JP2012148446A - Network device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network device capable of reducing power consumption.SOLUTION: A compound machine 1 includes: a first power-saving mode; and a second power-saving mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the first power-saving mode. A power control unit 14 is configured to supply the power to a front-end unit 62, regardless of the operation mode of the compound machine 1. The power is not supplied to a back-end unit 61 in the second power-saving mode, and the back-end unit 61 executes a periodic execution program, such as a POP program 53, at fixed time intervals in the first power-saving mode. The front-end unit 62 holds list data 54 in which the periodic execution program, the execution time, and the storage destination are associated with one another. In the second power-saving mode, when it is determined that a current time is a time to execute the periodic execution program, the front-end unit 62 acquires the periodic execution program from the storage destination set in the list data 54. Then, the front-end unit 62 executes the acquired program.

Description

  The present invention relates to a network device that can operate in a power saving mode with low power consumption.

  In order to reduce power consumption, there are multifunction devices that can operate in a plurality of power modes. The multifunction device shifts from a normal mode in which power is supplied to the entire multifunction device to a power saving mode when the user does not perform an operation for a certain period of time.

  In the power saving mode, power is not supplied to the main control unit of the multifunction peripheral, and power consumption is reduced. For this reason, there is an advantage that the operation cost can be reduced for the user. Moreover, there is an advantage that it can contribute to energy saving measures and environmental measures by reducing power consumption.

  Patent Document 1 below describes a printing apparatus having a power saving mode. When shifting to the power saving mode, the printing apparatus of Patent Document 1 stores a program and data necessary for the power saving mode in an internal memory of a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

JP 2005-117715 A

  As described above, in the printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, all the programs and data necessary in the power saving mode are stored in the internal memory of the CPU. However, programs and data stored in the internal memory may be limited depending on the capacity of the internal memory. In this case, since functions that cannot be supported by the printing apparatus in the power saving mode increase, the number of returns to the normal mode increases and power consumption also increases.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a network device capable of reducing power consumption.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a network device, wherein power is supplied in a first power mode and a second power mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the first power mode. And a communication control unit that controls communication via a first program, and a periodic process execution in which power is not supplied in the second power mode and the first program is periodically executed in the first power mode A power management unit that manages power supplied to the communication control unit and the periodic process execution unit, and the communication control unit includes identification information of the first program and execution of the first program A storage unit that stores list data in which the time and the storage destination of the first program are associated with each other, operates in the second power mode, and the current time is the execution time If it is determined, based on the storage location of the first program registered in the list data, a program acquisition unit that acquires the first program from outside the communication control unit, and a program acquisition unit acquired by the program acquisition unit A program execution unit that executes one program.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the network device according to the first aspect, a storage device connected to the network is registered in the list data as the storage destination, and the communication control unit further includes When shifting from the first power mode to the second power mode, the first program and the list data are acquired from the periodic process execution unit, and the first program is stored in the storage location registered in the list data. A migration preparation unit for transmission.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the network device according to the first or second aspect, the periodic process execution unit is registered in the list data as the storage destination, and the program acquisition unit is Instructing the power management unit to shift to the first power mode, and acquiring the first program from the periodic process execution unit after shifting to the first power mode.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the network device according to the third aspect, the power management unit shifts the network device to the second power mode after the program acquisition unit acquires the first program.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the network device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, when the transition preparation unit shifts from the first power mode to the second power mode, the list data Identifying the earliest program to be executed first among the programs registered in the list data based on the execution time of the program registered in the list data, obtaining the earliest program from the periodic process execution unit, The earliest program is stored in the storage unit.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the network device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the program execution unit executes the first program when the first program is executed in the second power mode. Log data including the execution date and time of one program is created, and the log data is output to the periodic process execution unit when the second power mode is shifted to the first power mode.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the network device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the program execution unit is configured to execute the first program based on result data obtained by executing the first program. It is determined whether or not to shift to the 1 power mode.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the network device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the storage unit executes a predetermined process requested by a communication device connected to the network. The program execution unit executes the standby program when receiving the request for the predetermined process.

