COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR A COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND METHOD PERFORMED BY A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - Patent application

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of appropriately switching whether or not an operational state of a communication device is shifted from a power saving state to a normal state in accordance with a transmission source IP address included in a request signal in a state where the operational state of the communication device is the power saving state.SOLUTION: A communication device receives a request signal from an external device in a state where an operational state of the communication device is a power saving state, shifts the operational state of the communication device from the power saving state to a normal state in a case where a transmission source IP address included in the request signal is a global IP address, and executes specific processing in response to shifting the operational state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state. The specific processing is not executed when the operational state of the communication device is the power saving state. In a case where the transmission source IP address included in the request signal is not the global IP address, the communication device transmits a first response signal with respect to the request signal to the external device without shifting the operational state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a technology for switching the operating state of a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an image printing device that can operate in either a normal mode or a power saving mode. When data is received while the image printing device is in the power saving mode, the image printing device activates a CPU. Then, in the normal mode in which the CPU is activated, the image printing device determines whether the IP address of the transmitting device included in the received data is a global IP address. When the IP address of the transmitting device is a global IP address, the image printing device sets the GPIO assert setting to enabled, and when the IP address of the transmitting device is not a global IP address, the image printing device sets the GPIO assert setting to disabled. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-206133 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to switching the operation mode of the image printing device in accordance with the IP address of the transmitting device when the image printing device is in the power saving mode. There are cases where it is desirable to switch, depending on the IP address of the transmitting device, whether to maintain the operation mode of the image printing device in the power saving mode or to switch the operation mode of the image printing device from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

[0005] This specification provides a technology that, when the operating state of a communication device is in a power saving state, can appropriately switch whether or not to transition the operating state of the communication device from a power saving state to a normal state depending on a source IP address included in a request signal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The communication device disclosed in this specification may be capable of selectively operating in either a power saving state or a normal state in which power consumption is higher than that in the power saving state. The communication device may include a receiving unit that receives a request signal from an external device when the operating state of the communication device is the power saving state, the request signal including a source IP address that is an IP address of the external device; a transition unit that transitions the operating state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state when the source IP address included in the request signal is a global IP address, the transition unit not transitioning the operating state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state when the source IP address included in the request signal is not a global IP address; a specific process execution unit that executes a specific process in response to the operating state of the communication device transitioning from the power saving state to the normal state, the specific process not being executed when the operating state of the communication device is in the power saving state; and a transmitting unit that transmits a first response signal to the request signal to the external device when the source IP address included in the request signal is not a global IP address, without the operating state of the communication device transitioning from the power saving state to the normal state.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the communication device receives a request signal including a source IP address from an external device when the operation state of the communication device is in a power saving state. Then, when the source IP address is a global IP address, the communication device transitions the operation state of the communication device from a power saving state to a normal state and executes a specific process. On the other hand, when the source IP address is not a global IP address, the communication device transmits a first response signal to the external device without transitioning the operation state of the communication device from a power saving state to a normal state. Therefore, when the operation state of the communication device is in a power saving state, the communication device can appropriately switch whether or not to transition the operation state of the communication device from a power saving state to a normal state according to the source IP address included in the request signal.

[0008] A control method for implementing the above-mentioned communication device, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful. Also, a communication system including the above-mentioned communication device and an external device is novel and useful. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a communication system. [Diagram 2] The configuration of the MFP is shown below. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a flowchart of a process executed by a sub CPU. [Figure 4] 2 shows a flowchart of the processing executed by the main CPU. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a sequence diagram of cases A to C in which a PING signal is transmitted. [Figure 6] A sequence diagram of cases D to F in which a print request is transmitted is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (Example) (Configuration of communication system 2; Figs. 1 and 2) As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system 2 includes a multi-function peripheral (hereinafter referred to as "MFP (abbreviation of Multi-Function Peripheral)") 10, a router 60, and a plurality of PCs 100A to 100D. The MFP 10, the PCs 100A to 100C, and the router 60 are installed in a certain facility 80. The facility 80 is, for example, a university, a company, etc. The PC 100D is installed in a location different from the facility 80.

