Cooking recipe display system, information terminal, method and program for displaying cooking recipes

Abstract

To provide a cooking recipe display system capable of displaying a cooking recipe on a display screen in an easy-to-view manner with less scroll operation.SOLUTION: A cooking recipe display system 1 with an information terminal 200 having a display screen 221 and a controller 210 comprises: a recipe data management part 110 which manages a recipe group master storing cooking recipe data including a plurality of cooking procedures indicating how to cook and material lists therefor; and an allocated display determination part 120 which determines an allocated display format indicating a layout allocation on the display screen 221 in the information terminal 200 with respect to the plurality of procedures in the cooking recipe data managed by the recipe data management part 110. The controller 210 makes the display screen 221 show the cooking recipe based on the allocated display format determined by the allocated display determination part 120.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking recipe display system, an information terminal, a method for displaying a cooking recipe, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a cooking recipe display system has been constructed that searches for recipes on websites that publish cooking recipes using the Internet, downloads cooking recipes from such websites, and displays the cooking recipes on an information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0003] Conventionally, in a cooking recipe display system, a technique has been proposed in which a plurality of cooking steps in a cooking recipe are divided into a pre-preparation step and a finishing step and displayed collectively (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A cooking recipe includes a list of ingredients indicating the ingredients of the dish, a plurality of procedures (cooking procedures) indicating how to cook the dish, and a cooking image indicating the image of the dish. When such a cooking recipe is displayed on a display screen, on a small information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, since the display screen is small, only a part of the cooking recipe can be displayed.

[0006] Therefore, when trying to view a cooking recipe on a small information terminal, the cooking recipe displayed on the display screen has to be scrolled to view. However, if you continue to view the cooking recipe while scrolling, it becomes difficult to know which part of the cooking recipe you are looking at.

[0007] In this regard, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is convenient because it divides and displays multiple cooking processes into preparation and finishing steps, but the text explaining the steps of the cooking recipe becomes long, so scrolling is still necessary.

[0008] On the other hand, if the entire cooking recipe is displayed on the screen, the font size of the text explaining the cooking procedure becomes small. Therefore, to check the details of the cooking procedure, users have to pinch out on the screen with their fingers to enlarge the image of the cooking recipe, which requires manual operation. However, users often have dirty hands while cooking, so they want to avoid operating the information terminal with their hands as much as possible while cooking.

[0009] This invention was made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a cooking recipe display system and a cooking recipe display method that can display cooking recipes on a screen in an easy-to-view manner without requiring much scrolling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, one embodiment of the cooking recipe display system according to the present invention is a cooking recipe display system comprising an information terminal having a display screen and a control unit, comprising: a recipe data management unit that manages a recipe group master that holds cooking recipe data including a plurality of steps indicating how to make a dish and a list of ingredients for the dish; and an assignment display determination unit that determines an assignment display format indicating the arrangement of the plurality of steps in the cooking recipe data managed by the recipe data management unit on the display screen, wherein the control unit displays the cooking recipe on the display screen according to the assignment display format determined by the assignment display determination unit.

[0011] Furthermore, one embodiment of the information terminal according to the present invention includes an assignment display determination unit that determines an assignment display format indicating the arrangement of the multiple steps in the cooking recipe data managed by a recipe data management unit that manages a recipe group master that holds cooking recipe data including multiple steps indicating how to make a dish and a list of ingredients for the dish, on the display screen, and a control unit that displays the cooking recipe on the display screen according to the assignment display format determined by the assignment display determination unit.

[0012] Furthermore, one aspect of the method for displaying a cooking recipe according to the present invention involves determining an assignment display format that indicates the arrangement of the multiple steps in the cooking recipe data managed by a recipe data management unit that manages a recipe group master that holds cooking recipe data including multiple steps indicating how to make a dish and a list of ingredients for the dish, on the display screen, and displaying the cooking recipe on the display screen of an information terminal according to the determined assignment display format.

[0013] Furthermore, one aspect of the program according to the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute the above-described method for displaying cooking recipes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, cooking recipes can be displayed on the screen in an easy-to-read manner without requiring much scrolling. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the outline of the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a recipe group master database in a cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows an example of a recipe ingredient table for "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a recipe procedure table (steps 1 to 5) for "Dumplings with Wings: for 2 people" with a recipe ID of R001. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a recipe procedure table (steps 6 to 6) for "Dumplings with Wings: for 2 people" with a recipe ID of R001. [Figure 7] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an assignment display format of format pattern A in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a cooking recipe displayed on a display screen according to the assignment display format of format pattern A shown in FIG. 7 (when the recipe ID = R001). [Figure 9] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an assignment display format of format pattern A when the character count limit is reached. [Figure 10] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a cooking recipe displayed on a display screen according to the assignment display format of format pattern A when the character count limit is reached as shown in FIG. 9 (when the recipe ID = R001). [Figure 11] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an assignment display format of format pattern B in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 12] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a cooking recipe displayed on a display screen according to the assignment display format of format pattern B shown in FIG. 11 (when the recipe ID = R001). [Figure 13] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an assignment display format of format pattern B when the device connection limit is reached. [Figure 14] FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining a first definition example of a procedure group in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 15] FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining a second definition example of a procedure group in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 16]It is a diagram for explaining a third definition example of a procedure group in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 17] It is a diagram for explaining a fourth definition example of a procedure group in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a cooking recipe displayed on a display screen according to the assignment display format of format pattern B and according to the display restriction information in FIG. 17 (in the case of recipe ID = R001). [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing an outline of the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1 in the case of the vertical display mode in which the information terminal is arranged vertically. [Figure 20] It is a diagram showing the assignment display format of format pattern A in the case of the vertical display mode. [Figure 21] It is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a cooking recipe displayed on a display screen according to the assignment display format of format pattern A shown in FIG. 20 (in the case of recipe ID = R001). [Figure 22] It is a diagram showing the assignment display format of format pattern B in the case of the vertical display mode. [Figure 23] It is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a cooking recipe displayed on a display screen according to the assignment display format of format pattern B shown in FIG. 22 (in the case of recipe ID = R001). [Figure 24] It is a diagram showing the relationship between the display screen of the information terminal and the cooking recipe. [Figure 25] It is a diagram for explaining the state of scrolling the cooking recipe displayed on the display screen of the information terminal. [Figure 26] It is a diagram showing the assignment display format of format pattern C in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 27] It is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a cooking recipe displayed on a display screen according to the assignment display format of format pattern C shown in FIG. 26 (in the case of recipe ID = R001). [Figure 28] This figure shows a first modified example of the assigned display format of format pattern C in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 29] This figure shows an example of a cooking recipe screen displayed on the display screen according to the first modified example of the assignment display format of format pattern C shown in Figure 28 (in the case of recipe ID = R001). [Figure 30] This figure shows a second modified example of the assigned display format of format pattern C in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 31] This figure shows an example of a cooking recipe screen displayed on the display screen according to a second modified example of the assignment display format of format pattern C shown in Figure 30 (in the case of recipe ID = R001). [Figure 32] This is a diagram illustrating the assignment display format for format pattern D. [Figure 33] Figure 32 shows an example of a cooking recipe screen displayed on the display screen according to the assigned display format of format pattern D shown in Figure 32 (in the case of recipe ID = R001). [Figure 34] This figure shows a modified example of the assignment display format for format pattern D. [Figure 35] This diagram illustrates how to scroll through a cooking recipe displayed on the screen of an information terminal. [Figure 36] This diagram illustrates the link settings in the assigned display format of format pattern E. [Figure 37] This is a diagram illustrating the assignment display format for format pattern D. [Figure 38] This figure shows a first specific example illustrating a cooking recipe display system according to a modified version of Embodiment 1. [Figure 39] This figure shows a second specific example illustrating a cooking recipe display system according to a modified version of Embodiment 1. [Figure 40]This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 41] This figure shows an example of a display linkage table in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 42] This flowchart shows the display mode switching process in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 43] This is a flowchart showing the communication process between information terminals in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 44] This figure shows a specific example of switching the display mode within the information terminal in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 45] This figure shows a specific example of switching display modes between multiple information terminals in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 46] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 47] This figure shows a first specific example of the display screen of an information terminal in a cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 48] This figure shows a second specific example of the display screen of an information terminal in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 49] This figure shows a third specific example of the display screen of an information terminal in a cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 50] This figure shows a fourth specific example of the display screen of an information terminal in the cooking recipe display system according to Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiments described below are all specific examples of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, components, arrangement and connection configurations of the components, as well as the steps and their order, shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Accordingly, among the components in the following embodiments, those not described in the independent claim representing the highest-level concept of the present invention will be described as optional components.

[0017] (Embodiment 1) [Cooking Recipe Display System] First, the overall configuration of the cooking recipe display system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be explained using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the cooking recipe display system 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cooking recipe display system 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cooking recipe display system 1 according to this embodiment comprises a recipe providing server 100, an information terminal 200, and a home appliance 300. The recipe providing server 100 is a web server. The recipe providing server 100, the information terminal 200, and the home appliance 300 are connected to each other via a network such as the Internet.

[0019] The recipe provision server 100 is a server that provides cooking recipes. The recipe provision server 100 may be either a cloud server or a physical server. In addition to providing cooking recipes, the recipe provision server 100 may also generate and manage cooking recipes.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the recipe provision server 100 includes a recipe data management unit 110, an assignment display determination unit 120, and a communication unit 130.

[0021] The recipe data management unit 110 manages the recipe group master database (recipe group master data DB) 111 and the device linkage command database (device linkage command DB) 112.

[0022] The recipe group master database 111 holds data for multiple cooking recipes as recipe group masters. The recipe group master database 111 holds multiple such recipe group masters for each cooking recipe. Furthermore, the recipe group master database 111 may be updated as needed, with new recipe group masters being added or old recipe group masters being deleted. In other words, the recipe group masters for cooking recipes held in the recipe group master database 111 are updated as necessary. This updating of recipe group masters can be performed, for example, by a system administrator managing the recipe provision server 100, but it may also be performed by users of the cooking recipe display system 1.

[0023] Figure 3 shows an example of the recipe group master database 111. As shown in Figure 3, each of the multiple cooking recipes stored as recipe group master data in the recipe group master database 111 contains information regarding the "recipe ID," "recipe name," "PR text," "corresponding quantities," and "classification."

