JP5675554B2 - Network communication device, electronic device, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network communication device, an electronic device, and a program.

  Some electronic devices such as image forming apparatuses have an energy saving mode as a power supply mode. In such an energy saving mode, such an electronic device stops power supply to a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) and maintains a network communication function with a sub CPU with low power consumption (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP 2009-29102 A JP 2004-34488 A International Publication WO2006 / 043436

  In the electronic apparatus as described above, the CPU that performs network communication is switched from the main CPU to the sub CPU or from the sub CPU to the main CPU at the time of switching the power supply mode. Therefore, an ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) table before and after switching. The routing information such as the routing table cannot be matched, and there is a possibility that a failure occurs in the network communication.

  Even in the energy saving mode, whether or not a frame on a layer 2 (hereinafter referred to as L2) network such as Ethernet (trademark) is a frame addressed to the electronic device is determined inside the electronic device. In addition, since this determination occurs frequently as the speed of the L2 network increases, the power consumption of the electronic device increases even in the energy saving mode.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a network communication device and program for reducing the occurrence of a network communication failure due to switching of the power supply mode while reducing the power consumption of the electronic device, and the network communication thereof. The purpose is to obtain an electronic device with a built-in device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

  A network communication device according to the present invention includes a power control unit that controls a power mode of a predetermined electronic device having a network communication function, and obtains routing information of the electronic device, and the electronic device in the power mode set by the power control unit A communication proxy unit that performs network communication of the electronic device using the routing information during a period in which the network function is stopped.

  Thereby, since the routing information of the electronic device is taken over, occurrence of a network communication failure due to switching of the power mode is reduced. Further, since network communication is performed in a network device that is not normally turned off, the power consumption of the electronic device can be reduced without substantially increasing the power consumption of the network device.

Also, Shin proxy unit passing obtains routing information before the network function of the electronic device by changing the power mode by the power control unit is stopped, the network function is resumed electronic devices by changing the power mode by the power control unit After that, the current routing information is supplied to the electronic device.

  As a result, routing information is inherited from the electronic device when the network function of the electronic device is stopped, and routing information is inherited to the electronic device when the network function of the electronic device is resumed. Is done.

  In addition to the network communication device described above, the network communication device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the power supply control unit stops and starts power supply to the electronic device, the communication proxy unit acquires routing information before the power supply control unit stops power supply to the electronic device, and the power supply control unit receives the electronic device. After the power supply to is resumed, the routing information at that time is supplied to the electronic device.

  In addition to the network communication device described above, the network communication device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the network communication device includes an L2 communication unit that receives routing information from the electronic device using a frame of a predetermined frame type of Layer 2.

  As a result, the network communication function described above is performed without network settings simply by connecting the network communication device and the electronic device through the same layer 2 network.

In addition to the network communication device described above, the network communication device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the network communication device includes an L2 communication unit that receives routing information from the electronic device using a frame of a predetermined frame type of layer 2 and transmits the routing information to the electronic device. As a result, the network communication function described above is performed without network settings simply by connecting the network communication device and the electronic device through the same layer 2 network.

In addition to the network communication device described above, the network communication device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the above routing information includes at least one of an ARP table and a routing table.

In addition to the network communication device described above, the network communication device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the communication proxy unit updates the routing information during a period of proxying network communication of the electronic device. In addition to the network communication device described above, the network communication device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the communication proxy unit performs network communication of the electronic device after the start-up processing is completed from the transmission of the routing information to the electronic device corresponding to the transmission request transmitted in the start-up processing when the power supply to the electronic device is resumed. When the communication data addressed to the electronic device is received during the period until the substitution ends, the received communication data is buffered, and the buffered communication data is transmitted to the electronic device when the substitution ends. In addition to the network communication device described above, the network communication device according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, when receiving communication data addressed to the electronic device, the communication proxy unit responds without transferring the received communication data to the electronic device during the period of proxying the network communication of the electronic device. After the device network communication proxy is completed, the received communication data is transferred to the electronic device.

