JP2020031392A - Communication device, control method of the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a communication device capable of preventing direct wireless communication from being unavailable halfway.SOLUTION: The communication device (MFP) satisfies a power saving state transition condition S901, and stops operating as an access point for direct wireless communication by the MFP S906, S909 on the basis of a fact that the direct wireless communication is not performed with an external device (portable terminal) S904, S907.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device, a control method thereof, and a program.

  An MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) is known as a communication device that performs wireless communication. The MFP performs wireless communication with an external device configuring the wireless LAN via a predetermined access point (hereinafter, referred to as “wireless LAN communication”). Further, the MFP performs wireless communication (hereinafter, referred to as "direct wireless communication") with an external device according to the Wi-Fi Direct standard defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance without passing through the predetermined access point. And Patent Document 1). In direct wireless communication, the MFP operates as an access point. In the MFP, when the user sets the activation of the direct wireless communication using the operation unit of the MFP, for example, the direct wireless communication is started between the portable terminal owned by the user and the MFP. When the user sets the invalidation of the direct wireless communication using the operation unit, the direct wireless communication between the portable terminal and the MFP ends.

  By the way, when the MFP operates as an access point in direct wireless communication, it is necessary to continuously receive a wireless beacon in order to guarantee a power saving operation on the client side defined by IEEE 802.11 which is an international standard for wireless communication. . On the other hand, the MFP does not shift to the power saving state and maintains the normal state from the time when the setting of the direct wireless communication is enabled to the time when the setting is switched to the invalidation. Even if the transmission and reception of data by direct wireless communication are completed, if the user forgets to switch the setting of wireless direct to invalid, the MFP continues to maintain the normal state and consumes power unnecessarily. On the other hand, conventionally, the MFP forcibly terminates the direct wireless communication when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the direct wireless communication (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP, 2018-33157, A JP-A-2006-170687

  However, as described above, if the direct wireless communication is forcibly terminated when the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the direct wireless communication, even if unnecessary consumption of power can be prevented, the direct wireless communication is not performed during the communication. Wireless communication may not be available. For example, when print data having a data amount large enough to require a certain transmission time is received from a mobile terminal by direct wireless communication, the predetermined time may elapse before the reception of the print data is completed. is there. In this case, the direct wireless communication cannot be used during the reception of the print data. As a result, there arises a problem that a print job using the print data cannot be executed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a communication device, a control method thereof, and a program capable of preventing direct wireless communication from being unavailable halfway.

  In order to achieve the above object, a communication device of the present invention is a communication device that operates as an access point and performs direct wireless communication with an external device. Stopping control means for stopping the operation as the access point based on the result of the clocking by the means satisfying a predetermined condition and the predetermined communication via the access point not being performed with the external device. Features.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the direct wireless communication from becoming unavailable halfway.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing wireless communication by an MFP as a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFP in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen displayed on the operation unit in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless direct connection screen displayed on an operation unit in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of a wireless direct connection process executed by the MFP and the mobile terminal in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a power saving control process executed by the MFP of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen displayed on the operation unit in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an extension setting screen displayed on the operation unit in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a direct wireless communication end process executed by the MFP of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing power supply control to each device when the power saving state transition condition of the MFP in FIG. 1 is satisfied.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to an MFP as a communication device. However, the present invention is not limited to a communication device, and an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a scanner that transmits and receives various data by direct wireless communication. The present invention may be applied to an apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating wireless communication by MFP 1 as a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an MFP 1 performs wired LAN communication with an external device configuring a wired LAN. Further, the MFP 1 has a wireless communication function such as an infrastructure mode or an ad hoc mode. In the infrastructure mode, the MFP 1 performs wireless LAN communication with an external device configuring the wireless LAN via the wireless access point 2. In the ad hoc mode, the MFP 1 performs direct wireless communication with the portable terminal 3 and the like without the intervention of the wireless access point 2 by operating the MFP 1 as an access point. In the ad hoc mode, the MFP 1 functions as a “Group Owner” and operates as an access point in direct wireless communication. In addition, the mobile terminal 3 functions as a “Client” and operates as a client of the MFP 1 in direct wireless communication. Note that the connection mode in the ad hoc mode is such that the Group Owner and the Client can be connected in a one-to-one or one-to-many relationship.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration of MFP 1 in FIG. 2, the MFP 1 includes a controller 10, an operation unit 109, a scanner 110, a printer 111, and a power supply unit 120. The controller 10 is connected to the operation unit 109, the scanner 110, the printer 111, and the power supply unit 120. The controller 10 includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102, an EEPROM 103, an RTC 104 (clocking means), an operation unit I / F 105, a scanner I / F 106, a printer I / F 107, a network I / F 108, a wired LAN control unit 112, and a wireless LAN control unit. 113 is provided. Note that CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. EEPROM is an abbreviation of Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory. RTC is an abbreviation for Real Time Clock. The CPU 101, the RAM 102, the EEPROM 103, the RTC 104, the operation unit I / F 105, the scanner I / F 106, the printer I / F 107, and the network I / F 108 are connected to each other via a system bus 114. The wired LAN control unit 112 and the wireless LAN control unit 113 are connected to the network I / F 108.

