Communication device, communication method, communication program, recording medium, and image forming device

Abstract

To maintain a power saving state to reduce power consumption.SOLUTION: A communication device comprises: a predetermined processing unit that performs predetermined processing; a power saving unit that brings the predetermined processing unit into a power saving mode; a receiving unit that receives a reception packet from an external device; a division unit that, in the power saving mode, divides the reception packet into first data including a header for reception and second data including a payload for reception; a transmission unit that, when the second data corresponds to third data, transmits, to the external device, a response packet including a payload for response and being a response to the reception packet based on the third data in the power saving mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication method, a communication program, a recording medium, and an image forming device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There are known communication devices that switch to a power saving mode in which power supply to unused components of the device is stopped when the device is not performing any processing.

[0003] Specifically, the communication device includes a main response unit that processes request data and transmits response data while power is being supplied, and a power-saving response unit that processes request data and transmits response data while power is being saved. When the communication device receives request data in a format unknown to the power-saving response unit, the communication device responds with the response data returned by the main response unit. A technique for responding to requests transmitted using various network protocols with minimal effort and reducing power consumption is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional technology, packets are often recognized as different even if there are only minor differences, such as a destination IP (Internet Protocol) address or a source IP address, etc. Therefore, when a packet with even a partial difference is received, the power saving state is canceled, which poses a problem of increasing the power consumption of the communication device.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to reduce power consumption by maintaining a power saving state of a communication device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a communication device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a predetermined processing unit that performs predetermined processing; a power saving unit that puts the predetermined processing unit into a power saving mode; a receiving unit that receives a received packet from an external device; a division unit that divides the received packet into first data including a reception header and second data including a reception payload in the power saving mode; The device further includes a transmitting unit that, in the power saving mode, when the second data corresponds to the third data based on the third data, transmits a response packet to the external device, the response packet including a response payload and serving as a response to the received packet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the power consumption of the communication device can be reduced by maintaining the power saving state of the communication device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing configuration of the overall processing. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of division. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of overall processing. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a received packet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A specific example will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment is not limited to the specific example described below. In the following description, the sheet is a paper sheet.

[0010] [Hardware configuration example] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 will be described as an example of a communication device. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on paper using an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 is configured to include a main system 100 and a subsystem 110. The main system 100 and the subsystem 110 are configured to include separate hardware resources such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory). The main system 100 is a system that stops in a power-saving state. On the other hand, the subsystem 110 is a system that operates even in a power-saving state.

[0012] Specifically, the main system 100 includes a main CPU 101, a main RAM 102, a main ROM 103, a main internal bus 104, and a printing device 105. The subsystem 110 includes a sub CPU 111, a sub RAM 112, a sub ROM 113, a sub internal bus 114, a network bus 115, and a network PHY 116.

[0013] The main system 100 and the subsystem 110 are connected by a bus 120 .

[0014] The main CPU 101 is an example of a calculation device and a control device, and therefore controls the overall operation of the main system 100 according to a program.

[0015] The main RAM 102 temporarily stores programs executed by the main CPU 101 and parameters that change during execution.

[0016] The main ROM 103 stores programs used by the main CPU 101, calculation parameters, and the like.

[0017] The printing device 105 forms an image on paper. The printing device 105 has different hardware configurations depending on the content of the processing performed by the main system 100.

[0018] The main CPU 101 , main RAM 102 , main ROM 103 , and printing device 105 are connected via a main internal bus 104 .

[0019] The sub-CPU 111 is an example of a calculation device and a control device, and therefore controls the overall operation of the subsystem 110 according to a program.

[0020] The sub-RAM 112 temporarily stores the program executed by the sub-CPU 111 and parameters that change during execution.

[0021] The sub ROM 113 stores programs used by the sub CPU 111, calculation parameters, and the like.

[0022] The network PHY 116 communicates with external devices via a network.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 1 communicates with an external device such as a computer 2 via a network.

[0024] The hardware configuration is not limited to the above configuration, that is, the image forming apparatus 1 may further include devices other than those described above, either internally or externally.

