Cooking system

Abstract

To provide a cooking system that enables construction and stable operation of a highly safe system in various places by using a simple configuration and can improve convenience of a cooking user as the result.SOLUTION: In a cooking system 100, a cooking control section 52 includes a terminal communication section 57 that executes communication with each of first to third communication sections 17-37B on a one-to-one basis. The first communication section 17 transmits a grasping state of a heating section 11 grasped by a heating control section 12 to the terminal communication section 57, the second communication section 27 transmits a detection result obtained by a first state sensor 26 to the terminal communication section 57, and the third communication sections 37A, 37B transmit detection results obtained by second state sensors 36A, 36B to the terminal communication section 57. The cooking control section 52 transmits a cooking command to the heating section 11 from the terminal communication section 57 to the first communication section 17 on the basis of information received by the terminal communication section 57. The heating control section 12 executes control based on the cooking command.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking system. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional cooking system is disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in Figures 6 to 13 of Patent Document 1, this cooking system includes a cooking container, a heating cooking appliance, cooking utensils, a cooking control unit, and an input / output unit.

[0003] The cooking vessel is a pan and contains the food to be cooked. The cooking vessel also has a temperature sensor and is capable of transmitting the detection result of the temperature sensor. The heating cooking appliance has a gas burner as a heating part for heating the cooking vessel. The cooking utensil is a temperature probe that measures the temperature inside the cooking vessel and is capable of transmitting the detection result. The cooking utensil is used together with the cooking vessel to cook the food to be cooked.

[0004] The cooking control unit is a tablet computer-shaped computing device placed near the cooking appliance and capable of communicating with the cooking vessel, the cooking appliance, and cooking utensils. The cooking control unit performs control for cooking the food to be cooked by automatically operating an adjustment device that adjusts the heat of the gas burner of the cooking appliance and by providing assistance to the user for manually operating the adjustment device by display or voice.

[0005] The input / output unit is a display, an audio output device, and an input device that are provided integrally with or separately from the cooking control unit. The input / output unit receives input of operations for cooking the food to be cooked, transmits information about the operations to the cooking control unit, and is controlled by the cooking control unit to output information for cooking the food.

[0006] As shown in Fig. 1 of Patent Document 1, the cooking container, the heating cooking appliance, the cooking utensils, the cooking control unit, and the input / output unit can each be connected to a network or the like to perform one-way or two-way communication. This allows the cooking system to cooperate with a remote user's computing device, a cooking adjustment cooperation service computing system, a local user's mobile device, and the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-70516 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the conventional cooking systems described above require complex electronic circuits and advanced communication units for the cooking appliances and other devices to make decisions, which can easily lead to complex system configurations, and the work of setting up the systems in various locations other than the kitchen, such as dining rooms, living rooms, and multi-purpose facilities, can easily become cumbersome.

[0009] In addition, this cooking system is configured so that the heating control unit can receive some command from a terminal different from the cooking control unit via a network or the like, without going through the cooking control unit, and cause the heating unit to start heating, etc. In this cooking system, there is a risk that information leakage from the cooking container, the heating cooking appliance, and the cooking utensils may occur via a network or the like.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and has as its object to provide a cooking system that can build a highly safe system with a simple configuration in various locations and operate stably, thereby improving the convenience of users who cook. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The cooking system of the present invention includes a cooking container for accommodating food to be cooked, A cooking appliance having a heating unit for heating the cooking container; A cooking utensil used together with the cooking container to cook the food to be cooked; A cooking control unit that controls the cooking container, the heating cooking appliance, and the cooking utensils in an integrated manner to cook the food to be cooked; An input / output unit that is provided integrally with or separate from the cooking control unit, receives input of an operation for cooking the food to be cooked, transmits information of the operation to the cooking control unit, and is controlled by the cooking control unit to output information for cooking the food to be cooked; A cooking system comprising: The cooking appliance includes a heating control unit that controls heating by the heating unit; A first communication unit that executes communication, The cooking vessel includes a first status sensor for detecting a status of the cooking vessel; A second communication unit that executes the communication, The cooking utensil has a second status sensor that detects the status of the food to be cooked and / or the status of an additional food to be added to the food to be cooked; a third communication unit that executes the communication; The cooking control unit has a terminal communication unit that performs the communication one-to-one with each of the first communication unit, the second communication unit, and the third communication unit, The first communication unit transmits a state of the heating unit grasped by the heating control unit to the terminal communication unit, The second communication unit transmits a detection result of the first status sensor to the terminal communication unit, The third communication unit transmits a detection result of the second status sensor to the terminal communication unit, The cooking control unit transmits a cooking command for the heating unit from the terminal communication unit to the first communication unit based on information received by the terminal communication unit, The heating control unit is characterized in that it is configured to execute control based on the cooking command.

[0012] In the cooking system of the present invention, a user can use a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet as the cooking control unit and the input / output unit. In this case, the input / output unit is provided integrally with the cooking control unit.

[0013] Also, the user can use an information processing terminal such as a personal computer or a dedicated terminal as the cooking control unit, and a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet as the input / output unit. In this case, the input / output unit is provided separately from the cooking control unit.

[0014] A user inputs an operation to the input / output unit to cook using the heating cooking appliance, cooking container, and cooking utensils. The cooking control unit analyzes the cooking state based on the operation input and the detection result of the first status sensor, the detection result of the second status sensor, etc., and transmits a cooking command to the heating control unit via the terminal communication unit and the first communication unit.

[0015] The heating control unit only executes control based on the cooking command. Therefore, the cooking appliance does not need to have a complex electronic circuit or advanced communication unit for making a judgment. For example, the cooking control unit can judge whether an abnormality such as overheating or misfire has occurred in the cooking appliance based on the detection result of the container temperature sensor as the first state sensor of the cooking container, and transmit a cooking command for the heating unit to the heating control unit. As a result, the cooking appliance does not need to have a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the bottom of the cooking container or an electronic circuit that performs control based on the temperature sensor. Therefore, this cooking system can make the cooking appliance extremely compact.

[0016] The cooking container also only needs to transmit information to the cooking control unit via the second communication unit and the terminal communication unit, and therefore does not need to have complex electronic circuits or advanced communication units for making decisions.

[0017] The cooking utensils also only need to transmit information to the cooking control unit via the third communication unit and the terminal communication unit, and therefore do not need to have complex electronic circuits or advanced communication units for making decisions.

[0018] As a result, this cooking system simplifies the heating and cooking appliances, cooking containers, and cooking utensils, and together with the cooking control unit and input / output unit, makes it easy to carry them to various locations other than the kitchen, such as dining rooms, living rooms, and multi-purpose facilities, and can perform advanced cooking in various locations based on cooking commands from the cooking control unit.

