Radio wave module and communication system

Abstract

To provide a radio wave module capable of stably receiving a first command signal according to a first communication standard and a second command signal according to a second communication standard used for communication with a remote controller.SOLUTION: A radio wave module include a communication unit capable of receiving both command signals of a first command signal according to a first communication standard with an acknowledgment signal, and a second command signal according to a second communication standard that is used in communication from a remote controller and has no acknowledgment signals, and the communication unit alternately switches between a first reception period during which the first command signal can be received and a second reception period during which the second command signal can be received, and the first reception period is set shorter than a length of the second command signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Aspects of the present invention generally relate to radio modules and communication systems. [Background technology]

[0002] A communication system is known that allows a manager to manage a toilet room using a manager terminal by transmitting the toilet room status to an external device via a network (for example, Patent Document 1). Also known is a communication system for plumbing equipment that allows a manager terminal to centrally manage the usage status and maintenance needs of plumbing equipment such as warm water washing toilet seats, toilet bowls, hand washing basins, soap dispensers, electric water heaters, and hand dryers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6636892 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Such a communication system for a plumbing device is realized by communication between a radio wave module installed in the plumbing device and a network device such as a gateway. The radio wave module of the plumbing device may also communicate with a remote control for operating the plumbing device.

[0005] The radio wave module may be controlled by switching between a first reception period during which a first command signal according to a first communication standard used for communication with a network device can be received, and a second reception period during which a second command signal according to a second communication standard used for communication with a remote control can be received. The first command signal from the network device to the radio wave module can be stably transmitted by, for example, setting the transmission timing to the first reception period.

[0006] On the other hand, the second command signal from the remote control to the radio wave module is sent based on the user's operation of the remote control, and so the transmission timing is irregular. As a result, when the radio wave module is in the first reception period, there is a risk that the radio wave module will not be able to receive the second command signal even if the remote control is operated.

[0007] The aspects of the present invention have been made based on the recognition of such problems, and aim to provide a radio module and a communication system that can stably receive a first command signal according to a first communication standard and a second command signal according to a second communication standard used for communication with a remote control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first invention is a radio wave module having a communication unit capable of receiving both a first command signal according to a first communication standard which has an acknowledgement signal, and a second command signal according to a second communication standard which is used in communication from a remote control and does not have an acknowledgement signal, characterized in that the communication unit alternates between a first reception period during which the first command signal can be received and a second reception period during which the second command signal can be received, and the first reception period is set to be shorter than the length of the second command signal.

[0009] This radio wave module can stably receive both the first command signal according to the first communication standard and the second command signal according to the second communication standard used for communication with the remote control.

[0010] A second invention is a radio wave module characterized in that, in the first invention, the second command signal has a preamble added to its beginning, and the first reception period is shorter than the time length of the preamble.

[0011] This radio wave module allows for more stable reception of the second command signal transmitted from the remote control.

[0012] A third invention is the radio wave module according to the first or second invention, characterized in that the second reception period is set to be longer than the first reception period.

[0013] This radio wave module can reduce the arrival of the second command signal transmitted from the remote control when the communication unit is in the first reception period, thereby making it possible to receive the second command signal more stably.

[0014] A fourth invention is a radio wave module according to any one of the first to third inventions, characterized in that the first command signal is transmitted from a network device connected to an external device via a network.

[0015] This radio wave module can receive instructions from the network via the first command signal.

[0016] A fifth invention is a communication system equipped with a radio wave module having a communication unit capable of receiving both a first command signal according to a first communication standard having an acknowledgment response signal and a second command signal according to a second communication standard used in communication from a remote control and not having an acknowledgment response signal, characterized in that the communication unit alternates between a first reception period during which the first command signal can be received and a second reception period during which the second command signal can be received, and the first reception period is set to be shorter than the length of the second command signal.

[0017] This communication system can stably receive both the first command signal according to the first communication standard and the second command signal according to the second communication standard used for communication with the remote control.

[0018] A sixth invention is a communication system according to the fifth invention, characterized in that it comprises a plumbing device having the radio wave module installed therein, a remote control for operating the plumbing device, and a network device connected to an external device via a network and communicating with the radio wave module according to the first communication standard.