  The electronic device according to the present invention is the above-described predetermined electronic device and includes the above-described network communication device.

The program according to the present invention obtains routing information of a power control unit that controls a power source mode of a predetermined electronic device having a network communication function, and electronic device in a power mode set by the power control unit. While the network function of the device is stopped, the routing information is used to function as a communication proxy unit that performs network communication of the electronic device. The communication agency acquires routing information before the network function of the electronic device is stopped due to the change of the power mode by the power control unit, and the network function of the electronic device is resumed by the change of the power mode by the power control unit. After that, the current routing information is supplied to the electronic device. Thereby, since the routing information of the electronic device is taken over, occurrence of a network communication failure due to switching of the power mode is reduced. In addition, since network communication is performed in the network device, the power consumption of the electronic device can be reduced without substantially increasing the power consumption of the network device.

In addition to the above program, the program according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the communication proxy unit updates the routing information during a period of proxying network communication of the electronic device. In addition to the above program, the program according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, the communication proxy unit performs network communication of the electronic device after the start-up processing is completed from the transmission of the routing information to the electronic device corresponding to the transmission request transmitted in the start-up processing when the power supply to the electronic device is resumed. When the communication data addressed to the electronic device is received during the period until the substitution ends, the received communication data is buffered, and the buffered communication data is transmitted to the electronic device when the substitution ends. In addition to the above program, the program according to the present invention may be as follows. In this case, when receiving communication data addressed to the electronic device, the communication proxy unit responds without transferring the received communication data to the electronic device during the period of proxying the network communication of the electronic device. After the device network communication proxy is completed, the received communication data is transferred to the electronic device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the network communication apparatus etc. which reduce generation | occurrence | production of the network communication failure resulting from switching of a power supply mode, reducing the power consumption of an electronic device are obtained.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system including a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the power supply control device when power supply to the image forming apparatus is stopped in the system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the power supply control device when the power supply to the image forming apparatus is resumed in the system shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the L2 switch unit of the power supply control device in FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the data plane of the L2 switch unit shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the control plane of the L2 switch unit shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation related to the communication proxy of the control plane of the L2 switch unit shown in FIG. 4 during the communication proxy. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing of the control frame of the L2 switch unit shown in FIG.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system including a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the system shown in FIG. 1, a power switch 2 is connected to a power line of an image forming apparatus 1, and a power control device 3 that is a network communication device is connected between the image forming apparatus 1 and a network 4. Yes. Further, a terminal device 5 is connected to the network 4.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an electronic device having a network communication function, and includes a communication device 11, a communication processing unit 12, a controller 13, and a power mode management unit 14.

  The communication device 11 is a network interface, and is connected to the power supply control device 3 through an L2 network such as Ethernet (trademark).

  The communication processing unit 12 controls the communication device 11 to perform data communication in layers 2 and higher.

  The controller 13 controls internal devices (not shown) such as a printing device, an image reading device, and a facsimile device, and executes various jobs in accordance with commands from the terminal device 5 and the like.

  The power supply mode management unit 14 uses the communication device 11 and the communication processing unit 12 to send a power supply stop request, transmission of routing information before power supply stop, a transmission request for routing information after power supply restart, and the like. Send to.

  In this embodiment, the routing information includes an ARP table and a routing table.

  The communication processing unit 12, the controller 13, and the power supply mode management unit 14 are realized by executing a program with a built-in computer (not shown).

  The power switching device 2 is connected to the power control device 3 via a network, a peripheral device interface, and the like, connected to the image forming device 1 and a commercial power source, and in response to a command from the power control device 3. Turns on / off the power supply.

  The power supply control device 3 is a network communication device such as an L2 bridge or an L2 switch, for example, and includes an L2 switch unit 31 and a power supply control unit 32.

  The L2 switch unit 31 functions as an L2 switch, acquires the routing information and device management information of the image forming apparatus 1, and the network function of the image forming apparatus 1 is stopped in the power mode set by the power control unit 32. A communication proxy unit 41 that performs network communication of the image forming apparatus 1 (such as a response to a request to the image forming apparatus 1) using the routing information and device management information during the period.