[0019] In addition, in this cooking system, the cooking control unit centrally manages the cooking containers, cooking appliances, and cooking utensils, so the heating control unit does not receive any command from a terminal other than the cooking control unit and cause the heating unit to start heating, etc. In addition, in this cooking system, the cooking control unit can prevent information leakage from the cooking containers, cooking appliances, and cooking utensils.

[0020] Therefore, the cooking system of the present invention can be configured to build a highly safe system in a variety of locations with a simple configuration and operate stably, thereby improving the convenience of users who cook.

[0021] Furthermore, if the input / output unit is provided integrally with the cooking control unit, there is no need to carry the cooking control unit and the input / output unit separately, making it even easier to carry the device to various locations.

[0022] It is desirable that the first communication unit, the second communication unit, and the third communication unit execute short-range wireless communication as the communication.

[0023] In this case, the trouble of connecting the cooking appliance, cooking container, and cooking utensils to the cooking control unit by wires is eliminated, making it easier to carry the device to various places.Specific examples of short-range wireless communication include Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and NFC (Near Field Communication).

[0024] The cooking system of the present invention preferably includes a photographing device having a camera capable of photographing the cooking vessel and the heating cooking appliance, and a fourth communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication. The fourth communication unit preferably transmits image information photographed by the camera to the terminal communication unit. The cooking control unit preferably transmits cooking commands using the image information.

[0025] In this case, the cooking control unit can analyze the cooking state in more detail using the image information captured by the camera and transmit advanced cooking commands to the heating control unit. In addition, in this case, the cooking control unit can prevent information leakage from the imaging device and invasion of privacy. Furthermore, the user can save the cooking history as a video record.

[0026] It is preferable that the terminal communication unit is capable of communicating with an external information processing terminal via a network, and the cooking control unit is capable of selectively transmitting the state of the heating unit, the detection result of the first status sensor, the detection result of the second status sensor, and image information from the camera to the information processing terminal.

[0027] In this case, this cooking system can be used in remote cooking classes. The instructor can then remotely monitor the students' cooking progress in detail and provide appropriate instruction. It can also promote interaction between students. In this case, the cooking control unit can prevent information leaks and privacy violations.

[0028] It is preferable that the information processing terminal is capable of transmitting a cooking command to the heating unit to the cooking control unit based on information transmitted from the cooking control unit. When the cooking control unit receives a cooking command from the information processing terminal, it is preferable that the cooking control unit transmits the cooking command from the terminal communication unit to the first communication unit when an operation input approving the cooking command is performed on the input / output unit.

[0029] In this case, in a remote cooking class or the like, the instructor can send cooking commands determined by the instructor to improve the cooking state of the students from the information processing terminal to the cooking control unit. Then, when the user confirms and approves the safety, the cooking control unit can cause the heating control unit to execute control based on the cooking commands sent from the information processing terminal. This makes it possible to further increase the safety of this cooking system. Effect of the Invention

[0030] According to the cooking system of the present invention, a highly safe system can be constructed and operated stably in various locations with a simple configuration, thereby improving the convenience of users who cook. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a cooking system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the portable information terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the portable information terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] (Example) 1 and 2, a cooking system 100 according to the embodiment is an example of a specific aspect of the cooking system of the present invention. The cooking system 100 includes a heating cooker 10, a cooking container 20, a ladle 30A, a cooking degree detection rod 30B, a photographing device 40, and a mobile information terminal 50.

[0034] The ladle 30A and the cookedness detector rod 30B are each an example of the "cooking utensil" of the present invention.

[0035] The cooking appliance 10, cooking container 20, ladle 30A, cooking degree detection rod 30B, photographing device 40 and mobile information terminal 50 are each sized to be easily carried, so the cooking system 100 can be set up in various locations inside or outside the house H1. However, in this embodiment, we will mainly explain the case where a user uses the cooking system 100 by placing the cooking appliance 10 etc. on a dining table in the living room of the house H1, for example.

[0036] <Mobile information terminal> The mobile information terminal 50 is a smartphone, a mobile tablet terminal, or the like carried by a user residing in the house H1. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile information terminal 50 has a control unit 51, a touch panel 53, a speaker 54, a microphone 55, and a terminal communication unit 57.

[0037] The control unit 51 is an electronic circuit unit including a CPU (not shown), a storage unit 51M including storage elements such as a ROM and a RAM, and an interface circuit, etc. The control unit 51 executes control processing related to the operation of the mobile information terminal 50.

[0038] The storage unit 51M stores various programs and setting information for operating the mobile information terminal 50. The storage unit 51M also appropriately stores various information acquired by the control unit 51. The programs stored in the storage unit 51M include an application program for operating the cooking system 100 (hereinafter referred to as a "cooking assistant app").

[0039] The control unit 51 has a cooking control unit 52. The cooking control unit 52 functions when a cooking assistant app is executed on the mobile information terminal 50. The cooking control unit 52 will be described in detail later.

[0040] The touch panel 53 has a display section that displays various information such as text and images, and an input section that covers the display section in a manner that allows the user to see it, and receives various inputs by operations performed by the user touching it with their fingertips.

[0041] The speaker 54 outputs the voice of the other party when using the telephone, and is also capable of outputting various types of information as voice when various application programs are executed.

[0042] The microphone 55 picks up the user's voice when using the telephone, and is also capable of receiving voice input of operation instructions and the like when various application programs are executed.

[0043] The touch panel 53, the speaker 54, and the microphone 55 when the cooking assistant app is executed on the mobile information terminal 50 are an example of the “input / output unit” of the present invention. The touch panel 53, the speaker 54, and the microphone 55 are provided integrally with the cooking control unit 52.

[0044] The terminal communication unit 57 is capable of making calls using a frequency band for mobile phones. The terminal communication unit 57 also has built-in electronic circuits for performing short-distance wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), or the like.

[0045] The terminal communication unit 57 is capable of connecting to an external network NW1 via a wireless router 7 or the like installed in the house H1 and performing network communication with an external server 9 and multiple information processing terminals 8 connected to the network NW1. The external server 9 and each information processing terminal 8 are examples of the "external information processing terminal" of the present invention.

[0046] The external server 9 is a server that holds various information for supporting the execution of the cooking system 100. The control unit 51 can download a cooking assistant app through network communication with the external server 9 and store it in the memory unit 51M.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, when a user places food F1, such as ingredients for a stew, water for the broth, various seasonings, etc., in a cooking container 20 and performs cooking using the cooking system 100, the user runs a cooking assistant app on the mobile information terminal 50.

[0048] 3, the touch panel 53 outputs information for cooking the food F1 as an image under the control of the cooking control unit 52. The touch panel 53 also displays operation buttons for cooking the food F1, such as operation buttons 53B1 to 53B8.

[0049] At this time, the speaker 54 is controlled by the cooking control unit 52 as necessary to output information for cooking the food F1 by voice.

[0050] The touch panel 53 receives operations for cooking the food F1 through the operation buttons 53B1 to 53B8 and transmits the operation information to the cooking control unit 52.

