Heating cooking system

Abstract

To provide a user-friendly heating cooking system that is capable of voice input and also acquiring recipe data from outside.SOLUTION: A heating cooking system comprises: a heating cooking device that includes a communication unit and a heating chamber; and a communication terminal that is connected with the communication unit via wireless communication. The communication terminal includes a function of transmitting recipe data to the heating cooking device. A plurality of input operation units of the heating cooking device each include a plurality of input keys. A specific input key of input keys is for selecting one heating cooking mode of a plurality of heating cooking modes, and permits a voice input mode only to one input operation unit. The heating cooking device includes a function of acquiring recipe data upon operation of the specific input key. When acquisition of the recipe data transmitted from the communication terminal is not to be permitted, the heating cooking device issues a notification of non-permitting process to the communication terminal from the communication unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 67

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking system that uses a cooking appliance for heating an object to be heated, such as a pot placed on a top plate.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, cooking appliances are roughly classified into three types in terms of the environment in which they are used. One of them is the so-called "built-in type" installed in kitchen furniture such as a kitchen counter. The second is the "stationary type" placed and used at a predetermined position of kitchen furniture, such as a gas stove (also referred to as a "gas combustion type table"). The third is a small and portable "tabletop type" placed and used at an arbitrary position on a dining table or the like.

[0003] There are many "built-in type" cooking appliances that are composite cooking appliances equipped with a plurality of types of heating sources and are popular as being capable of handling various cooking methods. As a typical composite cooking appliance, there has been proposed a configuration including a grill compartment (also referred to as an "oven chamber" or a "heating chamber") heated by a heating source inside the main body, and introducing microwaves from a microwave heating source into the heating chamber (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] On the other hand, conventionally, there has been proposed a cooking system in which communication is performed between a communication terminal such as a smartphone and a cooking appliance, and recipe data corresponding to a cooking recipe selected by the communication terminal is transmitted from the communication terminal to the cooking appliance to perform cooking (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0005] Patent Document 2 is a cooking appliance (gas combustion type cooking appliance) having a plurality of heating units (for example, a right stove, a left stove, a rear stove) and a communication function, and when a user operates a communication terminal to select a specific recipe from cooking menus, proposes a configuration in which the cooking appliance collectively acquires heating condition data of the plurality of heating units.

[0006] Furthermore, in Patent Document 3, in a cooking heater (gas combustion type cooking heater) having a plurality of heating units (for example, a right stove, a left stove, and a rear stove) and a communication function, a system is proposed in which a smart speaker is used as an audio input / output device to input the operating conditions of the heating unit by voice via a server.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] As shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the range that can be cooked expands as the number of heating means increases, but the setting of control conditions (for example, heating power, heating time, etc.) becomes complicated. Therefore, it is convenient if the user can obtain the control data of the cooking menu from an external server or the like and use it as it is or modify it partially and easily use it with a cooking heater. At that time, it is more convenient if it can be input by voice instead of manual operation (touch operation). Furthermore, using a plurality of heating means or heating units simultaneously and in parallel is beneficial for shortening and improving the efficiency of cooking time, and the needs are high.

[0009] However, in the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, scenarios where heating cooking and the input of its control conditions are performed simultaneously and in parallel with a plurality of heating means or heating ports (heating units) are not assumed, so there is a concern that the voice input for one cooking and the voice input for another cooking may overlap in time. When two or more voice inputs (voice commands) overlap, accurate input cannot be achieved, and the user's expectation of reducing the load of the input operation of the cooking appliance cannot be met.

[0010] The first object of the present disclosure is to obtain a highly convenient cooking system that can widely support various cooking methods by enabling voice input and improving the operability of the user.

[0011] The second object of the present disclosure is to obtain a highly convenient cooking system that can widely support various cooking methods by enhancing the information provided to the user during the transmission and reception of recipe data and improving the operability of the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The cooking appliance related to the present disclosure includes a control device that receives commands from a first operation unit of a first heating source and a second operation unit of a second heating source, respectively, the control device has two input functions of a touch input mode and a voice input mode, the first operation unit and the second operation unit each have a touch input type input key that can set the voice input mode, the control device restricts the switching to the voice input mode by the second operation unit during a prohibited period that starts when the voice input mode is switched by the input key of the first operation unit, which is a characteristic configuration.

[0013] The cooking appliance related to the present disclosure includes a main body, a first heating source that heats at a first location of the main body, a second heating source that heats at a second location of the main body, a first operation unit of the first heating source, a second operation unit of the second heating source, and a control device that receives commands from the first operation unit and the second operation unit. The control device has two input functions: a touch input mode and a voice input mode. The first operation unit has a touch input type first input key. The second operation unit is provided with a touch input type second input key. The voice input mode is switched according to the respective touch operation states of the first input key and the second input key. When the control device switches to the voice input mode by the first input key, during the prohibited period until it shifts to the heating cooking process, it does not accept the switching to the voice input mode by the second input key. It is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0014] The cooking heater related to the present disclosure has a notification means having a display unit, a touch input type first input key, a touch input type second input key, and a control device that receives commands from the first input key and the second input key, and is provided with The control device has two input functions: a touch input mode and a voice input mode. The first input key and the second input key are used to select the heating means and the cooking content. The control device determines whether it is necessary to switch from the touch input mode to the voice input mode according to the respective touch states of the first input key and the second input key. When the control device switches to the voice input mode by the first input key, during the period until it shifts to the heating cooking process, it does not accept the switching to the voice input mode by the second input key. For the heating means switched to the voice input mode, the control device enables the acquisition of recipe data from the outside and accepts a setting command for control conditions for cooking with the recipe data. It is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0015] The cooking heater related to the present disclosure A control device having a touch input mode and a voice input mode, and controlling a first heating unit and a second heating unit that are horizontally separated from each other, A first input key provided corresponding to the first heating unit and selecting the heating unit by a touch operation, A first input key provided corresponding to the second heating unit and selecting the heating unit by a touch operation, And having, The control device sets the voice input mode for the first heating unit or the second heating unit according to the touch operation states of the first input key and the second input key, When the control device sets the voice input mode by a touch operation of any one of the first input key and the second input key, if there is a touch operation by the other input key, the setting of the voice input mode by the touch operation is restricted. It is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0016] The cooking heating system related to the present disclosure is, A cooking heater, A cloud server or a communication terminal wirelessly connected to the cooking heater, And is provided with, The communication terminal or the cloud server has a function of transmitting recipe data to the cooking heater, The cooking heater has a function of acquiring the recipe data from the communication terminal or the cloud server, The cooking heater includes a control device that receives commands from a plurality of operation units respectively, The control device has two input functions of a touch input mode and a voice input mode, When the cooking heater switches to the voice input mode by one of the operation units, during the prohibited period, the switching to the voice input mode by the other operation units is restricted. It is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0017] The cooking heater related to the present disclosure is, A first heating means for heating at a first location, second heating means for heating in a heating chamber different from the first location; notification means having a display unit; a dedicated operation unit for the first heating means; a shared operation unit for the first heating means and the second heating means; a control device that receives commands from the dedicated operation unit and the shared operation unit, respectively; and the control device has two input functions: a touch input mode and a voice input mode; the dedicated operation unit has touch input type input keys; the shared operation unit is provided with touch input type input keys; the control device determines whether or not to switch from the touch input mode to the voice input mode according to the touch states of the input keys of the dedicated operation unit and the input keys of the shared operation unit, respectively; when the control device switches to the voice input mode by the input key of the shared operation unit, during the period until the heating cooking process is entered, switching to the voice input mode by the input key of the dedicated operation unit is restricted; when the control device receives an acquisition command for recipe data by the input key of the shared operation unit and receives the recipe data, it determines whether or not a predetermined permission condition is satisfied, and if the permission condition is not satisfied, it transmits a notification of non - permission processing to the outside; It is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0018] A cooking heater related to the present disclosure includes a control device that receives commands from a first operation unit of a first heating source, a second operation unit of a second heating source, and a shared operation unit, respectively; the control device has two input functions: a touch input mode and a voice input mode; the first operation unit, the second operation unit, and the shared operation unit each have touch input type input keys capable of setting the voice input mode; When switching to the voice input mode by any one of the input keys, the control device restricts switching to the voice input mode by other input keys during a prohibited period that starts This is the configuration characterized by

[0019] The cooking system related to the first disclosure A cooking device having a communication unit and a heating chamber, A communication terminal wirelessly connected to the communication unit, is provided with The communication terminal has a function of transmitting recipe data to the cooking device, The plurality of input operation units of the cooking device each have a plurality of input keys. A specific input key among the input keys selects one cooking mode among the plurality of cooking modes and permits the voice input mode only for one input operation unit. When the specific input key is operated, the cooking device has a function of acquiring the recipe data. When the cooking device does not permit acquisition of the recipe data transmitted from the communication terminal, the cooking device sends a notification of non - permission processing to the communication terminal from the communication unit. This is the configuration characterized by

[0020] The cooking system related to the second disclosure relates to the second object. A cooking device having a communication unit and a heating chamber, A communication terminal wirelessly connected to the communication unit, is provided with The communication terminal has a function of transmitting recipe data to the cooking device, The input operation unit of the cooking device has an input key for determining to acquire the recipe data. When the cooking device does not permit the recipe data transmitted from the communication terminal, the cooking device sends a notification of non - permission processing to the communication terminal from the communication unit. When the communication terminal receives the notification of the non - permission process, it displays at least one of reference information indicating the response to the non - permission process, auxiliary information regarding the reason for the non - permission process, or countermeasure information on the terminal - side display unit. It is a configuration characterized by the above.

Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present disclosure, at each input operation unit of a plurality of heating units, touch - type input and voice input can be used in combination at the heating - cooking setting stage, and interference between mutual voice inputs can be avoided. In addition, a highly convenient heating - cooking device that can utilize recipe data acquired from the outside using a network can be provided. Further, according to the heating - cooking system of the present disclosure, when selecting a heating - cooking menu, the touch state of the touch - type input key can be discriminated and automatically changed to the voice - input mode. Therefore, during the user's input operation, it is possible to input control conditions by voice, contributing to the improvement of the efficiency of the user's input operation and the reduction of the input load. Furthermore, according to another heating - cooking system of the present disclosure, before performing heating - cooking with the data acquired from the communication terminal, it is possible to appropriately notify the communication terminal on the transmission side whether the heating - cooking device side has acquired the target data, contributing to the user's correct input operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, a cooking appliance and a cooking system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating directions (for example, "up", "down", "right", "left", "front", "rear", etc.) are used for ease of understanding, but these are merely for the purpose of explanation. Also, in each figure, those with the same reference numerals are the same or corresponding to each other, which is common throughout the specification.

[0024] Furthermore, in the following description, a composite cooking appliance having a plurality of types of heating means is also simply referred to as a "cooking appliance".

[0025] In the following description, when referring to "an object to be heated placed on the top plate", it includes both the case where an object to be heated such as a pan is directly placed on the upper surface of the top plate 3 described later and heated, and the case where the object to be heated is placed on a support member such as a trivet arranged above the top plate and heated, like a gas burner.

[0026] In Embodiment 1, the "second heating means" HM2 refers to a heat source for heating the object to be cooked accommodated inside the heating chamber 6 described later. It may utilize radiant heat or steam.

[0027] In Embodiment 1, the microwave heat source uses a magnetron, but there is no limitation on the microwave oscillation principle or method, such as a microwave oscillator. Also, a plurality of heat sources may be provided.

[0028] In this Embodiment 1, the "third heating means" HM3 is referred to as "third" to show the difference from the second heating means HM2, but it does not mean a superior or inferior relationship. Also, in Embodiment 1, a heat source using a radiant electric heat source (such as a sheathed heater, mica heater, carbon heater, ceramic heater, infrared heater, radiant heater, etc.) is used, but a heat source that generates heat in other forms or methods may also be used.

[0029] The third heating means HM3 refers to a device capable of cooking in one heating chamber 6. It may be in a form that combines a plurality of heating sources having different heating principles, such as a heating source composed of an electric heater or the like and a gas combustor (burner). Also, an induction heating source may be used as the heating source for heating the heating chamber 6. A steam generator 550 (boiler) (not shown) that supplies high-temperature steam (such as superheated steam) may also be used.

[0030] Furthermore, the third heating means may be either a heating source that heats the wall surface of the heating chamber 6 from the outside thereof or a heating source installed in the internal space of the heating chamber 6 to raise the atmosphere of the internal space to a high temperature. Also, a heating member that becomes high temperature by an induction heating method may be arranged in the heating chamber, and in any form where the wall surface of the heating chamber 6 is heated from the outside by this heating member or the air inside the heating chamber 6 is heated, it is acceptable.

[0031] As a typical example of the induction heating coil (IH coil) in this Embodiment 1, there is one configured by bundling about 30 thin copper wires or aluminum wires of about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm and winding this bundle in a spiral shape while twisting a plurality of them. Alternatively, there is also one configured by winding about 1000 to 1500 of those of about 0.05 mm. Also, there is a proposal to configure it with an annular conductor formed in an annular shape using a flat conductive material. Any of these forms corresponds to the "IH coil" which is the main part of the induction heating source.

[0032] In this Embodiment 1, the "cooking mode" refers to the form of cooking. In this Embodiment 1, there are three types of cooking modes. One is the "cooperative cooking mode", the second is the "composite cooking mode", and the third is the "single cooking mode".

[0033] In this Embodiment 1, "cooperative cooking" refers to cooking performed using two or more heating sources where the heating locations for one object to be cooked (including foods, meats, vegetables, etc.) are different and the heating operation conditions can be set independently.

[0034] The above-mentioned "coordinated cooking" applies to the case where a plurality of heating means are used with a time difference. For example, in the process of completing one cooking, if the food to be cooked is preheated with a microwave heating source and then transferred to another location, and then heated with an IH coil at the transferred location to complete the cooking, this is a kind of "coordinated cooking" mentioned here.

[0035] Also, a form in which the food to be cooked is heated inside the heating chamber 6 by a gas burner, and then the food to be cooked is transferred onto the top plate 3 and heated by a gas burner or an induction heating source to improve the degree of cooking completion is also a kind of "coordinated cooking".

[0036] The "voice input mode" refers to a control form in which the user US inputs by voice without touching or pressing the buttons of the input switch (input key) or the operation surface. The types of the "voice input mode" include "voice input mode 1" and "voice input mode 2".

[0037] The above-mentioned "voice input mode 1" is selected by operating an input key (hereinafter referred to as a "dual-purpose key") that corresponds to both voice input and touch (including pressing) input. The above-mentioned "voice input mode 2" is selected by operating an input key dedicated to voice input (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "voice input dedicated key") 180.

[0038] When there are a plurality of input keys in one input operation unit and the "dual-purpose key" is provided therein, when the "voice input mode 1" is changed by the dual-purpose key (for example, the input key 107 in the central operation unit 15M), there are two cases: one is to temporarily invalidate the input functions of the input keys (for example, in the central operation unit 15M, the input keys 108, 109) other than this dual-purpose key (this control pattern is called "voice input mode 1A"), and the other is not to invalidate them (this control pattern is called "voice input mode 1B"). Both fall under the "voice input mode 1" mentioned here.

[0039] In one input operation unit, when the dedicated voice input key 180 is pressed during the process of performing touch input using an input key (for example, 107 or 108), "voice input mode 2" is selected. In this case, after the selection of this voice input mode 2, there are two cases: one case is to temporarily disable the input functions of (some of) the input keys other than the dedicated voice input key 180 (for example, 107, 108) (this control pattern is referred to as "voice input mode 2A"), and the other case is not to disable them (this control pattern is referred to as "voice input mode 2B"). Both cases fall under the "voice input mode 2" mentioned here.

[0040] The "recipe data" CD refers to data used for controlling the cooking heater 1 for heating and cooking. One form of the recipe data CD includes data specifying the heating means, data defining the heating steps and order, and control conditions during heating (including but not limited to command data and programs such as heating power, target temperature, and cooking time).

[0041] Another form of the recipe data CD does not include data specifying the heating means and data defining the heating steps and order, but only includes some data for executing a cooking menu (for example, hamburger). For example, when performing heating and cooking in the cooperative cooking mode described later, to execute one cooking menu It means data that does not include information specific to the heating means (including information indicating the attributes of the heating means and information about the heating ports), information about the cooking process, information indicating the order of the heating means to be driven, etc. In this case, the data mainly consists of commands and data for determining control conditions such as heating capacity and heating time (referred to as "commands" or "command data" which will be explained in detail later). In this case, if the recipe data CD held by the cooking heater 1 is configured based on, for example, one serving of the object to be cooked, it can be made to correspond to two or four servings, etc. on the cooking heater side by an external command, and by changing the control conditions (for example, one parameter such as heating time) using the built-in program.

[0042] In the following embodiments, the form of the recipe data as described above will not be particularly distinguished and described.

[0043] Embodiment 1. (1. Configuration of the cooking system) Embodiment 1 according to the present disclosure is described in FIGS. 1 to 42. FIG. 1 will be described. The cooking system of the present Embodiment 1 includes a cooking appliance 1, a smartphone 200 having a function of performing wireless communication with the cooking appliance 1, and a cloud server 300. In addition to a smartphone-type communication terminal, a tablet terminal with a communication function, a personal computer, etc. may also be used. These devices and the smartphone 200 are collectively referred to as "communication terminal" or "information processing terminal device" hereinafter, and the symbol 200 is used.

[0044] The communication terminal 200 performs wireless communication by a communication method such as WiFi (registered trademark) with an access point such as a wireless router 340 (not shown) installed in the house (HA) where the cooking appliance 1 is used.

[0045] The cooking appliance 1 can acquire at least the recipe data CD2 by wireless communication with the communication terminal 200. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the recipe data CD2 and the recipe data CD1 are distinguished by symbols. The recipe data CD acquired by the cooking appliance 1 from the outside is called "recipe data CD2". On the other hand, the recipe data CD provided by the recipe data providing server 301 described later may be described as "recipe data CD1". Details will be described later. The communication terminal 200 performs wireless communication with the cooking appliance 1 by a communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0046] The communication terminal 200 can be connected to the home gateway 411 installed in the house HA via the router 340 (not shown). NW is a network that constitutes a wide area communication network such as the Internet. Also, the cloud server 300 in the external space includes at least one recipe data providing server 301 and the external server 417 and the like.

[0047] The recipe data providing server 301 is provided with a recipe DB (database) 302 (not shown) that holds data of recipes for performing various cooking processes. The communication terminal 200 accesses the recipe DB (302: not shown) operated by the recipe data providing server 301 and acquires (downloads) various recipe data CD1 from the recipe DB.

[0048] The recipe data CD (CD1, CD2) includes an instruction (command data) for designating heating means and control conditions (including at least any one of heating power, heating time, temperature, etc., but not limited thereto) so that a specific object to be cooked can be cooked by the heating cooker 1.

[0049] In the following description, recipe data (cooking condition data) may be described with symbols such as CD1 and CD2. However, the content of the recipe data is not necessarily different depending on these symbols, and there may be cases where they are the same. These symbols (CD1, CD2) are attached based on the originator of the recipe data for easy understanding. When using a unified reference symbol for the recipe data, "CD" is used. Also, the name will be uniformly described as "recipe data".

[0050] The heating cooker 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first heating means HM1 disposed below a top plate 3 (described in FIGS. 2 and later) that covers the upper surface of the heating cooker 1, a second heating means HM2 that supplies microwaves into a heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 3) formed inside the heating cooker 1, and a third heating means HM3 that is inside or outside the heating chamber 6 and heats by raising the temperature of the internal space of the heating chamber 6.

[0051] If the upper surface of the top plate 3 is defined as the "first place", in order to heat an object to be heated (a magnetic metal pot) placed at this first place, the first heating means HM1 uses induction heating means. Alternatively, a gas combustion device equipped with a gas burner for heating a pot made of magnetic metal or non-magnetic metal can be used as the first heating means HM1.

[0052] As will be described later, the first heating means HM1 installs IH coils 9 (9C, 9L, 9R) serving as heating sources so that heating can be performed independently at three locations: the left heating port 4L, the right heating port 4R, and the central heating port 4C. That is, there are three heating sources.

[0053] In the following description, the IH coil 9L corresponding to the left heating port 4L and its drive circuit (not shown) may be collectively referred to as the left heating source 19L. The IH coil 9R corresponding to the right heating port 4R and its drive circuit (not shown) may be collectively referred to as the right heating source 19R. Further, the IH coil 9C corresponding to the central heating port 4C and its drive circuit (not shown) may be collectively referred to as the central heating source 19C.

[0054] Also, the left heating source 19L may be called the first heating source, the right heating source 19R may be called the second heating source, and further, the central heating source 19C may be called the third heating source.

[0055] It should be noted that the microwave oscillation sources 11 of the second heating means HM2 that supply microwaves described later are also each one heating source. Further, the upper radiant heat heating means 12a that heats with a heater, which is the third heating means, is also one heating source. Similarly, the lower radiant heat heating means 12b is also one heating source. Thus, in the first embodiment, there are a total of six heating sources.

[0056] If a closed space located at a place away from the first place is defined as the "second place", the inside of the heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 3) becomes the second place.

[0057] The cooking device 1 has an execution function of a "single cooking mode" KM1 that drives the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 independently (separately).

[0058] As a method of cooking one object to be cooked, the cooking device 1 has an execution function of a "composite cooking mode" KM2 that drives the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 simultaneously, or operates one of them first and automatically starts driving the other later. Even when the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are operating simultaneously, both cases where the heating end times of both are the same and different are one operation pattern belonging to the "composite cooking mode" KM2.

[0059] In the "composite cooking mode" KM2, there are at least a pattern (RG control mode 1) that drives the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 simultaneously from the beginning, a pattern (RG control mode 2) that starts driving the third heating means HM3 after the second heating means HM2, and a pattern (RG control mode 3) that drives the third heating means HM3 first and then automatically switches to driving the second heating means HM3. In these RG control modes 1 to RG control mode 3, when cooking starts in the heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 9), the switching of each heating means is automatically performed.

[0060] The "composite cooking mode" KM2, unlike the linked cooking mode KM1, does not have a "cooking menu" corresponding to a specific object to be cooked (e.g., hamburger). That is, a "control menu" is prepared according to the pattern of driving the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3.

[0061] For example, one of the "control menus" is the "RG control mode 1". In the RG control mode (RG composite cooking mode), various objects to be cooked can be cooked. One of the "control menus", for example, the "RG control mode 1", is controlled by recipe data that defines the control mode, but is not set for each specific object to be cooked.

