Heating cooker, control device and control method

Abstract

The heating cooker includes a heating chamber, a camera, a heating device, and a control device (300). The control device (300) includes a captured image acquisition unit (302), a heating information acquisition unit (303), a heating control unit (307), and a state detection unit (304). The captured image acquisition unit (302) acquires an image captured by the camera. The heating information acquisition unit (303) acquires heating information by referring to the acquired image of the heated object. The heating control unit (307) controls the heating device based on the heating information. The state detection unit (304) detects whether there is a heated object in the heating chamber or whether the heated object has been taken out of the heating chamber by referring to the captured image. When the state detection unit (304) detects that there is no heated object in the heating chamber or that the heated object has been taken out of the heating chamber, the heating information acquisition unit (303) acquires the heating information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking device for heating an object to be heated, and a control device and a control method for controlling the cooking device. Background Art

[0002] For example, the cooking device described in Patent Document 1 uses a reader to read an information code assigned to a food container and heats the food according to the read heating information. The reader is placed above a door covering an opening of a heating chamber of the cooking device.

[0003] The cooking device described in Patent Document 1 does not read the code for a specified period of time after the door is initially detected after heating begins. This prevents the code from being read when heated food is removed from the heating chamber. Consequently, the cooking device can be prevented from malfunctioning based on this information.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2019 / 198274 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Convenience stores and other retail outlets that sell food such as boxed lunches often see a large number of customers visiting within a short period of time during lunchtime. Therefore, these retail outlets need to quickly heat food before serving it. However, the heating cooker described in Patent Document 1 cannot read the heating information for the next food item within the specified time after the door is opened after heating.

[0008] This predetermined time is set to a length that allows even an unskilled person in charge to take out the heated food. Therefore, a skilled person in charge may find this predetermined time long.

[0009] If each person in charge continues to work hard, the operation of replacing the heated food with the unheated food due to the prescribed time becomes the bottleneck stage of the entire operation. In other words, the overall operation efficiency cannot be further improved.

[0010] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to improve the convenience of a heating cooker.

[0011] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a cooking device comprising: a heating chamber having an opening; a camera for capturing an image of the interior of the heating chamber; a heating device for heating an object to be heated placed in the heating chamber; and a control device.

[0012] The control device includes a captured image acquisition unit, a heating information acquisition unit, a heating control unit, and a state detection unit.

[0013] The captured image acquisition unit acquires the image captured by the imaging device. The heating information acquisition unit acquires heating information by referring to the image captured by the captured image acquisition unit.

[0014] The heating control unit controls the heating device based on the heating information. The state detection unit refers to the image captured by the imaging device to detect whether the object to be heated is in the heating chamber or whether the object to be heated has been removed from the heating chamber.

[0015] The heating information acquisition unit acquires heating information when the state detection unit detects that the object to be heated is not in the heating chamber or that the object to be heated has been taken out of the heating chamber.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention is a control device for controlling a cooking device including a heating chamber, an imaging device for capturing an image of the interior of the heating chamber, and a heating device for heating an object to be heated disposed in the heating chamber.

[0017] The control device of this aspect includes a captured image acquisition unit, a heating information acquisition unit, a heating control unit, and a state detection unit.

[0018] The captured image acquisition unit acquires the image captured by the imaging device. The heating information acquisition unit acquires heating information by referring to the image captured by the captured image acquisition unit.

[0019] The heating control unit controls the heating device based on the heating information. The state detection unit refers to the image captured by the imaging device to detect whether the object to be heated is in the heating chamber or whether the object to be heated has been removed from the heating chamber.

[0020] The heating information acquisition unit acquires heating information when the state detection unit detects that the object to be heated is not in the heating chamber or that the object to be heated is taken out of the heating chamber.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a cooking device including: a heating chamber; a camera that captures an image of the interior of the heating chamber; and a heating device that heats an object to be heated disposed in the heating chamber.

[0022] The control method of this embodiment includes the following steps: acquiring an image captured by an imaging device; acquiring heating information by referring to the acquired image; and controlling the heating device based on the heating information.

[0023] The control method of this embodiment further includes the following steps: referring to the image captured by the imaging device to detect whether the object to be heated is in the heating chamber or whether the object to be heated has been removed from the heating chamber.

[0024] When it is detected in the detecting step that there is no object to be heated in the heating chamber or that the object to be heated is taken out of the heating chamber, the heating information is acquired in the acquiring heating information step.

