Remaining rice management system, server, remaining rice management method, and program

Abstract

The invention provides a rice remaining amount management system which can restrain increase of the number of components and can manage the rice remaining amount in a rice container. A rice remaining amount management system according to the present disclosure includes a rice cooker having a rice container for receiving rice, and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, and manages the rice remaining amount in the rice container. The system is provided with an input part, a storage part, a usage amount detection part, a calculation part and a control part which are arranged on a rice cooker or a communication terminal. The height position of the upper surface of the rice in the rice container can be input to the input part. The storage unit stores the remaining rice amount corresponding to the height position input via the input unit. The use amount detection unit detects the use amount of rice for cooking in the cooker. The calculation unit calculates a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the remaining rice amount stored in the storage unit. The control unit controls the calculation unit so as to calculate a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the remaining rice amount stored in the storage unit, and causes the storage unit to store the subtraction result as a new remaining rice amount.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system, a server, a method, and a program for managing the remaining amount of rice in a rice container provided in a rice cooker. Background Art

[0002] In the past, as such a rice cooker, for example, the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1 is known. The rice cooker described in Patent Document 1 includes a pot, a rice container for storing rice, and a rice supply unit for supplying rice in the rice container into the pot during rice cooking. An electrostatic capacitance detection unit having a plurality of detection electrodes is provided on the outer side of the rice container. Each detection electrode forms an electrostatic capacitance with the rice in the rice container. The rice cooker further includes an estimating unit for estimating the remaining amount of rice in the rice container. The estimating unit determines whether there is rice at the height of each detection electrode based on the electrostatic capacitance of each detection electrode, thereby estimating the remaining amount of rice in the rice container.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-15696 Summary of the invention

[0006] The rice cooker of Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement from the viewpoint of managing the remaining amount of rice in the rice container while suppressing an increase in the number of components.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a remaining rice management system, a remaining rice management method, and a program for executing the method, which can manage the remaining rice in a rice container while suppressing an increase in the number of components.

[0008] The rice remaining amount management system disclosed in the present invention comprises: a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice; and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, the rice remaining amount management system manages the rice remaining amount in the rice container, wherein the rice remaining amount management system comprises: an input unit, which is arranged on the rice cooker or the communication terminal and can input the height position of the upper surface of the rice in the rice container; a storage unit, which stores the rice remaining amount corresponding to the height position input via the input unit; a usage detection unit, which detects the usage amount of rice used for cooking in the rice cooker; a calculation unit, which calculates a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the rice remaining amount stored in the storage unit; and a control unit, which controls the calculation unit and the storage unit, the control unit being configured to control the calculation unit in a manner of calculating a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the rice remaining amount stored in the storage unit, and causing the storage unit to store the subtraction result as a new rice remaining amount.

[0009] The rice remaining amount management method disclosed in the present invention uses a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker to manage the rice remaining amount in the rice container, and the rice remaining amount management method comprises: storing the rice remaining amount corresponding to the height position inputted via an input unit capable of inputting the height position of the upper surface of the rice in the rice container in a storage unit; detecting the usage amount of rice for cooking in the rice cooker; calculating a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the rice remaining amount stored in the storage unit; and storing the subtraction result as a new rice remaining amount in the storage unit.

[0010] The server disclosed in the present invention is capable of communicating with a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal having an input unit for inputting the height position of the upper surface of the rice in the rice container, and the server comprises: a storage unit that stores the remaining amount of rice corresponding to the height position obtained from the communication terminal; a calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the amount of rice used obtained from the rice cooker or the communication terminal from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit; and a control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit, the control unit being configured to control the calculation unit in a manner that calculates a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the amount of rice used from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit, and causes the storage unit to store the subtraction result as a new remaining amount of rice.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a remaining rice amount management system, a remaining rice amount management method, and a program for executing the method, which can manage the remaining rice amount in a rice container while suppressing an increase in the number of components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remaining rice management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional diagram of a rice cooker equipped with a rice remaining amount management system.

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the rice remaining amount management system.

[0016] Figure 5 1 is an example of an operation screen displayed on the communication terminal, and is a diagram showing a display when the remaining amount of rice is not stored in the server storage unit.

[0017] Figure 6FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a rice remaining amount input screen displayed on a communication terminal.

[0018] Figure 7 1 is an example of an operation screen displayed on a communication terminal, and is a diagram showing a display when a large amount of rice is remaining.

[0019] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is an example of an operation screen displayed on a communication terminal, and is a diagram showing a display when the remaining amount of rice is less than a predetermined notification amount.

[0020] Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is an example of a rice remaining amount input screen displayed on a communication terminal, and is a diagram showing a state where the input bar is located before being moved.

[0021] Description of Reference Numerals

[0022] 1: rice cooker; 13: weight sensor; 14: rice container; 142: side wall; 143: container scale; 2: communication terminal; 21: touch panel; 211: input promotion display; 211a: message; 211b: migration button; 221: virtual scale; 222: input bar; 223: lower area; 231: maximum amount graphic; 232: remaining amount graphic; 241: replenishment promotion display; 241a: warning mark; 241b: message; 22: notification unit; 23: terminal storage unit; 25: terminal control unit; 3: server; 31: server storage unit; 32: calculation unit; 34: server control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] <Insights that form the basis of this disclosure>

[0024] The present inventors have conducted intensive studies to manage the remaining amount of rice in a rice container while suppressing an increase in the number of components, and have obtained the following findings.