  The communication proxy unit 41 acquires the routing information and the device management information before the network function of the image forming apparatus 1 is stopped due to the change of the power mode by the power control unit 32, and the image by the change of the power mode by the power control unit 32. After the network function of the forming apparatus 1 is resumed, the current routing information is supplied to the image forming apparatus 1.

  In this embodiment, that is, the communication proxy unit 41 acquires routing information before the power supply control unit 32 stops power supply to the image forming apparatus 1, and the power supply control unit 32 supplies power to the image forming apparatus 1. After restarting, the current routing information is supplied to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The power control unit 32 controls the power mode of the image forming apparatus 1 using the power switching device 2. In this embodiment, the power supply control unit 32 causes the power supply switching device 2 to stop and restart the power supply to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The power supply control unit 32 and the communication proxy unit 41 are realized by executing a program with a built-in computer (not shown). The program is stored in advance in a nonvolatile storage device (not shown) in the power supply control device 3.

  The network 4 is a network such as Ethernet (trademark). The terminal device 5 is a personal computer connected to the network 4 and installed with drivers for the image forming apparatus 1 and the power supply control device 3.

  Next, the operation of the power supply control device 3 will be described. Here, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when power supply is stopped and the operation when power supply is resumed will be described.

(1) Operation when power supply to the image forming apparatus 1 is stopped

  FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the power supply control device 3 when power supply to the image forming apparatus 1 is stopped in the system shown in FIG.

  The power supply mode management unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 1 stops power supply to the image forming apparatus 1 when a predetermined condition (a job is not generated for a predetermined period, an instruction by a user, scheduling, etc.) is established in the image forming apparatus 1. The requested power mode change request is transmitted to the power control device 3 using the communication device 11 and the communication processing unit 12 (step S1).

  At this time, the power mode management unit 14 acquires routing information such as an ARP table and a routing table from the communication processing unit 12 and the like, and transmits them to the power control device 3 using the communication device 11 and the communication processing unit 12 ( Step S2).

  At this time, the power supply mode management unit 14 transmits the device management information of the image forming apparatus 1 such as the SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) MIB (Management Information Base) to the power supply control apparatus 3 together with the routing information.

  When the communication proxy unit 41 in the L2 switch unit 31 of the power control device 3 acquires the power mode change request, the routing information, and the device management information, the communication proxy unit 41 determines whether the communication proxy is possible and can perform the proxy service. If there is, a power mode change permission notification in response to the power mode change request is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S3), the device management information is saved, and the routing information is reflected in the L2 switch unit 31. Then, the proxy of the image forming apparatus 1 is started (step S4). At this time, the communication proxy unit 41 extracts the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the image forming apparatus 1 from the ARP table and also extracts the IP address of the image forming apparatus 1 from the routing table, which are the destinations. Receives communication data (frame, packet) and responds as necessary.

  In the period during which the communication of the image forming apparatus 1 is performed, the communication proxy unit 41 receives all communication data (such as various requests) addressed to the image forming apparatus 1 from the network 4 and responds as necessary. The communication data is not transferred to the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, during the period when the communication of the image forming apparatus 1 is performed, the communication proxy unit 41 updates the routing information as necessary.

  When it is determined that the communication proxy is not possible, the communication proxy unit 41 transmits a power mode change rejection notification to the image forming apparatus 1.

  For example, the communication proxy unit 41 determines that the communication proxy is possible when the routing information necessary for the communication proxy is acquired. If the routing information required for the communication proxy is not acquired, the communication proxy 41 It is determined that substitution is not possible.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the power supply mode management unit 14 uses the communication device 11 and the communication processing unit 12 to receive power supply mode change permission notification, and then stops power supply to the image forming apparatus 1. A command is transmitted to the power supply control device 3 (step S5).

