Rice remaining amount management system, server, rice remaining amount management method, and program

Abstract

To provide a rice remaining amount management system capable of managing a rice remaining amount in a rice container while suppressing increase in the number of components.SOLUTION: A rice remaining amount management system according to the present disclosure is a system that includes a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, and manages the rice remaining amount in the rice container. The system includes an input unit provided in the rice cooker or the communication terminal, a storage unit, a used amount detection unit, a calculation unit, and a control unit. In the input unit, the height position of the upper surface of the rice in the rice container can be input. The storage unit stores the remaining amount of the rice corresponding to the height position input via the input unit. The used amount detection unit detects the amount of the rice used for rice cooking in the rice cooker. The calculation unit calculates a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the used amount from the remaining amount of the rice stored in the storage unit. The control unit controls the calculation unit to calculate the subtraction result obtained by subtracting the used amount from the remaining amount of the rice stored in the storage unit, and stores the subtraction result in the storage unit as a new remaining amount of the rice.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of rice cooker, for example, the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1 is known. The rice cooker described in Patent Document 1 includes a pot, a rice container for storing rice, and a rice supply unit for supplying rice from the rice container to the pot during rice cooking. A capacitance detection unit having a plurality of detection electrodes is provided on the outer surface of the rice container. Each detection electrode forms a capacitance with the rice in the rice container. The rice cooker further includes an estimation unit for estimating the amount of rice remaining in the rice container. The estimation unit determines whether rice is present at the height of each detection electrode based on the capacitance of each detection electrode, and estimates the amount of rice remaining in the rice container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-15696 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The rice cooker of Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement in terms of managing the amount of rice remaining in the rice container while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problem by providing a rice remaining amount management system, a rice remaining amount management method, and a program for executing the method that can manage the amount of rice remaining in a rice container while minimizing an increase in the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The rice remaining amount management system according to the present disclosure includes: A rice remaining amount management system that includes a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, and manages the amount of rice remaining in the rice container, an input unit provided in the rice cooker or the communication terminal and capable of inputting a height position of an upper surface of the rice in the rice container; a storage unit that stores the amount of remaining rice corresponding to the height position input via the input unit; A usage amount detection unit that detects the usage amount of rice used for cooking rice in the rice cooker; A calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used from the amount of rice remaining stored in the storage unit; A control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit; Equipped with The control unit is configured to control the calculation unit to calculate a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of usage from the amount of remaining rice stored in the memory unit, and to store the subtraction result in the memory unit as a new amount of remaining rice.

[0007] The rice remaining amount management method according to the present disclosure includes: A method for managing remaining rice in a rice container using a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, comprising: storing in a memory unit the amount of remaining rice corresponding to the height position input via an input unit capable of inputting the height position of the top surface of the rice in the rice container; Detecting the amount of rice used for cooking in the rice cooker; Calculating a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used from the amount of rice remaining stored in the storage unit; storing the subtraction result in the memory unit as a new amount of remaining rice; Includes.

[0008] The server according to the present disclosure includes: A server capable of communicating with a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal having an input unit capable of inputting a height position of an upper surface of rice in the rice container, a storage unit that stores the amount of remaining rice corresponding to the height position acquired from the communication terminal; a calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result by subtracting an amount of rice used acquired from the rice cooker or the communication terminal from the amount of remaining rice stored in the storage unit; A control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit; Equipped with The control unit is configured to control the calculation unit to calculate a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of usage from the amount of remaining rice stored in the memory unit, and to store the subtraction result in the memory unit as a new amount of remaining rice. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a rice remaining amount management system, a rice remaining amount management method, and a program for executing the method that can manage the amount of rice remaining in a rice container while minimizing an increase in the number of parts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a rice remaining amount management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker equipped with a rice remaining management system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the rice remaining amount management system. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the communication terminal when the amount of remaining rice is not stored in the server storage unit. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a rice remaining amount input screen displayed on the communication terminal. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the communication terminal when there is a large amount of rice remaining. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the communication terminal, illustrating a display when the remaining amount of rice is less than a predetermined notification amount. FIG. [Figure 9]13 is a diagram showing an example of a rice remaining amount input screen displayed on a communication terminal, with the input bar in the position before being moved; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] <Knowledge that formed the basis of this disclosure> As a result of extensive research into how to manage the amount of rice remaining in a rice container while minimizing an increase in the number of parts, the inventors have come to the following findings.

[0012] Some conventional rice cookers (for example, the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1) are equipped with a rice container that can hold a larger amount of rice than is used in one cooking session, and are configured to transfer the desired amount of rice from the rice container to a pot when cooking. In a rice cooker with this configuration, there is no need to put rice into the pot each time rice is cooked, improving the convenience of the rice cooker. Furthermore, rice cooking can be started remotely by operating a communication terminal that can communicate with the rice cooker.

[0013] On the other hand, in rice cookers with a rice container, the lid of the rice container is usually opened when refilling rice, so it is difficult to notice that the amount of rice in the rice container is low. Furthermore, when starting rice cooking remotely, it is not possible to directly visually check the amount of rice remaining in the rice container. Therefore, when trying to cook rice, there is a risk that the amount of rice remaining in the rice container is insufficient and the desired amount of rice cannot be cooked.