[0024] In each recipe group master, "Recipe ID" indicates the management ID for the recipe, "Recipe Name" indicates the title (name) of the recipe, "PR Text" indicates a summary that describes the characteristics of the dish in the recipe, "Corresponding Quantity" indicates the quantity when the dish is made according to the recipe, and "Classification" indicates whether the dish in the recipe is a main dish or a side dish.

[0025] Each recipe includes an ingredients list showing the ingredients used in the dish, and multiple steps (cooking instructions) showing how to make the dish. Each ingredient list and step contains recipe terminology. Recipe terminology included in the instructions, which are written in natural language, can be extracted using natural language processing. Furthermore, recipes may include images (illustrations) to illustrate the dish. Note that the ingredients include not only the food used in the dish made according to the recipe, but also seasonings, water, etc.

[0026] The recipe group master database 111 holds three tables that represent cooking recipes: a recipe ingredients table 111a, a recipe procedure table 111b, and an illustration image database (illustration image DB) 111c.

[0027] The recipe ingredient table 111a holds information about the ingredients for each cooking recipe. Specifically, the recipe ingredient table 111a holds ingredient data that constitutes an ingredient list indicating the ingredients for a dish. An example of the recipe ingredient table 111a is shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 shows an example of the recipe ingredient table 111a for "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the ingredient data held in the recipe ingredient table 111a includes, for example, information on "group," "ingredient ID," "ingredient name," "ingredient condition," "quantity," and "alternative name."

[0029] In Recipe Ingredients Table 111a, "Group" indicates the ingredients (ingredients, seasonings, etc.) of the dish itself or intermediate ingredients in a cooking process using multiple ingredients; "Ingredient ID" indicates the management ID of the ingredient; "Ingredient Name" indicates the name of the ingredient; "Ingredient State" indicates the state of the ingredient during the cooking process; "Quantity" indicates the quantity of the ingredient; and "Alternative Name" indicates another name for the ingredient or the name of a substitute ingredient.

[0030] The recipe procedure table 111b holds information on multiple steps for each cooking recipe. Specifically, the recipe procedure table 111b holds procedure data that constitutes multiple steps (cooking procedures) that indicate how to make a dish. The multiple steps are indicated in order by, for example, numbers. The user can make the desired dish by using the ingredients shown in the recipe ingredients table 111a and cooking according to the order of the multiple steps shown in the recipe procedure table 111b.

[0031] An example of recipe procedure table 111b is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Figures 5 and 6 show an example of recipe procedure table 111b for "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3. The recipe procedure table 111b shown in Figures 5 and 6 shows an example of making a dish in 10 steps (cooking process), from step 1 to step 10. Figure 5 shows steps 1 to 5 of the steps 1 to 10, and Figure 6 shows steps 6 to 10 of the steps 1 to 10.

[0032] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the procedure data held in the recipe procedure table 111b includes information such as "procedure (work content)", "number of characters", "illustration", "classification", "work time", "waiting time", "equipment linkage / tip call", and "ingredients". This information is shown for each procedure.

[0033] In Recipe Procedure Table 111b, "Procedure (Work Content)" indicates the work content in the procedure, "Number of Characters" indicates the number of characters in the natural language sentence representing the "Procedure (Work Content)", "Illustration" indicates the file name corresponding to the image of the work content in the procedure, "Classification" indicates the type of procedure (cooking process) in a single recipe, "Work Time" indicates the time required to perform the work according to the procedure, "Waiting Time" indicates the time required to wait without performing any work after or during the procedure, "Equipment Linkage / Tip Call" indicates information when linking with an equipment linkage system in the procedure or information indicating tips for performing the work in the procedure, and "Ingredients" indicates the ingredients used in the procedure.

[0034] Each of the multiple steps held in the recipe procedure table 111b contains string information. In Figures 5 and 6, each of the multiple steps held in the recipe procedure table 111b consists of strings for "Procedure (Work Content)", "Classification", "Work Time", "Waiting Time", "Equipment Interaction / Tip Call", and "Ingredients".

[0035] The illustration image database 111c holds data files for illustration images, representing the image content of each step in the multiple steps of each cooking recipe. The filenames of the illustration images held in the illustration image database 111c correspond to the filenames of the "illustrations" in the recipe procedure table 111b. The illustration image database 111c may also hold data files for illustration images representing the completed image of the dish created according to the cooking recipe.

[0036] The device linkage command data 112 holds data for sending commands to the device linkage system. The device linkage system is, for example, a system consisting of the home appliance 300 shown in Figures 1 and 2 and a recipe provision server 100 and / or an information terminal 200. The device linkage command data 112 sends a command to the home appliance 300 to perform the tasks in the procedure of a cooking recipe, for example, when the home appliance 300 is to perform the tasks.

[0037] The assignment display determination unit 120 determines an assignment display format that indicates the arrangement of multiple steps in the cooking recipe data managed by the recipe data management unit 110 on the display screen of the information terminal 200. The contents of the cooking recipe are displayed on the display screen of the information terminal 200 according to the assignment display format determined by the assignment display determination unit 120.

[0038] Specifically, the assignment display determination unit 120 maintains and manages the assignment display format database (assignment display format DB) 121 and the assignment result database (assignment result data DB) 122.

[0039] The assignment display format database 121 holds data for the assignment display format determined by the assignment display determination unit 120. In this embodiment, the assignment display format database 121 holds data for multiple assignment display formats. In this embodiment, the assignment display format defines a display restriction table that holds display restriction information (display rules) that restricts the representation on the display screen 221 of the information terminal 200 for each of the multiple procedures. The display restriction information is the number of characters, etc., predetermined by the display restriction table. The specific contents of the assignment display format, including the display restriction table that holds the display restriction information, will be described later.

[0040] The assignment result database 122 stores assignment result data generated by the assignment display determination unit 120 in accordance with predetermined display restriction rules. The assignment result database 122 may also store the result of the assignment display format determined by the assignment display determination unit 120 as assignment result data.

[0041] The communication unit 130 has the function of communicating with the outside world via a network. The communication unit 130 is a communication adapter that can communicate with, for example, an external device or external system. Specifically, the communication unit 130 can communicate with an information terminal 200 or a home appliance 300.

[0042] The communication method used by the communication unit 130 is, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), power line communication, infrared communication, short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth® communication), or mobile communication for mobile phones.

[0043] Next, the information terminal 200 will be described. The information terminal 200 is an electronic device having a screen. The information terminal 200 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet device, a portable information processing device used in the kitchen or bathroom (including a TV function, etc.), a portable information processing device such as a notebook personal computer, or a stationary information processing device such as a desktop personal computer, a smart display, or signage.

[0044] In this embodiment, the information terminal 200 is a smartphone and, as shown in Figure 1, has an input / output unit 220 that includes a display screen 221 having both display and operation functions. In other words, the display screen 221 also functions as an operation screen.

[0045] Furthermore, the information terminal 200 has a network connectivity function. Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, a user who possesses the information terminal 200 can operate the information terminal 200 to access the recipe provision server 100, search for recipes and select one recipe from multiple recipes, or display the recipe selected by the user on the display screen 221 of the information terminal 200.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2, the information terminal 200 includes a control unit 210, an input / output unit 220, and a communication unit 230.

[0047] The control unit 210 controls the information terminal 200. For example, the control unit 210 is a processing unit that enables the information terminal 200 to perform various functions by controlling the input / output unit 220 and the communication unit 230. Specifically, the control unit 210 is a control circuit that has a memory where programs such as application programs (apps) are stored, a processor that executes those programs, and various input / output ports. The control unit 210 is the application unit, and for example, the processor executes programs held in memory to perform various controls. The processor is composed of, for example, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), or a SOC (System on a chip).

[0048] In this embodiment, the control unit 210 displays the cooking recipe on the display screen 221 of the input / output unit 220 according to the assigned display format determined by the assigned display determination unit 120 of the recipe provision server 100. Specifically, the control unit 210 displays the cooking recipe on the display screen 221 according to the assigned display format based on the assigned result data generated by the assigned display determination unit 120.

[0049] The control unit 210 has a data cache area 211. The data cache area 211 is used, for example, as the working memory of the control unit 210. For example, the control unit 210 receives instructions from the user and executes the desired processing while accumulating the information necessary for processing in the data cache area 211.

[0050] The input / output unit 220 has both the function of an input unit that receives input (operations, etc.) from the user and an output unit that outputs processing results controlled by the control unit 210. In this embodiment, the input / output unit 220 has a display device having a display screen 221. As an example, the input / output unit 220, which is the display device, is a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL device, etc.

[0051] The input / output unit 220 is a user interface operated by the user. For example, if the information terminal 200 is a smartphone, the input / output unit 220 consists of a single touch panel. The touch panel displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image suitable for touch operation by the user on the display screen 221.

[0052] The input / output unit 220 is not limited to a display device; it may also use an audio input / output device such as a microphone or speaker. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an input / output unit 220 that serves both input and output functions is used, but the input and output units may be separate devices. In this case, the output unit may be a display device or an audio device, and the input unit may be a display device, an audio device, or a mouse or keyboard, etc.

[0053] The communication unit 230 has the function of communicating with the outside world via a network. The communication unit 230 is a communication adapter that can communicate with external devices or systems, such as the recipe provision server 100. Specifically, the communication unit 230 can communicate with the recipe provision server 100 and the home appliance 300.

[0054] The communication methods used by the communication unit 230 include, for example, WAN, LAN, power line communication, infrared communication, short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth® communication), or mobile communication for mobile phones.

[0055] The information terminal 200 may also have a separate memory as a storage unit for storing various types of data. For example, the memory may store cooking recipes downloaded from the recipe provision server 100. The memory may include, for example, primary storage devices such as RAM or ROM. The memory may also include secondary storage devices such as HDD or SSD and / or tertiary storage devices such as optical discs or SD cards. The memory is, for example, non-volatile memory, but it may also be volatile memory.

[0056] Next, I will explain the home appliance 300. The home appliance 300 includes, for example, home appliances such as oven ranges, microwave ovens or induction cooktops, or electrical appliances such as refrigerators.

[0057] Furthermore, the home appliance 300 has a network connectivity function. Therefore, the home appliance 300 receives commands from, for example, the recipe provision server 100 or the information terminal 200 via the network and performs processing in accordance with these commands.

