Image forming apparatus allowing remote start, control method therefor, and storage medium storing control program therefor

A control method for an image forming apparatus that includes a communication module that communicates with an external apparatus, a main control unit that controls the image forming apparatus and operates in a normal mode or a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, and an electric power source control unit that supplies electric power to the main control unit and the communication module, the control method comprising:

• a first-communication-module-control step of controlling the communication module so as to operate in a first operational mode in which communications are controlled in a state where the main control unit does not operate in the normal mode;
• a supply instruction step of instructing the electric power source control unit to supply electric power for operating the main control unit in the normal mode, when the external apparatus instructs to start the image forming apparatus in a state where the communication module is operating in the first operational mode;
• and
• a second-communication-module-control step of controlling the communication module so as to operate in a second operational mode in which communications are controlled in a state where the main control unit is operating in the normal mode, when an instruction to supply the electric power for operating said main control unit in the normal mode is issued in said supply instruction step.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a control program causing a computer to execute a control method for an image forming apparatus that includes a communication module that communicates with an external apparatus, a main control unit that controls the image forming apparatus and operates in a normal mode a power saving mode that consumes less power than the normal mode, and an electric power source control unit that supplies electric power to the main control unit and the communication module, the control method comprising:

• a first-communication-module-control step of controlling the communication module so as to operate in a first operational mode in which communications are controlled in a state where the main control unit does not operate in the normal mode;
• a supply instruction step of instructing the electric power source control unit to supply electric power for operating the main control unit in the normal mode, when the external apparatus instructs to start the image forming apparatus in a state where the communication module is operating in the first operational mode;
• and
• a second-communication-module-control step of controlling the communication module so as to operate in a second operational mode in which communications are controlled in a state where the main control unit is operating in the normal mode, when an instruction to supply the electric power for operating said main control unit in the normal mode is issued in said supply instruction step.