Rice cooker, rice cooking system, information guide method on rice cooker

Abstract

To provide a rice cooker capable of stabilizing a communication state of a communication board.SOLUTION: A rice cooker of the present invention includes: a housing; a pot stored in the housing for storing a material to be heated; a lid body disposed above the housing for covering an opening of the pot; a heating part disposed in the housing for heating the pot; a communication part for transmitting / receiving remote control information through a network; a communication board having a communication part; and a control part configured so as to output a control signal on the basis of the remote control information. The communication board is disposed in the lid body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a rice cooker, a rice cooking system, and a method for providing information relating to a rice cooker. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a rice cooker that communicates with a wireless communication terminal via short-range wireless communication. The rice cooker in Patent Document 1 includes a pot, a heating device, a menu selection unit, a start instruction unit, a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the wireless communication terminal, a transmission unit, a received information decoding unit, and a control unit. When the wireless communication terminal is brought close to the wireless communication unit, wireless information is received from the wireless communication terminal. When the received information decoding unit receives menu selection information via the wireless communication unit, the control unit controls the heating device based on the menu selection information instead of the specific rice cooking menu selected by the menu selection unit, and cooks the food in the pot. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-215556 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, in addition to rice cookers that only perform short-distance wireless communication with information terminal devices as disclosed in Patent Document 1, rice cookers have been developed that can perform remote wireless communication with information terminal devices via relay devices such as servers and wireless LAN masters using data communication networks or wireless LANs. However, when installing a communication board in a rice cooker, problems arise such as the heat generated by the communication board itself and the strong radio waves emitted by the communication board. As a result, the communication state may become unstable.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a rice cooker that can stabilize the communication state of a communication board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The rice cooker of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a pot contained in the housing for containing an item to be heated, a lid disposed above the housing and covering the opening of the pot, a heating unit disposed within the housing for heating the pot, a communication unit for sending and receiving remote control information via a network, a communication board having the communication unit, and a control unit configured to output a control signal based on the remote control information, the communication board being disposed within the lid.

[0007] In addition, the rice cooker of the present disclosure comprises a housing, a pot housed in the housing for housing an object to be heated, a lid located above the housing and covering the opening of the pot, a heating unit located within the housing for heating the pot, a communication unit for sending and receiving remote control information via a network, a communication board having the communication unit, and a control unit configured to output a control signal based on the remote control information, the communication board being located inside the housing and behind the pot. Effect of the Invention

[0008] In the rice cooker according to the present disclosure, since the communication board is disposed inside the lid, the communication board is prevented from being affected by the heat of the heater that heats the pot or by noise from the heater, resulting in a stable communication state.

[0009] In addition, in the rice cooker according to the present disclosure, the communication board is disposed inside the housing and behind the pot, so fluctuations in the communication board caused by opening and closing the lid can be suppressed, resulting in a stable communication state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Configuration diagram of a rice cooking system in embodiment 1 [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4]A display example on the information terminal device when the rice cooker in the first embodiment provides information about the brand of rice cooked by the rice cooker. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a top view showing a state in which parts including a surface panel of an outer lid of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment are removed. [Figure 6] A1-A1 line cross section of Figure 3 [Figure 7] A sequence diagram for explaining an operation of transmitting identification information of a rice cooker to an information terminal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] A sequence diagram for explaining the operation of displaying information guidance on the display unit of the information terminal device according to the brand of rice cooked by the rice cooker in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to a second embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rice cooker according to the second embodiment when the lid is open. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rice cooker according to the second embodiment, seen from the rear; [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a rice cooker according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] 11 is a bottom view of a rice cooker according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] A2-A2 line cross section of Figure 10 [Figure 15] Sectional view of line B2-B2 in Figure 10 [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a rice cooker according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (The knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time when the inventors came up with the idea of ​​the present disclosure, there were rice cookers that only performed short-distance wireless communication with an information terminal device. With this rice cooker, a desired rice cooking menu could be selected from the information terminal device, reducing the hassle of selecting a rice cooking menu.

[0012] However, since the rice cooker and the information terminal device can only communicate wirelessly over short distances, there is a problem that the rice cooker and the information terminal device cannot communicate with each other, for example, when the user is in a place where short-range communication with the rice cooker is not possible or when the user is out and about.

[0013] In recent years, rice cookers have been developed that can remotely communicate wirelessly with information terminal devices using data communications networks or wireless LANs (Local Area Networks) via relay devices such as servers or wireless LAN routers. However, when a communications board is installed in a rice cooker, the communications board generates a lot of heat and the radio waves are strong, making it necessary to suppress the temperature rise of the communications board and stabilize the communication conditions.

[0014] If the communication board were installed in the lid, the board would move when the lid was opened and closed, causing vibration and making the communication unstable. In addition, the board would be exposed to the heat of the steam coil and lid coil in close proximity, causing a large rise in temperature. Furthermore, multiple signal lines coming out of the same place would cause the wiring to become mixed together, causing signal interference and making it impossible to obtain wireless LAN information.

[0015] If the communication board were installed in the housing, it would be affected by the heat and noise from the pan and bottom IH (Induction Heating), causing problems such as the communication board not functioning properly.Furthermore, there is also the problem that the communication board would be significantly heated by the heat from the pan and bottom IH.