[0058] As shown in Figure 2, the home appliance 300 includes an appliance control unit 310, an input / output unit 320, and a communication unit 330.

[0059] The device control unit 310 controls the home appliance 300. For example, the device control unit 310 is a processing unit that controls the input / output unit 320 and the communication unit 330 to enable the home appliance 300 to perform various functions. Specifically, the device control unit 310 is a control circuit having a memory in which programs such as application programs (apps) are stored, a processor that executes those programs, and various input / output ports. The processor performs various controls by executing the programs held in memory. The processor is composed of, for example, an MPU, CPU, DSP, GPU, or SOC. The device control unit 310 may also have a data cache area as its working memory.

[0060] The input / output unit 320 has both functions: an input unit that receives input from the user and an output unit that outputs processing results controlled by the device control unit 310. The input / output unit 320 is, for example, a display input / output device such as a touch panel or an audio input / output device such as a microphone. Although the input / output unit 320 is configured as an integrated unit with the input and output units, the input and output units may be configured as separate units.

[0061] The communication unit 330 has the function of communicating with the outside world via a network. The communication unit 330 is a communication adapter that can communicate with external devices or systems, such as the recipe provision server 100. Specifically, the communication unit 330 can communicate with the recipe provision server 100 and the information terminal 200.

[0062] The communication method used by the communication unit 330 is, for example, a WAN, LAN, power line communication, infrared communication, short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth® communication), or mobile communication for mobile phones.

[0063] In the cooking recipe display system 1 configured in this way, the assignment display determination unit 120 of the recipe provision server 100 determines an assignment display format that indicates the arrangement of multiple steps in the cooking recipe data managed by the recipe data management unit 110 on the display screen 221 of the information terminal 200. Then, the control unit 210 of the information terminal 200 displays the cooking recipe on the display screen 221 of the information terminal 200 according to the assignment display format determined by the assignment display determination unit 120 of the recipe provision server 100.

[0064] Then, the control unit 210 of the information terminal 200 displays the cooking recipe on the display screen 221 of the information terminal 200 in the assigned display format according to the assigned display result data generated by the assigned display determination unit 120.

[0065] As described above, according to the cooking recipe display system 1 of this embodiment, cooking recipes are displayed on the display screen 221 of the information terminal 200 according to the assigned display format determined by the assigned display determination unit 120. As a result, cooking recipes can be displayed on the display screen 221 in an easy-to-read manner without requiring much scrolling (that is, scrolling is avoided as much as possible, reducing the burden of operations such as touch required for viewing).

[0066] In this embodiment, the assignment display determination unit 120 of the recipe provision server 100 refers to the recipe group master held in the recipe group master database 111, extracts information on multiple steps corresponding to the cooking recipe selected by the user from the recipe step table 111a, compares the information of each of the extracted steps with the display restriction information of each of the steps in the display restriction table, and generates assignment result data by determining the arrangement of the multiple steps on the display screen 221 of the information terminal 200 so that the information of each of the extracted steps satisfies the display restriction information of each of the steps in the display restriction table.

[0067] Specifically, the assignment display determination unit 120 generates assignment result data by determining the placement of the multiple steps on the display screen 221 so that the information of each of the multiple steps satisfies the display restriction information of each of the multiple steps in the display restriction table, based on the number of characters representing the information of each of the multiple steps extracted and the number of characters representing the display restriction information of each of the multiple steps in the display restriction table of the assignment display format. In other words, the assignment of multiple steps is determined according to the number of characters.

[0068] Furthermore, if the information for each of the multiple steps held in the recipe procedure table 111a and the display restriction information for each of the multiple steps in the display restriction table of the assignment display format are the number of illustration images, the assignment display determination unit 120 may generate assignment result data by determining the arrangement of the multiple steps on the display screen so that the information for each of the multiple steps satisfies the display restriction information for each of the multiple steps in the display restriction table of the assignment display format, according to the number of illustration images representing the information for each of the extracted multiple steps and the number of illustration images representing the display restriction information for each of the multiple steps in the display restriction table of the assignment display format. In other words, the assignment of multiple steps may be determined according to the number of illustration images.

[0069] In this way, by determining the arrangement of multiple steps on the display screen so that the information of each step satisfies the display restriction information for each step in the display restriction table of the assigned display format, it is possible to obtain an assigned display format that makes cooking recipes easy to view without requiring much scrolling.

[0070] Furthermore, the assignment display determination unit 120 may compare the information of each of the extracted procedures with the display restriction information of each of the procedures in the display restriction table of the assignment display format, and generate assignment result data by determining the arrangement of the procedures on the display screen such that the information of two or more of the extracted procedures satisfies two or more display restriction pieces of information in the display restriction table of the assignment display format that correspond to two or more of the extracted procedures. In other words, display restriction information may be defined between at least two or more procedures.

[0071] In this way, by defining display restriction information between two or more steps, it is possible to obtain an assignment display format that makes cooking recipes easy to view without requiring excessive scrolling.

[0072] [Specific examples of assignment display formats] Next, a specific example of the assigned display format in the cooking recipe display system 1 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0073] [Format patterns A, B] First, the assigned display format for format pattern A will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7 shows the assigned display format for format pattern A. In Figure 7, (a) shows the screen layout of display screen 221 in the assigned display format for format pattern A, and (b) shows an example of a display restriction table in the assigned display format for format pattern A.

[0074] As shown in Figure 7(a), the assigned display format of format pattern A is a format in which one or more of the steps of a cooking recipe are displayed in the step area of ​​the display screen 221, and the steps of the cooking recipe can be viewed frame by frame using the left-pointing arrow operation button and the right-pointing arrow operation button.

[0075] Furthermore, the assigned display format of format pattern A shown in Figure 7(a) is a format in which the ingredients area, which displays the ingredient list of the cooking recipe, and the procedure area, which displays the steps of the cooking recipe, are displayed on a single screen. Note that the assigned display format of format pattern A shown in Figure 7(a) is the format for the horizontal display mode when the information terminal 200 is placed horizontally.

[0076] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(b), the assigned display format of format pattern A defines a display restriction table that holds display restriction information that limits the representation on the display screen 221 for each of the multiple steps in a cooking recipe.

[0077] As shown in Figure 7(b), the display restriction table in this embodiment holds display restriction information such as "area," "number of lines," "number of characters per line," "total," and "illustrations." In the display restriction table shown in Figure 7(b), "area" indicates the area where the expression is restricted as display restriction information. "Number of lines" indicates the upper limit of the number of lines restricted in one area (i.e., the maximum number of lines) as display restriction information. "Number of characters per line" indicates the upper limit of the number of characters restricted per line (i.e., the maximum number of characters per line) as display restriction information. "Total" indicates the upper limit of the total number of characters restricted in one area (i.e., the maximum total number of characters in one area) as display restriction information. "Illustrations" indicates the upper limit of the number of illustration images restricted in one area (i.e., the maximum number of illustrations in one area) as display restriction information.

[0078] In the assigned display format of format pattern A shown in Figure 7, the procedure area of ​​the display screen 221 displays one or more of the steps of a cooking recipe. Specifically, the procedure area of ​​the display screen 221 displays one or more steps according to the display restriction information in the display restriction table in Figure 7(b). Figure 7(a) shows the case where two steps, step 1 and step 2, are displayed in the procedure area.

[0079] Furthermore, Figure 8 shows an example of a cooking recipe screen displayed on display screen 221 according to the assigned display format of format pattern A shown in Figure 7, for the cooking recipe "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3.

[0080] As shown in Figure 8, the display screen 221 shows the list of ingredients, and also displays steps 3 and 4 of steps 1 to 10 in the cooking recipe, according to the display restriction information in the display restriction table shown in Figure 7(b).

[0081] Note that in Figures 7 and 8, two procedures are displayed in the procedure area. However, if two procedures are displayed in the procedure area and the number of characters in the procedure reaches the limit according to the display limit table, then, as shown in Figure 9(a), only one procedure will be displayed in the procedure area, not two.

[0082] Here, Figure 9(a) shows the screen layout of display screen 221 when, in the assigned display format of format pattern A, displaying two steps in the step area would cause the number of characters to reach the upper limit due to the display limit information in the display limit table. Also, Figure 9(b) shows an example of the display limit table for the assigned display format of format pattern A in the case of Figure 9(a).

[0083] Furthermore, Figure 10 shows a concrete example of the steps that are actually displayed in the step area of ​​the display screen 221 of the information terminal 200 when the cooking recipe for "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3 is displayed on the display screen 221 of the information terminal 200 according to the assigned display format of format pattern A, and if two steps are displayed in the step area, the number of characters in the steps will reach the upper limit according to the display limit information of the display limit table shown in Figure 9(b).

[0084] Specifically, regarding the cooking recipe for "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings," if we attempt to display only steps 1 and 2 out of steps 1 to 10, the total number of characters in steps 1 and 2 becomes 109 (see the number of characters in steps 1 and 2 in Figure 5). This exceeds the total number of display restriction information in the display restriction table shown in Figure 9(b), which is 100 (see the number of characters in step 1 in Figure 9(b)). Therefore, as shown in Figure 10, only step 1 is displayed in the step area of ​​the display screen 221.

[0085] Next, the assigned display format for format pattern B will be explained using Figure 11. Figure 11 shows the assigned display format for format pattern B when the information terminal 200 is placed horizontally. In Figure 11, (a) shows the screen layout of the display screen 221 in the assigned display format for format pattern B, and (b) shows an example of the display restriction table in the assigned display format for format pattern B.

[0086] As shown in Figure 11(a), the assigned display format of format pattern B is a horizontal display mode format with the information terminal 200 positioned horizontally, similar to format pattern A. However, unlike format pattern A, the assigned display format of format pattern B is a format in which multiple procedures are arranged horizontally in the procedure area like a four-panel comic strip. This allows multiple procedures to be viewed without scrolling the display screen 221.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11(a), the assigned display format of format pattern B differs from format pattern A in that it is a format for when the ingredients area, which displays the list of ingredients for a cooking recipe, and the procedure area, which displays the steps for a cooking recipe, are displayed on different screens.