[0014] Furthermore, in the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1, the rice in the rice container is removed from an opening provided in a part of the bottom of the rice container to be transferred into the pot. As a result, the top surface of the rice in the rice container (shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3) changes to a shape that is concave downward toward the opening as the rice is cooked repeatedly. In other words, a difference occurs in the height position of the top surface of the rice between the area near the opening and the area away from the opening when viewed from above. As a result, it becomes difficult to accurately grasp the amount of rice remaining by visual inspection.

[0015] In the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1, multiple detection electrodes are provided on the outer surface of the rice container, and the amount of rice remaining in the rice container is estimated based on the capacitance detected by each detection electrode. However, from the perspective of reducing the number of parts and costs, there is room for improvement in the configuration for managing the amount of remaining rice.

[0016] Therefore, the inventors have discovered a rice remaining amount management system and method that subtracts the amount of rice used for cooking rice from the amount of remaining rice input via a communication terminal that can communicate with the rice cooker. With this configuration, it is possible to manage the amount of remaining rice in the rice container while suppressing an increase in the number of parts of the rice cooker. Based on this new finding, the inventors have come up with the following disclosure.

[0017] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, A rice remaining amount management system that includes a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, and manages the amount of rice remaining in the rice container, an input unit provided in the rice cooker or the communication terminal and capable of inputting a height position of an upper surface of the rice in the rice container; a storage unit that stores the amount of remaining rice corresponding to the height position input via the input unit; A usage amount detection unit that detects the usage amount of rice used for cooking rice in the rice cooker; A calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used from the amount of rice remaining stored in the storage unit; A control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit; Equipped with The control unit controls the calculation unit to calculate a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used from the amount of rice remaining stored in the memory unit, and stores the subtraction result in the memory unit as a new amount of rice remaining. Provides a rice remaining quantity management system.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, A container scale indicating the height position is provided on the side wall of the rice container, the communication terminal includes a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit; the terminal control unit causes the display unit to display a virtual scale corresponding to the container scale when the height position is input to the communication terminal; The input unit accepts an input of the height position inputted in correspondence with the virtual scale. The present invention provides a rice remaining amount management system according to a first aspect.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the terminal control unit controls the display unit to display an input bar used for inputting the height position superimposed on the virtual scale; the input unit accepts a position of the input bar on the virtual scale as an input of the height position. The present invention provides a rice remaining amount management system according to a second aspect.

[0020] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the rice remaining management system according to the third aspect, wherein the terminal control unit causes the display unit to display the area below the input bar in white.

[0021] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a rice remaining amount management system as described in the third or fourth aspect, in which the terminal control unit, when starting to display the virtual scale, displays on the display unit, moving the input bar downward from a position above a position on the virtual scale corresponding to the remaining amount of rice stored in the memory unit to that position.

[0022] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the communication terminal includes a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit; When the remaining amount of rice is stored in the memory unit, the terminal control unit causes the display unit to display a maximum amount graphic having a dimension corresponding to the maximum amount of rice that can be contained in the rice container and a remaining amount graphic having a dimension corresponding to the remaining amount of rice stored in the memory unit, superimposed on each other. The present invention provides a rice remaining amount management system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0023] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the communication terminal includes a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit; The terminal control unit causes the display unit to display an input prompting display for prompting input of the height position when the remaining amount of rice is not stored in the storage unit. The present invention provides a rice remaining amount management system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0024] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the communication terminal includes a display unit, a notification unit, and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit, the display unit, and the notification unit; The terminal control unit causes the notification unit to notify when the remaining amount of rice stored in the memory unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined notification amount. The present invention provides a rice remaining amount management system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0025] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the communication terminal includes a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit; The terminal control unit controls the display unit to display a refill prompting display that prompts the user to refill the rice container with rice when the remaining amount of rice stored in the memory unit is zero, and to display an input prompting display that prompts the user to input the height position when the remaining amount of rice stored in the memory unit is a negative value. The present invention provides a rice remaining amount management system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.

[0026] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, The storage unit is provided in the communication terminal, The input unit receives an input of the height position during cooking in the rice cooker. The present invention provides a rice remaining amount management system according to any one of the first to ninth aspects.

[0027] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the rice remaining amount management system according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, further comprising a server in which the storage unit is provided.

[0028] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, A server capable of communicating with a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal having an input unit capable of inputting a height position of an upper surface of rice in the rice container, a storage unit that stores the amount of remaining rice corresponding to the height position acquired from the communication terminal; a calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result by subtracting an amount of rice used acquired from the rice cooker or the communication terminal from the amount of remaining rice stored in the storage unit; A control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit; Equipped with The control unit controls the calculation unit to calculate a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used from the amount of rice remaining stored in the memory unit, and stores the subtraction result in the memory unit as a new amount of rice remaining. Provide a server.

[0029] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, A method for managing remaining rice in a rice container using a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, comprising: storing in a memory unit the amount of remaining rice corresponding to the height position input via an input unit capable of inputting the height position of the top surface of the rice in the rice container; Detecting the amount of rice used for cooking in the rice cooker; Calculating a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used from the amount of rice remaining stored in the storage unit; storing the subtraction result in the memory unit as a new amount of remaining rice; Including, To provide a method for managing rice remaining amount.