[0051] For example, when the user presses operation button (heat start / end button) 53B1 once, touch panel 53 transmits operation information to start heating to cooking control unit 52. When the user presses operation button (heat start / end button) 53B1 again, touch panel 53 transmits operation information to end heating to cooking control unit 52. Note that when starting heating, in order to prevent erroneous operation due to unintended contact by the user, a two-step operation may be performed, such as by pressing the operation button once to display a pop-up message such as "Heating will start" and additionally displaying an "OK" operation button, and starting heating when the "OK" button is pressed.

[0052] Furthermore, when the user slides the operation button (heating output adjustment button) 53B2 left or right, the touch panel 53 transmits to the cooking control unit 52 operation information for adjusting the level of the heating output.

[0053] At this time, the microphone 55 is controlled by the cooking control unit 52 as necessary, and instead of the operation buttons on the touch panel 53, operations for cooking the food F1 are input by voice, and the operation information is transmitted to the cooking control unit 52.

[0054] <Heating cooking equipment> As shown in Fig. 1, the cooking appliance 10 is a portable IH stove, also called a tabletop IH cooking heater. The cooking appliance 10 has a power cable 10C that is connected to an outlet in a house H1. The cooking appliance 10 is substantially disk-shaped. A cooking container 20 is placed on the upper surface of the cooking appliance 10.

[0055] 2, the cooking appliance 10 has a heating unit 11, a heating control unit 12, and a first communication unit 17. The heating control unit 12 and the first communication unit 17 enter a standby state in which power consumption is minimal when the power cable 10C is connected to an outlet, and enter an operating state when a cooking assistant app is executed on the mobile information terminal 50. The cooking appliance 10 may have a power switch and be configured to switch between a power "off" state and a standby state.

[0056] The heating unit 11 is a high-frequency induction heating type heater built into the cooking appliance 10. The heating unit 11 heats the cooking container 20 placed on the cooking appliance 10 by operating.

[0057] The heating control unit 12 controls heating by the heating unit 11. The heating cooking appliance 10 does not have operation buttons or the like as a user interface through which a user inputs operations to the heating unit 11. In addition, the heating cooking appliance 10 does not have a temperature sensor that measures the container temperature of the cooking container 20. For this reason, the heating control unit 12 is configured to execute control based on a cooking command transmitted by a cooking control unit 52 described later.

[0058] Specifically, when the cooking assistant app is executed on the mobile information terminal 50 and is in an operating state, the heating control unit 12 controls the start of heating, the change of the heating output, and the end of heating of the heating unit 11 based on a cooking command transmitted by the cooking control unit 52. Furthermore, when the heating control unit 12 detects an abnormality such as an abnormal voltage value or current value of the power supplied to the heating unit 11, it determines that there is a power supply abnormality in the heating unit 11 and stops the power supply to the heating unit 11. Note that the device may have a sensor used to determine the power supply abnormality in the heating unit 11 and a sensor for preventing unsafe events such as the cooking container 20 overheating and causing the food to be cooked F1 to ignite, and in this case as well, the heating control unit 12 stops the power supply to the heating unit 11 based on an output signal from such a sensor.

[0059] The heating control unit 12 grasps the state of the heating unit 11. The state of the heating unit 11 grasped by the heating control unit 12 is defined as the grasped state of the heating unit 11. The grasped state of the heating unit 11 is, for example, the heating start, heating output, heating end, power supply abnormality, etc. of the heating unit 11.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 1, the first communication unit 17 is built-in and disposed near the outer peripheral surface of the cooking appliance 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the first communication unit 17 performs short-range wireless communication. In this embodiment, the first communication unit 17 performs short-range wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark), which consumes very little power. The first communication unit 17 performs one-to-one short-range wireless communication with the terminal communication unit 57 by pairing with the terminal communication unit 57 of the mobile information terminal 50, and does not perform communication with any unit other than the terminal communication unit 57.

[0061] When the cooking assistant app is executed on the mobile information terminal 50 and enters an operating state, the first communication unit 17 transmits the state of the heating unit 11 grasped by the heating control unit 12 to the terminal communication unit 57.

[0062] Furthermore, when the cooking control unit 52 transmits a cooking command to the heating unit 11 from the terminal communication unit 57 as described below, the first communication unit 17 receives the cooking command.

[0063] In this way, the cooking appliance 10 does not have complex electronic circuits or advanced communication sections for making decisions, and is configured with a minimum of functions, so it is small, highly portable, and easy to move around.

[0064] <Cooking container> In Figure 1, cooking container 20 is illustrated as a pot with a lid as an example, but cooking container 20 may be a pot without a lid, a frying pan, or any other type of cooking container as long as it has a shape that can accommodate the food to be cooked F1.

[0065] 2, the cooking container 20 has a container temperature sensor 26 and a second communication unit 27. The container temperature sensor 26 and the second communication unit 27 are powered by a battery (not shown) built into the cooking container 20. The container temperature sensor 26 and the second communication unit 27 are normally in a standby state in which power consumption is minimal, and are activated when a cooking assistant app is executed on the mobile information terminal 50. The cooking container 20 may have a power switch and be configured to switch between a power off state and a standby state.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 1, container temperature sensor 26 is built into the bottom of cooking container 20. Container temperature sensor 26 is a well-known temperature sensor that uses a thermistor or the like. Container temperature sensor 26 detects the temperature of cooking container 20 when in an activated state. Container temperature sensor 26 is an example of the "first status sensor" of the present invention.

[0067] The second communication unit 27 is disposed inside the handle of the cooking container 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the second communication unit 27 performs short-range wireless communication. In this embodiment, the second communication unit 27 performs short-range wireless communication by Bluetooth (registered trademark) like the first communication unit 17. The second communication unit 27 performs one-to-one short-range wireless communication with the terminal communication unit 57 by pairing with the terminal communication unit 57 of the mobile information terminal 50, and does not perform communication with any unit other than the terminal communication unit 57.

[0068] When second communication unit 27 is in an operating state, it transmits the detection result of container temperature sensor 26 to terminal communication unit 57. Above operation button (heating start / end button) 53B1 on touch panel 53, the detection result (container temperature) of container temperature sensor 26 is displayed.

[0069] <Ladle> 1, the ladle 30A is used together with the cooking vessel 20 to cook the food F1. The ladle 30A is a so-called ladle consisting of a handle and a scooping part connected to the lower end of the handle.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 2, the ladle 30A has a weighing sensor 36A and a third communication unit 37A. The weighing sensor 36A and the third communication unit 37A are powered by a battery (not shown) built into the ladle 30A. The weighing sensor 36A and the third communication unit 37A are usually in a standby state with minimal power consumption. When the cooking assistant app is executed on the mobile information terminal 50 and the user presses the operation button (weighing detection button) 53B7 of the touch panel 53 shown in FIG. 3, the weighing sensor 36A and the third communication unit 37A are activated for a predetermined period of time. The ladle 30A may have a power switch and be configured to switch between a power off state and a standby state.