[0011] The MFP 10 is assigned the global IP address "128.1.0.1". In this way, since the MFP 10 has its own global IP address, it can perform communication using the Internet 4 without going through a router in the facility 80. In the following, the global IP address may be referred to as "GIP". And the GIP of the MFP 10 may be referred to as "GIPm".

[0012] The PC 100A is assigned a GIP of "128.1.0.2" (hereinafter, may be referred to as "GIPa"). The MFP 10 and the PC 100A belong to the same first network 6 identified by the network address "128.1" and can communicate with each other using the first network 6. Each device 10, 100A in the first network 6 has a GIP and does not have a private IP address (in other words, a local IP address). For this reason, the first network 6 may not be called a "LAN (short for Local Area Network)" accurately, but it can also be called a "LAN" in that it is a network for performing communication without going through the Internet 4. Note that, hereinafter, the private IP address may be referred to as a "PIP".

[0013] Furthermore, the MFP 10 and the PC 100A each have the GIP "128.1.0.3" (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "GIPr") of the router 60 as a gateway address. As described above, the MFP 10 and the PC 100A do not execute communication using the Internet 4 via the router 60. The MFP 10 and the PC 100A can execute communication with other devices (e.g., PC 100B) within the facility 80 via the router 60.

[0014] The PIP "198.168.0.2" (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "PIPb") is assigned to the PC 100B. The PIP "198.168.0.3" (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "PIPc") is assigned to the PC 100C. The PC 100B and the PC 100C belong to the second network 8 (i.e., the LAN 8) and can communicate with each other using the second network 8.

[0015] Each of PC 100B and PC 100C has the PIP "198.168.0.1" (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "PIPr") of the router 60 as a gateway address. As a result, each of PC 100B, 100C can communicate with other devices (e.g., MFP 10) in the facility 80 via the router 60. However, although the router 60 has a NAT (short for Network Address Translation) function, this function is disabled. Therefore, each of PC 100B, 100C, which does not have a GIP, cannot communicate using the Internet 4.

[0016] A PC 100D that exists outside the facility 80 is assigned the GIP "192.0.0.1" (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "GIPd").

[0017] (MFP10 configuration; Figure 2) 2, the MFP 10 is a peripheral device (e.g., a peripheral device of a PC 100A) capable of performing multiple functions including a printing function and a scanning function. The MFP 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a printing execution unit 16, a scanning execution unit 18, a communication interface (hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as “I / F”) 20, and a control unit 30.

[0018] The operation unit 12 has a plurality of keys. A user can input various instructions to the MFP 10 by operating the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 14 also functions as a so-called touch panel (i.e., an operation unit). The print execution unit 16 is a printing mechanism such as an inkjet type or a laser type. The scan execution unit 18 is a scanning mechanism such as a CCD or a CIS. The communication I / F 20 may be a wireless I / F or a wired I / F.

[0019] The control unit 30 includes a main CPU 32, a sub CPU 34, and a memory 36. The main CPU 32 executes various processes according to a main program 38 stored in the memory 36. The sub CPU 34 executes various processes according to a sub program 40 stored in the memory 36. The memory 36 is configured with a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The memory 36 stores a GIPm, a filter flag 42, and permitted address information 44. The filter flag 42 indicates either "ON" indicating that the sub CPU 34 is permitted to execute a process (S34 in FIG. 3) for determining whether or not the source IP address in the request signal is a global IP address, or "OFF" indicating that the sub CPU 34 is prohibited from executing the process. The permitted address information 44 is a global IP address that is permitted to use a function (e.g., a print function) executed by the main CPU 32. The filter flag 42 and the permitted address information 44 can be set by a user such as an administrator of the MFP 10.

[0020] The MFP 10 can selectively operate in either a normal state or a power saving state. In the normal state, the main CPU 32, the display unit 14, the print execution unit 16, and the scan execution unit 18 are in an ON state, and the sub-CPU 34 is in an OFF state. In the power saving state, the sub-CPU 34 is in an ON state, and the display unit 14, the print execution unit 16, the scan execution unit 18, and the main CPU 32 are in an OFF state. The ON state of the main CPU 32 and the sub-CPU 34 means a state in which a clock is supplied to the main CPU 32 and the sub-CPU 34. The frequency of the clock supplied to the main CPU 32 is higher than the frequency of the clock supplied to the sub-CPU 34. The power consumption of the MFP 10 when operating in the normal state is higher than the power consumption of the MFP 10 when operating in the power saving state. When the time during which the MFP 10 does not accept a user operation becomes a predetermined time or longer while operating in the normal state, the MFP 10 transitions from the normal state to the power saving state. Furthermore, when the MFP 10 receives a user operation while operating in the power saving state, the MFP 10 transitions from the power saving state to the normal state. The MFP 10 may also transition from the power saving state to the normal state in response to the execution of a process (FIG. 3) executed by the sub-CPU 34 described later.