  CPU 101 controls the operation of MFP 1 as a whole. The CPU 101 controls each device connected to the system bus 114 according to a program stored in the EEPROM 103. The RAM 102 functions as a main memory or a work area of the CPU 101. The RAM 102 is used as a storage area for image information. The EEPROM 103 stores a control program executed by the CPU 101 and various data. RTC 104 is a clock, and controls the time function of MFP 1. The operation unit I / F 105 controls communication between the controller 10 and the operation unit 109. The operation unit 109 includes an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard and a display device (not shown) such as a display.

  The scanner I / F 106 controls communication between the controller 10 and the scanner 110. The scanner 110 is a scanner engine. The scanner 110 reads the placed document and generates image data. The printer I / F 107 controls communication between the controller 10 and the printer 111. The printer 111 is a printer engine. The printer 111 prints image data and the like generated by the scanner 110 on paper. The network I / F 108 controls communication by the wired LAN control unit 112 and the wireless LAN control unit 113. The wired LAN controller 112 and the wireless LAN controller 113 are NICs (Network Interface Controllers). The wired LAN control unit 112 controls wired LAN communication with an external device. The wireless LAN control unit 112 controls wireless communication with an external device in one of the infrastructure mode and the ad hoc mode.

  The power supply unit 120 supplies power to devices such as the controller 10, the operation unit I / F 105, the scanner I / F 106, and the printer I / F 107. The power supply unit 120 controls the power state of the MFP 1 by adjusting the amount of power supply to each of the devices according to an instruction from the CPU 101. For example, the power supply unit 120 performs power ON / OFF control of the MFP 1, control of transition from the normal state to the power saving state, and control of return from the power saving state to the normal state. In this embodiment, the controller 10 supplies power to the wired LAN control unit 112 and the wireless LAN control unit 113.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the home screen 300 displayed on the operation unit 109 in FIG. Home screen 300 is a screen for allowing the user to select a function to be used from a plurality of functions mounted on MFP 1. For example, when the user selects the item 301 on the home screen 300, the MFP 1 executes a wireless direct connection process of FIG. 5 described later with the portable terminal 3 designated by the user. When a wireless direct connection for performing direct wireless communication with the mobile terminal 3 is established by the wireless direct connection process, the MFP 1 displays a wireless direct connection screen 400 of FIG.

  The wireless direct connection screen 400 includes connection state information 401, an SSID (Service Set Identifier) 402, a network key 403, and a connection end button 404. The connection state information 401 is information on the state of the wireless direct connection. In the wireless direct connection screen 400, as the connection state information 401, for example, "wireless direct terminal connection waiting" indicating that the wireless direct connection is not established, or "wireless direct connecting" indicating that the wireless direct connection state is established. Is displayed. The SSID 402 is an identification ID of the MFP 1 that is required when the mobile terminal 3 performs direct wireless communication with the MFP 1. Network key 403 is password information required when portable terminal 3 performs direct wireless communication with MFP 1. By specifying each value of the SSID 402 and the network key 403 on the wireless direct connection screen 400, the mobile terminal 3 can perform direct wireless communication with the MFP 1 functioning as an access point. The connection end button 404 is a button for instructing the end of the wireless direct connection. When the user selects the connection end button 404 on the wireless direct connection screen 400, the MFP 1 disconnects the wireless direct connection with the mobile terminal 3. Further, MFP 1 switches wireless direct connection screen 400 displayed on operation unit 109 to home screen 300.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of the wireless direct connection process executed by the MFP 1 and the mobile terminal 3 in FIG. 5 is executed, for example, when the user selects the item 301 on the home screen 300.

