JP2011113202A - Apparatus and method for processing information, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve power saving effect by reducing frequency of returning of a control part from a power saving state when receiving information to be managed from a network and processing it, in an information processing apparatus wherein the control part is transferred to the power saving state to save power. <P>SOLUTION: The information processing apparatus includes: a communication means performing data communication with an information processing apparatus connected to the network; a control means applying various kinds of processing according to contents of data received by the communication means; a storage means storing network information to be managed by its own device, received by the communication means; a power control means controlling power supply to the whole information processor, and changing over an operation state of the device; and an operation state decision means performing a changeover instruction of the operation state to the power control means and an information notification to the control means based on a communication state of the communication means, the contents of the data received by the communication means, and the operation state of the own device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image processing apparatus, a printer connected to a network, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a copier, an information processing apparatus including those MFPs (MFPs), an information processing method, a program, and a recording medium. The present invention relates to a technology that is preferably applied to reduce power consumption of devices in an IPv6 environment.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an energy saving technique in an IPv4 environment, a technique is known in which a CPU that is a control unit processes a packet unnecessary for printing during an energy saving mode without returning it (for example, Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, in the IPv6 environment, unlike the IPv4 environment, a packet for notifying information to be managed by a terminal such as neighbor discovery is transmitted on the network. Specifically, there are a router advertisement and a neighbor advertisement, and the router advertisement includes parameters such as a prefix of the network and a lifetime thereof. In many cases, the transmission interval is relatively short.

  Such information that the terminal needs to manage when it is received is difficult to process without using the CPU. When such information is received, the CPU processes this information. Need to manage. However, in a terminal equipped with an energy saving mode for reducing power consumption by putting the CPU in a low power state or a power saving state (a state where power supply to the CPU is cut off), information such as a router advertisement sent over the network is received. Then, the CPU returns from the energy saving mode.

  Since the information to be managed by the terminal as described above is sent over the network relatively frequently, even if the CPU shifts to the low power state or the power saving state, it returns to the normal operation state in a short time. Also, in a terminal that shifts to the energy saving state after a certain period of time has elapsed from the normal operation state, if the reception interval of this information is shorter than the energy saving transition time, it is not possible to shift to the energy saving state, thus reducing power consumption. I couldn't.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus that shifts the control unit to the power saving state to save power, and determines the frequency at which the control unit returns from the power saving state when receiving and processing information managed from the network. The purpose is to reduce the power saving effect.

  An information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a communication unit that performs data communication with an information processing apparatus connected to a network; a control unit that performs various processes according to the content of data received by the communication unit; Storage means for storing network information to be managed by the own device received by the means, power control means for controlling the power supply to the entire information processing apparatus and switching the operation state of the apparatus, communication state of communication means, communication Based on the content of the data received by the means and the operation state of the device itself, there is an operation state determination means for instructing the power control means to switch the operation state and notifying the control means of information.

  An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a communication step for performing data communication with an information processing apparatus connected to a network, and a storage for storing network information to be managed by the own apparatus received in the communication step in a storage unit. Based on the step, the communication state of data communication, the content of the data received in the communication step, and the operation state of the own device, it is determined whether or not the operation state of the own device needs to be switched, and the operation is switched from the sleep state to the operable state. When determining that it is necessary, based on the determination step of performing the switching instruction of the operation state and notification of the network information stored in the storage means, and controlling the power supply to the entire information processing device based on the switching instruction in the determination step, Switch step to switch the operation state of the device It has a processing step of performing data processing for the network information.

  A program according to one aspect of the present invention stores, in a storage unit, a communication step for performing data communication with an information processing apparatus connected to a network and network information to be managed by the own apparatus received in the communication step. Based on the storage step, the communication state of the data communication, the content of the data received in the communication step, and the operation state of the own device, it is determined whether or not the operation state of the own device needs to be switched, and the operation is suspended from the operation suspension state to the operable state. When it is determined that switching is necessary, a determination step for instructing switching of the operation state and notification of network information stored in the storage means, and controlling power supply to the entire information processing apparatus based on the switching instruction in the determination step The switching step for switching the operation state of the device itself, and the determination step after the operation state is enabled in the switching step. A processing step of performing data processing for the network information notified by the flop, is executed.