[0019] According to this communication system, communication for both the management and operation of plumbing equipment can be carried out stably. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to an aspect of the present invention, a radio wave module and a communication system are provided that can stably receive a first command signal based on a first communication standard and a second command signal based on a second communication standard used for communication with a remote control. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a network system. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system including a radio wave module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 13 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a second command signal transmitted from a remote control is received by the radio wave module. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like elements are designated by like reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a network system. As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 101 includes a plumbing device 10, an external device 40 connected to the plumbing device 10 via a network 30, and an administrator terminal 50 connected to the external device 40 via the network 30.

[0023] The plumbing equipment 10 is, for example, equipment provided in facilities used by an unspecified number of people, and is, for example, equipment used in connection with public toilet rooms TR, toilet rooms in buildings, unit baths in hotels, public baths, etc. To give an example, the plumbing equipment 10 can include warm water washing toilet seats, toilet bowls, urinals, automatic faucets, automatic soap dispensers, electric water heaters, hand dryers, paper roll holders, human presence / queue sensors, door / lock sensors, stock shelves, lighting, speakers, music players, video displays, and ecological sensors.

[0024] The network device 20 transmits a plurality of pieces of device information relating to, for example, the usage status of the water-related devices 10 and the necessity for maintenance to the external device 40 via the network 30. In this manner, the network device 20 is connected to a plurality of water-related devices 10 and transmits a plurality of pieces of device information of each water-related device 10 to the external device 40. In addition, the network device 20 receives various command signals transmitted from the external device 40 and transmits them to each water-related device 10.

[0025] The network device 20 wirelessly communicates with the external device 40 via the network 30, and also wirelessly communicates with the radio wave module 15 provided in each plumbing device 10 via the network 35. The network device 20 is, for example, a gateway that converts between the protocol of the network 30 on the external device 40 side and the protocol of the wireless communication of the radio wave module 15. Note that the network device 20 is not limited to a gateway, and may be any communication device that can communicate with the outside. The communication between the network device 20 and the radio wave module 15 is bidirectional. The communication between the network device 20 and the external device 40 is also bidirectional.

[0026] The network 30 is, for example, the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network), and connects the network device 20, the administrator terminal 50, and the display unit 60 via the external device 40. The network 30 may connect the external device 40 and the administrator terminal 50, the external device 40 and the network device 20, and the external device 40 and the display unit 60 with a wire, may connect them wirelessly, or may be a combination of wire and wireless. The network 30 may be any network that enables communication between the network device 20, the external device 40, and the administrator terminal 50.

[0027] The external device 40 is provided at a location away from the plumbing device 10. The external device 40 is, for example, a cloud server, which is connected to the administrator terminal 50 via the network 30 and manages information about the plumbing device 10.

[0028] The manager terminal 50 is a terminal owned by a manager who manages the toilet room TR, and is, for example, a mobile terminal 50a or a PC terminal 50b. The manager terminal 50 is connected to an external device 40 via a network 30. The manager can, for example, connect to the external device 40 and obtain (view) various information on the bathroom equipment 10 installed in the toilet room TR. In addition, the manager can operate the manager terminal 50 to output various command signals from the external device 40 to the bathroom equipment 10.

[0029] The display unit 60 is installed, for example, at the entrances and exits of public facilities and buildings, or at information centers, and displays information within the facility. For example, the display unit 60 displays whether the toilet room TR is vacant or not, the cleaning status, etc. This allows the user to recognize the situation within the facility by checking the display unit 60.

[0030] In this way, the network system 101 makes the toilet room TR an Internet of Things (IoT) so that the administrator can centrally manage the usage status and the necessity of maintenance of each of the bathroom devices 10. This allows the administrator to grasp the breakdowns, maintenance, and usage status of the bathroom devices 10 from a location away from the toilet room TR. In addition, the administrator can perform various settings related to the bathroom devices 10 by operating the administrator terminal 50. Therefore, the administrator can manage the toilet room TR without going to a public toilet room TR.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic diagram of a communication system including a radio wave module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a case where the radio wave module receives a second command signal transmitted from the remote control. 2, the communication system 1 includes a plumbing device 10, a network device 20, and a remote control 25. The communication system 1 includes communication between a radio wave module 15 provided in each plumbing device 10 and the network device 20, and communication between the radio wave module 15 provided in each plumbing device 10 and a remote control 25 for operating the plumbing device 10.