  In FIG. 5, first, the MFP 1 and the mobile terminal 3 perform a device search for detecting a communication partner (step S501). Upon detecting the communication partner, the MFP 1 determines the roles of the MFP 1 and the portable terminal 3 in direct wireless communication (step S502). Specifically, the MFP 1 determines the MFP 1 as “Group Owner” and determines the mobile terminal 3 as “Client”. Next, the MFP 1 uses the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance to share parameters for performing direct wireless communication with the mobile terminal 3 (step S503). The parameters include, for example, the value of the SSID 402 of the wireless direct connection screen 400 and the value of the network key 403. Thus, a wireless network using MFP 1 as an access point is constructed.

  Next, the MFP 1 makes a secure connection with the mobile terminal 3 using the shared parameters (step S504). Next, the MFP 1 operates as a DHCP server, and gives the IP address of the mobile terminal 3 in the wireless network to the mobile terminal 3 (Step S505). By specifying the IP address, the MFP 1 can perform direct wireless communication with the portable terminal 3 in the wireless network without passing through the wireless access point 2. In the present embodiment, MFP 1 transmits state information such as the remaining amount of consumables of MFP 1 and the operating status of MFP 1 to portable terminal 3 by direct wireless communication. The MFP 1 receives print data (job data) for executing a print job from the mobile terminal 3 by direct wireless communication. The print data is data transmitted and received using an Internet printing protocol such as IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) defined by RFC 2910 and RFC 2911. In the print data, the start of the print job is declared by “Create-Job”, and the end of the print job is declared by “Close-Job”. The drawing data to be actually printed is transmitted and received by “Send-Document”, and the timing of printing by the MFP 1 via the printer 111 is performed without synchronization with the IPP communication.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of power saving control processing executed by MFP 1 in FIG. 6 is performed by the CPU 101 executing a program stored in the EEPROM 103. The process in FIG. 6 is executed at predetermined intervals after the MFP 1 is activated.

  In FIG. 6, the CPU 101 determines whether the condition for shifting to the power saving state of the MFP 1 is satisfied (step S601). The condition for shifting to the power saving state is, for example, that the operation unit 109 does not accept an operation by the operator during a predetermined period, or that the job is not executed during the predetermined period.

  As a result of the determination in step S601, when the power saving state transition condition of the MFP 1 is satisfied and the MFP 1 is performing wireless communication, the CPU 101 determines whether the wireless communication is wireless LAN communication or direct wireless communication. (Step S602).

  If the result of determination in step S602 is that the wireless communication is direct wireless communication, the CPU 101 ends this processing. That is, when the MFP 1 operates as an access point, the MFP 1 does not shift to the power saving state.

  If the result of determination in step S602 is that the wireless communication is wireless LAN communication, the CPU 101 controls the wireless communication to be performed in the power save mode (step S603). In step S603, the CPU 101 operates a receiver (not shown) before and after a timing at which a beacon is expected to be transmitted, and stops power supply to the receiver at other times to reduce power consumption. .

  Specifically, in step S603, the MFP 1 notifies the wireless access point 2 that the MFP 1 shifts to the power save mode using the PM bit defined by IEEE 802.11. Thereafter, the MFP 1 analyzes the TIM (Traffic Indication Map) included in the beacon received from the wireless access point 2 and determines whether or not the data addressed to the MFP 1 is buffered in the wireless access point 2. If data addressed to MFP 1 is buffered in wireless access point 2, MFP 1 continues to supply power to wireless LAN control unit 113 and transmits a PS-Poll packet to wireless access point 2. Upon receiving the PS-Poll packet, the wireless access point 2 determines that the MFP 1 is in a receivable state (Awake), and transmits the buffered data to the MFP 1. The MFP 1 that has received the data packet transmits an ACK packet indicating that fact to the wireless access point 2. The MFP 1 determines whether to keep Awake based on the More Data flag included in the MAC header of the received packet. For example, when the More Data flag is “1”, the MFP 1 maintains Awake. On the other hand, when the More Data flag is “0”, the MFP 1 stops power supply to the wireless LAN control unit 113 and shifts the wireless LAN control unit 113 to a state where communication is not possible (Doze).