[0088] Specifically, in the assigned display format of format pattern B, the image of the ingredients screen where the ingredients area is displayed (including screens such as HTML composed of text and images) and the image of the procedure screen where the procedure area is displayed can be selected using the "Ingredients Tab" and the "Procedure Tab". In addition, the assigned display format of format pattern B also has a "Menu Tab" so that the image of the menu screen where the menu is displayed can also be selected. In this way, by selecting the images to be displayed on the display screen using tabs, the ingredients and menu can actually pop up in front of the display screen or be automatically scrolled to appear on the display screen, allowing the user to view the cooking recipe without having to scroll the display screen 221.

[0089] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11(b), the assigned display format of format pattern B, like format pattern A, also defines a display restriction table that holds display restriction information that limits the representation of each of the multiple steps in a cooking recipe on the display screen 221.

[0090] Unlike the display restriction table shown in Figure 7(b), the display restriction table shown in Figure 11(b) also holds display restriction information related to "cooperation." In the display restriction table shown in Figure 11(b), "cooperation" refers to the upper limit of the number of device cooperation links that can be restricted in one or more steps (i.e., the maximum number of home appliances that can be cooperated with). Note that the number of tips for tip calling in Figures 5 and 6 may also be included in the upper limit of "cooperation."

[0091] In the assigned display format of format pattern B shown in Figure 11, the procedure area of ​​the display screen 221 displays one or more of the steps of a cooking recipe. Specifically, the procedure area of ​​the display screen 221 displays one or more steps according to the display restriction information in the display restriction table in Figure 11(b). Figure 11(a) shows the case where three steps, step 1, step 2, and step 3, are displayed in the procedure area in this order in a horizontal arrangement.

[0092] Furthermore, Figure 12 shows an example of a cooking recipe screen displayed on display screen 221 according to the assigned display format of format pattern B shown in Figure 11, for the cooking recipe "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3.

[0093] As shown in Figure 12, the display screen 221 shows steps 1 to 3 of steps 1 to 10 in the cooking recipe, according to the display restriction information in the display restriction table shown in Figure 11(b).

[0094] Note that in Figures 11 and 12, three steps are displayed in the step area. However, if three steps are displayed in the step area, and the number of "cooperations" reaches the upper limit according to the display limit information in the display limit table, then, as shown in Figure 13(a), three steps will not be displayed in the step area, and only two steps, Step 1 and Step 2, will be displayed.

[0095] Here, Figure 13(a) shows the screen layout of display screen 221 when, in the assigned display format of format pattern B, displaying three steps in the step area causes the number of "cooperation" items to reach the upper limit due to the display limit information in the display limit table. Figure 13(b) shows an example of the display limit table for the assigned display format of format pattern B in the case of Figure 13(a).

[0096] Specifically, if we try to display three steps, steps 1 through 3, out of steps 1 through 10, the upper limit of the number of connections between steps 1 and 2 will exceed 2. Therefore, to ensure that the total upper limit of "connections" in the display restriction information of the display restriction table in Figure 13(b) is 2 or less, only steps 1 and 2 are displayed in the step area of ​​the display screen 221, as shown in Figure 13(a).

[0097] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11(a) and Figure 13(a), in the assignment display format of format pattern B, each procedure group, which consists of one or more steps, is defined as a "STEP". Specifically, in Figure 11(a) and Figure 13(a), four procedure groups, "STEP1" to "STEP4", are defined, and each of "STEP1" to "STEP4" contains one or more steps.

[0098] The process for generating a procedure group from multiple steps is described below.

[0099] In this case, the assignment display determination unit 120 of the recipe provision server 100 refers to the recipe group master held in the recipe group master database 111, extracts information on multiple steps corresponding to the cooking recipe selected by the user from the recipe procedure table 111b, compares the information of each of the extracted steps with the display restriction information of each of the steps in the display restriction table of the assignment display format, and if the information of each of the steps satisfies the display restriction information of each of the steps in the display restriction table, defines at least two of the steps as the composition of one step group, and if the information of each of the steps does not satisfy the display restriction information of each of the steps in the display restriction table of the assignment display format, it changes and defines the composition of the step group according to the provisions of the assignment display format, and then generates the defined step group as assignment result data.

[0100] In this embodiment, since the information for each of the multiple steps held in the recipe step table 111b includes a string, the multiple steps can be divided into multiple step groups by character limit. In this case, the assignment display determination unit 120 compares the information for each of the extracted multiple steps with the display limit information for each of the multiple steps in the display limit table of the assignment display format. If the number of characters representing the information for each of the extracted multiple steps is less than or equal to the number of characters representing the display limit information for each of the multiple steps in the display limit table of the assignment display format, the unit adjusts the assignment of the step groups.

[0101] Examples of defining procedure groups with such character limits will be explained using Figures 14 and 15.

[0102] For example, as shown in Figure 14(a), if the basic structure of a cooking recipe consists of steps 1 to 10, similar to the cooking recipes shown in Figures 5 and 6, and the structure is divided into multiple step groups within the range that does not require scrolling according to the character limit of the display restriction information in the display restriction table, then, for example, as shown in Figure 14(b), it can be divided into four step groups: step group A consisting of steps 1 to 3, step group B consisting of steps 4 to 6, step group C consisting of steps 7 to 9, and step group D consisting only of step 10.

[0103] In Figure 11(a), these four procedure groups are set as "STEP1" to "STEP4". Therefore, in Figure 11(a), when each of the operation buttons for "STEP1" to "STEP4" is pressed, the content of the procedure displayed in the procedure area of ​​the display screen 221 changes. For example, in Figure 11(a), "STEP1" is selected, so steps 1 to 3 are displayed in the procedure area. When the operation button for "STEP2" is pressed, steps 4 to 6 are displayed in the procedure area; when the operation button for "STEP3" is pressed, steps 7 to 9 are displayed in the procedure area; and when the operation button for "STEP4" is pressed, step 10 is displayed in the procedure area.

[0104] Furthermore, in addition to the character limit, the display restriction information in the display restriction table may also include a link count limit, as shown in Figure 11(b), to divide multiple steps into multiple step groups. In this case, as shown in Figure 15(a), if the basic structure of a cooking recipe consists of steps 1 to 10, and the structure is divided into multiple step groups within the range that does not require scrolling, according to the character limit and link count limit of the display restriction information in the display restriction table, it can be divided into four step groups, for example, as shown in Figure 15(b): Step Group A consisting of steps 1 to 3, Step Group B consisting of steps 4 to 6, Step Group C consisting of steps 7 and 8, and Step Group D consisting of steps 9 and 10. In other words, in the example in Figure 15, the 10 steps are grouped based on the link count limit, so that Step Group C and Step Group D each contain 2 steps.

[0105] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16, a label indicating the abbreviation of the procedure group may be assigned to each generated procedure group. In this case, the assignment display determination unit 120 manages a label indicating the outline of each generated procedure group, and when the control unit 210 of the information terminal 200 or the recipe provision server 100 displays the procedure group on the display screen 221, it is preferable that the abbreviation is also displayed on the display screen as the label of the procedure group. This makes it possible to understand the content of each procedure group without having to read multiple procedures in detail. In Figure 16, the abbreviations for procedure groups A, B, C, and D are managed as "Make the dumpling filling," "Wrap and start frying," "Steam and fry," and "Finish frying," respectively.

[0106] Furthermore, if each procedure group is managed by a label, the control unit 210 of the information terminal 200 or the recipe provision server 100 may display the total work time for the procedure group with the same label on the display screen. In other words, the total work time for each procedure group may be displayed on the display screen. In this case, the assignment display determination unit 120 calculates the work time required for each procedure group, and the control unit 210 of the information terminal 200 or the recipe provision server 100 displays the calculated work time for each procedure group on the display screen. This makes it easy for the user to grasp the work time for each procedure group without having to add up the work times of multiple procedures one by one.

[0107] Furthermore, the system may be configured so that the displayed work time changes when the user selects a procedure group. For example, in Figure 11(a) and Figure 13(a), pressing the operation buttons "STEP1" to "STEP4" which indicate procedure groups may switch the content of the procedures displayed in the procedure area, and the displayed work time may also change accordingly.

[0108] Furthermore, instead of calculating the time for each step group, as shown in Figure 17, multiple step groups can be broadly categorized, and the time for each step in the cooking process can be displayed on the screen. Figure 17 shows an example where, in addition to the character limit, a link limit is also taken into account as display limit information in the display limit table, and multiple steps are divided into multiple step groups. Furthermore, the multiple step groups are divided at the steps of the cooking process, and the work time and waiting time are displayed on the screen.

[0109] Specifically, in Figure 17, the four procedure groups, A to D, are divided at the boundary between the preparation cooking process of procedure group A and the finishing cooking processes of procedure groups B to D. The screen displays that the preparation cooking process takes 20 minutes and the waiting time is 60 minutes, while the screen displays that the finishing cooking process takes 10 minutes.

[0110] Figure 18 shows an example of a cooking recipe screen for "Winged Dumplings: 2 Servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3, displayed on the screen according to the display restriction information in Figure 17 and the assigned display format of format pattern B. Specifically, in Figure 18, (a) shows a screen where steps 1 to 3, which are included in step group A, are displayed in the step area of ​​the display screen; (b) shows a screen where steps 4 to 6, which are included in step group B, are displayed in the step area of ​​the display screen; (c) shows a screen where steps 7 and 8, which are included in step group C, are displayed in the step area of ​​the display screen; and (d) shows a screen where steps 9 and 10, which are included in step group D, are displayed in the step area of ​​the display screen. As shown in (a) to (d) of Figure 18, in all cases, operation buttons with abbreviated labels indicating step groups A to D, such as "STEP1" to "STEP4", are also displayed on the display screen.

[0111] Regarding the timer 2:00 in Figure 18(c), based on the "Timer Start 2:00" information described in step 8 of Figure 6 for calling the device linkage tip, a timer button with an icon is displayed with the necessary timer time for the cooking procedure pre-set. By touching the timer button, the elapsed time can be counted up or down, reducing the need to launch an app with a timer function.

[0112] Furthermore, when multiple procedures are divided into multiple procedure groups, the display screen representation may be defined for each procedure group. In this case, the control unit 210 of the information terminal 200 or the recipe provision server 100 may adjust at least one of the arrangement and size of the procedures displayed on the display screen so that each procedure group fits within the defined representation.