  A recording medium according to one aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the above program is recorded.

  According to the present invention, the control unit does not return from the hibernation state even when information to be managed is received, and when other factors to be returned (such as reception of print data, reception of operation instruction information) occur. Since it is configured to process the received information to be managed after returning from the hibernation state, it reduces power consumption by reducing the frequency with which the control unit returns from the power saving state when receiving and processing information managed from the network. The effect can be increased.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the energy saving mode transition of the printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  In the present invention, even if a packet that should be managed by the CPU in the IPv6 environment, such as a router advertisement and a neighbor advertisement, is stored in an energy saving state without being discarded, the CPU should manage it. Does not return from the energy-saving state by receiving packets. When a factor that the CPU should return, such as reception of a print packet or operation of the operation panel, occurs, the CPU returns from the energy saving state and notifies the CPU of the stored packets to be managed, thereby reducing power consumption. The information to be managed is normally processed while keeping the value low.

  In this way, even if router advertisements are frequently received, unless the CPU return condition is satisfied, by maintaining the CPU in the energy-saving state, the frequency at which the information processing device returns from the energy-saving state in the IPv6 environment is increased. And power consumption can be reduced. That is, when the CPU is in a dormant state, even when information to be managed is received, the CPU does not return. When the CPU returns due to other factors to be returned (for example, reception of print data, operation of the operation panel, etc.) By notifying the CPU of information to be managed, the information to be managed can be processed normally, so that the information to be managed can be processed normally while keeping power consumption low. Reduction effect is high.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a printer as an embodiment of the present invention. The controller board 30 is a control unit that controls the printer. The controller board 30 includes an ASIC 20, an ASIC clock generation unit 41, an SDRAM 43 as a work memory, a ROM 44 for storing a program memory, an Ethernet (registered trademark) physical layer PHY 45, a PHY clock generation unit 42, an operation unit 46, an HDD 47, board power A control unit 48 and an external power control unit 49 are mounted.

  The ASIC 20 includes a CPU 1 that controls the entire controller board 30, an SDRAM controller 4, a network controller 3 that communicates with an external network, an OPE I / F 7 that connects to the operation unit 46, and an HDD I / F that connects to the HDD 47. F8, I / O I / F 9 for controlling external I / O, PCI I / F 6 for connecting the plotter 100, and power management controller 2 for controlling the power of the apparatus are provided for all control. Data transfer is performed via the Internet BUS10.

  The SDRAM controller 4 performs control such as reading / writing of data in the SDRAM 43, shifting of the SDRAM 43 to the self-refresh mode, returning of the SDRAM 43 to the normal mode, and the like. In addition, a signal indicating whether the self-refresh mode is the normal mode is output to the network controller 3 with respect to the operation mode of the SDRAM 43.

  The power management controller 2 performs internal and external power control of the ASIC 20 by control from the CPU 1 via the input signals D and H and the Internet BUS 10. The input signal D is a plurality of signals output from the network controller 3. For example, it is output when a specific packet is received. The input signal H is a plurality of signals input from outside the ASIC. For example, it is output when an energy saving return / transition key is pressed. With this signal, the printer in the energy saving state is restored.

  In the present embodiment, the entire apparatus has four power consumption modes. Hereinafter, the four power consumption modes will be described.

1. Normal mode In this mode, all the regions in FIG. 1 are energized.
2. Controller mode This is a power saving mode in which only the plotter 100 is powered off and the controller board 30 is energized.
3. Network mode Plotter 100, part surrounded by dotted line of controller board 30 The power of the part surrounded by the dotted line inside the ASIC 20 is cut off, the other part of the controller board 30 and the other part inside the ASIC 20 are energized, and the CPU 1 and This is a power saving mode in which the SDRAM 43 is in a normal state, not a power saving state.
4). Standby mode The power of the plotter 100, the portion surrounded by the dotted line of the controller board 30 and the portion surrounded by the dotted line inside the ASIC 20 is cut off, the other portions of the controller board 30 and the other portions inside the ASIC 20 are energized, and the CPU 1 Is a sleep mode in which the clock is stopped, and the SDRAM 43 is a power saving mode in a self-refresh mode.