  Next, the CPU 101 shifts some of the devices included in the controller 10 to the power saving mode (Step S604). Specifically, the CPU 101 stops supplying power from the power supply unit 120 to the operation unit I / F 105, the scanner I / F 106, and the printer I / F 107. As a result, in the MFP 1, the supply of power to the operation unit 109, the scanner 110, and the printer 111 is also stopped. Next, the CPU 101 shifts the controller 10 to the power saving mode (step S605). Specifically, the CPU 101 performs control to reduce the amount of power supplied from the power supply unit 120 to the controller 10. The controller 10 that has shifted to the power saving mode operates with an operation clock having a frequency that is ３ of that of the normal operation, thereby reducing power consumption in the controller 10. By the processing in steps S604 and S605, the MFP 1 shifts to the power saving state. Next, the CPU 101 ends the present process.

  As a result of the determination in step S601, when the condition for shifting to the power saving state of the MFP 1 is not satisfied, the CPU 101 executes a process other than the process of shifting to the power saving state (step S606). The process other than the process of shifting to the power saving state is, for example, a process of restoring from the power saving state. The process of restoring from the power saving state is executed when an operation by the user is received on the operation unit 109 or when a job is input to the MFP 1 from the communication terminal. Next, the CPU 101 ends the present process.

  In the MFP 1, the power saving control processing is executed at predetermined intervals, so that the power consumption when not in use is reduced. However, as described above, since the MFP 1 does not shift to the power saving state while operating as an access point, for example, if the user forgets to press the connection end button 404 on the wireless direct connection screen 400, Unnecessarily consumed. On the other hand, the MFP 1 is provided with an automatic end function of the direct wireless communication.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen displayed on the operation unit 109 in FIG. FIG. 7A shows an example of an automatic end setting screen 700 for making settings relating to automatic end of direct wireless communication. The automatic end setting screen 700 is displayed on the operation unit 109 when the user selects the setting button 302 on the home screen 300. On the automatic end setting screen 700, a plurality of items 701 and 702 corresponding to the detailed setting regarding the automatic end of the direct wireless communication are displayed. For example, when the user selects an item 701 on the automatic end setting screen 700, the automatic end setting screen 700 displayed on the operation unit 109 is switched to a time setting screen 703 in FIG.

  The time setting screen 703 is a screen for setting an automatic end time of the direct wireless communication. When the user selects the enter button 705 in a state where the time is input in the setting field 704, the time input in the setting field 704 is set as the automatic end time of the direct wireless communication. For example, when the automatic end time elapses after the start of the direct wireless communication with the mobile terminal 3, the MFP 1 stops the operation of the MFP 1 as an access point (stop control unit), and performs the direct wireless communication with the mobile terminal 3. Force termination. In this manner, in the present embodiment, unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed even if the user forgets to press the connection end button 404 on the wireless direct connection screen 400.

  However, if the direct wireless communication is forcibly terminated when the automatic end time has elapsed after the start of the direct wireless communication, the direct wireless communication can be used during the communication even if unnecessary consumption of power can be suppressed. May disappear. For example, when print data having a data amount large enough to require a certain transmission time is received from the portable terminal 3 by the direct wireless communication, the automatic end time may elapse before the reception of the print data is completed. is there. In this case, the direct wireless communication cannot be used during the reception of the print data. As a result, there arises a problem that a print job using the print data cannot be executed.

  In contrast, in the present embodiment, the operation as the access point of MFP 1 is stopped based on the fact that the condition for shifting to the power saving state is satisfied and the direct wireless communication is not performed with the external device.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the extension setting screen 800 displayed on the operation unit 109 in FIG. The extension setting screen 800 is a screen for performing setting relating to extension of automatic termination of direct wireless communication (hereinafter, referred to as “automatic termination extension setting”). The extension setting screen 800 is displayed on the operation unit 109 when the user selects the item 702 on the automatic end setting screen 700. On the extension setting screen 800, the print job 801 and items other than the print job 802 are displayed as items. If the user selects the OK button 803 with the print job 801 selected on the extension setting screen 800, an automatic end extension setting is set to continue the operation of the MFP 1 as an access point until the reception of print data is completed. Is done. If the user selects the OK button 803 in a state where a non-print job 802 is selected, the MFP 1 continues to operate as an access point until completion of execution of a predetermined job other than a print job, which will be described later, as an automatic end extension setting. Is set.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the direct wireless communication termination process executed by MFP 1 in FIG. The processing in FIG. 9 is also performed by the CPU 101 executing a program stored in the EEPROM 103. The process in FIG. 9 is executed, for example, when the MFP 1 starts direct wireless communication with the mobile terminal 3, and is executed at a predetermined interval set in advance. In the MFP 1, the RTC 104 starts timing in response to the start of the direct wireless communication. 9 is based on the assumption that the user has already set the time setting screen 703.

