Heating cooking system

Abstract

This invention provides a heating and cooking system. In the heating and cooking system (1), a camera device (20) is capable of capturing images of the stove burner (5) and its surrounding area of ​​the heating and cooking appliance (10). During the use of the stove burner (5), the camera device (20) detects whether an object has entered the danger zone. When the camera device (20) determines that an object has entered the danger zone and notifies the heating and cooking appliance (10) of this determination, the heating and cooking appliance (10) performs a power reduction control, reducing the power of the stove burner (5) to a power lower than the current power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heating and cooking system consisting of a camera device and a heating cooker. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, there was a known cooking system that had a sensor that detected the status of heating cookers such as stoves and issued a warning when an object such as a human body or clothing entered the sensor's detection area.

[0003] For example, the stove safety device described in Patent Document 1 includes an electrostatic capacitance measuring unit as a first intrusion measuring unit, which is installed at a predetermined position on the stove. Furthermore, the first intrusion measuring unit outputs a detection signal to the control unit corresponding to whether an object has intruded into the first detection area. Based on the measurement signal from the first intrusion measuring unit, the control unit determines whether an object has intruded into the first detection area.

[0004] In addition, the stove safety device includes a distance measuring unit or a camera unit as a second intrusion detection unit, which is mounted above the stove facing one side. Furthermore, the second intrusion detection unit outputs a signal or image information of the detection area to the control unit corresponding to whether an object has intruded into the second detection area.

[0005] The control unit determines whether an object has entered the detection area based on measurement signals from the first and second intrusion detection units. Both the first and second intrusion detection units are relatively small sensors, allowing them to be easily installed at any location above the stove (Patent Document 1 / paragraph 0014). Figure 3 ).

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-181729 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0010] However, the second detection area of ​​the stove safety device in Patent Document 1 is wider, and the second intrusion detection unit is not limited to detecting specific burners. Furthermore, this device combines the first and second intrusion detection units for detection, thus it does not rely solely on the camera unit for high-precision detection of object intrusion.

[0011] The present invention was made in view of the above background, and its object is to provide a heating and cooking system capable of detecting objects intruding into a specific area with high precision using a simple structure.

[0012] Methods for solving problems

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a heating and cooking system in which a heating cooker and a camera device can communicate, characterized in that...

[0014] The camera device is positioned above the heating cooker, capturing images of the burner and its surrounding area. During use, the area behind the center of the burner, as viewed from the user's standing position, is designated as a danger zone, and the device detects whether any objects intrude into this danger zone.

[0015] When the camera device notifies the object that it has entered the danger zone, the heating cooker performs a power reduction control, reducing the burner's power to a level lower than its current power.

[0016] In the heating and cooking system of the present invention, the camera device is positioned above the heating and cooking appliance, thus enabling the camera device to capture images of the burner and its surrounding area. During the use of the burner, the camera device detects objects intruding into the danger zone and notifies the heating and cooking appliance of this information.

[0017] Furthermore, when the camera notifies the cooker that an object (e.g., a person's hand or clothing) has entered the danger zone, the cooker reduces its heat. Thus, this system can detect objects entering the danger zone with high precision using a simple configuration, thereby ensuring safety.

[0018] In the heating and cooking system of the present invention, preferably, the camera device includes a parsing unit for parsing the captured images or pictures. The parsing unit analyzes the images or multiple images in time sequence to determine the direction of the object's intrusion into the danger zone. When it is determined that the intrusion direction is from the side where the user is standing, the heating and cooking device performs the power reduction control.

[0019] The camera unit analyzes multiple images in a time sequence to determine the direction of an object's intrusion into the danger zone. When the heating cooker is notified that the intrusion direction is from the user's standing position, it reduces the heat output. Therefore, this system can reduce the heat output only when the intrusion direction is determined to be a dangerous situation.

