succeeded, said power load unit performing the image formation process for said print instruction using said first drive power supplied after said power supply switch is switched from the open position to a closed position.