[0071] In addition, when an operational input to activate the weighing sensor 36A is made by voice input into the microphone 55, the cooking control unit 52 may activate the weighing sensor 36A and the third communication unit 37A for a predetermined period of time instead of operating the operation button 53B7 on the touch panel 53.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 1, the weighing sensor 36A is disposed inside the middle of the handle of the ladle 30A. The weighing sensor 36A is a well-known weighing sensor that uses a strain gauge or the like. The weighing sensor 36A performs weighing when it is activated.

[0073] The third communication unit 37A is disposed inside the upper end of the ladle 30A. As shown in FIG. 2, the third communication unit 37A performs short-range wireless communication. In this embodiment, the third communication unit 37A performs short-range wireless communication by Bluetooth (registered trademark) like the first communication unit 17. The third communication unit 37A performs one-to-one short-range wireless communication with the terminal communication unit 57 of the mobile information terminal 50 by pairing with the terminal communication unit 57, and does not perform communication with any unit other than the terminal communication unit 57.

[0074] When the third communication unit 37A is in an operating state, it transmits the detection result of the weighing sensor 36A to the terminal communication unit 57. As shown in Fig. 3, the detection result (weight value) of the weighing sensor 36A is displayed near the operation button (weighing detection button) 53B7 on the touch panel 53.

[0075] The user can hold the handle of ladle 30A and suspend the scooping portion in the air, press operation button (weighing detection button) 53B7 to set the weighing value to zero, and then drip the seasoning onto the scooping portion of ladle 30A to measure the seasoning.

[0076] The weighing sensor 36A is an example of the "second state sensor" of the present invention. The weighing sensor 36A detects the state of the additive added to the food F1, that is, the weight of the seasoning.

[0077] <Cooking condition detector> As shown in FIG. 1, the cookedness detector rod 30B is used together with the cooking vessel 20 to cook food F1.

[0078] Cookedness detection rod 30B has a cylindrical handle and a small diameter rod-like detection part that protrudes downward from the lower end of the handle. The lower end of the detection part is tapered.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 2, the cooking degree detection stick 30B has a temperature sensor 36B and a third communication unit 37B. The temperature sensor 36B and the third communication unit 37B are powered by a battery (not shown) built into the cooking degree detection stick 30B. The temperature sensor 36B and the third communication unit 37B are usually in a standby state in which power consumption is very small. When the cooking assistant app is executed on the mobile information terminal 50 and the user presses the operation button (cooking degree detection button) 53B8 of the touch panel 53 shown in FIG. 3, the temperature sensor 36B and the third communication unit 37B are activated for a predetermined time. The cooking degree detection stick 30B may have a power switch and be configured to switch between a power off state and a standby state.

[0080] In addition, when an operational input to activate the temperature sensor 36B is performed by voice input into the microphone 55, the cooking control unit 52 may activate the temperature sensor 36B and the third communication unit 37B for a predetermined period of time instead of operating the operation button 53B8 on the touch panel 53.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 1, the temperature sensor 36B is built into the lower end of the detection part of the cooked state detection rod 30B. The temperature sensor 36B is a well-known temperature sensor that uses a thermistor or the like. When the temperature sensor 36B is activated, the detection part is inserted into the ingredients of the food F1, thereby detecting the cooked state (°C) of the ingredients of the food F1.

[0082] The third communication unit 37B is disposed inside the upper end of the handle of the cooking state detection rod 30B. As shown in FIG. 2, the third communication unit 37B performs short-range wireless communication. In this embodiment, the third communication unit 37B performs short-range wireless communication by Bluetooth (registered trademark) like the first communication unit 17. The third communication unit 37B performs one-to-one short-range wireless communication with the terminal communication unit 57 by pairing with the terminal communication unit 57 of the mobile information terminal 50, and does not perform communication with any unit other than the terminal communication unit 57.

[0083] When the third communication unit 37B is in an operating state, it transmits the detection result of the temperature sensor 36B to the terminal communication unit 57. As shown in Fig. 3, the detection result (degree of cooking) of the temperature sensor 36B is displayed near the operation button (cooking degree detection button) 53B8 on the touch panel 53.

[0084] The user removes the lid of the cooking container 20, presses the operation button (cooking degree detection button) 53B8 to activate the temperature sensor 36B, and then inserts the detection part of the cooking degree detection rod 30B into the ingredients of the food item F1 to find out the degree of cooking (°C) of the ingredients of the food item F1.

[0085] The temperature sensor 36B is an example of the "second state sensor" of the present invention. The temperature sensor 36B detects the state of the food F1, that is, the degree of cooking of the ingredients of the food F1.

[0086] <Filming equipment> 1, the photographing device 40 is suspended from the ceiling above the cooking appliance 10. Although not shown, the photographing device 40 can also be supported on a wall or a stand around a dining table or the like on which the cooking appliance 10 is placed. The photographing device 40 has a power cable 40C that is connected to an outlet in the house H1.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 2, the photographing device 40 has a camera 46, a fourth communication unit 47, and a light 48. When the power cable 40C is connected to an outlet, the camera 46, the fourth communication unit 47, and the light 48 are in a standby state with minimal power consumption. When the cooking assistant app is executed on the mobile information terminal 50 and the user selects the operation of at least one of the camera 46 and the light 48 by performing an operation input via the touch panel 53 or the microphone 55, at least one of the camera 46 and the light 48 and the fourth communication unit 47 are activated. The method of putting the photographing device 40 into an activated state is not limited to this, and various methods may be adopted, such as putting the photographing device 40 into an activated state at the time the cooking assistant app is executed.

[0088] The lighting 48 may also serve as a lighting fixture in a room where a dining table on which the cooking appliance 10 is placed is located. In this case, the lighting 48 may be turned on and off independently of the execution of the cooking assistant app by the user operating a remote control switch (not shown) dedicated to the lighting 48.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 46 can photograph the cooking appliance 10 and the cooking vessel 20. The camera 46 can also photograph the upper surface of the dining table on which the cooking appliance 10 is placed, and cooking utensils placed on the upper surface, such as the ladle 30A, the cooking condition detection rod 30B, a cutting board, a knife, and the like, as well as ingredients to be cooked and seasonings (not shown). The camera 46 stores the photographed images as image information, which is a still image or a video. The camera 46 may also process the image information, for example, by trimming an area outside a predetermined appropriate range set by the user on the upper surface of the dining table. The camera 46 may also process the image information, such as by extracting images of the cooking appliance 10 and the cooking vessel 20. The camera 46 may also be configured to recognize not only visible light but also infrared light, and to extract a temperature distribution from the infrared light.