[0016] The inventors have discovered such a problem, and in order to solve this problem, they have come to form the subject of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a rice cooker that can stabilize the communication state of the communication board.

[0017] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or duplicate explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming more redundant than necessary and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0018] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0019] In the following, for the sake of convenience, terms indicating directions such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", and "width" may be used assuming a normal use state. However, these terms are not intended to limit the use state of the rice cooker of the present disclosure.

[0020] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0021] [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Configuration of rice cooking system] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a rice cooking system according to the first embodiment.

[0022] The rice cooking system 1000 shown in Figure 1 includes an information terminal device 200 that can be remotely controlled from a mobile phone, smartphone, or the like, a rice cooker 100 that is controlled by the information terminal device 200, and a relay device 300 that is positioned between the information terminal device 200 and the rice cooker 100 to relay communications and process information.

[0023] The relay device 300 may be a base station of a communication network for the information terminal device 200, a server 400 that synchronizes the information terminal device 200 with the rice cooker 100, or a home server or wireless LAN base station installed in a home where the rice cooker 100 is used.

[0024] The information terminal device 200 and the relay device 300 are connected by wireless communication such as a telephone network, a data communication network, etc. The relay device 300 and the rice cooker 100 are connected by wireless communication such as a telephone network, a data network, etc. In addition, if the relay device 300 is installed in a home, they are connected by a wireless communication LAN, a wired communication LAN, Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), etc.

[0025] The number of information terminal devices 200 is not limited to one, but for example, the rice cooker 100 can be remotely controlled from multiple information terminal devices owned by each family member. In the following embodiment, a single information terminal device 200 will be described, but in the case of multiple devices, the other information terminal devices also have a common configuration with the illustrated information terminal device 200 and can operate in the same way.

[0026] The configuration of the information terminal device 200 will be described.

[0027] The information terminal device 200 includes a wireless communication unit 201 and a control unit 202. The wireless communication unit 201 transmits remote control information of the rice cooker 100 to the relay device 300, and receives status information and notification signals of the rice cooker 100 and the relay device 300. The transmitted remote control information is received by the rice cooker 100 via the relay device 300. The wireless communication unit 201 obtains the status information and notification signals of the rice cooker 100 from the rice cooker 100 and the relay device 300.

[0028] In addition, information terminal device 200 includes an input unit 203 through which a user inputs remote control information, and a notification unit 204 that displays status information and notification signals of rice cooker 100 and relay device 300 and notifies by sound. Control unit 202 cooperates with wireless communication unit 201, input unit 203, and notification unit 204 to control the overall operation of information terminal device 200.

[0029] [1-1-2. Rice cooker configuration] Next, the configuration of the rice cooker 100 will be described.

[0030] The rice cooker 100 is divided into a remote control unit 110 that communicates with the relay device 300 and a rice cooking unit 120 that has a rice cooking function. The remote control unit 110 is turned on and off by a wireless LAN button, which will be described later. The power on and off of the remote control unit 110 and the rice cooking unit 120 can be controlled independently, so the power of the remote control unit 110 can be turned off when cooking rice without remote control. In addition, when waiting for remote control, the power of the rice cooking unit 120 can be turned off, and the power of the rice cooking unit 120 can be turned on by the remote control unit 110 only when cooking rice by remote control. In this way, power control of the rice cooker 100 makes it possible to save power. Of course, the power of the remote control unit 110 and the rice cooking unit 120 may be turned on or off simultaneously. In addition, the remote control unit 110 may be configured as an adapter that can be installed on the rice cooking unit 120 after it has been installed, or the remote control unit 110 and the rice cooking unit 120 may not be clearly separated, but may be integrated into the rice cooker 100.

[0031] First, the configuration of the remote control unit 110 will be described.

[0032] The remote control unit 110 includes a communication section 111 and a remote control power supply section 114 .

[0033] The communication unit 111 includes a transmission unit 112 that transmits status information and a notification signal of the rice cooker 100 to the relay device 300, and a reception unit 113 that receives remote control information from the information terminal device 200 through the relay device 300 and receives remote control information from the server 400 through the relay device 300. The communication unit 111 is disposed on a communication board 61, which will be described later. The communication board 61 is disposed inside the lid body 50, which will be described later. The status information and the notification signal of the rice cooker 100 are obtained from the rice cooking unit 120 and transmitted from the communication unit 111, and then transmitted to the server 400 or the information terminal device 200 through the relay device 300. On the other hand, the received remote control information is sent to the rice cooking unit 120.

[0034] The remote control power supply section 114 is a power supply section of the remote control unit 110, and supplies power to the communication section 111 and the signal processing section 115. In order for the rice cooker 100 to receive remote control information from the information terminal device 200 (i.e., to be in a standby on state for remote control), it is necessary that power is supplied to the remote control unit 110 by the remote control power supply section 114. Conversely, if it is not desired to remotely control the rice cooker 100 from the information terminal device 200, the remote control unit 110 can be turned off by the remote control power supply section 114.