[0025] A conventional rice cooker (e.g., a rice cooker described in Patent Document 1) is configured as follows: a rice container is provided that can store more rice than the amount used in one cooking, and a desired amount of rice is transferred from the rice container to a pot during cooking. A rice cooker having this structure does not require rice to be put into a pot every time rice is cooked, thereby improving the convenience of the rice cooker. Furthermore, by operating in a communication terminal that can communicate with the rice cooker, cooking can also be started remotely.

[0026] On the other hand, for a rice cooker equipped with a rice container, the lid of the rice container is usually opened when the rice is replenished, so it is difficult to notice that the rice in the rice container is reduced. In addition, when cooking rice remotely, it is impossible to directly visually confirm the remaining amount of rice in the rice container. Therefore, it is possible that the remaining amount of rice in the rice container is insufficient when cooking is desired, and the desired amount of rice cannot be cooked.

[0027] In the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1, the rice in the rice container is taken out from an opening provided at a part of the bottom of the rice container in order to be transferred to the pot. Figure 3 The shape of the rice cooker (indicated by the dotted line) changes to a shape that is concave downward toward the opening as the rice is repeatedly cooked. That is, the height position of the upper surface of the rice differs between the portion near the opening and the portion away from the opening when viewed from above. As a result, it is difficult to accurately grasp the remaining rice by visual inspection.

[0028] In the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of detection electrodes are provided on the outer side of the rice container, and the remaining amount of rice in the rice container is estimated based on the electrostatic capacitance detected by each detection electrode. However, from the perspective of reducing the number of components and costs, there is room for improvement in the structure for managing the remaining amount of rice.

[0029] Therefore, the inventors have discovered a rice surplus management system and a rice surplus management method that subtracts the amount of rice used for cooking from the rice surplus input via a communication terminal that can communicate with a rice cooker. According to this structure, it is possible to suppress the increase in the number of components of the rice cooker and manage the rice surplus in the rice container. Based on this new insight, the inventors and others have completed the following disclosure.

[0030] According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a rice remaining amount management system is provided, which comprises: a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice; and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, the rice remaining amount management system manages the rice remaining amount in the rice container, wherein the rice remaining amount management system comprises: an input unit, which is arranged on the rice cooker or the communication terminal and can input the height position of the upper surface of the rice in the rice container; a storage unit, which stores the rice remaining amount corresponding to the height position input via the input unit; a usage detection unit, which detects the usage amount of rice used for cooking in the rice cooker; a calculation unit, which calculates a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the rice remaining amount stored in the storage unit; and a control unit, which controls the calculation unit and the storage unit, the control unit controls the calculation unit in a manner of calculating a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the rice remaining amount stored in the storage unit, and stores the subtraction result in the storage unit as a new rice remaining amount.

[0031] According to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a rice remaining amount management system described in the first embodiment is provided, wherein a container scale indicating the height position is provided on the side wall of the rice container, the communication terminal has a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit, and when the height position is input into the communication terminal, the terminal control unit causes the display unit to display a virtual scale corresponding to the container scale, and the input unit accepts input of the height position input corresponding to the virtual scale.

[0032] According to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, a meter remaining management system described in the second embodiment is provided, wherein the terminal control unit controls the display unit so that an input bar used in inputting the altitude position is displayed overlapping with the virtual scale, and the input unit accepts the position of the input bar in the virtual scale as input of the altitude position.

[0033] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the remaining rice management system according to the third aspect, wherein the terminal control unit displays a portion of the display unit below the input bar in white.

[0034] According to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, a meter balance management system as described in the third or fourth embodiment is provided, wherein, when the virtual scale starts to be displayed in the display unit, the terminal control unit moves the input bar downward from a position above the position on the virtual scale corresponding to the meter balance stored in the storage unit to the display of the position.

[0035] According to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, a rice remaining management system described in any one of the first to fifth embodiments is provided, wherein the communication terminal comprises: a display unit; and a terminal control unit, which controls the input unit and the display unit, and when the rice remaining amount is stored in the storage unit, the terminal control unit causes a maximum amount graphic having a size corresponding to the maximum amount of rice stored in the rice container and a remaining amount graphic having a size corresponding to the rice remaining amount stored in the storage unit to be displayed on the display unit in an overlapping manner.

[0036] According to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure, a meter remaining management system described in any one of the first to sixth embodiments is provided, wherein the communication terminal comprises: a display unit; and a terminal control unit, which controls the input unit and the display unit, and when the meter remaining is not stored in the storage unit, the terminal control unit causes the display unit to display an input promotion display prompting input of the altitude position.

[0037] According to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, a rice remaining management system described in any one of the first to seventh embodiments is provided, wherein the communication terminal comprises: a display unit; a notification unit; and a terminal control unit, which controls the input unit, the display unit and the notification unit, and when the rice remaining stored in the storage unit becomes below a predetermined notification amount, the terminal control unit causes the notification unit to make a notification.

[0038] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a rice remaining amount management system described in any one of the first to eighth aspects is provided, wherein the communication terminal has a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit, and the terminal control unit controls the display unit in the following manner: when the rice remaining amount stored in the storage unit is zero, a replenishment promotion display is displayed to prompt the rice container to be replenished with rice, and when the rice remaining amount stored in the storage unit is a negative value, an input promotion display is displayed to prompt the input of the height position.

[0039] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a remaining rice management system according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the storage unit is provided in the communication terminal, and the input unit receives input of the height position during cooking of the rice cooker.

