Cooking apparatus, control method thereof, control device, and computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of household appliances, and discloses a cooking device, a control method and a control device thereof, and a computer readable storage medium, which comprise a main body comprising an inner pot, a projection device arranged on the main body and higher than the inner pot, and a controller in communication connection with the projection device and used for controlling the projection device to project a corresponding water scale on the inner wall of the inner pot according to a cooking mode selected by a user. The projection light path can be obliquely projected from top to bottom to the inner wall of the inner pot. After the user selects the cooking mode, the projection device projects the water scale corresponding to the cooking mode on the inner wall of the inner pot. The water scale scale displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot is only the water scale scale corresponding to the cooking mode, and no redundant and invalid scale is displayed. The inner wall of the inner pot is visually clean and simple, the user can intuitively and quickly identify the standard water level position, manual identification of complex scales is not needed, and the difficulty of water adding operation is greatly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of household appliance technology, specifically to cooking equipment and its control methods, control devices, and computer-readable storage media. Background Technology

[0002] Cooking appliances such as rice cookers include an inner pot with a water level gauge engraved on its inner wall. This gauge guides users on how much water to add based on the function, amount of rice, and desired taste. As rice cookers offer more diverse functions and tastes, different functions require different water-to-rice ratios, resulting in different water level gauges. This leads to a dense network of water level markings on the inner pot's wall, affecting the user's experience when adding water. Furthermore, the engraved water level gauge is prone to accumulating grime during cleaning, impacting the cleanliness and aesthetics of the inner pot. Additionally, traditional water level gauge markings cannot dynamically indicate whether the water level is correct, posing a risk of overfilling or underfilling. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a cooking device and its control method, control device, and computer-readable storage medium to solve the problem of dense water level gauge lines on the inner wall of the inner pot affecting the user's experience in adding water.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a cooking apparatus, comprising: The main body, including the inner pot; A projection device is located on the main body and is higher than the inner pot; The controller is communicatively connected to the projection device and is used to control the projection device to project the corresponding water level gauge onto the inner wall of the inner pot according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

[0005] Beneficial effects: The projection device is located on the main body and higher than the inner pot, ensuring an unobstructed projection path. The projection light can be projected diagonally from top to bottom onto the inner wall of the inner pot. The controller communicates with the projection device and controls it to project the corresponding water level gauge onto the inner wall of the inner pot according to the cooking mode selected by the user. When the user selects a cooking mode, the projection device projects the water level gauge corresponding to that cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot. The water level gauge displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot only shows the water level gauge corresponding to the cooking mode, without any extra or invalid scales. The inner wall of the inner pot is visually clean and simple, allowing users to intuitively and quickly identify the standard water level position without the need for manual identification of complex scales. This greatly reduces the difficulty of adding water and is suitable for the needs of various groups such as the elderly, children, and people with poor eyesight. The humanization and ease of use of the equipment are significantly improved.

[0006] Because the projection device projects the water level gauge corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot, there is no need to use mechanical engraving, laser etching, or embossing to create fixed water level gauge markings on the inner wall of the inner pot. The inner wall of the inner pot is smooth and flat, without any grooves or uneven gaps, thus fundamentally avoiding the problem of limescale, starch, grease, and food residue accumulating and hiding. Daily cleaning only requires rinsing with water and wiping with a cloth to achieve a thorough cleaning, without the formation of stubborn scale. Long-term use can keep the inner wall of the inner pot clean and new, greatly improving the hygiene level and appearance of the equipment, and solving the problem of stubborn limescale, starch residue, and grease accumulating and turning yellow or black in the grooves of the markings in existing technologies.

[0007] When a user selects a cooking mode, the projection device projects the water level indicator corresponding to that mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot. The water level indicator displayed on the inner pot only shows the level corresponding to the cooking mode, with no extra or invalid markings. After adding rice using a measuring cup, the user adds the corresponding amount of water according to the water level indicator displayed on the inner pot. When water is added to the target level, due to the different principles of light propagation in water and air, the projected pattern at and below the target level changes (e.g., becomes blurry, distorted, or disappears), thus indicating to the user that water addition is complete. Therefore, the user receives intuitive feedback that water addition is complete, improving the user experience and accuracy. Furthermore, because the accuracy of water addition is ensured, and each cooking mode has pre-calibrated optimal water-to-rice ratio parameters, problems such as over-watering leading to a soft, sour, or overly diluted texture, and under-watering leading to undercooked, dry, or burnt food are effectively avoided. This ensures that the finished product has a uniform texture and consistent quality in every cooking session.