[0035] The remote control unit 110 may include a timer unit 116. The timer unit 116 can count time. This allows the remote control unit 110 to combine the transmitted and received signals with time information from the timer unit 116 and perform signal processing in the signal processing unit 115.

[0036] Next, the configuration of the rice cooking unit 120 will be described.

[0037] The rice cooking unit 120 includes an appliance control unit 121 and an appliance power supply unit 122. The appliance control unit 121 receives power from the appliance power supply unit 122. The appliance control unit 121 is an electric circuit configured with the lid body side control board 60 and the main body side control board 18 described later, and includes a memory unit 126. It controls the operation of each of the components such as the driving unit 123, the operation unit 124, and the notification unit 125. The driving unit 123 is a drive circuit of the main body side heating unit 15 described later. The operation unit 124 is, for example, an electric circuit of the operation unit 64. The notification unit 125 is, for example, a buzzer, and is switched on and off by a control signal from the lid body side control board 60. The rice cooking unit 120 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6.

[0038] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the rice cooker in the first embodiment as seen from diagonally above. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the rice cooker in the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a top view showing a state in which parts including a surface panel of an outer lid of the rice cooker in the first embodiment have been removed. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A1-A1 in Fig. 3.

[0039] In the first embodiment, the lower left side in FIG. 2 is the front, and the upper right side in FIG. 2 is the rear.

[0040] The rice cooker 100 in the first embodiment includes a main body 10 and a lid 50.

[0041] Main body 10 includes housing 11, pan 14, main body heating section 15, pan temperature detection section 16, a memory section (a component corresponding to memory section 126 shown in FIG. 1), and main body control board 18.

[0042] Housing 11 has pot accommodating section 12 with a housing opening at the top. Housing 11 is shaped like a cylinder with a bottom. Housing 11 is provided with hook button 13, and by pressing hook button 13, a locking portion that locks housing 11, which is biased in a direction to open relative to main body 10, to main body 10 is released and housing 11 rotates about hinge portion 74, which will be described later, and pot accommodating section 12 of main body 10 is opened.

[0043] Pot 14 is a container for accommodating an object to be heated such as rice, water, etc. Pot 14 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and is configured so as to be able to be accommodated in pot accommodating portion 12 of housing 11.

[0044] Body-side heating section 15 heats pot 14. Body-side heating section 15 is arranged on the bottom and sides of pot accommodating section 12. In this embodiment, body-side heating section 15 is a wound coil and is of the induction heating type. Body-side heating section 15 may be of a type other than the induction heating type, and may be, for example, a microcomputer heater.

[0045] Pan temperature detection unit 16 detects the temperature of pan 14. Pan temperature detection unit 16 is provided at the center of the bottom of pan accommodating unit 12 and in contact with the bottom of pan 14. In the present embodiment, pan temperature detection unit 16 is a thermistor.

[0046] The memory unit (a component corresponding to memory unit 126 shown in FIG. 1) stores multiple rice cooking sequences. The rice cooking sequence referred to here is a procedure for cooking rice in which the power supply time, heating temperature, heating time, heating output, etc. are predetermined for each of the four main steps, namely, the preheating step, the temperature increasing step, the boiling maintenance step, and the steaming step, which are performed in sequence. Each rice cooking sequence corresponds to each of the multiple rice cooking courses. The memory unit also stores the rice cooking sequence and remote control information sent from the server 400. The memory unit is configured using the memory of a microcomputer, and the microcomputer is mounted on the top surface of the lid body side control board 60 in FIG. 6 of this embodiment.

[0047] The main body side control board 18 controls the main body side heating unit 15, the pan temperature detection unit 16, the pan bottom sensor, the IGBT temperature sensor, and the AC voltage measurement circuit. The main body side control board 18 is disposed inside the housing 11. Components are mounted on both sides of the main body side control board 18. For example, an inverter circuit component for converting commercial power into high frequency power and supplying it to the main body side heating unit 15 is mounted on the mounting surface. The inverter circuit component has an IGBT (semiconductor element) that performs high frequency switching to supply high frequency power, a diode bridge that rectifies AC current, a capacitor that filters high frequency components, a resonance capacitor, and the like. The main body side control board 18 has a first mode in which a control signal is output based on remote control information transmitted from the information terminal device 200, and a second mode in which a control signal is output not based on remote control information, and is switched between the first mode and the second mode by a remote button described later. The main body side control board 18 is provided at the rear inside the main body. The main body side control board 18 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape and is disposed so as to extend in the vertical direction. A heat sink is attached to the lower end of the main body side control board 18 for cooling electronic components such as IGBTs provided on the main body side control board 18. The heat sink is made of, for example, aluminum.

[0048] Pan temperature detection unit 16 is provided in pan accommodating unit 12 and detects the temperature of pan 14.

[0049] The lid 50 covers the opening of the housing so as to be freely opened and closed. The lid 50 includes an outer lid 51, a lid heating plate 73, and a hinge portion 74.

[0050] The outer lid 51 includes an outer lid main body 52 and a surface panel 62 .

[0051] The outer lid body 52 includes a display unit 53, a steam cylinder 54, a lid temperature detection unit 55, a steam supply unit 56, a steam coil temperature detection unit 57, a pressure detection unit 58, a lid side heating unit 59, a lid side control board 60, and a communication board 61. The outer lid body 52 is configured to be able to seal the opening of the housing.