[0032] The plumbing device 10 includes a device main body 11. The device main body 11 operates the plumbing device 10, and includes, for example, a control unit 13 that controls the operation of the device main body 11, and a storage unit 14 that stores the state and usage of the device main body 11. For example, the device main body 11 may be a heat retention device that keeps the toilet seat warm or a sanitary washing device that washes the buttocks in the case of a warm-water washing toilet seat, a flushing device that flushes flushing water for flushing the toilet in the case of a urinal, or a faucet device that spouts hot and cold water in the case of an automatic faucet. In other words, the device main body 11 constitutes a functional unit that performs the functions of the plumbing device 10.

[0033] The control unit 13 controls the operation of the device body 11. The control unit 13 is electrically connected to actuators, sensors, and the like (none of which are shown) of the device body 11. The control unit 13 is also electrically connected to the radio wave module 15. The control unit 13 controls the operation of the actuators and the like of the device body 11 based on, for example, a second command signal transmitted from the remote control 25 or a detection signal transmitted from a sensor.

[0034] The storage unit 14 is a memory that stores the usage history of the plumbing device 10, the status of various devices provided in the plumbing device 10, and settings of the plumbing device 10. The storage unit 14 also stores a control program executed by the control unit 13. The storage unit 14 may be provided within the control unit 13.

[0035] The radio wave module 15 communicates with both the network device 20 and the remote control 25. The radio wave module 15 is capable of receiving a first command signal transmitted from the network device 20 and a second command signal transmitted from the remote control 25. The radio wave module 15 receives, for example, settings of the plumbing device 10 operated on the manager terminal 50 via the network device 20. The radio wave module 15 also transmits information such as the usage and state of the plumbing device 10 to the external device 40 and the manager terminal 50 via the network device 20. The radio wave module 15 also receives a second command signal such as the operation of the plumbing device 10 operated on the remote control 25. The radio wave module 15 has a communication unit 16, a control unit 18, and a storage unit 19.

[0036] The communication unit 16 receives a first command signal transmitted from the network device 20 and a second command signal transmitted from the remote control 25. The communication unit 16 also transmits a command signal to the network device 20. That is, the communication unit 16 and the network device 20 communicate bidirectionally. On the other hand, the communication unit 16 and the remote control 25 communicate one-way from the remote control 25 to the communication unit 16. This allows the communication system 1 to have reduced power consumption.

[0037] The communication between the communication unit 16 and the network device 20 is performed according to a first communication standard having an acknowledgement signal (ACK). The first communication standard is a wireless communication standard. When the radio wave module 15 receives a first command signal transmitted from the network device 20, it transmits an acknowledgement signal to the network device 20. On the other hand, the communication between the communication unit 16 and the remote control 25 is performed according to a second communication standard not having an acknowledgement signal. The second communication standard is a wireless communication standard.

[0038] The control unit 18 controls the operation of the radio wave module 15. For example, the control unit 18 causes the memory unit 19 to store a first command signal transmitted from the network device 20 and a second command signal transmitted from the remote control 25, and causes the communication unit 16 to transmit an acknowledgement signal to the network device 20. The control unit 18 also causes the communication unit 16 to transmit various pieces of information about the plumbing device 10 stored in the memory unit 19 to the network device 20.

[0039] Furthermore, the control unit 18 controls switching of the reception mode of the communication unit 16. Specifically, the control unit 18 alternately switches the communication unit 16 between a first reception period A during which the communication unit 16 can receive a first command signal transmitted from the network device 20 and a second reception period B during which the communication unit 16 can receive a second command signal transmitted from the remote control 25. The reception mode of the radio wave module 15 will be described in detail later.