[0025] According to the technology disclosed in the present invention, the convenience of the cooking device can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the heating cooker which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 It is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of a heating cooker according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a control device according to the embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4 1 is a flowchart showing a control method according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 5 1 is a flowchart showing a control method according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing a control method according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 7A This is a diagram showing an example of an image of the interior of the heating chamber captured by the imaging device.

[0033] Figure 7B This is a diagram showing another example of the image inside the heating chamber captured by the imaging device.

[0034] Figure 7C 1 is a diagram showing an example of a difference image between two images of the interior of the heating chamber captured by the imaging device.

[0035] Figure 8A Yes Figure 7C The diagram shows the analysis results of the difference image.

[0036] Figure 8B Yes Figure 7C The diagram shows the analysis results of the difference image.

[0037] Figure 9 1 is a flowchart showing a control method according to an embodiment.

[0038] Figure 10 1 is a flowchart showing a control method according to an embodiment.

[0039] Figure 11A This is a diagram showing an example of an image of the interior of the heating chamber captured by the imaging device.

[0040] Figure 11B This is a diagram showing another example of the image inside the heating chamber captured by the imaging device.

[0041] Figure 11C 1 is a diagram showing an example of a difference image between two images of the interior of the heating chamber captured by the imaging device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The heating cooker according to the disclosed embodiment automatically reads heating information when an object to be heated, such as food, is placed in a heating chamber and automatically heats the object based on the read heating information. The heating information is stored in a barcode or other format affixed to the object and includes information such as the type of heating device, the output level of the heating device, the heating time, and the heating temperature.

[0043] The cooking device of this embodiment stops reading heating information after heating an object until the heated object is removed from the heating chamber. The cooking device of this embodiment restarts reading heating information when it detects that the object has been removed from the heating chamber. Thus, after the user removes the heated object, heating of the next object can begin immediately.

[0044] The cooking device of this embodiment uses a camera installed within the heating chamber to capture the interior of the heating chamber to read the heating information. Therefore, there is no need for a reader to read a barcode attached to the heated object, allowing even an unskilled user to quickly heat the object. This improves operating efficiency.

[0045] Figure 1 The figure shows the appearance of a cooking device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cooking device 100 includes a housing 101, a door 102, and an operating unit 105. The door 102 covers an opening provided in a front frame, which is the front surface of the housing 101. The operating unit 105 is located on the right side of the door 102.

[0046] In this embodiment, the opening side, back side, top side, and bottom side of the heating cooker 100 are referred to as front, back, top, and bottom, respectively. The left side and right side of the heating cooker 100 viewed from the front are referred to as left side and right side, respectively.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, the door 102 is pivotally supported on the housing 101 with the imaginary horizontal axis located at the bottom thereof being the center of rotation. The door 102 has a heating chamber 201 (see FIG. 1 ) for the user to check. Figure 2 ) a glass window 103 inside. The door 102 has a handle 104 at the upper end on its front surface.

[0048] Door 102 opens when a user pulls handle 104 and closes when the user lifts handle 104. An opening / closing sensor is provided on door 102 or housing 101 to detect the opening / closing of door 102. Information detected by the opening / closing sensor is transmitted to control device 300.

[0049] The housing 101 includes an operating unit 105 located on the front surface of the cooking device 100 and to the right of the door 102. The operating unit 105 includes a plurality of operating switches and a display unit 106. The plurality of operating switches include buttons 107, 109, and 110 for the user to set various information such as cooking contents, and a start button 108 for starting heating.

[0050] The display unit 106 displays the operating status of the cooking device 100, operations performed by the operating switches, etc. The control device 300 controls the plurality of operating switches and the display unit. The control device 300 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or hardware logic.

[0051] Figure 2 The cross section of the heating cooker 100 is schematically shown. Figure 2 As shown, the cooking device 100 includes a heating chamber 201 inside a housing 101. Behind the heating chamber 201, magnetrons 202a and 202b serving as heating devices are arranged.

[0052] The magnetrons 202 a and 202 b radiate microwaves into the heating chamber 201 from upper and lower sides, respectively, to heat the object to be heated 203 placed in the heating chamber 201 .

[0053] The cooking device 100 may further include another heating device that can supply radiant heat, hot air, or steam to the heating chamber 201 to heat the object 203. The control device 300 controls the heating devices such as the magnetrons 202a and 202b.