  The transition / return to each energy saving mode is performed by the CPU 1 setting the energy saving mode in the power management controller 2 via the Internet BUS 10 or by an input signal to the power management controller 2. Further, when performing transition / return to each energy saving mode, the power management controller 2 outputs a signal to each device and each block.

  The output signal A is a signal for causing the CPU 1 to generate an interrupt and causing the CPU 1 to transition to a movable state or a sleep state. The output signal B is a signal for causing the SDRAM 43 to transit to the self-refresh mode or the normal mode, which is a power saving mode, via the SDRAM controller 4. The output signal C is a signal for cutting off or restoring the power of the area enclosed by the dotted line inside the ASIC 20, PCI I / F 6, OPE I / F 7, HDD I / F 8, and I / O I / F 9.

  The output signal E is a signal for cutting off or restoring the power of the area surrounded by the dotted line in the controller board 30, the operation unit 46, and the HDD 47. The output signal F is a signal for controlling other power in the controller board 30. For example, it is used to shut off or restore a pull-up power supply. The output signal G is a signal for controlling power outside the controller. For example, it is used to control the power of the plotter 100.

  FIG. 2 shows details of the network controller 3. The MAC 201 is a media access controller for communicating with an external network device via the PHY 45. The address filter 202 discriminates broadcast and multicast from the destination MAC address and destination IP address included in the packet received by the MAC 201, and discards packets that do not need to be processed. Passable addresses can be set in the register.

  The pattern filter 203 scans a specific pattern included in a packet that has passed through the address filter 202, discards a packet that does not need to be processed, and selects a packet that needs to be processed. Packets that need to be processed include MIB (SNMP), stored image read request, print request, neighbor search (including router advertisement), ARP request, PING request, and other protocols. The print request packet may be print data.

  If the packet that has passed through the address filter 202 is an ARP request or PING request packet, the packet is transferred to the packet engine 205, and a signal to the selector 206 is sent to select the packet from the packet engine 205. Activate. Normally, a transmission packet via Internet BUS10 is selected. Other packets to be processed are transferred to the buffer 204.

  For example, when a print request is received as a packet that needs to be processed, a plotter return request signal is activated and notified to the power management controller 2. With this signal D, the power management controller 2 outputs a signal according to the current power consumption mode. Here, when the power consumption mode is, for example, the controller mode, a signal is output to the external power control unit 49 and the signal G is activated to return the plotter 100 from the energy saving state.

  For example, when a stored image read request is received, a controller return request signal is activated and notified to the power management controller 2. Here, when the power consumption mode is, for example, the network mode, the power management controller 2 activates the signal E via the signal C and the board power control unit 48, and keeps the plotter 100 in the power saving state with the dotted line portion. Is returned to the movable state, thereby returning the HDD I / F 8 and the HDD 47 from the power saving state.

  In addition, for example, when an MIB request is received, the CPU return request signal is activated and notified to the power management controller 2. Here, when the power consumption mode is, for example, the standby mode, the power management controller 2 activates the signal A and the signal B, and puts the plotter 100, part of the controller board 30 and part of the ASIC 20 in the power saving state. The CPU 1 and the SDRAM 43 are restored from the power saving state.

  For example, when a router advertisement is received, the packet is transferred to the buffer 204 with each return request signal kept OFF.

  The buffer 204 temporarily stores received packets. While the SDRAM controller 4 notifies that the SDRAM 43 is in the normal mode, the stored packet is immediately stored in the SDRAM 43 via the SDRAM controller 4. When the SDRAM controller 4 notifies that the SDRAM 43 is in the self-refresh mode, the stored packets are kept accumulated until notified that the SDRAM 43 is in the normal mode.

  The packet engine 205 generates an ARP response packet when the received packet is an ARP request, and generates a PING response packet when the received packet is a PING request packet. The generated packet is sent to the network via the selector 206, the MAC 201, and the PHY 45. As a result, an automatic response to the ARP request or PING request, which is a high-frequency packet, without using the CPU 1, it is possible to respond without returning the CPU 1 even in the sleep state where the CPU 1 is in a low power consumption state. It becomes.

  The selector 206 is for selecting an automatic response packet generated by the packet engine 205 and a transmission packet via the Internet BUS 10. A packet transmitted via the Internet BUS 10 is normally selected by the pattern filter 203, and a packet from the packet engine 205 is selected when an ARP request packet and a PING request packet are received.

