Heating cooker

Abstract

To provide a heating cooker which improves the operability of a user.SOLUTION: The heating cooker includes: a top plate; a heating unit; a first operation unit and a second operation unit for receiving an operation for cooking; a first display unit for displaying in relation to an operation of the first operation unit; a second display unit for displaying in relation to an operation of the second operation unit; and a control unit. The first display unit and the second display unit each have a first display state and a second display state different from the first display state. The control unit is configured to alternately switch each of the first display unit and the second display unit between the first display state and the second display state in a predetermined cycle. When the display states of the first display unit and the second display unit are in synchronization with each other, the control unit is configured to bring the first display unit into the first display state regardless of the predetermined cycle when the first operation unit receives the operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking appliance. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a cooking device that controls a plurality of blinking displays to synchronize the blinking displays when there are a plurality of blinking displays with the same cycle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an induction heating device that quickly synchronizes the blinking without flickering when there are a plurality of blinking displays with the same cycle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4407562 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When there are multiple synchronized blinking displays, when one of the blinking locations changes, there may be no difference between the display before and after the change due to synchronization. In this case, even if the blinking location changes in response to the user's operation, the user of the cooking appliance may not be able to recognize the change in the blinking location. Therefore, when a user uses such a cooking appliance, the user's operability may be reduced.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a cooking appliance that improves user operability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A cooking device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a top plate, a heating unit provided below the top plate, a first operation unit and a second operation unit that accept operations for cooking using the heating unit, a first display unit that provides a display corresponding to an operation of the first operation unit, and a second display unit that provides a display corresponding to an operation of the second operation unit, and a control unit, wherein the first display unit and the second display unit each have a first display state and a second display state different from the first display state, and the control unit is configured to alternately switch the first display unit between the first display state and the second display state at a predetermined period and alternately switch the second display unit between the first display state and the second display state at a predetermined period, and when the display states of the first display unit and the second display unit are synchronized, when the first operation unit accepts an operation, the control unit is configured to set the first display unit to the first display state regardless of the predetermined period. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a cooking device with improved operability for the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] Block diagram of a cooking device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an upper operation panel of a cooking device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a side operation panel of a cooking device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] Graph showing an example of transition of a blinking region of a display unit of a cooking device according to an embodiment [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing a switching process of a cooking device according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the configuration described below is merely an example of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment. The technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are possible depending on the design, etc., even if it is other than these embodiments, as long as it does not deviate from the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure.

[0010] Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such changes and modifications should be understood to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.

[0011] The cooking device according to the present disclosure includes a top plate, a heating unit provided below the top plate, a first operation unit and a second operation unit, a first display unit and a second display unit, and a control unit. The first operation unit and the second operation unit accept operations for cooking using the heating unit. The first display unit displays a display corresponding to an operation of the first operation unit. The second display unit displays a display corresponding to an operation of the second operation unit. The first display unit and the second display unit each have a first display state and a second display state different from the first display state. The first display state indicates, for example, a lit state. The second display state indicates, for example, an unlit state.

[0012] The control unit is configured to alternately switch the first display unit between a first display state and a second display state at a predetermined cycle. The control unit is also configured to alternately switch the second display unit between the first display state and the second display state at a predetermined cycle. When the display states of the first display unit and the second display unit are synchronized, if the first operation unit accepts an operation, the control unit is configured to set the first display unit to the first display state regardless of the predetermined cycle.

[0013] According to such a configuration, when a user operates the first operation unit, the control unit switches the first display unit to the first display state regardless of the predetermined cycle of switching the display state, even if the control unit controls the first display unit and the second display unit to be synchronized. The user can visually confirm that the operation of the first operation unit has been accepted. The user can also understand that the operation of the first operation unit has been accepted. Therefore, according to the cooking device according to the present disclosure, operability can be improved.

[0014] (Embodiment) [composition] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a cooking device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the cooking device 1 includes a housing 2, a top plate 3, heating coils 4A to 4C, a heating unit 5, an upper operation panel 6, a side operation panel 7, and a control device 8.

[0015] Housing 2 has therein heating coils 4A to 4C, a heating unit 5, and a control device 8. Housing 2 has a top plate 3 on its upper surface. Housing 2 also has a side operation panel 7 on its side surface.

[0016] The top plate 3 is a mounting portion on which a container can be placed. The container is an example of a heating target that is heated through one of the heating coils 4A to 4C. The top plate 3 is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 2. The top plate 3 is made of a material, such as glass, through which the magnetic field generated by the heating coils 4A to 4C can pass.

[0017] The heating coils 4A to 4C are an example of a heating unit that heats a container. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the heating coils 4A to 4C, they will be collectively referred to as the heating coil 4. The heating coil 4 is disposed below the top plate 3. The heating coil 4 generates an induction magnetic field when a high-frequency current is supplied. The heating coil 4 heats the bottom surface of a container disposed on the top plate 3, etc., with the magnetic field, and can thereby heat the object to be cooked contained in the container. In this embodiment, the heating unit performs induction heating through each of the heating coils 4A to 4C, but is not limited thereto. For example, at least one of the heating units may be configured to heat the object to be heated placed above another heating device, such as a radiant heater or a halogen heater, through the other heating device.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the cooking device according to this embodiment has three heating coils 4A to 4C, and is therefore capable of simultaneously heating three objects to be heated.