  The network device of the present invention operates in the first power mode and the second power mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the first power mode. When the communication control unit determines that the current time is the execution time of the first program when operating in the second power mode, the communication control unit performs the first based on the list data in which the storage destination of the first program is set. Get the program. The communication control unit executes the acquired first program. Thereby, it is possible to cause the communication control unit to execute various processes in the second power mode. Since the number of times the network device is returned from the second power mode can be reduced, the power consumption of the network device can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network system containing the multifunctional device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a network controller provided in a multifunction peripheral. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the multifunction machine when shifting to a power saving mode. It is a figure which shows the list data of a periodic execution program. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the multifunction machine when shifting to a power saving mode. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the multifunction machine in a power saving mode. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the multifunction machine when accessing a mail server. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the multifunction device after the multifunction device returns to a normal mode or a first power saving mode.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

{1. overall structure}
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system including a multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The network system shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which a multifunction device 1, PCs (Personal Computers) 2 and 3, and a mail server 4 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 5.

  The multifunction device 1 is a multi-function device having a printer function, a FAX function, a copy function, a web server function, and the like. The multifunction device 1 operates in any one of the normal mode, the first power saving mode, and the second power saving mode. Details of each operation mode will be described later.

  The PCs 2 and 3 store a periodic execution program executed by the multifunction machine 1. The periodic execution program is a program executed by the multi-function device 1 at regular intervals regardless of the operation mode of the multi-function device 1. The PC 2 stores a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) program 51 in the storage unit 21 as a periodic execution program. The PC 3 stores an SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol) program 52 and a POP (Post Office Protocol) program 53 in the storage unit 31 as periodic execution programs.

  The mail server 4 is a server that stores an e-mail addressed to a mail address set in the multifunction device 1.

{2. Configuration of MFP 1}
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes a main body control unit 11, a printer unit 12, a FAX unit 13, a power management unit 14, and a network controller 6. The main body control unit 11 includes a CPU and a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown), and controls the entire multifunction device 1.

  The printer unit 12 prints print data transmitted from the PCs 2 and 3 and image data created by a scanner (not shown). The FAX unit 13 transmits / receives image data via a public line network. In FIG. 1, the display of the configuration related to other functions of the multifunction device 1 is omitted.

  The network controller 6 controls communication via the LAN 5. The network controller 6 includes a back end unit 61 and a front end unit 62. The back end unit 61 executes the periodic execution program at regular intervals in the normal mode and the first power saving mode. The front end unit 62 controls communication via the LAN 5 by using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol).

  The power management unit 14 controls the power supplied to each block of the digital multifunction device 1 in accordance with the operation mode of the multifunction device 1. In the normal mode, the power management unit 14 supplies power to the entire MFP 1. In the first power saving mode, the power management unit 15 supplies power to the network controller 6 and does not supply power to the main body control unit 11, the printer unit 12, and the FAX unit 13. In the second power saving mode, the power management unit 14 supplies power to the front end unit 62 and does not supply power to the main body control unit 11, the printer unit 12, the FAX unit 13, and the back end unit 61. That is, among the three types of operation modes described above, the power consumption in the second power saving mode is the smallest and the power consumption in the normal mode is the largest.

{3. Configuration of network controller 6}
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the network controller 6. The back end unit 61 includes a control unit 611 and a storage unit 612.

  The control unit 611 includes a CPU and controls the back end unit 61. The storage unit 612 is a nonvolatile memory. The storage unit 612 stores a DHCP program 51, an SNTP program 52, a POP program 53, and a mail program 63. The mail program 63 is a program that performs transmission / reception of mail and management of the transmitted / received mail. The POP program 53 is a program corresponding to the function of accessing the mail server 4 among the functions of the mail program 63. When the multifunction device 1 is operating in the normal mode or the first power saving mode, the control unit 611 executes the DHCP program 51, the SNTP program 52, and the POP program 53 at an execution interval determined for each program.

  The front end unit 62 includes a control unit 621, a program acquisition unit 622, a migration preparation unit 623, and a storage unit 624.

  The control unit 621 includes a CPU and controls the front end unit 62. Further, the control unit 621 executes a program stored in the storage unit 624. The program acquisition unit 622 acquires the periodic execution program from the PCs 2 and 3 when the multifunction device 1 is operating in the second power saving mode. The migration preparation unit 623 executes processing for the back-end unit 61 to cope with the second power saving mode when the multifunction device 1 shifts to the second power saving mode.

  The storage unit 624 stores a standby program 50, a POP program 53, and list data 54. The standby program 50 is a program executed by the front end unit 62 regardless of the operation mode of the multifunction machine 1. For example, the standby program 50 is a program corresponding to ARP (Address Resolution Protocol), ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol), and the like. Note that the internal memory of the CPU of the front end unit 62 may be used as the storage unit 624.