[0008] In one alternative embodiment, the projection device includes a spotlight comprising a water level indicator arranged with LEDs, and the controller is used to control the operation of the corresponding LEDs according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

[0009] Beneficial Effects: The water level indicator is constructed using LED lights arranged in a grid. The position and spacing of each LED are pre-set according to the standard water-to-rice ratio parameters for different cooking modes. The resulting water level indicator features neat lines and precise markings, avoiding errors in water addition accuracy caused by optical imaging deviations. This ensures high consistency and standardization of the water level indicator markings for each application, guaranteeing water addition accuracy from a hardware perspective and supporting the stability of the taste of ingredients cooked in different modes. The LED light grid design simplifies the control logic. Leveraging the instantaneous start / stop and fast response of LED lights, combined with the controller's switch-type electronic control logic, the control logic is further simplified. When the user switches cooking modes, the controller can directly and precisely control the corresponding LED lights to turn on or off via high and low level signals, instantly switching the water level indicator markings. The switching speed is fast.

[0010] In one optional implementation, the spotlight is divided into multiple modules, each module having a water level indicator made of LED strips. Each water level indicator in each module corresponds to a cooking mode, and the controller is used to control the LED lights in the corresponding module to work according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

[0011] Beneficial effects: By dividing the spotlights into multiple modules, each module contains a water level gauge formed by LED strips. Each module's water level gauge corresponds to a specific cooking mode, and the water level gauge readings for different modes are independent and do not interfere with each other. After the user selects a cooking mode, the controller controls the corresponding module to operate, precisely matching the specific water-to-rice ratio for different cooking scenarios such as standard rice cooking, mixed grain rice, low-sugar rice, porridge, and soup making. Other modules remain inactive, simplifying the control logic. Furthermore, if one module malfunctions, only that module can be repaired or replaced, reducing maintenance costs.

[0012] In one optional embodiment, the projection device includes a spotlight with multiple sets of water level markings corresponding to the cooking mode. The controller is used to control the spotlight to project the corresponding set of water level markings onto the inner wall of the inner pot according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

[0013] Beneficial effects: The spotlight has multiple water level markings corresponding to cooking modes, which can simplify the overall structure of the projection device and reduce the number of parts.

[0014] In one alternative embodiment, the main body includes a pot body and a lid body, the lid body being hinged to the pot body, and the projection device being disposed on the lid body.

[0015] Beneficial effects: The lid is hinged to the pot body, and the projection device is located on the lid. When the lid is open, the projection device is higher than the pot body, ensuring an unobstructed and seamless projection path, guaranteeing excellent projection quality. The hinged lid and pot body ensure high mechanical repeatability and positioning accuracy in each opening and closing angle and position. The lid opens at a consistently consistent angle each time water is added, maintaining a uniform projection height, angle, and position relative to the inner pot. This ensures that the water level markings are accurately projected onto the standard area of ​​the inner pot wall for every cooking session, providing precise guidance for users when adding water.

[0016] In one optional embodiment, the projection device protrudes from the inner surface of the lid, and the top of the pot body is provided with a receiving groove, which is correspondingly arranged with the projection device. After the lid is closed, the projection device is embedded in the receiving groove.

[0017] Beneficial effects: The projection device protrudes from the inner surface of the lid, and the top of the pot has a receiving groove corresponding to the projection device. When the lid is closed, the projection device is embedded in the receiving groove, with no exposed protrusions. This avoids damage to the projection device from hard impacts and squeezing when the lid is closed, while also ensuring a smooth and integrated appearance of the cooking equipment. It also ensures the airtightness of the rice cooker when the lid is closed, effectively reducing heat loss and steam overflow during cooking, improving heating efficiency, shortening cooking time, and saving energy. When the lid is closed, the projection device is completely housed inside the receiving groove of the pot, forming a semi-enclosed protective cavity. This effectively prevents moisture generated during cooking from adhering to the surface of the projection device, avoiding problems such as brightness attenuation, blurring of images, and decreased light transmittance caused by moisture adhering to the projection device. This significantly reduces the frequency of cleaning and maintenance of the projection device, ensuring that the projection brightness and clarity remain stable during long-term use, and improving the equipment's environmental tolerance and long-term reliability.

[0018] In one alternative implementation, the cooking device includes a rice cooker.

[0019] Secondly, the present invention also provides a control method for a cooking device, applied to the cooking device, the control method comprising: Get the cooking mode; The projection device is controlled to project the water level gauge corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot.