  In the power supply control device 3, when the L2 switch unit 31 receives the power supply mode change command, the power supply control unit 32 transmits a power supply stop command to the power supply switching device 2 (step S6). When receiving the power supply stop command, the power supply switching device 2 shuts off the power supply line of the image forming apparatus 1 and stops power supply to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S7). When the power switch 2 shuts off the power line of the image forming apparatus 1, the power switch 2 transmits a power supply stop notification to the power controller 32 (step S8).

  In this way, power supply to the image forming apparatus 1 is stopped after the communication proxy by the power supply control device 3 is started. Due to this power supply stop, the routing information in the image forming apparatus 1 is lost. As a result, the routing information of the image forming apparatus 1 is taken over by the power supply control apparatus 3, so that no communication failure occurs.

(2) Operation when power supply to the image forming apparatus 1 is resumed

  FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the power supply control device 3 when the power supply to the image forming apparatus 1 is resumed in the system shown in FIG.

  When resuming the power supply of the image forming apparatus 1, the user operates the terminal device 5, for example, to transmit a power supply mode change command for resuming the power supply of the image forming apparatus 1 to the power supply control apparatus 3 (step S <b> 21). .

  In the power supply control device 3, when the L2 switch unit 31 receives the power supply mode change command via the network 4, the power supply control unit 32 transmits a power supply start command to the power supply switching device 2 (step S22). When receiving the power supply start command, the power supply switching device 2 connects the power supply line of the image forming apparatus 1 and starts power supply to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S23). Thereby, the power supply to the image forming apparatus 1 is resumed, and the image forming apparatus 1 starts the activation process (step S24). When the power supply switching device 2 connects the power supply line of the image forming apparatus 1, the power supply switching device 2 transmits a power supply start notification to the power supply control unit 32 (step S25).

  When the power supply control unit 32 receives the power supply start notification, the power supply control unit 32 transmits a power supply mode change start notification indicating that power supply to the image forming apparatus 1 has been resumed to the terminal device 5 using the L2 switch unit 31 (step). S26). When receiving the power mode change start notification, the terminal device 5 displays a message indicating that power feeding has been resumed.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, in the start-up process, the power mode management unit 14 transmits a routing information transmission request to the power control device 3 using the communication device 11 and the communication processing unit 12 (step S27).

  In the power supply control device 3, when the communication proxy unit 41 receives the transmission request, it acquires routing information at that time and transmits it to the power supply mode management unit 14 (step S28).

  When receiving the routing information, the power supply mode management unit 14 reflects the routing information on the communication processing unit 12 (step S29). Thereby, the communication processing unit 12 starts network communication using the routing information.

  When the startup process is completed, the power supply mode management unit 14 transmits a startup process completion notification to the power supply control device 3 using the communication device 11 and the communication processing unit 12 (step S30).

  In the power supply control device 3, the communication proxy unit 41 ends the communication proxy when receiving the activation processing completion notification (step S <b> 31), and receives communication data addressed to the image processing device 1 after the communication proxy is completed, and then the image forming device 1. Forward to. When receiving a frame addressed to the image forming apparatus 1 during the period from the transmission of routing information (step S28) to the end of communication proxy (step S31), the communication proxy unit 41 buffers the frame and performs the communication proxy. At the end of (step S31), the buffered frame is sent to the image forming apparatus 1.

  Further, when the communication proxy is completed, the power mode management unit 14 transmits a power mode change completion notification to the terminal device 5 using the L2 switch unit 31 (step S32). When the terminal device 5 receives the power mode change completion notification, the terminal device 5 displays a message indicating that the image forming apparatus 1 can be used via the network 4 or the like. As a result, the user from the terminal device 5 can use the image forming apparatus 1.

  In this way, after power supply is resumed, the current routing information is applied from the power supply control device 3 to the image forming apparatus 1. Thereafter, the communication proxy by the power supply control device 3 ends. As a result, the routing information of the power supply control device 3 is taken over by the image forming apparatus 1, so that no communication failure occurs.