  Although not shown, the MAC 201, the address filter 202, the pattern filter 203, and the packet engine 205 can set setting values from the CPU 1.

  A transition between specific power consumption modes in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 shows an energy saving mode transition diagram.

1. Between normal mode and controller mode 1-1. The transition factor from the normal mode to the controller mode includes a case where the plotter 100 is not operated for a certain period of time, a case where the energy saving return / transition key is pressed, and the like. For example, if there is no operation of the plotter 100 for a certain period of time, the CPU 1 detects this and informs the power management controller 2 to shut off the power supply of the plotter 100. Then, the power management controller 2 shuts off the power supply of the plotter 100 by the signal G via the external power control unit 49, and shifts the printer to the controller mode.

  1-2. Factors for shifting from the controller mode to the normal mode include receiving print data from an external device, receiving a print request, pressing the energy saving return / transition key, and the like. For example, when print data is received from an external device, the pattern filter 203 of the network controller 3 activates a plotter return request signal and notifies the power management controller 2 of it. Then, the power management controller 2 returns the power of the plotter 100 via the external power control unit 49, returns the plotter 100 to the normal operation state, and shifts the printer to the normal mode. The print data is accumulated in the buffer 204 and transferred to the SDRAM 43. The CPU 1 processes the print data and transfers it to the plotter 100, and the plotter 100 outputs the paper on which the print data is printed. When a router advertisement is received in the controller mode, the normal mode is not restored, and the received packet is stored in the buffer 204. When the router advertisement is restored due to the above-described restoration factor, the received router advertisement is transferred to the SDRAM 43.

2. Between controller mode and standby mode 2-1. The reason for the transition from the controller mode to the standby mode is that the network data to be processed by the CPU 1 is not received for a certain period of time, the energy saving return / transition key is not pressed for a certain period of time, and the operation unit 46 is not operated for a certain period of time. A case where an event does not occur for a certain period of time is mentioned. As described above, when the CPU 1 confirms that there is no event for a certain period of time, the power management controller 2 is put into the sleep state, the SDRAM 43 is put into the self-refresh mode, and part of the controller board 30 and part of the ASIC 20 are saved in power. Tell them to transition to the state. Then, the power management controller 2 shifts the CPU 1 to the sleep mode and the SDRAM 43 to the self-refresh mode based on the signal A, the signal B, the signal C, the signal E and the signal F via the board power control unit 48, and the controller 43 The printer is shifted to the standby mode by shifting a part of the board 30 and a part of the ASIC 20 to the power saving state.

  2-2. Factors for shifting from the standby mode to the controller mode include, for example, acquisition of image data stored in the HDD 47 by an external device, reception of a stored image read request packet, and the like. Here, the controller return request signal becomes active from the pattern filter 203 of the network controller 3 and is notified to the power management controller 2. Then, the power management controller 2 changes the CPU 1 from the sleep mode to the normal state and the SDRAM 43 from the self-refresh mode based on the signal A, the signal B, the signal C, the signal E and the signal F via the board power control unit 48. Transition to the state, a part of the controller board 30 and a part of the ASIC 20 are shifted from the power saving state to the normal state, and the printer is shifted to the controller mode. The stored image read request is stored in the buffer 204 and transferred to the SDRAM 43. The CPU 1 transfers the image data designated from the HDD 47 to the requesting external device on the network, so that the external device can acquire the stored image in the HDD 47. When a router advertisement is received in the standby mode, the received packet is stored in the buffer 204 without returning to the controller mode, and the received router advertisement is transferred to the SDRAM 43 when returning due to the return factor described above.

3. Between standby mode and network mode 3-1. The transition factor from the standby mode to the network mode may be a case where MIB request data is received. For example, when the MIB request data is received, the CPU return request signal becomes active from the pattern filter 203 of the network controller 3 and is notified to the power management controller 2. Then, the power management controller 2 changes the CPU 1 from the sleep mode to the normal state, the SDRAM 43 from the self-refresh mode to the normal state, and the printer to the network mode by the signals A and B. Further, when a router advertisement is received in the standby mode, the received packet is stored in the buffer 204 without returning to the network mode, and the received router advertisement is transferred to the SDRAM 43 when returning due to the return factor described above.