[0090] The fourth communication unit 47 is built in and disposed near the outer circumferential surface of the photographing device 40. As shown in Fig. 2, the fourth communication unit 47 performs short-distance wireless communication. In this embodiment, the fourth communication unit 47 performs short-distance wireless communication by Bluetooth (registered trademark) like the first communication unit 17 and the like. The fourth communication unit 47 performs one-to-one short-distance wireless communication with the terminal communication unit 57 by pairing with the terminal communication unit 57 of the mobile information terminal 50, and does not perform communication with any unit other than the terminal communication unit 57.

[0091] When the fourth communication unit 47 is in an operating state, it transmits image information captured by the camera 46 to the terminal communication unit 57. The image information may be raw data, or may be processed data obtained by extracting a portion of the data on the camera 46 side. Furthermore, the image information received by the terminal communication unit 57 may be processed by the cooking control unit 52.

[0092] The illuminance of the lighting 48 while it is turned on is changed under the control of the cooking control unit 52. For example, when the camera 46 is in an operating state, the lighting 48 increases its illuminance so as to improve the quality of the image information from the camera 46.

[0093] <Details of cooking control section> Each of the first communication unit 17, the second communication unit 27, the third communication units 37A, 37B and the fourth communication unit 47 performs short-range wireless communication one-to-one with the terminal communication unit 57, and is configured not to communicate with any unit other than the terminal communication unit 57.

[0094] As a result, the cooking control unit 52 performs control for cooking the food F1 by centrally managing the cooking container 20, the heat cooking appliance 10, the ladle 30A, the cooking state detection rod 30B, and the photographing device 40. Below, several cases in which the user uses the cooking system will be described.

[0095] (Case 1: When users use the cooking system around a dining table) When multiple users cook in a kitchen, they typically stand side by side. However, when a cooking appliance 10 or the like is placed on a dining table as shown in FIG. 1, multiple people can stand around the cooking appliance 10 located in the center of the dining table, creating a space that encourages interaction.

[0096] When the user performs an operation input using the touch panel 53 or the microphone 55 to instruct the heating unit 11 of the cooking appliance 10 to start heating and set the heating output, the cooking control unit 52 confirms that the heating unit 11 is in an operable state based on the state of the heating unit 11 acquired from the heating control unit 12, and then transmits the heating start and heating output setting as a cooking command for the heating unit 11 from the terminal communication unit 57 to the first communication unit 17. As a result, the heating control unit 12 starts heating the heating unit 11 based on the cooking command, and adjusts the heating output as set. The cooking control unit 52 performs calculation processing based on the state of the heating unit 11 acquired from the heating control unit 12, and grasps information such as the elapsed time after the start of heating and the adjustment history of the heating output, which is data combining the time axis and the change in the heating output, and adds it to the state of the heating unit 11 stored in the memory unit 51M.

[0097] Based on the detection results of the container temperature sensor 26 obtained from the cooking container 20, the cooking control unit 52 constantly grasps how the temperature of the cooking container 20 placed on the heating cooking appliance 10 changes when heated by the heating unit 11.

[0098] When the user performs an operation input using the touch panel 53 or microphone 55 to instruct a change in the heating output of the heating unit 11 of the cooking appliance 10, the cooking control unit 52 confirms that the heating output of the heating unit 11 is in a state in which it can be changed based on the state of the heating unit 11 acquired from the heating control unit 12 and the detection result of the container temperature sensor 26 acquired from the cooking container 20, and then transmits a change in the heating output as a cooking command for the heating unit 11 from the terminal communication unit 57 to the first communication unit 17. As a result, the heating control unit 12 changes the heating output of the heating unit 11 based on the cooking command.

[0099] During operation of the heating unit 11, if the cooking control unit 52 determines based on the detection result of the container temperature sensor 26 of the cooking container 20 that an abnormality such as overheating or misfire (loss of heating capacity) has occurred in the cooking appliance 10, it transmits a cooking command to abnormally stop the heating unit 11 from the terminal communication unit 57 to the first communication unit 17. As a result, the heating control unit 12 abnormally stops the heating unit 11 based on the cooking command.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 3, the cooking control unit 52 causes the touch panel 53 to display a history of changes in the container temperature over time, so that the user can easily understand the cooking history.

[0101] When assisting with a cooking course selected by the user, the cooking control unit 52 notifies the user of the timing to change the heating output, the timing to add multiple seasonings, and the timing to detect the degree of doneness of the ingredients of the food F1, as shown at timings T1 to T3.

[0102] The cooking control unit 52 records the weight value obtained from the ladle 30A as cooking history information, and notifies the user to urge them to add more seasoning if the weight value is low.

[0103] The cooking control unit 52 records the degree of cooking obtained from the degree of cooking detection rod 30B as cooking history information, and if the degree of cooking is not sufficient, it notifies the user to extend the heating time or change the heating output.

[0104] The cooking control unit 52 stores the image information of the camera 46 acquired from the image capturing device 40 as a video record of the cooking history. In addition, the cooking control unit 52 can display the image information of the camera 46 on the touch panel 53 in real time.

[0105] Furthermore, the cooking control unit 52 can use image information from the camera 46 to analyze the cooking state in more detail and transmit advanced cooking commands to the heating control unit 12. For example, the cooking control unit 52 performs image analysis of changes in color of the food F1 in the cooking container 20, and transmits a cooking command to reduce the heating output from the terminal communication unit 57 to the first communication unit 17 when the food F1 is likely to boil over or burn. As a result, the heating control unit 12 can prevent the food F1 from boiling over or burning by reducing the heating output of the heating unit 11 based on the cooking command.

[0106] When the user performs an operation input via the touch panel 53 or microphone 55 to instruct the heating unit 11 of the cooking appliance 10 to end heating, the cooking control unit 52 transmits a cooking command to end heating to the first communication unit 17 from the terminal communication unit 57 based on the state of the heating unit 11 acquired from the heating control unit 12. As a result, the heating control unit 12 ends the heating of the heating unit 11 based on the cooking command.

[0107] When the user finishes cooking the food F1, the cooking control unit 52 stores the recorded cooking history in the memory unit 51M in a state in which it can be reflected in subsequent cooking. If the user instructs to upload the cooking history to the external server 9 or transmit it to a specific external information processing terminal 8, the cooking control unit 52 transmits the cooking history stored in the memory unit 51M to the external server 9 or to a specific external information processing terminal 8 via the terminal communication unit 57, the wireless router 7, and the network NW1.

[0108] At this time, the cooking control unit 52 processes various information such as image information to selectively remove information that should not be transmitted and extract only necessary information, if necessary, in order to prevent information leakage or invasion of privacy. That is, the cooking control unit 52 can selectively transmit the grasped state of the heating unit 11, the detection result of the container temperature sensor 26, the detection result of the weighing sensor 36A, the detection result of the temperature sensor 36B, and the image information of the camera 46 to the external server 9 or a specific external information processing terminal 8. The criteria for the selective transmission of information by the cooking control unit 52 are set by the user in advance or each time.