  Here, details of the L2 switch unit 31 of the power supply control device 3 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the L2 switch unit 31 of the power supply control device 3 in FIG. The L2 switch unit 31 includes a data plane 51 and a control plane 52. The data plane 51 performs frame transfer processing in L2 such as Ethernet (trademark). The control plane 52 implements the communication proxy unit 41 described above.

  The data plane 51 includes a physical layer 61, an L2 checker 62, and an L2 forwarder 63.

  The physical layer 61 is a communication circuit that transmits and receives a frame in L2 as an electrical signal.

  The L2 checker 62 interprets the header of the frame in L2 received by the physical device 61, and determines whether or not to pass the frame data of the frame to the control plane 52.

  In this embodiment, the L2 checker 62 passes the frame data of the received frame to the control plane 52 if the frame type of the received frame has a predetermined value, and otherwise transfers the frame to the L2 forwarder 63. To transfer from.

  In this embodiment, at the time of communication substitution, the value of the frame type is one of 0x0800 (IPv4), 0x86DD (IPv6), 0x9000 (CTP: Configuration Testing Protocol), and a specified value for communication related to the power control described above. The frame data is passed to the control plane 52.

  In this embodiment, when the communication substitution is not performed, if the frame type value is 0x9000 (CTP) and any of the specified values for communication related to the power control described above, the frame data is the control plane 52. Passed to.

  The L2 forwarder 63 causes the physical layer 61 to transfer the frame specified by the L2 checker 62 and the control plane 52.

  The control plane 52 includes a controller 71, an IP processing unit 72, a TCP / UDP processing unit 73, and an application unit 74.

  The controller 71 receives frame data from the data plane 51 and outputs frame data to the data plane 51. The controller 71 passes the frame data to the application unit 74 when the frame type value is 0x9000 or the specified value described above, and passes it to the IP processing unit 72 when the frame type value is 0x0800 or 0x86DD. Further, the controller 71 updates the ARP table as necessary at the time of communication substitution.

  The IP processing unit 72 performs communication processing using IP (Internet Protocol) (that is, layer 3), and performs conversion between the L2 frame and the IP packet. Further, the IP processing unit 72 updates the routing table as necessary at the time of communication proxy.

  The TCP / UDP processing unit 73 performs communication processing using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) (that is, layer 4).

  The application unit 74 performs communication proxy using the controller 71, the IP processing unit 72, and the TCP / UDP processing unit 73, and transmits / receives routing information to / from the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, when the application unit 74 receives a command relating to power control, the application unit 74 transfers the command to the power control unit 32.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the data plane 51 of the L2 switch unit 31 shown in FIG.

  The physical layer 61 notifies the reception of the frame (step S51) to the L2 checker 62 (step S52).

  When communication proxy is not performed, the L2 checker 62 determines whether the value of the frame type of the frame is 0x9000 (CTP) and any of the specified values for communication related to the power control described above. (Step S53). If the value of the frame type is neither of them, the L2 checker 62 supplies a frame transfer request to the L2 forwarder 63, and the L2 forwarder 63 sends the frame to the port corresponding to the destination of the frame (step S55). Then, the frame is transmitted from the port by the physical layer 61 (step S56).

  When performing communication proxy, the L2 checker 62 sets the frame type value of the frame to 0x0800 (IPv4), 0x86DD (IPv6), 0x9000 (CTP), and the specified value for communication related to the power control described above. It is determined whether or not any of them (step S53). If the value of the frame type is neither of them, the L2 checker 62 supplies a frame transfer request to the L2 forwarder 63, and the L2 forwarder 63 sends the frame to the port corresponding to the destination of the frame (step S55). Then, the frame is transmitted from the port by the physical layer 61 (step S56).

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the control plane 52 of the L2 switch unit 31 shown in FIG.

  The physical layer 61 notifies the reception of the frame (step S51) to the L2 checker 62 (step S52).