[0113] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the assigned display formats for format patterns A and B were illustrated as an example when the information terminal 200 is positioned horizontally. However, as shown in Figure 19, the assigned display formats for format patterns A and B can also be applied to the vertical display mode when the information terminal 200 is positioned vertically.

[0114] Specifically, the assigned display format of format pattern A shown in Figure 20 (a1) and (a2) is similar to the assigned display format of format pattern A shown in Figure 7 (a), in that it displays one or more of the steps of a cooking recipe in the step area of ​​the display screen 221, and allows the user to view the steps of the cooking recipe frame by frame using the left-pointing arrow operation button and the right-pointing arrow operation button.

[0115] Note that the assigned display format of format pattern A shown in Figure 20 (a1) and (a2) differs from the assigned display format of format pattern A shown in Figure 7 (a). In this format, the ingredients area, which displays the ingredient list of the cooking recipe shown in Figure 20 (a1), and the procedure area, which displays the steps of the cooking recipe shown in Figure 20 (a2), are displayed on separate screens. For this reason, the assigned display format of format pattern A shown in Figure 20 (a1) and (a2) has "Procedure" and "Ingredients" operation buttons to switch between the screen displaying the multiple steps of the cooking recipe and the screen displaying the ingredient list of the cooking recipe.

[0116] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20(b), the assigned display formats for format pattern A in Figure 20(a1) and (a2) define a display restriction table that holds display restriction information that restricts the representation on the display screen 221 for each of the multiple steps in a cooking recipe, similar to the assigned display format for format pattern A in Figure 7(a).

[0117] In the assigned display format of format pattern A shown in Figure 20, as shown in Figure 20(a2), the procedure area of ​​the display screen 221 displays one or more of the steps of a cooking recipe. Specifically, the procedure area of ​​the display screen 221 displays one or more steps according to the display restriction information in the display restriction table in Figure 20(b). Figure 20(a1) shows the case where two steps, step 1 and step 2, are displayed in the procedure area.

[0118] Figure 21 shows an example of a cooking recipe screen displayed on display screen 221 according to the assigned display format of format pattern A shown in Figure 20, for the cooking recipe "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3.

[0119] As shown in Figure 21(a1), the ingredients list is displayed on the ingredients display screen, and as shown in Figure 21(a2), steps 1 and 2 of steps 1 to 10 in the cooking recipe are displayed according to the display restriction information in the display restriction table shown in Figure 20(b).

[0120] Next, the assigned display format for format pattern B in vertical display mode when the information terminal 200 is positioned vertically will be explained using Figure 22. Figure 22 shows the assigned display format for format pattern B when the information terminal 200 is positioned vertically. In Figure 11, (a) shows the screen layout of the display screen 221 in the assigned display format of format pattern B, and (b) shows an example of a display restriction table in the assigned display format of format pattern B.

[0121] The assignment display format for format pattern B shown in Figures 22(a1) and (a2) is a format in which multiple operation buttons representing multiple procedure groups are arranged side by side like a four-panel comic strip, allowing users to select multiple procedure groups frame by frame. In Figure 22(a2), "1", "2", "3", and "4" are shown as multiple operation buttons representing four procedure groups.

[0122] Note that the assigned display format of format pattern B shown in Figure 22 (a1) and (a2) differs from the assigned display format of format pattern B shown in Figure 11 (a) in that the ingredients area, which displays the ingredient list of the cooking recipe shown in Figure 22 (a1), and the procedure area, which displays the steps of the cooking recipe shown in Figure 22 (a2), are displayed on separate screens. For this reason, the assigned display format of format pattern B shown in Figure 22 (a1) and (a2), similar to the assigned display format of format pattern B shown in Figure 20 (a1) and (a2), has "Procedure" and "Ingredients" operation buttons to switch between the screen displaying the multiple steps of the cooking recipe and the screen displaying the ingredient list of the cooking recipe.

[0123] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 22(b), the assigned display format of format pattern B in Figure 22(a1) and (a2) defines a display restriction table that holds display restriction information that restricts the representation on the display screen 221 for each of the multiple steps in a cooking recipe, similar to the assigned display format of format pattern B in Figure 11(a).

[0124] In the assigned display format of format pattern B shown in Figure 22, as shown in Figure 20(a2), the procedure area of ​​the display screen 221 displays one or more of the steps of a cooking recipe. Specifically, the procedure area of ​​the display screen 221 displays one or more steps according to the display restriction information in the display restriction table in Figure 22(b). Figure 22(a1) shows the case where two steps, step 1 and step 2, are displayed in the procedure area.

[0125] Figure 23 shows an example of a cooking recipe screen displayed on display screen 221 according to the assigned display format of format pattern B shown in Figure 22, for the cooking recipe "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3.

[0126] As shown in Figure 23(a1), the ingredients list is displayed on the ingredients display screen, and as shown in Figure 23(a2), steps 1 and 2 of steps 1 to 10 in the cooking recipe are displayed according to the display restriction information in the display restriction table shown in Figure 22(b).

[0127] As described above, by displaying the cooking recipe on the display screen 221 according to the assigned display formats of format patterns A and B, multiple steps of the cooking recipe can be viewed in a frame-by-frame manner or like a four-panel comic strip. Therefore, the cooking recipe can be viewed without any scrolling.

[0128] [Format patterns C, D] Next, we will explain the assignment display format for format pattern C.

[0129] As shown in Figure 24, the display screen 221 of the information terminal 200 has a focus area that the user concentrates on. Furthermore, with small information terminals 200 such as smartphones, the display screen 221 is small, so only a portion of the cooking recipe can be displayed.

[0130] Therefore, as shown in Figure 25, when viewing a cooking recipe on the small information terminal 200, the user scrolls through the cooking recipe displayed on the display screen 221 so that the part they want to see is within the viewing area of ​​the display screen 221. Specifically, in Figure 25, if a user viewing step 1 of a cooking recipe wants to see step 2, they scroll upward to move step 2 into the viewing area.

[0131] At this point, the ingredient list for the cooking recipe is removed from the display screen 221, so the user can no longer view the ingredient list while looking at step 2.

[0132] Therefore, as shown in Figure 26, the assigned display format of format pattern C has a material excerpt display area 221a for displaying an excerpt of the material list around the display screen 221 where some of the steps of multiple steps are displayed. In other words, information associated with the recipe terms of the material list is superimposed and displayed in the material excerpt display area 221a.

[0133] In this embodiment, the material excerpt display area 221a is displayed at the top of the display screen 221. Furthermore, the material excerpt display area 221a is displayed only temporarily when the material list is removed from the display screen 221, but is not limited to this.

[0134] Figure 27 shows an example of a screen displaying the cooking recipe for "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3, according to the assigned display format of format pattern C. As shown in Figure 27, an ingredient excerpt display area 221a, which displays the ingredient list of the cooking recipe, is set at the top of the display screen 221.

[0135] In this way, by displaying the cooking recipe on the display screen 221 using the assigned display format of format pattern C, even if the ingredient list of the cooking recipe is removed from the display screen 221 when some of the steps of the multiple steps are displayed on the display screen 221, the ingredient list will still be displayed in the ingredient excerpt display area 221a set on the display screen 221. This allows the user to view the ingredient list while watching the steps. Moreover, since the ingredient excerpt display area 221a is set in the peripheral area of ​​the display screen 221, the ingredient list can be displayed on the display screen 221 while suppressing interference with the attention area.

[0136] The material excerpt display area 221a may display all materials from the material list, or it may display only some of the materials from the material list. For example, the material excerpt display area 221a may display only the materials for the procedure displayed in the attention area, or only the materials for the procedure displayed in the attention area and the materials for the procedures before and after it.

[0137] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 28, the assigned display format of format pattern C may have a supplementary display area 221b in addition to the material excerpt display area 221a around the periphery of the display screen 221. The supplementary display area 221b is preferably set in a position opposite the material excerpt display area 221a, with the gaze area in between. This allows the material excerpt display area 221a and the supplementary display area 221b to be displayed simultaneously on the display screen 221 while suppressing interference with the gaze area. In Figure 28, the material excerpt display area 221a is set at the top of the display screen 221, and the supplementary display area 221b is set at the bottom of the display screen 221.

[0138] The supplementary display area 221b displays, for example, a portion of the ingredients list. In other words, if the ingredients list of a cooking recipe is outside the display screen 221, the ingredients from the ingredients list may be displayed separately in the ingredient excerpt display area 221a and the supplementary display area 221b. This allows the ingredients from the ingredients list to be displayed on the display screen 221 even if there are many ingredients listed.

[0139] Figure 29 shows an example of a screen displaying the cooking recipe for "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3, using the assigned display format of format pattern C. As shown in Figure 29, the upper part of the display screen 221 shows an ingredient excerpt display area 221a listing the ingredients in the recipe's ingredient list, while the lower part of the display screen 221 shows a supplementary display area 221b listing the seasonings and water in the recipe's ingredient list.

[0140] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 30, the assigned display format of format pattern C may highlight the steps that the user is focusing on. For example, Figure 30 shows a case where the steps displayed in the focus area of ​​a cooking recipe are highlighted by adding a shadow to the frame surrounding them to create a three-dimensional effect. In this way, by highlighting only the steps displayed in the focus area, the steps that the user is focusing on can be made easier to see.

[0141] Figure 31 shows the case where the frame surrounding step 2 in the attention area is displayed three-dimensionally when the cooking recipe for "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3 is displayed using the assigned display format of format pattern C.

[0142] Next, the assignment display format for format pattern D will be explained using Figure 32. Figure 32 is a diagram illustrating the assignment display format for format pattern D.

[0143] As shown in Figure 26, the assigned display format of format pattern C had an ingredient excerpt display area 221a around the display screen 221 where some of the steps of the multiple steps were displayed. However, as shown in Figure 32, the assigned display format of format pattern D has an extended display area 221c around the display screen 221 where some of the steps of the multiple steps were displayed, for displaying the quantities of ingredients in the cooking recipe. In other words, information linked to the quantities of ingredients in the cooking recipe is superimposed and displayed in the extended display area 221c.

[0144] In this embodiment, the extended display area 221c is located at the top of the display screen 221. The extended display area 221c may, but is not limited to, be temporarily set only when the material list is outside the display screen 221.

[0145] As shown in Figure 32, the quantity of material located in the extended display area 221c is displayed, for example, in a speech bubble-shaped pop-up window that appears above the material.