{4. Outline of operation}
The front end unit 62 stores, in the storage unit 624, list data 54 in which the periodic execution program, the execution time of the periodic execution program, and the storage destination of the periodic execution program are associated with each other. When the multifunction machine 1 is operating in the second power saving mode, the front end unit 62 checks whether or not the current time has passed the execution time of the periodic execution program.

  When the current time has passed the execution time set in the list data 54, the program acquisition unit 622 acquires the periodic execution program from the storage destination (PC 2, 3, etc.) set in the list data 54. When another periodic execution program is stored in the storage unit 624, the other periodic execution program is deleted, and the acquired periodic execution program is stored in the storage unit 624. The control unit 621 executes the acquired periodic execution program.

  As described above, the front end unit 62 can execute various processes without causing the multifunction device 1 to shift to the normal mode or the first power saving mode. For this reason, the number of times of return from the second power saving mode can be reduced. Further, the front end unit 62 may not store all the periodic execution programs in the storage unit 624 when the multi-function device 1 shifts to the second power saving mode. Accordingly, the capacity of the storage unit 624 can be reduced.

{5. Operation of network controller 6}
{5.1. Transition to the second power saving mode}
Hereinafter, the operation of the network controller 6 when the multi function device 1 shifts to the second power saving mode will be described in detail.

  The operation of the back end unit 61 when the multi function device 1 shifts to the second power saving mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the back end unit 61 when the multi-function device 1 shifts to the second power saving mode.

  When the user instructs the shift to the second power saving mode, or when the duration of the first power saving mode exceeds a predetermined time, the back end unit 61 causes the multifunction device 1 to switch to the second power saving mode. In order to shift to the mode, the process shown in FIG. 3 is started.

  The back end unit 61 outputs preset list data 54 to the front end unit 62 (step S101). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the list data 54.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a DHCP program 51, an SNTP program 52, and a POP program 53 are registered in the list data 54 as periodic execution programs. The list data 54 is data in which the name of the periodic execution program, the execution date and time, the execution interval, and the storage destination are associated with each other. The execution date and time is determined based on the execution interval and the time when the back-end unit 61 lastly executed the periodic execution program in the normal mode or the first power saving mode.

  Reference is again made to FIG. When the program output request is input from the front end unit 62 (Yes in step S102), the back end unit 61 outputs the periodic execution program registered in the list data 54 to the front end unit 62 (step S103). The program output request is used as a response to the output of the list data 54. The back end unit 61 first outputs the DHCP program 51 registered at the top of the list data 54 to the front end unit 62. At this time, attribute data including setting parameters of the DHCP program 51 is also output to the front end unit 62. Although the details will be described later, the periodic execution program output in step S103 is transferred to the storage destination set in the list data 54 and is not stored in the front end unit 62.

  When the back-end unit 61 receives a response to the output of the DHCP program 51 (Yes in step S104), the back-end unit 61 checks whether all the periodic execution programs have been output to the front-end unit 62 (step S105). At this time, since only the output of the DHCP program 51 has been completed (No in step S105), the back end unit 61 returns to step S103. The back end unit 61 repeats steps S103 to S105 in order to output the SNTP program 52 and the POP program 53 to the front end unit 62.

  When the output of all the regular execution programs is completed (Yes in step S105), the back end unit 61 notifies the front end unit 62 of the completion of the output of the regular execution program (step S106). The back end unit 61 confirms whether or not to save the periodic execution program (first program) having the earliest execution time among the periodic execution programs in the front end unit 62 (step S107). As shown in FIG. 4, the earliest program with the earliest execution time is the POP program 53.

  The back end unit 61 holds setting information related to whether or not the earliest program can be saved. If saving of the earliest program is not permitted (No in step S107), the back-end unit 61 proceeds to step S109. If saving of the earliest program is permitted (Yes in step S107), the back end unit 61 outputs the earliest program to the front end unit 62 (step S108).

  The back end unit 61 transmits time information indicating the current time to the front end unit 62 (step S109). The back end unit 61 notifies the power management unit 14 that it is possible to shift to the second power saving mode (step S110), and ends the process illustrated in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the front end unit 62 when the multi function device 1 shifts to the second power saving mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the front end unit 62 when the multi-function device 1 shifts to the second power saving mode. When the MFP 1 shifts to the second power saving mode, the shift preparation unit 623 waits until the list data 54 is input (step S201). When the list data 54 is input (Yes in step S201), the migration preparation unit 623 stores the input list data 54 in the storage unit 624 (step S202).