  When communication proxy is not performed, the L2 checker 62 determines whether the value of the frame type of the frame is 0x9000 (CTP) and any of the specified values for communication related to the power control described above. (Step S53). When the value of the frame type is any of them, the L2 checker 62 passes the frame data of the frame to the controller 71 of the control plane 52 (step S61).

  The controller 71 passes the frame data to the application unit 74 (step S62), and the application unit 74 executes a process specified by the frame data (step S63).

  In the case of CTP frame data, the application unit 74 performs response processing according to CTP.

  In the case of frame data for communication related to the above power control (the above power mode change request: step S1, routing information: step S2, power mode change command: step S5), the application unit 74, as described above, Processing corresponding to the frame data is performed.

  And the application part 74 produces | generates the response data which show a process result, and outputs it to the controller 71 (step S64). The controller 71 supplies the processing result to the L2 forwarder 63 (step S65), and sends it out from the L2 forwarder 63 to the transmission source of the frame described above in the L2 frame (step S66).

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation related to the communication proxy of the control plane 52 of the L2 switch unit 31 illustrated in FIG. 4 at the time of the communication proxy.

  The physical layer 61 notifies the reception of the frame (step S71) to the L2 checker 62 (step S72).

  When performing communication proxy, the L2 checker 62 sets the frame type value of the frame to 0x0800 (IPv4), 0x86DD (IPv6), 0x9000 (CTP), and the specified value for communication related to the power control described above. It is determined whether or not any one of them (step S73). When the value of the frame type is any of them, the L2 checker 62 passes the frame data of the frame to the controller 71 of the control plane 52 (step S74).

  When the value of the frame type is 0x0800 (IPv4) or 0x86DD (IPv6), that is, when the response request is for the image forming apparatus 1 regarding the communication proxy, the controller 71 sends the frame data to the IP processing unit 72. (Step S75)

  The IP processing unit 72 and the TCP / UDP processing unit 73 receive the response request by IP and TCP or UDP (step S76), and supply the response request to the application unit 74 (step S77).

  The application unit 74 generates response data corresponding to the response request (step S78) and passes it to the TCP / UDP processing unit 73 (step S79). For example, the application unit 74 specifies the device management information requested according to the upper protocol of the TCP / UDP processing unit 73, and generates response data including the device management information. For example, the application unit 74 acquires information requested by SNMP with reference to an MIB stored as device management information.

  Then, the response data is transmitted by following the path of the response request in reverse (steps S80 to S83).

  If the value of the frame type is 0x9000 (CTP) or a specified value for communication related to the power control described above, the frame data is passed to the application unit 74 as in the case of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the control plane 52 of the L2 switch unit 31 shown in FIG.

  When the power supply is resumed, a routing information transmission request is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 (step S27 described above).

  The frame including the routing information transmission request is received by the data plane 51, and the physical layer 61 notifies the L2 checker 62 of the reception of the frame (step S71) (step S72).

  Since the value of the frame type of the frame related to the transmission request is a specified value for the communication related to the power supply control described above, the L2 checker 62 passes the frame data of the frame to the controller 71 (step S74). This frame data includes a routing information transmission request.

  The controller 71 passes the frame data, that is, the routing information transmission request to the application unit 74 (step S91), and the application unit 74 acquires the routing information (step S92). For example, the application unit 74 acquires an ARP table from the controller 71 and acquires a routing table from the IP processing unit 72.

  Then, the application unit 74 outputs the routing information to the controller 71 as a response to the transmission request (step S93). The controller 71 supplies the routing information to the L2 forwarder 63 (step S94), and transmits the L2 frame from the L2 forwarder 63 toward the transmission source of the frame (step S95).

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, in the power supply control device 3, the power supply control unit 32 controls the power supply mode of the image forming apparatus 1 having the network communication function, and the communication proxy unit 41 operates as the image forming apparatus. 1 is acquired, and the network communication of the image forming apparatus 1 is performed using the routing information during the period when the network function of the image forming apparatus 1 is stopped in the power mode set by the power control unit 32. To do.