[0146] Figure 33 shows an example of a screen layout when the cooking recipe for "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3 is displayed using the assigned display format of format pattern D. As shown in Figure 33, a speech bubble-shaped pop-up window is displayed above the ingredients of the cooking recipe located in the extended display area 221c at the top of the display screen 221, and the quantity of the ingredients is displayed in this pop-up window. In example 1 of Figure 33, the quantities of cabbage, chives, and green onions located in the extended display area 221c are displayed, while in example 2 of Figure 33, the quantity of minced meat located in the extended display area 221c is displayed.

[0147] In this way, by displaying the cooking recipe on the display screen 221 using the assigned display format of format pattern D, even if the ingredient list of the cooking recipe is removed from the display screen 221 when some of the steps of the multiple steps are displayed on the display screen 221, the quantities of the ingredients located in the extended display area 221c will be displayed. This allows the user to understand the quantities of the ingredients while looking at the steps without having to scroll upwards to move to the ingredient area. In addition, since the extended display area 221c is displayed around the periphery of the display screen 221, the quantities of the ingredients can be displayed on the display screen 221 while suppressing interference with the attention area.

[0148] Furthermore, instead of displaying only the quantity of the material appearing in the top row of the materials located in the extended display area 221c, the quantities of any material located in the extended display area 221c may be displayed across multiple rows from the top (two rows from the top in Figure 34), as shown in Figure 34.

[0149] As described above, by displaying cooking recipes on the display screen 221 according to the assigned display formats of format patterns C and D, cooking recipes can be displayed on the display screen 221 in an easy-to-read manner without requiring much scrolling.

[0150] [Format Pattern E] Next, we will explain the display format for format pattern E.

[0151] As shown in Figure 35, on small information terminals such as smartphones, the display screen 221 is small and can only display a portion of the cooking recipe, so the user has to scroll to view the cooking recipe displayed on the display screen 221. For example, in Figure 35, the user is scrolling upwards to view the cooking recipe from top to bottom. At this time, the ingredient list of the cooking recipe is removed from the display screen 221, so the user is unable to see the ingredient list.

[0152] Therefore, as shown in Figure 36, in the assignment display format of format pattern E, the materials in the material list and the materials that appear in the procedure are pre-linked. For example, by underlining the materials that appear in the procedure, the user can see that the materials in the material list and the materials that appear in the procedure are pre-linked.

[0153] As shown in Figure 37, the assigned display format of format pattern E has a link guide display area 221d at the top of the display screen 221 where the materials in the material list are displayed, and a procedure return button 221n as an operation button to return to the original procedure.

[0154] For example, as shown in Figure 37(a), if the user scrolls through a cooking recipe and the ingredient list disappears, as shown in Figure 37(b), when the user taps an ingredient that appears in the displayed steps (ground meat in Figure 37), the display screen 221 automatically scrolls to the ingredient list, as shown in Figure 37(c). In other words, when a linked ingredient is tapped, the user jumps to the ingredient list, and the ingredient list is displayed on the display screen 221. At this time, it is desirable that the tapped ingredient be displayed at the top of the display screen 221. Also, to make it clear that it is the tapped ingredient (the linked ingredient), it is good to highlight the tapped ingredient's text by adding color, background color, or changing its thickness or font.

[0155] Then, as the material list is displayed, the procedure return button 221n is also displayed. When the user taps the procedure return button 221n, it automatically scrolls back to the original procedure that was displayed before the linked material was tapped, as shown in Figure 37(d). In other words, when the procedure return button 221n is tapped, the user jumps back to the original procedure and the original procedure is displayed on the display screen 221.

[0156] Furthermore, the assigned display format of format pattern E may also have a separate material display button 221m as an operation button for displaying the material list on the display screen 221, as shown in Figure 37. For example, if the material list is not displayed on the display screen 221, when the user taps this material display button 221m, the display screen 221 will automatically scroll to the material list so that the material list is displayed. In other words, when the material display button 221m is tapped, the system jumps to the material list and the material list is displayed on the display screen 221.

[0157] As described above, by displaying cooking recipes on the display screen 221 according to the assigned display format of format pattern E, cooking recipes can be displayed on the display screen 221 in an easy-to-view manner without requiring much scrolling.

[0158] (Modified version of Embodiment 1) Next, a modified example of Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0159] In the above embodiment 1, when the ingredient list and procedure are displayed simultaneously, all ingredients are displayed in the ingredient list in the same way in the cooking recipe, even if the ingredients are not shown in the procedure, but this is not limited to this.

[0160] Specifically, as shown in Figures 38 and 39, ingredients in the ingredient list that are not included in the procedure displayed on the display screen 221 (ingredients not needed for the procedure) may be unhighlighted. In other words, when the ingredient list and the procedure are displayed simultaneously, unnecessary ingredients from the ingredient list that do not appear in the procedure displayed on the display screen 221 are unhighlighted before the cooking recipe is displayed on the display screen 221.

[0161] For example, Figures 38 and 39 show the display of the recipe for "Winged Dumplings: 2 servings" with recipe ID R001 in Figure 3, using the assigned display format of format pattern A in horizontal display mode. In this case, in Figure 38, only step 1 is displayed in the procedure area, so the ingredients in the ingredient list, "dumpling wrappers," "ground pork," "potato starch," "water," and "oil," are unnecessary ingredients that do not appear in step 1, and the text of these ingredients and related information is displayed faintly. Similarly, in Figure 39, only steps 3 and 4 are displayed in the procedure area, so the ingredients in the ingredient list other than "dumpling wrappers" are unnecessary ingredients that do not appear in steps 3 and 4, and the text of these ingredients and related information is displayed faintly.

[0162] In this way, by not highlighting materials that are not needed in the procedure, it becomes easier to see which of the multiple materials in the material list are necessary for the procedure shown on display screen 221.

[0163] As shown in Figures 38 and 39, one possible method of non-emphasizing is to lighten the text of ingredients that are not required in the procedure, but this is not limited to this. For example, the text of ingredients that are not required in the procedure may be non-emphasized by reducing the font size or displaying them with dashed lines. Alternatively, instead of non-emphasizing the text of ingredients that are not required in the procedure, the text of ingredients that are not required in the procedure may be hidden. This process of non-emphasizing or hiding the text of ingredients can be performed, for example, by the control unit 210 of the information terminal 200 or the recipe provision server 100.

[0164] (Embodiment 2) Next, we will describe the cooking recipe display system 2 according to Embodiment 2.

[0165] First, the overall configuration of the cooking recipe display system 2 according to Embodiment 2 will be explained using Figure 40. Figure 40 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cooking recipe display system 2 according to Embodiment 2.

[0166] As shown in Figure 40, the cooking recipe display system 2 according to this embodiment comprises a recipe provision server 100, a first information terminal 201, and a second information terminal 202. Although not shown, the cooking recipe display system 2 according to this embodiment may also include a home appliance 300.

[0167] The recipe provision server 100, the first information terminal 201, and the second information terminal 202 are connected to each other via a network such as the Internet.

[0168] The recipe provision server 100 has the same configuration as in Embodiment 1 described above. Furthermore, the first information terminal 201 and the second information terminal 202 have the same configuration as the information terminal 200 in Embodiment 1 described above.

[0169] Therefore, the cooking recipe display system 2 according to this embodiment can perform the same processing as the cooking recipe display system 1 in Embodiment 1, and thus obtain the same effects as the cooking recipe display system 1 in Embodiment 1. For example, it can display cooking recipes on the display screen 221 in an easy-to-read manner without requiring much scrolling.

[0170] In the cooking recipe display system 2 according to this embodiment, the configuration of the first information terminal 201 and the second information terminal 202 differs from that of the information terminal 200 in the first embodiment described above. Specifically, each of the first information terminal 201 and the second information terminal 202 in this embodiment further has a display linkage unit 240 with respect to the information terminal 200 in the first embodiment described above.

[0171] The display linkage unit 240 in the first information terminal 201 performs display linkage within the first information terminal 201 and performs display linkage between the first information terminal 201 and the second information terminal 202. Similarly, the display linkage unit 240 in the second information terminal 202 performs display linkage within the second information terminal 202 and performs display linkage between the second information terminal 202 and the first information terminal 201.

[0172] Although not shown in the figures, the cooking recipe display system 2 according to this embodiment may include a third information terminal having the same configuration as the first information terminal 201 and the second information terminal 202. In other words, the cooking recipe display system 2 according to this embodiment only needs to have multiple information terminals.

[0173] The cooking recipe display system 2 according to this embodiment is characterized by the fact that it performs display linkage within an information terminal or between multiple information terminals using a display linkage unit 240, etc.

[0174] For example, in the cooking recipe display system 2 according to this embodiment, the display mode is switched by performing display coordination within an information terminal or between multiple information terminals according to the display coordination table shown in Figure 41. In other words, it is determined which of the above format patterns A to E will be used to display the cooking recipe. The display coordination table shown in Figure 41 is maintained, for example, by the recipe provision server 100, or by the first information terminal 201 and the second information terminal 202.

[0175] In Figure 41, the smartphone, tablet, and smart display are either the first information terminal 201 or the second information terminal 202, and patterns A to D refer to the format patterns A to D described above.

[0176] Specifically, the display mode is switched by performing display coordination within an information terminal or between multiple information terminals according to the flow shown in Figures 42 and 43. The processing of the following flow can be performed by the display coordination unit 240 of the first information terminal 201 and the second information terminal 202 in Figure 40.

[0177] First, as shown in Figure 42, it is determined whether or not the display on the first information terminal has finished (step S11). If it is determined in step S11 that the display on the first information terminal has finished (Yes in step S11), the display mode is not switched.

[0178] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the display has not finished (No in step S11), it is determined whether the current display mode of the first information terminal is vertical display mode or not (step S12). If it is determined in step S12 that the current display mode of the first information terminal is not vertical display mode (No in step S12), the horizontal display pattern of the assigned display format is referred to (step S13). After that, output is performed according to the pattern of the specified assigned display format (step S16).

[0179] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the current display mode of the first information terminal is portrait mode (Yes in step S12), the portrait display pattern of the assigned display format is referenced (step S14). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a portrait display pattern is defined on the first information terminal (step S15).

[0180] In step S15, if it is determined that the vertical display pattern is undefined (Yes in step S15), the horizontal display pattern of the assigned display format is referenced (step S13). Then, output is generated according to the specified assigned display format (step S16).