[0030] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, A rice remaining amount management method for managing the amount of rice remaining in the rice container using the rice cooker, the communication terminal having the input unit, and a server capable of communicating with the rice cooker and the communication terminal, The server includes the storage unit, a calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used from the amount of rice remaining stored in the storage unit, and a control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit, The control unit is storing the amount of remaining rice corresponding to the height position obtained from the communication terminal in the storage unit; a calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the amount of rice used acquired from the rice cooker or the communication terminal from the amount of rice remaining stored in the storage unit; The subtraction result is stored in the memory unit as a new amount of remaining rice. A method for managing rice remaining amount is provided according to a thirteenth aspect.

[0031] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a program for causing a terminal control unit provided in the communication terminal to execute the rice remaining management method described in the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect.

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions (e.g., terms including "up", "down", "right", and "left") are used as necessary, but the use of these terms is for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, and the meanings of these terms do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or its uses.

[0033] <Embodiment> A rice remaining amount management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the rice remaining amount management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a rice cooker equipped with the rice remaining amount management system.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 1, the rice remaining amount management system according to this embodiment includes a rice cooker 1 having a rice container 14, a communication terminal 2, and a server 3. The rice remaining amount management system is a system that manages the amount of rice remaining in the rice container 14. The rice cooker 1, the communication terminal 2, and the server 3 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 4 such as the Internet.

[0035] 1 and 2, rice cooker 1 has pot 11 for containing food to be cooked, including rice and water, heating unit 12 for heating pot 11, weight sensor 13 for detecting the weight of pot 11, and rice container 14 for containing rice. For example, heating unit 12 is a coil for inductively heating pot 11.

[0036] Weight sensor 13 is an example of a "usage detection unit" in the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 2, weight sensor 13 is disposed below pot 11 and detects the weight of pot 11. Weight sensor 13 can also detect the weight of the rice contained in pot 11, i.e., the weight of the rice to be cooked, by subtracting the weight of pot 11 containing nothing from the weight of pot 11 containing rice to be cooked.

[0037] The rice container 14 can contain, for example, more rice than the amount of rice that can be cooked at one time in the rice cooker 1. In this embodiment, the maximum amount of rice that can be cooked at one time in the rice cooker 1 is approximately 300 g, and the rice container 14 can contain 2 kg of rice. The upper opening of the rice container 14 is covered by a lid 141.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 3, a container scale 143 indicating the height position of the upper surface of the rice in the rice container 14 is provided on the side wall 142 of the rice container 14. In the following description, the height position of the upper surface of the rice in the rice container 14 may be simply referred to as the "height position". In this embodiment, the container scale 143 shows a numerical value indicating the amount of rice corresponding to that height position. For example, when the upper surface of the rice is flat and at the height position of "2" on the container scale 143, 2 kg of rice is contained in the rice container 14.

[0039] A rice discharge port 144 that communicates with the pot 11 is provided on part of the bottom surface of the rice container 14. Before cooking begins, the rice in the rice container 14 is discharged from the rice discharge port 144 and transferred into the pot 11 by a rice sending device (not shown) provided in the rice cooker 1. Therefore, the user usually opens the lid 141 of the rice container 14 when refilling the rice container 14 with rice.

[0040] 2, a water tank 15 that contains water is removably attached to the rice cooker 1. The water in the water tank 15 is automatically supplied to the pot 11 by a water supply device (not shown) provided in the rice cooker 1 before cooking begins.

[0041] The rice cooker 1 further includes a rice cooker storage unit 16, a rice cooker communication unit 17 connected to the network 4, and a rice cooker control unit 18. A rice cooking sequence for cooking food containing rice and water is stored in the rice cooker storage unit 16. The rice cooking sequence refers to a procedure for cooking rice in which the heating temperature, heating time, heating output, etc. for each of the four cooking steps, for example, a preheating step, a temperature increasing step, a boiling step, and a steaming step, are performed in order, and are determined in advance.

[0042] The rice cooker control unit 18 is connected to the heating unit 12, the weight sensor 13, the rice cooker memory unit 16, and the rice cooker communication unit 17, and controls the operation of each unit.

[0043] The rice cooking operation of the rice cooker 1 will now be described. When a user operates an operation unit (not shown) provided in the rice cooker 1 to start rice cooking, the rice cooker control unit 18 controls the rice sending device to transfer rice from the rice container 14 into the pot 11. The amount of rice to be transferred may be determined in advance, or may be selected by the user when operating the rice cooking start unit.

[0044] After the rice is transferred, rice cooker control unit 18 controls weight sensor 13 to detect the weight of the rice actually contained in pot 11. In other words, weight sensor 13 detects the amount of rice used for cooking rice in rice cooker 1. After detecting the amount of rice used, rice cooker control unit 18 controls the water supply device to supply pot 11 with an amount of water corresponding to the amount of rice in pot 11.

[0045] After rice and water are placed in the pot 11, the rice cooker control unit 18 reads out the rice cooking sequence from the rice cooker storage unit 16, and operates the heating unit 12 based on the rice cooking sequence. This causes the rice cooker 1 to cook rice.