[0062] That is, the operation pattern for operating two or more heat sources (the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3) in a predetermined sequence is the composite cooking mode KM2 having a plurality of "control menus".

[0063] On the other hand, in the coordinated cooking mode KM1 having a coordinated cooking menu, recipe data (corresponding to a specific food to be cooked) is applied to cook the foods to be cooked placed at respective locations inside the heating chamber 6 and above the top plate 3 in a predetermined order. That is, the content of the recipe data is different between the composite cooking mode KM2 and the coordinated cooking mode KM1.

[0064] In the following description, when indicating the type of control form such as the drive pattern of the heat source, it is called a "control menu". For example, "defrosting" is one of the control menus. On the other hand, when specifying the food to be cooked that can be heat-cooked, the name of the dish, etc., it is called a "cooking menu". For example, "hamburger" is one of the cooking menus.

[0065] The heat cooker 1 has an execution function of a "coordinated cooking mode" KM3 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven with a time difference determined depending on the operation of the user US (user) US.

[0066] In the "coordinated cooking mode" KM3, it has a pattern of performing cooking step 1 by the first heating means HM1 and a pattern of performing cooking step 1 by the second heating means HM2. For example, in order to move to cooking step 2 after finishing cooking step 1 by the first heating means HM1 and then start driving the second heating means HM2, there is a "heating pause period" (transition period TR) during which no heating operation is performed between this cooking step 1 and cooking step 2.

[0067] In this "cooperative cooking mode" KM3, for each specific food to be cooked (e.g., hamburger, roast beef, gratin), the recipe data CD is prepared. The recipe data CD specifies the heating means to be used, the order in which the heating means are driven, and the control conditions of the heating means (including at least any one of the heat intensity, heating time, temperature, etc.).

[0068] The recipe data CD is stored in both the heating cooker 1 and the recipe DB302. The types of recipe data CDs in the recipe DB and the types of recipe data CDs held by the heating cooker 1 do not have to be the same. For example, new recipe data CDs for the cooperative cooking mode KM1 may be sequentially added to the recipe DB302, or the recipe data CDs for the combined cooking menu may be sequentially accumulated.

[0069] When the heating cooker 1 acquires the recipe data CD for executing the cooperative cooking mode KM1 from the communication terminal 200, the data is in units of one cooking menu selected by the user US on the communication terminal 200. This is common not only to the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 but also to the "combined cooking mode" KM2 and the "single cooking mode" KM1.

[0070] As described above, the communication terminal 200 requests the recipe data providing server 301 to provide the recipe data CD for the desired food to be cooked, and downloads the recipe data CD1 corresponding to the desired recipe.

[0071] The communication terminal 200 can transmit the recipe data CD2 corresponding to one recipe acquired from the recipe data providing server 301 to the heating cooker 1. To use such a recipe data acquisition function, the user US of the heating cooker 1 accesses the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) and installs an application for recipe selection (hereinafter referred to as the "recipe selection app") on the communication terminal 200.

[0072] When the user US installs the recipe selection application, as an initial setting, the user US performs an operation of registering identification information such as the model name of the cooking appliance. By this registration, recipe data CD corresponding to the rated specifications of the cooking appliance 1 (such as the heating capabilities of the respective heating means HM1 to HM3) can be obtained from the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301).

[0073] Also, the user US pairs the communication terminal 200 with the cooking appliance 1 by means of the recipe selection application to establish wireless communication between the communication terminal 200 and the cooking appliance 1. Note that this wireless communication may use the near-field wireless communication (NFC) method.

[0074] In order for the user US of the cooking appliance 1 to utilize the acquisition function of the recipe data CD, the user US accesses the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) to pre-install an application for recipe selection (hereinafter referred to as the "recipe selection application") on the cooking appliance 1. It is convenient to make this installation easily executable on the cooking appliance 1 as one of the menus of the "function setting mode" by the input key 115 described later.

[0075] When the user US installs the recipe selection application, as an initial setting, the user US performs an operation of registering identification information such as the model name of the cooking appliance. By this registration, recipe data CD corresponding to the specifications of the cooking appliance 1 (such as the heating capabilities of the respective heating means HM1 to HM3) can be obtained from the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301).

[0076] In this Embodiment 1, there may be cases where the recipe data CD is described as "acquired" or "acquisition restricted", and thus this point will be explained. When the description "restricted acquisition" is given, it does not mean that no recipe data CD (specific information constituting part or all of it) enters the interior of the cooking appliance 1 from the outside via the communication unit 51 described later. In the cooking appliance 1, the communication unit 51 once receives recipe data CD from the outside and temporarily stores it in an appropriate storage area in the storage device 41 (described in FIG. 8). At that time, the content of the data (attributes, presence or absence of identification information 167, etc.) is analyzed. However, if the data is data transmitted from the outside during the "period of restricted acquisition" as described above, it will not be used in the process of executing subsequent cooking menus (that is, the cooking process), and will be automatically deleted within a short time (at least when the main power switch 20 is turned off).

[0077] (2. Configuration of Various Electrical Appliances and Home Gateway) The "household electrical appliance" 402 refers to an electrical appliance designed mainly for use at home. The household electrical appliances 402 include the cooking appliance 1, the refrigerator 403, the television receiver 404, the air conditioner 405, the ventilator 407, the electric rice cooker (electric jar rice cooker) 408, the microwave oven 409, the lighting fixture 410, and the air purifier 413 (not shown) described later. In the following description, the "refrigerator" 403 includes both a refrigerator-freezer with a built-in freezer compartment and a refrigerator with only a freezing function, unless otherwise specified.

[0078] The "device identification information" of the household electrical appliance 402 is unique information for identifying the household electrical appliance 402. Specifically, it is important information required when performing information communication, such as the MAC address, the manufacturer name of the household electrical appliance 402, the model name, the model number, and the manufacturing number.

[0079] The "home gateway" 411 refers to an information collection device or information processing device for relaying information between two or more household electrical appliances 402 in a single home and causing them to perform coordinated operations. In addition to this, it also performs the operation of giving a command signal to one household electrical appliance 402 or acquiring information (also referred to as "data") from one household electrical appliance 402. In the following description, it is assumed that the home gateway 411 is one form of the information processing apparatus 411.

[0080] The home gateway 411 may be provided with a power control function such as a peak cut function in order to manage the total power consumption of a single household for all or part of the home appliances 402. In such a case, it may be called a "power control device" or an "integrated management device".

[0081] The home gateway 411 has a function of acquiring information on the current status such as the operation, stop, and standby state of the home appliances 402 from the home appliances 402 by means of a wired or wireless signal. When the home gateway 411 uses wireless communication, it is connected to the target home appliance 402 using the device identification information.

[0082] Even if the home gateway 411 functions as an "integrated management device" or a "power command device" for a single home appliance (for example, a cooking heater 1) 402, if it does not limit the power consumption for other home appliances (for example, a lighting fixture 410), it does not correspond to an "integrated management device" or a "power command device". For example, even if the home gateway 411 acquires the operation information of the lighting fixture 410, if it does not have a function of regulating the power consumption of the lighting fixture 410 itself so that the total power consumption combined with the power consumption of other home appliances 402 does not exceed the upper limit of the specified total power consumption. In such a case, from the perspective of the lighting fixture 410, the home gateway 411 does not correspond to an integrated management device or a power command device.

[0083] In FIG. 1, inside a house HA, although not actually shown, it is partitioned into a plurality of living spaces by walls and doors. In a kitchen 601, which is one of the living spaces, there are home appliances 402 such as the refrigerator 403, the cooking heater 1, the microwave oven 409, and the electric rice cooker 408, and kitchen furniture 600 is arranged. Note that although not shown in this FIG. 1, the living spaces also include other rooms such as a "living room" and a "bathroom", and also rooms with toilets. There may be other rooms in the living spaces.

[0084] Electric power of, for example, 200V is supplied to all living spaces from a commercial power supply EP of an electric power company outside the house. The electric power is drawn into the house HA through an electricity meter 414.

[0085] 415 is a power line (main trunk line) connected to the commercial power supply EP with a voltage of 200V via a breaker BK. To this power line 415, the aforementioned television receiver 404, air conditioner 405, lighting fixture 410, cooking heater 1, microwave oven 409, electric rice cooker 408, home gateway 411, and environment detection unit 416 (not shown) are respectively connected.

[0086] Next, FIG. 1 will be described. The external server 417 may be, for example, a server installed by an external organization such as an earthquake information providing organization or an electric power company in a specific area, or a server prepared by the manufacturer that produced the cooking heater 1. The external server 417 and the recipe data providing server 301 may be a distributed processing type server called a so-called "cloud server". Note that it is known that there are three types of "cloud computing" that use a cloud server, namely "IaaS", "PaaS", and "SaaS".

[0087] The home gateway 411 can receive various content distribution services from the external server 417. Among this content, recipe data (characters, images) CD for various cookings is also included.

[0088] The external server 417 functions as a means for providing information to the home appliance 402. That is, the external server 417 may be installed by an organization such as a manufacturer (maker), a seller, a repairer, or an information service provider of the home appliance 402, either alone or jointly by two or more organizations, and provides various services related to the home appliance 402 to the user US via the network NW.

[0089] Also, the external server 417 may generally be what is called a "Web server" (hereinafter referred to as a "web server"). A web server complies with HTTP (a protocol used to exchange data such as HTML documents and images between a web server and a web browser), and provides display information of HTML and objects (such as images) to a web browser, which is software on the information processing device (client) side of a "receiving side" such as various communication terminals 200 and the home gateway 411, etc., and refers to a service program and the server computer on which the service operates.

[0090] The external server 417 stores and remembers control application software that enables the home gateway 411 to be remotely controlled from the house HA or a remote location thereof. From a communication terminal 200, which will be described in detail later, for example, a device called a smartphone, by accessing the external server 417 and downloading (loading) the control application software, the above-described remote control can be realized.

[0091] The communication terminal 200 can be easily carried by the user US and can make calls and communicate data (including mail information) indoors, outdoors, or at other places away from home. It is a device that can download information from an outdoor information providing site, send and receive mails, and transmit a remote operation signal via the network (wide area communication circuit network) NW, but it may also be a device that cannot make calls. Such portable communication terminal devices are collectively referred to as the communication terminal 200.

[0092] In Embodiment 1, the communication terminal 200 has a function of transmitting and receiving signals through short-range communication while being close (or even in contact) with the input / output unit of each home appliance 402 by about several centimeters. Note that this short-range communication refers to an international standard technology of wireless communication known as Near Field Communication (abbreviation: NFC).

[0093] In this NFC communication, a so-called wireless tag (NFC tag) is embedded in the home appliance 402 side including the cooking appliance 1 and the refrigerator 403. On the other hand, control data (also referred to as a "control command") can be sent from the communication terminal 200 side to the NFC storage unit of the home appliance 402, and the home appliance 402 can be controlled according to the control command.

[0094] In this Embodiment 1, direct remote operation from the communication terminal 200 to the home appliance 402 side is not possible. Among the home appliances 402, there are some that generate high heat such as the cooking appliance 1, so remote operation via the Internet used by many people outside the house HA is not adopted. Instead, as an integrated information processing device, the operation of all the home appliances 400 can be performed via the home gateway 411.

[0095] As is clear from the above description, the home gateway 411 in this Embodiment 1 refers to an information processing device for relaying information between two or more home appliances 400 in one household and causing them to perform coordinated operations. In addition to this, it performs an operation of giving a command signal to one home appliance 400 or acquiring information (also referred to as data) from one home appliance 400.

[0096] In FIG. 1, although not shown, in the kitchen 601 in this house HA, there are installed a range hood 407 which is a type of ventilation device to be described later, and a ceiling-embedded air purifier 413.

[0097] 416A and 416B are the sensor parts of the environment detection unit 416 (not shown) of the home gateway 411. As shown in FIG. 1, one sensor part 416A is arranged inside the kitchen 601 as a human presence sensor that detects the presence of a person (using infrared rays or ultrasonic waves). The other sensor part 416B is installed at a different location from the sensor part 416B. The sensor part 416B is for acquiring "environmental information". The functions of the environment detection unit 416 will be described in detail later.

[0098] The "environmental information" refers to a total of four types, namely, temperature information of the atmosphere in the space (kitchen 601) where the cooking heater 1 and the refrigerator 403 are used, dust scattering amount information, light amount information, and information indicating the amount of carbon dioxide. The dust scattering amount information is the result of measuring the amount of dust (including pollen) present in the air.

[0099] The "use of environmental information" includes the following examples. (1) When the temperature is high, continuously operate the warming function of the electric rice cooker 408 at the end of the cooking process. Also, raise the refrigeration target temperature and the freezing target temperature of the refrigerator 403 above the standard value. (2) When the humidity is high, operate the air conditioner 405 in the "dehumidification mode" or the "cooling mode". Or start the operation of the ventilation device 407. Alternatively, when the air conditioner 405 is in operation, change its operating conditions (such as the target room temperature). (3) When fine dust floating in the air is scattered, operate the air purifier 413. Or start the operation of the ventilation device 407. (4) When the amount of pollen scattered is large, start the operation of the air purifier 413. (5) When the light amount (visible light amount) is small, turn on the lighting fixture 410.

[0100] The "resident" refers to a person living in a house HA. Residents include parents, children, brothers, sisters, etc. who are related by blood. When using the household electrical appliance 402, the resident is called the "user US".

[0101] "Home" means one house HA managed by a specific administrator, which may include apartment buildings with multiple rooms and multiple families living in. That is, even in such apartment buildings, if the upper limit of commercial power is uniformly managed by one power cut-off device (one breaker BK or multiple power cut-off devices, etc.) in the same way as in the case of one house HA, it is regarded as the home mentioned here.

[0102] "Power limit information on the home appliance side" refers to information on any signal related to power consumption received by the home appliance 402 from the home gateway 411. This "power limit information on the home appliance side" includes information related to transmission commands such as power reduction request signal AS1 and power reduction command signal AS2. Such information includes the reception time (year, month, day, hour, minute, and second) of the signal and information indicating the meaning of the signal. For example, for a power reduction command signal AS2 for the cooking heater 1 at a certain point in time, information such as "Reception time: March 20, 2022, 17:00:00, reduce the instantaneous maximum power consumption by 2%".

[0103] The power limit information on the home appliance side is stored in a time series in the storage device 41 of the control device 40 (to be described later) in the cooking heater 1, for example, and does not disappear even when the main power switch 20 is turned ON or OFF. Considering turning the main power switch 20 ON and OFF as one cooking, at least several times of information are stored and retained. The information exceeding that is automatically erased sequentially.

[0104] In FIG. 1, the refrigerator 403 has a "storage room" 403H for storing materials of foods (including natural foods, processed foods, etc., hereinafter referred to as "food ingredients"). The storage room 403H includes the freezer 403A and the refrigerator 403B, and may be divided into specific rooms such as a "vegetable room" and a "dedicated room for meat and fish" according to the types of food ingredients.

[0105] In the first embodiment, on the premise that the storage compartment 403H includes at least two types, namely, a freezer compartment 403A and a refrigerator compartment 403B in a space independent of the freezer compartment 403A, the following description will be given. Note that the temperatures (freezing temperature and refrigerating temperature) of the internal spaces of these storage compartments 403H may hereinafter be collectively referred to as the "internal temperature of the compartment".

[0106] For the plurality of freezer compartments 403A in the refrigerator 403, freezer compartments with appropriate freezing temperatures (temperature ranges) suitable for frozen foods (including processed foods) and fresh ingredients (such as meat and fish), for example, -18°C ± 2°C, -10°C, -2°C, etc., can be selected.

[0107] In addition, since the freezing temperature and the freezing temperature range also affect aging when fresh ingredients (such as beef) are stored for a long time, even in the same freezer compartment, they can be appropriately changed each time according to the type of ingredients.

[0108] As described above, there are multiple types of internal temperatures of the compartment. For example, those set to a temperature close to the freezing point (freezing temperature) are called "chilled compartments". The volumes and shapes of the plurality of storage compartments 403H are different, and the refrigerator compartment 403B is the largest. In addition, in order to further divide the inside of the storage compartment 403H into multiple rooms, partition plates and lids (or doors) may be provided to increase the independent storage spaces.

[0109] The refrigerator 403 includes, as a cooling device (not shown), for example, an electric compressor 403C, a refrigerant pipe (not shown), a cold air circulation fan (not shown), a damper (shutter) (not shown) for controlling the inflow of cold air into the storage compartment 403H, etc. in order to constitute a refrigeration cycle. In order to control the internal temperature of the compartment, the operating frequency of the electric compressor may be changed or the air volume of the cold air circulation fan may be varied.

[0110] Refrigerator 403 has a display unit (display screen) 403D at the upper center of the front (front surface) of the door (not shown). Inside the housing of refrigerator 403, there are a storage device 403M (not shown) such as a semiconductor memory, and a control device 403U (not shown) mainly composed of a microcomputer. The control device 403U issues command signals to the drive circuit (inverter circuit, not shown) of the electric compressor 403C, the cold air circulation fan (not shown), the damper (not shown), etc. The control device 403U holds a control program (not shown) to control the operation of the entire refrigerator 403.

[0111] Note that the wireless communication unit 403T (not shown) installed inside the housing of the refrigerator 403 or on the ceiling outside the housing is controlled by the control device 403U (not shown). The wireless communication unit 403T can perform wireless communication with the communication unit of the home gateway 411.

[0112] Due to the above configuration, the refrigerator 403 can perform wireless communication with the heating cooker 1 via the home gateway 411 and can also be connected to the network NW, so various information and data of the heating cooker 1 (including the "recipe data CD" described later) can be obtained. Furthermore, the refrigerator 403 can also exchange data wirelessly with the communication terminal 200.

[0113] When a Peltier element is used as the cooling device of the storage compartment 403H, the temperature inside the compartment can be adjusted by adjusting the power supplied to the Peltier element. A refrigerator 403 that uses both the electric compressor 403C and the Peltier element may also be used.

[0114] Furthermore, a weight sensor (not shown) for measuring the weight of specific food ingredients (such as eggs, milk, butter, etc.) may be arranged in the storage room 403H. The weight measurement of the weight sensor may be performed regularly, and it is advisable for the control device 403U (not shown) of the refrigerator 403 to aggregate the data. Since such weight data can be part of the inventory data of the refrigerator 403, it is utilized when querying the inventory data from the home gateway 411, which is a type of information processing device.

[0115] The management database held by the storage unit 403M of the control device 403U of the refrigerator 403 holds the internal temperature of each storage room 403H (standard value, adjustable temperature range, adjustable minimum temperature range), volume, and identification information such as the type and name of the main food ingredients targeted. For example, the freezer 403A holds information such as the standard internal temperature of minus 10°C, the range from minus 5°C to minus 15°C can be adjusted in 20 steps, and the volume is 30 liters. In addition, the maximum dimension (inner dimension) data of the storage room 403H may be held. This is because it is used to determine whether solid objects such as pots can be stored as they are. All these data can also be provided by the refrigerator 403 to the outside when responding to an inventory data query from the home gateway 411. That is, the home gateway 411 can also acquire various data of the storage room 403H each time.

[0116] (3. Configuration of the Heating Cooker) The configuration of the heating cooker 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10. The heating cooker 1 is installed in the kitchen furniture 600. 6 is a heating chamber formed inside the heating cooker 1, and 7 is a door that can freely open and close the front opening of the heating chamber 113.

[0117] The heating cooker 1 places an object to be heated N (such as a pot made of magnetic metal) on the top plate 3 covering its upper surface and performs induction heating by the IH coils 9 (9C, 9L, 9R). 32 is a bottom wall surface that divides the inside of the heating cooker 1 into two independent spaces, upper and lower. 33 is an installation space above the bottom wall surface 32 inside the cooking appliance 1, and the IH coil 9 is accommodated therein.

[0118] As is clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, the cooking appliance 1 is a built-in IH cooking heater that is incorporated and used in a kitchen furniture 600 having a cooking table at the upper part. The top plate 3 is exposed on the kitchen top plate that constitutes the top surface of the kitchen furniture 600. 600D is a water supply port of a water supply installed in the kitchen furniture 600.

[0119] The top plate 3 is composed of, for example, a heat-resistant glass plate and a metal frame body attached around the glass plate. On the upper surface of the top plate 3, three heating ports 4, namely a left heating port 4L, a right heating port 4R, and a central heating port 4C, are provided.

[0120] The left heating port 4L, the right heating port 4R, and the central heating port 4C indicate areas where a metal cooking container (also referred to as the "object to be heated" N related to the first heating means HM1), such as a pot or a frying pan, is placed. On the left heating port 4L, the right heating port 4R, and the central heating port 4C, guiding marks (not shown) serving as a guide for placing the object to be heated are drawn by printing on the upper surface of the top plate 3.

[0121] An exhaust port cover 5 is provided on the back side (rear side) of the top plate 3. The exhaust port cover 5 is composed of a perforated metal or a lattice-shaped metal member having innumerable small through holes, is air-permeable throughout, and has little air flow resistance. The exhaust discharged from the inside of the cooking appliance 1 passes through the exhaust port cover 5 and exits outside the cooking appliance 1.

[0122] On the front surface of the main body 2 of the cooking appliance 1, a door (heating door) 7 for opening and closing the front opening of a heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 3) arranged inside the main body 2 is provided. The door 7 is provided with a handle 8 for opening and closing it.

[0123] FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the cooking heater 1 according to Embodiment 1 as seen from the side. As shown in FIG. 3, below the left heating port 4L, an induction heating coil 9L (hereinafter referred to as the "left IH coil") as left induction heating means is provided.

[0124] Similarly, below the right heating port 4R, an induction heating coil 9R (hereinafter referred to as the "right IH coil") as right induction heating means is provided, and below the central heating port 4C, an induction heating coil 9C (hereinafter referred to as the "central IH coil") as central induction heating means is provided.

[0125] These IH coils 9C, 9L, 9R are circular heating coils formed by winding thin conducting wires such as copper wires or aluminum wires, and generate a high-frequency magnetic field when a high-frequency current is supplied. Thereby, the cooking containers (objects to be heated N) arranged on the left heating port 4L, the right heating port 4R, and the central heating port 4C are induction heated.

[0126] The heating means including the IH coils 9C, 9L, 9R and their drive circuits (referring to high-frequency power supply circuits such as inverter circuits, not shown) may be referred to as an induction heating source or a first heating means HM1. In the following description, unless otherwise inconsistent, the "first heating means" HM1 is used. Note that when one heating means (heating source) shares one drive circuit or the like with another heating means (heating source), there are two heating means here.