[0020] Furthermore, in the heating and cooking system of the present invention, it is preferable that the heating and cooking appliance includes a timing unit for timing the period of the power reduction control. The timing unit starts timing when the camera device detects that an object has entered the danger zone, and stops timing when no object is detected in the danger zone. After the power reduction control ends, it performs a power increase control that makes the burner's power higher than the current power, and maintains the burner's power higher than the current power for at least the period of the power reduction control timed by the timing unit.

[0021] Because the heating cooker is equipped with a timing unit, it can time the period of heat reduction control (the time it takes for an object to enter the danger zone). Furthermore, after the heat reduction control ends, the heating cooker performs heat increase control for at least the timed period of heat reduction control. Therefore, this system can recover from cooking delays caused by the heat reduction control period.

[0022] Furthermore, in the heating and cooking system of the present invention, it is preferable that when it is determined that the direction of invasion is not the direction of invasion starting from the side of the user's standing position, the heating and cooking appliance performs the power reduction control only after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0023] When the heating cooker is notified that the direction of intrusion has been determined not to originate from the user's standing position, the heating cooker does not immediately implement power reduction control, but only after a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, when the system determines that the likelihood of an intrusion posing a danger is low based on the direction of object intrusion, it can implement control in a manner that does not delay cooking. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a heating and cooking system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of a heating and cooking system.

[0026] Figure 3 It is a diagram illustrating the camera area and the danger zone.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the safety fire control for a heating and cooking system.

[0028] Figure 5A It is a diagram illustrating the state of an object before it enters a danger zone.

[0029] Figure 5B It is a diagram illustrating the state of an object after it enters a danger zone.

[0030] Symbol Explanation

[0031] 1… Heating and cooking system, 5-7… Stove burner, 8… Oven burner, 10… Heating and cooking appliance, 11… Control unit, 13… Operation unit, 13a-13d… Fire extinguishing button, 13e… Power switch, 15… (Heating and cooking appliance) Communication unit, 17… Timing unit, 20… Camera device, 21… Camera unit, 23… Analysis unit, 25… (Camera device) Communication unit. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] First, refer to Figure 1 The heating and cooking system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The heating and cooking system 1 mainly consists of a heating cooker 10 and a camera device 20, and is configured such that the camera device 20 can capture images of the cooking process of the heating cooker 10.

[0034] First, the heating cooker 10 will be described. An oven door 2 is provided at the center of the front side of the heating cooker 10. When the food to be heated is placed into or removed from the oven located inside the heating cooker 10 (not shown), the oven door 2 opens and closes the front opening of the oven.

[0035] The heating cooker 10 is a built-in cooker assembled to the countertop W of an integrated kitchen, and has a box-shaped cooker body 3 with an open upper surface. A top plate 4 is provided on the upper part of the cooker body 3, and the cooker burners 5, 6, and 7 ("burners" of the present invention), supported by the cooker body 3, are exposed above the top plate 4. A pot P is placed on the cooker burner 5.

[0036] In addition, on both sides of the oven door 2 on the front side of the heating cooker 10, there are stove burner 5, stove burner 6 and stove burner 7, ignition and extinguishing buttons 13a to 13d for the oven burner 8 inside the oven, and power switch 13e.

[0037] The fire extinguishing buttons 13a-13d are push-button type, and are recessed into the front panel. Figure 1 The indicated fire extinguishing position is pressed in once to release the pressed state. As a result, each fire extinguishing button 13a to 13d protrudes to the front of the front panel at the burning position, and in this state, it can be rotated for fire control adjustment.

[0038] Signals from the power switch 13e, the operation detection switches (not shown) of the ignition and extinguishing buttons 13a-13d of each burner 5-8, and the signals from the flame detection elements of each burner 5-8 are input together to the control unit 11, which is composed of a microcomputer and will be described later. Furthermore, the control unit 11 controls the igniter, the main valve, and each gas valve device. It should be noted that in the following description, the rear side of the heating cooker 10 is used as the wall surface.