[0046] The user can also remotely start cooking rice from the communication terminal 2. In this case, when a rice cooking start signal is input from the communication terminal 2 to the rice cooker communication unit 17, the rice cooker control unit 18 controls the rice sending device to transfer the rice in the rice container 14 into the pot 11.

[0047] The communication terminal 2 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc. In this embodiment, the communication terminal 2 is a smartphone on which a home appliance operation application for remotely controlling home appliances including the rice cooker 1 is installed.

[0048] The communication terminal 2 has a touch panel 21, a notification unit 22, and a terminal storage unit 23. The touch panel 21 is an example of an "input unit" and a "display unit" in the present disclosure. The communication terminal 2 is connected to the network 4 via a terminal communication unit 24. The touch panel 21, the notification unit 22, the terminal storage unit 23, and the terminal communication unit 24 are connected to a terminal control unit 25 provided in the communication terminal 2 and are controlled by the terminal control unit 25. For example, the terminal control unit 25 controls the display of the touch panel 21 and receives information such as the position on the panel that has been touched from the touch panel 21. In this embodiment, the notification unit 22 and the terminal control unit 25 are processors such as a central processing unit (CPU) mounted on a smartphone.

[0049] The server 3 has a server storage unit 31, a calculation unit 32, and a server communication unit 33 connected to the network 4. The server storage unit 31, the calculation unit 32, and the server communication unit 33 are controlled by a server control unit 34 included in the server 3. The server control unit 34 is an example of a "control unit" in this disclosure. In this embodiment, the server storage unit 31 stores the remaining amount of rice in the rice container 14 calculated by a method described below.

[0050] The rice cooker memory unit 16, the terminal memory unit 23, and the server memory unit 31 are realized, for example, by memories such as DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, HDD, SSD, other storage devices, or an appropriate combination of these.

[0051] The rice cooker communication unit 17, the terminal communication unit 24, and the server communication unit 33 are network modules (interface circuits) that can be connected to a network 4 such as the Internet or a wireless LAN. Each communication unit communicates according to standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), IEEE802.2, IEEE802.3, 3G, LTE, 4G, 5G, and Bluetooth (registered trademark). Each communication unit may communicate with an intranet, an extranet, a LAN, ISDN, a VAN, a CATV communication network, a virtual private network, a telephone line network, a mobile communication network, a satellite communication network, and the like in addition to the Internet.

[0052] A method for managing the amount of remaining rice in the rice container 14 in the remaining rice amount management system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the remaining rice amount management system.

[0053] In the method, first, the height position is input via the touch panel 21 of the communication terminal 2 (step St11 in FIG. 4).

[0054] Fig. 5 is an example of an operation screen displayed on the communication terminal, showing the display when the remaining amount of rice is not stored in the server storage unit. For example, when the home appliance operation application is started on the communication terminal 2, the terminal control unit 25 causes the operation screen to be displayed on the touch panel 21. As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, a virtual rice cooking start button 201 for sending a rice cooking start signal from the communication terminal 2 to the rice cooker 1 is displayed on the operation screen.

[0055] When the amount of remaining rice is not stored in the server storage unit 31, the terminal control unit 25 causes the touch panel 21 to display an input prompt display 211 for prompting input of the height position. In this embodiment, the input prompt display 211 includes a message 211a for prompting input of the height position, and a virtual transition button 211b for transitioning to an input screen for the height position. For example, the message 211a is a message that reads, "If you set the remaining amount, you will be notified of the timing of refilling in conjunction with the amount of cooked rice."

[0056] In order to determine whether the remaining amount of rice is stored in the server storage unit 31, the terminal control unit 25 may control the terminal communication unit 24 to transmit a rice remaining amount request signal requesting the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31. When the server communication unit 33 receives the rice remaining amount request signal, the server control unit 34 controls the server communication unit 33 to read the remaining amount of rice from the server storage unit 31 and transmit the remaining amount of rice to the communication terminal 2 when the remaining amount of rice is stored in the server storage unit 31. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of rice is not stored in the server storage unit 31, the server storage unit 31 controls the server communication unit 33 to transmit an unstored signal indicating that the remaining amount of rice is not stored in the server storage unit 31 to the communication terminal 2.

[0057] When the terminal communication unit 24 receives the unstored signal, the terminal control unit 25 causes the touch panel 21 to display an input prompting display 211. The case where the terminal communication unit 24 receives the remaining amount of rice will be described later.

[0058] When the transition button 211b is touched by the user, the terminal control unit 25 displays a rice remaining amount input screen on which the height position can be input, on the touch panel 21. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the rice remaining amount input screen displayed on the communication terminal.

[0059] The terminal control unit 25 causes the touch panel 21 to display, as part of the remaining rice amount input screen, a virtual scale 221 corresponding to the container scale and an input bar 222 used by the user to input the height position. The virtual scale 221 has the same or a similar shape as the container scale 143 (see FIG. 2). The input bar 222 is displayed superimposed on the virtual scale 221.

[0060] Furthermore, the terminal control unit 25 controls the touch panel 21 so as to display in white a lower region 223 below the input bar 222 in the virtual scale 221. Specifically, the lower region 223 may be displayed in a state where it is filled in white, or may be displayed in white so that the scale can be seen through it, as shown in FIG.