[0181] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that the vertical display pattern is not undefined, that is, defined (No in step S15), then it is displayed according to the specified assigned display format (step S16).

[0182] Then, in step S16, after outputting according to the specified assignment display format, it is determined whether or not a second information terminal exists in the vicinity of the first information terminal as another information terminal that can be linked (step S17).

[0183] In step S17, if it is determined that there are no other information terminals (second information terminal) that can be linked with the first information terminal (No in step S17), the first information terminal will perform the display mode switching process from the beginning.

[0184] On the other hand, in step S17, if it is determined that there is another information terminal (second information terminal) that can be linked with the first information terminal (Yes in step S17), information including the recipe ID is sent to the other information terminal (step S18).

[0185] Next, as shown in Figure 43, the second information terminal determines whether or not it has received information including the recipe ID from the first information terminal (step S21). If the second information terminal determines that it has not received information including the recipe ID from the first information terminal (No in step S21), the communication process between the first and second information terminals ends.

[0186] On the other hand, if the second information terminal determines that it has received information containing a recipe ID from the first information terminal (Yes in step S21), it notifies the user whether or not to display the cooking recipe using the information containing the recipe ID (step S22). In other words, it notifies the user of the second information terminal whether or not to display the cooking recipe currently displayed on the first information terminal on the second display terminal.

[0187] Then, the user of the second information terminal makes a decision on whether or not to allow the display (step S23). If the user of the second information terminal does not allow the display (No in step S23), the communication process between the first information terminal and the second information terminal ends.

[0188] On the other hand, if the user of the second information terminal allows the display (Yes in step S23), the cooking recipe is displayed on the display screen of the second information terminal according to the specified assigned display format pattern (step S24).

[0189] Specific examples of the above process are shown in Figures 44 and 45. In Figures 44 and 45, the display mode is switched according to the display linkage table shown in Figure 41.

[0190] Figure 44 shows an example where user A switches display modes within the same smartphone (first information terminal).

[0191] For example, Figure 44(a) shows a case where user A searches for a cooking recipe (recipe ID R001 in Figure 44) using a smartphone while on the move and checks the steps of the recipe. In this case, the smartphone displays the cooking recipe in the assigned display format of pattern B in portrait mode.

[0192] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 44(b), user A can switch display modes using the same smartphone while on the move. Specifically, in Figure 44(b), the cooking recipe is displayed in the horizontal display mode, using the assigned display format of pattern B.

[0193] In this way, it is possible to switch display modes while maintaining the same format pattern within the same information terminal.

[0194] On the other hand, Figure 45 shows an example where user A transfers the assigned display format settings from a smartphone (first information terminal) to a tablet (second information terminal).

[0195] For example, Figure 45(a), similar to Figure 44(a), shows a case where user A searches for a cooking recipe (recipe ID R001 in Figure 45) using a smartphone while on the move and checks the steps of the cooking recipe. In this case, the cooking recipe is displayed on the smartphone in the vertical display mode, using the assigned display format of pattern B.

[0196] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 45(b), when User A returns home and cooks in the kitchen while viewing the cooking recipe instructions on a tablet, the display mode format pattern of the smartphone can be transferred to the tablet. Specifically, in Figure 45(b), the cooking recipe is displayed in the assigned display format of pattern B in landscape mode.

[0197] In this way, the format pattern can be transferred between the first information terminal and the second information terminal.

[0198] (Embodiment 3) Next, we will describe the cooking recipe display system 3 according to Embodiment 3.

[0199] First, the overall configuration of the cooking recipe display system 3 according to Embodiment 3 will be explained using Figure 46. Figure 46 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cooking recipe display system 3 according to Embodiment 3.

[0200] As shown in Figure 46, the cooking recipe display system 3 according to this embodiment comprises a recipe provision server 100, an information terminal 200, and a home appliance 300, similar to the first embodiment described above.

[0201] Therefore, the cooking recipe display system 3 according to this embodiment can perform the same processing as the cooking recipe display system 1 in Embodiment 1, and thus obtain the same effects as the cooking recipe display system 1 in Embodiment 1. For example, it can display cooking recipes on the display screen 221 in an easy-to-read manner without requiring much scrolling.

[0202] In the cooking recipe display system 3 according to this embodiment, the configuration of the information terminal 200 differs from that of the information terminal 200 in Embodiment 1. The information terminal 200 in this embodiment further includes a microphone 222 and an audio processing unit 250 compared to the information terminal 200 in Embodiment 1.

[0203] Microphone 222 is an example of an input unit that receives sound information such as the voice spoken by the user. The voice processing unit 250 performs predetermined control processing based on the sound information received by microphone 222.

[0204] The cooking recipe display system 3 according to this embodiment is characterized by the fact that sound information received by the microphone 222 is processed in various ways by the voice processing unit 250 and the like.

[0205] For example, as shown in Figure 47, when a designation mark 221x indicating a cooking tip or point included in the procedure of a cooking recipe is displayed on the display screen 221, voice instructions are given to link to the cooking tip or point included in the procedure. The designation mark 221x is linked to information indicating the meaning of the string that makes up the designation mark 221x.

[0206] Specifically, Figure 47 displays a designation mark 221x consisting of the string "Point: Let it rest". In this case, when the user speaks the string that makes up the designation mark 221x or something similar to it (specifically, when the user says "Point, let it rest"), the microphone 222 of the information terminal 200 acquires the user's voice, and the voice processing unit 250 analyzes the user's voice to identify that the user spoke something related to the string of designation mark 221x. As a result, the speaker of the information terminal 200 outputs point information in voice, such as the meaning of letting the ingredients rest in the refrigerator for about an hour, as information indicating the meaning of the string that makes up the designation mark 221x. In other words, link instructions are given by voice when the designation mark 221x is spoken.

[0207] The designation mark 221x may also be an operation button. In this case, the user may tap the designation mark 221x and the point information may be output from the speaker of the information terminal 200. Alternatively, the point information may be displayed on the display screen as text, with or without sound output, when the designation mark 221x, which is an operation button, is tapped. The link instruction for the string constituting the designation mark 221x included in the procedure may be given by the user's gestures rather than by voice.

[0208] Furthermore, the string used for linking instructions is not limited to cooking tips or points. For example, as shown in Figure 48, if a designation mark 221y indicating linkage with a device linkage system is displayed on the display screen 221 in the procedure of a cooking recipe, a linking instruction may be given to the device linkage system included in the procedure by voice. The designation mark 221y is linked to the device linkage system included in the designation mark 221y.

[0209] Specifically, Figure 48 displays a designation mark 221y consisting of the string "Refrigerator: Temperature setting, send". In this case, when the user speaks the string that makes up the designation mark 221y or something similar to it (specifically, when the user says "Refrigerator, temperature setting, send"), the microphone 222 of the information terminal 200 acquires the user's voice, and the voice processing unit 250 analyzes the user's voice to identify that the user spoke something related to the string of designation mark 221y. As a result, the information terminal 200 sends a predetermined command to the device linkage system included in the string that makes up the designation mark 221y. In other words, link instructions are given by voice by speaking the designation mark 221y. Specifically, in Figure 48, the information terminal 200 sends a temperature setting command to the refrigerator, which includes the temperature information necessary for the procedure. When the refrigerator receives this temperature setting command, it adjusts the temperature inside the refrigerator according to the temperature set in this temperature setting command.

[0210] Note that the designation mark 221y may also be an operation button. In this case, the user tapping the designation mark 221y sends a temperature setting command to the refrigerator. Furthermore, the link instructions for the string constituting the designation mark 221y included in the procedure may be given by the user's gestures rather than by voice.

[0211] Furthermore, Figure 49 displays a designation mark 221x indicating a tip consisting of the string "Tip: Why high heat?", and a designation mark 221y indicating linking with the device linking system consisting of the string "Send settings to IH". In this case as well, the user can give the same link instructions as described above by uttering these strings or something similar.

[0212] Furthermore, in Figure 50, the user can give instructions for linking to a string of text by speaking icons 221p and 221q, which are placed around the string of text included in the procedure displayed on the display screen 221. Specifically, when the user speaks icon 221p, which is the number 1 circled in a circle (for example, by saying "Tell me 1"), information about the tip of "fold in half," which is the string of text located around icon 221p, will be output as audio or displayed as text. Similarly, when the user speaks icon 221q, which is the number 2 circled in a circle (for example, by saying "Tell me 2"), information about the tip of "cook over medium heat for about 30 seconds," which is the string of text located around icon 221p, will be output as audio or displayed as text. Note that for the information about the tips of "fold in half" and "cook over medium heat for 30 seconds," it is recommended to change the color, font, or size of the text, or change the background color of the text (e.g., highlighting).

[0213] Furthermore, the user may provide a link instruction to a string by speaking a decorated string that is included in the procedure displayed on screen 221. For example, in Figure 50, the strings "fold in half" and "cook over medium heat for about 30 seconds" are decorated with a background color, so when the user speaks these strings or something similar, information about the tips for "fold in half" or "cook over medium heat for about 30 seconds" will be output as audio or displayed as text.

[0214] Furthermore, Figure 50 also shows a designation mark 221y indicating connection with the device linkage system, consisting of the string "IH Cooktop: Medium Heat, Send". In this case, the user can send a link instruction regarding the temperature setting to the IH cooking heater by uttering this string.

[0215] (Other variations) Although the present invention has been described above based on Embodiments 1 to 3, the present invention is not limited to Embodiments 1 to 3 described above.

[0216] For example, in embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the display restriction information for each of the multiple procedures in the display restriction table of the assigned display format was the number of characters in the procedure, the number of illustrations in the procedure, or the number of home appliances in the linked system included in the procedure, but is not limited to these. Specifically, the display restriction information for each of the multiple procedures in the display restriction table of the assigned display format may include one of the following: cooking tips, timer, substitute ingredients, and device linkage. In this case, the control unit 210 of the information terminal 200 should adjust the procedures displayed on the display screen 221 so that the number of cooking tips, timers, substitute ingredients, and device linkages appearing on the display screen 221 is less than or equal to the number specified in the display restriction information.