[0040] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the remaining rice management system according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the remaining rice management system further includes a server provided with the storage unit.

[0041] According to the twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a server capable of communicating with a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal having an input unit capable of inputting the height position of the upper surface of the rice in the rice container, the server comprising: a storage unit storing the remaining amount of rice corresponding to the height position obtained from the communication terminal; a calculation unit calculating a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the amount of rice used obtained from the rice cooker or the communication terminal from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit; and a control unit controlling the calculation unit and the storage unit, the control unit controlling the calculation unit in a manner of calculating a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the amount of rice used from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit, and causing the storage unit to store the subtraction result as a new remaining amount of rice.

[0042] According to the thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for managing the remaining amount of rice, which uses a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker to manage the remaining amount of rice in the rice container, the method comprising: storing the remaining amount of rice corresponding to the height position inputted via an input unit capable of inputting the height position of the upper surface of rice in the rice container in a storage unit; detecting the usage amount of rice for cooking in the rice cooker; calculating a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit; and storing the subtraction result as a new remaining amount of rice in the storage unit.

[0043] According to the fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for managing the remaining rice in the rice container is provided, which uses the rice cooker, the communication terminal having the input unit, and a server capable of communicating with the rice cooker and the communication terminal, wherein the server comprises: the storage unit; a calculation unit, which calculates a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the remaining rice stored in the storage unit; and a control unit, which controls the calculation unit and the storage unit, the control unit causing the remaining rice corresponding to the height position obtained from the communication terminal to be stored in the storage unit, causing the calculation unit to calculate a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount obtained from the rice cooker or the communication terminal from the remaining rice stored in the storage unit, and causing the storage unit to store the subtraction result as a new remaining rice.

[0044] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a program for causing a terminal control unit provided in the communication terminal to execute the remaining meter management method according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect.

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions (for example, terms including "upper", "lower", "right", and "left") are used as needed, but these terms are used to facilitate the understanding of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the meaning of these terms. In addition, the following description is essentially just an example and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application or its use.

[0046] <Implementation Method>

[0047] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 , the rice surplus management system of the embodiment of the present disclosure is described. Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remaining rice management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2This is a three-dimensional diagram of a rice cooker equipped with a rice remaining amount management system.

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, the rice remaining amount management system of this embodiment includes a rice cooker 1 having a rice container 14, a communication terminal 2, and a server 3. The rice remaining amount management system is a system for managing the remaining amount of rice in the rice container 14. The rice cooker 1, the communication terminal 2, and the server 3 are connected via a network 4 such as the Internet so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the rice cooker 1 comprises: a pot 11 for storing a cooking object including rice and water; a heating unit 12 for heating the pot 11; a weight sensor 13 for detecting the weight of the pot 11; and a rice container 14 for storing rice. For example, the heating unit 12 is a coil for induction heating the pot 11.

[0050] The weight sensor 13 is an example of a “usage amount detection unit” in the present disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, the weight sensor 13 is disposed below the pot 11 to detect the weight of the pot 11. In addition, the weight sensor 13 can detect the weight of the rice stored in the pot 11, that is, the weight of the cooked rice, by subtracting the weight of the pot 11 without storing anything from the weight of the pot 11 storing the cooked rice.

[0051] The rice container 14 can store more rice than the amount of rice that can be cooked once by the rice cooker 1. In this embodiment, the maximum amount of rice that can be cooked once by the rice cooker 1 is about 300 g, and the rice container 14 can store 2 kg of rice. The upper opening of the rice container 14 is covered by a lid 141.

[0052] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The III-III line cross-sectional view. Figure 3 As shown, a container scale 143 indicating the height position of the upper surface of the rice in the rice container 14 is provided on the side wall 142 of the rice container 14. In the following description, the height position of the upper surface of the rice in the rice container 14 is sometimes referred to as "height position". In the present embodiment, a numerical value indicating the amount of rice corresponding to the height position is shown on the container scale 143. For example, when the upper surface of the rice is flat and is located at the height position "2" on the container scale 143, 2 kg of rice is stored in the rice container 14.

[0053] A rice outlet 144 communicating with the pot 11 is provided at a portion of the bottom surface of the rice container 14. The rice in the rice container 14 is discharged from the rice outlet 144 before the start of rice cooking, and is transferred to the pot 11 by a rice feeding device (not shown) provided in the rice cooker 1. Therefore, the user usually opens the lid 141 of the rice container 14 when refilling the rice container 14 with rice.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, the rice cooker 1 is detachably provided with a water tank 15 for storing water. The water in the water tank 15 is automatically supplied to the pot 11 by a water supply device (not shown) provided in the rice cooker 1 before the start of rice cooking.

[0055] The rice cooker 1 further includes a rice cooker storage unit 16, a rice cooker communication unit 17 connected to the network 4, and a rice cooker control unit 18. A rice cooking program for cooking a food to be cooked including rice and water is stored in the rice cooker storage unit 16. The rice cooking program is, for example, a rice cooking program that predetermines the heating temperature, heating time, heating output, etc. in each step when four rice cooking steps, namely, a preheating step, a temperature rising step, a boiling step, and a steaming step, are sequentially performed.

[0056] The rice cooker control unit 18 is connected to the heating unit 12, the weight sensor 13, the rice cooker storage unit 16, and the rice cooker communication unit 17, and controls the operation of each unit.