[0061] While comparing the container scale 143 with the virtual scale 221 displayed on the touch panel 21, the user swipes the input bar 222 up and down to move it to a position on the virtual scale 221 that corresponds to the height position on the container scale 143. In other words, the user reproduces the height position on the container scale 143 using the input bar 222 on the virtual scale 221. By this operation, the user inputs the height position via the touch panel 21.

[0062] The touch panel 21 receives the position of the input bar 222 on the virtual scale 221 as an input of a height position. That is, the touch panel 21 receives an input of a height position that is input in accordance with the virtual scale 221.

[0063] For example, when the user touches a virtual "OK" button displayed on the rice remaining amount input screen, the input of the height position may be completed.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 4, after the height position is input, the remaining amount of rice corresponding to that height position is stored in the storage unit (step St12 in Fig. 4). Conversion from the height position input via the touch panel 21 (e.g., the position of "2" on the container scale 143) to the remaining amount of rice corresponding to that height position (e.g., 2 kg) may be performed by either the communication terminal 2 or the server 3.

[0065] The terminal control unit 25 controls the terminal communication unit 24 to transmit the height position or the remaining amount of rice corresponding to the height position to the server 3. When the height position or the remaining amount of rice is received by the server communication unit 33, the server control unit 34 stores the received remaining amount of rice in the server storage unit 31.

[0066] Next, when rice is cooked in the rice cooker 1, the amount of rice used for cooking is detected (step St13 in FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the amount of rice used is detected by the weight sensor 13 as described above.

[0067] Next, a subtraction result is calculated by subtracting the amount of rice used from the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 (step St14 in FIG. 4). The rice cooker control unit 18 controls the rice cooker communication unit 17 to transmit the amount of rice used detected by the weight sensor 13 to the server 3. The server control unit 34 controls the calculation unit 32 to calculate a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used received by the server communication unit 33 from the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31.

[0068] Next, the subtraction result is stored in the server storage unit 31 as a new remaining amount of rice (step St15 in FIG. 4). The server control unit 34 controls the server storage unit 31 to store the subtraction result calculated by the calculation unit 32 as a new remaining amount of rice. This updates the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31. Steps St13 to St15 shown in FIG. 4 are repeated every time rice is cooked in the rice cooker 1, so that the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is successively updated.

[0069] The above-mentioned remaining rice management method may be implemented, for example, by having a terminal control unit 25 or a processor provided in the communication terminal 2 execute a program stored in the terminal memory unit 23 of the communication terminal 2.

[0070] Next, a description will be given of the display of the operation screen when the remaining amount of rice is stored in the server storage unit 31. Fig. 7 is an example of the operation screen displayed on the communication terminal, showing the display when the remaining amount of rice is large. Fig. 8 is an example of the operation screen displayed on the communication terminal, showing the display when the remaining amount of rice is less than a predetermined notification amount.

[0071] As shown in Figure 7, when the remaining amount of rice is stored in the server memory unit 31, the terminal control unit 25 causes the touch panel 21 to display a maximum amount graphic 231 having dimensions corresponding to the maximum amount of rice that can be stored in the rice container 14 and a remaining amount graphic 232 having dimensions corresponding to the remaining amount of rice stored in the server memory unit 31, superimposed on each other.

[0072] In this embodiment, the maximum amount graphic 231 is displayed in a light color. The remaining amount graphic 232 is displayed in a dark color on the maximum amount graphic 231. Each of the maximum amount graphic 231 and the remaining amount graphic 232 has a line shape extending in the horizontal direction of the touch panel 21 on the operation screen.

[0073] The horizontal dimension of the maximum amount graphic 231 corresponds to the maximum amount of rice that can be stored in the rice container 14, and the horizontal dimension of the remaining amount graphic 232 corresponds to the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31. For example, when the remaining amount of rice is 3 / 4 of the maximum amount, the horizontal dimension of the remaining amount graphic 232 is 3 / 4 of the horizontal dimension of the maximum amount graphic 231.

[0074] Fig. 8 is an example of an operation screen displayed on the communication terminal, showing the display when the remaining amount of rice is less than a predetermined notification amount. As shown in Fig. 8, when the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than the predetermined notification amount, the terminal control unit 25 controls the touch panel 21 to display a replenishment prompting display 241 on the operation screen to prompt the user to replenish rice in the rice container 14.

[0075] In this embodiment, the refill prompting display 241 includes a warning mark 241a displayed near the remaining amount graphic 232 and a message 241b prompting the user to refill rice. For example, the message 241b is a message saying, "Rice is running low. Please check the remaining amount of rice."

[0076] Furthermore, the terminal control unit 25 controls the notification unit 22 to issue a notification when the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined notification amount. In this embodiment, the terminal control unit 25 controls the notification unit 22 to issue a push notification on the smartphone, which is the communication terminal 2. The determination of whether the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is equal to or less than the notification amount may be made by either the communication terminal 2 or the server 3.

[0077] When the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is a negative value, the terminal control unit 25 controls the touch panel 21 to display the input prompting display 211 (see FIG. 5) instead of the replenishment prompting display 241. This is because when the remaining amount of rice is a negative value, it is highly likely that the rice container 14 has actually been replenished with rice but the height position has not been input.