  The migration preparation unit 623 uses the list data 54 to check the operation of the storage destination (step S203). Specifically, the migration preparation unit 623 transmits an ICMP packet to the storage destination (PC 2, 3, etc.) registered in the list data 54. When the migration preparation unit 623 receives an ICMP packet response from the storage destination, the migration preparation unit 623 determines that the storage destination is operating. When the migration preparation unit 623 cannot receive the ICMP packet response, the migration preparation unit 623 determines that the storage destination is not operating, and deletes the ICMP packet transmission destination from the list data 54. Since the periodic execution program is not transferred to the storage destination that does not respond (step S206), it is possible to promptly shift to the second power saving mode.

  After confirming the storage destination operation, the migration preparation unit 623 requests the output of the periodic execution program (step S204). When the periodic execution program is input (Yes in step S205), the migration preparation unit 623 transfers the input periodic execution program to the storage destination (step S206). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the storage destination of the SNTP program 52 is the PC 2 and the device having the IP address “192.168.10.8”. In step S206, the front end unit 62 transfers the SNTP program 52 to these two devices. At this time, the periodic execution program is not stored in the storage unit 624.

  Again referring to FIG. After the transfer of the regular execution program is completed, the migration preparation unit 623 notifies the back end unit 61 of the completion of the transfer of the regular execution program as a response to the input of the regular execution program (step S207).

  The transition preparation unit 623 repeats steps S <b> 205 to S <b> 208 until the end of output of the periodic execution program is notified (Yes in step S <b> 208). When the output end is notified (Yes in Step S208), the migration preparation unit 623 determines whether to save the earliest program based on the preset setting information (Step S209). When the earliest program is not stored (No in step S209), the migration preparation unit 623 proceeds to step S212.

  When storing the earliest program (Yes in step S209), the migration preparation unit 623 waits until the earliest program is input (step S210). When the earliest program is input (Yes in step S210), the migration preparation unit 623 stores the earliest program in the storage unit 624 (step S211). As shown in FIG. 4, since the execution time of the POP program 53 is the earliest, the POP program 53 is stored in the storage unit 624 as the earliest program.

  Please refer to FIG. The migration preparation unit 623 resets the time of a clock IC (not shown) based on the time information notified from the back end unit 61 (see step S109, FIG. 3) (step S212). After completion of the processing illustrated in FIG. 5, the transition preparation unit 623 notifies the power management unit 14 of completion of preparation for transition to the second power saving mode. After the notification from the back end unit 61 and the preparation completion notification from the front end unit 62 are input, the power management unit 14 shifts the multifunction device 1 to the second power saving mode.

{5.2. Operation of MFP 1 in the second power saving mode}
Hereinafter, the operation of the front end unit 62 in the second power saving mode will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the front end unit 62 in the second power saving mode.

  When the end of the second power saving mode is notified from the power management unit 14 (Yes in step S301), the front end unit 62 ends the process illustrated in FIG. If there is no notification of the end of the second power saving mode (No in step S301), the front end unit 62 waits until one second has elapsed (step S302). If 1 second has elapsed (Yes in step S302), the front end unit 62 updates the current time (step S303).

  The front end unit 62 refers to the list data 54 and checks whether or not there is a periodic execution program whose execution time has passed (hereinafter referred to as “target program”) (step S304). If there is no target program (No in step S304), the front end unit 62 returns to step S301.

  If there is a target program (Yes in step S304), the front end unit 62 checks whether or not the target program is stored in the storage unit 624 (step S305). If the target program is stored (Yes in step S305), the front end unit 62 proceeds to step S310. This case corresponds to the case where the POP program 53 is detected as a target program.

  When the target program is not stored (No in step S305), the front end unit 62 refers to the list data 54 and confirms the storage destination of the target program (step S306).

  For example, assume that the target program is the DHCP program 51. As shown in FIG. 4, since the PC 2 is set as the storage location of the DHCP program (Yes in step S306), the program acquisition unit 622 acquires the DHCP program 51 from the PC 2 (step S307). If the DHCP program 51 cannot be acquired from the PC 2, the program acquisition unit 622 may acquire it from an apparatus having an IP address of “192.168.10.6” (see FIG. 4).