[0127] In the vicinity of the IH coils 9C, 9L, 9R, a temperature sensor group 30 (see FIG. 9) composed of a plurality of temperature sensors (not shown) is mounted to detect the temperatures of the top plate 3 and the cooking container (object to be heated N). One temperature sensor 30A (not shown) constitutes one sensor among the temperature sensor group 30. The temperature sensor referred to here may be either a contact type temperature sensor such as a thermistor or a non-contact temperature sensor such as an infrared sensor, or both.

[0128] Inside the main body 2, below the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R, the heating chamber 6 is provided. The heating chamber 6 is composed of a metal wall such as stainless steel around it, and it is a space for heating the object to be cooked (food, ingredients) accommodated in this heating chamber 6.

[0129] The object to be cooked may be placed on a heat-resistant plastic container, a porcelain dish, or a heat-resistant glass dish, or may be placed in a container and then placed in the heating chamber 6. In that case, those dishes or containers may be called "heated containers". However, since those containers are not induction-heated by the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R, even if they are placed on the heating opening 4 of the top plate 3, they are not called the "object to be heated" N of the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R.

[0130] On the front surface of the heating chamber 6, a horizontally long rectangular opening (not shown) for taking in and out the object to be cooked is formed. The opening on the front surface of the heating chamber 6 is covered by a door 7 so as to be openable and closable. The door 7 is rotatably supported by the main body 2 via a hinge and an arm (not shown). As a result, the door 7 is configured to open forward to a horizontal position with its lower end as a fulcrum (rotation center). Note that the door 7 may be pulled forward integrally with a support member (referring to a structure such as a shelf that supports the heated container from below by a slide rail (not shown)).

[0131] An opening / closing detection unit 10 for detecting the opening and closing of the door 7 is provided on the door 7. The opening / closing detection unit 10 is, for example, a microswitch or an infrared sensor. Behind the heating chamber 6, a microwave oscillator 11 for heating the object to be cooked accommodated in the heating chamber 6 is provided. This microwave oscillator 11 is composed of, for example, a magnetron, and performs so-called range heating by irradiating the heating chamber 6 with microwaves to heat the object to be cooked placed in the heating chamber.

[0132] The heating means including the microwave oscillator 11 and its drive circuit (referring to a high-frequency power supply circuit such as an inverter circuit, not shown) may be called the second heating means HM2.

[0133] Further, in the heating chamber 6, there are provided an upper radiant heat heating means 12a for heating the object to be cooked from above and below with a so-called heater, and a lower radiant heat heating means 12b. The upper radiant heat heating means 12a is disposed on the outer or inner ceiling wall surface of the heating chamber 6, and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b is disposed on the inner or outer wall surface of the heating chamber 6. Both are sheathed heaters.

[0134] Other types of radiant heat heating means (for example, mica heaters, carbon heaters, etc.) may be installed outside the heating chamber 6. FIG. 3 shows an example in which both the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b are installed so as to be in close contact with the outer wall surface of the heating chamber 6.

[0135] The heating means including the upper radiant heat heating means 12a, the lower radiant heat heating means 12b, and their drive circuits (not shown) may be referred to as a third heating means HM3. The upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b may be collectively referred to as "radiant heat heating means", and in that case, the reference numeral "12" is used.

[0136] Further, in the heating chamber 6, an infrared sensor 13 is provided as a non-contact temperature sensor for non-contact detection of the temperature of the object to be cooked in the heating chamber 6. The temperature range detected by this infrared sensor 13 is set to, for example, -20°C to 100°C. Thereby, the degree of heating of the object to be cooked can be accurately detected in real time, for example, in 1°C increments. This infrared sensor 13 also constitutes one of the temperature sensor groups 30 (see FIG. 16).

[0137] Further, in the heating chamber 6, a contact temperature sensor (for example, a thermistor sensor) 14, which is an indoor temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature inside the heating chamber 6 or the wall surface temperature of the heating chamber 6, is also provided.

[0138] Since the thermistor sensor 14 detects temperature by capturing changes in temperature as changes in electrical resistance, the upper limit value of the detectable temperature is about 250°C. This thermistor sensor 14 also constitutes one of the sensors in the temperature sensor group 30. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 3, this thermistor sensor 14 may be installed at two locations, near the bottom surface and near the ceiling surface of the heating chamber 6.

[0139] Next, FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 4 is a top view of the cooking heater 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, a left operation unit 15L, a central operation unit 15M, and a right operation unit 15R are provided on the front side of the upper surface of the top plate 3 of the cooking heater 1. These three operation units may be collectively referred to as an "input operation unit", and in that case, the reference numeral 15 is used.

[0140] Since the central operation unit 15M is used for cooking in the cooperative cooking mode and the composite cooking mode using the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2, it may be called a "shared operation unit". The left operation unit 15L may be called the "first operation unit", and the right operation unit 15R may be called the "second operation unit". Also, the central operation unit 15M may be called the "third operation unit" or the "shared operation unit".

[0141] On the back side (rear side) of the left operation unit 15L, the central operation unit (shared operation unit) 15M, and the right operation unit 15R, a left display unit 16L, a central display unit 16M, and a right display unit 16R, and a left auxiliary display unit 16L and a right auxiliary display unit 16R are provided.

[0142] The three, the left display unit 16L, the central display unit 16M, and the right display unit 16R, may be collectively referred to as a "display unit", and in that case, the reference numeral 16 is used. Incidentally, each of the three display units 16L, 16M, and 16R has a horizontally long liquid crystal display screen.

[0143] The left auxiliary display unit 17L and the right auxiliary display unit 17R display the heating level by light-emitting elements (such as LEDs) and do not have a display screen. When the preheating cooking at the left heating port 4L is selected, the left auxiliary display unit 17L displays the automatically set temperature (default temperature), the current temperature, etc. The automatically set temperature (default temperature) refers to the target temperature of the bottom surface of the object to be heated (for example, a metal pot) N when heating the object to be heated at the left heating port 4L. The default temperature can be arbitrarily changed within a certain range by the user US. Also, when the timer cooking is set, the time is displayed, and the remaining time and the elapsed time can be timely displayed according to the progress of the cooking.

[0144] The left auxiliary display unit 17L is composed of a plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs) arranged in a horizontal straight line, and displays the heating power of the left heating port 4L in multiple steps. The left auxiliary display unit 17L expresses the heating power by switching the lighting states (lighting, extinguishing, blinking, etc.) of the plurality of LEDs or by switching the lighting color. Thereby, it is possible to notify the user US of the heating power in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0145] The right auxiliary display unit 17R has basically the same configuration as the left auxiliary display unit 17L, and when the preheating cooking at the right heating port 4R is selected, it displays the automatically set temperature (default temperature), the current temperature, etc.

[0146] The left auxiliary display unit 17L and the right auxiliary display unit 17R display the set time of the "timer cooking" for the object to be heated N placed on the left heating port 4L or the right heating port 4R, and in the case of the timer cooking, the elapsed time since the start of the heating operation at the left heating port 4L or the right heating port 4R, or the remaining time until the timer setting time ends, etc.

[0147] The central heating status display unit 17M displays the high temperature status etc. of the three heating ports 4L, 4C, 4R, and will be described in detail in FIG. 5.

[0148] The three of the left heating power display unit 17L, the right heating power display unit 17R, and the central heating status display unit 17M may be collectively referred to as the "auxiliary display unit", and in that case, the reference numeral 17 is used.

[0149] Also, adjacent to the right operation unit 15R, there is provided an operation button (key) 20A for the main power switch 20 (see FIG. 9). The main power switch 20 turns on or off the main power of the cooking heater 1. The button (key) pressed during the ON-OFF operation is the operation button 20A.

[0150] When the operation button 20A is pressed for, for example, several seconds with the main power of the cooking heater 1 in the OFF state, the main power turns on. Also, when the operation button 20A is pressed for, for example, several seconds with the main power of the cooking heater 1 in the ON state, the main power turns off.

[0151] In FIG. 4, reference numeral 180 denotes an (exclusive) input key for selecting the voice input mode disposed at the left end of the input operation unit 15. This input key 180 may be a mechanical switch or an input key of a touch-type input switch like the input keys 107 to 109 described later.

[0152] Once the input key 180 for selecting this voice input is pressed, the next input can be made by voice. When this input key 180 is pressed, it switches to the "voice input mode 2" state. However, this input key 180 cannot select the heating means or the heating port (the first heating means HM1) by voice.

[0153] Therefore, it is necessary to operate the input key 180, for example, after touching the input key of the left operation unit 15L for the heating port 4C. That is, if the input key of the left operation unit 15L is "long-pressed", it switches to the voice input mode 2. However, if it is "short-pressed" without "long-pressing" here and then the input key 180 is pressed, it can be switched to the voice input mode 2 from that point.

[0154] Next, FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement and operation of the central input operation unit 15M, the central display unit 16M, and the central heating status display unit 17M. The input keys 107, 108, and 109 of the central operation unit 16M are schematically shown by a dashed line so that the positional relationship of the central display unit 16M can be understood. The state shown in FIG. 5 shows the display screen before the main power switch 20 is turned on.

[0155] In FIG. 5, the central display unit 16M displays information and warnings about the entire heating cooker 1 and is composed of a liquid crystal display. On the display screen of the central display unit 16M, the selection results of the induction heating means (first heating means) HM1, the microwave heating means (second heating means) HM2, and the radiant heat heating means (third heating means) HM3, the operating states of each heating means, the caution information for heating cooking by each heating means, or warning information are displayed.

[0156] The central display unit 16M is a single liquid crystal display in terms of hardware, but as shown in FIG. 5, it has three display areas: the first display area 22 on the left, the second display area 23 in the center left and right, and the third display area 24 on the right, and different displays can be performed for each display area.

[0157] In addition, the three display areas 22 to 24 may appropriately cooperate according to the display scene to form one (large area) display area and perform displays for one or more purposes. Hereinafter, the first display area 22 will be referred to as the first area (left display area) 22. The second display area 23 will be referred to as the second area (central display area) 23. The third display area 24 will be referred to as the third area (right display area) 24.

[0158] The central heating status display unit 17M is divided into two stages in the front-rear direction. In the lower stage (front side), there are a range light-emitting element (LED) 310 behind the character display part of "range", a grill light-emitting element (LED) 311 behind the character display part of "grill", an oven light-emitting element (LED) 312 behind the character display part of "oven", and a central IH light-emitting element (LED) 313 behind the character display part of "central IH". The light-emitting elements 310 to 313 are arranged below the top plate 3.

[0159] On the upper rear side, warning characters of "Caution: High Temperature" and a group of light-emitting elements (LEDs) 314 for high-temperature caution, each arranged below and in front of a graphic schematically representing the heating chamber 6 and the three heating ports 4L, 4C, and 4R, are arranged.

[0160] The group of light-emitting elements (LEDs) 314 for high-temperature caution is composed of the light-emitting elements (LEDs) 314a for high-temperature caution in the heating chamber, arranged side by side left and right, and the light-emitting element (LED) 314b for high-temperature caution for IH.

[0161] The light-emitting element (LED) 314a for high-temperature caution in the heating chamber lights up when the temperature in the heating chamber 6 is high, for example, 50 °C or higher. The light-emitting element (LED) 314b for high-temperature caution for IH lights up when any of the left IH coil 9L, right IH coil 9R, and central IH coil 9C is being driven or when the temperature of the top plate 3 is high, for example, 50 °C or higher.

[0162] Next, FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the central display unit 16M and the arrangement of the central operation unit 15M. The input keys 107, 108, and 109 of the central operation unit 16M are schematically shown by a dashed line so that their positional relationship with the central display unit 16M can be understood.

[0163] FIG. 6 is an example of the display of the second specific screen 16M2 when the composite cooking mode KM2 is selected. Display information (identification information) 160 identifying the control menu of "Range Manual", which is one of the control menus belonging to the composite cooking mode KM2, is displayed at the center in the front-rear direction of the first area 22. When the input key 107, which will be described later, is touched, this control menu of "Range Manual" moves backward. At the same time, the display information 162 of "Boiling Leafy Vegetables" displayed on the front side is displayed at the center. 161 is the display information of "Warm", which is one of the control menus.

[0164] Further, when such a control menu is selected, the input key 107 does not function as the "voice input switching key" described later. Therefore, in the cases of "short press" and "long press" described later, the input function does not change. In response to a single touch, the control menus displayed in the first area 22 are sequentially updated one by one.

[0165] In this way, the user US can select a specific control menu (for example, "range manual") in the "control menu" by operating the input key 107.

[0166] Note that the "range manual" control menu originally belongs to the "single cooking mode KM1" that only uses the second heating means HM2. In addition to this, the control menus belonging to the (combination cooking) "combination cooking mode M2" and "cooperative cooking mode KM3", and the control menus belonging to the cooperative cooking menus (such as "hamburger") are also displayed in the first area 22.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 6, in the combination cooking mode KM2, the wattage (microwave output value) (FIG. 6 shows "500W") is displayed in the second area 23. If you want to change this wattage, you can perform a touch operation on the input key 108 described later. For example, it can be changed to "600W" or, conversely, to "200W", but there are limitations to the selectable wattage. 34W is heating intensity information indicating the magnitude of the power consumption during heating and the magnitude of the microwave output, etc.

[0168] The user US can select the wattage (microwave output value) in the range cooking (a type of "single cooking mode M3" using the microwave oscillation source 11) performed in the heating chamber 6 by operating the input key 108.

[0169] As shown in Fig. 6, in the combined cooking mode KM2, the heating operation time (set time) is displayed in the third area 24. This heating operation time can be changed by touching the input key 109 described in Fig. 13. For example, the set time for the range cooking performed in the heating chamber 6 can be selected. 34M is the set time information. Note that 34W is the heating intensity information indicating the magnitude of the power consumption during heating, the magnitude of the microwave output, etc.

[0170] Next, Fig. 7 will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the display operation of the central display unit 16M and the arrangement of the central operation unit 15M. In Fig. 7, the input keys 107, 108, and 109 of the central operation unit 16M are schematically shown by dashed lines so that their positional relationship with the central display unit 16M can be understood.

[0171] Fig. 7 is an example of the display of the first specific screen 16M1 when the coordinated cooking mode KM1 is selected. The identification information 167 of "hamburger", which is one of the cooking menus belonging to the coordinated cooking mode KM1, is displayed at the center in the front-rear direction of the first area 22. When the input key 107 described later is touched and operated, this "hamburger" cooking menu moves backward. At the same time, the identification information 169 of "roast beef" displayed on the front side is displayed in the center. 168 is the identification information of "gratin", which is another cooking menu.

[0172] Also, when selecting such a cooking menu, the input key 107 does not function as the "voice input switching key" described later, so the input function does not change in the cases of "short press" and "long press" described later. In response to one touch, the cooking menus displayed in the first area 22 are sequentially updated one by one.

[0173] In this way, the user US can select a specific cooking menu (for example, "hamburger") in the "cooking menu" by operating the input key 107. In FIG. 7, 170 is operation support information. In this example of FIG. 7, it displays "When you press the start button, heating of the left IH will start". This means that if the input key 113 of the central operation unit 15M is pressed, induction heating by the left IH coil 9L (in the linked cooking mode KM1) can be started. However, in this first embodiment, after the input key 113M, it is necessary to press a specific input key once on the left operation unit 15L.

[0174] 172 is process information displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 in the case of the linked cooking mode KM1. In this example of FIG. 7, when "hamburger" is selected as the cooking menu, first there is a preheating process by the left IH coil 9L, the first cooking process 1 is heating and cooking by the left IH coil 9L, and it is displayed that for the next cooking process 2, the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2) and the oven heating means (the third heating means HM3) are used in combination and range grill cooking (RG cooking) is executed.

[0175] Regarding the left display unit 16L and the right display unit 16R, basically the display functions are the same as those of the central display unit 16M, and they have the first area 22 to the third area 24, but the corresponding heating sources are only the left heating port 4L and the right heating port 4R.

[0176] The respective display screens of the central display unit 16M, the left display unit 16L, and the right display unit 16R are, in terms of hardware, a single liquid crystal display screen, but are divided and displayed into a maximum of three of the first area 22 to the third area 24 as described above by the control display 40 or a dedicated drive circuit (not shown) to be described later.

[0177] The method of dividing and displaying within one display screen into a plurality of areas in this way has been proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 5425171 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017 - 172940, so detailed description is omitted.

[0178] Next, FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 8 is a control block diagram showing the main functions of the cooking heater 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the cooking heater 1 includes a control device 40 that integrally controls the entire cooking heater 1.

[0179] The control device 40 is an electronic circuit board on which electronic components such as a control circuit for controlling the operations of the respective parts constituting the cooking heater 1 are mounted. The control device 40 controls the driving of the left IH coil 9L, the right IH coil 9R, and the center IH coil 9C based on the operations of the left operation unit 15L and the right operation unit 15R, and the temperature of the object to be heated on the top plate 3.

[0180] The control device 40 controls the driving of the center IH coil 9C, the microwave heating means 11, the upper radiant heat heating means 12a, and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b based on the operation of the center operation unit 15M, the temperature of the object to be heated N on the top plate 3, and the detection results of the infrared sensor 13 and the thermistor sensor 14.

[0181] Further, the control device 40 controls the display of the left display unit 16L, the right display unit 16R, and the auxiliary 17 based on the operations of the left operation unit 15L and the right operation unit 15R.

[0182] Furthermore, the control device 40 controls the display of the center display unit 16M and the center heating status display unit 17M based on the open signal from the open / close detection unit 10 and the operations of the left operation unit 15L, the right operation unit 15R, and the center operation unit 15M.

[0183] The control device 40 has a storage device 41 that stores data such as various programs and parameters (hereinafter collectively referred to as "control data") used for controlling the cooking heater 1 and data of the display screens displayed on the respective display units 16L, 16R, 16M, 17L, and 17R (hereinafter referred to as "display condition data"). Further, the control device 40 activates the voice notification unit 50 as necessary and conveys the operation status of the cooking heater 1 to the user US by voice.

[0184] The control device 40 stores, in the recipe data storage unit 42 of the storage device 41, data that combines various programs, parameters, and other information used for the heating cooking control of the heating control unit 43 in a certain format. This data is the aforementioned recipe data CD. As will be described later, in the heating cooker 1, corresponding recipe data CDs are prepared in advance for each of the eight cooking menus in the cooperative cooking mode KM3.

[0185] The "recipe data" CD and the "display condition data" can be acquired by the heating cooker 1 from an external device such as a communication terminal for each individual cooking menu (for example, "hamburger").

[0186] 42 is a recipe data storage unit that stores the recipe data CD and the display condition data. Note that the storage unit 42 may constitute one section (area) in the storage device 41, or may be configured separately from the storage device 41 in terms of hardware.

[0187] 43 is a heating control unit that integrally controls the overall heating operation of the heating cooker 1 and is mainly composed of a microcomputer. 53 is a data acquisition unit that acquires the recipe data CD from the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51. In some cases, the "display condition data" may also be acquired from the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51 described later.

[0188] 51 is a communication unit that performs wireless communication with the outside and has a function of performing wireless communication with the communication terminal 200 as shown in FIG. 1. It also has a function of connecting to the cloud server 300 via the network NW.

[0189] 54 is a permission condition determination unit that performs determination processing on whether to permit cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 or the composite cooking mode KM2. 57 is a power supply circuit that supplies power at a constant voltage to the control device 40. 20 is a main power switch inserted into this power supply circuit 57.

[0190] 55 is a restriction unit 55 that restricts the acquisition of the recipe data CD. The restriction unit 55 has a function of restricting the acquisition of the recipe data CD by the data acquisition unit 53 via the communication unit 51 during the standby period before starting the cooking in the linked cooking mode KM1 (that is, before the "cooking step 1" described later).

[0191] Furthermore, the restriction unit 55 has a function of restricting the acquisition of a new recipe data CD from the communication unit 51 until the cooking process of one cooking menu is completed based on the recipe data CD acquired from the outside. Note that the restriction unit 55 may be realized by one control program of a computer (not shown) constituting the control device 40, and it is not necessarily required to be configured separately from the control device 40 in terms of hardware.

[0192] The input operation unit 15 has a voice signal receiving unit 56 that receives the voice emitted by the user US with a microphone (not shown) and converts it into a predetermined voice signal. 15R is the right operation unit, 15L is the left operation unit. Also, 15M is the central operation unit.

[0193] On the other hand, the control device 40 is provided with a voice signal analysis unit 58 that receives the voice signal from the voice signal receiving unit 56 and analyzes the content of the voice. The voice signal analysis unit 58 compares with the information in the voice database in the storage device 41, analyzes the content of the voice received by the voice signal receiving unit 56, and transmits the analysis result to the heating control unit 43.

[0194] 70 is an input processing unit. This input processing unit 70 receives an input signal from the input operation unit 15, switches its input reception mode to "voice input mode 1", controls the input signal analysis unit 52 described later, and further receives the analysis result from the voice signal analysis unit 58 and transmits control data to the heating control unit 43.

[0195] In FIG. 8, 59 is a human sensor. It also has a receiving unit (not shown) that radiates ultrasonic waves or infrared rays in front of the cooking heater 1 and receives the reflected input. This human sensor 59 is installed so as to radiate infrared rays in the front (front) direction of the heating chamber 6. Note that a dedicated circuit for processing the signal received by the receiving unit is not provided, and the received signal is analyzed by the control device 40 to determine whether a person is present.

[0196] As shown by the dashed frame in FIG. 8, the voice notification unit 50, the display unit 16, etc. may be collectively referred to as the "notification unit", and in this case, 90 is used as the reference numeral. 26 is a light emission control unit. This light emission control unit controls the light emission of a large number of light emitting elements. The light emitting elements 27A composed of LEDs etc. arranged in the individual light emission unit 21M and the light emitting elements 27B arranged in the input key 154M are controlled to emit light by this light emission control unit 26. When two or more light emitting elements 27 with different emission colors are arranged in one place, there is a visual effect such that the emission color changes for the user US depending on the light emission states of these multiple light emitting elements.

[0197] In FIG. 8, 52 is an input signal analysis unit that analyzes the input signal from the input operation unit 15. The input signal analysis unit 52 individually analyzes each input signal transmitted from the right operation unit 15R, the left operation unit 15L, and the central operation unit 15M. In particular, the input signal analysis unit 52 has a discrimination function for determining whether the input mode switching command (voice input mode corresponding signal) MC1 has been received. When it is determined that the input mode switching command (voice input mode corresponding signal) MC1 has been received, a switching command for switching the input mode from the "touch input mode" to the "voice input mode 1" is issued.

