Patent ID: 8665913

Claim:
A communication device configured to be connected to a providing server for providing time information via a network, the communication device comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); and a memory coupled to the CPU, storing instructions that, when executed by the CPU cause the communication device to: obtain a congestion degree indicating a condition of traffic in the network from a network device which is different from the providing server; request the providing server for the time information; and obtain the time information provided by the providing server, before requesting the time information, compare the obtained congestion degree with a predetermined reference degree of congestion; when the comparison indicates that the obtained congestion degree is greater than the predetermined reference degree of congestion, do not request the providing server for the time information in order to avoid obtainment of the time information; when the comparison indicates that the obtained congestion degree is less than the predetermined reference degree of congestion, request the providing server for the time information to obtain the time information from the providing server and obtain the time information provided by the providing server; repeat attempting to obtain the time information; count a number of restrictions in which obtainment of the time information is continuously avoided after a predetermined timing to obtain the time information; request the providing server for the time information and obtain the time information provided by the providing server even though the comparison indicates that the obtained congestion degree is greater than the predetermined reference degree of congestion, when the counted number of restrictions exceeds a predetermined number; and increase the predetermined reference degree of congestion when obtainment of the time information is avoided.