[0052] The display unit 53 is provided in a recess 65 of the outer lid main body 52. ​​The display unit 53 is configured with an LCD. The recess 65 will be described later.

[0053] The steam bottle 54 communicates with the space within the pot 14 housed inside the main body, and releases steam generated from that space to the outside.

[0054] Lid temperature detection unit 55 detects the temperature of steam in pot 14. In the present embodiment, lid temperature detection unit 55 is a thermistor.

[0055] The steam supply unit 56 is provided within the outer lid body 52 and supplies steam heated by a steam coil into the pot 14.

[0056] The steam coil temperature detection unit 57 detects the temperature of the steam coil. The steam coil temperature detection unit 57 is disposed in a steam sensor storage unit provided in the outer lid 51. The steam coil temperature detection unit 57 is, for example, a steam sensor, which detects the temperature of the steam coil and transmits it to the control unit.

[0057] Pressure detection unit 58 detects the pressure inside pot 14. Pressure detection unit 58 is disposed in a pressure detection unit housing provided in outer lid 51. Pressure detection unit 58 is, for example, a pressure sensor, and detects the pressure inside pot 14 and transmits it to the control unit.

[0058] The lid-side heating section 59 heats the food to be cooked contained in the pot 14. The lid-side heating section 59 is composed of an induction heating coil, and is disposed in a lid-side heating section storage section provided in the outer lid 51.

[0059] The lid side control board 60 is composed of an LCD (display unit 53) and its drive circuit, an LED lighting circuit, an RFID communication module, an audio IC, a circuit for measuring the steam temperature inside the pot, a circuit for preventing the lid from overheating, a circuit for detecting the opening and closing of the lid and overflow, an electrostatic touch IC, and a microcomputer that controls the main body side control board 18, all mounted on a printed wiring board.

[0060] The lid body side control board 60 has a first mode in which it outputs a control signal based on remote control information sent from the information terminal device 200, and a second mode in which it outputs a control signal not based on remote control information, and can be switched between the first and second modes by a remote button described below. The lid body side control board 60 is disposed inside the lid body 50. A microcomputer in the lid body side control board 60 outputs a drive signal for the IGBT mounted on the main body side control board 18 based on a signal from the pot temperature detector on the main body side.

[0061] The surface panel 62 is attached to the outer lid body 52. ​​The surface panel 62 has a light-transmitting area 63 that transmits light, and transmits light from a first light source unit and a second light source unit described below. An operation unit 64 is provided in the light-transmitting area 63. The operation unit 64 accepts instructions from the user to start cooking rice and to select a cooking menu, etc. The operation unit 64 is, for example, a capacitive switch.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, the outer lid 51 has a recess 65 on the upper surface of the outer lid main body 52. ​​The opening of the recess 65 is closed by the front panel 62. The recess 65 has a bottom surface facing the display unit 53. The recess 65 houses a display board 66 facing the display unit 53. The display board 66 has a mounting surface on which components are mounted. In the first embodiment, the mounting surface is the upper surface. The recess 65 also houses a first light source unit and a second light source unit mounted on the upper surface of the display board 66. The first light source unit is provided with a first light source that emits light and a first light guide member. The second light source unit is provided with a second light source that emits light and a second light guide member. The first light source and the second light source are, for example, constituted by LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes).

[0063] The outer lid 51 further has a recess 65 on the upper surface of the outer lid main body 52. ​​In the first embodiment, this recess 65 is disposed at the upper left of the recess 65 in which the display unit 53 is provided. The opening of the recess 65 is closed by the communication board 61. The communication board 61 has a mounting surface, and a wireless LAN communication unit 67 and a Bluetooth communication unit 68 are provided on the mounting surface. The wireless LAN communication unit 67 and the Bluetooth communication unit 68 are configured with the same antenna. Although the antenna is not particularly shown, it is configured with a copper foil pattern in the communication board 61. The communication IC configuring the signal processing unit 115 in FIG. 1 outputs a signal to this antenna, or processes a received signal, thereby realizing wireless LAN communication or Bluetooth communication. In this way, communication radio waves are output from the communication board 61, and it is considered that noise is likely to occur in the lead wire due to the pattern adjacent to the communication board 61.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 6, inside the housing 11, the main body side control board 18 is provided in the height direction behind the pan 14. The display board 66 and the main body side control board 18 are electrically connected by a signal line. This signal line is referred to as the first signal line 69. The first signal line 69 extending from the main body side control board 18 is connected to the display board 66 using a connector. This connector is referred to as the first connector 71. In this embodiment 1, the first connector 71 is disposed on the right side of the display unit 53. The display board 66 and the communication board 61 are further electrically connected by a signal line. This signal line is referred to as the second signal line 70. The second signal line 70 extending from the communication board 61 is connected to the display board 66 using a connector. This connector is referred to as the second connector 72. In this embodiment 1, the second connector 72 is disposed on the left side of the display unit 53. That is, the first connector 71 and the second connector 72 are disposed symmetrically with respect to the display unit 53. In this embodiment 1, the first connector 71 and the second connector 72 are arranged symmetrically across the display unit 53, but the first connector 71 and the second connector 72 may also be arranged in the vertical direction across the display unit 53.