[0078] 7 and 8, when the maximum amount symbol 231 or the remaining amount symbol 232 is touched by the user, the terminal control unit 25 causes a remaining rice amount input screen on the touch panel 21 to be displayed, on which the height position can be input. This allows the user to input the height position when, for example, they refill the rice container 14 with rice or they feel that the remaining rice amount displayed on the operation screen differs from the actual amount of rice remaining in the rice container 14.

[0079] The following describes the remaining rice amount input screen when the remaining rice amount stored in the server storage unit 31 is equal to or greater than 0. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the remaining rice amount input screen displayed on the communication terminal, with the input bar in the position before it was moved.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 9, when the terminal control unit 25 causes the touch panel 21 to display an input screen in a situation where the remaining amount of rice is 0 or more, the terminal control unit 25 causes the input bar 222 to be displayed in a position above the position on the virtual scale 221 corresponding to the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31. Next, the terminal control unit 25 controls the touch panel 21 to perform a display in which the input bar 222 displayed in the above-mentioned upper position moves to a position on the virtual scale 221 corresponding to the remaining amount of rice (shown by a dashed line in Fig. 9). In other words, when the input screen is opened, an animation is displayed on the touch panel 21 in which the input bar 222 moves from the above-mentioned upper position to a position on the virtual scale 221 corresponding to the remaining amount of rice.

[0081] The upper position is, for example, a position corresponding to the maximum amount of rice that can be contained in the rice container 14, a position input when the previous height position was input, or a position corresponding to the amount of rice remaining before the last rice cooking. In this embodiment, the upper position is the position of the "2" mark on the virtual scale 221. This position corresponds to the maximum amount of rice that can be contained in the rice container 14.

[0082] According to this embodiment, the amount of rice remaining stored in the server storage unit 31 is subtracted from the amount of rice used to calculate the subtraction result, and the subtraction result is stored in the server storage unit 31 as the new amount of rice remaining. Therefore, if the height position is input via the touch panel 21 when refilling rice, the amount of rice remaining in the rice container 14 is automatically updated. This makes it easy to manage the amount of rice remaining in the rice container 14 without visually checking inside the rice container 14. In addition, since there is no need to provide the rice cooker 1 with a member for detecting the rice in the rice container 14, an increase in the number of parts and costs of the rice cooker 1 can be suppressed. Therefore, the amount of rice remaining in the rice container 14 can be managed while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

[0083] It is conceivable that the amount of rice used selected by the rice cooking start operation on the communication terminal 2 is used as the amount of rice used to be subtracted from the existing amount of remaining rice. However, in this case, the amount of rice used when the rice cooking start operation is performed on the operation section of the rice cooker 1 is not subtracted from the remaining amount of rice. As a result, there is a risk that the actual amount of rice remaining in the rice container 14 will differ from the amount of rice remaining on the rice remaining amount management system.

[0084] On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the rice cooker 1 has a weight sensor 13 that detects the amount of rice used. This allows the amount of rice actually used to be subtracted from the remaining amount of rice, so the remaining amount of rice in the remaining rice amount management system can be accurately maintained. Therefore, the remaining amount of rice in the rice container 14 can be more reliably managed.

[0085] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the height position is input on the communication terminal 2, virtual scale 221 corresponding to container scale 143 is displayed on touch panel 21. This allows the user to compare container scale 143 actually provided on rice container 14 with virtual scale 221 displayed on touch panel 21, and input the height position corresponding to virtual scale 221. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which virtual scale 221 is not displayed on touch panel 21, it is easier to input the height position when refilling rice, etc.

[0086] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, input bar 222 is displayed on touch panel 21 superimposed on virtual scale 221, and touch panel 21 accepts the position of input bar 222 on virtual scale 221 as an input of the height position. In this configuration, the user can input the height position by comparing container scale 143 with virtual scale 221 and reproducing the position of the top surface of the rice on container scale 143 using input bar 222 on virtual scale 221. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the height position is input by a method other than input bar 222, the user can easily input the height position when refilling rice, etc.

[0087] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the lower region 223 below the input bar 222 is displayed in white on the touch panel 21. Therefore, the lower region 223 is hidden in white in the same way that the portion of the container scale 143 below the top surface of the rice is hidden by the rice. This increases the similarity between the container scale 143 and the virtual scale 221 when compared, improving operability in inputting the height position.

[0088] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the display of the virtual scale 221 starts, the input bar 222 moves downward to a position on the virtual scale 221 that corresponds to the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31. This moving display (animation) allows the user to easily recognize that the input bar 222 on the virtual scale 221 corresponds to the upper surface of the rice on the container scale 143.

[0089] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the remaining amount of rice is displayed as the size of the remaining amount graphic 232, which corresponds to the remaining amount of rice, relative to the size of the maximum amount graphic 231, which corresponds to the maximum amount. This makes it possible to visually convey to the user how little rice there is in the rice container 14, compared to a configuration in which the remaining amount of rice is displayed numerically, for example.

[0090] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the remaining rice amount is not stored in the server storage unit 31, an input prompt display 211 that prompts the user to input the height position is displayed on the touch panel 21. This makes it possible to prompt the user to input the height position when rice is filled into the rice cooker 1 for the first time or when the remaining rice amount stored in the server storage unit 31 is deleted. This improves the user's usability of the remaining rice management system.