[0057] The rice cooking operation of the rice cooker 1 is described. When the user performs a rice cooking start operation on an operation unit (not shown) provided on the rice cooker 1, the rice cooker control unit 18 controls the rice feeding device so as to transfer the rice in the rice container 14 to the pot 11. The amount of rice to be transferred may be predetermined or may be selected by the user during the rice cooking start operation.

[0058] After the rice is transferred, the rice cooker control unit 18 controls the weight sensor 13 in a manner to detect the weight of the rice actually stored in the pot 11. That is, the weight sensor 13 detects the amount of rice used for cooking in the rice cooker 1. After detecting the amount of rice used, the rice cooker control unit 18 controls the water supply device in a manner to supply water in an amount corresponding to the amount of rice in the pot 11 into the pot 11.

[0059] After rice and water are placed in the pot 11, the rice cooker control unit 18 reads a rice cooking program from the rice cooker storage unit 16 and operates the heating unit 12 according to the rice cooking program. Thus, the rice cooker 1 performs rice cooking.

[0060] The user's rice cooking start operation can also be performed remotely from the communication terminal 2. In this case, when the rice cooking start signal from the communication terminal 2 is input to the rice cooker communication unit 17, the rice cooker control unit 18 controls the rice feeding device to transfer the rice in the rice container 14 to the pot 11.

[0061] The communication terminal 2 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc. In the present embodiment, the communication terminal 2 is a smartphone in which a home appliance operation application for remotely controlling home appliances including the rice cooker 1 is installed.

[0062] The communication terminal 2 has a touch panel 21, a notification unit 22, and a terminal storage unit 23. The touch panel 21 is an example of an "input unit" and a "display unit" in the present disclosure. The communication terminal 2 is connected to the network 4 via the terminal communication unit 24. The touch panel 21, the notification unit 22, the terminal storage unit 23, and the terminal communication unit 24 are connected to a terminal control unit 25 provided in the communication terminal 2, and are controlled by the terminal control unit 25. For example, the terminal control unit 25 controls the display of the touch panel 21 and receives information such as the position on the touched panel from the touch panel 21. In the present embodiment, the notification unit 22 and the terminal control unit 25 are processors such as a central processing unit (CPU) mounted on a smartphone.

[0063] The server 3 includes a server storage unit 31, a calculation unit 32, and a server communication unit 33 connected to the network 4. The server storage unit 31, the calculation unit 32, and the server communication unit 33 are controlled by a server control unit 34 included in the server 3. The server control unit 34 is an example of a "control unit" in the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, the remaining amount of rice in the rice container 14 calculated by the method described later is stored in the server storage unit 31.

[0064] The rice cooker storage unit 16, the terminal storage unit 23, and the server storage unit 31 are implemented by, for example, a memory such as DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, HDD, SSD, other storage devices, or an appropriate combination thereof.

[0065] The rice cooker communication unit 17, the terminal communication unit 24, and the server communication unit 33 are network modules (interface circuits) that can be connected to a network 4 such as the Internet or a wireless LAN. Each communication unit communicates in accordance with standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), IEEE802.2, IEEE802.3, 3G, LTE, 4G, 5G, and Bluetooth (registered trademark). In addition to the Internet, each communication unit can also communicate with an intranet, an extranet, a LAN, an ISDN, a VAN, a CATV communication network, a virtual private network, a telephone line network, a mobile communication network, a satellite communication network, and the like.

[0066] Reference Figure 4 , a method for managing the remaining amount of rice in the rice container 14 by the rice remaining amount management system according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the rice remaining amount management system.

[0067] In the method, first, the height position ( Figure 4 Step St11 in the process).

[0068] Figure 5is an example of an operation screen displayed in the communication terminal, and is a diagram showing a display when the remaining amount of rice is not stored in the server storage unit. For example, when the communication terminal 2 starts the home appliance operation application, the terminal control unit 25 causes the touch panel 21 to display the operation screen. Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, a virtual rice cooking start button 201 for transmitting a rice cooking start signal from the communication terminal 2 to the rice cooker 1 is displayed on the operation screen.

[0069] When the remaining amount of rice is not stored in the server storage unit 31, the terminal control unit 25 causes the touch panel 21 to display an input promotion display 211 that prompts the user to input a height position. In the present embodiment, the input promotion display 211 includes a message 211a that prompts the user to input a height position and a virtual transition button 211b for transitioning to the height position input screen. The message 211a is, for example, a message that reads "When the remaining amount is set in advance, a notification of a replenishment timing is made in conjunction with the amount of rice to be cooked."

[0070] In order to determine whether the remaining amount of rice is stored in the server storage unit 31, the terminal control unit 25 may control the terminal communication unit 24 in a manner of transmitting a rice remaining request signal for requesting the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31. When the server communication unit 33 receives the rice remaining request signal, if the remaining amount of rice is stored in the server storage unit 31, the server control unit 34 reads the remaining amount of rice from the server storage unit 31 and then controls the server communication unit 33 in a manner of transmitting the remaining amount of rice to the communication terminal 2. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of rice is not stored in the server storage unit 31, the server control unit 34 controls the server communication unit 33 in a manner of transmitting a non-storage signal indicating that the remaining amount of rice is not stored in the server storage unit 31 to the communication terminal 2.

[0071] When the terminal communication unit 24 receives the non-storage signal, the terminal control unit 25 causes the touch panel 21 to display the input promotion display 211. The case where the terminal communication unit 24 receives the remaining amount of rice will be described later.