[0065] The lid heating plate 73 is configured to be detachable from the outer lid 51. The lid heating plate 73 is heated by the lid body side heating part 59, and evaporates dew adhering to the lid heating plate 73, reducing the possibility of dew falling onto the food to be cooked.

[0066] Hinge portion 74 is disposed at the rear and upper portion of housing 11, and rotatably attaches outer lid 51. When hook button 13 is pressed, lid body 50 is disengaged from the upper front portion of main body 10, and rotates about hinge portion 74 so as to open the top opening of main body 10.

[0067] After purchasing the rice cooker 100, the user can link the information terminal device 200 and the rice cooker 100 via a network, and then switch the wireless LAN on and off on the screen of the information terminal device 200. In this case, the wireless LAN is configured to be switched on and off through the information terminal device in a software manner, using electrical circuits such as the signal processing unit 115 or the device control unit 121. In the present embodiment, it has been described that the wireless LAN can be switched on and off on the screen of the information terminal device 200, but the wireless LAN may be switched on and off not on the screen of the information terminal device 200 but, for example, by a changeover switch provided on the rice cooker. In this case, the changeover switch may be a switch-type button or an electrostatic touch button. In addition, the information terminal device 200 may be configured to be configured to be able to switch the remote control on and off on the screen. By switching the remote control on and off, it is possible to select whether or not the rice cooker 100 is remotely operated from the information terminal device 200.

[0068] When the wireless LAN is turned off, the remote control is also turned off. When the wireless LAN is turned on, whether to turn the remote control on or off can be specified by the information terminal device 200. A remote button for switching the remote control on and off may be provided on the housing 11 or the outer cover 51. The remote button may be, for example, a capacitive switch or a mechanical switch, and may be provided independently of the display unit 53.

[0069] [1-2. Operation] [1-2-1. Operation of the rice cooking system] Regarding the operation of the rice cooking system 1000, a detailed explanation of the operation similar to that of a conventional rice cooker will be omitted.

[0070] [1-2-2. Communication Operation] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining an operation of transmitting identification information of the rice cooker to an information terminal device in the first embodiment.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 7, when a user inserts the power cord into an outlet and commercial power is supplied to the rice cooker 100, the Bluetooth communication unit 68 transmits identification information of the rice cooker 100 to the user's information terminal device 200 (step S11). The information terminal device 200 displays the identification information on the display unit 53 (step S12). The user's information terminal device 200 here refers to an information terminal device carried by a user who is within Bluetooth communication distance of the rice cooker 100 and has the Bluetooth communication function of the information terminal device turned on. The identification information of the rice cooker 100 here refers to the product number, serial number, etc.

[0072] Here, unlike the flow in Figure 7, the user can use the wireless communication function to upload the identification information of the rice cooker 100 to the server 400 by following the instructions on the screen displayed on the display unit 53 of the information terminal device 200.

[0073] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 7, if the user does not upload the identification information to the server 400 and continues cooking rice even though the identification information is displayed on the display unit 53 of the information terminal device 200, when keeping warm is completed, the wireless LAN communication unit 67 transmits warming completion information to the server 400 (step S13). The server 400 checks whether the information terminal device 200 and the rice cooker 100 are linked (step S14), and if they are not linked, the server 400 transmits the identification information of the rice cooker 100 to the information terminal device 200 (step S15), and the information terminal device 200 displays the identification information of the rice cooker 100 on the display unit (step S16).

[0074] In the present embodiment 1, the Bluetooth communication unit 68 transmits the identification information of the rice cooker 100 to the information terminal device 200, and the information terminal device 200 displays the identification information on the display unit 53, but identification means capable of providing the identification information may be provided on the housing 11 or the lid 50 of the rice cooker 100, or on printed matter enclosed with the rice cooker 100 when it is purchased, and the user may scan the identification means using the camera function of the information terminal device 200 to cause the identification information to be displayed on the display unit 53 of the information terminal device 200. In this case, the identification means may be, for example, a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark), etc.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the Bluetooth communication unit 68 transmits the identification information to the information terminal device 200, but the wireless LAN communication unit 67 may transmit the identification information to the information terminal device 200.

[0076] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining an operation of displaying information guidance on the display unit of the information terminal device according to the brand of rice cooked by the rice cooker in the first embodiment.

[0077] When the identification information of the rice cooker 100 is uploaded to the server 400 using the wireless communication function, the memory unit stores the executed rice cooking information each time rice cooking is completed. As shown in Fig. 8, the transmission unit 112 transmits the executed rice cooking information to the server 400 each time rice cooking is completed (step S21). The server 400 stores the transmitted rice cooking information (step S22). The rice cooking information here refers to the rice cooking course, the brand of cooked rice, the number of servings of rice cooked, etc.

[0078] Server 400 stores information on over 50 types of rice produced all over Japan. The cooked rice brand information transmitted from transmitter 112 of rice cooker 100 is stored in server 400, and which brand of rice was cooked among the previously stored brand information is stored, and a correlation is calculated (step S23).