  In FIG. 9, first, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the automatic wireless communication time has reached the automatic wireless communication time after the start of the direct wireless communication based on the result measured by the RTC 104 (step S901).

  As a result of the determination in step S901, if the automatic end time of the direct wireless communication has not been reached since the start of the direct wireless communication, the CPU 101 ends this processing. As a result of the determination in step S901, when the automatic end time of the direct wireless communication has reached after the start of the direct wireless communication, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the automatic end extension setting has been set on the extension setting screen 800. (Step S902).

  If the result of determination in step S902 is that the automatic end extension setting has been set, the CPU 101 determines whether the set automatic end extension setting is a print job 801 or a non-print job 802 (step S903).

  As a result of the determination in step S903, when the set automatic end extension setting is other than the print job 802, the CPU 101 determines whether the MFP 1 is executing a predetermined job other than the print job (step S904). The predetermined job is a job using direct wireless communication other than the print job. The predetermined job is, for example, an image transfer job for transferring an image received by facsimile to an external device by direct wireless communication, or a firmware update job for performing a firmware update of the MFP 1 based on data acquired by direct wireless communication. In such a job, the timing of performing direct wireless communication differs depending on the type of the job.

  As a result of the determination in step S904, when the MFP 1 is executing a predetermined job, the CPU 101 extends the end of the direct wireless communication (step S905). Specifically, the CPU 101 continues the operation as the access point of the MFP 1 at least until the execution of the predetermined job is completed (stop control unit). Next, the CPU 101 ends the present process.

  If the result of the determination in step S904 is that the MFP 1 is not executing a predetermined job, the CPU 101 ends the direct wireless communication (step S906). In step S906, for example, FIN / ACK of the TCP protocol defined in RFC793 is transmitted and received between the devices, the operation of the MFP 1 as an access point is stopped, and the direct wireless communication ends. After that, the CPU 101 ends this processing.

  As a result of the determination in step S903, when the set automatic end extension setting is the print job 801, the CPU 101 determines whether the reception of the print data is completed (step S907). In step S907, for example, when the reception of “Close-Job” indicating the end of the print job in the print data is completed, the CPU 101 determines that the reception of the print data is completed. On the other hand, when the reception of “Close-Job” in the print data is not completed, the CPU 101 determines that the reception of the print data is not completed. When printing of a plurality of copies is transmitted from the mobile terminal 3 in the form of 1 copy / 1 print data, the CPU 101 determines that the reception of print data is not completed until the reception of all print data is completed. .

  If it is determined in step S907 that the reception of the print data has not been completed, the CPU 101 extends the end of the direct wireless communication (step S908). Specifically, CPU 101 continues the operation of MFP 1 as an access point at least until the reception of the print data is completed. Next, the CPU 101 ends the present process. If the result of the determination in step S907 is that the reception of the print data has been completed, or if the result of the determination in step S902 is that the automatic end extension setting has not been set, the CPU 101 ends the direct wireless communication (step S909). To end.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the operation of the MFP 1 as an access point stops based on the fact that the condition for shifting to the power saving state is satisfied and the direct wireless communication is not performed with the external device. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the direct wireless communication from being forcibly terminated during the data communication in order to reduce the power consumption, thereby preventing the direct wireless communication from becoming unavailable halfway.

  In the above-described embodiment, the user sets the automatic end extension setting, which is a stop criterion for stopping the operation of the MFP 1 as an access point. Thus, the user's intention can be reflected in stopping the operation of MFP 1 as an access point.

  In the above-described embodiment, MFP 1 is an image forming apparatus that executes a print job based on print data received from portable terminal 3 by direct wireless communication. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the reception of the print data transmitted from the mobile terminal 3 by the direct wireless communication cannot be completed, and the print job using the print data cannot be executed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation as the access point of the MFP 1 is continued until the reception of the print data for executing the print job is completed. That is, the direct wireless communication is not forcibly terminated until the reception of the print data by the direct wireless communication which should be completed so as not to interrupt the print job. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the print job from being interrupted in order to reduce power consumption.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the predetermined job other than the print job is being executed, the operation as the access point of the MFP 1 is continued until the execution of the predetermined job is completed. This makes it possible to prevent interruption of the job due to the inability to use the direct wireless communication for a job that performs the direct wireless communication at any timing.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining power supply control to each device when the condition for shifting to the power saving state of the MFP 1 in FIG. 1 is satisfied. In FIG. 10, the operation unit 109, the scanner 110, and the printer 111 irrespective of the wired LAN communication, the wireless LAN communication, and the direct wireless communication performed by the MFP 1 when the power saving state transition condition of the MFP 1 is satisfied. To the power saving mode.