[0109] In this way, by digitizing cooking history and making it available as a recipe, it becomes easier for multiple people to review the cooking process, making it easier to cook homemade dishes together or to teach homemade dishes to children.It can also be used as a reference when trying to recreate the taste of a delicious restaurant by repeatedly cooking it experimentally.

[0110] (Case 2: When a user uses the cooking system in a remote cooking class) As shown in Fig. 1, the installation state of the cooking system 100 in the house H1 in case 2 is the same as that in case 1. As shown in Fig. 2, in case 2, the external server 9 functions as a host server for a remote cooking class.

[0111] Among the multiple external information processing terminals 8, the information processing terminal 8 (8A) is an information processing terminal used by an instructor of the remote cooking class. Among the multiple external information processing terminals 8, the information processing terminals 8 other than the information processing terminal 8 (8A) are information processing terminals used by students of the remote cooking class. The information processing terminals 8 used by the students constitute a part of a cooking system similar to the cooking system 100 in the house or the like in which they are installed.

[0112] When a remote cooking class begins in which the user at home H1 participates as a student, the user can see the state of the food being cooked in the cooking containers used by the instructor and each student through images displayed on the touch panel 53, and can also interact with the instructor and other students face-to-face.

[0113] At this time, an image of the food F1 in the cooking container 20 and an image of the user in the house H1 are taken by the camera 46. The cooking control unit 52 can selectively transmit the image information of the camera 46 in real time to an external server 9 or an information processing terminal 8 of the instructor or another student. Note that an image of the user in the house H1 may be taken by a camera (not shown) mounted on the mobile information terminal 50 as necessary.

[0114] In addition, when a remote cooking class begins, the cooking control unit 52 can selectively transmit the status of the heating unit 11, the detection results of the container temperature sensor 26, the detection results of the weighing sensor 36A, and the detection results of the temperature sensor 36B in real time to the external server 9 and the instructor's information processing terminal 8 (8A).

[0115] The criteria for determining whether or not the cooking control unit 52 should selectively transmit information are set by the user in advance or each time.

[0116] Furthermore, the instructor's information processing terminal 8 (8A) sequentially transmits the instruction contents of the recipe in the remote cooking class to the mobile information terminal 50 of the student user and the information processing terminals 8 of the other students. The instruction contents transmitted to the mobile information terminal 50 are displayed on the touch panel 53. In accordance with the instruction contents, the student user can, for example, change the heating output at an appropriate time, add multiple seasonings at an appropriate time, and detect the degree of doneness of the ingredients of the food to be cooked F1 at an appropriate time.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 4, the instructor's information processing terminal 8 (8A) can transmit cooking commands to the heating unit 11 to the cooking control unit 52 based on information selectively transmitted and received from the cooking control unit 52.

[0118] For example, the instructor judges the cooking state of the student user based on the history of changes in the heating output, the history of changes in the temperature of the cooking container 20, and the cooking state of the food F1 visible from the image information of the camera 46. If the instructor determines that the heating output is too weak based on the history of changes in the heating output (broken line L1 shown by a solid line in FIG. 4), in order to improve the cooking state of the user, he or she determines a cooking command (broken line L2 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4) for the heating unit 11 to increase the heating output for a predetermined period of time and then gradually decrease the heating output, and transmits this cooking command to the cooking control unit 52.

[0119] When the cooking control unit 52 receives a cooking command from the instructor's information processing terminal 8 (8A), it controls the touch panel 53 to notify the instructor of the cooking command and to request an operational input as to whether or not to approve the cooking command.

[0120] Specifically, the cooking control unit 52 notifies the user of the cooking command by displaying a broken line L2, shown by a dotted line in FIG. 4, on the touch panel 53, and notifies the user by displaying an “Approve” button 53A1 and a “Do not approve” button 53A2 on the touch panel 53, requesting input as to whether or not to approve the cooking command.

[0121] In this case, the cooking control unit 52 can also control the speaker 54 as necessary to notify the user of the cooking command and to request an operational input as to whether or not to approve the cooking command.

[0122] When an operation input approving a cooking command is performed on the touch panel 53, the cooking command is transmitted from the terminal communication unit 57 to the first communication unit 17. As a result, based on the cooking command, the heating control unit 12 increases the heating output of the heating unit 11 for a predetermined time as shown by the two-dot chain broken line L2 in Fig. 4, and then changes the heating output to be gradually decreased.

[0123] In this case, when an operation input approving the cooking command is made by voice input to the microphone 55, the cooking control unit 52 may transmit the cooking command from the terminal communication unit 57 to the first communication unit 17.

[0124] In this embodiment, the cooking control unit 52 transmits a cooking command from the terminal communication unit 57 to the first communication unit 17 only when the user performs an operation input to approve the cooking command.

[0125] Since the cooking command is approved by the user, the external server 9 and the information processing terminals 8 of the other students may also be able to send cooking commands to the heating unit 11 to the cooking control unit 52 based on the information transmitted from the cooking control unit 52. The cooking commands sent by the external server 9 may be determined by an artificial intelligence (AI) that operates in the external server 9 and supports the remote cooking class.

[0126] In this way, when each student finishes cooking in a remote cooking class, the instructor and each student can show each other pictures of the completed dish and share each student's cooking history, promoting communication. At this time, the cooking control unit 52 is configured to selectively transmit information to the outside, preventing information leaks and privacy violations.

[0127] <Action and effect> 2, in the cooking system 100 of the embodiment, a user uses a mobile information terminal 50 such as a smartphone or a tablet as a cooking control unit 52, a touch panel 53, a speaker 54, and a microphone 55. In this configuration, the touch panel 53, the speaker 54, and the microphone 55 are provided integrally with the cooking control unit 52.

[0128] The user inputs operations to the touch panel 53 or microphone 55 to cook using the cooking appliance 10, cooking container 20, ladle 30A, and cooking state detection rod 30B. The cooking control unit 52 analyzes the cooking state based on the operation input and the detection results of the container temperature sensor 26, the measurement sensor 36A, the temperature sensor 36B, etc., and transmits cooking commands to the heating control unit 12 via the terminal communication unit 57 and the first communication unit 17.

[0129] The heating control unit 12 only executes control based on the cooking command. Therefore, the cooking appliance 10 does not need to have a complex electronic circuit or advanced communication unit for making a judgment. Specifically, the cooking control unit 52 judges whether an abnormality such as overheating or misfire (loss of heating ability) has occurred in the cooking appliance 10 based on the detection result of the container temperature sensor 26 of the cooking container 20, and transmits a cooking command for the heating unit 11 to the heating control unit 12. As a result, the cooking appliance 10 does not need to have a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the bottom of the cooking container 20 or an electronic circuit that performs control based on the temperature sensor. Therefore, the cooking system 100 allows the cooking appliance 10 to be extremely compact.