[0025] [Processing configuration example] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the processing configuration of the overall processing. Below, the overall processing performed by the image forming apparatus 1 will be explained by dividing it into a protocol processing block 1001, a network processing block 1101, a device driver 1102, a destination filter processing block 1103, a packet separation processing block 1104, a judgment processing block 1105, a table holding block 1106, a payload generation processing block 1107, a header generation processing block 1108, and a packet combination processing block 1109. Note that the overall processing may be divided and executed at blocks other than those shown in FIG. 2.

[0026] The network processing block 1101 communicates with external devices. The communication between the external device and the image forming apparatus 1 is the transmission and reception of so-called "packet data."

[0027] Hereinafter, in the communication executed in the network processing block 1101, a packet received by the image forming apparatus 1 is referred to as a "received packet." On the other hand, a packet transmitted by the image forming apparatus 1 to an external device in response to a received packet from the external device is referred to as a "response packet."

[0028] The device driver 1102 sends the received packet to the destination filter processing block 1103. On the other hand, when a response packet is to be sent, the response packet is sent to the network processing block 1101 via the device driver 1102.

[0029] The destination filter processing block 1103 determines whether the received packet is a response packet that will be processed by the main system 100 or the subsystem 110. If the received packet is a response packet, the destination filter processing block 1103 sends the received packet to the packet separation processing block 1104. If the received packet is not a response packet, the destination filter processing block 1103 may discard the received packet.

[0030] The packet separation processing block 1104 divides the received packet into two or more pieces. Below, an example will be explained in which the received packet is divided into two pieces, "first data" and "second data".

[0031] The first data includes a header included in the received packet (hereinafter referred to as a "received header"). On the other hand, the second data is data other than the first data. In other words, the second data does not include a received header. Below, an example will be described in which the first data is divided so that it is only a header and the second data is only a payload.

[0032] 3 is a diagram showing an example of division. For example, a received packet 300 is divided into any of the variations shown in FIGS. 3(A) to 3(D).

[0033] 3A to 3D, the content of the data that becomes the first data 301 after division differs from the content of the data that becomes the second data 302. That is, when the packet separation processing block 1104 divides the received packet 300, the content of the data of the second data 302 differs depending on the extent to which the first data 301 contains the content of data other than the reception header.

[0034] Fig. 3(A) shows an example in which first data 301 includes a protocol header in the application layer, such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). In this case, second data 302 is composed of only an OID (Object IDentifier). When dividing as shown in Fig. 3(A), packet division processing block 1104 detects SNMP from received packet 300 and divides received packet 300 into an SNMP header and an SNMP payload.

[0035] By dividing the data in this way, image forming apparatus 1 can reliably respond to different SNMP packets with the same request content sent from multiple communication partners using the response data stored in the packet table, eliminating the need to calculate the response payload and improving power saving effects.

[0036] When the image forming apparatus 1 receives a packet containing SNMP, it checks the request contained in the SNMP payload and responds accordingly. However, the request content described in the SNMP payload may vary widely, and a large number of SNMP packets may be exchanged.

[0037] If the SNMP header and SNMP payload are stored in the packet table without being divided (i.e., in the form of an SNMP packet), when an SNMP packet is received from a different communication partner, it may not be possible to respond using the packet table. In this way, if the packet table cannot be used, the image forming device 1 may not be able to respond unless it generates a response packet almost every time. Therefore, if the SNMP header and SNMP payload are divided, the image forming device 1 can respond to the same request content using the response data stored in the packet table.

[0038] 3B shows an example in which the first data 301 includes up to a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) header. In this case, the second data 302 corresponds to the TCP payload.

[0039] 3C shows an example in which the first data 301 includes up to the IP header. In this case, the second data 302 corresponds to the IP payload.

[0040] 3D shows an example in which the first data 301 includes up to an Ethernet header. In this case, the second data 302 corresponds to the Ethernet payload.

[0041] The received packet 300 may be divided in a format other than that shown in FIG.