[0198] In the following description, the "input mode switching command MC1" is referred to as the "voice input mode setting signal MC1". When the input processing unit 70 receives this voice input mode setting signal MC1, a control signal for shifting to the standby state for voice input is sent to the voice signal analysis unit 52 (for example, starting a dedicated voice analysis program).

[0199] The input operation unit 15 has various input keys. For example, as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the central operation unit 15M has input keys 107 to 109. The touch input results of these input keys are transmitted to the input signal analysis unit 52. In particular, when the input key 107, which is one of the "voice input switching keys", is touched, the central operation unit 15M determines whether the touch state is a "long press" or a "short press", and the determination result (command signal for voice input mode 1) is input to the control device 40.

[0200] Similarly, the right operation unit 15R and the left operation unit 15L also have various input keys, and the touch input results of these input keys are transmitted to the input signal analysis unit 52. In particular, when the input keys 107L and 107R, which are one of the "voice input switching keys", are touched, the left operation unit 15L and the right operation unit 15R determine whether the touch state is a "long press" or a "short press", and the determination result (command signal for voice input mode 1) is input to the control device 40.

[0201] Furthermore, the central operation unit 15M includes a start key 113 and a stop key 114, and the touch input results of these input keys are sent to the input signal analysis unit 52. In addition, the touch states of the start keys 113R, 113L and the stop keys 114R, 114L in the right operation unit 15R and the left operation unit 15L are also input to the input signal analysis unit 52.

[0202] Next, FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 9 is a block configuration diagram for explaining the relationship between the control device 40 and the central operation unit 15M. Note that the voice signal receiving unit 56 described in FIG. 8 is omitted from the description. Note that the right operation unit 15R and the left operation unit 15L are basically the same as the configuration of this central operation unit 15M.

[0203] In FIG. 9, 15A is an input key identification unit. This input key identification unit 15A identifies the input key that has been touch-operated. For example, when the input key 107 is touch-operated, it emits a unique identification signal for that input key. Also, when the input key 108 is touch-operated, it emits a unique identification signal for that input key.

[0204] 15B is a touch detection unit. When the fingertip FG of the user US or the like approaches the touch electrode unit, the detection circuit emits an "ON" signal, and when it leaves, it emits an "OFF" signal. 15T is a time measurement unit. This time measurement unit 15T measures the time from the "ON" signal time point of the touch detection unit 15B to the time point when it changes to the "OFF" signal, and transmits the measured time data.

[0205] 15C is an input mode determination unit. This input mode determination unit 15C receives the measured time data from the time measurement unit 15T, and as described above, with a threshold of 5 seconds as the boundary, if it is 5 seconds or more, it determines that it is in the "voice input mode 1". If it is less than this threshold, it determines that it is a normal "short press" operation.

[0206] In the following description, an embodiment will be described in which the input mode determination unit 15C of the central operation unit 15M determines whether it is a "long press" or not. However, although not adopted in Embodiment 1, in the central operation unit 15M, there is also a method of measuring the time from the "ON" signal point to the point when it changes to the "OFF" signal, and transmitting the data to the control device 40, and the control device 40 determines whether it is a "long press" or not.

[0207] In this Embodiment 1, for a specific input key (in the central operation unit 15M, for example, the input key 107 described later), there is a function of discriminating the above-described "long press" and switching to the "voice input mode 1". This will be described in detail later.

[0208] Note that a touch operation that is not a "long press", that is, for example, a touch state that continues for less than 5 seconds may be called a "short press". Since it is also related to the detection ability of the central operation unit 15M, for example, when the touch time is in the range of 0.1 second to 4.9 seconds, the input mode determination unit 15C determines that it is a "short press".

[0209] Not only the central operation unit 15M but also the left operation unit 15L and the right operation unit 15R each have a determination unit corresponding to the input mode determination unit 15C, but one (common) input mode determination unit 15C that individually acquires data from all operation units and makes a centralized determination may be provided.

[0210] From the input mode determination unit 15C, a signal (voice input mode corresponding signal MC1) indicating the determination result of whether it is the "voice input mode 1" is transmitted to the control device 40.

[0211] 15D is a storage unit. This storage unit 15D stores various control parameters, threshold values, program information of determination processing, etc. such as the touch detection unit 15A, the time measurement unit 15T, and the input mode determination unit 15C as described above.

[0212] 15E is a central processing unit (CPU) that performs various information processing operations as an input operation unit (central operation unit 15M). 15F is an input signal transmitting unit. This input signal transmitting unit 15F transmits the unique identification signal of the input key as described above and the voice input mode corresponding signal MC1 of the result of determining whether it is the "voice input mode 1" to the input signal analysis unit 58 of the control device 40.

[0213] 15G is a dial rotation detection unit that detects a pulse signal generated according to the rotation of a dial-type input means 123 described later, converts it into a command signal corresponding to the rotated angle, and inputs the command signal to the input key identification unit 15A. Note that the dial-type selection means (dial-type input means) 123 rotates in both the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction, and the rotation direction is also discriminated.

[0214] In this Figure 9, the touch detection unit 15A, the time measurement unit 15T, the input mode determination unit 15C, etc. are depicted as individual independent blocks, but they may be realized by the software of, for example, one microcomputer without being configured separately in hardware.

[0215] Also, in this Figure 9, an example of the central operation unit 15M is described, but for the right operation unit 15R and the left operation unit 15L as well, it is identified by the control device 40 that they are inputs of their respective operation units. Therefore, in the input key identification unit 15A in the right operation unit 15R, data for specifying that it is an input key existing in the right operation unit 15R is included in the signal from the input key. The same applies to the left operation unit 15L.

[0216] As is clear from the above description, the cooking heater 1 a first heating means HM1 for induction heating an object to be heated on the top plate 3, a heating chamber 6 whose wall surface is made of metal, a second heating means HM2 for supplying microwaves to the heating chamber 6, a third heating means HM3 for heating the heating chamber 6 with radiant heat, Notification unit 90, communication unit 51, display unit 16, and a control device 40.

[0217] After the control device 40 displays the standby initial screen on the display unit 16, it displays dedicated display screens (first specific screen 16M1 to third specific screen 16M3) for each cooking mode.

[0218] There are three types of cooking modes. That is, the single cooking mode KM1, the combined cooking mode KM2, and the cooperative cooking mode KM3.

[0219] The single cooking mode KM1 includes the following three types. (1) IH single mode in which the first heating means HM1 operates alone (2) Range single cooking mode in which the second heating means HM2 operates alone (3) Oven single cooking mode in which the third heating means HM3 operates alone

[0220] The combined cooking mode KM2 is a heating pattern in which both the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are simultaneously heated, or the operation timing is automatically varied, to perform heating cooking in the heating chamber 6.

[0221] The cooperative cooking mode KM1 is a heating pattern in which both or either one of the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 and the first heating means HM1 are sequentially operated through a transition period TR whose length is determined by a command from the user US.

[0222] The control device 40 has an operation program for executing the three cooking modes KM1 to KM3 described above. The data acquisition unit 53 of the control device 40 can acquire the recipe data CD from the cloud server 300 or the communication terminal 200 via the communication unit 51.

[0223] In the input operation unit 15, the "voice input mode 2" can be selected by the input key 180. That is, commonly in all the operation units (15M, 15L, 15R), the voice input mode 2 can be selected by operating in those input steps.

[0224] Furthermore, among the input keys arranged in the central operation unit 15M, the right operation unit 15R, and the left operation unit 15L, specific input keys (107, 153R, 153L) can select the "voice input mode 1" according to the "long press" state which is one form of the touch form.

[0225] (4. Configuration of the control menu of the central operation unit) Next, the control menu that is displayed on the central display unit 16M and can be selected by the central operation unit 15M will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0226] FIG. 10 shows the entire control menu that can be selected by the central operation unit 15M. In the list in FIG. 10, the first area 22 is displayed as the "left display area", the second display area 23 is the "central display area", and the third area 24 is displayed as the "right display area".

[0227] The control menu that can be selected by the central operation unit 15M is divided into an RG (range grill) menu group that uses one or both of the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2) and the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b, and an IH menu group that uses the central IH coil 9C corresponding to the central heating port 4C.

[0228] FIG. 11 shows the control menu shown in FIG. 10 classified from four viewpoints (classification 1 to 4). As is clear from FIG. 11, the control menu is roughly classified into a single cooking mode KM1 and a composite cooking mode KM2. Although the cooperative cooking mode KM1 is not described in FIGS. 10 and 11, the central operation unit 15M can execute a cooperative cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode.

[0229] When the main power switch 20 is turned to "ON" and the input key 108 of the central operation unit 15M is pressed for the first time, it means that the combined cooking mode KM2 has been selected.

[0230] Therefore, the display screen of the central display unit 16M switches to the second specific screen 16M2. As shown in FIG. 6, in the first area 22 of the second specific screen 16M2, for example, the control menu "Warm" is always displayed first in the first area (left display area) 22. This is because the control menu "Warm" is set as the default.

[0231] The left display area in FIG. 10 is a display area corresponding to the first area 22. That is, the various control menus described in the "left display area" of the list in FIG. 11 are sequentially displayed in the first area 22.

[0232] As described in the "left display area" of the list in FIG. 10, in addition to "Warm", there are a total of 13 control menus: "Range Manual", "Boil Leafy Vegetables", "Boil Root Vegetables", "Meat Thawing", "Range Grill (RG) Cooking", "Range Grill (RG) Reheating", "Range Grill (RG) Manual", "Grill", "Oven", "IH Keep Warm", "IH Cook Rice", "IH Heating".

[0233] The control menus "Warm", "Range Manual", "Boil Leafy Vegetables", "Boil Root Vegetables", "Meat Thawing", "Range Grill (RG) Cooking", "Range Grill (RG) Reheating", "Range Grill (RG) Manual", "Grill", "Oven" are included in the RG menu group. Also, "IH Keep Warm", "IH Cook Rice", "IH Heating" are included in the "IH menu group" where an induction heating source is used.

[0234] The content described in the "Central Display Area" of FIG. 10 is the content displayed in the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M, and is related to the adjustment of the heating status during cooking, such as temperature, time, heating power, "strong" and "weak". In other words, the various control conditions described in the "Central Display Area" are those displayed in the second area 23. The content of the default setting of this "Central Display Area" is listed in the "Default" column in the right column of the "Central Display Area".

[0235] The content described in the "Right Display Area" of the list in FIG. 10 indicates the information displayed in the third area 24 of the central display unit 16M. The content of the default setting of the "Right Display Area" is listed in the "Default" column in the right column of the "Right Display Area". The blank part does not mean that the control conditions can be changed, but means that no information is displayed, or appropriate explanatory texts that cannot be selected or changed (for the user US) are displayed in the right display area (the third area 24).

[0236] Next, the total of 13 types of control menus displayed in the "Left Display Area" of the list in FIG. 10 will be described. (1) Warm: It means using the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2) to heat the object to be cooked in the heating chamber 6. This "Warm" is also applicable to the case of reheating the object to be cooked. Since the default setting is "80°C", when the food is heated to 80°C, the microwave heating automatically stops. Note that "80°C" is the target temperature, and this temperature can be adjusted by the user US before the start of heating. As shown in the central display area of FIG. 10, for example, the range from 0°C to 90°C can be set in 5-degree increments.

[0237] (2) Range Manual: It means using the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2) to heat the object to be cooked in the heating chamber 6. The heating time is set by the user US to a specific time between 10 seconds and 60 minutes.

[0238] (3) Leafy vegetable boiling: It is suitable for boiling the food in the heating chamber 6, especially leafy vegetables whose leaves are edible, such as spinach and Chinese cabbage, using the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2). The infrared sensor 13 measures the temperature rise of the food in real time and automatically stops.

[0239] (4) Root vegetable boiling: It is suitable for boiling the food in the heating chamber 6, especially root vegetables such as roots, rhizomes, and potatoes, using the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2).

[0240] (5) Meat thawing: It is suitable for thawing various frozen meats in the heating chamber 6. (6) Range grill (RG) cooking: It combines microwave heating using the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2) and oven heating using the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b to heat and cook the food in the heating chamber 6.

[0241] (7) Range grill (RG) reheating: It is suitable for reheating the cooked food in the heating chamber 6. (8) Range grill (RG) manual: The user US can appropriately select microwave heating and oven heating to heat and cook the food in the heating chamber 6.

[0242] (9) Grill: It uses one or both of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b to heat the food in the heating chamber 6. That is, it is a control menu using the third heating means HM3.

[0243] In the said "Grill", the temperature of the heating chamber 6 is not controlled, and the control of detecting the temperature rise of the food and stopping the heating operation is not performed either. The heating operation is performed for the time specified by the user US within the range of 10 seconds to 30 minutes.

[0244] (10) Oven: It uses one or both of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b to heat the object to be cooked in the heating chamber 6. The temperature of the heating chamber 6 is measured in real time by the thermistor sensor 14, and the energization control of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b is performed so as to reach the set target temperature.

[0245] (11) IH Keep Warm: It heats the object to be heated such as a pot above the central heating port 4C to keep it at the temperature set by the user US. The heating power of the induction heating ranges from low power of 200W to medium power of 750W. The temperature of the object to be heated is detected in real time by a temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C, and the heating control unit 43 of the control device 40 controls the heating power based on the detected temperature. The default temperature is 80°C as shown in FIG. 10. It is suitable for keeping warm soups and the like.

[0246] (12) IH Cook Rice: It heats according to the number of servings (rice cooking amount) set by the user US. The heating power of the induction heating ranges from low power of 200W to high power of 1500W. The temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C is used to detect abnormal heating (also called overheating state, overheat. The same applies hereinafter) of the object to be heated. When an abnormal temperature is detected, the control device 40 reduces the heating power or stops the heating operation.

[0247] (13) IH Heating: It heats according to the heating power of the induction heating set by the user US. There are five levels of heating power that can be set, namely Heating Power 1: 200W, Heating Power 2: 500W, Heating Power 3: 750W, Heating Power 4: 1000W, and Heating Power 5: 1500W. The temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C is used to detect abnormal heating of the object to be heated. When an abnormal temperature is detected, the control device 40 reduces the heating power or stops the heating operation. The default heating power is 500W (Heating Power 2).

[0248] Next, FIG. 11 will be described. Figure 11 is a classification table of the RG control menu (the "RG menu group" in Figure 10) and the IH control menu (the "IH menu group" in Figure 10) of the single cooking mode KM3 by the first heating means HM1.

[0249] As is clear from Classification 2 of the list in this Figure 11, the name of the control menu is also displayed in characters in the first area 22 of the central display unit 16M and is used by the user US to select the control menu.

[0250] Next, Figure 12 will be described. Figure 12 is a list showing the correspondence between the cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 and the operation support information 170 (see Figure 7).

[0251] As is clear from Figure 12, the cooking menus in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 are hamburgers, roast beef, etc. As described in Figure 7, corresponding to the identification information 167 that identifies those individual cooking menus, the contents of the process display unit 172, support information A, and support information B are determined in advance. That is, the display data that determines the display information displayed on the display unit 16 is stored in the storage unit 41.

[0252] As can be seen from Figure 12, there are two types of the operation support information 170. One is "When you press the start button, the heating of the left IH will start", and the other is the information "It is determined by the start button". This "start button" refers to the input key 113 (see Figure 13).

[0253] The above two types of operation support information 170 are automatically switched before the start of the cooking process in the cooperative cooking mode KM1. For example, they are alternately displayed every few seconds. As is clear from Figure 12, the cooking menus in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 are at least eight types such as hamburgers and roast beef, and are roughly classified into two types: cooking menus that perform microwave heating first and cooking menus that perform induction heating first.

[0254] In the list of FIG. 12, an explanation will be given about the point where “IH preheating” is described in the column of “display of the process display unit 172”. In the first embodiment, as one type of the cooperation cooking mode KM1, a “cooperation preheating cooking mode” KM1A is provided. There are two types of the cooperation preheating cooking mode KM1A.

[0255] As a cooking menu using the cooperation preheating cooking mode KM1A, for example, there is “hamburger”. In the case of this “hamburger”, its preheating process is performed by the first heating means HM1.

[0256] When the cooking process 1 is started during the execution of the preheating process, at the time of disclosure of the cooking process 1, the heating operation of the preheating process is not stopped. Therefore, the energization of the first heating means HM1 and the energization of the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) and the third heating means HM3 in charge of the cooking process 1 are performed in parallel in the same time zone.

[0257] In other words, in the cooperation preheating cooking mode KM1A, the heating source that has started operating before the cooking process 1 (the first heating means HM1 in the above description) is not necessarily stopped at the start time of the cooking process 1, and during the cooking process 1, the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) and one or both of the third heating means HM3 may be energized together.

[0258] Unless otherwise contradictory, the following description will be made on the premise that the cooperation cooking mode KM1 includes the cooperation preheating cooking mode KM1A.

[0259] At the stage of selecting the cooperation cooking mode KM1A, when the identification information 167 indicating the name of the object to be cooked is displayed on the central display unit 16M, the left operation unit 15L becomes unusable for other cooking menus (also referred to as “occupied state”).

[0260] Specifically, among the various input keys of the left operation unit 15L, at least the input key 107L (not shown) for selecting the left heating port 4L is invalidated by the heating control unit 43. The meaning of this "invalidated" means that no valid command signal is transmitted from the input key 107L (not shown) to the heating control unit 43, and even if a valid command signal is transmitted, the heating control unit 43 does not process the command signal as a valid command signal. In any case, it becomes impossible to select heating by the left IH coil 9L.

[0261] At the same time, when the identification information 167 is displayed, the right operation unit 15R of the right heating port 4R may be made unusable. Similar to the case of the left operation unit 15L, it is due to the "invalidated" input key 107R (not shown). However, if the user US has previously made a function setting (using the function setting key 115 shown in FIG. 13) on the input operation unit 15 so as not to perform this "invalidated", and if the right IH coil 9R has already been used for other control menus (during the heating operation continues), then the right IH coil 9R can still be used as it is. On the other hand, in the coordinated cooking mode KM1, due to the fact that it has been used previously, it is determined (by the heating control unit 43) that it cannot be used.

[0262] Therefore, only the left IH coil 9L is in a state of being "occupied" by the selection of the coordinated cooking mode KM1. Also, when viewed from the entire first heating means HM1, only a part (the left IH coil 9L) of the three heating parts 4L, 4C, and 4R has its use "restricted". If the right IH coil 9R is not being used for other cooking, this right IH coil 9R may also be put in an occupied state in the same way.

[0263] Next, FIG. 13 will be described. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the display content of the central display unit 16M during standby in the heating cooker 1. The display screen 16MH of this central display unit 16M is the initial standby screen. The initial standby screen 16MH will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 28. There are multiple types of initial standby screens 16MH. The screen in FIG. 13 may be referred to as display screen 2D for the purpose of distinguishing it from the display screens 2A - 2C shown in FIG. 28.

[0264] In FIG. 13, 102 is a display unit that indicates information identifying the input key 107 for selecting the coordinated cooking mode KM1, and is marked with the characters "To Key 1". 103 is a display unit that indicates information identifying the input key 108 for selecting the combined cooking mode, and is marked with the characters "To Key 2". 104 is a display unit that indicates information identifying the input key 109 for selecting the single - cooking mode by induction heating (IH), and is marked with the characters "To Key 3". Note that these three display units 102 - 104 do not have a touch - type input function, so touching them will not result in any input.

[0265] The input key 107 is an input key for selecting the coordinated cooking mode KM1. It is composed of a touch - type switch and is arranged on the front side of the first area 22. 107A is the first specific information, which is displayed as "1" in numbers. That is, this first specific information 107A corresponds to the "To Key 1" in the display content of the display unit 102.

[0266] The input key 108 is an input key for selecting the combined cooking mode KM2. It is composed of a touch - type switch and is arranged on the front side of the second area 23. 108A is the second specific information, which is displayed as "2" in numbers. That is, this second specific information 108A corresponds to the display content of the display unit 103.

[0267] The input key 109 is an input key that can select the single cooking mode KM3 by induction heating (IH). It is composed of a touch-type switch. This input key 109 is arranged on the front side of the third area 24. 109A is the third specific information and is displayed as the number "3". That is, this third specific information 109A corresponds to the display content of the display unit 104.

[0268] The first specific information 107A to the third specific information 109A and the display contents of the display units 102 to 104 show a corresponding relationship by the numbers "1" to "3" as shown in FIG. 5, but a corresponding relationship may also be displayed by symbols, characters, the same figures, etc. other than numbers.

[0269] Thus, for example, when selecting the cooperative cooking mode KM1, it can be understood that the input key 107 on which the first specific information 107A is displayed may be operated. In addition to this number "1", a name or abbreviation indicating a cooking mode such as "cooperative cooking" may also be displayed.

[0270] Several types of the first specific information 107A are prepared. Only in the first operation scene of the input key 107, the number "1" is displayed as shown in FIG. 15, but as shown in FIG. 14, in the next scene, the character "menu" is displayed. In this way, the display content of the first specific information 107A changes appropriately according to the display of a light-emitting part (not shown) below the operation surface (visibly light-transmissive material) of the input key 107.

[0271] The information displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M1 is sequentially updated according to the input operation by a display program of the control device 40 described later or a dedicated drive circuit (not shown).

[0272] If the input key 107 is operated, the first specific screen 16M1 used in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 is displayed on the central display unit 16M. An example of the first specific screen 16M1 is shown in FIG. 14. If the input key 108 is operated, a second specific screen 16M2 (see FIG. 41) used in the composite cooking mode KM2 is displayed on the central display unit 16M. If the input key 109 is operated, a third specific screen 16M3 (not shown) used in the single cooking mode KM3 by induction heating (IH) is displayed on the central display unit 16M. An example of the third specific screen 16L3 when the left operation unit 16L is used is shown in FIG. 29.

[0273] The first specific screen 16M1 to the third specific screen 16M3 are not simultaneously displayed on the central display unit 16M, but are selectively displayed.

[0274] 113 is an input key that can start three types of heating cooking in the central operation unit 15M. It is a touch-type input key, and an input command signal is issued when touched. This input key 113 is hereinafter referred to as the "start key". 114 is an input key that can stop three types of heating cooking (three types of) cooking modes in the central operation unit 15M at an arbitrary timing. It is a touch-type input key, and an input command signal is issued when touched. This input key 114 is hereinafter referred to as the "stop key".