[0079] The information associated with the correlation calculated in the server 400 is transmitted to the information terminal device 200 (step S24). The information terminal device 200 outputs the information associated with the correlation calculated in the server 400 on the display unit 53 based on the information associated with the correlation calculated in the server 400 (step S25). Note that, although an example in which information based on the calculated correlation is transmitted to the information terminal device 200 has been disclosed in FIG. 8, the information based on the calculated correlation may be transmitted to the rice cooker 100 and displayed on the rice cooker 100.

[0080] FIG. 4 is a display example on the information terminal device side when the rice cooker in the first embodiment provides information on the brand of rice cooked. As shown in a display example 80 on the information terminal device side in FIG. 4, the percentage of the brands of rice that have been cooked among the information on 50 or more brands of rice produced throughout the country is displayed as "your brand domination rate". In addition, according to this percentage, a message is displayed as in a display example 81 on the information terminal device side in FIG. 4. For example, if the percentage is 0 or more and less than 30, a message such as "Do your best!!" is displayed; if the percentage is 30 or more and less than 60, a message such as "Keep it up!!" is displayed; if the percentage is 60 or more and less than 90, a message such as "Nice!!" is displayed; if the percentage is 90 or more and less than 100, a message such as "Master rice!!" is displayed. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned display method is described, but this is merely an example, and any display method is possible as long as the information is displayed using information linked to the correlation calculated in the server 400. For example, in this embodiment, out of the information on over 50 brands of rice produced all over the country, the brands of rice that have been cooked are displayed as percentages and quantified, but they may also be displayed as a meter like a gauge. Specifically, the change in the numerical value is shown in a columnar graph.

[0081] As shown in display example 82 on the information terminal device side in Figure 4, a map of Japan is displayed under the title "Japan National Brand Map," along with information on the brands of rice produced throughout the country. The map of Japan is divided into blocks for each region, and when a region that one wishes to enlarge is clicked, the display unit of the information terminal device transitions to a screen as shown in display example 83 on the information terminal device side in Figure 4. In the enlarged region, a rice mark is displayed as an icon indicating the brand of rice produced in that region. When one clicks on the rice mark for which one wishes to view details, more detailed information on that brand of rice (for example, sweetness, stickiness, hardness) is displayed, and if one wishes to purchase the rice, one can click the "Purchase on EC site" button provided below to be linked to an external EC site.

[0082] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the rice cooker 100 comprises a housing 11, a pot 14 that is housed in the housing 11 and contains an object to be heated, a lid 50 that is arranged above the housing 11 and covers the opening of the pot 14, a main body heating section 15 (an example of a heating section in the present disclosure) that is arranged inside the housing 11 and heats the pot 14, a communication section 111 that transmits and receives remote control information via a network, a communication board 61 that has the communication section 111, and a control section (e.g., a signal processing section 115 or an equipment control section 121) configured to output a control signal based on the remote control information, and the communication board 61 is arranged within the lid 50.

[0083] This makes the communication board 61 less susceptible to the heat and noise of the pot 14 and the bottom IH, and improves the stability of communication even when radio waves are transmitted and received during IH operation. Also, higher radio wave receiving sensitivity can be achieved than when the communication board 61 is located inside the housing 11.

[0084] In addition, in this embodiment, the rice cooker 100 includes a display board 66 (an example of the first board of the present disclosure) having a display unit 53, a main body side control board 18 (an example of the second board of the present disclosure) having a switching element that drives the heating unit, a first signal line 69 electrically connecting the first board and the second board, a second signal line 70 electrically connecting the first board and the communication board 61, a first connector 71 connecting the first signal line 69 to the first board, and a second connector 72 connecting the second signal line 70 to the first board, wherein the first connector 71 is arranged on one side in the left-right direction with respect to the display unit 53 when the rice cooker 100 is viewed from above, and the second connector 72 is arranged on the other side in the left-right direction with respect to the display unit 53.

[0085] This reduces the possibility of signal interference and makes it possible to obtain wireless LAN information.

[0086] In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit in the rice cooker 100 (for example, the signal processing unit 115 or the appliance control unit 121) has a first mode in which it outputs a control signal based on remote control information, and a second mode in which it outputs a control signal not based on remote control information.

[0087] This allows the rice cooker 100 to have two modes: a mode that does not allow remote control and a mode that allows remote control, and when the user does not want to control the rice cooker remotely, the rice cooker 100 can be switched to the mode that does not allow remote control, reducing the possibility of unintended remote control from outside. This also enables power saving.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, rice cooker 100 includes input unit 203 that is provided on at least one of housing 11 and lid 50 and receives an on / off switch for the network connection. Input unit 203 may be a physical switch provided on lid 50 or main body 10, or may be displayed on display unit 53. Alternatively, when input unit 203 receives an on / off switch via information terminal device 200, it may be configured in software form using electric circuits such as signal processing unit 115 or device control unit 121.

[0089] This allows the rice cooker 100 to have two different modes: a mode in which the rice cooker 100 is capable of wireless communication, and a mode in which the rice cooker 100 is not capable of wireless communication.