[0039] Next, the camera device 20 will be described. The camera device 20 is located above the heating cooker 10 and is mounted on the lower frame 30 of the exhaust fan cover. Details will be described later. The camera unit 21 of the camera device 20 is capable of capturing images of the camera area including the stove burners 5 to 7 of the heating cooker 10.

[0040] Furthermore, the camera device 20 can communicate with the heating cooker 10 wirelessly. In particular, the camera device 20 detects abnormalities or objects intruding into the camera area when using the stove burners 5, 6, and 7, and notifies the heating cooker 10 of this situation. As a result, the heating cooker 10 can reduce the heat of the stove burners 5 to 7 or extinguish the flame on its side, thus ensuring a safe operating condition.

[0041] Next, refer to Figure 2 Explain the internal structure of the heating cooker 10 and the camera device 20.

[0042] First, the heating cooker 10 consists of a control unit 11, an operation unit 13, a communication unit 15, and a timing unit 17. The control unit 11 mainly performs fire control on the stove burners 5-7 and the oven burner. The control unit 11 receives operation commands from the operation unit 13, which consists of ignition and extinguishing buttons 13a-13d, and turns each stove burner on or off.

[0043] In particular, the control unit 11 performs safety fire control, including fire reduction control and fire increase control for the stove burners 5-7. Fire reduction control refers to the control that reduces the burner fire of the stove burners 5-7 to a lower fire level than the current fire level, and maintains this lower fire level for a specified time. Similarly, fire increase control refers to the control that increases the burner fire of the stove burners 5-7 to a higher fire level than the current fire level, and maintains this higher fire level for a specified time.

[0044] The communication unit 15 communicates wirelessly with the camera device 20. The communication unit 15 receives judgment information from the camera device 20, summarizing the usage information of the stove burners 5-7 and the information of objects entering the danger zone (described later). This judgment information is then sent to the control unit 11.

[0045] here, Figure 3 An example of the camera area and danger zone of camera device 20 is shown.

[0046] The solid-line rectangle in the figure represents the imaging area R of the camera device 20, as determined during the use of stove burners 5 and 7. The imaging area R preferably has a size that encompasses all stove burners 5 to 7.

[0047] Additionally, the dashed rectangle in the figure represents the danger zone Z. Danger zone Z is a portion of the camera area R, and when viewed from the standing position S of the user of the heating cooker 10, danger zone Z is formed as an area further back than the center of the stove burner 5. Danger zone Z can be of any size, but it is preferable that the position of danger zone Z corresponds to the movement of the stove burner in use.

[0048] return Figure 2 The timing unit 17 of the heating cooker 10 is a timer (described later as a low-heat timer) that keeps track of the period during which the heat is reduced. Specifically, the heat reduction control also takes into account the direction of intrusion and begins when the user's hand or clothing enters the danger zone. Therefore, the timing unit 17 starts timing at that moment.

[0049] Furthermore, the firepower reduction control ends when the user's hand or clothing is removed from the danger zone Z. Therefore, the timing unit 17 stops timing at that moment. Thus, the timing unit 17 can accurately time the duration of the firepower reduction control. It should be noted that this period is also utilized when firepower increase control is performed.

[0050] Next, the camera device 20 consists of a camera unit 21, a resolution unit 23, and a communication unit 25. The camera unit 21 is, for example, a web camera, positioned to capture images of the stove burners 5-7 and their surrounding area. Preferably, the camera unit 21 is adjustable in terms of zoom, angle, and thus the position of the camera area R can be changed.

[0051] Furthermore, rather than being directly above the burners 5-7, the camera unit 21 is more preferably positioned on the front side of the heating cooker 10. Figure 3 The camera unit 21 is positioned so that the user is standing at an angle above the burners 5-7 of the stove, facing the rear side (wall side) of the heating cooker 10. This allows the camera unit 21 to detect the user's hand or clothing reaching the danger zone at an earlier stage.