[0275] The three types of heating cooking in this central operation unit 15M are as follows. (1) Cooperative cooking mode KM1 using the heating chamber 6 (2) Composite cooking mode KM2 using the heating chamber 6 (3) Single cooking mode KM3 by the microwave heating means (second heating means) HM2 using the heating chamber 6 (4) Single cooking mode KM3 by the induction heating means (first heating means) HM1 using the central heating port 4C

[0276] The input key 115 arranged on the leftmost side of the central operation unit 15M is for enabling various operations, displays, etc. of the entire heating cooker 1 to be set as desired by the user.

[0277] When the input key 115 is pressed, the control device 40, which will be described later, switches to the "function mode" and displays the following "function setting menu" on the display screen of the central display unit 16M. (1) Child lock setting (operation invalidation setting for various input keys) (2) Ventilation fan interlock mode setting (3) Cleaning guide setting (automatic notification function setting for the cleaning time of the heating chamber 6 and the exhaust cover 5) (4) Peak cut setting (select one from four levels of maximum power consumption: 5700W, 5000W, 4800W, and 4000W) (5) Voice setting for voice guide (6) Volume setting for voice guide (7) Setting to prevent forgetting to take out the food to be cooked, cooking utensils, etc. from the heating chamber 6 (necessity of alarm on the voice notification unit 50 and the three display units 16L, 16M, 16R) (8) HEMS registration setting (setting related to the power usage restriction function by the home power control device) (9) Time unit for timer cooking (changing the 1-minute unit setting to 5-minute or 30-minute units) setting (10) Switching between beginner mode and normal (skilled user) mode (11) Setting the type (range) of inventory information obtained from the refrigerator 403 (12) Setting the display priority (specific cooking menu to be set as default display, identification information 167) of each cooking menu (e.g., "hamburger") in the linked cooking mode KM1 (13) Setting the display priority (specific control menu to be set as default display) of each control menu (e.g., "range grill", "boiling leafy vegetables") in the composite cooking mode KM2 (14) Setting the cooking mode to be automatically displayed on the central display unit 16M when the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened after the main power switch 20 is turned on (display priority, etc. between the two linked cooking mode KM1 and composite cooking mode KM2) When displaying the individual cooking menus of the linked cooking mode KM1 on the central display unit 16M, the components of the target food (ingredients) and the nutritional components are set to be displayed individually each time. Note that either only one of the food components and nutrients or both may be used. In the first embodiment, pressing the input key 109 once (short press) is set as the display command key for food components, and pressing it twice (short press) is set as the display command key for nutritional components. When the input key 109 is operated once or twice within a predetermined period, or when a command is given by voice with the voice input mode 1 set, the food components or nutritional components are displayed. That is, they are not always displayed simultaneously in a set with the identification information 167 (described later) of the cooking menu, but are displayed according to the operation (including voice) of the user US. Details will be described with reference to FIG. 20. (16) When selecting the individual cooking menus of the linked cooking mode KM1, the cooking menu candidates are searched from the food components and nutritional components and displayed on the central display unit 16M. In this case, the input key 180 is pressed to set the "voice input mode 2", and the user US can search by voice. Details will be described with reference to FIG. 20. (17) Setting the display priority of each cooking menu in the linked cooking mode KM1. This is related to the setting of the specific cooking menu to be the default display. Either the food component or the nutritional component is set as the top priority item for display. When this is set, for example, the cooking menus can be displayed in ascending order of the energy amount (calorie value) as shown in FIG. 20 among the nutritional components. Or the cooking menus can be displayed in descending order of the amount of "iron" as a nutritional component.

[0278] The "beginner mode" is an optional function for a person (user) who is not used to using the cooking appliance 1. When this beginner mode is set, the content of the voice guidance in the voice notification unit 50 becomes more detailed and polite. Also, for the input operation on the input operation unit 15, the voice guidance increases, and the display information on the display screens of the display units 16L, 16M, and 16R increases.

[0279] When the beginner mode is set, especially in the case of cooking in the combined cooking mode KM2 and the cooperative cooking mode KM1, the amount of reference information displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M increases, or the content of the voice guidance in the voice notification unit 50 increases during cooking steps 1 and 2. Therefore, the function of assisting the user's input operation is enhanced.

[0280] After the main power switch 20 is turned on, when the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened, automatically setting the cooking mode to be displayed on the central display unit 16M means setting either the cooperative cooking mode KM1 or the combined cooking mode KM2. Since both the cooperative cooking mode KM1 and the combined cooking mode KM2 use one central display unit 16M, the user can set to prioritize the display of either one.

[0281] After the main power switch 20 is turned on, when the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened, the control device 40 detects the opening of this door 7. It is a function of automatically displaying either the first specific screen 16M1 for the cooperative cooking mode KM1 or the second specific screen 16M2 for the combined cooking mode KM2 on the central display unit 16M, assuming that the user will perform cooking using the heating chamber 6. Note that the first specific screen 16M1 or the second specific screen 16M2 is automatically displayed immediately after the door 7 is opened after the above-mentioned standby initial screen is displayed.

[0282] When the input key 115 is pressed, a "function setting menu" is displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M. After that, on the central operation unit 16M, when a specific one of the input keys other than the input key 15 (for example, 107) is "pressed for a long time" (hereinafter referred to as "long pressed"), one of the setting menus in the above-mentioned "function setting menu" can be selected, and then the content can be changed to the desired setting.

[0283] Alternatively, when two specific input keys other than the input key 115 (for example, 107 and 108) are "long-pressed" simultaneously, one of the setting menus in the above-mentioned "function setting menu" can be called and changed to the desired setting content.

[0284] The "long-press" refers to, for example, a state where it is pressed continuously for 5 seconds or more. Whether it is in the state of "long-press" is determined by the input mode determination unit 15C (see FIG. 9) comparing the touch input timing at the central operation unit 15M with a reference value. That is, at the central operation unit 15M, the timing when the input key (for example, 107) is pressed can be discriminated by an ON (when touched)-OFF (when not touched) signal, but the time from the ON signal point to the point when it changes to the OFF signal is measured to determine whether it is a "long-press". This is the same as the "long-press" process of the input key 107, so it will be described in detail later.

[0285] In FIG. 13, 123 is a dial-type selection means arranged at the right end of the central operation unit 40M. After pressing any one of the input keys 107 to 109, when the user turns this selection means 123, it is possible to set the cooking menu of the coordinated cooking mode KM1 and the control conditions (heating power during induction heating, microwave output, etc.) applied to a specific cooking menu. This will be described in FIG. 14 below.

[0286] The selection means can be turned clockwise and counterclockwise as shown by the arrow in FIG. 13 around the rotation center point CP. It can also be rotated more than one full turn, but it may be limited to a certain rotation range. Note that the selection means 123 is rotatably fixed to the central operation unit 15M by a rotation shaft (not shown) at the center point CP.

[0287] 21M1 to 21M5 are individual light-emitting parts, indicating that the input functions of six input keys 107, 108, 109, 113, 114, and 115 are valid. These individual light-emitting parts 21M1 to 21M5 receive light from a light-emitting element 27 such as a light-emitting diode (LED) and emit light upward above the central operation part 15M. In FIG. 13, star marks are respectively attached to the individual light-emitting parts 21M1, 21M2, 21M3, and 21M5, which indicates that the corresponding light-emitting element 27 is emitting light. That is, in the example of FIG. 13, a total of four input keys 107, 108, 109, and 115 all indicate that their input functions are valid.

[0288] Next, FIG. 14 will be described. In the state shown in FIG. 13, when the input key 107 is touch-operated, the central display part 16M switches to the first specific screen 16M1 as shown in FIG. 14. That is, it switches from the state of the standby initial screen (FIG. 13) to the state of displaying the first specific screen 30SP for the linked cooking mode KM1, and the identification information 167 of "hamburger" is displayed as the default cooking menu. In this case, the touch operation of the input key 107 can be either a "short press" or a "long press".

[0289] As shown in the first specific screen 16M1 shown in FIG. 14, the first specific information 107A displayed on the input key 107 changes to a name indicating the type of function of "menu" instead of a number. In this case, the "menu" here refers to the cooking menu. Also, the second specific information 108A displayed on the input key 108 changes from the number "2" to information that can select the heating ports 4L and 4R of the induction heating source 9 of "left / right". Since there is no item to be input for the input key 109, nothing is displayed as the third specific information 109A.

[0290] In the state shown in FIG. 14, the input key 107 has a selection function for "menu" as indicated by the first specific information 16M1. Therefore, when the input key 107 is operated and then the dial-type selection means 123 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise as indicated by the thick arrow, the identification information 167 of the cooking menu displayed in the first area 22 changes sequentially in a certain order according to the rotation range. That is, it changes to the identification information of the cooking menu for another object to be cooked.

[0291] As described above, from the moment the input key 107 is selected, the arrow portion displayed on the dial portion of the selection means 123 emits light. This prompts the user to operate the selection means 123 to rotate it. Note that the emission color of the arrow portion may be changed before and after the operation of the input key 107.

[0292] As shown in FIG. 14, the heating unit specifying units 116L and 116R are also displayed simultaneously with the identification information 167. Either one of the heating unit specifying units 116L and 116R can be selected by operating the input key 108. Specifically, press the input key 108 and then rotate the dial-type selection means 523 clockwise or counterclockwise as indicated by the thick arrow. Alternatively, when the input key 107 is pressed once, as shown in FIG. 14, "left" is first selected (by default setting), and then when the input key 108 is pressed once continuously, "right" may be selected. Further, when the same input key 108 is pressed, "left" is selected again.

[0293] As can be understood from the above description, when the input operation unit 40 operates the input key 107 once (either a short press or a long press) and selects the linked cooking mode KM1, the input key 107 is operated once immediately thereafter (either a short press or a long press). Then, it enters the step of selecting a cooking menu displayed in the first area 22. Therefore, if the selection means 123 is rotated, cooking menus will be successively displayed in the first area 22 according to the rotation range of the selection means 123. That is, a selection signal of the cooking menu corresponding to the rotation of the selection means 123 is given to the control device 40.

[0294] Note that in FIG. 14, star marks are attached to the individual light-emitting parts 21M1, 21M2, and 21M4 corresponding to the three input keys 107, 108, and 113. That is, all three input keys 107, 108, and 113 indicate that their input functions are effective.

[0295] Next, FIG. 15 will be described. When any one of the heating part specifying parts 116L and 116R shown in FIG. 14 is selected, the display content of the first specific screen 16M1 switches to the content shown in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 15, since the input key 109 becomes effective, pressing this key switches to the input mode of "heating power", which is one type of control condition. Therefore, when the selection means 123 is rotated, the four-stage heating power display band 117 lights up. Therefore, if the selection means 123 is rotated, the lighting range changes left and right according to the rotation angle. At the same time, a specific heating power value, such as "1000W", is displayed as the additional information 118 (it is also possible to display a level such as "medium" for the heating power).

[0296] In this way, while the user US holds the dial-type selection means 123, by simply turning it slightly in the clockwise direction, the desired heating power value can be selected all at once. Therefore, compared with the method of repeatedly performing touch operations like a touch input switch to select the heating power value, the operation load on the user US can be significantly reduced.

[0297] As is apparent from FIG. 15, at the stage of setting the heating value of the induction heating source 9, only these two input keys 109 and 113 have their input functions enabled, as indicated by the star marks on the individual light-emitting portions 21M3 and 21M4 corresponding to the two input keys 109 and 113. Note that, as shown in FIG. 15, the dial-type selection means 123 also has its input function enabled, with the thick arrow portion illuminated.

[0298] Therefore, if the input key 113 is pressed in the state of FIG. 15, the cooking cooperation mode KM1 is entered. Therefore, in either of the heating ports 4L and 4R, the preheating process (IH preheating) of the object to be heated N such as a frying pan can be started.

[0299] In FIG. 15, 109A is the third specific information displayed on the input key 109. This third specific information 109A is displayed as the character "heating power" in the scene of FIG. 15, but it automatically changes to information indicating other control conditions such as "time" and "temperature" according to the input scene.

[0300] FIG. 16 shows Modification 1 of Embodiment 1 of FIGS. 13 to 15, and is a front partial plan view for explaining the arrangement of the central operation unit 15M and the central display unit 16M.

[0301] The characteristic configuration of FIG. 16 will be described. This heating cooker 1 of Modification 1 includes a main body 2 having three heating ports 4L, 4C, and 4R on the upper surface on which the object to be heated N is placed, a first heating means HM1 (induction heating source 9) installed inside the main body 2 for heating the object to be heated N, a heating chamber 6 formed inside the main body 2, a second heating means HM2 (microwave heating source 11) and a third heating means HM3 (radiant heat heating means 12) for heating the object to be cooked in the heating chamber 6, a display means (central display unit) 16M having a display screen visible from above the main body 2, an input operation unit 15 installed longitudinally in the left-right direction at the front portion of the upper surface of the main body 2, A control device 40 that controls a heating operation in response to a command from the input operation unit 15 is provided. The input operation unit 15 is adjacent to the display means (central display unit 16M) and is located in front of it. The input operation unit 15 has a first cooking mode selection means (input key) 107 and a second cooking mode selection means (input key) 108 for respectively displaying a cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 and a control menu in the composite cooking mode M2 on the display screen. A first specific information 107A indicating that it is for the cooperative cooking mode KM1 is displayed on the operation unit (operation surface) of the first cooking mode selection means 107 or in the vicinity thereof, and a second specific information 108A indicating that it is for the composite cooking mode KM2 is displayed on the operation unit (operation surface) of the second cooking mode selection means 108 or in the vicinity thereof. Furthermore, after selecting the first cooking mode selection means (input key) 107, a dial-type selection means 123 is provided to display the cooking menu of the cooperative cooking mode KM1 in a selectable manner.

[0302] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the touch operation part of the input key 107 which is the first cooking mode selection means and the touch operation of the input key 108 which is the second cooking mode selection means The part is located in front of the central display unit 16M and on the upper surface of the main body 2. Furthermore, on the central operation unit 15M, after the first cooking mode selection means 107 is touched, a dial-type selection means 123 is arranged to sequentially display the identification information 167 indicating the cooking menu on the first specific screen 16M1 (displayed on the central display unit 16M) in response to a rotation operation.

[0303] Furthermore, on the central operation unit 15M, after the input key 108 which is the second cooking mode selection means is touched, the dial-type selection means 123 is used as means to sequentially display the identification information 160 indicating the control menu on the second specific screen 16M2 (displayed on the central display unit 16M) in response to a rotation operation.

[0304] The display screen of the central display unit has a first area 22 for displaying the cooking menu and the control menu, and a second area 23 for displaying information related to the information displayed in the first area 22, arranged side by side horizontally. In the first area 22, the identification information 167 or the identification information 160 is displayed. In the second area 23, in response to rotating the dial-type selection means 123, "control conditions" (such as heating power and heating time) applicable to either the cooking menu or the control menu are sequentially updated and displayed one by one.

[0305] The "control conditions" mentioned here are basically the same as those described in Embodiment 1. That is, it is at least one of, but not limited to, a heating power value indicating heating intensity or power consumption, a level value indicating the level of heating intensity (such as "strong" or "weak" for heating power), a microwave output value, a heating target temperature, and a heating time.

[0306] In FIG. 16, 120 is display information displayed instead of the display of "cooperative cooking" in FIG. 13. There are three types: "menu", "heating power·time", and "reference", but the example of "reference" is not shown in FIG. 16.

[0307] The display information 120 of "menu" is always displayed in the first area 22. The display information 120 of "heating power·time" is always displayed in the second area 23. Also, the display information 120 of "reference" is displayed in the third area 24, but it may also be displayed in an enlarged display area formed by combining the second area 23 and the third area 24.

[0308] In FIG. 16, the first specific information 107A and the second specific information 108A are not displayed on the upper surface of the central operation unit 15 itself, but are displayed in characters within the touch operation units (operation surfaces) of the first cooking mode selection means (input key) 107 and the second cooking mode selection means (input key) 108. However, it may be changed to other configurations, and may be displayed (printed, engraved, etc.) in characters at a position adjacent to the touch operation surfaces of the input keys 107 and 108 and in front of them.

[0309] In a modified example of FIG. 16, 180 is an (exclusive) input key 180 for selecting the voice input mode shown in FIG. 4. However, in FIG. 16, the input key 180 is an input key dedicated to the central operation unit 15M.

[0310] In this modified example, this input key 180 is not a mechanical switch, but a touch-type input switch like the input keys 107 to 109. 21M6 is an individual light-emitting unit that notifies by light emission when the input function of this input key 180 is valid. The state shown in FIG. 16 has star-shaped figures attached to the three individual light-emitting units 21M1, 21M2, and 21M3. That is, all of these three input keys have valid input functions, indicating that any one of the cooperative cooking mode KM1, the composite cooking mode KM2, and the single cooking mode KM3 can be selected by touching any one of them.

[0311] Next, FIG. 17 will be described. FIG. 17 is an enlarged plan view of the right display unit 16R and the right operation unit 15R of the cooking heater 1. In FIG. 17, an input key 153R having a function of selecting the voice input mode is arranged on the right operation unit 15R. This input key 153R is a touch-type input switch, similar to the five input keys 113R, 114R, 156R, 157R, and 191R described later.

[0312] When the input key 153R is pressed for the first time after the main power is turned on, the right heating port 4R can be selected. When the input key 153 is "long-pressed", the right operation unit 15R issues a signal to the control device 40 to switch to the "voice input mode 1" state. When this input key 153R is pressed, during the period until the start switch 113R is pressed and the cooking operation is started thereafter, the "voice input mode 1" cannot be canceled. When the cooking operation is started, the setting of the voice input mode 1 is automatically canceled at that time.

[0313] That is, as described in Embodiment 1, the input key 153R of this Embodiment 4 temporarily disables the input functions of some of the input keys (191R, 156R, 157R) other than the input key 153R after the selection of the "voice input mode 1" (this control pattern is referred to as "voice input mode 1A"). To change the state of this "voice input mode 1A" to "voice input mode 1B", it is necessary to operate the input key 115 for function setting of the central operation unit 15M. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the description will be based on the case of "voice input mode 1A".

[0314] In this right operation unit (second operation unit) 15R, the cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 using the second heating source 19R cannot be selected. For example, various cooking menus (e.g., "hamburger") in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 where cooking process 1 is performed at the right heating port 4R and cooking process 2 is performed in the heating chamber 6 cannot be selected by the second operation unit 15R of this right heating port 4R (second heating source 19R). Even in the case of the cooperative cooking mode KM1 where such cooking process 1 is performed at the right heating port 4R, the central operation unit 15M selects the cooking mode KM1 first.

[0315] The right operation unit 15R inputs operations related to cooking by the right heating port 4R, and can set the cooking in the single cooking mode KM3 for induction cooking using the right heating port 4R.

[0316] It is provided with various touch-input type input keys 113R, 114R, 153R, 156R, 157R, 158R, and 159R. Although not shown, the left operation unit 15L is also provided with various input keys (113L, 114L, 153L, 156L, 157L, 158L, 159L) similar to those in FIG. 17 here.

[0317] 123R is a dial-type selection means arranged at the right end of the central operation unit 15M. The dial part rotates clockwise and counterclockwise around the rotation center point CP.

[0318] 21R are individual light-emitting parts respectively arranged near the input keys 113R, 114R, 153R, 156R, 157R, 158R, and 159R. They emit light and display when the input function of the corresponding input key is valid. That is, it corresponds to the individual light-emitting part 21M described in Embodiment 1.

[0319] 21VR is a display part that indicates the voice input mode, and is illuminated from below by a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode. This 21VR lights up when the voice input mode is set by the input key 153R.

[0320] In this Embodiment 1, also in the right operation unit 15R, for the specific input key (153R) for selecting the single cooking mode KM3 using the right heating unit 19R, it has a function of discriminating the "long press" as described for the central operation unit 15M and switching to the "voice input mode 1".

[0321] The right display unit 16R has two display areas, the first area 22 and the second area 23, and the areas of the first area 22 and the second area 23 change according to the scene. Also, the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed in a form where both the first area 22 and the second area 23 are integrated.

[0322] The input keys 153R and 191R are each provided with one light-emitting part 21R. Since the two adjacent input keys 156R and 157R are common in changing the display content of the second area 23, they share one light-emitting unit 21R.

[0323] Since the two adjacent input keys 158R and 159R are common in changing the display content of the second area 23, they share one light-emitting unit 21R.

[0324] 113R is a start key that is pressed (touch-operated) to start cooking, and 114R is a stop key for cancellation that is pressed (touch-operated) to temporarily stop or end cooking.

[0325] After turning on the main power switch 20, when the input key 153R is touch-operated (either "short press" or "long press") earlier than the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M and the input key 153L (not shown) of the left operation unit 15L, it is an input key for selecting the single cooking mode KM3 that can be started by the right operation unit 15R (by induction heating).

[0326] The input key 191R is an input key that can select one of the control menus (by induction heating source) displayed in the first area 22 of the third specific screen 16R3 displayed on the right display unit 16R after the input key 153 is touch-operated.

[0327] For example, if the control menu first displayed in the first area 22 is "simmer" as shown in FIG. 17, when the input key 191R is touch-operated again once, it changes to the next candidate "keep warm". In this way, among the multiple control menus that can be selected by the right operation unit 15R, they can be sequentially displayed in the first area 22.

[0328] On the other hand, when the input key 191R is pressed to display the control menus one by one, the default values of the control conditions corresponding to the respective control menus are displayed in the second area 23. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the standard cooking time of "30 minutes" is displayed. 280 is identification information indicating the "simmering" menu, which is one of the control menus of the single cooking mode KM3. 281 is the control condition display unit.

[0329] In order to change the control condition (30 minutes in FIG. 17) displayed on the control condition display unit 281, it is necessary to touch-operate the input keys 156R and 157R. As shown tightened in FIG. 17, the individual display unit 21R displays that the input function is enabled as if marked with a star-shaped mark. Therefore, if the right input key 156R is pressed, the time can be extended in one-minute units each time a touch operation is performed. Conversely, if the left input key 157R is pressed, the time can be shortened in one-minute units.

[0330] 123R is a dial-type selection means having the same function as the dial-type selection means 123 of the central operation unit 15M. By rotating the dial part of this dial-type selection means 123R in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction, the control condition can be changed step by step. Note that since the dial-type selection means 123R cannot select the control menu, when it is displayed in the right display unit 16R as shown in FIG. 17, by simply rotating the dial-type selection means 123R, the control conditions displayed in the second area 23, such as the heating power, heating temperature, time, etc., can be changed.