[0021] (Processing performed by the sub-CPU; Figure 3) Next, referring to Fig. 3, a process executed by the sub-CPU 34 of the MFP 10, i.e., a process executed when the operating state of the MFP 10 is the power saving state, will be described. In the following description, the PCs 100A to 100D are collectively referred to as "target PCs." Furthermore, all of the following communications executed by the MFP 10 are executed via the communication I / F 20. Therefore, in the following description, the phrase "via the communication I / F 20" will be omitted.

[0022] In S10, the sub-CPU 34 monitors whether a request signal including a source IP address, a destination IP address, and protocol information is received from the target PC. The source IP address is an IP address assigned to the target PC, and the destination IP address is GIPm. The protocol information is information indicating the communication protocol used to communicate the request signal. If the request signal is a print request, the request signal may include print data. When the sub-CPU 34 receives a request signal from the target PC (YES in S10), the process proceeds to S12.

[0023] In S12, the sub-CPU 34 uses the protocol information in the request signal to identify the communication protocol used for communicating the request signal (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "target communication protocol").

[0024] In S14, the sub CPU 34 determines whether the target communication protocol is a first type communication protocol. The first type communication protocol is a communication protocol that is not supported by the MFP 10. For example, SNMP Trap is a first type communication protocol. If the target communication protocol is a first type communication protocol (YES in S12), the sub CPU 34 ends the processing in FIG. 3. That is, the sub CPU 34 does not transmit a response corresponding to the request signal to the target PC. On the other hand, if the target communication protocol is not a first type communication protocol (NO in S12), the sub CPU 34 proceeds to S30.

[0025] In S30, the sub CPU 34 judges whether the target communication protocol is a second type communication protocol. The second type communication protocol is a communication protocol supported by the MFP 10, but indicates that the sub CPU 34 is unable to respond to the signal on behalf of the main CPU 32. For example, LPR is the second type protocol. If the target communication protocol is the second type communication protocol (YES in S30), the sub CPU 34 proceeds to S40. On the other hand, if the target communication protocol is not the second type communication protocol (NO in S30), the sub CPU 34 proceeds to S32. Note that the cases where NO is determined in S20 and NO is determined in S30 are when the target communication protocol is a third type communication protocol. The third type communication protocol is a communication protocol supported by the MFP 10, and indicates that the sub CPU 34 is able to respond to the signal on behalf of the main CPU 32. For example, ICMP is the third type communication protocol.

[0026] When the target communication protocol is a communication protocol used for name resolution such as NetBIOS or mDNS, the sub-CPU 34 judges whether the target communication protocol is a first type communication protocol or a third type communication protocol depending on whether the request signal contains information identifying the MFP 10 itself. When the request signal does not contain information identifying the MFP 10 itself, the sub-CPU 34 judges that the target communication protocol is a first type communication protocol (YES in S20), and when the request signal contains information identifying the MFP 10 itself, the sub-CPU 34 judges that the target communication protocol is a third type communication protocol (NO in S30).

[0027] In S32, the sub CPU 34 determines whether the filter flag 42 in the memory 36 is "ON." If the filter flag 42 is "ON" (YES in S32), the sub CPU 34 proceeds to S34, and if the filter flag 42 is "OFF" (NO in S32), the sub CPU 34 skips S34 and proceeds to S36.