[0020] Beneficial effects: When the user selects a cooking mode, the projection device projects the water level indicator corresponding to that mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot. The water level indicator displayed on the inner pot only shows the level corresponding to the cooking mode, with no extraneous or invalid markings. The inner pot's surface is visually clean and simple, allowing users to intuitively and quickly identify the standard water level without the need for manual identification of complex markings, greatly reducing the difficulty of adding water. Because the projection device can project the water level indicator corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner pot's surface, there is no need to use mechanical engraving, laser etching, or embossing to create fixed water level markings on the inner pot's surface. The inner pot's surface is smooth and flat, without any grooves or uneven gaps, fundamentally preventing the accumulation of scale, starch, oil, and food residue. Routine cleaning requires only rinsing with water and wiping with a cloth for thorough cleaning, preventing stubborn buildup. Long-term use keeps the inner pot's surface sparkling clean, significantly improving the hygiene and appearance of the equipment. This solves the problem of stubborn limescale, starch deposits, and grease accumulating in the graduated grooves of existing technologies, causing them to turn yellow or black. When the user selects a cooking mode, the projection device projects the water level corresponding to that mode onto the inner pot's wall. The water level displayed on the inner pot only shows the level corresponding to the cooking mode, with no extra or invalid markings. After adding rice using a measuring cup, the user adds the corresponding amount of water according to the water level displayed on the inner pot. When water reaches the target level, the projected pattern at and below the target level changes due to the different propagation principles of light in water and air (e.g., blurring, distorting, or disappearing), indicating that water addition is complete. Therefore, users receive intuitive feedback when water is added, improving user experience and accuracy. Furthermore, because it ensures the accuracy of water addition for users, and the optimal water-to-rice ratio parameters are pre-calibrated for each cooking mode, it can effectively avoid problems such as mushy, sour, or too watery texture caused by adding too much water, as well as undercooked, dry, or burnt texture caused by adding too little water, thus ensuring that the finished product has a uniform taste and stable quality every time it is cooked.

[0021] Thirdly, the present invention also provides a control device for a cooking apparatus, applied to the cooking apparatus, the control device comprising: The acquisition module is used to acquire the cooking mode; The control module is used to control the projection device to project the water level gauge corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot.

[0022] Fourthly, the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for causing a computer to perform the control method of the cooking device. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cooking device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a projection device installed on the cover; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the projection device; Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram of the projection device; Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the projection device projecting the water level gauge onto the inner wall of the inner pot; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the lid when closed. Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a cooking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Inner pot; 2. Projection device; 3. Pot body; 301. Receiving groove; 4. Lid. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0028] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0030] Cooking appliances such as rice cookers include an inner pot with a water level gauge engraved on its inner wall. This gauge guides users on how much water to add based on the function, amount of rice, and desired texture. As rice cookers offer more diverse functions and textures, the required water-to-rice ratio varies, resulting in different water level gauge markings on the inner pot. This leads to a dense network of water level lines on the inner pot, affecting the user's experience when adding water. For example, rice cookers offer dozens of sub-modes, including standard cooking, quick cooking, mixed grain rice, low-sugar rice, porridge, soup, steaming, and stewing. Each mode requires drastically different water-to-rice ratios. For instance, the fine cooking mode requires a higher water volume to ensure soft and sticky rice; the quick cooking mode requires a moderate water volume for short heating times; mixed grain rice requires less water due to the low water absorption of grains; the porridge mode requires a significantly higher water volume to ensure a thick consistency; and low-sugar rice requires precise water control to achieve starch extraction. To accommodate the water-addition requirements of different cooking modes, almost all existing cooking appliances use mechanical engraving, laser etching, or embossing to create fixed water level markings on the inner wall of the cooking vessel. Multiple sets of markings correspond to different amounts of rice, different tastes, and different cooking functions, resulting in densely packed markings, poor visual clarity, and a terrible user experience. As cooking appliances continue to evolve and cooking modes increase, the corresponding water-to-rice ratio parameters also increase, leading to a significant increase in the number of markings, increments, and numerical labels that need to be engraved on the inner wall. Within the limited space of the inner wall, dozens of markings of similar thickness and spacing are densely arranged, with markings for different functions, rice amounts, and tastes overlapping, intersecting, and stacking, creating a cluttered and disorganized appearance. Ordinary users cannot quickly distinguish the markings corresponding to the current cooking mode, easily misreading the markings or selecting the wrong water level, leading to water-addition errors. For the elderly and those with poor eyesight, the dense markings further increase the difficulty of recognition.

[0031] Furthermore, the carved water level gauge is prone to accumulating scale during cleaning, affecting the cleanliness and aesthetics of the inner pot. Traditional water level gauges are physically carved with raised and recessed markings, leaving tiny grooves and gaps along the markings. During cooking, rice water, starch, grease, and food residue easily seep into these grooves, and regular wiping with a cloth and rinsing with water cannot thoroughly clean the grime. Over time, stubborn yellowing and blackening scale, starch deposits, and grease accumulate in the grooves, severely damaging the overall appearance of the inner pot and fostering bacterial growth, posing a food safety hazard. Additionally, the accumulated scale lines become blurred, further affecting subsequent water level readings.