[0019] The heating unit 5 is a so-called heating section for grilling. The heating unit 5 is configured so as to be able to be pulled out from the front of the housing 2. The heating unit 5 is configured so as to be able to allow a user to access the inside by pulling it out from the housing 2. The heating unit 5 has, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped interior, and is configured so as to be able to accommodate an object to be cooked inside. The object to be cooked includes, for example, ingredients such as fish.

[0020] The top operation panel 6 is provided on the top plate 3. The top operation panel 6 is an example of an input / output interface device. A user of the cooking appliance 1 can use the cooking appliance 1 by operating the top operation panel 6. The top operation panel 6 has a power operation unit 9, operation units 10A-10C, and display units 11A-11C. Details of the power operation unit 9, operation units 10A-10C, and display units 11A-11C will be described later.

[0021] The side operation panel 7 is provided on the front surface of the housing 2. The side operation panel 7 is an example of an input / output interface device. The side operation panel 7 is configured to be able to be housed in the housing 2. The side operation panel 7 has a side operation unit 12 and a side display unit 13. Details of the side operation unit 12 and the side display unit 13 will be described later.

[0022] The control device 8 is, for example, a computer, and includes an arithmetic circuit and a storage device. The control device 8 is an example of a control unit of the cooking device 1 according to the present disclosure.

[0023] The arithmetic circuit controls the overall operation of the cooking device 1. The arithmetic circuit may be either a circuit in which hardware resources and software work together to realize a predetermined function, or a circuit in which a dedicated hardware circuit is used to realize a predetermined function.

[0024] As an example of the former, the arithmetic circuit includes a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or MPU that executes a program to realize a predetermined process or function. The arithmetic circuit is configured to be able to communicate with a storage device. The arithmetic circuit reads out and executes an arithmetic program or the like stored in the storage device to realize various functions in the control device 8. As an example of the latter, the arithmetic circuit includes an FPGA or an ASIC. As can be understood from the above, the arithmetic circuit can be realized using a semiconductor integrated circuit such as a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, an FPGA, a DSP, or an ASIC.

[0025] The storage device is a storage medium that can store various information. The information includes programs and data. For example, the storage device stores an arithmetic program for implementing various functions according to the present embodiment. The storage device is implemented, for example, by a volatile or non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a DRAM, an SRAM, or a flash memory, an SSD, an HDD, or other storage devices, or an appropriate combination of these.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the connections of the above mentioned components and the control device 8.

[0027] The control device 8 is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the power supply operation unit 9, the operation units 10A to 10C, the display units 11A to 11C, the side operation unit 12, the side display unit 13, and the inverter circuits 14A to 14C. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the operation units 10A to 10C, they will be collectively referred to as the operation unit 10. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the display units 11A to 11C, they will be collectively referred to as the display unit 11.

[0028] The control device 8 controls the operations of the heating coils 4A to 4C via the inverter circuits 14A to 14C.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the top operation panel 6 of the cooking appliance 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the top operation panel 6 has a power operation section 9, operation sections 10A to 10C, and display sections 11A to 11C.

[0030] The power supply operation unit 9 has a function of accepting an operation from a user and switching the power supply of the cooking appliance 1 on and off. An example of the power supply operation unit 9 is a switch. When the user presses the power supply operation unit 9, the control device 8 switches the power supply of the cooking appliance 1 on and off.

[0031] The operation unit 10A has a function of accepting an operation from a user and switching the operation of the heating coil 4A. An example of the operation unit 10A is a switch. In this embodiment, the operation unit 10A has a first selection button 15A and a second selection button 16A. In this embodiment, the operation unit 10A further has, but is not limited to, a first button 17A and a second button 18A. The first button 17A and the second button 18A may be provided separately from the operation unit 10A.

[0032] The display unit 11A has a function of displaying information in response to an operation of the operation unit 10A by a user. One example of the display unit 11A is a display. The display unit 11A may display information in response to an operation of a device other than the operation unit 10A by a user, such as a display showing the state of the cooking device 1. The display unit 11A can display, for example, the heating power of the heating coil 4A, the remaining heating time, etc.

[0033] The display unit 11A of the cooking device 1 according to this embodiment has an area capable of displaying "heating", "deep-frying", "grilling", and "boiling water". The control device 8 can, for example, light an LED disposed inside the display unit 11A to light up the characters such as "heating" on the display unit 11A. The control device 8 is also configured to be able to turn off the characters such as "heating" displayed on the display unit 11A by turning off the LED. In addition, on the display unit 11A, "boiling water" is represented by a kettle mark. In this embodiment, being on is an example of a first display state. Being off is an example of a second display state.

