Rice cooking system, terminal device, program, and method for presenting remaining amount of rice

Abstract

To provide a rice cooking system, terminal device, program, and method for presenting a remaining amount of rice which allow a user to easily confirm the total stock of rice.SOLUTION: A rice cooking system includes: a communication module 53 as a receiving unit that can receive the current state of a rice cooker 2; a storage unit 57 that stores the remaining amount of rice as a consumption material; and a display unit 51 that can display a first screen WS1 that simultaneously displays the current state of the rice cooker 2 and the remaining amount of rice.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice cooking system, a terminal device, a program, and a method for presenting the remaining amount of rice.

Background Art

[0002] The server of the management system has a rice cooking amount grasping unit that estimates the consumption amount of rice used by the user, an inventory management unit that estimates the inventory amount of rice stored by the user from the basic information including the amount and brand of rice purchased by the user and the consumption amount, a preference estimation unit that selects a recommended brand of rice that matches the user's preference from the preference information related to the user's taste estimated from the set values related to the taste obtained from the rice cooker and the rice brand information indicating the characteristics of the rice, and an order support unit that supports the ordering of new rice.

[0003] In this conventional management system, when the user needs to check the inventory amount of rice, it is necessary to call up a screen for displaying the inventory amount of rice.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Rice as a consumable is mainly a staple food, and it is unacceptable for users of rice cookers that the stock runs out (the remaining amount becomes zero). Therefore, users of rice cookers may add stock in a timely manner without the help of a system that supports ordering like the conventional management system. In addition, users of rice cookers may also purchase new rice when new rice is shipped regardless of the amount of stock.

[0006] On the other hand, due to recent changes in food culture, it has become assumed that in dishes other than cooked rice that do not use a rice cooker, such as risotto, rice is consumed.

[0007] Therefore, providing an environment where the inventory level of rice can be quickly confirmed is suitable for the convenience of users.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rice cooking system, a terminal device, a program, and a method for presenting the remaining amount of rice that can easily confirm the inventory level of rice.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a rice cooking system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a receiving unit capable of receiving the current state of a rice cooker, a storage unit that stores the remaining amount of rice as a consumable material, and a display unit capable of displaying a first screen that simultaneously displays the current state of the rice cooker and the remaining amount of rice.

[0010] Also, in order to solve the above problems, an information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a receiving unit capable of receiving the current state of a rice cooker, a storage unit that stores the remaining amount of rice as a consumable material, and a display unit capable of displaying a first screen that simultaneously displays the current state of the rice cooker and the remaining amount of rice.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, a program according to an embodiment of the present invention realizes, in an information terminal, a receiving function capable of receiving the current state of a rice cooker, a storage function that stores the remaining amount of rice as a consumable material, and a display function capable of displaying a first screen that simultaneously displays the current state of the rice cooker and the remaining amount of rice.

[0012] Also, in order to solve the above problems, a method for presenting the remaining amount of rice according to an embodiment of the present invention receives the current state of a rice cooker, records the remaining amount of rice as a consumable material, and simultaneously presents the current state of the rice cooker and the remaining amount of rice.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 4

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Figure 7

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Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, a rice cooking system, a terminal device, a program, and a method for presenting the remaining amount of rice according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. In a plurality of drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a rice cooker system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a rice cooker system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention provides information transmitted from a rice cooker 2 in a state where an information terminal 3 can receive it. The rice cooker system 1 may provide information transmitted from the information terminal 3 in a state where the rice cooker 2 in the residence can receive it. The information transmitted from the rice cooker 2 is information including the current state and current settings of the rice cooker 2. That is, the rice cooker system 1 provides an environment in which the current state and current settings of the rice cooker 2 in the residence can be confirmed from the information terminal 3 when away from home, and an environment in which the rice cooker 2 in the residence can be remotely operated. A user of the rice cooker system 1 can, for example, check the current state and current settings of the rice cooker 2 while away from home and operate the rice cooker 2 according to the current state and current settings.

[0017] The rice cooker system 1 includes a rice cooker 2 that cooks rice by cooking rice and water to cook rice, and at least one information terminal 3 used for checking the status of the rice cooking operation by the rice cooker 2 and remotely operating the rice cooker 2. The rice cooker system 1 only needs to include at least the rice cooker 2 and the information terminal 3. The rice cooker 2 and the information terminal 3 may establish a direct two-way communication environment by short-range wireless communication 8 such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth, or may establish a direct two-way communication environment via a home Wi-Fi network or the like.

[0018] The rice cooker system 1 may include a rice cooker 2, at least one information terminal 3, a server 5 that establishes communication between the rice cooker 2 and the information terminal 3, and a storage device 6 that stores information for establishing communication between the rice cooker 2 and the information terminal 3.

[0019] Each of the rice cooker 2, the information terminal 3, the server 5, and the storage device 6 is communicably connected to the network NW via the telecommunication network 11. The network NW uses, for example, the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), WAN (Wide Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), or other public or dedicated lines according to the situation.

[0020] The telecommunication network 11 includes a short-range wireless communication 8, an external communication network 12, an in-house communication network 13, and a relay device 15 that relays information between the external communication network 12 and the in-house communication network 13.

[0021] The external communication network 12 includes the network NW. The relay device 15, the server 5, and the information terminal 3 are connected to the network NW via a public telephone network or a mobile phone network. The rice cooking system 1 provides a user with a convenient communication environment between the rice cooker 2 and the information terminal 3 by interposing the Internet.

[0022] The in-house communication network 13 is a wireless or wired telecommunication network including the relay device 15, which is a so-called intranet.

[0023] The relay device 15 is, for example, at least one of a wireless router and a modem.

[0024] The rice cooker 2 is communicably connected to the in-house communication network 13. The rice cooker 2 can communicate with the server 5 via the relay device 15 installed in the user's residence.

[0025] The server 5 manages the rice cooker 2. The server 5 manages, for example, information related to device registration of the rice cooker 2 and information related to the current state and current settings of the rice cooker 2, including the status of the rice cooking operation of the rice cooker 2.

[0026] In addition, the server 5 establishes a communication line through which information can be communicated bidirectionally between the rice cooker 2 and the information terminal 3 via the network NW. The server 5 is, for example, a cloud server and is composed of one or more server devices. Note that the server 5 may include an information processing unit that performs edge computing or fog computing, such as an information processing unit included in a router in the network NW. The server 5 is not limited to a cloud server and may be a computer in the user's residence or, for example, a home router such as a wireless router.

[0027] The server 5 communicates with a number of rice cookers 2 and a number of information terminals 3 via the network NW. The server 5 assigns an identifier to each of the plurality of rice cookers 2. The rice cooking system 1 establishes bidirectional communication between the information terminal 3 and the rice cooker 2 using the identifier managed by the server 5.