[0032] Meanwhile, traditional water gauges cannot dynamically indicate whether the water level is sufficient, posing a risk of adding too much or too little water. The optimal water-to-rice ratio varies significantly between different cooking modes. Adding too much water will result in rice that is soft, sticky, and has a sour taste, and porridge that is too thin. Adding too little water will result in rice that is undercooked, dry, hard, or partially burnt at the bottom, and mixed grain rice that is not fully cooked, greatly reducing the consistency and quality of the finished product.

[0033] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 8 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in one aspect, a cooking device is provided, including a main body, a projection device 2, and a controller.

[0035] The main body includes an inner pot 1; a projection device 2 is located on the main body and is higher than the inner pot 1; the controller is communicatively connected to the projection device 2 and is used to control the projection device 2 to project the corresponding water level onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1 according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

[0036] In this embodiment, the projection device 2 is located on the main body and is higher than the inner pot 1, ensuring that the projection light path is unobstructed. The projection light path can be projected obliquely from top to bottom onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The controller is communicatively connected to the projection device 2 and is used to control the projection device 2 to project the corresponding water level gauge onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1 according to the cooking mode selected by the user. When the user selects a cooking mode, the projection device 2 projects the water level gauge corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The water level gauge scale displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1 only shows the water level gauge scale corresponding to the cooking mode, without any extra or invalid scale displays. The inner wall of the inner pot 1 is visually clean and simple, and the user can intuitively and quickly identify the standard water level position without the need for manual identification of complex scales, greatly reducing the difficulty of adding water and adapting to the usage needs of various groups such as the elderly, children, and people with poor eyesight. The humanization and ease of use of the equipment are significantly improved.

[0037] Because the projection device 2 can project the water level gauge corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1, there is no need to use mechanical engraving, laser etching, or embossing to create fixed water level gauge markings on the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The inner wall of the inner pot 1 is smooth and flat, without any grooves or uneven gaps, thus avoiding the problem of limescale, starch, oil, and food residue accumulating and hiding dirt from the source. Daily cleaning only requires rinsing with water and wiping with a cloth to achieve thorough cleaning, without the formation of stubborn dirt. Long-term use can keep the inner wall of the inner pot 1 clean and new, greatly improving the hygiene level and appearance of the equipment, and solving the problem of stubborn limescale, starch residue, and oil stains accumulating and turning yellow or black in the scale receiving groove 301 in the existing technology.

[0038] When a user selects a cooking mode, the projection device 2 projects the water level indicator corresponding to that mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The water level indicator displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1 only shows the water level corresponding to the cooking mode, without any extra or invalid markings. After adding rice using a measuring cup, the user adds the corresponding amount of water according to the water level indicator displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1. When the user adds water to the target level, due to the different principles of light propagation in water and air, the projected pattern at and below the target level changes, such as becoming blurry, distorted, or disappearing, thus indicating to the user that water addition is complete. Therefore, the user receives intuitive feedback that water addition is complete, improving the user experience and the accuracy of water addition. Furthermore, because the accuracy of water addition is ensured, and each cooking mode pre-calibrates the optimal water-to-rice ratio, it effectively avoids problems such as over-watering leading to a soft, sour, or overly diluted texture, and under-watering leading to undercooked, dry, or burnt food, ensuring that the finished product has a uniform texture and consistent quality in every cooking session.

[0039] Specifically, the controller has a built-in preset database that stores the standard water level scale parameters corresponding to each cooking mode. When the user selects any cooking mode, the controller quickly retrieves the corresponding scale imaging data and controls the projection device 2 to project the unique standard water level scale onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1, realizing dynamic scale switching.

[0040] In one embodiment, the projection device 2 includes a spotlight, which includes a water level indicator made of LED lights, and the controller is used to control the operation of the corresponding LED lights according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