[0072] When the user touches the transition button 211 b , the terminal control unit 25 causes the touch panel 21 to display a meter remaining input screen on which the user can input the altitude position. Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a rice remaining amount input screen displayed on a communication terminal.

[0073] As part of the meter remaining input screen, the terminal control unit 25 causes the touch panel 21 to display a virtual scale 221 corresponding to the container scale and an input bar 222 for the user to input a height position. The virtual scale 221 has a height corresponding to the container scale 143 (see Figure 2 The input bar 222 is overlapped and displayed on the virtual scale 221.

[0074] In addition, the terminal control unit 25 controls the touch panel 21 so that the lower area 223 below the input bar 222 in the virtual scale 221 is displayed in white. Specifically, the lower area 223 can be displayed in a white state, or as shown in FIG. Figure 6 The illustration is shown in white in such a way that the scale perspective is visible.

[0075] The user slides the input bar 222 up and down to move it to a position on the virtual scale 221 corresponding to the height position on the container scale 143 while comparing the container scale 143 with the virtual scale 221 displayed on the touch panel 21. In other words, the user reproduces the height position on the container scale 143 on the virtual scale 221 using the input bar 222. Through this operation, the user inputs the height position via the touch panel 21.

[0076] The touch panel 21 receives the position of the input bar 222 on the virtual scale 221 as an input of a height position. That is, the touch panel 21 receives the input of a height position input in accordance with the virtual scale 221.

[0077] For example, when the user touches a virtual "OK" button displayed on the meter remaining input screen, the input of the altitude position can be completed.

[0078] like Figure 4 As shown, after the height position is input, the meter margin corresponding to the height position is stored in the storage unit ( Figure 4 The conversion from the height position inputted via the touch panel 21 (e.g., the position of "2" in the container scale 143) to the remaining weight in meters corresponding to the height position (e.g., 2 kg) can be performed by either the communication terminal 2 or the server 3.

[0079] The terminal control unit 25 controls the terminal communication unit 24 to transmit the altitude position or the remaining meters corresponding to the altitude position to the server 3. When the server communication unit 33 receives the altitude position or the remaining meters, the server control unit 34 stores the received remaining meters in the server storage unit 31.

[0080] Next, when cooking rice using the rice cooker 1, the amount of rice used for cooking is detected ( Figure 4 In the present embodiment, the amount of rice used is detected by the weight sensor 13 as described above.

[0081] Next, the subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is calculated ( Figure 4The rice cooker control unit 18 controls the rice cooker communication unit 17 so that the rice usage detected by the weight sensor 13 is sent to the server 3. The server control unit 34 controls the calculation unit 32 so that the result of the subtraction operation is obtained by subtracting the rice usage received by the server communication unit 33 from the remaining rice stored in the server storage unit 31.

[0082] Then, the subtraction result is stored in the server storage unit 31 ( Figure 4 The server control unit 34 controls the server storage unit 31 so that the subtraction result calculated by the calculation unit 32 is stored as a new rice remaining amount. As a result, the rice remaining amount stored in the server storage unit 31 is updated. Figure 4 The steps St13 to St15 shown are repeatedly performed every time the rice cooker 1 cooks rice, whereby the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is sequentially updated.

[0083] The above-mentioned rice remaining amount management method may also be implemented, for example, by the terminal control unit 25 or the processor provided in the communication terminal 2 executing a program stored in the terminal storage unit 23 of the communication terminal 2 .

[0084] Next, the display of the operation screen when the remaining amount of rice is stored in the server storage unit 31 will be described. Figure 7 1 is an example of an operation screen displayed on a communication terminal, and is a diagram showing a display when a large amount of rice is remaining. Figure 8 FIG. 1 is an example of an operation screen displayed on a communication terminal, and is a diagram showing a display when the remaining amount of rice is less than a predetermined notification amount.

[0085] like Figure 7 As shown, when the server storage unit 31 stores the remaining amount of rice, the terminal control unit 25 causes a maximum amount graphic 231 having a size corresponding to the maximum amount of rice stored in the rice container 14 and a remaining amount graphic 232 having a size corresponding to the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 to be displayed on the touch panel 21 in an overlapping manner.

[0086] In the present embodiment, the maximum amount graphic 231 is displayed in a light color. The remaining amount graphic 232 is displayed in a dark color on the maximum amount graphic 231. The maximum amount graphic 231 and the remaining amount graphic 232 each have a line shape extending in the horizontal direction of the touch panel 21 in the operation screen.

[0087] The horizontal size of the maximum amount graphic 231 corresponds to the maximum amount of rice stored in the rice container 14, and the horizontal size of the remaining amount graphic 232 corresponds to the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31. For example, when the remaining amount of rice is 3 / 4 of the maximum amount, the horizontal size of the remaining amount graphic 232 is 3 / 4 of the horizontal size of the maximum amount graphic 231.

[0088] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is an example of an operation screen displayed in a communication terminal, and is a diagram showing a display when the remaining amount of rice is less than a predetermined notification amount. Figure 8 As shown, when the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than a predetermined notification amount, the terminal control unit 25 controls the touch panel 21 to display a replenishment promotion display 241 on the operation screen to urge the user to replenish the rice container 14 with rice.

[0089] In this embodiment, the replenishment promotion display 241 includes a warning mark 241a and a message 241b urging the replenishment of rice displayed near the remaining amount graphic 232. The message 241b is, for example, a message such as "The rice is running low. Please check the remaining amount of rice."