[0034] The first selection button 15A and the second selection button 16A indicate buttons that can change the operation mode of the heating coil 4A by receiving a user's operation. In this embodiment, the control device 8 has a plurality of operation modes for the heating coil 4A, each of which corresponds to a plurality of cooking menus. In this embodiment, the plurality of cooking menus include "heating", "frying", "grilling", and "boiling water". The cooking menu may include menus other than the above menus.

[0035] When the control device 8 detects that the first selection button 15A has been pressed, it first causes the "heating" area on the display unit 11A to flash by alternately switching between on and off at a predetermined cycle. After that, every time the control device 8 detects that the first selection button 15A has been pressed, it switches the flashing areas in the order of "heating," "frying," "grilling," "boiling water," and "heating." When the control device 8 detects that the second selection button 16 has been pressed, it switches the flashing areas in the opposite order to when the first selection button 15A is pressed.

[0036] The first button 17A indicates a button that accepts a predetermined operation by the user regarding the heating coil 4A. The first button 17A indicates, for example, a button that can put the heating coil 4A into an operable state. When the control device 8 detects that the user has pressed the first button 17A, it can change the display of the display unit 11A and transition to a state in which an operation regarding the heating coil 4A can be accepted.

[0037] When the control device 8 detects that the first button 17A has been pressed while any of the above-mentioned cooking menus are being selected, i.e., while the "heating" area or the like is flashing, it decides to operate the heating coil 4A in the operating mode corresponding to the selected cooking menu.

[0038] The second button 18A indicates a button that accepts an operation for setting a timer that automatically stops the heating coil 4A. For example, after the heating coil 4A starts operating, the user can set a timer for the heating coil 4A by pressing the second button 18A.

[0039] Operation unit 10B and display unit 11B, and operation unit 10C and display unit 11C are configured similarly to operation unit 10A and display unit 11A. Operation units 10A to 10C are examples of a first operation unit and a second operation unit, respectively. Display units 11A to 11C are examples of a first display unit and a second display unit, respectively.

[0040] In this embodiment, the control device 8 has operation modes for the heating coil 4B corresponding to "heating" and "cooking rice", respectively. The control device 8 has operation modes for the heating coil 4C similar to those for the heating coil 4A. When the control device 8 detects that the first or second selection button 15B, 16B on the operation unit 10B has been pressed, it switches the blinking area on the display unit 11B between "heating" and "cooking rice".

[0041] In this way, the control device 8 can alternately switch at least a partial area of ​​the display unit 11 between a plurality of display states at a predetermined cycle.

[0042] In this embodiment, when there are blinking areas in two or more of the multiple display units 11A to 11C, the control unit 8 is configured to synchronize the blinking. For example, when the user selects a cooking menu for each of the heating coil 4A and the heating coil 4C, the control unit 8 can make "heating" blink in the display unit 11A and "deep-frying" blink in the display unit 11C. The control unit 8 can make the "heating" area of ​​the display unit 11A and the "deep-frying" area of ​​the display unit 11C blink in a synchronized manner. By configuring in this way, even if there are blinking displays in the areas of two of the display units 11A to 11C, the blinking displays do not blink randomly but blink synchronously. By controlling in this way, the appearance quality of the heating cooker 1 can be improved.

[0043] 4 is a schematic diagram of the side operation panel 7 of the cooking appliance 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the side operation panel 7 has a side operation section 12 and a side display section 13.

[0044] The side operation unit 12 has a function of receiving an operation from the user and switching the operation of the heating unit 5. An example of the side operation unit 12 is a switch. By pressing the switch of the side operation unit 12, the user can perform operations such as turning on and off the power of the heating unit 5 and switching the cooking menu when operating the heating unit 5.

[0045] The side display unit 13 has a function of displaying information in response to a user's operation of the side operation unit 12. An example of the side display unit 13 is a display. The side display unit 13 may display information in response to a user's operation other than that of the side operation unit 12, such as a display showing the state of the cooking appliance 1.

[0046] In the cooking device 1 according to the present embodiment, the control device 8 operates the heating unit 5 in response to a user's operation of the side operation unit 12. When the control device 8 operates the heating unit 5, it changes the display of the side display unit 13 to notify the user that the heating unit 5 is operating and its operating state.

[0047] Furthermore, in the cooking device 1 according to this embodiment, when the control device 8 operates the heating unit 5, it lights up a predetermined area 19 (hereinafter also referred to as the "grill area" where appropriate) provided on the upper operation panel 6 shown in Fig. 3. In this embodiment, the grill area 19 is represented by a fish mark. When the heating unit 5 is operating, the control device 8 lights up the grill area 19, thereby being able to notify the user that the heating unit 5 is operating.

[0048] In this way, according to the cooking device 1 of the present embodiment, the user can visually confirm and understand whether the heating unit 5 is operating or not without looking at the side operation unit 12 that is provided on the side surface of the housing 2 and can be housed in the housing 2. Therefore, according to the cooking device 1, the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0049] The control device 8 may light up the grill area 19 on the top operation panel 6 even when the heating unit 5 is not in operation. For example, the control device 8 may light up the grill area 19 when the temperature inside the heating unit 5 is high. By configuring in this way, the cooking device 1 can alert the user when the temperature inside the heating unit 5 is high even after the operation of the heating unit 5 has ended.