[0028] For the sake of convenience of explanation, "information related to the rice cooker 2 including the device registration of the rice cooker 2, the operation status of the rice cooker 2, and the state of the rice cooker 2" is hereinafter referred to as "rice cooker information".

[0029] The storage device 6 stores various types of information. The server 5 can refer to the information stored in the storage device 6. That is, the server 5 can receive the target information as a response by sending a predetermined request to the storage device 6. The information stored in the storage device 6 includes, for example, heating condition command information transmitted from the information terminal 3.

[0030] The information terminal 3 is communicably connected to at least one of the external communication network 12 and the in-house communication network 13. The information terminal 3 is a terminal device used by the user of the rice cooker system 1 to check the current state and current settings of the rice cooker 2 and to remotely operate the rice cooker 2. The information terminal 3 may be a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet, or a terminal device that is not suitable for portability, such as a personal computer or a smart speaker, and is permanently installed in a dwelling. The information terminal 3 communicates directly with the rice cooker 2 bidirectionally via the short-range wireless communication 8 or via the relay device 15. The information terminal 3 can also be connected to the network NW via a public wireless line or a mobile phone line and communicate bidirectionally with the server 5. The information terminal 3 acquires information regarding the current state and current settings of the rice cooker 2 from the server 5 and outputs the current state and current settings of the rice cooker 2 to the screen of the information terminal 3.

[0031] An information terminal 3 such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal device acquires information with or without going through the server 5 and outputs the state of the rice cooker 2 to the screen of the information terminal 3. Also, an information terminal 3 such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal device causes the rice cooker 2 with which the processing corresponding to the user's operation has been coordinated to execute the processing. When the smart speaker detects that the speaker has uttered a specific word, it then identifies the subsequent questions and requests of the speaker by natural language processing, converts the response corresponding to the identified content into speech and outputs it, or causes the rice cooker 2 with which the processing corresponding to the identified content has been coordinated to execute the processing. A similar natural language processing function may be installed in a portable information terminal 3 such as a smartphone or in the rice cooker 2.

[0032] Note that the information transmitted and received within the rice cooker system 1, such as the rice cooker 2, the information terminal 3, and the server 5, is preferably variable-length information having an appropriate amount of information as required. That is, the information transmitted and received within the rice cooker system 1 may include all the information regarding the current state and current settings of the rice cooker 2, may include only a part of the information regarding the current state of the rice cooker 2, or may include only a part of the information regarding the current settings.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the rice cooker 2 according to the present embodiment includes a rectangular main body 22 having a pot housing portion opened upward, a pot housed in the pot housing portion, a lid body 23 covering the upper surface of the main body 22 to open and close the pot housing portion, a hinge portion 25 for supporting the lid body 23 to be openable and closable with respect to the main body 22, a lid opening operation portion 26 for releasing the lock between the lid body 23 and the main body 22 when operated to close the pot housing portion, a steam port 27 for discharging steam generated in the pot to the outside of the main body 22, a display portion 28 as an output device, an operation portion 29 as an input device, a communication portion 31 capable of transmitting and receiving various information including rice cooker information, and a rice cooking control portion 32 for controlling a rice cooking operation of cooking the rice and water put into the pot to cook the rice.

[0035] The shape of the main body 22 is substantially rectangular. The main body 22 has six surfaces including a front surface, a back surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface. The upper surface of the main body 22 has an opening.

[0036] The lid body 23 covers the main body 22 in a plan view of the rice cooker 2. The shape of the lid body 23 is a rectangular shape having a lower height (a thinner thickness in the vertical direction) than the main body 22. The lid body 23 has six surfaces including a front surface, a back surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface. The upper surface of the lid body 23 is substantially flat.

[0037] The hinge portion 25 connects the main body 22 and the lid body 23 so as to be openable and closable. The hinge portion 25 connects the upper part of the back of the main body 22 and the bottom of the back of the lid body 23. Further, the hinge portion 25 includes a torsion spring that stores a spring force in the direction of opening the lid body 23.

[0038] The lid opening operation part 26 is arranged at the front half part of the upper surface of the lid body 23. By pressing the lid opening operation part 26, the lock between the main body 22 and the lid body 23 is released. When the lock between the main body 22 and the lid body 23 is released, the lid body 23 rotates and opens around the axis of the hinge part 25 by the spring force stored in the torsion spring of the hinge part 25.

[0039] The steam port 27 is provided at the rear half part of the upper surface of the lid body 23. The steam port 27 discharges the steam generated from the object to be cooked in the rice cooker 2 to the outside of the rice cooker 2.

[0040] The display part 28 is a display that displays various information about the rice cooker 2.

[0041] The operation part 29 is arranged above the display part 28. The operation part 29 accepts operations such as the start of heating cooking, the setting of the reserved time for heating cooking, and the selection of the cooking course. A control circuit board for performing control related to operations and displays is arranged directly below the operation part 29.

[0042] The operation part 29 is, for example, a touch sensor including a plurality of key elements. Each key element includes, for example, a transparent electrode part using a conductive polymer, a contact part connected to the control circuit board, and a pattern wiring connecting the transparent electrode part and the contact part. By pressing, contacting, or approaching the fingertip to any part of the display part 28, the key element arranged directly above that part is operated.

[0043] Note that the operation part 29 may be provided with a switch using a physical button on the side of the display part 28.

[0044] In addition, the rice cooker 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a storage unit 33 that stores a plurality of cooking courses in which cooking conditions for cooking rice into cooked rice are respectively set. The cooking conditions are, for example, the type of rice, the cooking method for cooking rice into cooked rice, the hardness of the cooked rice, and the cooking time for cooking rice into cooked rice. Each cooking course includes at least two or more of these cooking conditions. The user of the rice cooker 2 can select cooking conditions such as the type of rice, the cooking method, the hardness, and the cooking time using the operation unit 29.

[0045] Then, based on the cooking course set by the operation of the operation unit 29, the rice cooker 2 executes standby for cooking, heating of rice and water, keeping the cooked rice warm, standby for reservation of cooking, and the like.

[0046] The states of the rice cooker 2 include, for example, "standby" in which it is waiting without performing any processing, "soaking additional" in which the rice is soaked in water, "cooking" in which the rice and water are cooked into cooked rice, "keeping warm" in which the temperature of the cooked rice is maintained, and "reservation" in which it waits until cooking starts at a predetermined set time. Any of the states of standby, soaking additional, cooking, keeping warm, and reservation that the rice cooker 2 is executing is included in the current state of the rice cooker 2.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a front view of an example of an information terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the information terminal 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention is, for example, a smartphone. The information terminal 3 includes, for example, a display unit 51 as an output device, an input device 52 that receives user input, a communication module 53 that can transmit and receive various information including heating condition command information, and a terminal control unit 55.