[0090] Furthermore, when the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is less than the predetermined notification amount, the terminal control unit 25 controls the notification unit 22 to make a notification. In the present embodiment, the terminal control unit 25 controls the notification unit 22 to push a notification to the smartphone as the communication terminal 2. Whether the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is less than the notification amount can be determined in either the communication terminal 2 or the server 3.

[0091] When the rice remaining amount stored in the server storage unit 31 is a negative value, the terminal control unit 25 does not display the replenishment promotion display 241 but displays the input promotion display 211 (see Figure 5 ) is used to control the touch panel 21. This is because, when the remaining amount of rice is a negative value, although the rice in the rice container 14 is actually replenished, it is highly likely that the input of the height position is not performed.

[0092] exist Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 In the operation screen shown, when the user touches the maximum amount graphic 231 or the remaining amount graphic 232, the terminal control unit 25 causes the touch panel 21 to display a rice remaining amount input screen for inputting a height position. Thus, the user can input a height position when the rice container 14 is replenished with rice or when the rice remaining amount displayed on the operation screen is different from the actual rice remaining amount in the rice container 14.

[0093] The remaining rice amount input screen when the remaining rice amount stored in the server storage unit 31 is equal to or greater than 0 will be described. Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is an example of a rice remaining amount input screen displayed on a communication terminal, and is a diagram showing a state where the input bar is located before being moved.

[0094] like Fig. 9As shown, when the input screen is displayed on the touch panel 21 when the meter remaining amount is 0 or more, the terminal control unit 25 displays the input bar 222 at a position above the position on the virtual scale 221 corresponding to the meter remaining amount stored in the server storage unit 31. Next, the terminal control unit 25 moves the input bar 222 displayed at the upper position to the position on the virtual scale 221 corresponding to the meter remaining amount ( Fig. 9 In other words, when the input screen is opened, the touch panel 21 displays an animation of the input bar 222 moving from the upper position to the position on the virtual scale 221 corresponding to the meter remaining.

[0095] The upper position is, for example, a position corresponding to the maximum amount of rice that can be stored in the rice container 14, a position input at the time of the last height position input, or a position corresponding to the remaining amount of rice before the last cooking. In this embodiment, the upper position is the position of the scale "2" in the virtual scale 221. This position corresponds to the maximum amount of rice that can be stored in the rice container 14.

[0096] According to the present embodiment, a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the amount of use from the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is calculated, and the subtraction result is stored in the server storage unit 31 as a new remaining amount of rice. Therefore, if the height position is input via the touch panel 21 when replenishing rice, the remaining amount of rice in the rice container 14 is automatically updated. Thus, the remaining amount of rice in the rice container 14 can be easily managed without visually confirming the inside of the rice container 14. In addition, it is not necessary to set a component for detecting the rice in the rice container 14 in the rice cooker 1, so the increase in the number of components and the cost of the rice cooker 1 can be suppressed. Therefore, the increase in the number of components can be suppressed and the remaining amount of rice in the rice container 14 can be managed.

[0097] As the conventional rice usage amount to be subtracted from the remaining rice amount, it is considered to use the rice usage amount selected by the rice cooking start operation in the communication terminal 2. However, in this case, the rice usage amount when the rice cooking start operation is performed in the operation unit of the rice cooker 1 is not subtracted from the remaining rice amount. As a result, there is a possibility that the actual remaining rice amount in the rice container 14 and the remaining rice amount in the rice remaining management system may deviate.

[0098] On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the rice cooker 1 has a weight sensor 13 for detecting the amount of rice used. Thus, the amount of rice actually used is subtracted from the remaining amount of rice, so that the remaining amount of rice on the remaining amount of rice management system can be accurately maintained. Therefore, the remaining amount of rice in the rice container 14 can be managed more reliably.

[0099] In addition, according to the present embodiment, when inputting a height position in the communication terminal 2, a virtual scale 221 corresponding to the container scale 143 is displayed on the touch panel 21. Thus, the user can compare the container scale 143 actually provided on the rice container 14 with the virtual scale 221 displayed on the touch panel 21, and input a height position corresponding to the virtual scale 221. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the virtual scale 221 is not displayed on the touch panel 21, it is possible to easily input a height position when replenishing rice, for example.

[0100] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the input bar 222 is displayed on the touch panel 21 so as to overlap with the virtual scale 221, and the touch panel 21 receives the position of the input bar 222 on the virtual scale 221 as an input of the height position. In this configuration, the user can input the height position by reproducing the position of the upper surface of the meter on the container scale 143 through the input bar 222 on the virtual scale 221 by comparing the container scale 143 and the virtual scale 221. Therefore, compared with a configuration in which the height position is input by a method other than the input bar 222, the height position can be easily input when replenishing meters, etc.

[0101] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the lower area 223 below the input bar 222 in the touch panel 21 is displayed in white. Therefore, similarly to the case where the portion below the upper surface of the meter in the container scale 143 is blocked by the meter, the lower area 223 is blocked by white. As a result, the similarity when comparing the container scale 143 with the virtual scale 221 increases, thereby improving the operability of inputting the height position.

[0102] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the input bar 222 moves downward to a position on the virtual scale 221 corresponding to the remaining amount of meters stored in the server storage unit 31 when the display of the virtual scale 221 starts. The display (animation) of this movement allows the user to easily recognize that the input bar 222 on the virtual scale 221 corresponds to the upper surface of meters on the container scale 143.