[0130] The cooking container 20 also simply transmits the detection result of the container temperature sensor 26 to the cooking control unit 52 via the second communication unit 27 and the terminal communication unit 57, so there is no need to have complex electronic circuits or advanced communication units for making judgments.

[0131] The ladle 30A also simply transmits the detection results of the weighing sensor 36A to the cooking control unit 52 via the third communication unit 37A and the terminal communication unit 57, and therefore does not need to have complex electronic circuits or advanced communication units for making judgments.

[0132] The cookedness detection rod 30B also simply transmits the detection result of the temperature sensor 36B to the cooking control unit 52 via the third communication unit 37B and the terminal communication unit 57, and therefore does not need to have complex electronic circuits or advanced communication units for making judgments.

[0133] As a result, this cooking system 100 simplifies the heating cooking appliance 10, cooking container 20, ladle 30A, and cooking degree detection rod 30B, and together with the cooking control unit 52, touch panel 53, speaker 54, and microphone 55, it can be easily carried to various places other than the kitchen, such as a dining room, living room, or multi-purpose facility, and can perform advanced cooking in various places based on cooking commands from the cooking control unit 52.

[0134] In addition, in this cooking system 100, the cooking control unit 52 centrally manages the cooking container 20, the cooking appliance 10, the ladle 30A, and the cooked state detection wand 30B, so the heating control unit 12 does not receive any command from a terminal other than the cooking control unit 52 and causes the heating unit 11 to start heating, etc., without going through the cooking control unit 52. In addition, in this cooking system 100, the cooking control unit 52 can prevent information leakage from the cooking container 20, the cooking appliance 10, the ladle 30A, and the cooked state detection wand 30B.

[0135] Therefore, the cooking system 100 of the embodiment can be configured to be a highly safe system in various locations with a simple configuration and can operate stably, thereby improving the convenience of the user who cooks.

[0136] In this embodiment, the touch panel 53, speaker 54, and microphone 55 are integral with the cooking control unit 52, so there is no need to carry the cooking control unit 52, the touch panel 53, the speaker 54, and the microphone 55 separately, making it even easier to carry the cooking control unit 52 to various locations.

[0137] In addition, in this cooking system 100, the first communication unit 17, the second communication unit 27, and the third communication units 37A and 37B perform short-range wireless communication for communication. This configuration eliminates the hassle of connecting the cooking device 10, the cooking container 20, the ladle 30A, and the cooked state detection rod 30B to the cooking control unit 52 by wire, making it easier to carry the system to various places.

[0138] Furthermore, in this cooking system 100, the fourth communication unit 47, which performs short-distance communication, transmits image information captured by the camera 46 to the terminal communication unit 57. Then, the cooking control unit 52 transmits cooking commands using the image information. With this configuration, the cooking control unit 52 can analyze the cooking state in more detail using the image information captured by the camera 46 and transmit advanced cooking commands to the heating control unit 12. For example, the cooking control unit 52 performs image analysis of changes in color of the food F1 in the cooking container 20, and transmits a cooking command to reduce the heating output from the terminal communication unit 57 to the first communication unit 17 when the food F1 is likely to boil over or burn. As a result, the heating control unit 12 can prevent the food F1 from boiling over or burning by reducing the heating output of the heating unit 11 based on the cooking command. Also, with this configuration, the cooking control unit 52 can prevent information leakage from the photographing device 40 and privacy violation. Furthermore, the user can save the cooking history as a video record. Furthermore, since the fourth communication unit 47 is configured to perform short-range wireless communication, the hassle of connecting the fourth communication unit 47 and the cooking control unit 52 with a wire is eliminated, making it even easier to carry the device to various locations.

[0139] In addition, in this cooking system 100, the terminal communication unit 57 can communicate with an external server 9 and an external information processing terminal 8 via the network NW1. The cooking control unit 52 can selectively transmit the state of the heating unit 11, the detection result of the container temperature sensor 26, the detection result of the weighing sensor 36A, the detection result of the temperature sensor 36B, and the image information of the camera 46 to the external server 9 and the information processing terminal 8. With this configuration, the cooking system 100 can be used in remote cooking classes, etc. Instructors can remotely grasp the cooking state of the students in detail and can provide appropriate instruction. In addition, interaction between students can be promoted. At this time, the cooking control unit 52 can prevent information leakage and privacy violation.

[0140] Furthermore, in this cooking system 100, the instructor's information processing terminal 8 (8A) can transmit a cooking command to the heating unit 11 to the cooking control unit 52 based on information selectively transmitted and received from the cooking control unit 52. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the cooking control unit 52 receives a cooking command (broken line L2 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4) from the instructor's information processing terminal 8 (8A), it notifies the instructor of the cooking command by displaying the broken line L2 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 on the touch panel 53, and notifies the instructor of the cooking command by displaying an "Approve" button 53A1 and a "Do not approve" button 53A2 on the touch panel 53. Then, when an operational input to approve the cooking command is made to the touch panel 53 or the microphone 55, the cooking control unit 52 transmits the cooking command from the terminal communication unit 57 to the first communication unit 17. With this configuration, in a remote cooking class or the like, cooking commands determined by an instructor to improve the cooking state of a user who is a student can be transmitted from the instructor's information processing terminal 8 (8A) to the cooking control unit 52. Then, when the user confirms and approves safety, the cooking control unit 52 can cause the heating control unit 12 to execute control based on the cooking commands transmitted from the instructor's information processing terminal 8 (8A). This allows the cooking system 100 to further increase safety.

[0141] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0142] In the embodiment, the input / output unit is a touch panel 53, a speaker 54, and a microphone 55 that are integral with the cooking control unit 52, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the input / output unit may be provided separately from the cooking control unit. For example, the user may use an information processing terminal such as a personal computer or a dedicated terminal as the cooking control unit, and use the touch panel, speaker, and microphone of a mobile information terminal as the input / output unit. In this case, the touch panel, speaker, and microphone are provided separately from the cooking control unit. In addition, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the cooking control unit is integral with a cooking appliance or a photographing device, and the touch panel, speaker, and microphone of a mobile information terminal are used as the input / output unit, or a dedicated input / output unit is provided. When the cooking control unit is integral with the cooking appliance, there is no need for wireless communication between the terminal communication unit of the cooking control unit and the first communication unit of the cooking appliance, so that, for example, a simple signal wiring without an electric circuit can be used as the first communication unit. When the cooking control unit is integrated with the photographing equipment, there is no need for wireless communication between the terminal communication unit of the cooking control unit and the fourth communication unit of the photographing equipment, so that, for example, a simple signal wiring without an electrical circuit can be used as the fourth communication unit.

[0143] In the embodiment, the cooking utensils are the ladle 30A and the cooking state detection rod 30B, and the second state sensor is the measurement sensor 36A and the temperature sensor 36B, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the cooking utensil is a spatula or a spatula, and the second state sensor of the spatula is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the food to be cooked or a concentration sensor that detects the salt concentration of the food to be cooked.