  On the other hand, when a device such as PC 2 or 3 is not set as the storage destination of the target program (No in step S306), the front end unit 62 shifts to the first power saving mode with respect to the power management unit 14. Is instructed (step S308). After the multifunction device 1 shifts to the first power saving mode (power is supplied to the back end unit 61), the program acquisition unit 622 acquires the DHCP program 51 from the back end unit 61 (step S309). Specifically, the program acquisition unit 622 may execute steps S204 to S206 shown in FIG. Further, when the program acquisition unit 622 cannot acquire the DHCP program 51 from the storage location set in the list data 54, the program acquisition unit 622 may acquire the DHCP program 52 from the back-end unit 61.

  The front end unit 62 updates the execution time of the target program set in the list data 54 (step S310). The execution time is updated by adding the execution interval to the execution time of the target program set in the list data 54. The front end unit 62 executes the target program (step S311). After execution of the target program, the front end unit 62 creates a log in which the execution time and execution result of the target program are recorded, and stores the log in the storage unit 624. The log is output to the back end unit 61 when the multifunction device 1 shifts to the normal mode or the first power saving mode. The back end unit 61 can determine the next time to execute the periodic execution program by referring to the log.

{5.3. Details of periodic execution program}
Hereinafter, the periodic execution program executed in step S311 will be described. When the target program is the DHCP program 51, the front end unit 62 executes DHCP Renewing. DHCP Renewing is a process for requesting an extension of an IP address lease from a DHCP server (not shown). In the attribute data of the DHCP program 51, the IP address of the DHCP server, the IP address of the multifunction device 1 assigned from the DHCP server, and the ID received from the DHCP server when executing the DHCP Discovery are set.

  Alternatively, the DHCP program 51 may be a program that executes DHCP Rebinding for reacquiring the IP address from the DHCP server. The DHCP program 51 may be a program that executes both DHCP Renewing and DHCP Rebinding.

  When the target program is the SNTP program 52, the front end unit 62 accesses an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server (not shown) and resets the current time. In the attribute data of the SNTP program 52, the IP address of the NTP server and time zone information indicating the area where the multifunction machine 1 is installed are set.

  When the target program is the POP program 53, the front end unit 62 accesses the mail server 4 and inquires whether or not the mail addressed to the multifunction device 1 is received. In the attribute data, the IP address of the mail server 4 and user information (ID, password, etc.) for accessing the mail server 4 are set.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation when the front end unit 62 executes the POP program 53. The front end unit 62 accesses the POP program 53 and inquires of the mail server 4 whether there is a received mail (step S401).

  If there is no received mail (No in step S402), the front end unit 62 ends the process shown in FIG. When there is a received mail (Yes in step S402), the front end unit 62 instructs the power management unit 14 to shift to the normal mode (step S403). When the multifunction device 1 shifts to the normal mode (Yes in step S404), the front end unit 62 acquires the received mail from the mail server 4 (step S405). The reason why the received mail is acquired after shifting to the normal mode is that the storage unit 624 may overflow when the received mail has a large attachment file. The front end unit 62 outputs the acquired received mail to the back end unit 61 (step S406), and ends the process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the back end unit 61 after the multifunction device 1 returns to the normal mode or the first power saving mode. The back end unit 61 confirms whether or not the mode has been returned to the normal mode or the first power saving mode according to an instruction from the front end unit 62 (step S501).

  When it is not returned by the instruction of the front end unit 62 (No in step S501), the back end unit 61 ends the process shown in FIG. In this case, it is considered that the multifunction device 1 has returned to the normal mode or the first power saving mode by a user operation. The multi-function device 1 executes processing according to the user's operation.

  When returning by the instruction of the front end unit 62 (Yes in step S501), the back end unit 61 checks whether or not the output of the periodic execution program is requested from the front end unit 62 (step S502). When requested (Yes in step S502), the back end unit 61 outputs the requested periodic execution program to the front end unit 62 (step S503). Thereafter, the back end unit 61 instructs to shift to the second power saving mode (step S504). At this time, since the front end unit 62 has already executed processing according to the second power saving mode, the front end unit 62 does not execute the processing shown in FIG. Similarly, the back end unit 61 does not execute the processing shown in FIG.

  When the output of the periodic execution program is not requested (No in step S502), the back end unit 61 confirms whether the multifunction device 1 has returned to the normal mode (step S505). After the multifunction device 1 returns to the normal mode (Yes in step S505), the back end unit 61 outputs the received mail input from the front end unit 62 to the main body control unit 11 (step S506). The main body control unit 11 prints received mail, displays a message indicating that the mail has been received, and the like.