[0054] An imaging device 204 for capturing images of the interior of the heating chamber 201 is disposed above the heating chamber 201. The imaging device 204 is positioned so as to capture images of substantially the entire area within the heating chamber 201 where the object 203 to be heated can be placed.

[0055] Figure 3 1 shows the structure of the control device 300 of the heating cooker 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3As shown, the control device 300 includes a photographing control unit 301 , a photographed image acquisition unit 302 , a heating information acquisition unit 303 , a state detection unit 304 , a removal determination unit 305 , a comparison determination unit 306 , a heating control unit 307 , and a storage unit 308 .

[0056] The control device 300 actually includes a microcomputer including a CPU and a memory as hardware, and a program stored in the memory as software. Figure 3 Each component of the control device 300 described is a functional block virtually configured by cooperation of hardware and software.

[0057] Those skilled in the art can easily understand that these functional blocks can be configured in various ways, such as by hardware alone or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0058] The imaging control unit 301 controls the imaging device 204 to capture an image in the heating chamber 201. The imaging control unit 301 controls the imaging range, resolution, zoom factor, etc. of the imaging device 204 based on external instructions.

[0059] The captured image acquisition unit 302 acquires an image captured by the imaging device 204 from the imaging device 204. The captured image acquisition unit 302 stores the acquired image data in the storage unit 308.

[0060] The heating information acquisition unit 303 reads the heating information attached to the object 203 from the image of the object 203 captured by the imaging device 204. The heating information acquisition unit 303 reads the image of the object 203 (food) from the storage unit 308 and also reads the heating information from the image.

[0061] The state detection unit 304 refers to the image captured by the imaging device 204 to detect whether the object to be heated 203 is placed in the heating chamber 201 or whether the object to be heated 203 is taken out of the heating chamber 201 .

[0062] When the door 102 is open, the heating information acquisition unit 303 does not acquire heating information until the state detection unit 304 detects that the object 203 to be heated is not in the heating chamber 201 or the object 203 to be heated has been taken out of the heating chamber 201 .

[0063] When the state detection unit 304 detects that the object to be heated 203 is not in the heating chamber 201 or that the object to be heated 203 has been taken out of the heating chamber 201 , the heating information acquisition unit 303 acquires heating information.

[0064] This can prevent unnecessary heating information from being acquired. As a result, power consumption can be reduced, and erroneous setting of heating information for the object to be heated 203 already in the heating chamber 201 can be prevented.

[0065] The removal determination unit 305 determines whether the object to be heated 203 in the heating chamber 201 has been removed by referring to the image captured by the imaging device 204. The details of the determination will be described below.

[0066] The comparison and determination unit 306 refers to the image captured by the imaging device 204 to determine whether the object to be heated 203 is present in the heating chamber 201. The details of the determination will be described below.

[0067] The heating control unit 307 controls the heating device such as the magnetrons 202a and 202b to heat the object 203 based on the heating information acquired by the heating information acquisition unit 303. If no heating information is set, the heating control unit 307 controls the heating device based on the heating conditions received from the operation unit 105.

[0068] Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the control method of this embodiment. In particular, Figure 4 This step shows a state where the object to be heated 203 is heated, that is, the object to be heated 203 is in the heating chamber 201 .

[0069] like Figure 4 As shown, upon detecting the opening of the door 102 (step S10), the state detection unit 304 begins detecting the removal of the heated object 203 (step S31). The heating information acquisition unit 303 does not read the heating information until it detects that the heated object 203 has been removed. The removal detection process is described in detail below.

[0070] When the state detection unit 304 detects that the object 203 has been removed (step S45), the heating information acquisition unit 303 begins reading the heating information (step S50). If the heating information is not successfully read and the door 102 is closed, there is a possibility that the object 203 is not placed in the heating chamber 201, or that the object 203 is placed in the heating chamber 201 without the heating information attached. Therefore, the heating information acquisition unit 303 can stop reading the heating information.

[0071] When a new object to be heated 203 with heating information attached is placed in the heating chamber 201 and the heating information acquisition unit 303 successfully reads the heating information (step S54), the heating control unit 307 sets the read heating information as the heating information to be used (step S60). When the door 102 is closed (step S61) and the start button 108 is pressed (step S62), the heating control unit 307 starts heating according to the heating information to be used (step S63).

[0072] Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the control method of this embodiment. In particular, Figure 5 This section shows the steps to be taken when it is unclear whether the object 203 to be heated is present in the heating chamber 201 .