[0331] In FIG. 17, the pair of input keys 158R and 159R are input keys used when changing the control condition displayed on the right side when two types of control conditions (for example, heating power and heating time) are simultaneously displayed in the second area 23. In this case, when either one of the input keys 158R and 159R is pressed and then the dial-type selection means 123R is rotated, the control condition corresponding to the input key 158R or 159R (the right side) can be changed step by step.

[0332] Next, FIG. 18 will be described. Steps ST1 to ST8 are the operation steps defined in the operation program (including recipe data CD) of the coordinated cooking mode KM1 of the heating control unit 43. First, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed (ST1), in the next step ST2, the heating control unit 43 determines whether there is an abnormality.

[0333] At the stage of step ST2, the central display unit 16M is activated and displays a message indicating that "since there is no abnormality, cooking can be started". At this stage, the heating control unit 43 also checks whether it has received a setting command from the input operation unit 15 regarding the upper limit value of the total power consumption.

[0334] Also, the right operation unit 15R, the right display unit 16R, the left operation unit 15L, and the left display unit 16L are also activated at the stage of step ST2 and display the same content as the central display unit 16M.

[0335] If, at the stage of step ST2, the heating cooker 1 is set to transmit startup information to the communication terminal 200 or the external server 417 (cloud server 300), the communication unit 51 wirelessly transmits startup information (a type of operation state data OS) at this stage.

[0336] At the stage of the next step ST3, the central display unit 16M and the voice notification unit 51 also provide notifications and voice guidance to prompt the selection of the heating means. In the next step ST4, the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed on the central display unit 16M, and usage caution information for the user US is also displayed.

[0337] Also, the right display unit 16R and the left display unit 16L provide notifications to prompt the selection of the heating means at the stage of step ST3, but since the voice notification unit 50 has already provided notifications, duplicate notifications are not made.

[0338] Then, it is determined whether an input key other than the input key 107 of the central operation unit 15M (for example, 108M) has been operated (ST5). If the input key 107 has been operated, step ST5 becomes "No", and the process proceeds to step ST6. That is, the process proceeds to the step of using the "linked cooking mode" KM1.

[0339] In step ST6, the permission condition determination unit 54 (see FIG. 8) checks whether the "permission conditions" are satisfied. For example, the usage state of the heat source used in the cooking process (such as cooking process 1 or cooking process 2) of the "linked cooking mode" KM1 is checked. For example, it is checked whether microwave heating cooking is being performed in the heating chamber 6.

[0340] In step ST5, the first input operation is checked. For example, before the input key 107 is pressed, it is determined whether the left operation unit 15L or the right operation unit 15R has been operated, and it is also determined whether the "composite cooking mode" KM2 has been selected by the central operation unit 15M (by the input key 108). It is also determined whether the input key 109 has been pressed.

[0341] If an operation (a touch operation, either a "short press" or a "long press" is acceptable) of the input key 107 on the central operation unit 15M is performed within a certain grace period (for example, 30 seconds) from step ST3, then as described above, the display for the "linked cooking mode" KM1 is started.

[0342] On the other hand, if the operation of the input key 107 is not performed and a touch operation of another input key (for example, the input key 108 or 109) is performed, then step ST5 is determined as "Yes", and the process proceeds to step ST9 for starting cooking other than the "linked cooking mode" KM3. Note that a detailed description of step ST9 is omitted here.

[0343] In FIG. 18, steps ST6 and ST7 are the operation steps of "permission condition 1" for determining whether to permit cooking in the "linked cooking mode" KM1. Step ST6 is the stage of determining "permission condition 1".

[0344] Here, "permission condition 1" means (1) The "peak cut-off value" that defines the upper limit of the maximum power consumption that can be used by the cooking heater 1 is 5000 W or more. (2) When there is a power reduction command signal received by the control device 40 via the communication unit 51 from the external cloud server 300 or the communication terminal 200, the peak cut-off value of the reduction command is 5000 W or more. These are the two conditions. If both of these conditions are met, step ST6 will be determined as "Yes".

[0345] The "permission condition 2" in the next step ST7 consists of the following four conditions. (1) In the first heating means HM1, the central heating port 4C is not in the heating operation. (2) One or both of the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are not in the heating operation.

[0346] (3) In the first heating means HM1, neither the right heating port 4R nor the left heating port 4L is being used for the heating operation (or only one of them is being used for the heating operation). That is, neither the left IH coil 9L nor the right IH coil 9R is being used for the heating operation. (4) The following "permission condition 4" is satisfied. That is, the latest temperature of the top plate 3 is not higher than the limit value (for example, not higher than a high temperature such as 80°C or 100°C).

[0347] If all of the above four conditions are met, step ST7 will be determined as "Yes". Then, it proceeds to step ST10. That is, it can proceed to the step of inputting the start of the coordinated cooking mode KM1.

[0348] If the determination in steps ST6 and STR7 is "No", it proceeds to step ST8, and the central display unit 16M and the voice notification unit 50 notify the user US that the coordinated cooking mode KM1 cannot be selected.

[0349] Here, the meaning of stipulating that the "permission condition 1" is "5000 W or more" will be explained. For the sake of simplicity in the following explanations, the power consumption of electrical components other than the heating source, such as the internal cooling fan (not shown) of the main body 2, etc., will not be particularly mentioned.

[0350] The reason why a demand (pre-securing of power demand) of 5000 W or more is required when implementing the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 is that the maximum (instantaneous) power during the operation of each heating source when the cooperative cooking mode is executed is as follows.

[0351] (1) During range operation (second heating means HM2): 1000 W (2) During oven operation: 2000 W (upper radiant heat heating means 12a: 1000 W, lower radiant heat heating means 12b: 1000 W) (3) During range grill operation: 1500 W (second heating means HM2: 500 W, upper radiant heat heating means 12a: 1000 W)

[0352] On the other hand, the maximum power of the cooking menu in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1 is 1500 W. Therefore, in the cooperative cooking mode, the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 may operate simultaneously.

[0353] That is, the sum of "1000 W" of the second heating means HM2, "1000 W (2000 W is energized alternately by 1000 W each)" of the third heating means HM3, and "1500 W" of the first heating means HM1 that performs induction heating results in a maximum power of 3500 W.

[0354] When the demand (pre-securing of power demand) is 5000 W: When heating at 3000 W (normal heating) with the right IH coil 9R, the remaining demand is 2000 W. When "coordinated cooking mode" KM1 is implemented from this state, since the remaining demand is less than 1500W for the 3500W power required for coordinated cooking, the heating power of the right IH coil 9R can be reduced from (3000W) to 1500W to start coordinated cooking.

[0355] When the demand (pre - securing of power demand) is 4000W: When frying (requiring a maximum of 1500W) is being done at the right heating port 4R, the remaining demand becomes 2500W. When coordinated cooking is performed from this state, since the remaining demand is less than 1000W for the 3500W power required for coordinated cooking, it is necessary to reduce the heating power of the right IH coil. However, if the heating power is reduced during the execution of the automatic control menu, the cooking will not proceed well, so the heating power of the automatic control menu cannot be reduced. Ultimately, at 4000W, the required heating power of the automatic control menu cannot be secured.

[0356] As is clear from the above explanation, before starting "coordinated cooking mode" KM1, it is necessary to determine (confirm) whether there is a demand (pre - securing of power demand) of 5000W, which is the sum of the power required for coordinated cooking (3500W) and the power required for the cooking menu at the right heating port 4R or the left heating port 4L (1500W).

[0357] The first specific screen 16M1 is not displayed unless the prerequisites (permission condition 1 and permission condition 2) for transitioning to "coordinated cooking mode" KM1 are met. For this reason, after the user US sets (selects) various conditions (such as identification information 167) of the coordinated cooking mode KM1, it is not the case that if it is determined that permission condition 1 or permission condition 2 is not met, the user will return to the initial waiting screen stage at the beginning. Therefore, the user US is not forced to perform unnecessary input operations.

[0358] Next, Figure 19 will be described. FIG. 19 illustrates the operations from when the cooking appliance 1 is activated until a recipe data CD for the cooking appliance 1 is acquired from the communication terminal 200 or the external server 417 (cloud server 300).

[0359] In the first embodiment, the recipe data CD in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 includes the number of the cooperative cooking menu (identification information 167), the order of a plurality of heating means to be used, the heating means to be used in cooking step 1, and information on the heating means to be used in cooking step 2. If there are cooking steps 3 and subsequent steps, it includes information on the heating means to be used for each of all those cooking steps, and if there are default (standard setting) control conditions (heating power, heating time, heating target temperature, etc.) in each cooking step, the set value or the range of the set value, but is not limited thereto. Also, it is not necessary that all of this information is essential, and a part of it may be sufficient.

[0360] In FIG. 19, steps SS1 to SS8 are operation steps defined in the integrated control program of the control device 40, and basically match the content defined in the operation program of the cooperative cooking mode KM1 described in FIG. 18.

[0361] First, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed (SS1), in the next step SS2, the heating control unit 43 determines whether there is an abnormality.

[0362] Steps SS1 to SS4 are the same as steps ST1 to ST4 described in FIG. 18, so duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0363] Step SS5 is a step for asking the user US for prior confirmation as to whether the cooking appliance 1 transmits a signal requesting the provision of the recipe data CD for cooking to a pre-registered communication terminal 200 such as a smartphone or the cloud server 300. A "confirmation screen" is displayed on the central display unit 16M and also notified by the voice notification unit 50. This "confirmation screen" is a type of standby initial screen 16MH described later.

[0364] If the user US has previously set the function setting key 115 (see Fig. 13) of the input operation unit 15 to automatically execute the external connection of this step SS5, it will be automatically performed at the specified timing.

[0365] That is, as described with reference to Fig. 1, the pairing between the communication terminal 200 and the cooking appliance 1 can be automatically performed to establish wireless communication between the communication terminal 200 and the cooking appliance 1.

[0366] The external connection of the step SS5 repeatedly performs transmission and reception several times alternately between the cooking appliance 1 and an external communication device (such as the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300). For example, first, the cooking appliance 1 transmits a standby signal 1, and in response to receiving the standby signal 1, the external communication device side transmits a setting signal 1 including setting information. Upon receiving this, the cooking appliance 1 checks its internal standby state (such as the set value of the total power consumption), and if there is no problem, transmits a standby signal 2 for proceeding to the next stage, and so on.

[0367] Finally, the reception of the necessary setting information (including the recipe data CD) from the external communication device side is completed. That is, on the cooking appliance 1 side, after receiving it once, several rounds of interactive communication such as immediately returning a confirmation signal are performed, and finally the reception of the necessary setting information is completed. In such a series of processes, there is a step of asking the user US to determine whether to receive the recipe data CD. That is, in this cooking appliance 1, there is a step that allows the user US to clearly and previously recognize the reception of the recipe data CD, thus preventing the recipe data CD from proceeding to the execution stage without the user US knowing.

[0368] On the other hand, when not set to automatically execute the above external connection, in step SS6, a predetermined icon or the like is displayed on the central display unit 16M to inform the user US that the recipe data CD can be provided. This is shown in the display screen 2C (standby initial screen 16MH) of FIG. 29. The display for informing the user US is simply displayed in characters, for example, as indicated by the acquisition operation support information 60P on the display screen 2C.

[0369] In this step SS6, if the connection to the external device (such as the communication terminal 200) is not agreed to, as shown in step SS9, a non-reception message such as "Currently, the reception of the recipe data CD is not being performed" is transmitted to the registered external device (the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300). Thus, the user US can also set to reject the reception.

[0370] On the other hand, in step SS6, if the connection to the external device is agreed to and data acquisition is instructed, the heating cooker 1 causes the data acquisition unit 53 to acquire the recipe data CD from the external device via the communication unit 51. The acquired recipe data CD is stored in a predetermined "temporary storage unit" (not shown) in the recipe data storage unit 42 (step SS7).

[0371] In the next step SS8, the content of the recipe data CD acquired from the external device, particularly the identification information 167, is displayed on the central display unit 16M. Also, the voice notification unit 50 notifies the fact of reception, for example, as "The recipe for hamburger has been received".

[0372] By the way, in this Embodiment 1, when the main power switch 20 is turned ON and power supply is started, during the standby period in which the control device 40 is waiting for a command to start the heating operation, if the input key 180, which is the selection unit for the voice input mode 2, is operated, it is a program that permits the data acquisition unit 53 to acquire the recipe data CD.

[0373] That is, at the stage of step SS6, if the user US presses the input key 180, this step is determined as "Yes" and the acquisition of the recipe data CD is permitted. However, several conditions need to be satisfied before the recipe data CD is actually acquired by the control device 40, which will be described in detail later.

[0374] Next, FIGS. 20 to 26 will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the main input steps for three cooking modes after the main power is turned on in the cooking appliance 1. FIG. 21 is a flowchart 1 showing the input steps after the main power is turned on in the cooking appliance 1. FIG. 22 is a flowchart 1 showing the input steps in the case of the linked cooking mode in the cooking appliance 1. FIG. 23 is a flowchart 1 showing the input steps in the case of the combined cooking mode in the cooking appliance 1. FIG. 24 is a flowchart 1 showing the input steps in the case of the single cooking mode in the cooking appliance 1. FIG. 25 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of acquiring the recipe data CD from the outside in the cooking appliance 1. FIG. 26 is a flowchart 2 showing the operation of acquiring the recipe data CD from the outside in the cooking appliance 1.

[0375] FIGS. 20 to 26 are for the case of the aforementioned "voice input mode 1A". That is, in one input operation unit 15 (for example, the central operation unit 15M), among a plurality of input keys, there is an input key 107 (see FIG. 13) as the "dual-purpose key" for designating the voice input mode VM.

[0376] Therefore, when the "voice input mode 1A" is changed by the input key 107, the input function of the input keys other than the input key (dual-purpose key) 107 (in the central operation unit 15M, the input keys 108 and 109) is disabled. The control pattern (the state of the "voice input mode 1A") will be described.

[0377] FIG. 20 will be described. In this Figure 20, the white-outlined symbols (such as 107, 108) indicate the input keys 107, 108, etc. to be operated in the following steps S2 to S16. In this Figure 20, the main input keys are also displayed in white-outlined characters. Also, the selection means 123 is displayed in white-outlined characters (numbers). In addition, the range indicated by the dashed-line frame shows the range where voice input can be made in the "voice input mode 1" that switches when the input keys (dual-purpose keys) 107, 108, 109 are "long-pressed".

[0378] Figure 20 shows the operation steps when starting heat cooking at the central operation unit 15M, which is slightly different from the cases of the left operation unit 15L and the right operation unit 15R.

[0379] Steps S2 to S6 show the operation steps in the case of the linked cooking mode KM1. Steps S7 to S11 show the operation steps in the case of the combined cooking mode KM2. Steps S12 to S15 show the operation steps in the case of the single cooking mode KM3 using the first heating means HM1 (central heating port 4C).

[0380] When the main power switch 20 is turned ON, first, the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed on the central display unit 16M (step S1). The standby initial screen 16MH of the central display unit 16M in this case is the one shown in Figure 13. Next, when touching the input key 107, the linked cooking mode KM1 is selected (step S2), and the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed (step S3).

[0381] Step S2A shows the process of acquiring the recipe data CD from an external communication terminal 200, a cloud server 300, etc.

[0382] On the first specific screen 16M1 at this stage, as described with reference to FIG. 14, at least three cooking menus are displayed. However, by touching the input key 107 and rotating the dial-type selection means 123 by one step (a predetermined angle) each time, different cooking menus can be sequentially displayed (step S4).

[0383] In step S5, if the control conditions for one linked cooking menu are acceptable, pressing the input key 113 enables transition to the cooking process 1 of the linked cooking mode KM1 (step S6).

[0384] As is clear from FIG. 20, when the input key (dual-purpose key) 107 is "long-pressed" at the stage of step S2, the control device 40 switches to the "input standby state" by voice, so the conditions within the range up to steps S4 to S5 can be input by voice. For example, cooking menus and control conditions can be set and input by the user US's voice, such as "Hamburger preheat 180°C". Note that only control conditions other than the object to be cooked, such as "Heat level 7 for 1 hour 10 minutes", may be input by voice.

[0385] Next, FIG. 20 will be described. In step S2, when touching the input key 108 without touching the input key 107, the combined cooking mode KM2 is selected (step S7), and the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed (step S8). Touching the input key 108 one more time (regardless of whether it is a "long-press" or a "short-press" in step S9) and rotating the dial-type selection means 123 by one step (a predetermined angle) each time enables different control menus (see FIGS. 6 and 10) to be sequentially displayed (step S9). For example, control menus such as "Warm", "Range manual", and "Blanch leafy vegetables" can be sequentially displayed in the central part of the first area 22 of the second specific screen 16M1.

[0386] Step S7A shows the process of acquiring recipe data CD from an external communication terminal 200, a cloud server 300, etc.

[0387] In step S9, if it is acceptable to use one control menu (for example, "Heat") displayed on the second specific screen 16M2, then next, if the input key 108 is pressed, the process proceeds to an input step of selecting control conditions (such as microwave output and heating time) displayed in the second area 23. Each time the dial-type selection means 123 is rotated by one step (a predetermined angle), different control conditions can be successively displayed (step S10).

[0388] In step S10, if it is acceptable to use the control conditions of one combined cooking mode, then if the input key 113 is pressed, the process can proceed to the cooking step 1 of the combined cooking mode KM2 (step S11). Note that depending on the control menu, control conditions may be displayed in the third area 24 (see FIG. 6). In that case, after pressing the corresponding input key 109, each time the dial-type selection means 123 is rotated by one step (a predetermined angle), the control conditions in the third area 24 can be selected.

[0389] As is clear from FIG. 20, when the input key (dual-purpose key) 108 is "long-pressed" at the stage of step S7, the control device 40 switches to the "input standby state" by voice at the stage of step S7. Therefore, conditions within the range up to steps S9 to S10 can be input by voice. For example, like "Heat 500W", the control menu (in this case, "Heat") and control conditions can be set and input by the user US's voice. Note that only the control conditions, like "500W Time 10 minutes", may also be input by voice.

[0390] Next, FIG. 20 will be described. In step S2, without touching the input key 107, and without touching the input key 108 in step S7 either, when the input key 109 is touched, in the central heating port 4C handled by the central operation unit 15M, the single-cooking mode KM3 by the first heating means HM1 is selected (step S12), and the third specific screen 16M3 is displayed on the central display unit 16M (step S13).

[0391] Step S12A indicates a process of acquiring a recipe data CD from an external communication terminal 200, a cloud server 300, or the like.

[0392] In step S14, if one control menu (for example, "Range Manual"; see FIG. 6) displayed in the first area 22 of the third specific screen 16M3 (by default setting) is acceptable, pressing the input key 113 will start the heating cooking operation.

[0393] When it is desired to select a control menu different from the one control menu displayed in the first area 22 (see FIG. 6), in step S14, the input key 107 is touched once (either a "short press" or a "long press" is acceptable), and then the dial-type selection means 123 is rotated by one step (a predetermined angle). Thereby, the control menu displayed in the first area 22 can be changed to a desired control menu.

[0394] Note that FIG. 20 also shows a case where control conditions are displayed in the third area 24. In that case, by touching the input key 109 once (either a "short press" or a "long press" is acceptable) and then rotating the dial-type selection means 123, the target control conditions can be displayed in the third area 24 (step S14).

[0395] If one control menu (see FIG. 6) displayed on the third specific screen 16M3 is acceptable, then pressing the input key 113 next will finalize the control conditions (the heating power of induction heating, the heating time, etc.) (step S15).

[0396] Note that in step S15, if the control conditions of one single cooking mode KM3 are acceptable, the heating operation may be automatically started after a certain period of time (10 seconds) has elapsed without pressing the input key.

[0397] FIG. 20 also shows a case where a control condition is displayed in the third area 24. In this case, the desired control condition can be displayed in the third area 24 by touching the input key 109 once (either a "short press" or a "long press") and then rotating the dial-type selection means 123.

[0398] As is clear from Fig. 20, if the input key (combined key) 109 is "long pressed" at the stage of step S12, the control device 40 switches to a "state of waiting for voice input", so that the control condition selection in the range from step S14 to S15 and the selection of the control condition can be input by voice. For example, from the stage of step S14, the control menu (in this case, "boil water") and the control condition can be input as a set by the user US speaking, such as "boil water, heat level 6". Note that only the control condition may be input by voice.

[0399] In addition, in steps S14 and S15, the user can select timer cooking and input the timer setting time by voice. For example, when the user advances to step S14, the user can say something like "heat level 6, timer, 10 minutes."

[0400] As is clear from FIG. 20, the cooking device 1 of the first embodiment has the following features: The input operation unit 15 has three input keys 107 to 109 corresponding to three cooking modes, The control device 40 validates the earliest touch input of only one of the input keys 107 to 109, and selects one of the heating cooking modes (the coordinated cooking mode KM1, the combined cooking mode KM2, and the single cooking mode KM3).

[0401] Furthermore, among the three input keys 107 to 109, the "long press" input of the one input key that was touched earliest is detected, and an operation is performed to switch to the voice input mode. Only the touch input of the one input key that was touched earliest is enabled, and until the start of heating cooking is input with the input key 113 after the input of the cooking menu, control menu, and control conditions (such as heating power and heating time) necessary for starting the heating cooking mode is completed, the input process of other cooking modes is not started. This is the characteristic configuration.

[0402] That is, for the three heating cooking modes (cooperative cooking mode KM1, composite cooking mode KM2, and single cooking mode KM3), only the command of the voice input mode VM of any one of the input keys 107, 108, and 109 that was "long pressed" first is received by the control device 40, and no input commands are received from other input keys.

[0403] Therefore, for example, when the input key 107 is touched and switched to the voice input mode by long pressing, the input of other input keys (for example, 108, 109) becomes impossible. However, the start key 113 maintains its input function until the start of the heating cooking operation. Also, after the heating cooking operation is started once, the stop key 114 maintains its input function.

[0404] Therefore, when the voice input mode is started by any one of the input keys 107, 108, and 109, it becomes impossible to select other heating cooking modes or "touch-type input keys" of the control mode, and control conditions are not inadvertently input by voice input. In addition, when the voice input mode is started by any one of the input keys 107, 108, and 109, if the stop key 114 is pressed one or more times before the start key 113 is pressed, all the previous input settings are cancelled. Also, the voice input mode VM is cancelled.