[0050] [Operation] The following describes a switching process for switching the blinking of the menu displayed on the display unit 11A. Note that the display unit 11A is just an example. The following description can also be applied to a switching process for the display state of the display unit 11B and / or the display unit 11C.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of the transition of the blinking area of ​​the display unit 11A of the cooking device 1 according to the present embodiment. In the graphs shown in FIG. 5, graph (a) shows the display state of the display unit 11B. Graph (b) shows the display state of the "heating" area in the display unit 11A. Graph (c) shows the display state of the "deep-frying" area in the display unit 11A. Graph (d) shows the display state of the "grilling" area in the display unit 11A. Graph (e) shows the display state of the "water boiling" area in the display unit 11A. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis shows time. In each graph, "ON" shows a lit state, and "OFF" shows an unlit state. In this disclosure, the control device 8 blinking a predetermined area of ​​the display unit 11 is also referred to as blinking a predetermined menu.

[0052] Each graph shown in Fig. 5 indicates that the display state of at least some areas of display unit 11A and display unit 11B is in a blinking state, that is, the display state is switched alternately between on and off at a predetermined cycle. Also, each graph indicates that the display state of areas other than the blinking areas of display unit 11A and display unit 11B is switched off. Thus, in cooking device 1 according to the present embodiment, control device 8 alternately switches at least some areas of display unit 11 between on and off at a predetermined cycle.

[0053] 5, in this embodiment, the control device 8 can control switching between on and off so that the display state of the display unit 11A and the display state of the display unit 11B are synchronized. The control device 8 can also control the display state of the display unit 11C in the same manner.

[0054] As shown in graph (a) of Fig. 5, the control device 8 causes the display unit 11B, for example the "heating" area, to blink between on and off in a predetermined cycle. In the present embodiment, the predetermined cycle is configured so that the on period and the off period are equal, but is not limited thereto. The on period may have a predetermined duty ratio with respect to the predetermined cycle.

[0055] 5, it is assumed that the first selection button 15A of the operation unit 10A is pressed at each of times t1, t2, and t3. As shown in graph (b), the control device 8 causes the "heating" area of ​​the display unit 11A to flash between on and off at a predetermined cycle between times t0 and t1.

[0056] As shown in graphs (b) and (c), when the first selection button 15A of the operation unit 10A is pressed at time t1, the control device 8 stops blinking the "heating" area and starts blinking the "deep-frying" area. Time t1 corresponds to the period of illumination in the predetermined period of illumination. Therefore, the control device 8 stops illumination of the "heating" area and turns on the "deep-frying" area. Thereafter, the control device 8 blinks the "deep-frying" area of ​​the display unit 11A in synchronization with the blinking of the display unit 11B according to the predetermined period. In this way, when the control device 8 detects that the first selection button 15A of the operation unit 10A has been pressed, it can change the area to be blinked on the display unit 11A to another area.

[0057] As shown in graphs (c) and (d), when the first selection button 15A of the operation unit 10A is pressed at time t2, the control device 8 stops blinking the "deep fried food" area and starts blinking the "baked food" area. Time t2 corresponds to the off period in the predetermined blinking cycle. In response to the pressing of the operation unit 10A, the control device 8 keeps the "deep fried food" area off but turns on the "baked food" area. Then, the control device 8 keeps the "baked food" area on from time t2 until the next lighting period in the predetermined cycle. After the start of the next lighting period, the control device 8 blinks the "baked food" area of ​​the display unit 11A in sync with the blinking of the display unit 11B according to the predetermined cycle.

[0058] In other words, when the control device 8 according to this embodiment detects that the operation unit 10A has been pressed, even if the pressing occurs during a light-off period in a predetermined cycle, the control device 8 first lights up the newly selected menu and then starts blinking the menu.

[0059] With this control, when the user presses the operation unit 10A during the off period to switch the selected menu, the newly selected menu first lights up and then starts blinking. Therefore, the user who uses the cooking appliance 1 can easily visually confirm and understand that the pressing of the operation unit 10A has been accepted. In addition, the user can easily visually confirm and understand that the menu that has been switched by pressing the operation unit 10A. In addition, the control device 8 synchronizes the blinking between the display unit 11A and the display unit 11B from the next lighting period in the predetermined cycle, so that the appearance quality of the cooking appliance 1 can be improved.

[0060] As shown in graphs (d) and (e), when the first selection button 15A of the operation unit 10A is pressed at time t3, the control unit 8 stops the blinking of the "baking" area and starts the blinking of the "boiling" area. Time t3 corresponds to the lighting period in the predetermined blinking cycle. Therefore, the control unit 8 stops the lighting of the "baking" area and turns on the "boiling" area. Here, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the period T between time t3 and the end of the lighting period in the predetermined cycle is shorter than the predetermined time. Therefore, the control unit 8 maintains the lighting of the "boiling" area in the lighting period including time t3 in the predetermined cycle as well as in the subsequent off period, regardless of the predetermined cycle. After the start of the lighting period next to the lighting period, the control unit 8 blinks the "boiling" area of ​​the display unit 11A in synchronization with the blinking of the display unit 11B according to the predetermined cycle. Note that the predetermined time is a period determined in advance, and may be, for example, 0.5 seconds.