[0073] like Figure 5 As shown, when the door 102 is detected to be open (step S10), the state detection unit 304 determines whether the object to be heated 203 is present in the heating chamber 201 (step S20). If the object to be heated 203 (food) is not present in the heating chamber 201 ("No" in step S30), there is a possibility that a new object to be heated 203 has been placed in the heating chamber 201. Therefore, the heating information acquisition unit 303 begins reading the heating information (step S50).

[0074] If the object 203 is within the heating chamber 201 ("Yes" in step S30), it is likely that the object 203 has been heated. Therefore, the heating information acquisition unit 303 does not read the heating information until it detects that the object 203 has been removed. The state detection unit 304 begins detecting the removal of the object 203 (step S31). The following describes the details of the removal detection process for the heated object 203.

[0075] When the state detection unit 304 detects that the object to be heated 203 has been removed (step S45 ), the heating information acquisition unit 303 starts reading the heating information (step S50 ).

[0076] If the heating information is not successfully read and the door 102 is closed, there is a possibility that the object 203 is not placed in the heating chamber 201 or the object 203 without the heating information attached is placed in the heating chamber 201. Therefore, the heating information acquisition unit 303 may stop reading the heating information.

[0077] When a new object to be heated 203 with heating information attached thereto is placed in the heating chamber 201 and the heating information acquisition unit 303 successfully reads the heating information (step S54 ), the heating control unit 307 sets the read heating information as the heating information to be used (step S60 ).

[0078] When the door 102 is closed (step S61 ) and the start button 108 is pressed (step S62 ), the heating control unit 307 executes heating according to the heating information to be used (step S63 ).

[0079] Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the control method of this embodiment. In particular, Figure 6 More detailed representation Figure 4 The steps shown include a step of detecting removal of the object to be heated 203 and a step of reading heating information.

[0080] like Figure 6As shown, when the opening of the door 102 is detected (step S10 ), the state detection unit 304 starts detection of removal of the object to be heated 203 .

[0081] Figure 7A An image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 captured by the imaging device 204 is shown. Figure 7B Represents the image of the next frame.

[0082] When the user takes the object 203 to be heated out of the heating chamber 201 , the user's hand and the object 203 to be heated are reflected in the image within the heating chamber 201 . Figure 7C express Figure 7A as well as Figure 7B The difference image of the two images shown.

[0083] like Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B As shown, when the user takes the object to be heated 203 out of the heating chamber 201 or puts it into the heating chamber 201 , the user's hand and the object to be heated 203 move along the Y axis in the captured image.

[0084] That is, Figure 7C As shown, in the difference image, the pixel with the maximum Y coordinate among the pixels with non-zero difference values ​​corresponds to the position of the user's hand or the tip of the heated object 203. Therefore, in the difference image, the maximum Y coordinate of the pixels with non-zero difference values ​​indicates how far the user's hand or the heated object 203 has entered the heating chamber 201. Hereinafter, the maximum Y coordinate of the pixels with non-zero difference values ​​in the difference image will be referred to as simply the maximum Y coordinate.

[0085] Figure 8A 、 Figure 8B express Figure 7C Analysis results of the difference image are shown. Figure 8A Indicates Figure 7C The time variation of the number of pixels whose difference value is not 0 in the difference image shown in FIG. Figure 8A As shown, the change in the number of pixels whose differential values ​​are not 0 reflects the movement of the user's hand.

[0086] Figure 8B express Figure 7C The maximum value of the Y coordinate is shown in FIG. Figure 8B As shown, when the user puts his hand into the heating chamber 201 , the maximum value of the Y coordinate increases. Thereafter, when the user takes the heated object 203 out of the heating chamber 201 , the maximum value of the Y coordinate decreases.

[0087] Therefore, when the maximum value of the Y coordinate exceeds the first threshold and then falls below the second threshold, the removal determination unit 305 determines that the user has removed the object 203 from the heating chamber 201 .

[0088] The first threshold value is, for example, the Y-coordinate value corresponding to the minimum depth that a user needs to reach to remove the heated object 203 placed in the heating chamber 201. The second threshold value is, for example, the Y-coordinate value corresponding to the frontmost position in the imaging range of the imaging device 204. The first and second threshold values ​​can be predetermined through experiments or can be changed manually by the user or through external communication.