[0028] In S34, the sub-CPU 34 judges whether the source IP address (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as the "source IP address") in the request signal received in S10 is a global IP address (i.e., a GIP). For example, the range of GIPs is defined by JPNIC (Japan Network Information Center). If the source IP address is within the range of the above GIP, the sub-CPU 34 judges that the source IP address is a GIP (YES in S34) and proceeds to S30. On the other hand, if the source IP address is not within the range of the above GIP, the sub-CPU 34 judges that the source IP address is not a GIP (i.e., a PIP) (YES in S34) and proceeds to S36. In a modified example, the sub-CPU 34 may judge that the source IP address is not a GIP if the source IP address is a link-local address.

[0029] In S36, the sub CPU 34 transmits a response to the request signal received in S10 to the target PC. For example, if the request signal is a PING signal, the sub CPU 34 transmits a PING response to the target PC. When S36 ends, the sub CPU 34 ends the process of FIG. 3. As described above, the filter flag 42 is information that can be set by the user. For example, the user sets the filter flag 42 to "OFF" in an environment where a request signal including a GIP as a source IP address is not received. In this case, the process of S34 is not executed, so that the processing load of the sub CPU 34 can be reduced. In this way, the user can select whether or not to cause the sub CPU 34 to execute the process of S34 depending on the environment in which the MFP 10 is installed. Therefore, the user's convenience can be improved.

[0030] In S40, the sub CPU 34 shifts the main CPU 32 from the OFF state to the ON state. When S40 ends, the sub CPU 34 ends the process of FIG. 3. In response to the main CPU 32 shifting from the OFF state to the ON state, the sub CPU 34 shifts from the ON state to the OFF state. That is, the operation state of the MFP 10 shifts from the power saving state to the normal state. As described above, when the target communication protocol is the second type of communication protocol, it is necessary to make the main CPU 32 execute the process of FIG. 4 regardless of whether the source IP address is a GIP or not. For this reason, when the target communication protocol is the second type of communication protocol, the sub CPU 34 shifts the main CPU 32 from the OFF state to the ON state without determining whether the source IP address is a GIP or not. That is, the operation state of the MFP 10 shifts from the power saving state to the normal state. Therefore, the sub CPU 34 can execute an appropriate process according to the target communication protocol.

[0031] (Processing performed by main CPU 32; Figure 4) Next, the process executed by the main CPU 32 of the MFP 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The process of Fig. 4 is executed in response to the process after S40 in Fig. 3 being executed.

[0032] S50 is the same as S24 in Fig. 3. If the main CPU 32 determines YES in S50, it proceeds to S52, and if the main CPU 32 determines NO in S50, it proceeds to S60.

[0033] In S52, the main CPU 32 judges whether the source IP address is a permitted IP address by using the permitted address information 44 in the memory 36. If the permitted address information 44 contains an IP address that matches the source IP address, the main CPU 32 judges YES in S52 and proceeds to S60. On the other hand, if the permitted address information 44 does not contain an IP address that matches the source IP address, the main CPU 32 judges NO in S52 and ends the processing of FIG.

[0034] In S60, the main CPU 32 executes various processes according to the request signal. For example, if the request signal is a print request, the main CPU 32 causes the print execution unit 16 to execute printing according to the print data in the request signal. Then, the main CPU 32 transmits a print completion notification to the target PC. Also, for example, if the request signal is a PING signal, the main CPU 32 transmits a PING response to the target PC. When S60 ends, the main CPU 32 ends the process of FIG. 4. As described above, the permitted address information 44 is information that can be set by the user. Therefore, the user can set a global IP address that is permitted to execute the process of S60 among the global IP addresses. Therefore, the user's convenience can be improved.

[0035] (Specific cases A to F; Figures 5 and 6) Specific cases A to F realized by the processing in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0036] (Case A; Figure 5) With reference to Fig. 5, case A in which a PING signal is transmitted from PC 100A to MFP 10 will be described. In the initial state of case A, the operating state of MFP 10 is a power saving state. Also, filter flag 42 of memory 36 of MFP 10 is set to "ON", and GIPa is registered in permitted address information 44. Note that, below, communication executed using sub-CPU 34 of MFP 10 is indicated by thin lines, and communication executed using main CPU 32 is indicated by thick lines.

[0037] When PC 100A accepts a PING signal sending operation, which is an operation for sending a PING signal, at T10, PC 100A sends a PING signal including a source IP address "GIPa", a destination IP address "GIPm", and protocol information "ICMP" to MFP 10 at T12.