[0041] In this embodiment, an LED array is used to form a water level gauge. The position and spacing of each LED are pre-set according to the standard water-to-rice ratio parameters for different cooking modes. The water level gauge formed by the LED array has neat lines and precise scale points, avoiding water addition accuracy errors caused by optical imaging deviations. This ensures that the water level gauge scale is highly consistent and standardized for each projection, guaranteeing water addition accuracy from a hardware perspective and supporting the stability of the taste of ingredients cooked in different cooking modes. Using an LED array to form the water level gauge simplifies the control logic. Leveraging the instantaneous start / stop and fast response speed of LEDs, combined with the controller's switch-type electronic control logic, the control logic is even simpler. When the user switches cooking modes, the controller can directly and precisely control the corresponding LED to light up or turn off via high and low level signals, instantly switching the water level gauge scale display, resulting in fast switching speeds. Furthermore, LED devices offer high stability and a long lifespan. LEDs are mature solid-state light-emitting devices, possessing characteristics such as vibration resistance, high temperature resistance, low loss, and long lifespan, making them suitable for the complex working environment of rice cookers, which involve high temperatures, humidity, and frequent opening and closing. Compared to traditional projection equipment, where the light source, lenses, and imaging modules are prone to aging, wear, and dust accumulation leading to failure, the LED-arranged water level gauge structure has no delicate and easily damaged optical parts. This significantly improves structural durability, preventing light source attenuation, scale distortion, and imaging failure even after long-term use. This effectively reduces the failure rate of cooking equipment, extends its overall lifespan, and significantly lowers after-sales maintenance costs.

[0042] Specifically, the controller controls the start and stop of the corresponding LED lights through level signals and switch signals, thereby realizing the projection display of the water level gauge in the corresponding mode.

[0043] In other alternative embodiments, the projection device 2 may integrate multiple optical lenses, with different optical lenses corresponding to different cooking modes and water level markings. When the user selects a cooking mode, the controller controls the spotlight to project the water level markings on the corresponding optical lens onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1.

[0044] In one embodiment, the spotlight is divided into multiple modules, each module having a set of water gauges arranged with LED light strips. Each water gauge in each module corresponds to a cooking mode, and the controller is used to control the operation of the LED lights in the corresponding module according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

[0045] In this embodiment, the spotlights are divided into multiple modules, each containing a water level gauge formed by LED strips. Each module's water level gauge corresponds to a specific cooking mode, and the water level gauge readings for different modes are independent and do not interfere with each other. After the user selects a cooking mode, the controller activates the corresponding module to precisely match the water-to-rice ratio for different cooking scenarios such as standard rice cooking, mixed grain rice, low-sugar rice, porridge, and soup making. Other modules remain inactive, simplifying the control logic. Furthermore, if one module malfunctions, only that module needs repair or replacement, reducing maintenance costs.

[0046] Because each module is independently arranged and imaged, the position and value of the water level gauge lines corresponding to different modes are completely independent, and there are no problems of overlapping, intersecting, or mixed scale lines. Only a single standardized water level gauge is displayed in a single operation. The projected image is clean and neat with clear scale levels, and users can intuitively identify the standard water level of the current cooking mode. This further reduces visual recognition errors and solves the problems of cluttered images, confused scales, and misjudgment of water addition caused by multiple modes sharing the same imaging area, continuously optimizing the user's visual water addition operation experience.

[0047] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the projection device 2 includes a spotlight, which has multiple sets of water level markings corresponding to the cooking mode. The controller is used to control the spotlight to project the corresponding set of water level markings onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1 according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

[0048] In this embodiment, the spotlight has multiple sets of water level markings corresponding to the cooking modes, which simplifies the overall structure of the projection device 2 and reduces the number of parts. When the user selects a cooking mode, the controller controls the spotlight to project the corresponding set of water level markings onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The water level markings displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1 only correspond to the cooking mode, without any redundant or invalid markings. The inner wall of the inner pot 1 is visually clean and simple, allowing the user to intuitively and quickly identify the standard water level position without the need for manual identification of complex markings. This greatly reduces the difficulty of adding water and is suitable for the needs of various groups such as the elderly, children, and people with poor eyesight, significantly improving the device's user-friendliness and ease of use. Simultaneously, the user adds the corresponding amount of water according to the water level markings displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1. When the user adds water to the target level, due to the different principles of light propagation in water and air, the projected pattern at and below the target level changes, such as becoming blurred, distorted, or disappearing, thus indicating to the user that water addition is complete. Therefore, the user receives intuitive feedback that water addition is complete, improving the user experience and the accuracy of water addition.

[0049] Specifically, multiple sets of water level gauge markings can be arranged side by side, with each set corresponding to a light source. Different light sources can illuminate the corresponding set of water level gauge markings onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1. Alternatively, an adjustable-angle light source can be used, which projects the water level gauge markings onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1 by illuminating different sets of water level gauge markings.

[0050] In one embodiment, the main body includes a pot body 3 and a lid 4, the lid 4 being hinged to the pot body 3, and the projection device 2 being disposed on the lid 4.