[0049] The display unit 51 is a display that can display various information.

[0050] The input device 52 is, for example, a touch panel 52a provided overlapping the display unit 51. The input device 52 may be a voice input unit 52b that receives voice input.

[0051] The communication module 53 can communicate with the rice cooker 2 via short-range wireless communication 8. The communication module 53 is connected to the network NW via the relay device 15 or directly. The communication module 53 may also communicate with the rice cooker 2 and the server 5 via the network NW.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a smartphone which is an example of an information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal control unit 55 of the information terminal 3 includes a CPU, a memory as the storage unit 57, a timer as the timing unit, and an input / output interface.

[0054] The input port of the terminal control unit 55 is connected to the input device 52 and the communication module 53. The output port of the terminal control unit 55 is connected to the display unit 51 as the output device and the communication module 53.

[0055] The terminal control unit 55 receives the operation signal output from the input device 52 through the input port. Also, the terminal control unit 55 receives the recipe information received by the communication module 53 through the input port.

[0056] The terminal control unit 55 outputs a control signal for display to the display unit 51 from the output port. The terminal control unit 55 outputs heating condition command information to the communication module 53 from the output port.

[0057] The functions of the terminal control unit 55 are realized by the CPU executing a program recorded in the memory. The program causes the terminal control unit 55 to realize, for example, a communication control function 58 and a display control function 59. A program for realizing these functions in the information terminal 3 is hereinafter referred to as a "management application".

[0058] The communication control function 58 controls the communication operation of the communication module 53. The communication control function 58 operates the communication module 53 to directly or indirectly transmit various information from the information terminal 3 to the rice cooker 2 via the server 5 and receive various information transmitted by the rice cooker 2.

[0059] Note that it is preferable that the rice cooker 2, the information terminal 3, and the server 5 share the current state and current settings of the rice cooker 2 without delay. Therefore, it is preferable that the rice cooker 2, the information terminal 3, and the server 5 transmit and receive information representing the current state and current settings of the rice cooker 2 to and from each other at predetermined time intervals, for example, every 5 minutes. For this purpose, the information terminal 3 and the server 5 individually acquire information from the rice cooker 2 at predetermined time intervals and transmit information to the rice cooker 2. It is sufficient that at least the rice cooker 2 and the information terminal 3 share the current state and current settings of the rice cooker 2 without delay. The communication module 61 of the rice cooker 2 preferably transmits all or part of the information stored in the storage unit 33 to the information terminal 3 and the server 5 at predetermined time intervals. The communication module 53 of the information terminal 3 preferably receives the information transmitted by the rice cooker 2 at predetermined time intervals.

[0060] The display control function 59 controls the display operation of the display unit 51. The display control function 59 causes the display unit 51 to display various screens.

[0061] The display control function 59 causes the display unit 51 to display a plurality of elements such as a background and character strings based on various information received by the communication module 53, for example. The display control function 59 causes the display unit 51 to display, for example, recipe information received by the communication control function 58. For convenience of explanation, the "plurality of elements such as a background, an image, a symbol, and a character string that the display control function 59 causes the display unit 51 to display based on various information received by the communication module 53" will be hereinafter referred to as "display elements".

[0062] As a consumer product, rice is mainly used as a staple food, and it is difficult for users of the rice cooker 2 to accept that the stock runs out (remaining quantity is zero). Therefore, users of the rice cooker 2 may add stock in a timely manner without the help of a system that supports ordering rice. In addition, regardless of the amount of stock, users of the rice cooker 2 may also purchase new rice when new rice is shipped.

[0063] On the other hand, due to recent changes in food culture, it has been assumed that rice is consumed in dishes other than cooked rice that do not use the rice cooker 2, such as risotto.

[0064] Therefore, the rice cooking system 1 according to the present embodiment has a rice remaining quantity presentation function that presents the remaining quantity of rice, that is, the stock quantity, to the user. Note that the "remaining quantity of rice" and the "stock quantity of rice" are used in the same meaning.

[0065] Method for presenting remaining rice quantity Hereinafter, the rice remaining quantity presentation function executed by the rice cooking system 1 will be described in accordance with a specific input / output interface.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first example of a first screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second example of a first screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] The first screen WS1 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is an example of a so-called top screen of the information terminal 3.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the management application is started, the display unit 51 of the information terminal 3 according to the present embodiment displays the first screen WS1 as an initial screen. The display content of the display unit 51 is controlled by the display control function 59.

[0070] That is, the rice cooking system 1 includes a communication module 53 as a receiving unit capable of receiving the current state of the rice cooker 2, a storage unit 57 that stores the remaining amount of rice as a consumable, and a display unit 51 capable of displaying a first screen WS1 that simultaneously displays the current state of the rice cooker 2 and the remaining amount of rice. The rice remaining amount presentation function executed by the rice cooking system 1 receives the current state of the rice cooker 2, records the remaining amount of rice as a consumable, and simultaneously presents the current state of the rice cooker 2 and the remaining amount of rice. The rice cooking system 1 that executes the rice remaining amount presentation function embodies a method of presenting the remaining amount of rice.

[0071] The first screen WS1 includes a plurality of first display elements 81.

[0072] The plurality of first display elements 81 include, in order from the top of the first screen WS1, a model identification character string 81a, a setting screen call icon 81b, a support screen call icon 81c, a model icon 81d, a status display character string 81e, a brand transmission button 81f, a rice remaining amount increase / decrease button 81g, a rice cooking history call button 81h, a course introduction call button 81i, and a background 81j.

[0073] The model identification character string 81a displays the model identification of the rice cooker 2 selected as the management target in the management application as a character string, for example, "rice cooker". The model identification is, for example, the name of the model, the model number, or a character string arbitrarily set by the user.

[0074] The setting screen call icon 81b is displayed by combining, for example, an image of "gear" and a character string of "setting". When the setting screen call icon 81b is touched, the screen displayed by the display unit 51 transitions to the setting screen.

[0075] The support screen call icon 81c is displayed by combining, for example, an image of "speech bubble" and a character string of "support". When the support screen call icon 81c is touched, the screen displayed by the display unit 51 transitions to the support screen.

[0076] The model icon 81d displays a large image that allows the user to visualize the rice cooker 2 selected for management in the management app.

[0077] The status display string 81e displays the current status of the rice cooker 2 selected for management in the management app as a string, for example, "Stopped". The current status of the rice cooker 2 includes "Operating" while performing the rice cooking operation to cook rice from rice, "Stopped" when not performing the rice cooking operation, and "Offline" when communication between the rice cooker 2 and the information terminal 3 cannot be established. When a status other than "Offline" is displayed, the rice cooker 2 is in an online state.