[0040] The storage unit 19 is a memory that stores information such as the first and second command signals received by the communication unit 16 and the usage and state of the plumbing device 10. The storage unit 19 also stores identification information that is individually set for the network device 20 and the remote control 25. The control unit 18 can recognize whether the received command signal is the corresponding network device 20 or remote control 25 by comparing the identification information of the command signal transmitted from the network device 20 or the remote control 25 with the identification information stored in the storage unit 19. The storage unit 19 also stores a control program executed by the control unit 18. The storage unit 19 may be provided within the control unit 18.

[0041] The network device 20 is installed, for example, in a public restroom TR, a restroom in a building, a unit bath in a hotel, a public bath, etc., and one network device 20 is provided for multiple bathroom devices 10 (radio wave modules 15). In other words, one network device 20 is capable of one-to-many communication corresponding to multiple radio wave modules 15.

[0042] The network device 20 is, for example, a gateway, and is connected to an external device 40 via a network 30. The network device 20 is also connected to radio wave modules 15 provided in each of the multiple plumbing devices 10 via a network 35. The network device 20 is not limited to a gateway, and may be any device provided between the Internet and the radio wave module 15. The network device 20 has a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and a storage unit 23.

[0043] The communication unit 21 is connected to the external device 40 via the network 30. The communication unit 21 receives command signals transmitted from the external device 40 and transmits command signals to the external device 40. The communication unit 21 is also connected to the communication unit 16 of the radio module 15 via the network 35. The signal transmitted over the network 35 is in accordance with a first communication standard having an acknowledgement signal. The communication unit 21 receives command signals transmitted from the radio module 15 and transmits a first command signal to the radio module 15.

[0044] The control unit 22 controls the operation of the network device 20. The control unit 22 stores, for example, a command signal transmitted from the external device 40 or the radio wave module 15 in the storage unit 23. The control unit 22 also causes the communication unit 21 to transmit a command signal to the external device 40 and a first command signal to the radio wave module 15.

[0045] For example, when the control unit 22 transmits a first command signal to the radio wave module 15, the control unit 22 receives an acknowledgment response signal transmitted from the radio wave module 15 and is thereby able to recognize that the first command signal has been received by the radio wave module 15. When the first command signal is transmitted from the network device 20 to the radio wave module 15, if it is in the second reception period B during which the communication unit 16 of the radio wave module 15 can receive the second command signal transmitted from the remote control 25, the control unit 22 of the network device 20 cannot receive the acknowledgment response signal within a predetermined time after transmission.

[0046] In such a case, control unit 22 retransmits the first command signal to radio wave module 15. If communication unit 16 of radio wave module 15 is in first reception period A, the first command signal is received and an acknowledgement signal is transmitted from radio wave module 15 to network device 20. That is, control unit 22 transmits the first command signal to radio wave module 15 until the acknowledgement signal is received. This allows stable communication between network device 20 and radio wave module 15.

[0047] The storage unit 23 is a memory that stores command signals and the like received by the communication unit 21. The storage unit 23 also stores identification information that is individually set for each radio wave module 15. The control unit 22 compares the identification information of the command signal transmitted from the radio wave module 15 of each plumbing device 10 with the identification information stored in the storage unit 23, thereby being able to recognize which plumbing device 10 the received command signal corresponds to.

[0048] Furthermore, control unit 22 can identify, from among multiple radio modules 15, the radio module 15 that transmits the first command signal, based on the identification information of radio modules 15 stored in storage unit 23. Storage unit 23 also stores a control program executed by control unit 22. Note that storage unit 23 may be provided within control unit 22.

[0049] The remote control 25 is operated to operate the plumbing equipment 10. The remote control 25 is disposed, for example, on the side of each plumbing equipment 10. For example, if the plumbing equipment 10 is a warm water washing toilet seat, the remote control 25 is operated to wash the private parts of a user who is seated on the toilet seat. The remote control 25 is provided, for example, exclusively for one radio wave module 15. That is, the remote control 25 and the radio wave module 15 communicate one-to-one. The remote control 25 may be a mobile terminal that the user can carry with them. The remote control 25 may also be used for maintenance of the plumbing equipment 10. The remote control 25 has an operation unit 26, a communication unit 27, a control unit 28, and a storage unit 29.