[0061] That is, when the operation unit 10A is pressed during a lighting period in a predetermined cycle and the time between the timing of pressing and the end of the lighting period is short, the control device 8 according to the present embodiment maintains the lighting of the newly selected menu during the next lighting-off period. For example, when the above-mentioned period T is less than a predetermined time, the control device 8 maintains the lighting of the newly selected menu during the next lighting-off period.

[0062] By such control, even if the operation unit 10A is pressed at a timing when the display would be turned off immediately after being turned on according to the predetermined cycle, the newly selected menu is turned on for a certain period. Therefore, the user who uses the cooking appliance 1 can easily see and understand the menu that has been switched by pressing the operation unit 10A. In addition, the control device 8 synchronizes the blinking between the display unit 11A and the display unit 11B from the next lighting period in the predetermined cycle, so that the appearance quality of the cooking appliance 1 can be improved.

[0063] In this embodiment, when the control device 8 determines that the above-mentioned period T is less than a predetermined time, the control device 8 extends the lighting of the newly selected menu. In other words, when the time between the timing when the operation unit 10A is pressed and the end of the lighting period in the predetermined cycle is less than a predetermined time, the control device 8 extends the lighting of the newly selected menu.

[0064] Without being limited to the above configuration, the control device 8 may extend the lighting of the newly selected menu when it determines that the above-mentioned period T is less than a predetermined ratio of the lighting period T0 in a predetermined cycle. The predetermined ratio may be, for example, 50%. Regardless of whether a predetermined time or a predetermined ratio is used for the determination, this disclosure generally expresses that the control device 8 maintains the display unit 11A in a lighting state until the next lighting period when the remaining time of the lighting period is less than a predetermined time at the time when the operation unit 10A is operated. The control device 8 may switch to an off state according to a predetermined cycle when the remaining time of the lighting period is equal to or more than a predetermined time at the time when the operation unit 10A is operated.

[0065] The control device 8 can determine the period T by calculating the period between the timing at which the operation unit 10A is pressed and the end of the lighting period that includes the timing in the predetermined cycle. The control device 8 can also determine the period T by subtracting the period between the timing and the start of the lighting period that includes the timing in the predetermined cycle from the lighting period. Since these are synonymous, in the present disclosure, they are collectively expressed as the control device 8 determining the period T by calculating the period between the timing and the end of the lighting period that includes the timing in the predetermined cycle.

[0066] In the example shown in Fig. 5, since display unit 11A and display unit 11B are blinking, control device 8 operates to synchronize the blinking of each. Here, for example, when the user presses the first button of operation unit 10B to determine the cooking menu on display unit 11B, control device 8 stops the blinking of display unit 11B and transitions the display state of display unit 11B to on or off. In this case, control device 8 does not need to synchronize the blinking of display unit 11A with display unit 11B after the blinking ends.

[0067] Therefore, when the blinking of display unit 11B has ended, in the state of the transition from graph (c) to graph (d) in Fig. 5, control device 8 may change the start of the lighting period of the predetermined cycle of the blinking to the timing of the press, i.e., time t2. In other words, when operation unit 10A is pressed during the off period in a case where there is no target to be synchronized with the blinking of display unit 11A, control device 8 may light up the next menu and change the start of the lighting period of the predetermined cycle for the blinking of that menu to the timing of the press.

[0068] The display state of the display unit 11B after the blinking has ended (i.e., on or off) is an example of the third display state. The third display state may be the same display state as the first display state or the second display state.

[0069] In addition, in the case where the blinking of the display unit 11B has ended in the state of transition from graph (d) to graph (e), the control device 8 may change the start of the lighting period of the predetermined cycle of the blinking after the transition to time t3. In other words, when the operation unit 10A is pressed during the lighting period when there is no longer an object to be synchronized with the blinking of the display unit 11A and the remaining time of the lighting period is less than a predetermined time, the control device 8 may set the start of the lighting period of the predetermined cycle for the blinking to the timing of the press. Note that, when the operation unit 10A is pressed when there is no longer an object to be synchronized with the blinking of the display unit 11A, the control device 8 may set the start of the lighting period of the predetermined cycle for the blinking of the display unit 11A to the timing of the press, regardless of the predetermined cycle of the blinking.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the switching process by the control device 8 of the cooking appliance 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0071] At the start of the switching process, the control device 8 synchronizes the blinking of the display unit 11A with the blinking of the display unit 11B, as in the example shown in Fig. 5. That is, the control device 8 blinks an area on the display unit 11A corresponding to the menu selected for the heating coil 4A, and an area on the display unit 11B corresponding to the menu selected for the heating coil 4B.

[0072] First, the control device 8 determines whether or not pressing of the first button 17A is detected (S11).

