Communication processing device that stores communication data in buffers, image forming apparatus, and method of communication processing

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a communication data processing circuit that (i) issues an access request for a buffer specified by a descriptor, from among a plurality of buffers in a first memory, and (ii) outputs a predetermined switching permission signal at a time when a data access for one of the plurality of buffers is completed;
• a second memory including a plurality of alternative buffers corresponding to the plurality of buffers;
• a transmission destination switching circuit that switches a transmission destination of the access request from one of the plurality of buffers in the first memory to one of the plurality of alternative buffers in the second memory, based on the switching permission signal;
• a control unit that controls a supply of power to the first memory;
• and
• a printing device that performs printing based on communication data processed by the communication processing circuit,
• wherein the control unit shuts off the supply of power to the first memory after making the switching permission signal that is output from the communication data processing circuit to be input to the transmission destination switching circuit.

A method of communication processing comprising:

• issuing, using a communication data processing circuit, an access request for a buffer from among a plurality of buffers in a first memory, wherein the access request for the buffer is specified by a descriptor;
• outputting, using the communication data processing circuit, a predetermined switching permission signal at a time when a data access for one of the plurality of buffers is completed;
• switching, using a transmission destination switching circuit, a transmission destination of the access request from the buffer from among the plurality of buffers in the first memory to an alternative buffer from among a plurality of alternative buffers in a second memory, based on the switching permission signal;
• and
• controlling, using a control unit, a supply of power to the first memory,
• wherein the control unit shuts off the supply of power to the first memory after making the switching permission signal that is output from the communication data processing circuit to be input to the transmission destination switching circuit.