[0038] When the sub-CPU 34 of the MFP 10 receives a PING signal from the PC 100A at T12 (YES at S10 in FIG. 3), it identifies ICMP as the target communication protocol (S12). Next, the sub-CPU 34 determines that the target communication protocol "ICMP" is a third type communication protocol (NO at S20, NO at S30), determines that the filter flag 42 in the memory 36 is "ON" (YES at S32), and determines that the source IP address "GIPa" in the PING signal is a GIP (YES at S34). In this case, the sub-CPU 34 transitions the main CPU 32 from an OFF state to an ON state at T14 (S40). Then, the sub-CPU 34 transitions from an ON state to an OFF state, and the operating state of the MFP 10 transitions from a power saving state to a normal state. Then, the main CPU32 determines that the source IP address "GIPa" is a GIP (YES in S50 of FIG. 4), determines that the IP address "GIPa" that matches the source IP address "GIPa" is stored in the permitted address information 44 (YES in S52), and at T14, sends a PING response including the source IP address "GIPm" and the destination IP address "GIPa" to PC100A (S60).

[0039] (Case B; Figure 5) 5, a description will be given of case B in which a PING signal is transmitted from PC 100B to MFP 10. The initial state of case B is similar to the initial state of case A.

[0040] When PC 100B accepts the PING signal sending operation at T110, it sends a PING signal including the source IP address "PIPb", the destination IP address "GIPm", the default gateway IP address "PIPr", and the protocol information "ICMP" to router 60 at T112.

[0041] When the router 60 receives a PING signal from the PC 100B in T112, it transmits a PING signal including the source IP address "PIPb", the destination IP address "GIPm", and the protocol information "ICMP" to the MFP 10 in T114.

[0042] In T114, when the sub-CPU 34 of the MFP 10 receives a PING signal from the router 60 (YES in S10 of FIG. 3), it identifies ICMP as the target communication protocol (S12), determines that the target communication protocol "ICMP" is a third type communication protocol (NO in S20, NO in S30), determines that the filter flag 42 in the memory 36 is "ON" (YES in S32), and determines that the source IP address "PIPb" in the PING signal is not a GIP (NO in S34). In this case, in T120, the sub-CPU 34 transmits a PING response including the source IP address "GIPm", the destination IP address "GIPa", and the IP address "PIPr" of the default gateway to PC 100B (S36). T122 is similar to T20 except that the communication targets are the router 60 and PC 100B. As in this case, when the sub-CPU 34 can respond on behalf of the main CPU 32 and the source IP address is not a GIP, the MFP 10 transmits a PING signal to the PC 100B without transitioning the main CPU 32 from an OFF state to an ON state. That is, the MFP 10 transmits a PING signal to the PC 100B without transitioning the operating state of the MFP 10 from a power saving state to a normal state. This configuration can reduce the power consumption of the MFP 10 compared to a configuration in which the operating state of the MFP 10 is transitioned from a power saving state to a normal state and a PING signal is transmitted to the PC 100B.

[0043] (Case C; Figure 5) 5, a description will be given of case C in which a PING signal is transmitted from the PC 100D to the MFP 10. The initial state of case C is similar to the initial state of case A.

[0044] When PC 100D accepts a PING signal transmission operation in T210, PC 100D transmits a PING signal including a source IP address "GIPd", a destination IP address "GIPm", and protocol information "ICMP" to MFP 10 in T212.

[0045] When the sub-CPU34 of the MFP10 receives a PING signal from the PC100D at T212 (YES in S10 in FIG. 3), it executes the same process as that after T12 in case A, and at T214, it transitions the main CPU32 from the OFF state to the ON state (S30). The main CPU32 then determines that the source IP address "GIPa" is a GIP (YES in S50 in FIG. 4), and determines that an IP address matching the source IP address "GIPd" is not stored in the permitted address information 44 (NO in S52). In this case, the main CPU32 does not transmit a PING response.

[0046] (Case D; Figure 6) 6, a description will be given of case D in which a print request is transmitted from PC 100A to MFP 10. The initial state of case D is similar to the initial state of case A.

[0047] When PC 100A accepts a print operation in T310, it transmits a request signal including the source IP address "GIPa", the destination IP address "GIPm", the protocol information "LPR", and the print data PD to MFP 10 in T312.