[0073] If not (S11: NO), the control device 8 judges whether pressing of the first selection button 15A or the second selection button 16A has been detected (S12). If pressing of the first selection button 15A or the second selection button 16A has not been detected (S12: NO), the control device 8 returns to step S11. Therefore, if the control device 8 has not detected pressing of any of the first button 17A, the first selection button 15A, and the second selection button 16A, the control device 8 repeats the judgments of steps S11 and S12.

[0074] When detecting a press of the operation unit 10A (i.e., the first selection button 15A or the second selection button 16A) (S12: YES), the control device 8 determines whether the press occurred during a period in which the selected menu is off in a predetermined cycle of blinking (S13).

[0075] If the operation unit 10A is pressed during the off period of the predetermined blinking cycle (S13: YES), the control device 8 stops the blinking of the selected menu, lights up the next menu, and starts blinking the next menu (S14). For example, when the first selection button 15A is pressed while the "heating" area is blinking on the display unit 11A, the control device 8 turns off "heating" and blinks "deep-frying". In this case, the control device 8 first turns on "deep-frying" regardless of the blinking cycle.

[0076] Next, the control device 8 determines whether or not the other display unit (that is, at least one of the display units 11B and 11C in the example of this flowchart) is blinking (S15).

[0077] If the other display unit is blinking (S15: YES), the control device 8 continues to light the next menu in the off period of the first cycle after switching the menu to be blinked on the display unit 11A (S16). That is, the control device 8 extends the lighting of the display unit 11A until the next lighting period in the predetermined period. Thereafter, the control device 8 blinks the next menu on the display unit 11A by alternately switching between on and off in a predetermined cycle so that the blinking of the display unit 11A and the blinking of the other display units are synchronized (S17). Then, the control device 8 returns to step S11 and determines whether or not pressing of the first button 17A has been detected.

[0078] When the control device 8 determines that the pressing of the first button 17A has been detected (S11: YES), it ends the switching process. In this case, the control device 8 executes a predetermined process according to the menu selected when the first button 17A is pressed. For example, when the selected menu is "heating", the control device 8 operates the heating coil 4A in the operation mode corresponding to "heating".

[0079] If the other display unit is not blinking (S15: NO), the control device 8 changes the start of the predetermined cycle to the timing of pressing the operation unit 10A, regardless of the blinking cycle before pressing the operation unit 10A (S18). Then, the control device 8 causes the next menu to blink by alternately switching between on and off in the predetermined cycle whose start time has been changed (S17). The blinking of the other display unit may end, for example, when the first button corresponding to the other display unit is pressed after the switching process has started.

[0080] If the operation unit 10A is pressed not during the off period in the predetermined blinking cycle (S13: NO), the control device 8 stops blinking the selected menu item and causes the next menu item to blink (S19).

[0081] Next, the control device 8 judges whether or not the remaining time of the lighting period in the predetermined blinking cycle is less than a predetermined time (S20). In other words, the control device 8 judges whether or not the time between the pressing timing and the end of the lighting period in the predetermined blinking cycle is less than a predetermined time.

[0082] If the remaining time is not less than the predetermined time (S20: NO), the control device 8 causes the next menu to blink by alternately switching between on and off at a predetermined cycle (S17). For example, the control device 8 can cause the next menu to blink in accordance with the predetermined cycle of the blinking of the menu before the operation unit 10A is pressed.

[0083] If the remaining time is less than the predetermined time (S20: YES), the control device 8 determines whether or not other display units are flashing (S21).

[0084] If another display unit is blinking (S21: YES), the control device 8 continues to light the next menu in the off period of the first cycle after switching the menu to be blinked on the display unit 11A (S22). That is, the control device 8 extends the lighting of the display unit 11A until the next lighting period in the predetermined cycle. Then, step S17 is executed.

[0085] If the other display units are not blinking (S21: NO), the control device 8 executes step S18.

[0086] In this manner, the control device 8 of the cooking device 1 according to this embodiment executes a switching process for switching the selected menu that is blinking on the display unit 11 in response to a user pressing the operation unit 10.

[0087] [effect] According to the cooking device 1 according to the embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0088] The cooking device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a top plate 3, a heating unit 4 provided below the top plate 3, a first operation unit 10 and a second operation unit 10, a first display unit 11 and a second display unit 11, and a control unit 8. The first operation unit 10 and the second operation unit 10 are configured to receive an operation for cooking using the heating unit 4. The first display unit 11 is configured to display a display corresponding to the operation of the first operation unit 10. The second display unit 11 is configured to display a display corresponding to the operation of the second operation unit 10. The first display unit 11 and the second display unit 11 each have a first display state and a second display state different from the first display state. The control unit 8 is configured to alternately switch the first display unit 11 between the first display state and the second display state at a predetermined cycle, and alternately switch the second display unit 11 between the first display state and the second display state at a predetermined cycle. When the display states of the first display unit 11 and the second display unit 11 are synchronized, when the first operating unit 10 accepts an operation, the control unit 8 is configured to set the first display unit 11 to the first display state regardless of the specified period.