[0042] In this way, the point at which data is divided into first data 301 and second data 302 may be variable. It is desirable that the division process executed in packet division processing block 1104 be performed based on table data that defines the combination of the payload contained in the received packet and the payload contained in the response packet. In this way, by defining variations in packet division process in table data and configuring packet division process to be performed based on this, it becomes easy to increase the number of packet types that subsystem 110 can handle.

[0043] Furthermore, the packet separation processing block 1104 determines whether or not to release the main system 100 from the power saving mode when separating packets. That is, the packet separation processing block 1104 determines whether or not to maintain the main system 100 in the power saving mode.

[0044] When the main system 100 is released from the power saving mode, the packet separation processing block 1104 sends the received packet 300 to the protocol processing block 1001, i.e., the main system 100. Therefore, the power saving mode of the main system 100 is released, and thereafter the received packet 300 is processed by the main system 100 (hereinafter, the processing performed by the main system 100 after releasing the power saving mode is referred to as "predetermined processing"), and a response packet is transmitted to the external device.

[0045] On the other hand, if it is determined that the main system 100 should be maintained in the power saving mode, i.e., that processing should be performed by the subsystem 110, the packet separation processing block 1104 sends the header (the first data 301 after division) to the header generation processing block 1108. Furthermore, the packet separation processing block 1104 sends the payload (the second data 302 after division) to the determination processing block 1105.

[0046] The decision processing block 1105 determines, based on the table, whether the received packet 300 is a responseable packet.

[0047] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a table. Below, an example will be described in which the third data is a table 303 as shown in Fig. 4. The table 303 is stored in the sub-RAM 112 and used.

[0048] The table 303 stores a receiving payload, that is, the second data 302, and a response payload in pairs.

[0049] Specifically, the judgment processing block 1105 searches the table 303 for data that matches the receive payload (this is the "received packet fixed portion" in FIG. 4). If the matching data is present in the table 303, the judgment processing block 1105 determines that the received packet 300 is a response-enabled packet. On the other hand, if the matching data is not present in the table 303 (or if there is no data in the table 303), the judgment processing block 1105 determines that the received packet 300 is not a response-enabled packet.

[0050] If it is possible, the judgment processing block 1105 sends the data to be stored in the table 303 (in this example, the "Index" number. If this number is known, it will be possible to identify the data stored in the table 303 in subsequent processing) to the table holding block 1106.

[0051] On the other hand, if it is not possible, the determination processing block 1105 sends the payload to be received to the payload generation processing block 1107 .

[0052] The table holding block 1106 reads out the data that constitutes the response packet based on the table 303 and the data (in this example, the index number) sent from the determination processing block 1105. Specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 4, the data that is read out is the "response packet fixed part." The table holding block 1106 then sends the read out data to the packet combining processing block 1109.

[0053] Before entering the power saving mode, the payload generation processing block 1107 receives parameters for packet generation (such as SNMP OID information, LLMNR name information, NetBIOS Name Service name information, and OID information for SMNP Get Next Request) from the main system 100. That is, the payload generation processing block 1107 receives the parameters that make up the response packet in advance from the main system 100. Then, the payload generation processing block 1107 combines the data sent from the table holding block 1106 with the parameters stored in advance to generate a response payload that makes up the payload of the response packet.

[0054] After generating the response payload, the payload generation processing block 1107 sends the response payload to the packet combining processing block 1109 .

[0055] Furthermore, when payload generation processing block 1107 generates a response payload, it desirably pairs the data sent from table holding block 1106 with the generated response payload and stores them in table 303. In this way, by adding data to table 303, it is possible to increase the number of cases that can be handled by subsystem 110.

[0056] The header generation processing block 1108 generates a response header using the header (which is the first data 301). Next, the header generation processing block 1108 sends the response header to the packet combination processing block 1109. After sending the response header to the packet combination processing block 1109, the header generation processing block 1108 preferably discards the response header.

[0057] The packet combining processing block 1109 generates a response packet using the response payload generated by the payload generation processing block 1107 and the response header generated by the header generation processing block 1108. The generated response packet is then sent to the network processing block 1101 via the device driver 1102. Next, the network processing block 1101 responds by transmitting the response packet.