[0090] In addition, in this embodiment, the rice cooking system 1000 comprises a rice cooker 100, an information terminal device 200 capable of communicating with the rice cooker 100 via a network, and a server 400 capable of communicating with the rice cooker 100 and the information terminal device 200 via the network, and if the rice cooker 100 cooks rice before the identification information of the rice cooker 100 and the identification information of the information terminal device 200 are associated and registered in the server 400, the rice cooker 100 or the server 400 sends a signal to the information terminal device 200 to display the identification information of the rice cooker 100 when the rice cooker 100 finishes keeping the rice warm.

[0091] This makes it possible to provide the user with an opportunity to upload the identification information of the rice cooker 100 to the relay device 300 again if the user has cooked rice without registering the identification information of the rice cooker 100 to the server 400. It is also possible to improve the probability that the identification information of the rice cooker 100 will be uploaded to the server 400.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information guidance method for rice cooker 100 is a method for providing information about rice cooker 100 capable of communicating with information terminal device 200 via a network, and includes the steps of storing rice brand information each time rice cooker 100 cooks rice, calculating the correlation between the brand information of the cooked rice and all brand information registered in advance, and displaying the calculated information on rice cooker 100 or information terminal device 200.

[0093] This allows the information terminal device 200 to display content according to the user's rice cooking status, which can stimulate the user's interest in rice and its producing area. Also, by displaying the achievement rate, it is possible to increase the user's motivation to cook rice by brand using various brands.

[0094] (Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 16. The main difference between the rice cooking system 1000 of this embodiment and the first embodiment is the arrangement of the communication board 61 of the rice cooker 100 in the rice cooking system 1000. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0095] [2-1. Configuration] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the rice cooker 100 in the second embodiment. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the rice cooker in the second embodiment when the lid is open. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the rice cooker in the second embodiment when viewed from the back. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the rice cooker in the second embodiment. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A2-A2 in Fig. 10. Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the rice cooker in the second embodiment.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 14, and Fig. 16, the rice cooker 100 according to the second embodiment is provided with a display unit 20 on the upper surface of the outer lid 51. The display unit 20 is a screen for the user to select a rice cooking course, etc. The display unit 20 is, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel. The display unit 20 also serves as a part of the operation unit 64 described later, and accepts instructions from the user such as the selection of a rice cooking menu and the setting of a reservation time. The display unit 20 is provided with a wireless LAN button, and when the user turns the wireless LAN button on and off, the communication unit 111 communicates with the server 400 via the network, or the communication unit 111 does not communicate with the server 400 via the network.

[0097] Furthermore, in the rice cooker 100 according to the second embodiment, a water container housing section is provided in the housing 11, and the water container housing section houses a water container 21. The water container 21 is a cylindrical container with a bottom for holding water.

[0098] Figure 13 is a bottom view of rice cooker 100 in embodiment 2. The left side in Figure 13 is the front side of rice cooker 100, and the right side in Figure 13 is the rear side of rice cooker 100, that is, the hinge part 74 side.

[0099] 13, exhaust port 22 and intake port 23 are provided on the bottom surface of housing 11. Exhaust port 22 is provided in two places on the bottom surface of rice cooker 100, one in front of the center and the other on the back side of the center. Intake port 23 is provided on the bottom surface of rice cooker 100 further back than the two exhaust ports 22.

[0100] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B2-B2 in FIG.

[0101] 15, cooling fan 24 is disposed inside housing 11, at the rear of pot housing section 12, i.e., behind pot housing section 12, and directly above air intake 23. Cooling fan 24 is disposed below the heat sink, and the heat sink is cooled by the operation of cooling fan 24. Cooling fan 24 has a blade-shaped fan.

[0102] The communication board 61 is provided inside the housing 11, behind the pot 14, and near the exhaust port 22.

[0103] [2-2. Operation] When the rice cooker 100 in the second embodiment is operated, the blade-shaped fan of the cooling fan 24 rotates, and cooling air is sent to the main body control board 18 and the communication board 61. The cooling air that has suppressed the temperature rise of the main body control board 18 and the communication board 61 is exhausted from the exhaust port 22.

[0104] [2-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, since the communication board 61 is disposed on the main body 10 side, the position of the communication board 61 can be prevented from changing due to opening and closing of the lid 50, compared to when the communication board 61 is disposed on the lid 50. In addition, the communication board 61 can be prevented from receiving a physical shock due to opening and closing of the lid 50. Therefore, fluctuations in the communication state due to opening and closing of the lid can be avoided, and the stability of communication is improved.

[0105] In this embodiment, the communication board 61 is disposed on the main body 10 side and away from the lid coil, so it is less susceptible to the effects of heat. Also, since the communication board 61 is disposed away from the steam coil provided in the lid, it is less susceptible to the effects of heat from the steam coil. Therefore, the effects of heat on communication can be suppressed, and the stability of communication can be improved.

[0106] Moreover, the communication board 61 is disposed on the air passage of the cooling fan 24. Therefore, the influence of heat on communication can be suppressed.

[0107] Moreover, the communication board 61 can be cooled by the common cooling fan 24 in the same manner as the main body side control board 18. Therefore, the influence of heat on communication can be suppressed with a simple configuration.