[0048] When the sub-CPU 34 of the MFP 10 receives a print request from the PC 100A in T312 (YES in S10 of FIG. 3), it identifies LPR as the target communication protocol (S12) and determines that the target communication protocol "LPR" is a second type communication protocol (NO in S20, YES in S30). In this case, the sub-CPU 34 transitions the main CPU 32 from the OFF state to the ON state in T314 (S30). The main CPU 32 then determines that the source IP address "GIPa" is a GIP (YES in S50 of FIG. 4), determines that the IP address "GIPa" that matches the source IP address "GIPa" is stored in the permitted address information 44 (YES in S52), executes printing according to the print data PD in T316, and transmits a print completion notification including the source IP address "GIPm" and the destination IP address "GIPa" to the PC 100A in T320 (S60).

[0049] (Case E; Figure 6) 6, a description will be given of case E in which a print request is transmitted from PC 100B to MFP 10. The initial state of case E is similar to the initial state of case A.

[0050] When PC 100B accepts a print operation in T410, it transmits a print request to router 60 in T412. When router 60 receives the print request from PC 100B in T412, it transmits the print request to MFP 10 in T414. The print requests at T412 and T414 are similar to the PING signals at T112 and T114 in FIG. 5, except that the protocol information is "LPR" and that the print data PD is included.

[0051] When the sub-CPU34 of the MFP10 receives a print request from the router 60 in T414 (YES in S10 in FIG. 3), it identifies LPR as the target communications protocol (S12), determines that the target communications protocol "LPR" is a second type communications protocol (NO in S20, YES in S30), and transitions the main CPU32 from an OFF state to an ON state in T416 (S30).Then, the main CPU32 determines that the source IP address "PIPb" is not a GIP (NO in S50 in FIG. 4), executes printing according to the print data PD in T418, and transmits a print completion notification including the source IP address "GIPm" and the destination IP address "PIPb" to PC100B in T420 (S60).

[0052] (Case F; Figure 6) 6, a description will be given of case F in which a print request is transmitted from PC 100D to MFP 10. The initial state of case F is similar to the initial state of case A.

[0053] When PC 100D accepts a print operation in T510, it transmits a print request including the source IP address "GIPd", the destination IP address "GIPm", the protocol information "LPR", and the print data PD to MFP 10 in T512.

[0054] When the sub-CPU 34 of the MFP 10 receives a print request from the PC 100D at T512 (YES at S10 in FIG. 3), it identifies LPR as the target communication protocol (S12), determines that the target communication protocol "LPR" is a second type communication protocol (NO at S20, YES at S30), and transitions the main CPU 32 from an OFF state to an ON state at T514 (S30). The main CPU 32 then determines that the source IP address "GIPa" is a GIP (YES at S50 in FIG. 4), and determines that an IP address matching the source IP address "GIPd" is not stored in the permitted address information 44 (NO at S52). In this case, the main CPU 32 does not execute printing. Furthermore, the main CPU 32 does not transmit a print completion notification.

[0055] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, when the operating state of the MFP 10 is the power saving state, the MFP 10 receives a request signal including a source IP address from the target PC (YES in S10 of FIG. 3). Then, when the source IP address is a GIP (YES in S34), the MFP 10 transitions the operating state of the MFP 10 from the power saving state to the normal state (S40) and executes the process of FIG. 4. On the other hand, when the source IP address is not a GIP (NO in S34), the MFP 10 transmits a response signal (e.g., a PING response) to the target PC without transitioning the operating state of the MFP 10 from the power saving state to the normal state (S36). Therefore, when the operating state of the MFP 10 is the power saving state, the MFP 10 can appropriately switch whether or not to transition the operating state of the MFP 10 from the power saving state to the normal state according to the source IP address included in the request signal.