[0050] A plurality of operation units 26 are provided on the remote control 25, for example. The operation units 26 are switches and buttons for operating functions of the device body 11 of the bathroom equipment 10. The operation units 26 are, for example, a water volume adjustment switch, a water temperature adjustment switch, a start switch for starting the operation of an actuator of the bathroom equipment 10, and a stop switch for stopping the operation of the actuator. For example, if the bathroom equipment 10 is a warm water washing toilet seat, the operation units 26 are a switch for starting private parts washing and a switch for stopping private parts washing. The operation units 26 are connected to the control unit 28, and a signal from the operated operation units 26 is transmitted to the control unit 28.

[0051] The communication unit 27 is connected to the communication unit 16 of the radio wave module 15. The communication unit 27 transmits a second command signal to the communication unit 16 of the radio wave module 15. The second command signal is based on a second communication standard that does not have a confirmation signal. In other words, the communication unit 27 of the remote control 25 is configured not to receive a response confirmation signal from the radio wave module 15. In other words, the communication unit 27 of the remote control 25 is a transmitting unit that transmits a first command signal, and is configured to perform one-way communication with the radio wave module 15.

[0052] The control unit 28 controls the operation of the remote control 25. The control unit 28 stores, for example, operation information of the operation unit 26 in the storage unit 29. In addition, the control unit 28 causes the communication unit 27 to transmit a second command signal toward the radio wave module 15 when the operation unit 26 is operated.

[0053] Storage unit 29 is a memory that stores the second command signal and the like transmitted by communication unit 27. Storage unit 29 also stores identification information that is individually set for each radio wave module 15. Control unit 28 transmits the second command signal to which this identification information has been added to radio wave module 15.

[0054] Next, a case where a first command signal is transmitted from the network device 20 will be described.

[0055] The network device 20 can transmit the first command signal to the radio module 15, for example, at a preset time or at predetermined time intervals. In addition, the network device 20 may transmit the first command signal to the radio module 15 when instructed by the administrator terminal 50, for example.

[0056] The communication unit 16 of the radio wave module 15 alternates between a first reception period A during which the first command signal transmitted from the network device 20 can be received, and a second reception period B during which the second command signal transmitted from the remote control 25 can be received. The communication unit 16 can receive the first command signal when the first command signal arrives during the first reception period A. When the control unit 18 of the radio wave module 15 receives the first command signal, it causes an acknowledgement signal to be transmitted to the network device 20. By receiving this acknowledgement signal, the network device 20 can recognize that the first command signal has been normally received.

[0057] On the other hand, the communication unit 16 cannot receive the first command signal when the first command signal arrives during the second reception period B. The network device 20 can recognize that the first command signal has not been received normally by not receiving the acknowledgement signal. In such a case, the network device 20 can repeatedly transmit the first command signal until it receives the acknowledgement signal.

[0058] The first command signal is, for example, various initial setting values ​​(such as initial setting values ​​of water temperature and water volume) of the plumbing device 10 set by the manager terminal 50. Therefore, there is little need for the radio wave module 15 to receive the first command signal immediately, and it is sufficient for the radio wave module 15 to receive it within a certain predetermined time. In addition, since the network device 20 communicates with multiple radio wave modules 15, it is necessary to recognize whether the transmitted first command signal has been received by the radio wave module 15. Therefore, by using a first communication standard having an acknowledgement response signal for communication between the network device 20 and the radio wave module 15, communication and management can be performed stably.

[0059] Next, a case where radio wave module 15 receives a second command signal transmitted from remote control 25 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0060] 3, the communication unit 16 of the radio wave module 15 alternates between a first reception period A during which the first command signal transmitted from the network device 20 can be received, and a second reception period B during which the second command signal transmitted from the remote control 25 can be received. The time length Ta of the first reception period A is equal to or shorter than the time length Tb of the second reception period B (Ta≦Tb). In this embodiment, the time length Ta of the first reception period A and the time length Tb of the second reception period B are set to be the same length.