[0217] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 3 described above, various display switching actions, such as switching between the display of the material area and the procedure area, switching between the display of the material tab and the procedure tab, or switching the display of the procedure shown in the procedure area, were performed by tapping operation buttons displayed on the display screen 221 of the information terminal 200, but are not limited to this. For example, these displays may be switched by speaking the icons placed around the string of the operation button or the string of the procedure displayed on the display screen 221.

[0218] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the assigned display format specified the placement of the cooking recipe steps and ingredients on the display screen 221, but is not limited to this. For example, the assigned display format may also specify the placement of the cooking recipe title, a summary of the cooking recipe's characteristics, and operation buttons on the display screen 221, in addition to the cooking recipe steps and ingredients. In other words, the assigned display format only needs to specify the placement of at least the cooking recipe steps. Therefore, the assigned display format only needs to specify the placement of at least one of the following in addition to the cooking recipe steps: the cooking recipe title, a summary of the cooking recipe's characteristics, the cooking recipe's ingredients, and operation buttons.

[0219] Furthermore, in the cooking recipe display systems of embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the dishes made according to the cooking recipes were food, but are not limited to food. For example, the dishes made according to the cooking recipes may be beverages.

[0220] Furthermore, the cooking recipe display systems in embodiments 1 to 3 described above may also be implemented as a method for displaying cooking recipes. For example, a cooking recipe display method involves determining an assignment display format that indicates the arrangement of multiple steps in the cooking recipe data managed by a recipe data management unit that manages a recipe group master containing data for cooking recipes including multiple steps showing how to make a dish and a list of ingredients for the dish, on a display screen, and then displaying the cooking recipe on the display screen of an information terminal using the determined assignment display format.

[0221] Furthermore, the cooking recipe display system in embodiments 1 to 3 described above can also be implemented as a program that causes a computer to function as a cooking recipe display system or a method for displaying cooking recipes. In other words, one aspect of the present invention includes a program that causes a computer to execute the above-described method for displaying cooking recipes. This program may be stored on a recording medium that can be read by a computer. In this case, this recording medium may be the ROM itself in the cooking recipe display system of the above embodiments, or it may be a CD-ROM, magnetic tape, flexible disk, hard disk, DVD, BD, or semiconductor memory that can be read by inserting it into an external storage device (such as a CD-ROM drive).

[0222] Furthermore, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the above embodiments 1 to 3 and their variations as conceived by those skilled in the art, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the above embodiments 1 to 3 and their variations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0223] This invention is useful as a cooking recipe display system, etc., for displaying cooking recipes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0224] 1, 2, 3 Cooking Recipe Display System 100 Recipe Servers 110 Recipe Data Management Department 111 Recipe Group Master Database 111a Recipe Ingredients Table 111a Recipe Procedure Table 111b Recipe Procedure Table 111c Illustration Image Database 112 Device Interoperability Command Data 120 Assignment display determination unit 121 Assignment Display Format Database 122 Allocation Results Database 130, 230, 330 Communications Department 200 Information Terminals 201 First Information Terminal 202 Second Information Terminal 210 Control Unit 211 Data cache area 220, 320 input / output section 221 Display screen 221a Material excerpt display area 221b Supplementary display area 221c Extended display area 221d Link destination guide display area 221m Material display button 221n Procedure Reset Button 221p, 221q icons 221x, 221y designation mark 222 Mike 240 Display Linkage Unit 250 Audio Processing Unit 300 Home appliances 310 Equipment Control Unit

Claims

1. A cooking recipe display system comprising an information terminal having a display screen and a control unit, A recipe data management unit manages a recipe group master that holds recipe data including multiple steps showing how to make a dish and a list of ingredients for that dish. The system includes an assignment display determination unit that determines an assignment display format indicating the arrangement of the multiple steps in the cooking recipe data managed by the recipe data management unit on the display screen, The control unit displays the cooking recipe on the display screen according to the assigned display format determined by the assigned display determination unit. The aforementioned assignment display format is a format in which one or more areas are displayed on the display screen. The allocation display determination unit divides the multiple steps included in the cooking recipe into multiple step groups that are displayed within a range that the user does not scroll, based on a display restriction table that holds display restriction information relating to at least one of the following: the maximum number of lines in the area, the maximum number of characters per line in the area, the maximum number of characters in the area, and the maximum number of illustrations in the area. The aforementioned display screen displays operation buttons to switch the display of the multiple procedure groups. A cooking recipe display system.

2. The aforementioned recipe group master holds a recipe procedure table that holds information on the multiple steps for each of the cooking recipes. The aforementioned assignment display format defines a display restriction table that holds display restriction information that restricts the representation on the display screen for each of the plurality of procedures, The aforementioned assignment display determination unit is: Referencing the aforementioned recipe group master, extract information on multiple steps corresponding to the cooking recipe selected by the user from the aforementioned recipe procedure table. The information of each of the extracted steps and the steps in the display restriction table Compare each of the aforementioned display restriction information, The sequence of steps is generated as assignment result data by determining the placement of the steps on the display screen such that the information of each of the extracted steps satisfies the display restriction information of each of the steps in the display restriction table. The control unit displays the cooking recipe on the display screen in the assigned display format according to the assigned display data generated by the assigned display determination unit. The cooking recipe display system according to claim 1.

3. Each of the information for the plurality of steps held in the recipe procedure table includes a string, The aforementioned assignment display determination unit is: Assignment result data is generated by determining the placement of the multiple steps on the display screen such that the information of each of the multiple steps satisfies the display restriction information of each of the multiple steps in the display restriction table, based on the number of characters representing the information of each of the multiple steps extracted and the number of characters representing the display restriction information of each of the multiple steps in the display restriction table. The cooking recipe display system according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned assignment display determination unit is: As a result of comparing the information of each of the extracted procedures with the display restriction information of each of the procedures in the display restriction table, If the information of each of the plurality of steps satisfies the display restriction information of each of the plurality of steps in the display restriction table, then at least two of the plurality of steps are defined as forming one procedure group. If the information for each of the aforementioned procedures does not satisfy the display restriction information for each of the aforementioned procedures in the display restriction table, the composition of the procedure group shall be changed and defined in accordance with the provisions of the assigned display format. The defined procedure group is generated as the assignment result data. The cooking recipe display system according to claim 2.

5. Each of the information for the plurality of steps held in the recipe procedure table includes a string, The aforementioned assignment display determination unit is: As a result of comparing the information of each of the extracted procedures with the display restriction information of each of the procedures in the display restriction table, If the number of characters representing the information of each of the extracted steps is less than or equal to the number of characters representing the display restriction information of each of the steps in the display restriction table, the assignment of the step group is adjusted. The cooking recipe display system according to claim 4.

6. The assignment display determination unit calculates the work time required for each procedure group, The control unit displays the calculated work time for each procedure group on the display screen. A cooking recipe display system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The aforementioned assignment display determination unit manages labels that show an overview of each procedure group, The control unit displays the total working time for the procedure group with the same label on the display screen. The cooking recipe display system according to claim 6.

8. When the user selects the aforementioned procedure group, the time displayed on the screen changes. to transform The cooking recipe display system according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The representation on the display screen is defined for each of the aforementioned procedure groups. The control unit adjusts at least one of the arrangement and size of the procedures to be displayed on the display screen so that the procedure group fits within a defined representation. A cooking recipe display system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Each of the display restriction information for the plurality of steps in the display restriction table includes one of the following: cooking tips, timer, alternative ingredients, and device linkage. The control unit adjusts the procedure for displaying on the display screen such that the number of cooking tips, timers, substitute ingredients, and device linkages appearing on the display screen is less than or equal to the number specified in the display restriction information. The cooking recipe display system according to claim 2.

11. The information for each of the plurality of steps held in the recipe procedure table and the display restriction information for each of the plurality of steps in the display restriction table are the number of illustration images. The aforementioned assignment display determination unit is: Assignment result data is generated by determining the placement of the multiple steps on the display screen such that the information of each of the multiple steps satisfies the display restriction information of each of the multiple steps in the display restriction table, based on the number of illustration images representing the information of each of the multiple steps extracted and the number of illustration images representing the display restriction information of each of the multiple steps in the display restriction table. The cooking recipe display system according to claim 2.

12. The aforementioned assignment display determination unit is: The information of each of the extracted procedures is compared with the display restriction information of each of the procedures in the display restriction table. Assignment result data is generated by determining the placement of the multiple steps on the display screen such that the information of two or more of the extracted multiple steps satisfies two or more of the display restriction information corresponding to two or more of the extracted multiple steps in the display restriction table. The cooking recipe display system according to claim 2.

13. The aforementioned assignment display format specifies the assignment of the placement of the cooking recipe's title, a summary of the recipe's characteristics, the ingredients of the recipe, and at least one operation button, in addition to the procedure of the cooking recipe. A cooking recipe display system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The control unit hides or de-highlights materials from the material list that are not included in the procedure displayed on the display screen. A cooking recipe display system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The display mode of the display screen or the link of the string included in the procedure is to be switched by voice or gesture. A cooking recipe display system according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The display is switched by speaking the icons placed around the string of operation buttons or the string of procedure displayed on the aforementioned display screen. A cooking recipe display system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. By speaking a string of characters included in the procedure displayed on the aforementioned screen, which has been decorated, or an icon placed around the string of characters included in the procedure, a link instruction for that string is given. A cooking recipe display system according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. The aforementioned assignment display format has a link guide display area at the top of the display screen where the materials in the material list are displayed, and also has a procedure return button for returning to the original procedure. The cooking recipe display system according to claim 1.

19. A method for displaying cooking recipes using an information processing device, The recipe data management unit manages a recipe group master that holds data for cooking recipes, including multiple steps indicating how to make a dish and a list of ingredients for the dish. The unit determines an assigned display format for the data of the cooking recipe, which indicates the arrangement of these multiple steps on a display screen and is a format in which one or more areas are displayed on the display screen. Based on a display restriction table that holds display restriction information relating to at least one of the following: the maximum number of lines in the area, the maximum number of characters per line in the area, the maximum number of characters in the area, and the maximum number of illustrations in the area, the multiple steps included in the cooking recipe are divided into multiple step groups that are displayed within a range that does not require the user to scroll. The determined assigned display format causes the information terminal's display screen to show operation buttons for switching the display of the cooking recipe and the multiple procedure groups. How to display cooking recipes.

20. A program for causing a computer to execute the method for displaying a cooking recipe as described in claim 19.

Images