[0056] (Correspondence) The MFP 10 is an example of a "communication device." The PCs 100A to 100D are examples of an "external device." The PING signal and the print request are examples of a "request signal." The process executed in FIG. 4 is an example of a "specific process." The PING response at T122 in FIG. 5 is an example of a "first response signal." The process executed at S52 in FIG. 4 is an example of a "specific determination process." The process executed at S54 in FIG. 4 is an example of a "transmission process." The PING response at T20 in FIG. 5 and the print completion notifications at T320, T420, and T422 in FIG. 6 are examples of a "second response signal." The filter flag 42 is an example of "determination information." The "ON" and "OFF" of the filter flag 42 are examples of "permission information" and "prohibition information," respectively. The process executed at S34 is an example of a "first determination process." The second type of communication protocol is an example of a "predetermined communication protocol." The main CPU 32 and the sub CPU 34 are examples of a "first CPU" and a "second CPU", respectively.

[0057] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and alterations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above-mentioned embodiments are listed below.

[0058] (First Modification) After transitioning from the OFF state to the ON state, the main CPU 32 may store log information regarding the request signal received in S10 in the memory 36 without executing the processes of S50 and S52. In this modification, the process of storing the log information in the memory 36 is an example of a "specific process".

[0059] (Second Modification) The memory 36 of the MFP 10 may store prohibited address information instead of the permitted address information 44. The prohibited address information is a GIP for which the use of a function executed by the main CPU 32 (e.g., a print function) is prohibited. In this modification, the main CPU 32 determines in S52 of FIG. 4 whether the source IP address is included in the prohibited address information. If the prohibited address information does not include an IP address matching the source IP address, the main CPU 32 proceeds to S60, and if the permitted address information 44 includes an IP address matching the source IP address, the main CPU 32 ends the processing of FIG. 4.

[0060] (Second Modification) S32 in Fig. 3 can be omitted. In this modification, the filter flag 42 does not have to be stored in the memory 36 of the MFP 10. In this modification, the "first determination unit" can be omitted.

[0061] (Third Modification) It is possible to omit S30 in Fig. 3. In this modification, it is possible to omit the "second determination unit".

[0062] (Fourth Modification) In the normal state, the main CPU 32 and the sub CPU 34 may be in the ON state. In another modification, the MFP 10 may not have the sub CPU 34. In this modification, the MFP 10 may be able to operate in either the normal state or the power saving state while the main CPU 32 is operating. In this modification, in the power saving state, the main CPU 32 is in the ON state, and in the normal state, the display unit 14, the print execution unit 16, the scan execution unit 18, and the main CPU 32 are in the ON state.

[0063] (Fifth Modification) The MFP 10 may be assigned a private IP address as its own IP address.

[0064] (Variation 6) In the above embodiment, the main CPU 32 and sub-CPU 34 of the MFP 10 execute the main program 38 and sub-program 40 (i.e., software) to realize the processes in Figures 3 to 6. Alternatively, at least one of the processes in Figures 3 to 6 may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0065] In addition, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exert technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies exemplified in this specification or drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 2: communication system, 4: Internet, 6: first network, 8: second network, 10: MFP, 12: operation unit, 14: display unit, 16: print execution unit, 18: scan execution unit, 20: communication I / F, 30: control unit, 32: main CPU, 34: sub-CPU, 36: memory, 38: main program, 40: sub-program, 42: filter flag, 44: permitted address information, 60: router, 80: facility, 100A to 100D: PC

Claims

1. A communication device that can selectively operate in either a power saving state or a normal state in which power consumption is higher than that of the power saving state, a receiving unit that receives a request signal including a source IP address, which is an IP address of the external device, from an external device when the operating state of the communication device is the power saving state; a transition unit that transitions the operation state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state when the source IP address included in the request signal is a global IP address, and that does not transition the operation state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state when the source IP address included in the request signal is not a global IP address; a specific process execution unit that executes a specific process in response to the operation state of the communication device being transitioned from the power saving state to the normal state, the specific process not being executed when the operation state of the communication device is in the power saving state; a transmitting unit that transmits a first response signal to the external device in response to the request signal without causing the operation state of the communication device to transition from the power saving state to the normal state when the source IP address included in the request signal is not a global IP address; A communication device comprising:

2. The specific processing is A specific determination process for determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied; a transmission process of transmitting a second response signal to the request signal to the external device when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied; The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the second response signal is not transmitted if it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