[0103] In addition, according to the present embodiment, the remaining amount of rice is displayed as the size of the remaining amount graphic 232 corresponding to the remaining amount of rice relative to the size of the maximum amount graphic 231 corresponding to the maximum amount. Thus, for example, compared with a configuration in which the remaining amount of rice is displayed as a numerical value, the degree of reduction of rice in the rice container 14 can be visually conveyed to the user.

[0104] In addition, according to the present embodiment, when the remaining amount of rice is not stored in the server storage unit 31, the input promotion display 211 that prompts the user to input the height position is displayed on the touch panel 21. Thus, when the rice is first filled into the rice cooker 1 and the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is deleted, the user can be prompted to input the height position. Therefore, the possibility of using the remaining amount of rice management system by the user can be increased.

[0105] In addition, according to this embodiment, when the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 becomes less than the predetermined notification amount, notification is performed, so that forgetting to replenish rice can be suppressed. Therefore, the possibility of not being able to cook the desired amount of rice due to insufficient rice in the rice container 14 can be reduced.

[0106] In addition, according to the present embodiment, when the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is zero, the replenishment promotion display 241 is displayed, and when the remaining amount of rice is a negative value, the input promotion display 211 that prompts the user to input the height position is displayed. Thus, when rice is actually replenished in the rice container 14 but the height position is not input, the user can be prompted to input the height position in a timely manner without further replenishing rice. Therefore, the possibility of the user using the rice remaining amount management system can be increased.

[0107] According to the present embodiment, the remaining amount of rice is stored in the server storage unit 31. This allows the same remaining amount of rice to be referenced in a plurality of communication terminals 2, thereby improving user convenience.

[0108] In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be implemented in various other ways. For example, in the above, the remaining amount of rice is stored in the server storage unit 31, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the remaining amount of rice can also be stored in the rice cooker storage unit 16 or the terminal storage unit 23.

[0109] When the remaining amount of rice is stored in the terminal storage unit 23 or the server storage unit 31 , the touch panel 21 may accept input of the height position during the rice cooking process of the rice cooker 1 .

[0110] During the cooking operation of the rice cooker 1, the heating unit 12 is heated by electromagnetic induction, so sometimes the wireless communication (e.g., 2.4 GHz band wireless communication) around the rice cooker 1 becomes unstable. As a result, it is possible that the rice remaining amount cannot be temporarily transmitted and received in the rice cooker communication unit 17. In particular, when the rice remaining amount is stored in the rice cooker storage unit 16, it is also impossible to store the rice remaining amount input in the communication terminal 2 in the rice cooker storage unit 16 or to display the remaining amount graphic 232 on the touch panel 21.

[0111] On the other hand, when the remaining amount of rice is stored in the terminal storage unit 23 or the server storage unit 31, that is, when the remaining amount of rice is stored in a storage unit far away from the rice cooker 1, the input of the height position and the storage in the storage unit can be performed more reliably even during the cooking operation of the rice cooker 1. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0112] In addition, in the above, the server 3 has a calculation unit 32, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the calculation unit may also be provided in the rice cooker 1 or the communication terminal 2. The calculation unit is preferably provided in the same device as the storage unit for storing the remaining amount of rice. This is because when the calculation unit subtracts the amount of rice used from the remaining amount of rice, it is not necessary to obtain the remaining amount of rice via the network 4.

[0113] In addition, in the above, the control unit (server control unit 34) that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit (server storage unit 31) storing the remaining amount of rice is provided in the server 3, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may be provided in the same device as at least one of the calculation unit and the storage unit storing the remaining amount of rice.

[0114] The calculation unit, the storage unit storing the remaining amount of rice, and the control unit controlling the calculation unit and the storage unit may be provided in the same device (the server 3 in this embodiment), or may be provided in a plurality of devices in a dispersed manner. However, when they are provided in the same device, the processing ( Figure 4 Step St14) in is completed within one device, so it is advantageous.

[0115] In addition, in the above, the weight of rice detected by the weight sensor 13 is used as the amount of rice used, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The amount of rice used may not be the actual measured value of the amount of rice stored in the pot 11. For example, as the amount of rice used, the amount of rice estimated based on the temperature rise rate of the cooked food during cooking, or the amount of rice selected by the user in the operation unit of the rice cooker 1 when the cooking operation is started, can also be used. In addition, the amount of rice selected by the user when the cooking operation of the communication terminal 2 is started can be used as the amount of rice used. In this case, the usage detection unit that detects the amount of rice used for cooking is set in the communication terminal 2.

[0116] In addition, in the above, the communication terminal 2 (smartphone) is an example of the "communication terminal" in the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the rice remaining system of the present disclosure may also be a system having a rice cooker and a server 3 as an example of the "communication terminal" in the present disclosure but not having the smartphone. In this case, the "input unit" and "display unit" in the present disclosure may also be provided in the rice cooker 1 and controlled by the rice cooker control unit 18.

[0117] In addition, in the above, the touch panel 21 of the communication terminal 2 is an example of the "input unit" in the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the input unit in the present disclosure may be a touch panel or an operation button provided in the rice cooker 1.

[0118] A computer program for implementing the above-mentioned rice surplus management method may be stored in a recording medium such as the rice cooker storage unit 16, the terminal storage unit 23, or the server storage unit 31. The program may be pre-stored in the storage unit when the device having the storage unit is manufactured, or may be provided through an electrical communication line such as the Internet or recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card. The program may be executed by a processor or the like provided in the device having the storage unit storing the program or other devices.