[0058] When the processing is performed as described above, a response packet can be generated, and the image forming apparatus 1 can respond even if the main system 100 is in the power saving mode.

[0059] The protocol processing block 1001 generates a response packet. The protocol processing block 1001 is an example of processing by the main system 100. Therefore, the main system 100 may perform processing other than that of the protocol processing block 1001 as a predetermined processing.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall processing.

[0061] In step S0501, the image forming apparatus 1 receives the reception packet 300 from the external device. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 receives the reception packet 300 transmitted by the external device via the network processing block 1101 and the device driver 1102.

[0062] In step S0502, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the received packet 300 is a target for processing.

[0063] Next, if the received packet 300 is to be processed (YES in step S0502), the image forming apparatus 1 proceeds to step S0504. On the other hand, if the received packet 300 is not to be processed (NO in step S0502), the image forming apparatus 1 proceeds to step S0503.

[0064] In step S0503, the image forming apparatus 1 discards the received packet 300.

[0065] In step S0504, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not to perform a predetermined process on the received packet 300.

[0066] Next, if it is determined that the predetermined process is to be performed (YES in step S0504), the image forming apparatus 1 proceeds to step S0505. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined process is not to be performed (NO in step S0504), the image forming apparatus 1 proceeds to step S0506.

[0067] In step S0505, the image forming apparatus 1 performs a predetermined process. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 cancels the power saving mode. When the power saving mode is cancelled in this manner, the main system 100 transitions from the power saving state to the normal state. As a result, the received packet 300 is processed by the main system 100.

[0068] When it is determined that the predetermined process will be performed, as in step S0505, the image forming apparatus 1 cancels the power saving mode. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined process will not be performed and the image forming apparatus 1 is not in the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus 1 transitions to the power saving mode. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined process will not be performed and the image forming apparatus 1 is already in the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus 1 maintains the power saving mode.

[0069] In step S0506, the image forming apparatus 1 divides the received packet 300. Therefore, the received packet 300 is divided into a header (a receiving header) and a payload.

[0070] In step S0507, the image forming apparatus 1 determines the address of the destination based on the reception header, and generates a response header.

[0071] In step S0508, image forming apparatus 1 determines whether table 303 contains data.

[0072] Next, if there is data in table 303 (YES in step S0508), image forming apparatus 1 proceeds to step S0510. On the other hand, if there is no data in table 303 (NO in step S0508), image forming apparatus 1 proceeds to step S0509.

[0073] In step S0509, the image forming apparatus 1 generates a response payload. Specifically, before going into the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus 1 generates the response payload based on parameters for packet generation received in advance from the main system 100.

[0074] In step S0510, image forming apparatus 1 determines whether table 303 contains matching data.

[0075] Next, if there is matching data (YES in step S0510), image forming apparatus 1 proceeds to step S0511. On the other hand, if there is no matching data (NO in step S0510), image forming apparatus 1 proceeds to step S0509.

[0076] In step S0511, the image forming apparatus 1 reads out the data constituting the response packet. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 reads out the "response packet fixed portion" from the table 303.

[0077] In step S0512, the image forming apparatus 1 stores the received header and the generated response payload (the data generated in step S0509) in the table 303. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 stores the received header and the generated response payload (the data generated in step S0509) in the table 303 as a pair.

[0078] In step S0513, image forming apparatus 1 generates a response packet.

[0079] In step S0514, image forming apparatus 1 transmits a response packet to the external device.

[0080] [Example of functional configuration] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a predetermined processing unit 2001, a receiving unit 2002, a dividing unit 2003, a power saving unit 2004, and a transmitting unit 2005.

[0081] The predetermined processing unit 2001 performs a predetermined processing procedure for performing predetermined processing. For example, the predetermined processing unit 2001 is realized by the main CPU 101 or the like.

[0082] The receiving unit 2002 performs a receiving procedure for receiving the reception packet 300 from the external device. For example, the receiving unit 2002 is realized by the network PHY 116 or the like.