[0078] The brand transmission button 81f includes a first title string 81k that displays "Brand Transmission" as a string, and a brand transmission screen call icon 81m that displays, for example, ">" as an image. The first title string 81k is displayed left-justified in the brand transmission button 81f, and the brand transmission screen call icon 81m is displayed right-justified in the brand transmission button 81f.

[0079] The rice remaining amount adjustment button 81g functions as an adjustment input unit that accepts an adjustment operation related to the increase or decrease of the remaining amount of rice. The rice remaining amount adjustment button 81g includes a second title string 81n that displays "Inventory Quantity of Rice" as a string, an inventory quantity string 81o, and a rice remaining amount adjustment input unit call icon 81p that displays, for example, ">" as an image. The second title string 81n is displayed left-justified in the rice remaining amount adjustment button 81g, the rice remaining amount adjustment input unit call icon 81p is displayed right-justified in the rice remaining amount adjustment button 81g, and the inventory quantity string 81o is displayed to the left of the rice remaining amount adjustment input unit call icon 81p.

[0080] The inventory quantity string 81o in FIG. 5 displays a combination of the string "Approximately", a numerical value, for example, "10.00", and a unit, for example, "kg" which means kilogram, representing the inventory quantity of rice. The inventory quantity string 81o corresponds to the display when the inventory quantity of rice grasped by the rice cooking system 1 and stored in the storage unit 57 is approximately 10.00 kilograms.

[0081] The stock quantity string 81o in FIG. 6 can display the stock quantity of rice not only in kilograms, which is the SI unit, but also in "gō", a unit of the shakkanhō system. The switching of the unit applied to the stock quantity of rice can be switched and selected on the setting screen that appears when the setting screen call icon 81b is touched. When the unit applied to the stock quantity of rice on the setting screen is switched to "gō", the stock quantity string 81o combines and displays the stock quantity of rice with the string "about", a numerical value, for example, "66.6", and a unit, for example, "gō". The rice cooking system 1 converts the unit assuming that 1 gō of rice is approximately 150 grams (g).

[0082] In Japan, generally, rice is traded in kilograms and grams at stores where consumers can easily obtain rice, while rice is consumed in "gō" units in the scene of cooking rice in the rice cooker 2. The stock quantity string 81o that can switch and display units as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can easily present the user with a stock quantity that flexibly corresponds to both the distribution form and consumption form of rice in Japan.

[0083] The rice cooking history call button 81h is displayed by combining, for example, an image that evokes a heart mark and the string "Favorite Rice Cooking History". When the rice cooking history call button 81h is touched, the screen displayed by the display unit 51 transitions to a screen that presents the history of favorite rice cooking courses and the rice cooking courses used so far.

[0084] The course introduction call button 81i is displayed by combining, for example, a small image that evokes the rice cooker 2 and the string "Course Introduction". When the course introduction call button 81i is touched, the screen displayed by the display unit 51 transitions to a screen that introduces the rice cooking courses.

[0085] By the way, a technology is known that estimates the amount of rice to be cooked when the current state of the rice cooker 2 is "operating", that is, during the rice cooking operation of cooking rice into rice. For example, as disclosed in JP 2023-136129 A, a technology is known in which the food to be cooked is heated in the rice soaking process and the amount of rice to be cooked is estimated from the tendency of the temperature rise of the food to be cooked. The rice cooking system 1 obtains the amount of rice to be cooked estimated by the rice cooker 2 from the rice cooker 2 as the rice consumption amount, and subtracts the rice consumption amount from the rice inventory amount stored in the memory unit 57 to grasp the latest rice inventory amount and present it to the user. In other words, as long as the user of the rice cooking system 1 consumes rice using the rice cooker 2, he or she can easily know the latest rice inventory amount grasped by the rice cooking system 1 without performing any operation related to the increase or decrease of the rice inventory.

[0086] However, during the period from when rice is taken out of a storage location, such as a rice bin, when the rice cooker 2 estimates the consumption amount, until the rice cooking system 1 grasps the estimated consumption amount, the rice inventory amount will temporarily include the consumption amount before the estimation. If the rice inventory amount decreases to the amount of consumption for several times, or the amount of rice cooked in several cooking operations, this indefinite period of inventory may induce rice to run out of stock.

[0087] Therefore, the first screen WS1 simultaneously displays the status display string 81e and the stock amount string 81o. In other words, the rice cooking system 1 according to this embodiment simultaneously displays the current state of the rice cooker 2 and the remaining amount of rice on the first screen WS1. In this way, a user of the rice cooking system 1 can easily check the current state of the rice cooker 2 and the remaining amount of rice at the same time, regardless of the physical distance between the rice cooker 2 and the user. A user who can check the current state of the rice cooker 2 and the remaining amount of rice at the same time can easily estimate the actual amount of rice in stock, and can easily avoid running out of rice.

[0088] Here, due to recent changes in food culture, it has been assumed that rice is consumed in dishes other than cooked rice, such as risotto, without using the rice cooker 2. Therefore, the rice cooking system 1 according to the present embodiment provides the user with an environment in which a remaining amount adjustment operation related to the adjustment of the remaining amount of rice is possible. The remaining amount adjustment operation for adding or reducing the inventory amount of rice will be described with reference to a specific input / output interface. Suppose the rice remaining amount adjustment button 81g on the first screen WS1 is touched.

[0089] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a first sub-screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first sub-screen SS1 shown in FIG. 7 is an example of a screen of a management application executed on the information terminal 3, and is an example of an inventory amount adjustment screen displayed by a touch operation on the rice remaining amount adjustment button 81g on the first screen WS1. The first sub-screen SS1 is pop-up displayed so as to overlap the first screen WS1.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 7, the rice cooking system 1 according to the present embodiment displays, on the display unit 51, an additional input unit 91 that receives a remaining amount addition operation related to the addition of the remaining amount of rice and a reduction input unit 92 that receives a remaining amount reduction operation related to the reduction of the remaining amount of rice, triggered by the remaining amount adjustment operation received by the rice remaining amount adjustment button 81g.

[0091] The first sub-screen SS1 pops up and is displayed overlapping the first screen WS1 when the rice remaining amount adjustment button 81g on the first screen WS1 is touched. While the first sub-screen SS1 is being displayed, each first display element 81 on the first screen WS1 is grayed out, for example, in light gray and does not receive a touch operation.

[0092] The first sub-screen SS1 includes a plurality of first sub-display elements 95.