[0051] In this embodiment, the lid 4 is hinged to the pot body 3, and the projection device 2 is located on the lid 4. When the lid 4 is opened, the projection device 2 is higher than the pot body 3, ensuring an unobstructed and seamless projection path, thus guaranteeing the projection effect. The hinged connection between the lid 4 and the pot body 3 ensures high mechanical repeatability and positioning accuracy in each opening and closing angle and position. The lid 4 opens at a consistently consistent angle each time water is added, ensuring that the projection height, projection angle, and relative position of the projection device 2 to the inner pot remain uniform. This guarantees that the water level markings are accurately projected onto the standard area of ​​the inner wall of the inner pot 1 for each cooking session, with consistent marking positions, thereby accurately guiding the user in adding water.

[0052] In addition, the lid 4 itself has reserved space for the installation of electrical control circuits such as the main control circuit, temperature control circuit, and switch circuit of the rice cooker. By placing the projection device 2 on the lid 4, the original wiring channel and sealing protection structure of the lid 4 can be directly reused. There is no need to make additional holes in the pot body 3 for wiring, thus avoiding the problems of reduced waterproofing, moisture-proofing, and sealing caused by opening holes in the pot body 3.

[0053] In one specific embodiment, when the user opens the lid to add water, the lid 4 opens and the projection device 2 is exposed and works simultaneously, projecting a water level indicator to guide the addition of water; after the water is added, the lid is closed for cooking, and the projection device 2 is stored away and put into hibernation as the lid 4 closes.

[0054] In one specific embodiment, one side of the lid 4 is hinged to the pot body 3. The lid 4 has a snap-fit ​​structure on the side opposite to the hinge point. When the lid 4 is closed, it is fixed to the pot body 3 by the snap-fit ​​structure. The projection device 2 is located near the edge of the lid 4 and between the hinge point and the snap-fit ​​structure. When the user adds rice or water to the inner pot 1, it usually adds it from the side opposite to the hinge point. By placing the projection device 2 near the edge of the lid 4 and between the hinge point and the snap-fit ​​structure, the user can see the water level gauge projected by the projection device 2 on the inner wall of the inner pot 1 when facing the cooking device and adding rice or water to the inner pot 1, which makes it easier for the user to operate.

[0055] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 7The projection device 2 protrudes from the inner surface of the cover 4. The top of the pot body 3 is provided with a receiving groove 301, which is correspondingly set with the projection device 2. After the cover 4 is closed, the projection device 2 is embedded in the receiving groove 301.

[0056] In this embodiment, the projection device 2 protrudes from the inner surface of the lid 4, and the top of the pot body 3 is provided with a receiving groove 301, which is correspondingly set with the projection device 2. After the lid 4 is closed, the projection device 2 is embedded in the receiving groove 301, with no exposed protruding structure. This avoids hard impact and squeezing damage to the projection device 2 when the lid 4 is closed, and also ensures the flat and integrated appearance of the cooking equipment. It also ensures the airtightness of the rice cooker after the lid is closed, effectively reducing heat loss and steam overflow during cooking, improving heating efficiency, shortening cooking time, and saving energy. When the lid is closed, the projection device 2 is completely housed inside the receiving groove 301 of the pot body 3. The receiving groove 301 forms a semi-closed protective cavity, which can effectively isolate the water vapor generated during cooking from adhering to the surface of the projection device 2. This avoids problems such as brightness attenuation, image blurring, and reduced light transmittance caused by water vapor adhering to the projection device 2. It can significantly reduce the cleaning and maintenance frequency of the projection device 2, ensure that the projection brightness and clarity remain stable during long-term use, and improve the environmental tolerance and long-term reliability of the equipment.

[0057] In one specific embodiment, the projection device 2 protrudes slightly from the inner surface of the cover 4 by 3mm-5mm, and a rectangular clearance accommodating groove 301 is opened at the corresponding position of the opening at the top of the pot body 3. The length, width and depth of the accommodating groove 301 are perfectly matched with the protruding structure of the projection device 2.

[0058] In one embodiment, the cooking device includes a rice cooker.