[0089] The state detection unit 304 instructs the imaging control unit 301 to capture an image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 (step S32 ). The captured image acquisition unit 302 acquires the image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 captured by the imaging device 204 from the imaging device 204 and stores it in the storage unit 308 .

[0090] return Figure 6 The extraction determination unit 305 compares the image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit 302 with the image of the previous frame stored in the storage unit 308 and calculates a differential image (step S33). The extraction determination unit 305 confirms the maximum value of the Y coordinate (step S34).

[0091] Repeat the process of steps S32 to S34 until the maximum value of the Y coordinate exceeds the first threshold (at Figure 6 In the example, it is 20) until ("No" in step S35).

[0092] When the maximum value of the Y coordinate exceeds the first threshold value (YES in step S35 ), the removal determination unit 305 confirms that the object 203 to be heated has been removed from the heating chamber 201 .

[0093] The state detection unit 304 instructs the imaging control unit 301 to capture an image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 (step S41 ). The captured image acquisition unit 302 acquires the image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 captured by the imaging device 204 from the imaging device 204 and stores it in the storage unit 308 .

[0094] The extraction determination unit 305 compares the image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit 302 with the image of the previous frame stored in the storage unit 308 and calculates a difference image (step S42). The extraction determination unit 305 confirms the maximum value of the Y coordinate (step S43).

[0095] Repeat the process of steps S41 to S43 until the maximum value of the Y coordinate is lower than the second threshold (at Figure 6 In the example of 20) ("No" in step S44). When the maximum value of the Y coordinate is lower than the second threshold value ("Yes" in step S44), the heating information acquisition unit 303 starts reading the heating information.

[0096] The heating information acquisition unit 303 instructs the imaging control unit 301 to capture an image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 (step S51 ). The captured image acquisition unit 302 acquires the image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 captured by the imaging device 204 from the imaging device 204 and stores it in the storage unit 308 .

[0097] The heating information acquisition unit 303 recognizes the heating information of the object 203 in the acquired image (step S52). If the heating information acquisition unit 303 fails to recognize the heating information or the recognized heating information is invalid ("No" in step S53), the processes of steps S51 and S52 are performed again.

[0098] If the heating information acquisition unit 303 successfully identifies valid heating information ("Yes" in step S53), the heating control unit 307 sets the read heating information as the heating information to be used (step S60). When the door 102 is closed (step S61) and the start button 108 is pressed (step S62), the heating control unit 307 performs heating according to the heating information to be used (step S63).

[0099] Figure 9 is a flow chart showing the control method of this embodiment. In particular, Figure 9 More detailed representation Figure 5 Among the steps shown, the step is a step of determining whether or not the object to be heated 203 is present in the heating chamber 201 .

[0100] like Figure 9 As shown, when the door 102 is detected to be open (step S10), the state detection unit 304 determines whether the object to be heated 203 is present in the heating chamber 201. The heating information acquisition unit 303 instructs the imaging control unit 301 to capture an image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 (step S21). The captured image acquisition unit 302 acquires the image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 captured by the imaging device 204 from the imaging device 204 and stores it in the storage unit 308.

[0101] The heating information acquisition unit 303 recognizes the heating information of the object 203 in the acquired image (step S22). If the heating information acquisition unit 303 fails to recognize the heating information or the recognized heating information is invalid ("No" in step S23), the processes of steps S21 and S22 are performed again.

[0102] If the heating information acquisition unit 303 successfully identifies valid heating information ("YES" in step S23), there are two possible situations. One is that the heating information of the object 203 in the heating chamber 201 was read before the door 102 was opened. The other is that the heating information of the object 203 placed in the heating chamber 201 was read after the door 102 was opened.

[0103] After the door 102 is opened, the heating information is read successfully for a specified number of times (in Figure 9 In the example, 3 times) or less ("Yes" in step S24), it is possible that the heating information of the object 203 to be heated that was in the heating chamber 201 before the door 102 was opened was read. In other words, it is possible that the object 203 to be heated has been heated.

[0104] Therefore, when the removal of the object to be heated 203 is detected (steps S32 to S44), and the heating information of the object to be heated 203 newly placed in the heating chamber 201 is read (steps S51 to S53), the heating control unit 307 sets the read heating information as the heating information to be used (step S60). Figure 6 same.