[0083] The division unit 2003 performs a division procedure in the power saving mode to divide the received packet 300 into the first data and the second data. For example, the division unit 2003 is realized by the sub CPU 111 or the like.

[0084] The power saving unit 2004 performs a power saving procedure to put the predetermined processing unit 2001 into a power saving mode. For example, the power saving unit 2004 is realized by the sub CPU 111 or the like.

[0085] In the power saving mode, the transmitter 2005 performs a transmission procedure to transmit a response packet 400 to an external device when the second data matches or corresponds to the third data based on the third data. For example, the transmitter 2005 is realized by the network PHY 116 or the like.

[0086] A communication device such as the image forming device 1 switches between a normal mode and a power saving mode (the modes may be named otherwise). The power saving mode consumes less power than the normal mode. Specifically, in the normal mode, both the main system 100 and the subsystem 110 are active. On the other hand, in the power saving mode, only the subsystem 110 is active.

[0087] Furthermore, the main CPU 101 may consume more power because it has a higher information processing capability than the sub-CPU 111. Therefore, by putting the main system 100 into a power saving state, the image forming apparatus 1 can reduce its power consumption.

[0088] The power saving mode may also be set to a range other than the subsystem 110. In other words, the range in which the power saving mode is set to a power saving state is set in advance. Therefore, the power saving mode may be set to a state in which the entire device consumes less power than in normal mode.

[0089] In the above configuration, the image forming apparatus 1 divides the received packet 300 as follows.

[0090] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a received packet. A received packet 300 is divided into first data 301 and second data 302.

[0091] The first data 301 is an IP header, etc. In other words, the first data 301 is a portion that changes depending on the communication partner. The header is a portion that changes within a network packet (for example, a source IP address, etc.).

[0092] The second data 302 is a payload. The payload is, for example, an IP payload of a packet. That is, even if the communication partner is different, if the request from the communication partner is the same, the data will be the same.

[0093] Therefore, if the request is of the same type, the second data 302 is a portion that does not change in the network packet as a response (for example, if the IP address of a device is requested, it is the IP address returned in the response packet).

[0094] The image forming apparatus 1 sets a division point at an arbitrary point, and then divides the received packet 300 into a "header" and a "payload" for handling.

[0095] For example, let us consider a request to confirm the number of trays in a device. There is a pattern in which the same response is returned each time this request is made. Therefore, if the data generated in the previous response is saved, image forming device 1 can use the saved data to respond with a response packet.

[0096] On the other hand, there are requests to check the remaining toner amount in the MFP. In such requests, even if the request is the same, the response content differs depending on the state of the MFP. In such cases, the main system 100 is started and the response is made by the main system 100.

[0097] In a communication device having a main system 100 and a subsystem 110, a table 303 is reserved in the subsystem 110. Then, a received packet 300 is received.

[0098] The received packet 300 is divided at any point, such as into a header including the sender address or broadcast address and the payload following the header. The payload is then stored in a packet table. In this way, even if the header is changed, a response to the received packet 300 can be made by using the data stored in the table and processing the header on the subsystem 110 side. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can increase the number of received packets 300 that can be responded to by the subsystem 110 alone. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can maintain the power-saving state of the main system 100.

[0099] With the above configuration, the power saving mode can be maintained for a long time, and therefore the image forming apparatus 1 can maintain the power saving state for a long time and reduce the amount of power it consumes.

[0100] [Variations] This may be achieved by AI (artificial intelligence), etc. In other words, by using AI, patterns of reception and responses corresponding to the reception can be learned, and by using a learned model, the image forming apparatus 1 can respond to a certain pattern.

[0101] [Other embodiments] The communication device may be an information processing device other than an image forming device, such as a personal computer (PC) or AV equipment such as a television.

[0102] Each device may be a plurality of devices. That is, each device may be configured to perform distributed, redundant, or parallel processing using a plurality of devices. On the other hand, each device may be integrated. That is, the plurality of devices described above may be realized by a single device.