[0093] The plurality of first sub-display elements 95 include, for example, in order from the top of the first sub-screen SS1, a first title 95a, a close button 95b displayed with, for example, surrounded characters of a cross mark, an inventory quantity string 95c, an inventory quantity annotation area 95e, a second title string 95f that displays "Inventory adjustment" in characters, a rice remaining quantity reduction button 95g that combines and displays an image that implies "-" and a string of "Reduce rice", a rice remaining quantity addition button 95h that combines and displays an image that implies "+" and a string of "Add rice", a reduction annotation string 95i that is arranged directly below the rice remaining quantity reduction button 95g and displays "When using rice outside the rice cooker" in characters to explain how to use the rice remaining quantity reduction button 95g, an addition annotation string 95j that is arranged directly below the rice remaining quantity addition button 95h and displays "When purchasing or replenishing rice" in characters to explain how to use the rice remaining quantity addition button 95h, and a notification string 95k.

[0094] The first title 95a combines and displays, for example, a small image that implies a measuring cup and a string of "Rice inventory quantity (approximate)".

[0095] The inventory quantity string 95c combines and displays the inventory quantity of rice with a string of "about", a numerical value, for example, "10.00", and a unit, for example, "kg" that means kilogram. Also, the inventory quantity string 95c combines and displays in a bracketed area a string of "about", a numerical value, for example, "66.6", and a unit, for example, "goku". The inventory quantity string 95c enables the user to easily recognize the current inventory quantity of rice grasped by the rice cooking system 1.

[0096] The inventory quantity annotation area 95e combines and displays, for example, an image that implies the rice cooker 2, an image that implies a rice cabinet, a balloon containing a string of "Notify when it runs low", and a string of "Estimate the amount of rice used during rice cooking and automatically update the inventory quantity (may be different from the actual inventory quantity)". The inventory quantity annotation area 95e enables the user to easily recognize that when the rice cooker 2 cooks rice, the rice cooking system 1 automatically updates, here reduces, the inventory quantity of rice.

[0097] When the rice remaining amount reduction button 95g is touched, the display unit 51 pops up and displays a rice remaining amount reduction screen so as to overlap the first sub-screen SS1. As shown in the reduction annotation string 95i, the rice remaining amount reduction button 95g is a reduction input unit 92 that is operated for the purpose of the user intentionally reducing the stock amount of rice when the rice is used outside the rice cooker 2, that is, when the estimated consumption amount of rice by the rice cooker 2 is bypassed and the rice cooker system 1 cannot grasp the estimated consumption amount by the rice cooker 2 and the stock amount of rice decreases.

[0098] When the rice remaining amount addition button 95h is touched, the display unit 51 pops up and displays a rice remaining amount addition screen so as to overlap the first sub-screen SS1. As shown in the addition annotation string 95j, the rice remaining amount addition button 95h is an addition input unit 91 that is operated for the purpose of the user intentionally adding the stock amount of rice.

[0099] The notification string 95k displays the string "Notification" left-justified and the string "Notify when it reaches 2 kg (about 13 go) or less", which represents the stock notification setting value for notifying that the stock amount of rice has decreased, right-justified. The notification string 95k makes the user recognize that when the stock amount of rice becomes less than or equal to the stock notification setting value, the rice cooker system 1 will present some kind of notification to the user. The stock notification setting value is preferably settable arbitrarily by the user. When the notification string 95k or the balloon of the stock amount annotation area 95e is touched, a setting screen on which the stock notification setting value can be arbitrarily set may be displayed.

[0100] The rice cooking system 1 according to this embodiment separately, distinctly, discriminately, and independently displays on the display unit 51 a remaining amount addition button 95h as an additional input unit 91 that accepts a remaining amount addition operation related to the additional amount of remaining rice, and a remaining amount reduction button 95g as a reduction input unit 92 that accepts a remaining amount reduction operation related to the reduction of the remaining amount of rice. Therefore, in addition to the case where rice is consumed using the rice cooker 2, when rice is consumed for purposes other than cooked rice without using the rice cooker 2, the inventory amount of rice stored in the storage unit 57 can be easily decreased by a remaining amount reduction operation. Also, regardless of the reason, the rice cooking system 1 can easily increase the inventory amount of rice by a remaining amount addition operation. That is, the user of the rice cooking system 1 may operate the remaining amount addition button 95h when adding the inventory amount of rice, and may operate the remaining amount reduction button 95g when reducing the inventory amount of rice for purposes other than using it in the rice cooker 2. By providing such a clear user interface, the rice cooking system 1 prevents the user from accidentally increasing or decreasing the inventory amount of rice, and provides an environment in which the user can easily increase or decrease the inventory amount of rice.

[0101] Note that, in addition to displaying the first sub-screen SS1 having the reduction input unit 92 and the addition input unit 91 overlaid on the first screen WS1, the rice cooker system 1 and the information terminal 3 according to the present embodiment may display the reduction input unit 92 and the addition input unit 91 in addition to a plurality of first display elements 81 on the first screen WS1, or may display a screen (second screen) having the reduction input unit 92 and the addition input unit 91 side by side with the first screen WS1, or may display two completely separate screens so as to transition from the first screen WS1 to a screen (second screen) having the reduction input unit 92 and the addition input unit 91. The display elements of the second screen may be the same as those of the first sub-screen SS1, or there may be an increase or decrease in the display elements. In other words, the rice cooker system 1 and the information terminal 3 may display the inventory quantity adjustment screen as a pop-up overlaid on the top screen, or may display the inventory quantity adjustment screen side by side with the top screen, or may display the inventory quantity adjustment screen instead of the top screen. Further, the rice cooker system 1 and the information terminal 3 may add and display the reduction input unit 92 and the addition input unit 91 to the top screen upon an additional quantity operation, that is, may display so as to add the function of the inventory quantity adjustment screen to the top screen.

[0102] Next, assuming that the 95g rice remaining quantity reduction button on the first sub-screen SS1 is touch-operated with the aim of reducing the inventory quantity of rice grasped by the rice cooker system 1.

[0103] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first example of a second sub-screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second example of a second sub-screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third example of a second sub-screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] The second sub-screen SS2 shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 is an example of the screen of the management application executed on the information terminal 3, and is an example of the rice remaining amount reduction screen displayed by the touch operation of the 95g rice remaining amount reduction button. The second sub-screen SS2 is pop-up displayed so as to overlap the first sub-screen SS1.

[0107] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the rice cooker system 1 according to the present embodiment displays, on the display unit 51, a second sub-screen SS2 which is a rice remaining amount reduction screen related to the reduction of the remaining amount of rice triggered by a remaining amount reduction operation received by the 95g rice remaining amount reduction button.