[0052] The camera unit 21 captures images of the stove burners 5-7 and their surrounding area, and sends the images (still or moving) to the analysis unit 23. The analysis unit 23 can, for example, refer to a database obtained through machine learning to analyze and judge the input images, including the stove burners 5-7, the pot, and the user's hand.

[0053] The analysis unit 23 identifies the flame state of the stove burners 5 to 7, or identifies whether a pot is placed at the respective position of the stove burners 5 to 7, thereby determining which burners 5 to 7 are in use and which burners 5 to 7 are not in use.

[0054] In addition to determining whether the user's hand or clothing has entered the danger zone, the analysis unit 23 also determines the direction of intrusion when the hand or clothing enters the danger zone. When the input image is a static image, the analysis unit 23 determines the direction of intrusion of the hand or clothing based on multiple input images arranged in a time sequence.

[0055] The analysis unit 23 sends the judgment information obtained through analysis to the heating cooker 10 (communication unit 15) via the communication unit 25. The communication unit 25 provides the judgment information to the heating cooker 10 using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0056] Next, refer to Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the safety power control of the heating and cooking system 1. It should be noted that... (Refer to...) Figure 5A and Figure 5B Please provide further explanation as appropriate.

[0057] First, the camera device 20 is activated (Step (STEP) 01). The camera unit 21 of the camera device 20 then begins to capture images of the stove burners 5-7 and their surrounding area.

[0058] Next, the camera device 20 determines whether the stove burner is in use (step 02). Specifically, the analysis unit 23 of the camera device 20 analyzes the image (input image) captured by the camera unit 21 and determines which burner(s) among the stove burners 5-7 is in the ignition state. If the stove burner is in use, proceed to step 03; if the stove burner is not in use, the process loops until use begins.

[0059] When the stove burner is in use (YES in step 02), the camera device 20 begins to detect whether an object has entered the danger zone (step 03). It should be noted that the judgment information generated by the analysis unit 23 is sent to the heating cooker 10 at predetermined times.

[0060] here, Figure 5AThis example illustrates the camera area R and the danger zone Z' when the stove burner 5 is in use. In this case, since a pot P is placed at the location of the stove burner 5, the camera device 20 determines that the stove burner 5 is in use and defines the area further back than the center of the stove burner 5 as the danger zone Z'. More preferably, the danger zone Z' is the area further back than the edge of the pot P. It should be noted that, in the illustrated state, it can be assumed that the user's hand or clothing (object) has not entered the danger zone Z', and therefore no dangerous situation arises.

[0061] Next, the camera device 20 determines whether the object has entered the danger zone (step 04). Figure 5B The text shows the relationship with... Figure 5A The same camera area R and danger zone Z'. In the illustrated state, the user's hand has entered the danger zone Z'. In this case, since the object has entered the danger zone, proceed to step 05. On the other hand, if the object has not entered the danger zone, proceed to step 08.

[0062] First, the situation where an object has intruded into the danger zone ("Yes" in step 04) will be explained. In this case, the camera device 20 determines whether the object has intruded into the danger zone from the front (step 05). Here, "front" refers to the standing position S of the user of the heating cooker 10 (refer to...). Figure 5B The analysis unit 23 analyzes the input image to determine whether the object entered the danger zone from the front or from a position other than the front. If the object entered the danger zone from the front, proceed to step 06; if the object entered the danger zone from a direction other than the front, proceed to step 11.

[0063] If an object intrudes into the danger zone from the front (if "Yes" is selected in step 05), the heating cooker 10 performs a power reduction control (step 06). The heating cooker 10 obtains judgment information from the camera device 20 and switches to power reduction control when both steps 04 and 05 are "Yes" as a dangerous situation. Specifically, the heating cooker 10 reduces the heat of the stove burner 5 to a lower level than the current heat. This prevents burns to the user or clothing from catching fire.

[0064] On the other hand, if an object enters the danger zone from a direction other than the front (if "No" is selected in step 05), the heating cooker 10 determines whether the object's intrusion time is more than 3 seconds (step 11). If the object's intrusion time is more than 3 seconds, proceed to step 06; otherwise, return to step 02. This means that if an object enters the danger zone from a direction other than the front, it will not be immediately judged as a dangerous situation.