[0103] The above-described communication method may be realized by a communication program. That is, the communication program causes devices such as an arithmetic unit, a control unit, and a storage unit provided in a computer to cooperate with each other to realize the communication method. The communication program may also be distributed via a computer-readable recording medium or a telecommunications line.

[0104] A packet may also be called a datagram.

[0105] The above-described embodiment shows a preferred example, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed content. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1: Image forming device 2: Computer 100: Main system 110: Subsystem 300: Received packet 301: First data 302: Second data 303: Table 400: Response packet 2001: Predetermined processing section 2002: Receiving section 2003 :Divided part 2004: Energy Conservation Department 2005: Transmission unit [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0107] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-33809

Claims

1. a predetermined processing unit that performs predetermined processing; a power saving unit that puts the predetermined processing unit into a power saving mode; a receiving unit that receives a received packet from an external device; a division unit that divides the received packet into first data including a reception header and second data including a reception payload in the power saving mode; a transmitter that, when the second data corresponds to the third data based on the third data in the power saving mode, transmits a response packet to the external device, the response packet including a response payload and serving as a response to the received packet; Equipped with the third data is stored as a pair of the receiving payload and the response payload; The transmitting unit generates a response header using the reception header, and generates the response packet using the response header and the response payload. Communication equipment.

2. A predetermined processing unit that performs predetermined processing; a power saving unit that puts the predetermined processing unit into a power saving mode; a receiving unit that receives a received packet from an external device; a division unit that divides the received packet into first data including a reception header and second data including a reception payload in the power saving mode; a transmitter that, when the second data corresponds to the third data based on the third data in the power saving mode, transmits a response packet to the external device, the response packet including a response payload and serving as a response to the received packet; Equipped with In the power saving mode, the amount of power consumed is less than when the predetermined process is performed, If the second data does not correspond to the third data, the response payload is generated based on parameters received from the predetermined processing unit; When the power saving unit releases the predetermined processing unit from the power saving mode, the power saving unit processes the received packet by the predetermined processing; When the power saving unit puts the predetermined processing unit into the power saving mode, the division unit and the transmission unit process the received packet. Communication equipment.

3. The dividing unit Detects SNMP and splits it into SNMP header and SNMP payload The communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The OID is separated from the SNMP payload, and the OID and the response packet for the OID are stored as a pair. The communication device according to claim 3 .

5. An image forming apparatus comprising the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A communication method performed by a communication device having a predetermined processing unit that performs predetermined processing, a power saving procedure for setting the predetermined processing unit to a power saving mode; a receiving procedure for receiving a received packet from an external device; a division step of dividing the received packet into first data including a header for reception and second data including a payload for reception in the power saving mode; a transmission step of transmitting a response packet to the external device, the response packet including a response payload and serving as a response to the received packet, when the second data corresponds to the third data based on the third data in the power saving mode; Including, the third data is stored as a pair of the receiving payload and the response payload; In the transmission procedure, a response header is generated using the reception header, and the response packet is generated using the response header and the response payload. Communication method.

7. A communication program for executing the communication method according to claim 6.

8. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 7 is recorded.

9. A communication method performed by a communication device having a predetermined processing unit that performs predetermined processing, a power saving procedure for setting the predetermined processing unit to a power saving mode; a receiving procedure for receiving a received packet from an external device; a division step of dividing the received packet into first data including a header for reception and second data including a payload for reception in the power saving mode; a transmission step of transmitting a response packet to the external device, the response packet including a response payload and serving as a response to the received packet, when the second data corresponds to the third data based on the third data in the power saving mode; Including, In the power saving mode, the amount of power consumed is less than when the predetermined process is performed, If the second data does not correspond to the third data, the response payload is generated based on parameters received from the predetermined processing unit; When the predetermined processing unit is released from the power saving mode in the power saving procedure, the received packet is processed by the predetermined processing; When the predetermined processing unit is set to the power saving mode in the power saving procedure, the received packet is processed in the division procedure and the transmission procedure. Communication method.

10. A communication program for executing the communication method described in claim 9.

11. A computer-readable recording medium having the program described in claim 10 recorded thereon.

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