  The controller 10 shifts to the power saving mode when the wired LAN communication or the wireless LAN communication is performed in the MFP 1 and the power saving state shifting condition of the MFP 1 is satisfied. On the other hand, when direct wireless communication is performed in MFP 1 and the condition for shifting to the power saving state of MFP 1 is satisfied, controller 10 does not shift to the power saving mode and maintains the normal state.

  Wired LAN control unit 112 is supplied with power when wired LAN communication is being performed in MFP 1, and is not supplied when wireless LAN communication or direct wireless communication is being performed in MFP 1. The wired LAN control unit 112 shifts to the power saving mode according to the power saving state of the controller 10 when the wired LAN communication is performed in the MFP 1 and the power saving state shifting condition of the MFP 1 is satisfied.

  The wireless LAN control unit 113 is supplied with power when the wireless LAN communication or the direct wireless communication is being performed in the MFP 1, and is not supplied when the wired LAN communication is being performed in the MFP 1. The wireless LAN control unit 113 switches to the power saving mode according to the communication status of the wireless LAN communication when the wireless LAN communication is performed in the MFP 1 and the power saving state transition condition of the MFP 1 is satisfied. On the other hand, when direct wireless communication is performed in MFP 1 and the condition for shifting to the power saving state of MFP 1 is satisfied, wireless LAN control unit 113 does not shift to the power saving mode and maintains the normal state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless LAN communication, the direct wireless communication, and the wired LAN communication are separately performed is described for ease of description, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the MFP 1 may have a multi-home connection configuration in which connections are made using a plurality of communication paths simultaneously. In the multihome connection, for example, when the wireless LAN communication and the direct wireless communication are used simultaneously, a power saving operation corresponding to the direct wireless communication is performed. Thus, the controller 10 and the wireless LAN control unit 113 are controlled so as not to shift to the power saving mode.

  In the above-described embodiment, the execution timing of the direct wireless communication end processing is not limited to the timing at which MFP 1 starts direct wireless communication with the communication terminal. For example, the timing may be the timing when the communication device wirelessly connects to the MFP 1 or the timing when the communication terminal submits a job to the MFP 1 by direct wireless communication.

  The present invention supplies a program for realizing one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or the apparatus read out the program and It can also be realized by executing processing. In addition, the present invention can be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

1 MFP
3 Mobile terminal 101 CPU
104 RTC
800 Extension setting screen

Claims (7)

In a communication device that operates as an access point and performs direct wireless communication with an external device,
Timing means for timing according to the start of operation as the access point,
Stopping control means for stopping the operation as the access point based on the result of the time counting by the timing means satisfying a predetermined condition and the predetermined communication via the access point not being performed with the external device. A communication device characterized by the above-mentioned.   2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stop control means causes a user to set a stop reference for stopping the operation as the access point.   3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is an image forming device that executes a print job based on job data received from the external device by the direct wireless communication.   4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the stop control unit continues the operation as the access point until reception of job data for executing the print job is completed.   4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when a predetermined job other than the print job is being executed, the stop control unit continues the operation as the access point until the execution of the predetermined job is completed. 5. The communication device according to 4. In a control method of a communication device that operates as an access point and performs direct wireless communication with an external device,
A timing step of timing according to the start of operation as the access point,
A stop control step of stopping an operation as the access point based on a result of the timing in the timing step satisfying a predetermined condition and a predetermined communication via the access point not being performed with the external device. A method for controlling a communication device, comprising: In a program that causes a computer to execute a control method of a communication device that operates as an access point and performs direct wireless communication with an external device,
The control method of the communication device,
A timing step of timing according to the start of operation as the access point,
A stop control step of stopping an operation as the access point based on a result of the timing in the timing step satisfying a predetermined condition and a predetermined communication via the access point not being performed with the external device. A program characterized by that:

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