  Thereby, since the routing information of the image forming apparatus 1 is taken over, occurrence of a network communication failure due to switching of the power mode is reduced. In addition, since network communication is performed in a network device (power control device 3) that is not normally turned off, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 1 can be reduced without substantially increasing the power consumption of the network device. .

  The above-described embodiments are preferred examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the power switching device 2 and the power control device 3 are separate from the image forming device 1, but instead, the power switching device 2 and the power control device 3 are connected to the image forming device. You may make it incorporate in the apparatus 1. FIG.

  The present invention can be applied to power control of an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral.

1 Image forming apparatus (an example of electronic equipment)
31 L2 switch part (an example of L2 communication part)
32 Power supply control part 41 Communication agency part

Claims (13)

A power control unit for controlling a power mode of a predetermined electronic device having a network communication function;
Obtaining routing information of the electronic device, and performing network communication of the electronic device using the routing information during a period when the network function of the electronic device is stopped in the power mode set by the power control unit. A communication agency acting as a proxy,
Equipped with a,
The communication proxy unit acquires the routing information before the network function of the electronic device is stopped by the change of the power mode by the power control unit, and the electronic device by the change of the power mode by the power control unit. Supplying the current routing information to the electronic device after the network function of
Network communication equipment characterized by The power control unit stops and starts power feeding to the electronic device;
The communication proxy unit acquires the routing information before the power supply control unit stops power supply to the electronic device, and the routing information at that time after the power supply control unit resumes power supply to the electronic device. Supplying to the electronic device,
The network communication device according to claim 1 .   The network communication device according to claim 1, further comprising an L2 communication unit that receives the routing information from the electronic device using a frame of a predetermined frame type of layer 2. Network according to claim 1, further comprising a L2 communication unit that transmits the routing information to the electronic apparatus with using a predetermined frame type Layer 2 receives the routing information from the electronic device Communication equipment. The routing information, network communication device according to any one of claims 1 to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises at least one of the ARP table and routing table.
6. The network according to claim 1, wherein the communication proxy unit updates the routing information during a period of proxying network communication of the electronic device. Communication equipment. The communication proxy unit transmits the routing information to the electronic device corresponding to the transmission request transmitted in the activation process when resuming the power supply to the electronic device, and then completes the activation process. When the communication data addressed to the electronic device is received during the period until the end of the network communication, the received communication data is buffered, and the buffered communication data is transmitted to the electronic device when the proxy ends. The network communication device according to claim 1, wherein the network communication device is a network communication device. When the communication proxy unit receives communication data addressed to the electronic device, the communication proxy unit responds without transferring the received communication data to the electronic device during a period of proxying network communication of the electronic device. The network according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein after the substitution of network communication of the electronic device is completed, the received communication data is transferred to the electronic device. Communication equipment. The predetermined electronic device, wherein the network communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is incorporated. Computer
A power control unit that controls a power mode of a predetermined electronic device having a network communication function, and obtains routing information of the electronic device, and the network function of the electronic device is stopped in the power mode set by the power control unit A communication agent that performs network communication of the electronic device using the routing information during a period of time,
Function as
The communication proxy unit acquires the routing information before the network function of the electronic device is stopped by the change of the power mode by the power control unit, and the electronic device by the change of the power mode by the power control unit. Supplying the current routing information to the electronic device after the network function of
A program characterized by The program according to claim 10, wherein the communication proxy unit updates the routing information during a period of proxying network communication of the electronic device. The communication proxy unit transmits the routing information to the electronic device corresponding to the transmission request transmitted in the activation process when resuming the power supply to the electronic device, and then completes the activation process. When the communication data addressed to the electronic device is received during the period until the end of the network communication, the received communication data is buffered, and the buffered communication data is transmitted to the electronic device when the proxy ends. The program according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the program is executed. When the communication proxy unit receives communication data addressed to the electronic device, the communication proxy unit responds without transferring the received communication data to the electronic device during a period of proxying network communication of the electronic device. The program according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein after the substitution of network communication of the electronic device is completed, the received communication data is transferred to the electronic device. .

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