3. The communication device further comprises: a memory for storing a permitted IP address to which the second response signal is permitted to be transmitted; It is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the source IP address in the request signal matches the permitted IP address in the memory; 3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein if the source IP address in the request signal does not match the permitted IP address in the memory, it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

4. The communication device further comprises: a first determination unit that executes a first determination process to determine whether or not the source IP address included in the request signal is a global IP address when the request signal is received from the external device; The communication device further comprises: a memory in which judgment information is stored, the judgment information being either permission information indicating that execution of the first judgment process is permitted or prohibition information indicating that execution of the first judgment process is prohibited; The first determination unit is executing the first determination process when the request signal is received from the external device and the determination information in the memory is the permission information; when the request signal is received from the external device and the determination information in the memory is the prohibition information, the first determination process is not executed; The transition portion is when it is determined by the first determination process that the source IP address is a global IP address, transitioning the operation state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state; when it is determined by the first determination process that the source IP address is not a global IP address, the operation state of the communication device does not transition from the power saving state to the normal state; when the request signal is received and the first determination process is not executed, the operation state of the communication device does not transition from the power saving state to the normal state; The transmission unit is when it is determined by the first determination process that the source IP address is not a global IP address, transmitting the first response signal to the external device without causing the operation state of the communication device to transition from the power saving state to the normal state; 4. A communication device according to claim 1, wherein when the request signal is received and the first judgment process is not executed, the communication device transmits the first response signal to the external device without transitioning the operating state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state.

5. The communication device further comprises: a second determination unit that, when the request signal is received from the external device, determines whether the request signal is a signal conforming to a predetermined communication protocol; The transition portion is when it is determined that the request signal is a signal conforming to the predetermined communication protocol, regardless of whether the source IP address in the request signal is a global IP address or not, transitioning the operation state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state; if it is determined that the request signal is not a signal conforming to the predetermined communication protocol and the source IP address in the request signal is a global IP address, transitioning the operation state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state; The transmission unit is A communication device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the request signal is determined to be not a signal conforming to the specified communication protocol and the source IP address in the request signal is not a global IP address, the communication device transmits the first response signal to the external device without transitioning the operating state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state.

6. The communication device further comprises: A first CPU; a second CPU different from the first CPU, the power consumption of the second CPU being operated being higher than the power consumption of the second CPU being operated; the power saving state is a state in which the operation of the first CPU is stopped and the second CPU is operating; The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the normal state is a state in which at least the first CPU is operating.

7. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the communication device is assigned a global IP address as an IP address of the communication device itself.

8. A computer program for a communication device, comprising: the communication device is capable of selectively operating in either a power saving state or a normal state in which power consumption is higher than that of the power saving state; A computer of the communication device, a receiving unit that receives a request signal including a source IP address, which is an IP address of the external device, from an external device when the operating state of the communication device is the power saving state; a transition unit that transitions the operation state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state when the source IP address included in the request signal is a global IP address, and that does not transition the operation state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state when the source IP address included in the request signal is not a global IP address; a specific process execution unit that executes a specific process in response to the operation state of the communication device being transitioned from the power saving state to the normal state, the specific process not being executed when the operation state of the communication device is in the power saving state; a transmitting unit that transmits a first response signal to the external device in response to the request signal without causing the operation state of the communication device to transition from the power saving state to the normal state when the source IP address included in the request signal is not a global IP address; A computer program that functions as a

9. 1. A method performed by a communication device, comprising: the communication device is capable of selectively operating in either a power saving state or a normal state in which power consumption is higher than that of the power saving state; The method comprises: a receiving step of receiving, from an external device while the operating state of the communication device is the power saving state, a request signal including a source IP address which is an IP address of the external device; a transition step of transitioning the operation state of the communication device from the power saving state to the normal state when the source IP address included in the request signal is a global IP address, the transition step being such that when the source IP address included in the request signal is not a global IP address, the operation state of the communication device does not transition from the power saving state to the normal state; a specific process execution step of executing a specific process in response to the operation state of the communication device being shifted from the power saving state to the normal state, the specific process being not executed when the operation state of the communication device is in the power saving state; a transmitting step of transmitting a first response signal to the external device in response to the request signal without causing the operation state of the communication device to transition from the power saving state to the normal state when the source IP address included in the request signal is not a global IP address; A method comprising:

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