[0108] When the 95g rice remaining amount reduction button on the first sub-screen SS1 is touched, the second sub-screen SS2 pops up and is displayed overlapping the first sub-screen SS1. While the second sub-screen SS2 is being displayed, each of the first sub-display elements 95 of the first sub-screen SS1 and each of the first display elements 81 of the first screen WS1 are, for example, grayed out in light gray and do not accept touch operations.

[0109] The second sub-screen SS2 includes a plurality of second sub-display elements 101.

[0110] The plurality of second sub-display elements 101 include, for example, in order from the top of the second sub-screen SS2, a first title string 101a that displays "Reduce rice" as a character string, a second title string 101b that displays "Please set the amount of rice you want to reduce" as a character string, a third title string 101c that displays "※1 cup = 150g" as a character string, a fourth title string 101d that displays "Unit" as a character string, a plurality of character strings, for example, "kg", "g", "(cup)", a plurality of separator symbols that separate adjacent character strings, for example, "|", a unit switch tab 101e that is displayed by combining them, a numerical selection option 101f that displays a plurality of numerical values arranged vertically as options and allows any one option to be selected, a cancel button 101g that displays the character string "Cancel", and a decision button 101h that displays the character string "Decision".

[0111] The first title string 101a enables the user to easily recognize that the second sub-screen SS2 is a rice remaining amount reduction screen for reducing the inventory of rice.

[0112] The second title string 101b enables the user to easily recognize how to use the second sub-screen SS2.

[0113] The third title string 101c enables the user to easily recognize that one cup (one go) is approximately 150 grams (g).

[0114] The fourth title string 101d enables the user to easily recognize that the string displayed on the unit switch tab 101e means a unit.

[0115] The unit switch tab 101e lists the options of the unit system applied to the numerical option 101f. When the "kg" tab is selected on the unit switch tab 101e, as shown in FIG. 8, the numerical option 101f presents the options in kilograms. When the "g" tab is selected on the unit switch tab 101e, as shown in FIG. 9, the numerical option 101f presents the options in grams. When the "cup (go)" tab is selected on the unit switch tab 101e, as shown in FIG. 10, the numerical option 101f presents the options in "cups".

[0116] The numerical option 101f is a user interface called a so-called drum roll or picker. The numerical option 101f enables the user to easily recognize selectable options, that is, a selectable numerical range and the amount of change in the options. For example, the selectable numerical range in kilograms is from 1 kilogram to 30 kilograms, and the options in kilograms are presented as discrete values every 0.5 kilograms. For example, the selectable numerical range in grams is from 10 grams to 990 kilograms, and the options in grams are presented as discrete values every 10 grams. For example, the selectable numerical range in "cups" is from 1 cup to 5 cups, and the options in "cups" are presented as integer values. The drum roll is operable so as to trace the options in the direction in which the options are arranged, above or below the display unit 51 in this embodiment, and is operable while visually recognizing numerically continuous and adjacent options. Therefore, the user can perform an operation of selecting an option while extremely easily grasping the selectable numerical range and the amount of change in the options. Also, the numerical option 101f varies the selectable numerical range, that is, the variable range of the quantity, depending on the unit applied. Therefore, the user can select an option within an appropriate range according to the actual situation in use for each of the units of kilograms, grams, and "gills".

[0117] When the cancel button 101g is touched, regardless of the states of the unit switching tab 101e and the numerical option 101f, the stock quantity of rice stored in the storage unit 57 is maintained, the second sub-screen SS2 closes, and the first sub-screen SS1 returns without change.

[0118] When the determination button 101h is touched, the quantity of rice selected by the unit switching tab 101e and the numerical option 101f is reduced from the stock quantity of rice stored in the storage unit 57, the second sub-screen SS2 closes, and the first sub-screen SS1 returns.

[0119] Next, it is assumed that the rice remaining quantity addition button 95h on the first sub-screen SS1 is touched with the aim of adding the stock quantity of rice grasped by the rice cooking system 1.

[0120] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first example of a third sub-screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a second example of the third sub-screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third example of the third sub-screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] The third sub-screen SS3 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 is an example of a screen of a management application executed on the information terminal 3, and is an example of a rice remaining amount addition screen displayed by a touch operation on the rice remaining amount addition button 95h. The third sub-screen SS3 is pop-up displayed so as to overlap the first sub-screen SS1.

[0122] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the rice cooking system 1 according to the present embodiment displays, on the display unit 51, a third sub-screen SS3 which is a rice remaining amount addition screen related to the addition of the rice remaining amount triggered by a remaining amount addition operation received by the rice remaining amount addition button 95h.

[0123] The third sub-screen SS3 pops up and is displayed overlapping the first sub-screen SS1 when the rice remaining amount reduction button 95g of the first sub-screen SS1 is touched. While the third sub-screen SS3 is being displayed, each of the first sub-display elements 95 of the first sub-screen SS1 and each of the first display elements 81 of the first screen WS1 are grayed out, for example, in a light gray color and do not accept touch operations.

[0124] The third sub-screen SS3 includes a plurality of third sub-display elements 105.

[0125] The plurality of third sub-display elements 105 include, for example, from the top of the third sub-screen SS3 in order, a first title string 105a that displays "Increase rice" as a string, a second title string 105b that displays "Please set the amount of rice you want to increase" as a string, a third title string 105c that displays "※1 cup = 150g" as a string, a fourth title string 105d that displays "Unit" as a string, a plurality of strings such as "kg", "g", "(go) cup", a unit switch tab 105e that combines and displays a plurality of separator symbols, such as "|", that separate adjacent strings, a numerical selection option 105f that displays a plurality of numerical values vertically as options and allows any one option to be selectable, a cancel button 105g that displays the string "Cancel", and a decision button 105h that displays the string "Decision".

[0126] The first title string 105a allows the user to easily recognize that the third sub-screen SS3 is a rice remaining amount addition screen for adding the rice inventory amount.

[0127] The second title string 105b, the third title string 105c, the fourth title string 105d, the unit switch tab 105e, the numerical selection option 105f, the cancel button 105g, and the decision button 105h have the same display and functions as the second title string 101b, the third title string 101c, the fourth title string 101d, the unit switch tab 101e, the numerical selection option 101f, the cancel button 101g, and the decision button 101h displayed on the second sub-screen SS2 shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 for the purpose of adding the rice inventory amount.

[0128] Then, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 and FIGS. 11 to 13, the second sub-screen SS2 and the third sub-screen SS3 include numerical options 101f, 105f as a quantity input section 111 capable of inputting the quantity related to the remaining amount of rice, and unit switching tabs 101e, 105e as a unit selection section 112 capable of selecting the unit related to the quantity. Therefore, the user of the rice cooking system 1 can add or reduce the inventory amount of rice in units corresponding to the time, that is, the kilogram unit or the gram unit which is the SI unit, and the "gō (cup)" unit according to the shakkanhō system.