  3-2. As a factor for shifting from the network mode to the standby mode, there is a case where processing of network data to be processed when shifting from the standby mode to the network mode is completed. As described above, when the CPU 1 confirms the completion of the processing of the network data, it informs the power management controller 2 to shift the CPU 1 to the sleep state and shift the SDRAM 43 to the self-refresh mode. Then, the power management controller 2 shifts the printer to the standby mode by shifting the CPU 1 to the sleep mode and the SDRAM 43 to the self-refresh mode by the signals A and B.

4). Between standby mode and normal mode 4-1. Factors for shifting from the standby mode to the normal mode include receiving print data from an external device, receiving a print request, pressing an energy saving return / transition key, and the like. For example, when print data is received from an external device, the pattern filter 203 of the network controller 3 activates a plotter return request signal and notifies the power management controller 2 of it. The power management controller 2 shifts the CPU 1 from the sleep mode to the normal state by the signal A, shifts the SDRAM 43 from the self-refresh mode to the normal state by the signal B, and sets the signal C and the board power control unit 48. A part of the controller board 30 and a part of the ASIC 20 are shifted from the power saving state to the normal state by the signal E and the signal F, and the power of the plotter 100 is restored by the signal G via the external power control unit 49. Then, the plotter 100 is returned to the normal operation state. Thus, the printer shifts to the normal mode. The print data is accumulated in the buffer 204 and transferred to the SDRAM 43. The CPU 1 processes the print data and transfers it to the plotter 100 so that the plotter 100 outputs a sheet on which the print data is printed. Further, when a router advertisement is received in the standby mode, the normal mode is not restored, and the received packet is stored in the buffer 204. When the router advertisement is restored due to the above-described restoration factor, the received router advertisement is transferred to the SDRAM 43.

  According to the above-described embodiment, when the CPU is in the hibernation state, the CPU does not recover even if information to be managed is received, and other factors to be recovered (for example, reception of print data, operation of the operation panel, etc.) By returning the information to be managed to the CPU at the time of returning to, the information to be managed can be processed normally while keeping the power consumption low, so that the effect of reducing power consumption is high.

  According to the above-described embodiment, since the power source of the CPU is shut off, power consumption can be reduced. Further, since the CPU clock is stopped, the power consumption can be reduced, and the time required for returning from the energy saving state to the normal state can be further shortened. Further, since the CPU sleep state is set, power consumption can be reduced, and the time required for returning from the energy saving state to the normal state can be further shortened.

  According to the above-described embodiment, when the CPU is restored, the time included in the network packet to be managed (for example, time information indicating the prefix of the network in the router advertisement and the lifetime thereof) is notified to the CPU, and this packet By notifying the reception time, the CPU can accurately recognize the life when returning.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the time from when a network packet to be managed is received to when the CPU is restored is set to the time included in the network packet (for example, the time indicating the prefix of the network and the lifetime in the router advertisement). By subtracting from (information) and notifying the CPU when the CPU returns, the CPU can recognize the accurate life when returning. Furthermore, since normal packet reception processing is sufficient, control can be simplified.

  According to the above-described embodiment, when the elapsed time after receiving the network packet to be managed becomes a certain time, the CPU is returned and the packet information is notified to the CPU. For example, it is possible to prevent inconsistencies in the router advertisement such that the network prefix and the time indicating the lifetime elapse.

  According to the above-described embodiment, by providing storage means for setting information on how long the remaining time, such as the lifetime included in the network packet, will be restored, it is optimal for each network. The remaining time can be set, and normal network operation can be performed while suppressing power consumption.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the return state for updating is a state in which network data processing can be performed at a minimum, so that power is not consumed at various parts as in a printing operation and the power consumption remains low. Network data can be processed.

  According to the above-described embodiment, after data processing is completed from a state where network data processing can be performed, the state is shifted to an energy saving state, so that power consumption can be reduced.

  The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment alone, and various modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Implementation is possible.

  That is, the function of the network controller 3 may be realized by hardware such as a circuit, or may be realized by software. In the latter case, the program executed by the printer of the present embodiment includes means for instructing the power management controller 2 to switch the operation mode, means for notifying the CPU 1 of the network information in the buffer 204 (operation state determination means). ), And when the computer (CPU) reads and executes the program from a predetermined recording medium, the above means is loaded onto the main storage device and generated.