[0061] The second command signal has a preamble added to the beginning of one packet, followed by a header, data contents, and a checksum, in that order. The preamble is a section that notifies the user that the data contents of the second command signal will be transmitted. The header is added before the data contents, and contains information about the data contents and identification information for remote control 25. The data contents contain information about the operations performed on operation unit 26 of remote control 25. The checksum is a section that allows control unit 18 of radio module 15 to confirm that the second command signal is the same as the one transmitted from remote control 25.

[0062] When the communication unit 16 is in the second reception period B, it can receive the second command signal. On the other hand, when the communication unit 16 is in the first reception period A, it cannot receive the second command signal. The second command signal is transmitted when the user operates the operation unit 26 of the remote control 25, so it is difficult to synchronize the transmission timing of the second command signal with the second reception period B. In addition, the second command signal transmitted from the remote control 25 is for causing the device main body 11 of the plumbing device 10 to fulfill its function, so it is necessary for the radio wave module 15 to receive it quickly and stably.

[0063] Therefore, the communication unit 16 of the radio wave module 15 sets the time length Ta of the first reception period A to be shorter than the time length Tc of the preamble of the second command signal (Ta < Tc). As shown in FIG. 3, the communication unit 16 of the radio wave module 15 is set to the first reception period A at time t1. Then, the communication unit 16 is switched from the first reception period A to the second reception period B at time t2. When the second command signal reaches the communication unit 16 at time t1, the communication unit 16 can receive the second command signal (preamble) at time t2. When the communication unit 16 receives the second command signal, it continues (extends) the second reception period B until time t3 when the second command signal ends. When the reception of the second command signal ends, the communication unit 16 switches to the first reception period A.

[0064] In this way, no matter where in the first reception period A the second command signal arrives, the communication unit 16 of the radio wave module 15 can receive the preamble when switching from the first reception period A to the second reception period B. Then, the control unit 13 of the water-related device 10 operates the device main body 11 based on the second command signal received by the radio wave module 15. Therefore, the water-related device 10 can be stably operated based on the operation of the remote controller 25.

[0065] Thus, according to the present embodiment, there is provided a radio wave module 15 having a communication unit 16 capable of receiving both a first command signal according to a first communication standard having a confirmation response signal and a second command signal according to a second communication standard used in communication from the remote controller 25 and not having a confirmation response signal. The communication unit 16 alternately switches between a first reception period A capable of receiving the first command signal and a second reception period B capable of receiving the second command signal. The first reception period A is set to be shorter than the length of the second command signal. Further, a preamble is added to the head of the second command signal, and the first reception period A is shorter than the time length of the preamble.

[0066] In radio wave module 15, communication unit 16 alternately switches between first reception period A and second reception period B, so that radio wave module 15 does not receive both the first command signal and the second command signal at the same time, and the control process can be prevented from becoming complicated. In addition, the first command signal is a first communication standard having an acknowledgement signal. Therefore, radio wave module 15 can stably receive the first command signal by this acknowledgement signal. In addition, second reception period B is shorter than the second command signal (preamble). Therefore, even if the second command signal (preamble) arrives during first reception period A, radio wave module 15 can receive the second command signal when switching to second reception period B. As a result, radio wave module 15 can stably receive the first command signal according to the first communication standard and the second command signal according to the second communication standard used for communication with remote control 25.

[0067] The first command signal is transmitted from the network device 20 connected to the external device 40 via the network 30. This allows the radio wave module 15 to receive information instructed at a remote location, for example.

[0068] Also, the communication system 1 includes a radio wave module 15 having a communication unit 16 capable of receiving both a first command signal according to a first communication standard having an acknowledgment response signal and a second command signal according to a second communication standard used in communication from a remote control 25 and not having an acknowledgment response signal, in which the communication unit 16 alternates between a first reception period A during which the first command signal can be received and a second reception period B during which the second command signal can be received, and the first reception period A is set to be shorter than the length of the second command signal.