[0065] Next, the heating cooker 10 turns on the low-heat timer (step 07) and returns to step 02. It should be noted that the low-heat timer is started by the timing unit 17 of the heating cooker 10.

[0066] Next, the case where the object has not entered the danger zone (the object has left the danger zone) will be explained (when "No" is given in step 04). In this case, the heating cooker 10 determines whether the low heat timer is activated (ON) (step 08). If the low heat timer is activated, proceed to step 09; if the low heat timer is not activated, return to step 02.

[0067] When the low heat timer is on ("Yes" in step 08), the heating cooker 10 turns off the low heat timer (step 09). Then, the heating cooker 10 ends the heat reduction control. It should be noted that the timing of the low heat timer is stored in the timing unit 17.

[0068] Finally, the heating cooker 10 performs a power increase control (step 10). In the power increase control, in order to restore the amount of cooking delay (heating amount) caused by the power decrease control, the heating cooker 10 heats the stove burner 5 in a manner that the power of the burner is greater than the current power (the power before the power decrease control).

[0069] The firepower escalation control automatically terminates after at least the timing time of the small fire timer stored in timing unit 17 has elapsed. Then, it returns to step 02. This concludes the series of procedures for safe firepower control.

[0070] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Appropriate modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0071] In the above embodiment, an example was described where the stove burner 5 (stove burner 7) on the front side of the heating cooker 10 was in use, but the same applies to the stove burner 6 on the rear side of the heating cooker 10. When the stove burner 6 is in use, the danger zone is formed as an area further rear of the center of the stove burner 6 and extending to the wall.

[0072] Although the danger zone Z' is described (refer to...) Figure 5A The danger zone is the area further back than the edge of the pot (P), but it is not limited to this definition. The danger zone can also be defined as the area slightly behind the center of the stove burner, requiring a more stringent assessment.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when an object intrudes into the danger zone from a direction other than the front, the firepower reduction control is only initiated if the intrusion time is more than 3 seconds. Three seconds is merely an example and is not a fixed time. Additionally, "direction other than the front" refers to the direction from the user's standing position S (refer to...). Figure 5B (Observation direction: lateral or depth direction.) When the heating cooker 10 is a face-to-face cooker, objects may also intrude into the danger zone from the depth direction. Therefore, it is possible to perform heat reduction control in response to intrusion of objects from all directions.

Claims

1. A heating and cooking system, wherein, The heating cooker and the camera device are able to communicate, and the heating cooking system is characterized in that... The camera device is positioned above the heating cooker to capture images of the burner and its surrounding area. During the use of the burner, the area behind the center of the burner when viewed from the user's standing position is designated as the danger zone, and the system detects whether any objects intrude into the danger zone. When the camera device notifies the object that it has entered the danger zone, the heating cooker performs a power reduction control, lowering the burner's power to a level lower than its current power. The heating cooker includes a timing unit that times the period during which the heat is reduced. The timing unit starts timing when the camera device detects an object entering the danger zone, and stops timing when no object is detected within the danger zone. After the firepower reduction control ends, a firepower increase control is executed to make the firepower of the burner higher than the current firepower, and the firepower of the burner that is higher than the current firepower is maintained for at least the period of the firepower reduction control counted by the timing unit.

2. The heating and cooking system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The camera device includes a parsing unit for analyzing the captured images or pictures. The analysis unit analyzes the image or multiple images arranged in a time sequence to determine the direction of the object's intrusion into the danger zone. When it is determined that the direction of intrusion is from the side where the user is standing into the danger zone, the heating cooker performs the power reduction control.

3. The heating and cooking system according to claim 2, characterized in that, When it is determined that the direction of intrusion is not from the side where the user is standing, the heating cooker will only execute the power reduction control after a predetermined time.

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