  The program executed by the printer in the present embodiment may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The program is a file in an installable or executable format, such as a floppy disk (registered trademark), a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a DVD, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like. It may be configured to be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Further, the program may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium or loaded and executed through the communication line realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. And the recording medium which recorded the program code comprises this invention.

1 CPU
2 Power management controller 3 Network controller 4 SDRAM controller 5 Clock generator 6 PCI I / F
7 OPE I / F
8 HDD I / F
9 I / O I / F
10 Internal BUS
20 ASIC
30 Controller board 41 ASIC clock generator 42 PHY clock generator 43 SDRAM
44 ROM
45 PHY
46 Operation unit 47 HDD
48 Board power control unit 49 External power control unit 100 Plotter 201 MAC
202 Address filter 203 Pattern filter 204 Buffer 205 Packet engine 206 Selector

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-180083

Claims (10)

A communication means for performing data communication with an information processing apparatus connected to the network;
Control means for performing various processes according to the content of data received by the communication means;
Storage means for storing network information to be managed by the device received by the communication means;
Power control means for controlling power supply to the entire information processing apparatus and switching the operation state of the apparatus;
An operation state determination unit that performs an operation state switching instruction to the power control unit and an information notification to the control unit based on the communication state of the communication unit, the content of data received by the communication unit, and the operation state of the own device; ,
An information processing apparatus comprising:   2. The operation state determination unit according to claim 1, wherein when the data received by the communication unit is the network information, the operation state determination unit does not give an instruction to the power control unit and a notification to the control unit. Information processing device.   When the data received by the communication means corresponds to a transition factor that requires a transition from the operation suspension state to the operation enabled state, the operation state determination unit sets the operation state of the own device to the operation stop state. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus shifts from a state to an operable state and notifies the control unit of the network information stored in the storage unit.   The operation pause state includes at least one of a state where power supply to the control unit is cut off, a state where the control unit stops a clock, and a state where the control unit is a sleep state. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit operates and is in a state in which at least network data processing can be performed.   The operation state determination means includes a result obtained by subtracting an elapsed time from the reception time of the network information from time information included in the network information to be notified to the control means, and includes the network information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is notified to the information processing apparatus.   The operation state determination unit compares an elapsed time after receiving the network information and a time indicated by time information included in the network information stored in the storage unit, and the difference is smaller than a predetermined value. 5. The power control unit causes the operation state of the own apparatus to shift from an operation pause state to an operable state, and notifies the control unit of the network information stored in the storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above.   The operation state determination unit automatically detects the power control unit when there is no other data to be processed by the control unit after the control unit performs processing according to the content of the data received by the communication unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation state of the apparatus is shifted from an operable state to an operation suspension state. A communication step for performing data communication with an information processing apparatus connected to the network;
A storage step of storing in the storage means network information to be managed by the own device received in the communication step;
Based on the communication state of the data communication, the content of the data received in the communication step, and the operation state of the own device, it is determined whether or not the operation state of the own device needs to be switched, and switching from the operation pause state to the operable state is performed. A determination step of performing an operation state switching instruction and notification of the network information stored in the storage unit when determined to be necessary;
Based on the switching instruction in the determination step, the switching step of controlling the power supply to the entire information processing apparatus and switching the operation state of the own apparatus;
A processing step of performing data processing relating to the network information notified in the determination step after becoming operable in the switching step;
An information processing method characterized by comprising: On the computer,
A communication step for performing data communication with an information processing apparatus connected to the network;
A storage step of storing in the storage means network information to be managed by the own device received in the communication step;
Based on the communication state of the data communication, the content of the data received in the communication step, and the operation state of the own device, it is determined whether or not the operation state of the own device needs to be switched, and switching from the operation pause state to the operable state is performed. A determination step of performing an operation state switching instruction and notification of the network information stored in the storage unit when determined to be necessary;
Based on the switching instruction in the determination step, the switching step of controlling the power supply to the entire information processing apparatus and switching the operation state of the own apparatus;
A processing step of performing data processing relating to the network information notified in the determination step after becoming operable in the switching step;
A program characterized by having executed.   A recording medium that records the program according to claim 9 and is readable by a computer.

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