[0091] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a notification is issued when the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 falls below a predetermined notification amount, which helps prevent forgetting to replenish rice. This reduces the possibility that the desired amount of rice cannot be cooked due to a lack of rice in the rice container 14.

[0092] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the remaining amount of rice stored in the server storage unit 31 is zero, a refill prompting display 241 is displayed, and when the remaining amount of rice is a negative value, an input prompting display 211 is displayed to prompt the user to input the height position. This makes it possible to prompt the user to input the height position at the appropriate time, rather than refilling the rice further, when the user has actually refilled the rice container 14 with rice but has not input the height position. This improves the usability of the rice remaining amount management system for users.

[0093] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the remaining amount of rice is stored in the server storage unit 31. This allows a plurality of communication terminals 2 to refer to the same remaining amount of rice, improving user convenience.

[0094] The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be embodied in various other forms. For example, in the above, the amount of remaining rice is stored in the server storage unit 31, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the amount of remaining rice may be stored in the rice cooker storage unit 16 or the terminal storage unit 23.

[0095] When the remaining amount of rice is stored in the terminal storage unit 23 or the server storage unit 31, the touch panel 21 may receive an input of the height position while the rice cooker 1 is cooking rice.

[0096] During the rice cooking operation of the rice cooker 1, the heating unit 12 is heated by electromagnetic induction, and therefore wireless communication (e.g., 2.4 GHz band wireless communication) around the rice cooker 1 may become unstable. This may cause the rice cooker communication unit 17 to temporarily be unable to send or receive information about the remaining amount of rice. In particular, when the remaining amount of rice is stored in the rice cooker storage unit 16, it will also be impossible to store the remaining amount of rice inputted in the communication terminal 2 in the rice cooker storage unit 16, or to display the remaining amount graphic 232 on the touch panel 21.

[0097] On the other hand, when the remaining amount of rice is stored in the terminal storage unit 23 or the server storage unit 31, that is, when the remaining amount of rice is stored in a storage unit separate from the rice cooker 1, the height position can be input and stored in the storage unit more reliably even during the rice cooking operation of the rice cooker 1. This improves user convenience.

[0098] Also, in the above, the server 3 has the calculation unit 32, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the calculation unit may be provided in the rice cooker 1 or the communication terminal 2. The calculation unit is preferably provided in the same device as the storage unit that stores the remaining amount of rice. This is because when the calculation unit subtracts the amount of rice used from the remaining amount of rice, it is not necessary to obtain the remaining amount of rice via the network 4.

[0099] In the above description, the control unit (server control unit 34) that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit (server storage unit 31) in which the remaining amount of rice is stored is provided in the server 3, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the control unit may be provided in the same device as at least one of the calculation unit and the storage unit in which the remaining amount of rice is stored.

[0100] The calculation unit, the storage unit in which the remaining amount of rice is stored, and the control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit may be provided in the same device (the server 3 in this embodiment) or may be provided separately in multiple devices. However, when these are provided in the same device, it is advantageous because the process of calculating the subtraction result obtained by subtracting the amount of rice used from the remaining amount of rice stored in the storage unit (step St14 in FIG. 4) is completed within one device.

[0101] In addition, in the above, the weight of rice detected by weight sensor 13 is used as the amount of rice used, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The amount of rice used does not have to be the actual amount of rice contained in pot 11. For example, the amount of rice used may be an amount of rice estimated based on the rate at which the temperature of the food being cooked rises during cooking, or the amount of cooked rice selected by the user on the operation unit of rice cooker 1 when starting cooking. Also, the amount of cooked rice selected by the user on communication terminal 2 when starting cooking may be used as the amount of rice used. In this case, a usage amount detection unit that detects the amount of rice used for cooking is provided in communication terminal 2.

[0102] Also, in the above, the communication terminal 2 (smartphone) is an example of a "communication terminal" in the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the rice remaining amount system according to the present disclosure may be a system that includes a rice cooker and a server 3, which is an example of a "communication terminal" in the present disclosure, but does not include the smartphone. In this case, the "input unit" and "display unit" in the present disclosure may be provided in the rice cooker 1 and controlled by the rice cooker control unit 18.

[0103] In addition, although the touch panel 21 of the communication terminal 2 is an example of the "input unit" in the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the input unit in the present disclosure may be a touch panel or operation buttons provided on the rice cooker 1.

[0104] A computer program for implementing the above-mentioned remaining rice management method may be stored in a recording medium, for example, in the rice cooker storage unit 16, the terminal storage unit 23, or the server storage unit 31. The program may be stored in advance in the storage unit when the device having the storage unit is manufactured, or may be provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card. The program may be executed by a processor or the like provided in the device having the storage unit in which the program is stored, or in another device.

[0105] The rice remaining amount management system and rice remaining amount management method disclosed herein may be realized by cooperation with hardware resources, such as a processor, memory, and a computer program.

[0106] The display on the touch panel 21 described in this embodiment may be displayed by a processor provided in the communication terminal 2 executing a program stored in the terminal storage unit 23.