[0069] The communication system 1 also includes a plumbing device 10 equipped with a radio wave module 15, a remote control 25 for operating the plumbing device 10, and a network device 20 connected to an external device 40 via a network 30 and communicating with the radio wave module 15 according to a first communication standard. This allows the communication system 1 to stably perform communication for both managing the plumbing device 10 and operating the plumbing device 10.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the time length Ta of the first reception period A is shorter than the time length Tc of the preamble of the second command signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the time length Ta of the first reception period A may be set shorter than the length of the second command signal. In other words, the second command signal according to the second communication standard may be a communication without a preamble.

[0071] The second command signal does not need to have a preamble as long as the necessary data portion can be delivered to radio wave module 15. For example, it is sufficient that at least the data contained in the second command signal that is necessary to operate the plumbing device can be received within second reception period B using a second communication standard that makes it possible to know from the header and data content that the second command signal is being transmitted. Even in this case, even if radio wave module 15 receives the second command signal in first reception period A, it can receive the second command signal when switching from first reception period A to second reception period B.

[0072] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the time length Ta of the first reception period A and the time length Tb of the second reception period B are the same length. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the time length Tb of the second reception period B may be set longer than the time length Ta of the first reception period A. This makes it possible to minimize the time that the second command signal transmitted from the remote control 25 is applied to the first reception period A, thereby making it possible to increase the response speed of the remote control 25.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the second command signal is transmitted as one packet from the preamble to the checksum. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second command signal may be transmitted as a plurality of packets from the preamble to the checksum in succession. This allows the plumbing device 10 to stably operate with the next packet even if the data of a packet is corrupted.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the external device 40 is a cloud server. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control process performed by the external device 40 may be performed by the manager terminal 50. That is, the manager terminal 50 may have a function for controlling the external device 40. In other words, the manager terminal 50 may directly manage the plumbing devices 10.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, the radio wave module 15 and the communication system 1 provided in the plumbing device 10 installed in the toilet room TR or the like have been described as examples. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the radio wave module 15 and the communication system 1 may be used in a plurality of devices that are IoT-enabled.

[0076] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Regarding the above-mentioned embodiments, those in which a person skilled in the art makes appropriate design changes are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, material, arrangement, etc. of each element of the radio wave module 15 and the communication system 1 are not limited to those exemplified, and can be appropriately changed. In addition, each element of each of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined to the extent technically possible, and the combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1. Communication Systems 10. Water-related equipment 11 Device body 13 Control section 14 Storage section 15 Radio Module 16 Communications Department 18 Control Unit 19 Memory section 20 Network Equipment 21 Communications Department 22 Control section 23 Memory section 25 Remote Control 26 Control section 27 Communications Department 28 Control Unit 29 Memory section 30,35 Network 40 External equipment 50 Administrator terminal 50a Mobile terminals 50b PC terminal 60 Display 101 Network System A First Reception Period B. Second Reception Period TR Toilet Room

Claims

1. A radio wave module having a communication unit capable of receiving both a first command signal according to a first communication standard having an acknowledgement signal and a second command signal according to a second communication standard used in communication from a remote control and not having an acknowledgement signal, the communication unit alternates between a first reception period during which the first command signal can be received and a second reception period during which the second command signal can be received; The radio wave module, wherein the first reception period is set to be shorter than the length of the second command signal.

2. The second command signal has a preamble added to its beginning, 2. The radio wave module according to claim 1, wherein the first reception period is shorter than the time length of the preamble.

3. 3. The radio wave module according to claim 1, wherein the second reception period is set to be longer than the first reception period.

4. 4. The radio wave module according to claim 1, wherein the first command signal is transmitted from a network device connected to an external device via a network.

5. A communication system including a radio wave module having a communication unit capable of receiving both a first command signal according to a first communication standard having an acknowledgement signal and a second command signal according to a second communication standard used in communication from a remote control and not having an acknowledgement signal, the communication unit alternates between a first reception period during which the first command signal can be received and a second reception period during which the second command signal can be received; A communication system, wherein the first reception period is set to be shorter than the length of the second command signal.

6. A plumbing device provided with the radio wave module; The remote control for operating the plumbing equipment; a network device connected to an external device via a network and configured to communicate with the radio wave module according to the first communication standard; 6. The communication system according to claim 5, further comprising:

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