[0405] Also, when the input for the coordinated cooking mode KM1 is performed by one input key (e.g., 107) using the voice input mode, when the heating cooking is started by pressing the start key 113, the voice input mode until then is cancelled. And thereafter, the voice input mode is not set again until all cooking processes are completed. Therefore, thereafter, when the user US performs a touch operation when selecting other heating cooking, no confusion occurs. Also, a situation where voice input for setting other heating cooking is erroneously received and the cooking in progress is changed does not occur.

[0406] Next, FIG. 21 will be described. In this FIG. 21, the white symbols (107, 108, 109) indicate the respective input keys (107, 108, 109) operated in steps SM3, SM4, and SM8.

[0407] In FIG. 21, step SM1 performs processes corresponding to the processes of steps ST2 and ST3 in FIG. 18. That is, the central display unit 16M is activated, and the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed. An abnormality determination is executed, and if there is no abnormality, a message indicating that "since there is no abnormality, cooking can be started" is displayed. Then, in the standby initial screen 16MH and the voice notification unit 51, notification for prompting the selection of the heating means and voice guidance are performed.

[0408] Furthermore, at the stage of this step SM1, if it is set to transmit startup information from the heating cooker 1 to the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300, startup information (a type of operation state data OS) is wirelessly transmitted from the communication unit 51 at this stage. Note that in the standby initial screen 16MH, as will be described in detail later, display of usage caution information for the user US is also performed.

[0409] In the next step SM2, the input functions of all the input operation units 15M, 15L, and 15R are enabled to prepare for touch input operations on each input key (such as 107 to 109). Also, the elapsed time measurement is started by the elapsed time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 9) held by the input operation unit 15. Note that in FIG. 9, it was an example of the central operation unit 15M, but the right operation unit 15R and the left operation unit 15L also have the same configuration as the central operation unit 15M. Therefore, they have a configuration corresponding to the elapsed time measurement unit 15T.

[0410] In the next step SM3, the linked cooking mode KM1 is selected. In step SM4, the composite cooking mode KM2 is selected. In step SM8, the single cooking mode KM3 by the first heating means HM1 is selected.

[0411] First, in step SM3, it is determined whether the input key 107 has been touched. If it has been touched, the process proceeds to the route A1 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. In step SM3, if there is no touch operation, the determination is "No" and the process proceeds to step SM4. In step SM4, if the input key 108 has been touched, it becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to the route B1 shown in FIGS. 21 and 23.

[0412] In step SM4, if there is no touch operation, the determination is "No" and the process proceeds to step SM8. In step SM8, if the input key 109 has been touched, it becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to the route C1 shown in FIGS. 21 and 24.

[0413] In step SM8 shown in FIG. 21, if there is no touch operation, the determination is "No" and the process proceeds to step SM5. In this step SM5, it is determined by the elapsed time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 9) whether a preset limit time TX has been exceeded. If the limit time TX has not been exceeded, the process returns to step SM3.

[0414] On the other hand, if it is determined in step SM5 that the preset limit time TX has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SM6, and a process of automatically turning off the main power supply (hereinafter referred to as "automatic shutdown process 1") is performed. Then, a series of operations are terminated (SM7). In this way, when no input operation is performed, if the limit time (for example, 30 minutes) is exceeded, the main power switch 20 is automatically opened.

[0415] Next, FIG. 22 will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operations after the input key 107 is touched in step SM3. When the input key 107 is touched, if the touch operation is a "long press", it is determined by the input mode determination unit 15C (see FIG. 9) of the central operation unit 15M.

[0416] Then, the determination in step SM40 becomes "Yes", and the process proceeds to step SM41. On the other hand, if it is a "short press", the determination becomes "No", and the process proceeds to step SM50. Step SM41 is a determination step as to whether the above-mentioned "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are satisfied. If these permission conditions are not satisfied, non-permission processing is performed at this stage (step SM47). Note that the non-permission processing is the processing of step ST8 described in FIG. 18.

[0417] If the determination in step SM41 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM42. In step SM42, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed. In the center of the first area 22 of the first specific screen 16M1, the identification information 167 of one default cooking menu "hamburger" is displayed (see FIG. 7).

[0418] After this, in order to select another cooking menu (e.g., roast beef), the input key 107 is further touched and the selection means 123 is rotated.

[0419] In FIG. 22, in step SM43, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 9) to determine whether the preset limit time TY has been exceeded. After this step SM43, if an input by voice from the user US is made via the voice signal receiving unit 56 (see FIG. 8), step SM44 becomes "Yes" and proceeds to the next step SM45.

[0420] Incidentally, at the stage of step SM43, the control device 40 has already switched to the "voice input mode 1A". Therefore, if the input keys 108 and 109 are touched and input after this step SM43, the input of the input keys 108 and 109 is not accepted by the control device 40 for the "voice input mode 1A".

[0421] That is, unless voice input is performed, step SM44 does not become "Yes", so the input completion step SM46 cannot be advanced. If it is set to the "voice input mode 1B", touch input can continue as described above. Additionally, exceptionally, if the input key 107 for which the touch input function is maintained even at this point is touched and input again (in this case, "short press"), the voice input control program may be changed so that the "voice input mode" is released.

[0422] In this way, in this Embodiment 1, immediately after the input key 107 is "long pressed", the voice input mode 1A is switched, and the voice input mode 1A continues automatically thereafter. However, this voice input mode 1A is released when the heating operation is started (that is, when the start key 114 is touched).

[0423] If the limit time TY has not been exceeded, it proceeds to step SM46. In step SM46, it is determined whether the input is completed. When step SM46 is determined to be "Yes", it enters a standby state (A21) waiting for the input of the start key 114.

[0424] On the other hand, if steps SM44 and SM46 are "No", the process returns to step SM44 respectively and waits for the input by voice from the user US. Also, in step SM45, if it is determined that the restricted time TY has been exceeded, step SM45 becomes "No" and the process proceeds to the error handling step SM48. Here, the error handling is slightly different from the automatic shut-off process 1 shown in step SM6 of FIG. 21. It means returning from the display of the first specific screen 16M1 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying that the input has not been properly made, or giving an audio notification from the audio notification unit 50. After that, the process may proceed to step SM5, and may also proceed to step SM6 for automatic shut-off processing.

[0425] Furthermore, steps SM50 and subsequent steps will be described with reference to FIG. 22. Step SM50 is a determination step as to whether the aforementioned "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are satisfied. If "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are not satisfied, non-permission processing is performed at this stage (step SM56). Note that the non-permission processing is the processing of step ST8 described in FIG. 18.

[0426] If the determination in step SM50 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM51. In step SM51, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed. After this first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, the input key 107 is touched once more to select a specific cooking menu (e.g., roast beef), and the selection means 123 is operated (it may be operated multiple times).

[0427] In FIG. 22, in step SM52, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 9) to determine whether the preset restricted time TY has been exceeded. After this step SM52, if an input is made from the user US via the audio signal reception unit 56 (see FIG. 8) by, for example, the input key 107 or the selection means 123, step SM53 becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to the next step SM54.

[0428] Incidentally, at the stage of step SM53, the control device 40 has already switched to the touch input mode. Therefore, after this point in time of step SM52, when the input key 107 is touch-input, for the touch input mode, the inputs of the input keys 107 to 109 are accepted by the control device 40. That is, as long as it is a touch input, since step SM53 becomes "Yes", the process proceeds to the input completion step SM46. Incidentally, exceptionally, when the input key 107 is touch-input again (in this case, "long-pressed"), the touch input mode may be canceled and changed to return to the "voice input mode 1".

[0429] In this way, in this Embodiment 1, unless the input key 107 is "long-pressed", the touch input mode is maintained, and the touch input mode continues automatically thereafter. This touch input mode is automatically canceled when the heating operation is started.

[0430] If the limit time TY has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SM55. Then, it is determined whether the input is completed. When step SM55 is determined to be "Yes", it enters a standby state waiting for the input of the start key 113 (A22).

[0431] On the other hand, if steps SM53 and SM55 are "No", the process returns to step SM53 respectively, and waits for a touch input from the user US. Also, in step SM54, if it is determined that the limit time TY has been exceeded, step SM54 becomes "No", and the process proceeds to the error processing step SM57. Incidentally, the error processing here is slightly different from the automatic shut-off processing shown in step SM6 of FIG. 21. It means returning from the display of the first specific screen 16M1 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying that the input has not been performed properly, or giving an audible notification from the voice notification unit 50. Thereafter, the process may proceed to step SM5, and may proceed to step SM6 and be automatically shut off.

[0432] Next, FIG. 23 will be described. Figure 23 is a flowchart showing operations after the input key 108 is touch-operated in step SM4. When the input key 108 is touch-operated, if the touch operation is a "long press", it is determined by the input mode determination unit 15C (see FIG. 9) of the central operation unit 15M.

[0433] Then, the determination in step SM60 becomes "Yes", and the process proceeds to step SM61. On the other hand, if it is a "short press", the determination becomes "No", and the process proceeds to step SM70. Step SM61 is a determination step as to whether the "permission condition 3" is satisfied. The "permission condition 3" mentioned here is different from the permission condition 1 and permission condition 2 (see FIG. 18) of the linked cooking mode. The "permission condition 3" in this combined cooking mode is, for example, when the latest temperature of the heating chamber 6 is checked by the temperature sensor group 30 and the result is 100°C. This is because it exceeds the temperature detection range (90°C or less) of the "warm up".

[0434] If the "permission condition 3" is not satisfied, non-permission processing is performed at this stage (step SM67). Note that the non-permission processing is to display a message such as "The heating chamber is too hot to cook" on the initial standby screen 16MH or to perform a similar notification by the voice notification unit 50. Note that when cooking is performed in the heating chamber 6 by the third heating means HM3, the heating chamber 6 may remain hot for a while due to residual heat even after the cooking is finished.

[0435] If the determination in step SM61 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM62. In step SM62, the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed. After the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed, the input key 107 is further touch-operated (it may be touch-operated multiple times) to select a specific control menu (e.g., warm up). Then, the dial-type selection means 123 can be rotated to select the control menu.

[0436] In FIG. 23, in step SM63, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 9) to determine whether the preset limit time TY has been exceeded. After this step SM63, if an input by voice from the user US is made via the voice signal reception unit 56 (see FIG. 8), step SM64 becomes "Yes" and proceeds to the next step SM65.

[0437] Incidentally, at the stage of step SM63, the control device 40 has already switched to the voice input mode 1. Therefore, after this point in time of step SM63, even if the input keys 108 and 109 are touch-input, due to the voice input mode, the input of the input keys 108 and 109 is not accepted by the control device 40 (because it is set to the "voice input mode 1A"). That is, unless voice input is performed, step SM64 does not become "Yes", so it is not possible to proceed to the input completion step SM66. Incidentally, exceptionally, when the input key 107 is touched again (in this case, "short press"), the "voice input mode 1" may be changed so as to be released. On the other hand, when it is set to the "voice input mode 1B", the touch input of the input keys 108 and 109 is accepted by the control device 40.

[0438] Thus, in this Embodiment 1, immediately after the input key 107 is "long pressed", it switches to the voice input mode 1, but the voice input mode 1 is automatically released at the time when a command to start heat cooking is given (when the start key 114 is touch-operated).

[0439] If the limit time TY has not been exceeded, it proceeds to step SM66. In step SM65, it is determined whether the input has been completed, and when step SM66 becomes a "Yes" determination, it enters a standby state waiting for the input of the start key 114 (B21).

[0440] On the other hand, if steps SM64 and SM66 are "No", it returns to step SM64 respectively and waits for an input by voice from the user US. Also, in step SM65, if it is determined that the limit time TY has been exceeded, step SM65 becomes "No" and the process proceeds to the error handling step SM68. Note that the error handling here is slightly different from the automatic shutdown process shown in step SM6 of FIG. 21. It means returning from the display of the second specific screen 16M2 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying that the input has not been properly performed, or making an audible notification from the voice notification unit 50. After that, the process may proceed to step SM5 and then to step SM6 for automatic shutdown processing.

[0441] Subsequently, steps SM60 and later will be described with reference to FIG. 23. Step SM70 is a determination step as to whether the aforementioned "permission condition 3" is satisfied. If permission condition 3 is not satisfied, non-permission processing is performed at this stage (step SM76). The "non-permission processing" in this case has the same content as the non-permission processing in step SM67.

[0442] If the determination in step SM70 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM71. In step SM71, the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed. The state at the time when this second specific screen 16M2 is displayed is shown in FIG. 6, for example. Thereafter, the input key 107 is touched again to select a specific control menu (e.g., warm), and the dial selection means 123 is rotated.

[0443] Thus, in this first embodiment, in the selection of the combined cooking mode KM2 and the control menu (e.g., warm), immediately after the input key 107 is "long pressed", the voice input mode 1 is switched. However, the voice input mode 1 does not continue automatically thereafter, but is canceled at the start of the heating operation. Note that when the same input key 107 is "short pressed", the voice input mode 1 may be changed to be canceled at this time.

[0444] In FIG. 23, in step SM72, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 9) to determine whether the preset limit time TY has been exceeded. After this step SM72, if a touch input is performed using the input keys 108 or 109, step SM73 becomes "Yes" and proceeds to the next step SM74.

[0445] Incidentally, at the stage of step SM72, the control device 40 has already switched to the touch input mode TM. Therefore, if the input keys 108 or 109 are touched after this step SM72, since it is the touch input mode TM, the input of the input keys 107, 108, or 109 is accepted by the control device 40. That is, as long as it is a touch input, step SM73 becomes "Yes", so it can proceed to the input completion step SM75. Incidentally, exceptionally, if the input key 107 is touched again (in this case, "long pressed"), the touch input mode TM may be canceled and changed to return to the "voice input mode 1".

[0446] In this way, in this Embodiment 1, as long as the input key 108 is not "long pressed", the touch input mode TM of the combined cooking mode KM2 is maintained, and the touch input mode continues automatically thereafter. This touch input mode is automatically canceled when the heating operation is started. Therefore, it returns to the normal touch input mode.

[0447] If the limit time TY has not been exceeded, it proceeds to step SM75. Then, it is determined whether the input is completed. When step SM75 becomes a "Yes" determination, it enters a standby state (B22) waiting for the input of the input key 113.

[0448] On the other hand, if steps SM73 and SM75 are "No", they each return to step SM73 and wait for a touch input from the user US. Also, in step SM74, if it is determined that the limit time TY has been exceeded, step SM74 becomes "No" and proceeds to the error handling step SM77. Note that the error handling here is slightly different from the automatic shut-off process shown in step SM6 of FIG. 21. It means returning from the display of the second specific screen 16M2 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying that the input has not been performed properly, or making an audible notification from the voice notification unit 50. Thereafter, it may proceed to step SM5 and then to step SM6 for automatic shut-off processing.

[0449] Next, FIG. 24 will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the operations after the input key 109 is touched in step SM8 of FIG. 21.

[0450] When the touch operation of the input key 109 is a "long press", it is determined by the input mode determination unit 15C (see FIG. 9) of the central operation unit 15M. Note that FIG. 9 is an example of the central operation unit 15M, but since the left operation unit 15L has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 9, the left operation unit 15L or the right operation unit 15R basically performs the same operation.

[0451] Then, the determination in step SM80 becomes "Yes" and proceeds to step SM81. On the other hand, when it is a "short press", the determination becomes "No" and proceeds to step SM90. Step SM81 is a determination step as to whether the "permission condition 4" is satisfied. The "permission condition 4" mentioned here is different from the permission condition 1 and permission condition 2 of the linked cooking mode KM1 and the "permission condition 3" described above. The "permission condition 4" in this single cooking mode KM3 is, for example, when the latest temperature of the top plate 3 is checked by the temperature sensor group 30 and the result is a high temperature exceeding, for example, 80°C or 100°C. This is because when non-contact detection of the temperature of the object to be heated N is performed for induction heating control, high temperature from the start of the heating operation may cause problems in accurate temperature control and induction heating control.

[0452] If the "Permission Condition 4" is not satisfied, non-permission processing is performed at this stage (step SM87). Note that the non-permission processing is to display a message such as "The top plate cannot be used for cooking at high temperatures" on the initial standby screen 16MH, or to perform the same notification by the voice notification unit 50. Note that when induction heating cooking is performed, the top plate 3 may remain at a high temperature for a while even after the cooking is finished.

[0453] If the determination in step SM81 is "Yes", proceed to step SM82. In step SM82, the third specific screen 16M3 is displayed. This third specific screen 16M3 will be described in detail later. After the display of this third specific screen 16M3, the input key 107 may be touched once more to select a specific control menu (e.g., preheating), and then the dial-type selection means 123 may be rotated.

[0454] By the way, at this stage, since the "voice input mode 1" has already been switched, in the next step SM83, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 9) to determine whether the preset limit time TY has been exceeded. After this step SM83, if an input by voice from the user US is made via the voice signal reception unit 56 (see FIG. 8), step SM84 becomes "Yes" and proceeds to the next step SM85. For example, if the user US voices "Preheat to 200 °C", the voice signal reception unit 56 converts this voice input into an electrical signal and inputs it to the voice signal analysis unit 58.

[0455] In step SM85, it is determined whether the limit time TY has been exceeded. If not, proceed to step SM86. In step SM86, it is determined whether the input is completed. When this step SM86 is determined to be "Yes", within a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds), the induction heating operation is automatically started. That is, in the first heating means HM1 (in the case of the single-cooking mode HM1) using the central operation unit 15M, no special input key operation is required to start heating, and the process directly proceeds to the heating operation (C21). Incidentally, when there is a touch operation on the start key 113, the heating operation may be started.

[0456] On the other hand, when steps SM84 and SM86 are "No", the process returns to step SM84 respectively, and waits for the input by voice from the user US. Also, in step SM85, when it is determined that the limit time TY has been exceeded, step SM85 becomes "No", and the process proceeds to the error processing step SM88. Here, the so-called error processing is slightly different from the automatic shutdown processing shown in step SM6 of FIG. 21. It means returning from the display of the third specific screen 16M3 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying that the input has not been performed properly, or giving an audio notification from the audio notification unit 50. After that, the process may proceed to step SM5 and then to step SM6 for automatic shutdown processing.

[0457] Subsequently, steps SM80 and later will be described with reference to FIG. 24. Step SM90 is a determination step of whether the above-mentioned "permission condition 4" is satisfied. If the permission condition 4 is not satisfied, non-permission processing is performed at this stage (step SM96). The "non-permission processing" in this case has the same content as the non-permission processing in step SM87.

[0458] If the determination in step SM90 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM91. In step SM91, the third specific screen 16M3 is displayed. After this third specific screen 16M3 is displayed, the input key 17 is touched once more to select a specific control menu (e.g., preheating), and then the dial-type selection means 123 is rotated.

[0459] In FIG. 24, in step SM92, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 9) to determine whether the preset limit time TY has been exceeded.

[0460] Incidentally, at this stage, since it is in the "touch input mode", in the next step SM93, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 9) to determine whether the preset limit time TY has been exceeded.

[0461] The input key 107 may be touched once to select a control menu (e.g., preheating) by the dial selection means 123. Also, for control conditions such as the preheating temperature, the input key 107 may be touched once and then the selection means 123 may be rotated to input.

[0462] In this way, when touch input from the user US or input by the dial selection means 123 is performed, step SM93 becomes "Yes", and if the limit time TY has not been exceeded, the process proceeds from step SM94 to the next step SM95. For example, if the user US inputs the conditions of "preheating" and "200 °C" after touching the input key 107 once and then inputs them by the dial selection means 123, the left operation unit 15L converts this input into an electrical signal and inputs it to the input signal analysis unit 52 (see FIG. 8).

[0463] Incidentally, even if the input key 109 is "long pressed" at the stage of step SM95, the stage of switching to the voice input mode (step SM80) has already passed, and at the stage of this step SM95, even if the input key is "long pressed", the switching to the voice input mode 1 cannot be performed.

[0464] In this way, in this Embodiment 1, for the selection of the single cooking mode HM3 of the first heating means HM1, immediately after the input key 109 is "long pressed" for the first time, the voice input mode 1 is switched, and the voice input mode 1 continues automatically thereafter.

[0465] That is, once the input key 109 is "long-pressed", the voice input mode 1 is maintained regardless of the operation of the voice input key thereafter (when set to the "voice input mode 1B"). Even if the input key 109 is "long-pressed" again (twice in a row), the voice input mode 1 remains the same.

[0466] In the determination of step SM94, if the limit time TY has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SM95. Then, it is determined whether the input is completed. When step SM95 is determined to be "Yes", within a certain time (for example, 10 seconds), the induction heating operation is automatically started. That is, in the first heating means HM1 (in the case of the single cooking mode HM1) using the left operation unit 16L, no special input key operation is required to start heating, and the process directly proceeds to the heating operation (C22). Note that it may be changed to start the heating operation on the condition of a touch operation of the start key 113.

[0467] On the other hand, if steps SM93 and SM95 are "No", the process returns to step SM93 respectively, and waits for a touch input from the user US. Also, in step SM94, if it is determined that the limit time TY has been exceeded, step SM94 becomes "No", and the process proceeds to the error processing step SM97. Note that the error processing here is slightly different from the automatic cutoff processing shown in step SM6 of FIG. 21. It means returning from the display of the third specific screen 16M3 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying that the input has not been properly performed, or giving an audible notification from the voice notification unit 50. Thereafter, the process may proceed to step SM5 and then to step SM6 for automatic cutoff processing.

[0468] Next, FIG. 25 will be described. FIG. 25 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of acquiring recipe data CD from the outside in the cooking heater 1.

[0469] In FIG. 25, in step SL1, a process corresponding to the process of step SM1 in FIG. 21 is performed. The next step SL2 performs a process corresponding to the process of step SM2 in FIG. 21. Step SL3 is a process corresponding to step SS5 of connection and notification of external connection described in FIG. 19. That is, it is a step for asking the user US for prior confirmation as to whether to transmit a signal requesting provision of the recipe data CD to the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300 set in advance.

[0470] As described above, it is also possible to automatically execute the external connection from the stage of this step SL3 (SS5) (when preset by the function setting key 115 described above). When the control device 40 acquires the recipe data CD, the next step SL4 becomes "Yes" and proceeds to step SL5.