[0107] Any of the various embodiments or modifications described above can be appropriately combined to achieve the effects of each of them. In addition, combinations of embodiments, combinations of examples, or combinations of embodiments and examples are possible, and combinations of features of different embodiments or examples are also possible.

[0108] 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. [Industrial Applicability]

[0109] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present disclosure is useful as a system, server, method, and program for managing the amount of remaining rice in a rice container, since it can manage the amount of remaining rice while minimizing an increase in the number of parts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1. Rice cooker 13 Weight Sensor 14 rice container 142 Side wall 143 Container scale 2. Communication terminals 21 Touch Panel 211 Input prompt 211a Message 211b Transition button 221 Virtual scale 222 Input Bar 223 Lower area 231 Maximum quantity figure 232 Remaining amount diagram 241 Replenishment promotion display 241a Warning mark 241b Message 22 Information Department 23 Terminal memory section 25 Terminal control unit 3 Server 31 Server memory section 32 Calculation section 34 Server control unit

Claims

1. A rice remaining amount management system that includes a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, and manages the amount of rice remaining in the rice container, an input unit provided in the rice cooker or the communication terminal and capable of inputting a height position of an upper surface of the rice in the rice container; a storage unit that stores the amount of remaining rice corresponding to the height position input via the input unit; A usage amount detection unit that detects the usage amount of rice used for cooking rice in the rice cooker; A calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used from the amount of rice remaining stored in the storage unit; A control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit; Equipped with The control unit controls the calculation unit to calculate a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used from the amount of rice remaining stored in the memory unit, and stores the subtraction result in the memory unit as a new amount of rice remaining. Rice remaining management system.

2. A container scale indicating the height position is provided on the side wall of the rice container, the communication terminal includes a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit; the terminal control unit causes the display unit to display a virtual scale corresponding to the container scale when the height position is input to the communication terminal; The input unit accepts an input of the height position inputted in accordance with the virtual scale. The rice remaining management system according to claim 1.

3. the terminal control unit controls the display unit to display an input bar used for inputting the height position superimposed on the virtual scale; the input unit accepts a position of the input bar on the virtual scale as an input of the height position. The rice remaining management system according to claim 2.

4. The rice remaining management system according to claim 3 , wherein the terminal control unit causes the display unit to display an area below the input bar in white.

5. The rice remaining management system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the terminal control unit, when starting to display the virtual scale, displays on the display unit, moving the input bar downward from a position above the position on the virtual scale corresponding to the remaining rice amount stored in the memory unit to the position.

6. the communication terminal includes a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit; When the remaining amount of rice is stored in the memory unit, the terminal control unit causes the display unit to display a maximum amount graphic having a dimension corresponding to the maximum amount of rice that can be contained in the rice container and a remaining amount graphic having a dimension corresponding to the remaining amount of rice stored in the memory unit, superimposed on each other. A rice remaining amount management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. the communication terminal includes a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit; The terminal control unit causes the display unit to display an input prompting display for prompting input of the height position when the remaining amount of rice is not stored in the storage unit. A rice remaining amount management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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

9. the communication terminal includes a display unit and a terminal control unit that controls the input unit and the display unit; The terminal control unit controls the display unit to display a refill prompting display that prompts the user to refill the rice container with rice when the remaining amount of rice stored in the memory unit is zero, and to display an input prompting display that prompts the user to input the height position when the remaining amount of rice stored in the memory unit is a negative value. A rice remaining amount management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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

11. The rice remaining amount management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a server in which the memory unit is provided.

12. A server capable of communicating with a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal having an input unit capable of inputting a height position of an upper surface of rice in the rice container, a storage unit that stores the amount of remaining rice corresponding to the height position acquired from the communication terminal; a calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result by subtracting an amount of rice used acquired from the rice cooker or the communication terminal from the amount of remaining rice stored in the storage unit; A control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit; Equipped with The control unit controls the calculation unit to calculate a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used from the amount of rice remaining stored in the memory unit, and stores the subtraction result in the memory unit as a new amount of rice remaining. server.

13. A method for managing remaining rice in a rice container using a rice cooker having a rice container for storing rice and a communication terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, comprising: storing in a memory unit the amount of remaining rice corresponding to the height position input via an input unit capable of inputting the height position of the top surface of the rice in the rice container; Detecting the amount of rice used for cooking in the rice cooker; Calculating a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used from the amount of rice remaining stored in the storage unit; storing the subtraction result in the memory unit as a new amount of remaining rice; Including, How to manage rice leftovers.

14. A rice remaining amount management method for managing the amount of rice remaining in the rice container using the rice cooker, the communication terminal having the input unit, and a server capable of communicating with the rice cooker and the communication terminal, The server includes the storage unit, a calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result by subtracting the amount of rice used from the amount of rice remaining stored in the storage unit, and a control unit that controls the calculation unit and the storage unit, The control unit is storing the amount of remaining rice corresponding to the height position obtained from the communication terminal in the storage unit; a calculation unit that calculates a subtraction result obtained by subtracting the amount of rice used acquired from the rice cooker or the communication terminal from the amount of rice remaining stored in the storage unit; The subtraction result is stored in the memory unit as a new amount of remaining rice. The method for managing remaining rice according to claim 13.

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

Images