[0105] If the heating information is successfully read after the door 102 is opened and the heating information is recognized a predetermined number of times or more ("No" in step S24), it is possible that the heating information of the object to be heated 203 placed in the heating chamber 201 after the door 102 is opened can be read. Therefore, the heating control unit 307 sets the read heating information as the heating information to be used (step S60).

[0106] When the door 102 is closed (step S61 ) and the start button 108 is pressed (step S62 ), the heating control unit 307 executes heating according to the heating information to be used (step S63 ).

[0107] Figure 10 is a flow chart showing the control method of this embodiment. In particular, Figure 10 More detailed representation Figure 5 Among the steps shown, the step is a step of determining whether or not the object to be heated 203 is present in the heating chamber 201 .

[0108] like Figure 10 As shown, when it is detected that the door 102 is opened (step S10 ), the state detection unit 304 determines whether the object to be heated 203 is present in the heating chamber 201 .

[0109] Figure 11A An image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 captured by the imaging device 204 in a state where no object 203 to be heated is placed in the heating chamber 201 (hereinafter referred to as an initial indoor image) is shown. Figure 11B The image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 captured by the image acquisition unit 302 in a state where the object to be heated 203 is placed in the heating chamber 201 is shown.

[0110] Figure 11C express Figure 11A as well as Figure 11B The difference image between the two images is binarized. The presence of the object 203 in the heating chamber 201 can be determined based on the shape and size of the object in the difference image, as well as the number of difference pixels. The number of difference pixels refers to the number of pixels with values ​​other than 0 in the difference image.

[0111] return Figure 10 The state detection unit 304 instructs the imaging control unit 301 to capture an image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 (step S21). The captured image acquisition unit 302 acquires the image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 captured by the imaging device 204 from the imaging device 204 and stores it in the storage unit 308. The comparison and determination unit 306 calculates the difference between the acquired indoor image and the initial indoor image stored in the storage unit 308 (step S25) and determines the number of differential pixels.

[0112] If the number of differential pixels is less than the specified value (in Figure 10 In the example of 500) (No in step S26), the comparison judgment unit 306 judges that there is no object 203 to be heated in the heating chamber 201, and the heating information acquisition unit 303 starts reading the heating information (steps S51 to S53). The details of the steps for reading the heating information are the same as Figure 5 same.

[0113] If the number of differential pixels exceeds the specified value ("YES" in step S26), the comparison and determination unit 306 determines that the object 203 to be heated is present in the heating chamber 201. This indicates that the object 203 to be heated was already present in the heating chamber 201 before the door 102 was opened, and thus may have been heated. Therefore, the heating information acquisition unit 303 stops reading heating information until the object 203 to be heated is removed from the heating chamber 201.

[0114] The state detection unit 304 instructs the imaging control unit 301 to capture the image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 (step S27 ). The captured image acquisition unit 302 acquires the image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 captured by the imaging device 204 from the imaging device 204 and stores it in the storage unit 308 .

[0115] The comparison and determination unit 306 calculates a difference image between the acquired indoor image and the initial indoor image stored in the storage unit 308 (step S28). The comparison and determination unit 306 checks the number of difference pixels.

[0116] When the number of differential pixels is within the specified value ( Figure 10 In the example of 500) or more (No in step S29), the comparison determination unit 306 determines that the object to be heated 203 in the heating chamber 201 has not been taken out. In this case, the processing of steps S27 and S28 is executed again.

[0117] If the number of differential pixels is less than the specified value ("Yes" in step S29), there is a possibility that the object to be heated 203 in the heating chamber 201 has been taken out. Therefore, the heating information acquisition unit 303 starts reading the heating information (steps S51 to S53). The details of the steps for reading the heating information are the same as those in the step S51 to S53. Figure 5 same.

[0118] The heating control unit 307 sets the read heating information as the heating information to be used (step S60). When the door 102 is closed (step S61) and the start button 108 is pressed (step S62), the heating control unit 307 performs heating according to the heating information to be used (step S63).

[0119] The object to be heated 203 is placed in the heating chamber 201 , and the object to be heated 203 may be taken out after the heating information is read and before the door 102 is closed.

[0120] Therefore, after the start button 108 is pressed, the comparison and determination unit 306 once again checks whether the object 203 to be heated is present in the heating chamber 201. If the object 203 to be heated is present, the heating control unit 307 starts heating. This prevents the heating chamber 201 from being heated without the object 203 to be heated.

[0121] While the present disclosure has been described above based on the above-described embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the components or processes in the above-described embodiments, and the present disclosure also encompasses such modifications.