[0059] When the user selects a cooking mode, the projection device 2 projects the water level indicator corresponding to that mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The water level indicator displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1 only shows the level corresponding to the cooking mode, without any unnecessary or invalid markings. The inner wall of the inner pot 1 appears clean and simple, allowing the user to intuitively and quickly identify the standard water level without the need for manual identification of complex markings, greatly reducing the difficulty of adding water. Because the projection device 2 can project the water level indicator corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1, there is no need to use mechanical engraving, laser etching, or embossing to create fixed water level markings on the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The inner wall of the inner pot 1 is smooth and flat, without any grooves or uneven gaps, thus fundamentally avoiding the accumulation of scale, starch, oil, and food residue. Routine cleaning requires only rinsing with water and wiping with a cloth for thorough cleaning, preventing stubborn buildup. Long-term use keeps the inner pot 1's inner wall clean and new, greatly improving the hygiene level and appearance of the equipment. This solves the problem of stubborn limescale, starch residue, and grease accumulating in the graduated grooves of existing technologies, causing them to turn yellow or black. When the user selects a cooking mode, the projection device 2 projects the water level corresponding to that mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The water level displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1 only shows the water level corresponding to the cooking mode, without any extra or invalid markings. After adding rice using a measuring cup, the user adds the corresponding amount of water according to the water level displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1. When the user adds water to the target level, due to the different principles of light propagation in water and air, the projected pattern at and below the target level changes, such as becoming blurry, distorted, or disappearing, thus indicating to the user that water addition is complete. Therefore, the user receives intuitive feedback when adding water, improving the user experience and accuracy. Furthermore, because it ensures the accuracy of water addition for users, and the optimal water-to-rice ratio parameters are pre-calibrated for each cooking mode, it can effectively avoid problems such as mushy, sour, or too watery texture caused by adding too much water, as well as undercooked, dry, or burnt texture caused by adding too little water, thus ensuring that the finished product has a uniform taste and stable quality every time it is cooked.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in a second aspect, a control method for a cooking apparatus is provided, applied to the cooking apparatus provided in the above embodiments, such as... Figure 8 As shown, the control methods include: Get the cooking mode; The control projection device 2 projects the water level corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1.

[0061] In this embodiment, after the user selects a cooking mode, the system obtains the cooking mode and controls the projection device 2 to project the water level gauge corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The water level gauge displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1 only shows the water level corresponding to the cooking mode, without any redundant or invalid scales. The inner wall of the inner pot 1 appears clean and simple, allowing the user to intuitively and quickly identify the standard water level position without the need for manual identification of complex scales, greatly reducing the difficulty of adding water. Since the projection device 2 can project the water level gauge corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1, there is no need to use mechanical engraving, laser etching, embossing, or other methods to create fixed water level gauge scales on the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The inner wall of the inner pot 1 is smooth and flat, without any grooves or uneven gaps, thus fundamentally avoiding the problem of scale, starch, oil, and food residue accumulating and hiding dirt. Routine cleaning requires only rinsing with water and wiping with a cloth for thorough cleaning, preventing stubborn buildup. Long-term use keeps the inner pot 1's inner wall clean and new, greatly improving the hygiene level and appearance of the equipment. This solves the problem of stubborn limescale, starch residue, and grease accumulating in the graduated grooves of existing technologies, causing them to turn yellow or black. When the user selects a cooking mode, the projection device 2 projects the water level corresponding to that mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The water level displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1 only shows the water level corresponding to the cooking mode, without any extra or invalid markings. After adding rice using a measuring cup, the user adds the corresponding amount of water according to the water level displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1. When the user adds water to the target level, due to the different principles of light propagation in water and air, the projected pattern at and below the target level changes, such as becoming blurry, distorted, or disappearing, thus indicating to the user that water addition is complete. Therefore, the user receives intuitive feedback when adding water, improving the user experience and accuracy. Furthermore, because it ensures the accuracy of water addition for users, and the optimal water-to-rice ratio parameters are pre-calibrated for each cooking mode, it can effectively avoid problems such as mushy, sour, or too watery texture caused by adding too much water, as well as undercooked, dry, or burnt texture caused by adding too little water, thus ensuring that the finished product has a uniform taste and stable quality every time it is cooked.

[0062] Specifically, users can select cooking modes through various methods such as touch screen selection, physical button selection, voice control selection, and remote selection via mobile APP. The cooking device can collect mode commands from all directions.

[0063] Specifically, the control method also includes the following process: after water is added, the cover 4 is closed, and the cooking device automatically enters the cooking process.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in a third aspect, a control device for a cooking apparatus is provided, which is used to implement the above embodiments and preferred embodiments, and will not be repeated hereafter. As used below, the term "module" can be a combination of software and / or hardware that implements a predetermined function. Although the apparatus described in the following embodiments is preferably implemented in software, hardware implementation, or a combination of software and hardware, is also possible and contemplated.

[0065] The control device provided in this embodiment is applied to the cooking equipment provided in the above embodiment. The control device includes: The acquisition module is used to acquire the cooking mode; The control module is used to control the projection device 2 to project the water level gauge corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1.