[0108] In this embodiment, the rice cooker 100 may have a first mode in which a control signal is output based on remote control information, and a second mode in which a control signal is output not based on remote control information. This allows the user to select whether or not to remotely control the rice cooker 100 according to preference, improving convenience. When executing the second mode, the control unit may maintain the network connection or may disconnect the network connection.

[0109] Also in this embodiment, rice cooker 100 may have an input unit that receives switching on / off of the network connection, thereby allowing the user to arbitrarily disconnect the network connection.

[0110] Also in this embodiment, the rice cooker 100 may have identification information. If the rice cooker 100 cooks rice before the information terminal device 200 is associated with the identification information and registered in the server 400, the rice cooker 100 or the server 400 may transmit a signal to the information terminal device 200 to display the identification information when the rice cooker 100 finishes keeping the rice warm. This can promote coupling between the rice cooker 100 and the information terminal device 200.

[0111] Also in this embodiment, information about the rice cooker 100 may be provided. For example, a step of storing rice brand information each time the rice cooker 100 cooks rice, a step of calculating a correlation between the brand information of the cooked rice and the overall brand information registered in advance, and a step of displaying the calculated information on the rice cooker 100 or the information terminal device 200 may be followed, and an achievement map of the brands of rice cooked by the rice cooker 100 of this embodiment may be displayed on the information terminal device 200. This allows the information terminal device 200 to display content according to the user's rice cooking status, and can stimulate the user's interest in rice and its producing area. Also, by displaying the achievement rate, it is possible to increase the motivation to cook rice by brand using various brands.

[0112] (Other embodiments) As described above, the first and second embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first and second embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0113] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0114] The present disclosure is applicable to rice cookers having a communication function. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to pressure rice cookers, fully automatic rice cookers, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 10. Main Unit 11. Cabinet 12 Pot storage section 13 Hook button 14. Pot 15 Main body heating section 16 Pot temperature detector 18 Main unit control board 20 Display section 21 Water container 22 Exhaust port 23 Air Intake 24 Cooling fan 50 Lid 51 Outer lid 52 Outer lid body 53 Display section 54 Steam cylinder 55 Lid temperature detector 56 Steam supply section 57 Steam coil temperature detector 58 Pressure detection unit 59 Lid side heating section 60 Lid side control board 61 Communication Board 62 Surface Panel 63 Light transmission area 64 Operation section 65 Recess 66 Display board 67 Wireless LAN communication section 68 Bluetooth Communication Department 69 First signal line 70 Second signal line 71 First Connector 72 Second Connector 73 Lid heating plate 74 Hinge part 80, 81, 82, 83 Example of display on information terminal device 100 Rice Cooker 110 Remote Control Unit 111 Communications Department 112 Transmitter 113 Receiving unit 114 Remote control power supply unit 115 Signal Processing Section 116 Timing section 120 Rice Cooking Unit 121 Equipment control section 122 Equipment power supply section 123 Driving Department 124 Operation section 125 Information Department 126 Storage section 200 Information terminal equipment 201 Wireless Communication Department 202 Control section 203 Input section 204 Information Department 300 Repeater 400 Servers 1000 Rice Cooking System

Claims

1. A housing and A pan housed in the housing and housing an object to be heated; A lid body that is disposed above the housing and covers an opening of the pot; A heating unit disposed within the housing for heating the pan; a communication unit for transmitting and receiving remote control information through a network; A communication board having the communication unit; a control unit configured to output a control signal based on the remote control information, The communication board is disposed within the lid.

2. A first substrate having a display unit; a second substrate having a switching element for driving the heating unit; a first signal line electrically connecting the first substrate and the second substrate; a second signal line electrically connecting the first board and the communication board; a first connector that connects the first signal line and the first substrate; a second connector that connects the second signal line and the first board; the first connector is disposed on one side of the display unit in a left-right direction, The second connector is disposed on the other side in the left-right direction with respect to the display unit. The rice cooker according to claim 1.

3. A housing and A pan housed in the housing and housing an object to be heated; A lid body that is disposed above the housing and covers an opening of the pot; A heating unit disposed within the housing for heating the pan; a communication unit for transmitting and receiving remote control information through a network; A communication board having the communication unit; a control unit configured to output a control signal based on the remote control information, The communication board is disposed inside the housing and behind the pot.

4. The control unit is a first mode for outputting a control signal based on the remote control information; The rice cooker according to claim 1 , further comprising a second mode in which a control signal is outputted not based on the remote control information.

5. The rice cooker according to claim 1 , further comprising an input unit provided on at least one of the housing and the lid for receiving an input for switching on and off a network connection.

6. A rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, An information terminal device capable of communicating with the rice cooker through a network; a server capable of communicating with the rice cooker and the information terminal device via a network, When the rice cooker cooks rice before the identification information of the rice cooker and the identification information of the information terminal device are associated with each other and registered in the server, The rice cooker or the server transmits a signal to the information terminal device to display the identification information of the rice cooker when the rice cooker finishes keeping the rice warm.

7. A method for providing information about a rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, capable of communicating with an information terminal device via a network, comprising: A step of storing rice brand information each time the rice cooker cooks rice; A step of calculating a correlation between the brand information of the cooked rice and all brand information registered in advance; and displaying the calculated information on the rice cooker or the information terminal device.

Images