[0144] In the embodiment, the cooking appliance 10 is a portable IH stove having a high-frequency induction heating type heating unit 11, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the cooking appliance may be a portable cassette gas stove having a gas combustion type heating unit and a heating control unit that controls gas combustion by the heating unit, and the heating unit may burn fuel gas supplied from a cassette gas cylinder. In this case, the heating unit has a fuel gas control valve that controls the supply of fuel gas, the adjustment of the supply amount, and the stop, and an ignition device, and the heating control unit controls the fuel gas control valve and the ignition device based on a cooking command to the heating unit from the cooking control unit. For this reason, the cooking appliance does not need to have an operation button or the like as a user interface through which the user inputs operations to the heating unit.

[0145] In the embodiment, the photographing device 40 has the lighting 48, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration in which the lighting 48 is removed from the photographing device 40 is also included in the present invention.

[0146] In the embodiment, in a remote cooking class, the user determines whether to approve a cooking command sent from the external server 9 or the information processing terminal 8 and received by the terminal communication unit 57 of the mobile information terminal 50 via the network NW1, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the user determines whether to approve a cooking command determined by an acquaintance connected via the network NW1 during daily cooking or a cooking command determined by the artificial intelligence of a cooking support server connected via the network NW1.

[0147] In the embodiment, the cooking container 20 has the container temperature sensor 26 as the first status sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the configuration may include a weighing sensor that measures the weight of the food to be cooked or a concentration sensor that detects the salt concentration of the food to be cooked, and multiple first status sensors may be included. In this case, the cooking container 20 may not be provided with the container temperature sensor 26, and the container temperature sensor may be provided on the top surface of the heating cooking appliance 10 on which the cooking container 20 is placed.

[0148] Furthermore, the camera of the photographing device 40 may also function as a container temperature sensor. As a specific example, the camera may receive infrared rays emitted by the food to be cooked and recognize the temperature, and may be used in conjunction with the container temperature sensor 26.

[0149] In the embodiment, all communications are performed by Bluetooth (registered trademark) as an example in which each of the first communication unit 17, the second communication unit 27, the third communication units 37A and 37B, and the fourth communication unit 47 performs one-to-one short-range wireless communications with the terminal communication unit 57, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention also includes a configuration in which the battery-operated cooking container 20, the ladle 30A, and the cooking degree detection rod 30B communicate by Bluetooth (registered trademark), which allows communication with low power consumption, and the heating cooking appliance 10 and the photographing device 40, which are connected to a commercial power source and transmit a relatively large amount of information, communicate by Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0150] In the embodiment, each of the first communication unit 17, the second communication unit 27, the third communication units 37A and 37B, and the fourth communication unit 47 directly performs short-range wireless communication one-to-one with the terminal communication unit 57, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the second communication unit may relay information transmitted from the first communication unit and transmit it to the terminal communication unit. In this case, the relayed second communication unit functions as a path for the first communication unit and is treated as the first communication unit. Furthermore, each of the first communication unit 17, the second communication unit 27, the third communication units 37A and 37B, and the fourth communication unit 47 may communicate with the terminal communication unit 57 via another communication device (router, etc.) not shown.

[0151] In the embodiment, the cooking system is used around a dining table, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the cooking system may be configured to include a cooking appliance installed on a kitchen counter. In this case, the image capturing device may be built into a range hood installed above the cooking appliance. [Industrial Applicability]

[0152] The present invention can be used, for example, in a cooking system for performing cooking in a home, a cooking facility, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 100…Cooking system F1…To be cooked 20...Cooking container 11...Heating section 10…Heating cooking equipment 30A, 30B... Cooking utensils (30A... Ladle, 30B... Cooking condition detection rod) 52...Cooking control unit 53, 54, 55...input / output section (53...touch panel, 54...speaker, 55...microphone) 12... Heating control unit 17…1st Communications Department 26...First status sensor (container temperature sensor) 27…Second Communications Department 36A, 36B... second state sensor (36A... weighing sensor, 36B... temperature sensor) 37A, 37B…Third Communication Department 57…Terminal communication section 46…Camera 47…4th Communications Department 40...Filming equipment NW1…Network 8, 9... External information processing terminal (8... Information processing terminal, 9... External server)

Claims

1. A cooking container for accommodating food to be cooked; A cooking appliance having a heating unit for heating the cooking container; A cooking utensil used together with the cooking container to cook the food to be cooked; A cooking control unit that controls the cooking container, the heating cooking appliance, and the cooking utensils in an integrated manner to cook the food to be cooked; An input / output unit that is provided integrally with or separate from the cooking control unit, receives input of an operation for cooking the food to be cooked, transmits information of the operation to the cooking control unit, and is controlled by the cooking control unit to output information for cooking the food to be cooked; A cooking system comprising: The cooking appliance includes a heating control unit that controls heating by the heating unit; A first communication unit that executes communication, The cooking vessel includes a first status sensor for detecting a status of the cooking vessel; A second communication unit that executes the communication, The cooking utensil has a second status sensor that detects the status of the food to be cooked and / or the status of an additional food to be added to the food to be cooked; a third communication unit that executes the communication; The cooking control unit has a terminal communication unit that performs the communication one-to-one with each of the first communication unit, the second communication unit, and the third communication unit, The first communication unit transmits a state of the heating unit grasped by the heating control unit to the terminal communication unit, The second communication unit transmits a detection result of the first status sensor to the terminal communication unit, The third communication unit transmits a detection result of the second status sensor to the terminal communication unit, The cooking control unit transmits a cooking command for the heating unit from the terminal communication unit to the first communication unit based on information received by the terminal communication unit, A cooking system characterized in that the heating control unit is configured to execute control based on the cooking command.

2. The cooking system according to claim 1 , wherein the first communication unit, the second communication unit, and the third communication unit perform short-range wireless communication as the communication.

3. a photographing device having a camera capable of photographing the cooking container and the cooking appliance and a fourth communication unit that performs the short-range wireless communication; the fourth communication unit transmits image information captured by the camera to the terminal communication unit; The cooking system according to claim 2 , wherein the cooking control unit transmits the cooking command by using the image information.

4. the terminal communication unit is capable of communicating with an external information processing terminal via a network, The cooking system of claim 3 , wherein the cooking control unit is capable of selectively transmitting to the information processing terminal the detected state of the heating unit, the detection result of the first status sensor, the detection result of the second status sensor, and the image information of the camera.

5. The information processing terminal is capable of transmitting the cooking command for the heating unit to the cooking control unit based on the information transmitted from the cooking control unit, The cooking system according to claim 4, wherein when the cooking control unit receives the cooking command from the information processing terminal, the cooking control unit transmits the cooking command from the terminal communication unit to the first communication unit when an operational input approving the cooking command is made to the input / output unit.

Images