[0119] The meter balance management system and the meter balance management method involved in the present disclosure can be implemented through the cooperation with hardware resources such as a processor, a memory, and a computer program.

[0120] The display on the touch panel 21 described in the present embodiment can be displayed by the processor provided in the communication terminal 2 executing the program stored in the terminal storage unit 23 .

[0121] By appropriately combining any of the various embodiments or variations, the effects possessed by each can be achieved. In addition, the embodiments can be combined with each other, the embodiments can be combined with each other, or the embodiments can be combined with the embodiments, and the features in different embodiments or embodiments can also be combined with each other.

[0122] The present disclosure is fully described in association with the preferred embodiments while referring to the accompanying drawings, but various deformations and modifications are obvious to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that such deformations and modifications are included in the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure according to the attached technical solutions.

[0123] Possibility of Industrial Application

[0124] The present disclosure can manage the remaining amount of rice in a rice container while suppressing an increase in the number of components, and is therefore useful as a system, a server, a method, and a program for managing the remaining amount of rice.

Claims

1. A rice remaining amount management system, comprising a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, for managing the remaining amount of rice in the rice container, wherein: The rice surplus management system has: An input unit, which is provided in the rice cooker or the communication terminal and can input the height position of the upper surface of the rice in the rice container; a storage unit that stores a meter margin corresponding to the altitude position input via the input unit; a usage amount detection unit for detecting the usage amount of rice used for cooking in the rice cooker; a calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the used amount from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit; as well as a control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit, The control unit controls the calculation unit so as to calculate a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the used amount from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit, and causes the storage unit to store the subtraction result as a new remaining amount of rice.

2. The rice surplus management system according to claim 1, wherein: A container scale indicating the height position is provided on the side wall of the meter container. The communication terminal includes a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit. When the height position is input to the communication terminal, the terminal control unit causes the display unit to display a virtual scale corresponding to the container scale. The input unit receives an input of the height position input in accordance with the virtual scale.

3. The rice surplus management system according to claim 2, wherein: The terminal control unit controls the display unit to display an input bar used for inputting the height position in an overlapping manner with the virtual scale. The input unit receives the position of the input bar on the virtual scale as input of the height position.

4. The rice surplus management system according to claim 3, wherein: The terminal control unit displays a portion of the display unit below the input bar in white.

5. The rice surplus management system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The terminal control unit causes the display unit to display that, when the virtual scale starts to be displayed, the input bar moves downward from a position above a position on the virtual scale corresponding to the remaining amount of meters stored in the storage unit to the position.

6. The rice surplus management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The communication terminal includes a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit. When the remaining amount of rice is stored in the storage unit, the terminal control unit causes the display unit to display a maximum amount graphic having a size corresponding to the maximum amount of rice stored in the rice container and a remaining amount graphic having a size corresponding to the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit in an overlapping manner.

7. The rice surplus management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The communication terminal includes a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit. When the remaining meters is not stored in the storage unit, the terminal control unit causes the display unit to display an input promotion display for promoting input of the altitude position.

8. The rice surplus management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The communication terminal includes a display unit, a notification unit, and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit, the display unit, and the notification unit. The terminal control unit causes the notification unit to perform notification when the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined notification amount.

9. The rice surplus management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The communication terminal includes a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit. The terminal control unit controls the display unit in the following manner: when the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit is zero, a replenishment promotion display is displayed to encourage the replenishment of rice into the rice container; when the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit is a negative value, an input promotion display is displayed to encourage the input of the height position.

10. The rice surplus management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The storage unit is provided in the communication terminal. The input unit receives an input of the height position during the rice cooking process of the rice cooker.

11. The rice surplus management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The rice remaining amount management system further includes a server provided with the storage unit.

12. A server capable of communicating with a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal having an input unit capable of inputting a height position of an upper surface of rice in the rice container, wherein: The server has: a storage unit storing a meter margin corresponding to the altitude position obtained from the communication terminal; a calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the amount of rice used obtained from the rice cooker or the communication terminal from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit; and a control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit, The control unit controls the calculation unit so as to calculate a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the used amount from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit, and causes the storage unit to store the subtraction result as a new remaining amount of rice.

13. A method for managing the remaining amount of rice, the method using a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker to manage the remaining amount of rice in the rice container, wherein: The rice surplus management method comprises: storing in a storage unit the remaining amount of rice corresponding to the height position inputted via an input unit capable of inputting the height position of the upper surface of rice in the rice container; detecting the usage of rice in the rice cooker for cooking; calculating a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the used amount from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit; as well as The subtraction result is stored in the storage unit as a new remaining amount of rice.

14. The rice remaining amount management method according to claim 13, wherein the rice remaining amount management method uses the rice cooker, the communication terminal having the input unit, and a server capable of communicating with the rice cooker and the communication terminal to manage the rice remaining amount in the rice container, wherein: The server includes: the storage unit; a calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit; and a control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit. the control unit causes the storage unit to store the meter remaining corresponding to the altitude position acquired from the communication terminal, The control unit causes the calculation unit to calculate a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the usage amount obtained from the rice cooker or the communication terminal from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit, The control unit causes the storage unit to store the subtraction result as a new remaining amount of rice.

15. A program for causing a terminal control unit provided in the communication terminal to execute the remaining rice management method according to claim 13 or 14.

Images