[0129] For example, in cases where it is often assumed that rice is purchased in kilogram units or gram units at a store, even in the rare case of receiving newly harvested rice from an acquaintance in "gō" units, the inventory amount of rice can be added in units corresponding to the time without performing unit conversion or re-measuring in SI units. Also, for example, even when rice is consumed for purposes other than cooking rice in gram units according to a recipe for cooking, the inventory amount of rice can be reduced in units corresponding to the time without performing unit conversion or re-measuring in "gō" units.

[0130] In addition, the appearances of the numerical options 101f, 105f and the unit switching tabs 101e, 105e are common to the second sub-screen SS2 and the third sub-screen SS3. That is, the user interfaces of the numerical options 101f, 105f and the unit switching tabs 101e, 105e are common. Therefore, the user can clearly identify whether they are trying to add or reduce the inventory amount of rice due to the difference in the screen, that is, the visual difference, and can be fully engaged in the operation without hesitation when inputting the increasing or decreasing quantity.

[0131] It is preferable that the initial unit in the unit switching tab 101e of the second sub-screen SS2 is different from the initial unit in the unit switching tab 105e of the third sub-screen SS3. For example, assuming that there are many cases where rice is purchased in kilograms at a store, in the third sub-screen SS3 as the rice remaining amount addition screen, it is preferable that the initial unit of the unit switching tab 105e is "kilogram". Also, for example, assuming cases where rice is consumed for purposes other than cooking rice in grams according to a recipe for cooking, in the second sub-screen SS2 as the rice remaining amount reduction screen, it is preferable that the initial unit of the unit switching tab 105e is "gram". Further, for example, assuming cases where rice is consumed for purposes other than cooking rice in "gō" units according to a recipe for cooking, in the second sub-screen SS2 as the rice remaining amount reduction screen, it is preferable that the initial unit of the unit switching tab 105e is "cup (gō)". That is, when adding and reducing the inventory amount of rice, the rice cooker system 1 can immediately present an interface that can increase or decrease the inventory amount of rice in a unit according to the situation, and can easily immerse the user in the operation of increasing or decreasing the inventory amount of rice.

[0132] The rice cooker system 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above includes a communication module 53 as a receiving unit capable of receiving the current state of the rice cooker 2, a storage unit 57 that stores the remaining amount of rice as a consumable, and a display unit 51 capable of displaying a first screen WS1 that simultaneously displays the current state of the rice cooker 2 and the remaining amount of rice. Also, the information terminal 3 according to the present embodiment includes a communication module 53 capable of receiving the current state of the rice cooker 2, a storage unit 57 that stores the remaining amount of rice as a consumable, and a display unit 51 capable of displaying a first screen WS1 that simultaneously displays the current state of the rice cooker 2 and the remaining amount of rice. Further, the management application is a program for causing the information terminal 3 to realize a receiving function capable of receiving the current state of the rice cooker 2, a storage function that stores the remaining amount of rice as a consumable, and a display function capable of displaying a first screen WS1 that simultaneously displays the current state of the rice cooker 2 and the remaining amount of rice.

[0133] Therefore, the rice cooking system 1, the information terminal 3, and the management app AS executed on the information terminal 3 can provide the user with an environment in which the current state of the rice cooker 2 and the rice inventory can be easily confirmed simultaneously regardless of the physical distance between the rice cooker 2 and the user. That is, the rice cooking system 1, the information terminal 3, and the management app AS executed on the information terminal 3 can easily make the user aware of the current state of the rice cooker 2 and the rice inventory simultaneously, and can easily prompt the user to take actions to avoid running out of rice. The rice cooking system 1, the information terminal 3, and the management app AS executed on the information terminal 3 can support not only the consumption and replenishment of rice starting from the use of the rice cooker 2, but also more flexible consumption and replenishment of rice, and have extremely high convenience that can accommodate the user of the rice cooker 2.

[0134] In addition, the rice cooking system 1 according to the present embodiment displays, on the display unit 51, an additional input unit 91 that accepts an additional amount operation related to the addition of the rice inventory in response to a remaining amount addition / subtraction operation related to the addition or subtraction of the rice inventory, and a reduction input unit 92 that accepts a reduction amount operation related to the reduction of the rice inventory. Therefore, in addition to the case where rice is consumed using the rice cooker 2, when rice is consumed for purposes other than cooked rice without using the rice cooker 2, the rice cooking system 1 can easily reduce the rice inventory stored in the storage unit 57 by the reduction amount operation. Also, regardless of the reason, the rice cooking system 1 can easily increase the rice inventory by the additional amount operation. By providing such a clear user interface, the rice cooking system 1 prevents the user from accidentally increasing or decreasing the rice inventory and provides an environment in which the user can easily increase or decrease the rice inventory.

[0135] Furthermore, the rice cooking system 1 according to the present embodiment may display an inventory adjustment screen on the display unit 51 that simultaneously displays an additional input unit 91 and a reduction input unit 92. That is, the rice cooking system 1 may display a first sub-screen SS1 or a second screen as an inventory adjustment screen separately from the first screen WS1 as the top screen. The frequency of increasing or decreasing the inventory of polished rice by operating the additional input unit 91 or the reduction input unit 92 is extremely low compared to the frequency of consuming polished rice in the rice cooker 2. Therefore, the rice cooking system 1 according to the present embodiment displays a first sub-screen SS1 or a second screen as an inventory adjustment screen separately from the first screen WS1 as the top screen that can simultaneously grasp the inventory of polished rice and the current state of the rice cooker 2. By doing so, not only can the inventory of polished rice, which is information with a high usage frequency, and the current state of the rice cooker 2 be displayed larger and more clearly on the top screen while hiding operation buttons with a low operation frequency, but also the operability of increasing or decreasing the inventory of polished rice can be easily improved.

[0136] In addition, the rice cooking system 1 according to the present embodiment displays a second sub-screen SS2 as a remaining rice quantity reduction screen and a third sub-screen SS3 as a remaining rice quantity addition screen. These sub-screens SS2 and SS3 include numerical selection options 101f and 105f as quantity input units 111 for inputting the quantity related to the remaining amount of polished rice, and unit switching tabs 101e and 105e as unit selection units 112 for selecting the unit related to the quantity. Therefore, the rice cooking system 1 can provide the user with an environment in which the inventory of polished rice can be increased or decreased in units according to the situation without performing unit conversion or re-measuring in the units adopted by the rice cooking system 1.