[0089] According to this configuration, when the user operates the first operation unit 10, the control unit 8 of the cooking appliance 1 switches the display state of the first display unit 11 regardless of the predetermined cycle of switching the display state, even if the control unit 8 controls the first display unit 11 and the second display unit 11 to be synchronized. The user can visually confirm that the operation of the first operation unit 10 has been accepted. The user can understand that the operation of the first operation unit 10 has been accepted. Therefore, according to the cooking appliance 1, the operability can be improved.

[0090] In addition, in the cooking device 1, the control unit 8 is configured to set the first display unit 11 to the first display state when the first operation unit 10 accepts an operation during the second display state. With this configuration, even if the operation unit 10 is pressed during the second display state to switch the selected menu, the display state of the new selected menu starts from the first state. Therefore, the user can easily visually confirm and understand that the press of the operation unit 10 has been accepted. Furthermore, since the display state of the new selected menu transitions from the second display state or another display state to the first display state, the user can easily visually confirm and understand the menu switched by pressing the operation unit 10.

[0091] In addition, in the cooking device 1, the control unit 8 is configured to maintain the first display unit 11 in the first display state in a predetermined cycle until the next period of the first display state. With this configuration, even if the selected menu is switched during the second display state period and the newly selected menu transitions to the first display state, the menu is not immediately switched to the second display state according to the predetermined cycle, but is maintained in the first display state. Therefore, the user can easily see and understand the menu that has been switched by pressing the operation unit 10.

[0092] In addition, in the cooking device 1, the control unit 8 is configured to transition the second display unit 11 to a third display state after switching between the first display state and the second display state in a predetermined cycle is completed. After the control unit 8 transitions the second display unit 11 to the third display state, when the first operation unit 10 accepts an operation, the control unit 8 sets the first display unit 11 to the first display state and changes the start of the period of the first display state in a predetermined cycle to the timing of the operation. With this configuration, the control device 8 does not need to synchronize the switching of the display state in the first display unit 11 with the second display unit 11. Therefore, the control device 8 can set the timing when the first display unit 11 switches to the first display state in response to the operation of the first operation unit 10 as the start of the period of the first display state, and can stably light up the display unit 11 for a certain period. Therefore, the user can easily visually recognize and understand the menu switched by pressing the operation unit 10.

[0093] In addition, in the cooking device 1, when the first operating unit 10 accepts an operation during the first display state, the control unit 8 is configured to maintain the first display unit 11 in the first display state until the next first display state period if the remaining time of the first display state period at the time the operation is performed is less than a predetermined time. The control unit 8 is configured to set the first display unit 11 to the second display state according to a predetermined cycle if the remaining time of the first display state period at the time the operation is performed is equal to or greater than a predetermined time. With this configuration, even if the first operating unit 10 is pressed at a timing that would cause the display to be turned off immediately after being turned on according to the predetermined cycle, the newly selected menu is turned on for a certain period. Therefore, the user can easily see and understand the menu that has been switched by pressing the operating unit 10.

[0094] In addition, in the cooking device 1, the first display state is turned on, and the second display state is turned off. With this configuration, the user can determine that the menu that is turned on in response to pressing the operation unit 10 is the newly selected menu. Therefore, the user can easily visually recognize and understand the menu that has been switched by pressing the operation unit 10.

[0095] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, lighting is an example of the first display state, and extinguishing is an example of the second display state, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first display state may be extinguished, and the second display state may be lighting. In this case, the control device 8 may control each display unit 11 so that the menu selected by the user flashes and the menu not selected is turned on. Also, when the control device 8 detects that the operation unit 10A is pressed, the control device 8 may control the selected menu to stop flashing and the next menu to start flashing from extinguishing.

[0096] In addition, the display state of each display unit 11 is not limited to two states, lit and unlit, and may have three or more states. For example, the control device 8 may light a menu that is not being selected darker than normal lighting (hereinafter, also referred to as "dark lighting" as appropriate). That is, the control device 8 may switch the selected menu in the display unit 11 between lit and unlit and blink, and may darkly light the menu that is not being selected. That is, for example, the first display state may be lit, the second display state may be unlit, and the third display state may be dark lighting. In addition, the control device 8 may periodically switch the selected menu between lit and dark lighting, and may turn off the menu that is not being selected. The control device 8 may periodically switch the selected menu in the display unit 11A between three display states, lit, dark lighting, and unlit.

[0097] The display states that each display unit 11 can take are not limited to states determined based on differences in brightness, and may be states determined based on differences in color. For example, the control device 8 may control the display unit 11 so that the menu selected on the display unit 11 is periodically switched between red and green lighting, and the menu not selected is lit in yellow.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the control device 8 switches the display state of the "heating" area and the like by turning on and off the LED provided on the display unit 11, but is not limited to this. For example, if the display unit 11 is a liquid crystal display, the control device 8 may switch the display state by displaying and deleting the word "heating" on the display unit 11.

[0099] (Summary of aspects) As is apparent from the above description, the present disclosure includes the following aspects. In the following, reference symbols are given in parentheses only to clearly indicate the correspondence with the embodiments.