[0122] In this embodiment, the comparison and determination unit 306 refers to the image of the interior of the heating chamber 201 captured by the imaging device 204 to determine whether the object to be heated 203 is present in the heating chamber 201. In another example, a weight sensor disposed at the bottom of the heating chamber 201 can be used to determine whether the object to be heated 203 is present in the heating chamber 201. Alternatively, a photonic sensor, a photoelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, or the like can be used.

[0123] In this embodiment, the imaging device 204 is disposed in the heating chamber 201. In another example, the imaging device 204 may be disposed near the door 102 or the opening of the heating chamber 201.

[0124] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a cooking device including a heating chamber having an opening, an imaging device for capturing an image of the interior of the heating chamber, and a control device for controlling heating of an object to be heated placed in the heating chamber.

[0125] The control device includes a captured image acquisition unit, a heating information acquisition unit, a heating control unit, and a state detection unit.

[0126] The captured image acquisition unit acquires an image captured by the imaging device. The heating information acquisition unit acquires heating information by referring to the image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit.

[0127] The heating control unit controls the heating device based on the heating information. The state detection unit refers to the image captured by the imaging device to detect whether the object to be heated is in the heating chamber or whether the object to be heated has been removed from the heating chamber.

[0128] When the state detection unit detects that there is no object to be heated in the heating chamber or that the object to be heated has been removed from the heating chamber, the heating information acquisition unit acquires the heating information. According to this aspect, work efficiency and user convenience can be improved.

[0129] When the door covering the opening of the heating chamber is detected to be open, the heating information acquisition unit does not acquire heating information until it detects that there is no object to be heated in the heating chamber or until it detects that the object to be heated in the heating chamber has been removed from the heating chamber. According to this embodiment, power consumption can be reduced.

[0130] The state detection unit detects the removal of the heated object from the heating chamber by detecting the movement of the user's hand or the heated object based on a plurality of images captured at a plurality of different time points.

[0131] The state detection unit can detect temporal changes in the differences between a plurality of images captured at a plurality of different time points as the movement of the user's hand or the object to be heated. According to this aspect, detection accuracy can be improved.

[0132] After the user's hand or the object to be heated reaches a predetermined range in the heating chamber and reaches the vicinity of the opening of the heating chamber, the state detection unit detects that the object to be heated has been removed from the heating chamber.

[0133] The state detection unit detects whether the object to be heated is in the heating chamber by comparing an image when no object to be heated is present with an image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit.

[0134] Alternatively, the state detection unit may detect the presence of the object to be heated in the heating chamber when the heating information acquisition unit successfully acquires the heating information within a predetermined time from when the door covering the opening of the heating chamber is opened.

[0135] The imaging device may also be arranged to capture an image of a range in the heating chamber where the object to be heated can be placed. This embodiment can improve detection accuracy and operating efficiency.

[0136] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a control device for controlling a cooking device including: a heating chamber; an imaging device for capturing an image of the interior of the heating chamber; and a heating device for heating an object to be heated placed in the heating chamber.

[0137] The control device of this aspect includes a captured image acquisition unit, a heating information acquisition unit, a heating control unit, and a state detection unit.

[0138] The captured image acquisition unit acquires an image captured by the imaging device. The heating information acquisition unit acquires heating information by referring to the image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit.

[0139] The heating control unit controls the heating device based on the heating information. The state detection unit refers to the image captured by the imaging device to detect whether the object to be heated is in the heating chamber or whether the object to be heated has been removed from the heating chamber.

[0140] When the state detection unit detects that there is no object to be heated in the heating chamber or that the object to be heated has been removed from the heating chamber, the heating information acquisition unit acquires the heating information. According to this aspect, work efficiency and user convenience can be improved.

[0141] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of controlling a cooking device including: a heating chamber; an imaging device that captures an image of the interior of the heating chamber; and a heating device that heats an object to be heated placed in the heating chamber.

[0142] The control method of this embodiment includes the following steps: acquiring an image captured by an imaging device; acquiring heating information by referring to the acquired image; and controlling the heating device based on the heating information.

[0143] The control method of this embodiment further includes the following steps: referring to the image captured by the imaging device to detect whether the object to be heated is in the heating chamber or whether the object to be heated has been removed from the heating chamber.