[0137] Furthermore, the rice cooking system 1 according to the present embodiment displays numerical selection options 101f and 105f, and unit switching tabs 101e and 105e that have a common appearance on the second sub-screen SS2 as the remaining rice quantity reduction screen and the third sub-screen SS3 as the remaining rice quantity addition screen. Therefore, the rice cooking system 1 can clearly identify whether the inventory of polished rice is to be increased or decreased due to the visual difference between the second sub-screen SS2 and the third sub-screen SS3, and can provide the user with an environment in which the user can operate without hesitation when inputting the quantity to be increased or decreased.

[0138] In addition, in the rice cooker system 1 according to the present embodiment, the initial units of the unit switching tabs 101e and 105e are made different in comparison between the second sub-screen SS2 as the rice remaining amount reduction screen and the third sub-screen SS3 as the rice remaining amount addition screen. Therefore, when adding or reducing the inventory amount of rice, the rice cooker system 1 can immediately present an interface that can increase or decrease the inventory amount of rice in a unit according to the situation.

[0139] Furthermore, the rice cooker system 1 according to the present embodiment includes numerical selection options 101f and 105f that display the quantity for increasing or decreasing the inventory amount of rice in a drum roll. Therefore, when increasing or decreasing the inventory amount of rice, the rice cooker system 1 can provide the user with an environment in which it is extremely easy to grasp the selectable numerical range and the change amount of the selection options.

[0140] In addition, the rice cooker system 1 according to the present embodiment includes numerical selection options 101f and 105f in which the variable range of the quantity differs depending on the unit selected by the unit switching tabs 101e and 105e. Therefore, the rice cooker system 1 can provide the user with selectable options within an appropriate range according to the actual situation in each of the kilogram unit, gram unit, and "gō" unit.

[0141] Furthermore, the rice cooker system 1 according to the present embodiment can change the unit of the inventory amount of rice displayed on the first screen WS1 as the top screen. Therefore, the rice cooker system 1 can easily present the user with an inventory amount that flexibly corresponds to both the distribution form and consumption form of rice.

[0142] Therefore, according to the rice cooker system 1, information terminal 3, management application, and rice remaining amount presentation method according to the present invention, the inventory amount of rice can be easily confirmed.

[0143] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0144] 1…Rice cooking system, 2…Rice cooker, 3…Information terminal, 5…Server, 6…Memory device, 8…Short-range wireless communication, 11…Telecommunication network, 12…External communication network, 13…Intra-facility communication network, 15…Relay device, 22…Main body, 23…Lid, 25…Hinge part, 26…Lid opening operation part, 27…Steam port, 28…Display part, 29…Operation part, 31…Communication part, 32…Rice cooking control part, 33…Memory part, 51…Display part, 52…Input device, 52a…Touch panel, 52b…Voice input part, 53…Communication module, 55…Terminal control part, 57…Memory part, 58…Communication control function, 59…Display control function, 61…Communication module, 81…First display element, 81a…Model identification character string, 81b…Setting screen call icon, 81c…Support screen call icon, 81d…Model icon, 81e…Status display character string, 81f…Brand transmission button, 81g…Remaining rice quantity increase / decrease button, 81h…Rice cooking history call button, 81i…Course introduction call button, 81j…Background, 81k…First title character string, 81m…Brand transmission screen call icon, 81n…Second title character string, 81o…Stock quantity character string, 81p…Remaining rice quantity increase / decrease input part call icon, 91…Additional input part, 92…Reduction input part, 95…First sub-display element, 95a…First title, 95b…Close button, 95c…Stock quantity character string, 95e…Stock quantity annotation area, 95f…Second title character string, 95g…Remaining rice quantity reduction button, 95h…Remaining rice quantity addition button, 95i…Reduction annotation character string, 95j…Addition annotation character string, 95k…Notification character string, 101…Second sub-display element, 101a…First title character string, 101b…Second title character string, 101c…Third title character string, 101d…Fourth title character string, 101e…Unit conversion tab, 101f…Numeric options, 101g…Cancel button, 101h…OK button, 105…Third sub-display element, 105a…First title character string, 105b…Second title character string, 105c…Third title character string, 105d…Fourth title character string, 105e…Unit conversion tab, 105f…Numeric options, 105g…Cancel button, 105h…OK button, 111…Quantity input part, 112…Unit selection part, WS1…First screen, SS1…First sub-screen, SS2…Second sub-screen, SS3…Third sub-screen.

Claims

1. A rice cooking system comprising: a receiving unit capable of receiving the current state of a rice cooker; a storage unit for storing the remaining amount of rice as a consumable; and a display unit capable of displaying a first screen for simultaneously displaying the current state of the rice cooker and the remaining amount of rice.

2. The rice cooking system according to claim 1, further comprising an addition / subtraction input unit for receiving an addition / subtraction operation related to the increase or decrease of the remaining amount of rice, wherein, in response to the addition / subtraction operation, an additional input unit for receiving an additional operation related to the addition of the remaining amount of rice and a reduction input unit for receiving a reduction operation related to the reduction of the remaining amount of rice are displayed on the display unit.

3. The rice cooking system according to claim 2, wherein the display unit displays a second screen for simultaneously displaying the additional input unit and the reduction input unit.

4. In response to the additional operation, a third screen is displayed on the display unit, and in response to the reduction operation, a fourth screen is displayed on the display unit, wherein the third screen and the fourth screen include a quantity input unit for inputting a quantity related to the remaining amount of rice and a unit selection unit for selecting a unit related to the quantity, according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The rice cooking system according to claim 4, wherein the appearances of the quantity input unit and the unit selection unit are common in the third screen and the fourth screen.

6. The rice cooking system according to claim 4, wherein the initial unit in the unit selection unit of the third screen is different from the initial unit in the unit selection unit of the fourth screen.

7. The rice cooking system according to claim 4, wherein the quantity input unit displays the quantity in a drum roll manner.

8. The rice cooking system according to claim 7, wherein the variable range of the quantity varies depending on the unit selected by the unit selection unit in the quantity input unit.

9. The rice cooking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the unit of the remaining amount of rice displayed on the first screen is changeable.

10. An information terminal comprising: a receiving unit capable of receiving the current state of a rice cooker; a storage unit for storing the remaining amount of rice as a consumable; and a display unit capable of displaying a first screen for simultaneously displaying the current state of the rice cooker and the remaining amount of rice.

11. A program for causing an information terminal to have a receiving function capable of receiving the current state of a rice cooker, a storage function for storing the remaining amount of rice as a consumable, and a display function capable of displaying a first screen for simultaneously displaying the current state of the rice cooker and the remaining amount of rice.

12. Receiving the current state of a rice cooker, Record the remaining amount of rice as a consumer product, A method for presenting the remaining amount of rice that simultaneously presents the current state of the rice cooker and the remaining amount of the rice.

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