[0066] The control device of this cooking equipment, after the user selects a cooking mode, acquires the cooking mode and controls the projection device 2 to project the water level gauge corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The water level gauge displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1 only shows the water level corresponding to the cooking mode, without any extra or invalid scales. The inner wall of the inner pot 1 is visually clean and simple, allowing the user to intuitively and quickly identify the standard water level position without the need for manual identification of complex scales, greatly reducing the difficulty of adding water. Because the projection device 2 can project the water level gauge corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1, there is no need to use mechanical engraving, laser etching, embossing, or other methods to create fixed water level gauge scales on the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The inner wall of the inner pot 1 is smooth and flat, without any grooves or uneven gaps, fundamentally avoiding the problem of scale, starch, oil stains, and food residue accumulating and hiding dirt. Routine cleaning requires only rinsing with water and wiping with a cloth for thorough cleaning, preventing stubborn buildup. Long-term use keeps the inner pot 1's inner wall clean and new, greatly improving the hygiene level and appearance of the equipment. This solves the problem of stubborn limescale, starch residue, and grease accumulating in the graduated grooves of existing technologies, causing them to turn yellow or black. When the user selects a cooking mode, the projection device 2 projects the water level corresponding to that mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot 1. The water level displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1 only shows the water level corresponding to the cooking mode, without any extra or invalid markings. After adding rice using a measuring cup, the user adds the corresponding amount of water according to the water level displayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 1. When the user adds water to the target level, due to the different principles of light propagation in water and air, the projected pattern at and below the target level changes, such as becoming blurry, distorted, or disappearing, thus indicating to the user that water addition is complete. Therefore, the user receives intuitive feedback when adding water, improving the user experience and accuracy. Furthermore, because it ensures the accuracy of water addition for users, and the optimal water-to-rice ratio parameters are pre-calibrated for each cooking mode, it can effectively avoid problems such as mushy, sour, or too watery texture caused by adding too much water, as well as undercooked, dry, or burnt texture caused by adding too little water, thus ensuring that the finished product has a uniform taste and stable quality every time it is cooked.

[0067] In this embodiment, the control device is presented in the form of a functional unit. Here, a unit refers to an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) circuit, a processor and memory that execute one or more software or fixed programs, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0068] This invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The methods described above according to embodiments of the invention can be implemented in hardware or firmware, or implemented as computer code that can be recorded on a storage medium, or implemented as computer code downloaded via a network and originally stored on a remote storage medium or a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and then stored on a local storage medium. Thus, the methods described herein can be processed by software stored on a storage medium using a general-purpose computer, a dedicated processor, or programmable or dedicated hardware. The storage medium can be a magnetic disk, optical disk, read-only memory, random access memory, flash memory, hard disk, or solid-state drive, etc.; further, the storage medium can also include combinations of the above types of memory. It is understood that computers, processors, microprocessor controllers, or programmable hardware include storage components capable of storing or receiving software or computer code, which, when accessed and executed by the computer, processor, or hardware, implements the methods shown in the above embodiments.

[0069] Although embodiments of the invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by this application.

Claims

1. A cooking device, characterized in that, include: The main body includes the inner pot (1); Projection device (2) is located on the main body and is higher than the inner pot (1); The controller is connected in communication with the projection device (2) and is used to control the projection device (2) to project the corresponding water level onto the inner wall of the inner pot (1) according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

2. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The projection device (2) includes a spotlight, which includes a water gauge made of LED lights, and the controller is used to control the corresponding LED lights to work according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

3. The cooking apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spotlight is divided into multiple modules, and each module has a water level indicator made of LED strips. Each water level indicator in each module corresponds to a cooking mode. The controller is used to control the LED lights in the corresponding module according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

4. The cooking apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The projection device (2) includes a spotlight, which has multiple sets of water level markings corresponding to the cooking mode. The controller is used to control the spotlight to project the corresponding set of water level markings onto the inner wall of the inner pot (1) according to the cooking mode selected by the user.

5. The cooking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The main body includes a pot body (3) and a lid (4), the lid (4) being hinged to the pot body (3), and the projection device (2) being disposed on the lid (4).

6. The cooking apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The projection device (2) protrudes from the inner surface of the cover (4). The top of the pot body (3) is provided with a receiving groove (301). The receiving groove (301) is correspondingly arranged with the projection device (2). After the cover (4) is closed, the projection device (2) is embedded in the receiving groove (301).

7. The cooking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 6, characterized in that, The cooking equipment includes a rice cooker.

8. A method for controlling a cooking device, characterized in that, The control method, applied to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprises: Get the cooking mode; The projection device (2) is controlled to project the water level corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot (1).

9. A control device for a cooking apparatus, characterized in that, The control device, applied to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprises: The acquisition module is used to acquire the cooking mode; The control module is used to control the projection device (2) to project the water level corresponding to the cooking mode onto the inner wall of the inner pot (1).

10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions for causing the computer to perform the control method of the cooking apparatus of claim 8.

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