[0144] If it is detected in the detecting step that there is no object to be heated in the heating chamber or that the object to be heated has been removed from the heating chamber, the heating information is acquired in the acquiring heating information step. According to this aspect, work efficiency and user convenience can be improved.

[0145] Industrial applicability

[0146] The technology disclosed herein can be applied not only to commercial but also to heating cookers for civilian use.

[0147] Description of Reference Signs

[0148] 100: Heating cooker; 101: Housing; 102: Door; 103: Glass window; 104: Handle; 105: Operating unit; 106: Display unit; 107: Button; 108: Start button; 201: Heating chamber; 202a, 202b: Magnetron; 203: Heated object; 204: Camera; 300: Control device; 301: Camera control unit; 302: Camera image acquisition unit; 303: Heating information acquisition unit; 304: Status detection unit; 305: Removal determination unit; 306: Comparison determination unit; 307: Heating control unit; 308: Storage unit.

Claims

1. A heating cooker, wherein: The heating cooker comprises: a heating chamber having an opening; a door covering the opening of the heating chamber; a camera capable of capturing an image of the interior of the heating chamber; a heating device operable to heat an object to be heated disposed in the heating chamber; and control device, The control device comprises: a captured image acquisition unit operable to acquire the image captured by the camera; a heating information acquisition unit operable to acquire heating information by referring to the image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit; a heating control unit capable of operating in a manner of controlling the heating device according to the heating information; as well as a state detection unit operable to detect the presence or absence of the object to be heated in the heating chamber or the removal of the object to be heated from the heating chamber by referring to the image captured by the imaging device; The heating information acquisition unit may operate in such a manner that, when the state detection unit detects that the object to be heated is not in the heating chamber or that the object to be heated is taken out of the heating chamber, the heating information acquisition unit acquires the heating information.

2. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein The heating information acquisition unit may operate in such a manner that, when the door is detected to be opened, the heating information is not acquired until the absence of the object to be heated is detected in the heating chamber, or until the object to be heated in the heating chamber is detected to be taken out of the heating chamber.

3. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein The state detection unit may be operable to detect a movement of a user's hand or the object to be heated based on the plurality of images captured at a plurality of different time points, thereby detecting removal of the object to be heated from the heating chamber.

4. The heating cooker according to claim 3, wherein The state detection unit may operate to detect a temporal change in a difference between the plurality of images captured at a plurality of different time points as a movement of a user's hand or the object to be heated.

5. The heating cooker according to claim 3, wherein The state detection unit may be operable to detect that the object to be heated is removed from the heating chamber when a user's hand or the object to be heated reaches a predetermined range within the heating chamber and then reaches the vicinity of the opening of the heating chamber. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein The state detection unit may be operable to detect the presence or absence of the object to be heated in the heating chamber by comparing the image when the object to be heated is not present with the image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit.

7. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein The state detection unit may be operable to detect that the object to be heated is present in the heating chamber when the heating information acquisition unit successfully acquires the heating information within a predetermined time from when the door is opened.

8. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein The imaging device is arranged to be able to capture an image of a range in the heating chamber where the object to be heated can be placed.

9. A control device operable to control a heating cooker, the heating cooker comprising: a heating chamber; a camera operable to capture an image of the heating chamber; and a heating device operable to heat an object to be heated disposed in the heating chamber, wherein: The control device comprises: a captured image acquisition unit operable to acquire the image captured by the camera; a heating information acquisition unit operable to acquire heating information by referring to the image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit; a heating control unit capable of operating in a manner of controlling the heating device according to the heating information; as well as a state detection unit operable to detect the presence or absence of the object to be heated in the heating chamber or the removal of the object to be heated from the heating chamber by referring to the image captured by the imaging device; The heating information acquisition unit may operate so as to acquire the heating information when the state detection unit detects that the object to be heated is not in the heating chamber or that the object to be heated is taken out of the heating chamber.

10. A control method for controlling a heating cooker, the heating cooker comprising: a heating chamber; a camera operable to capture an image of the heating chamber; a heating device operable to heat an object to be heated disposed in the heating chamber; and a control device, wherein: The control device performs the following steps: Obtaining an image captured by the camera; detecting, with reference to the image, whether the object to be heated is in the heating chamber or whether the object to be heated has been removed from the heating chamber; When it is detected in the detecting step that the object to be heated is not in the heating chamber or the object to be heated is taken out of the heating chamber, obtaining heating information with reference to the obtained image; and The heating device is controlled according to the heating information.

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