  As described above, the front end unit 62 acquires the periodic execution program from the storage location set in the list data 54 when the execution time of the periodic execution program comes, and executes the acquired program. As a result, the front end unit 62 can execute various processes without causing the multifunction device 1 to shift to the normal mode or the first power saving mode. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the number of times that the multifunction device 1 shifts from the second power saving mode to the normal mode or the first power saving mode.

  Further, the front end unit 62 may not store all the periodic execution programs in the storage unit 624. For this reason, the front end unit 62 may not include the large-capacity storage unit 624.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the periodic execution programs are the DHCP program 51, the SNTP 52, and the POP program 53 has been described. However, the periodic execution program may be a program that needs to be executed at regular time intervals using communication via the LAN 5 regardless of the operation mode of the multifunction machine 1.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which one periodic execution program is stored in the storage unit 624 has been described. However, the storage unit 624 may store two or more periodic execution programs. In other words, the number of periodic execution programs that can be stored in the storage unit 624 may be smaller than the number of periodic execution programs registered in the list data 54.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which a communication device connected to the LAN 5 such as the PCs 2 and 3 is set as the storage destination of the periodic execution program has been described. However, in the list data 54 shown in FIG. 4, the back end unit 61 may be set as the storage destination. In this case, the program acquisition unit 622 may acquire the periodic execution program preferentially from a communication device (PC3 or the like) connected to the network. As a result, the number of times the multifunction device 1 returns to the first power saving mode can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the DHCP program 51, the SNTP program 52, and the POP program 53 have been described as examples of the periodic execution program. However, the periodic execution program may not be the above-described program, and may be a network program that is executed by the multi-function device 1 at regular intervals regardless of the operation mode of the multi-function device 1.

1 MFP 2, 3 PC
4 Mail server 5 LAN
6 Network controller 51 DHCP program 52 SNTP program 53 POP program 54 List data 61 Back end unit 62 Front end unit 611, 621 Control unit 612, 624 Control unit 622 Program acquisition unit 623 Migration preparation unit

Claims (8)

Power is supplied in the first power mode and the second power mode, which consumes less power than the first power mode, and a communication control unit that controls communication via the network;
A periodic process execution unit for storing a first program, wherein power is not supplied in the second power mode, and the first program is periodically executed in the first power mode;
A power management unit that manages power supplied to the communication control unit and the periodic process execution unit;
With
The communication control unit
A storage unit that stores list data in which identification information of the first program, an execution time of the first program, and a storage destination of the first program are associated with each other;
When operating in the second power mode and determining that the current time is the execution time, the first program is communicated based on the storage location of the first program registered in the list data. A program acquisition unit acquired from outside the control unit;
A program execution unit for executing the first program acquired by the program acquisition unit;
A network device comprising: The network device according to claim 1,
A storage device connected to the network is registered in the list data as the storage destination,
The communication control unit further includes:
When shifting from the first power mode to the second power mode, the first program and the list data are acquired from the periodic process execution unit, and the first program is stored in the storage location registered in the list data. The migration preparation department,
A network device comprising: In the network device according to claim 1 or 2,
As the storage destination, the periodic process execution unit is registered in the list data,
The program acquisition unit instructs the power management unit to shift to the first power mode, and acquires the first program from the periodic process execution unit after shifting to the first power mode. The network device according to claim 3, wherein
The power management unit is a network device that shifts the network device to a second power mode after the program acquisition unit acquires the first program. The network device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
When the transition preparation unit transitions from the first power mode to the second power mode, the transition preparation unit first selects the program registered in the list data based on the execution time of the program registered in the list data. A network device that identifies the earliest program to be executed, acquires the earliest program from the periodic process execution unit, and stores the earliest program in the storage unit. The network device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
When the first program is executed in the second power mode, the program execution unit creates log data including an execution date and time of the first program, and changes from the second power mode to the first power mode. A network device that outputs the log data to the periodic process execution unit when it is migrated. The network device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The program execution unit determines whether or not to shift to the first power mode based on result data obtained by executing the first program. The network device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The storage unit stores a standby program that executes a predetermined process requested from a communication device connected to the network,
The program execution unit is a network device that executes the standby program when receiving the request for the predetermined process.

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