[0100] (Aspect 1) The cooking device (1) according to the present disclosure is A top plate (3); A heating unit (4) provided below the top plate; a first operating unit (10) and a second operating unit (10) that accept operations for cooking using the heating unit; a first display unit (11) that displays a display corresponding to an operation of the first operating unit, and a second display unit (11) that displays a display corresponding to an operation of the second operating unit; A control unit (8); Equipped with each of the first display unit and the second display unit has a first display state and a second display state different from the first display state; the control unit is configured to alternately switch the first display unit between the first display state and the second display state at a predetermined cycle, and to alternately switch the second display unit between the first display state and the second display state at the predetermined cycle, When the display states of the first display unit and the second display unit are synchronized, when the first operation unit accepts an operation, the control unit is configured to set the first display unit to the first display state regardless of the specified period.

[0101] (Aspect 2) In the cooking device (1) of aspect 1, the control unit (8) may be configured to change the first display unit (11) to the first display state when the first operating unit (10) accepts an operation during the second display state.

[0102] (Aspect 3) In the cooking device (1) of aspect 2, the control unit (8) may be configured to maintain the first display unit (11) in the first display state until the next period of the first display state in the predetermined cycle.

[0103] (Aspect 4) In the cooking device (1) of aspect 2 or aspect 3, the control unit (8) is configured to transition the second display unit (11) to a third display state after switching between the first display state and the second display state in the predetermined cycle has ended, After the control unit transitions the second display unit to the third display state, when the first operation unit (10) accepts an operation, the control unit may be configured to set the first display unit (11) to the first display state and change the start of the period of the first display state in the specified cycle to the timing of the operation.

[0104] (Aspect 5) In the cooking device (1) of aspect 4, the first display state may be a light on state, the second display state may be a light off state, and the third display state may be a dark light on state.

[0105] (Aspect 6) In the cooking device (1) of any one of aspects 1 to 4, the first indication state may be a light on state, and the second indication state may be a light off state.

[0106] (Aspect 7) In the cooking device (1) according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, When the first operation unit (10) receives an operation during the first display state, the control unit (8) controls the first display unit (11) to: If the remaining time of the period of the first display state is less than a predetermined time at the time when the operation is performed, the first display state is maintained until the next period of the first display state begins; When the remaining time of the period of the first display state at the time when the operation is performed is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, the display state is changed to the second display state according to the predetermined cycle. It may be configured as follows.

[0107] In this specification, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as expressing or implying the relative importance or ranking of technical features. Features qualified as "first" and "second" expressly or imply the inclusion of one or more of that feature.

[0108] The cooking device described in the present disclosure is realized by cooperation of hardware resources, such as a processor and a memory, and software (computer program). [Industrial Applicability]

[0109] According to the present disclosure, a cooking device with improved operability for the user can be provided, and therefore can be suitably used in this type of industrial field. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1 Cooker 2. Chassis 3 Top Plate 4A~4C Heating coil 5 Heating Unit 6 Top operation panel 7 Side operation panel 8 Control device 10A~10C Operation unit 11A~11B Display section

Claims

1. The top plate and a heating unit provided below the top plate; a first operating unit and a second operating unit that accept operations for cooking using the heating unit; a first display unit that displays a display associated with an operation of the first operation unit, and a second display unit that displays a display associated with an operation of the second operation unit; A control unit; Equipped with the first display unit and the second display unit each have a first display state and a second display state different from the first display state; the control unit is configured to alternately switch the first display unit between the first display state and the second display state at a predetermined cycle, and to alternately switch the second display unit between the first display state and the second display state at the predetermined cycle, When the first operation unit receives an operation while the display states of the first display unit and the second display unit are synchronized, the control unit is configured to set the first display unit to the first display state regardless of the predetermined period. Heating cooker.

2. The cooking device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to change the first display unit to the first display state when the first operation unit accepts an operation during the second display state.

3. The cooking device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit is configured to maintain the first display unit in the first display state until a next period in the first display state occurs in the predetermined cycle.

4. the control unit is configured to transition the second display unit to a third display state after switching between the first display state and the second display state in the predetermined cycle has finished, when the first operation unit receives an operation after the control unit has transitioned the second display unit to the third display state, the control unit sets the first display unit to the first display state and changes the start of a period of the first display state in the predetermined cycle to the timing of the operation. The cooking device according to claim 2 .

5. The cooking device according to claim 4 , wherein the first display state is a lit state, the second display state is an unlit state, and the third display state is a dimly lit state.

6. The cooking device according to claim 1 , wherein the first display state is a lit state and the second display state is an unlit state.

7. When the first operation unit receives an operation during the first display state, the control unit controls the first display unit to: If the remaining time of the period of the first display state is less than a predetermined time at the time when the operation is performed, the first display state is maintained until the next period of the first display state begins; If the remaining time of the period of the first display state is equal to or longer than the predetermined time at the time when the operation is performed, the display state is changed to the second display state in accordance with the predetermined cycle. The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is configured as follows.

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