[0471] The next step SL5 is a process for determining whether the received recipe data CD meets the predetermined permission conditions. As described above, for example, in the cooperative cooking mode KM1, those that do not satisfy "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are not permitted as cooking menus (see FIG. 22). Also, in the composite cooking mode KM2, it is determined whether a specific "permission condition 3" is satisfied. Note that the permission condition 3 is the same as that described in step SM61 of FIG. 23. Further, for the first heating means HM1, it is necessary to satisfy the above-mentioned "permission condition 4" (see step SM81 of FIG. 24).

[0472] If it is determined in step SL5 that the permission conditions are not satisfied, as described in step ST8 of FIG. 18, a signal (data) for notifying the outside that the recipe data CD cannot be received is transmitted from the communication unit 51 (step SL9). Note that in FIG. 18, it was the case of the cooperative cooking mode KM1, but such a "non-reception message" is also transmitted for the composite cooking mode KM2 and the single cooking mode KM3.

[0473] When the license conditions are met, the determined recipe data CD is stored as regular data in a predetermined storage area of the recipe data storage unit 42 (step SL6). In addition, the identification information 160, 167, 168, 169 and control conditions (such as heat power, heating time, target temperature, etc.) included in the recipe data CD are displayed on the central display unit 16M. For example, in the case of the linked cooking mode KM1, they are displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SL6).

[0474] The next step SL7 is a control condition modification step. For example, in the linked cooking mode KM1, the control conditions (such as heating time, target heating temperature, heat power, etc.) displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 can be appropriately changed by operating the dial selection means 123 of the central operation unit 15M. Note that since the acquisition of the recipe data CD is in units of cooking menus, it is already determined that it is a specific cooking menu (for example, hamburger), and this cannot be changed to another cooking menu (for example, roast beef).

[0475] When it is desired to modify the control conditions, for example, in the case of the linked cooking mode KM1, the modification content can be appropriately input by the central operation unit 15M (step SL10). In this case, either "voice input mode 1" or "voice input mode 2" can be selected, and it is also possible to input by voice.

[0476] In step SL4, if it is determined that the recipe data CD has not been received, the process proceeds to step SL8. In this step SL8, it is determined whether the preset limit time TX has been exceeded. If the limit time TX has not been exceeded, the process returns to step SL4. However, if the limit time TX has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SL11. Step SL11 is the "automatic power-off process 1" that automatically shuts off the main power supply, similar to step SM6 described in FIG. 21. Note that the limit time TX in this step SL8 and the limit time TX in step SM6 described in FIG. 21 may be set to different times instead of the same time.

[0477] Next, Figure 26 will be described. Figure 26 is a flowchart 2 showing the operation of acquiring recipe data CD from the outside in the cooking appliance 1. This Figure 26 shows the operation when the (dedicated) input key 180 for selecting the voice input mode is used.

[0478] In Figure 26, step SS5 is the same as that described in Figure 19, so duplicate explanations are omitted. Step SS10 is a determination step as to whether the input key 180 of the voice input mode 2 has been operated. If the input key 180 is pressed once, this becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to the next step SS11. If the input key 180 is not operated, the process proceeds to the normal touch input mode (step SS15).

[0479] When the data acquisition unit 53 can acquire the recipe data CD via the communication unit 51, step SS11 becomes "Yes". In this step SS11, if it is determined that the recipe data CD has not been received, the process proceeds to step SS16. In this step SS16, it is determined whether the preset limit time TX has been exceeded. If the limit time TX has not been exceeded, the process returns to the step SS11. However, if the limit time TX has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SS17. Step SS17 is the "automatic shut-off process 1" that automatically shuts off the main power, similar to step SM6 described in Figure 21. Note that the limit time TX of this step SS17 and the limit time TX of step SM5 described in Figure 21 may be set to different times instead of the same time.

[0480] It is determined whether the content of the recipe data CD received in step SS11 satisfies the aforementioned "permission conditions" (refer to step SL5 in Figure 24). If it is satisfied, step SS12 becomes "Yes".

[0481] If the permission conditions are not met, as described in step SL9 of FIG. 25, a signal (data) is transmitted from the communication unit 51 to notify the outside that the recipe data CD cannot be received (SS18).

[0482] If the permission conditions are satisfied, the determined recipe data CD is stored as normal data in a predetermined storage area of the recipe data storage unit 42. In addition, the identification information 160, 167, 168, 169, etc. and control conditions included in the recipe data are displayed on the central display unit 16. For example, when the recipe data CD is in the linked cooking mode KM1, it is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SS13).

[0483] The control conditions (such as heating time, target heating temperature, heating power, etc.) displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 can be appropriately changed by voice input obtained via the voice signal receiving unit 56 of the input operation unit 15 (steps SS14, SS15).

[0484] When "voice input mode 2" is selected by the input key 180, hereafter, "voice input mode 2" continues until the heating operation of one cooking menu starts. There is no switching to the "touch input mode" during the intermediate input stage. This is because switching during the input process may cause confusion in the operation of the user US.

[0485] If you want to switch to the touch input mode, you can press the input key 180 again during the process. From the pressed stage, the system returns to the touch input mode. After returning to the touch input mode, for example, if the input key 107 is "long pressed", it switches to "voice input mode 1". Therefore, in the case of voice input mode 1 (set to voice input mode 1B), for example, when the input key 108 is operated, the input function of the input key is not disabled, so input can be performed.

[0486] Next, FIGS. 27 and 28 will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control device 40 when switching to the voice input mode 1 in the cooking device 1. Note that FIG. 27 shows the case of the linked cooking mode KM1, but it is basically the same in other cooking modes.

[0487] In FIG. 27, step SS20 indicates the point in time when the input mode of the control device 40 is switched to the voice input mode 1. In the next step SS21, it is notified that the voice notification unit 50 and the central display unit 16M have started accepting voice input. The state of the central display unit 16M at this time is, for example, a mark 179D indicating that the mode has been switched to the voice input mode is displayed in characters or the like in the second area 23 or the third area 24 of the central operation unit 15M (see FIG. 38). Thereby, the user US can easily recognize that voice input is being accepted.

[0488] In the next step SS22, the voice signal analysis unit 58 shifts to an input standby state for receiving a command by voice from the user US. Also, measurement of the elapsed time is started by a time measurement unit (not shown) inside the control device 40.

[0489] The input information by voice uttered by the user US is acquired by the voice signal receiving unit 56 via a microphone (not shown). The voice signal receiving unit 56 converts the acquired voice information into a predetermined voice signal and transmits it to the voice signal analysis unit 58 (step SS23).

[0490] The voice signal analysis unit 56 analyzes the received voice signal (step SS24) and causes the input content to be displayed on the central display unit 16M (first specific screen 16M1). FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the central display unit 16M. As shown in this FIG. 28, characters (character information 170) such as "Please select left and right IH" are displayed in the ranges of the second area 23 and the third area 24 (step SS25). Also, it is notified by voice.

[0491] In step SS25, if the input information is insufficient, the voice notification unit 50 further guides the user by voice, such as "Please specify the preheating temperature." Alternatively, the range of specific control conditions may be notified, such as "The recommended preheating temperature is 200°C. Please specify the temperature."

[0492] If the input of the control conditions necessary for starting the heating operation is insufficient, the process returns to step SS23. Before returning to step SS23, the voice notification unit 50 points out the control conditions for which the input is insufficient and prompts the input (not shown in the figure).

[0493] If the heating control unit 43 determines that the input of the control conditions necessary for starting the heating operation is complete (step SS26), the process proceeds to step SS27. In step SS27, since the voice input is complete, it is announced that the voice input mode 1 will be canceled, and it is recommended to perform a touch operation on the start key 113 (step SS27). When the start key 113 is touched, the voice input mode 1 is canceled.

[0494] On the other hand, if no voice command is received in step SS23, the process proceeds to step SS28. In step SS28, it is determined whether the elapsed time from step SS22 has exceeded a predetermined limit time TZ. If the limit time TZ has not been exceeded, the process returns to step SS23. However, if the limit time TZ (for example, 5 minutes) has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SS29. Step SS29 is the same "automatic shutdown process 2" as step SM6 in FIG. 21. This "automatic shutdown process 2" is a series of processes in which, in the state of the first specific screen 16M1, the voice notification unit 50 issues an alarm to the user US, then automatically switches to the standby initial screen 16MH, and then automatically turns off the main power switch 20. This avoids the situation of being left unattended for a long time due to some reason during the input process and ensures safety.

[0495] Next, FIG. 29 will be described. FIG. 29 shows the display content of the central display unit 16M corresponding to each main operation step after the main power switch 20 is turned ON.

[0496] Regarding FIG. 29, in the state where the main power switch 20 is OFF, the central display unit 16M is not activated, so it does not display any information. In the state where the main power switch 20 is ON, after the control device 40 performs self-diagnosis such as checking for abnormalities as described above, it causes the central display unit 16M to display "Display Screen 1", which is one display form of the standby initial screen 16MH in FIG. 29.

[0497] In the display screen 1 shown in FIG. 29, 60A is a display text indicating that the power is on. 60B is two-dimensional information (two-dimensional code) for guiding to the recipe data providing server 301, which is a dedicated recipe posting site via the network NW. 60C is a text explaining the meaning of the two-dimensional code (hereinafter, "two-dimensional information explanation text").

[0498] When the communication terminal 200 optically reads the two-dimensional code 60B, it can be guided to and connected to the recipe data providing server 301 that holds information on various cooking recipes. This two-dimensional information explanation text 60C and the display text 60A are one type of "common information during standby" 60N.

[0499] After the display screen 1 in FIG. 29 is displayed, the display screen 2A or 2B may be automatically displayed. Furthermore, after the display screen 1, display screen 2A, or 2B in FIG. 29 is displayed, the display screen 2C is automatically displayed. In this display screen 2C, a recommendation text 60H prompts the user US to perform an input operation to select a heat source. After the display screen 2C in FIG. 29, the display screen 2D shown in FIG. 13 is always displayed. It is also possible to display the display screen 2D immediately after the display screen 1.

[0500] On the display screen 2A, the character display "Bumping Caution" is one of the caution displays 60E. This "bumping" refers to a phenomenon where, for example, when heating a viscous object to be cooked (liquid) such as curry or stew, the inside of the object to be cooked is in a superheated state above the boiling point and suddenly undergoes intense boiling. When steam jets out from the heated liquid, hot droplets may scatter, which can be dangerous. The timing and cause of bumping are said to be the entry or impact of foreign matter from the outside. Therefore, when placing a metal pot or the like containing the object to be cooked on the top plate 3 for induction heating, a warning is given when stirring the object to be cooked. The information displayed in this warning is a type of "common information during standby" 60N.

[0501] The four display screens, namely the display screen 1 and the display screens 2A to 2C shown in FIG. 29, are called "common screens" or "initial screens during standby" 16MH. Note that forms other than these four may also be included in the common screen 16MH.

[0502] On the display screen 2B, 60E is a caution display warning not to touch carelessly as the inside of the heating chamber 6 is at a high temperature. When the control device 40 detects that the heating chamber 6 has not yet cooled down sufficiently after performing oven cooking in the heating chamber 6, it automatically switches to the state of this display screen 2B.

[0503] The display screens 2A and 2B cannot be displayed simultaneously, but they may be alternately displayed at intervals of several seconds to give warnings about both the bumping display and the high-temperature display. Also, the voice notification unit 50 may simultaneously provide voice notifications about the warning contents of the display screens 2A and 2B.

[0504] On the display screen 2C of FIG. 29, 60P is the acquisition operation support information described above. As shown in this FIG. 29, the heating cooker 1 acquires a recipe data CD from a communication terminal 200 or the like, and stores the acquired data in the recipe data storage unit 42 (see FIG. 8). When the input key 180 (for selecting the voice input mode 2) is pressed, the user US can recognize that the recipe data CD stored in the recipe data storage unit 42 (see FIG. 8) can also be acquired by voice. In addition, in accordance with this display, the voice notification unit 50 may perform voice notification.

[0505] As is clear from the display screens 1 to 2A to 2C of FIG. 29, the display of these various types of information, including the acquisition operation support information 60P, is performed using the entire display screen. That is, instead of being partially displayed by any one of the aforementioned first area 22 to third area 24, in order to ensure as large a display area as possible, the three areas of the first area 22 to the third area 24 are integrally displayed so as not to be distinguishable, and it appears to the user US that it is displayed on the entire central display unit 16M.

[0506] What is illustrated in FIG. 29 is the central display unit 16M, but the left display unit 16L and the right display unit 16R also display information similar to the display content of the central display unit 16M. That is, in a state where the main power switch 20 is turned on, after the control device 40 performs self-diagnosis such as abnormality as described above, the "display screen 1", which is one display form of the standby initial screen 16MH of FIG. 29, is simultaneously displayed on the central display unit 16M, the left display unit 16L, and the right display unit 16R.

[0507] Next, FIG. 30 will be described. FIG. 30 is an enlarged plan view for explaining the operation of the left display unit 16L of the heating cooker 1. In this FIG. 30, a third specific screen 16L3 for the single cooking mode KM3 is shown. This FIG. 30 is displayed when an input key 107L (not shown) is operated after the step SS4 of FIG. 19. The input key 107L corresponds to the input key 107 of the central operation unit 15M. That is, the voice input mode VM can be started by "long pressing".

[0508] Next, when the dial-type selection means 123L (not shown) arranged on the left operation unit 15L is rotated, each time it rotates by a predetermined angle, the control menu executed at the left heating port 4L is displayed one by one on the left display unit 16L. As shown in the display screen 3A of FIG. 30, whether the initially displayed (default-set) control menu is set to "Keep Warm", "Fried Food" on the display screen 3B, or "Preheat" on the display screen 3C, etc., the user can separately set it with the input key 115. Note that the dial-type selection means 123L (not shown) corresponds to the dial-type selection means 123 of the central operation unit 15M and has a similar function.

[0509] In FIG. 17, although it was explained that the dial-type selection means 123R of the right operation unit 15R and the dial-type selection means 123L (not shown) of the left operation unit 15L cannot select the control menu displayed in the first area 22, it may be changed so that it can be selected. In such a case, after operating the input key 153R (see FIG. 17) of the right operation unit 15R and then rotating the dial-type selection means 123R (see FIG. 17), the display of the control menu can be changed one by one (such as Keep Warm, Fried Food, Preheat,...) according to the rotation operation. That is, the user US can easily select one from a plurality of control menus.

[0510] The control menus that can be selected at the left heating port 4L (in the single cooking mode KM3 of induction heating) are, for example, "Keep Warm", "Bring to a Boil", "Stew", "Fried Food (Automatic Cooking)", "Preheat", etc. For each control menu, the drive time, heating power, or drive pattern of the left IH coil 9L is different.

[0511] The display screen 3A of FIG. 30 is the case where the "Keep Warm" control menu is selected. The display screen 3B is the case where the "Fried Food" control menu is selected. The display screen 3C is the case where the "Preheat" control menu is selected. 179A is the auxiliary information. This auxiliary information 179A is displayed adjacent to the display part of the name of each control menu on the third specific screen 16M3 after switching to the voice input mode. Therefore, it is not displayed when not in the voice input mode.

[0512] In addition, when selecting "Keep Warm" in the control menu (in the single cooking mode KM3 of induction heating) using the central IH coil 9M responsible for the central heating port 4C on the central display unit 16M, a screen similar to the display screen 3A shown in Fig. 30 is displayed. In this case, the central display unit 16M has a display form similar to the display screen 3A, and this screen is called the "third specific screen" 16M3.

[0513] Next, Fig. 31 will be described. Fig. 31 illustrates the operation steps of the control device 40 of the cooking heater 1 from starting up the cooking heater 1 until immediately before starting cooking. It is the case when the linked cooking mode KM1 is selected.

[0514] In Fig. 31, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed and the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed on the central display unit 16M, it is determined whether recipe data CD of the linked cooking mode KM1 is acquired from an external device (the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300) (step SU2).

[0515] In step SU3, the control device 40 compares with the latest state of the cooking heater 1 and determines whether it is in a state that satisfies permission condition 1 and permission condition 2.

[0516] If it is determined that both permission condition 1 and 2 are satisfied (SU6), the identification information 167 included in the recipe data CD acquired from the external device (communication terminal 200 or cloud server 300) is displayed on the central display unit 16M. In this case, the identification information 167 (for example, "Name: Hamburg") is displayed in the first specific screen 16M1 (step SU7).

[0517] In the step SU7, the identification information 167 (for example, "Name: Hamburg") is displayed as shown in FIG. 32. Also, the operation support information 170 (FIG. 32) is displayed. Thereby, the user US is prompted to operate so as to start the cooking by pressing the start key 113. In addition, the voice notification unit 50 also notifies, for example, "Pressing the start key enables you to start the cooking" (step SU8).

[0518] Note that after the step SU7, when the user US presses the input key 109 once, the food ingredient display screen 16M1A shown in FIG. 33(A) is displayed. Further, when the input key 109 is pressed once again, the food ingredient display screen 16M1B as shown in FIG. 33(B) is displayed.

[0519] Note that at the stage of step SU8, the user US may appropriately set control conditions (for example, the heating power value, heating time, etc.). In this case, by pressing the input key 180 dedicated to the voice input mode, the control conditions can be input by voice.

[0520] Also, when the "function setting" by the input key 115 is set in advance so as not to display the food ingredient display screen 16M1A and the food ingredient display screen 16M1B, the setting of the control conditions (for example, the heating power value) can be performed by the input key 109.

[0521] On the other hand, the case where at the stage of the step SU3, the control device 40 compares with the latest state of the cooking heater 1 and determines that the permission conditions 1 and 2 are not satisfied (step SU4) will be described.

[0522] Part of the content of the standby initial screen 16HM in the central display unit 16M is changed, and the recipe data CD acquired from the external device is displayed in characters to indicate that it cannot be executed by the current cooking heater 1. Also, the voice notification unit 50 notifies the same meaning by voice (step SU5). Then, it returns to the step SU1. This operation corresponds to the operation of the step ST8 described in FIG. 18.

[0523] Next, FIG. 32 will be described. FIG. 32 is an enlarged plan view showing the central operation unit 15M and the central display unit 16M, similar to the case of FIG. 14.

[0524] In FIG. 32, reference numeral 173 is an external recipe identifier indicating that it is a recipe data CD acquired from an external device (the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300). It is displayed as "Received Recipe" in characters, and it can be easily understood that the cooking menu (for cooking hamburgers) displayed on this first specific screen 16M1 is a recipe acquired from the outside.

[0525] In FIG. 32, the individual light-emitting unit 21M4 corresponding to the input key 113 is in a standby state where the heating operation can be started at any time. In order to indicate this, it blinks to prompt the operation of this input key 113. The dashed circle indicates that the individual light-emitting unit 21M4 is blinking.

[0526] In FIG. 32, star-shaped figures are drawn at the positions of the individual light-emitting units 21M2 and 21M3. This figure means that the input functions of the respective input keys (108, 109) arranged on the front side of the individual light-emitting unit 21M4 are valid, and an input command can be given by performing a touch operation at this time.

[0527] In FIG. 32, the individual light-emitting unit 21M2 corresponding to the input key 108 is lit. That is, the user US can select either from the heating unit specifying unit 116L that selects cooking by heating at the left heating port 4L and the heating unit specifying unit 116R that selects cooking by heating at the right heating port 4R.

[0528] The recipe data CD acquired from the external device displays the external recipe identifier 173 and is preferentially displayed on the first specific screen 16M1. That is, the identification information 167 of the received recipe data CD is displayed at the center position in the front-rear direction of the first area 22 of the first specific screen 16M1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 32, if the input key 113 is pressed, the cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 can be started immediately.

[0529] As described above, there are two types of cases for the recipe data CD obtained from an external device (the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300): one is to perform cooking limited to a specific heating part (right heating port 4R, central heating port 4C, left heating port 4L), and the other is to perform cooking by specifying the range of the heating part that can be used according to the user US's preference. Therefore, even when the user US uses the recipe data CD obtained from outside, the usability is not impaired. Note that, by the function setting key 115, before turning on the main power switch 20, in the case of the cooperative cooking mode KM1, either the right heating part 19R or the left heating part 19L can be set as the default, and either one of the heating part specifying parts 116R, 116L can be preferentially selected.

[0530] Next, FIG. 33 will be described. FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing the display content of the central display part 16M in the case of the cooperative cooking mode KM1, and is an example in which the standard ingredients and nutritional ingredients for "hamburger", which is one of the cooking menus, are displayed.

[0531] At the stage of step SU7A in FIG. 31, when the user US issues a command to display either the food ingredients or the nutritional ingredients by voice input, or when the input key 109 is touched at the stage when the operation support information 170 is being displayed (see FIG. 32), the first specific screen 16M1 temporarily switches to the display screens in FIGS. 33(A) and 33(B).

[0532] The display screen in FIG. 33(A) is the food ingredient display screen 16M1A as described in FIG. 32, and the display screen in FIG. 33(B) is the nutritional ingredient display screen 16M1B.

[0533] The food ingredient display screen 16M1A and the nutritional ingredient display screen 16M1B automatically return to the state of the original first specific screen 16M1 after a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since they were displayed. Alternatively, when the user US gives some command by voice input, or when the input key 109 is operated one more time within the above-mentioned fixed time (10 seconds), the display program of the control device 40 is defined to return to the state of the original first specific screen 16M1.

[0534] Next, FIG. 34 will be described. FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the cooking process of the cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 (hereinafter referred to as the "cooperative cooking menu") and the operations of the input operation unit (the central operation unit 15M and the right operation unit 15R). In the example of FIG. 34, the cooperative cooking menu is composed of three cooking processes: cooking process 1, cooking process 2, and cooking process 3. Cooking process 1 is an example of using the first heating means HM1.

[0535] In the example of FIG. 34, the recipe data CD is defined in a predetermined computer program format with the following conditions. Control conditions such as the heating power may also be defined. (1) Wait for the input of the input key 113 and start the induction heating operation at the right heating port 4R (or the left heating port 4L). (2) When there is an input of the stop key 114R (114L) (not shown) for stopping the heating of the right heating port 4R (or the left heating port 4L), stop the heating operation, or when a certain condition (the continuous cooking time or the target temperature is reached) is satisfied, stop the heating operation at that time. Note that the stop key 114R is arranged on the right operation unit 15R, and the stop key 114L is also arranged on the right operation unit 15R, and is an input key corresponding to the stop key 114 on the central operation unit 15M.

[0536] In the program included in the recipe data CD, a heating pause period P3 and a heating pause period P5, which will be described later, are defined, but the lengths of these heating pause periods P3 and P5 are not defined. However, in order to prevent the cooking from being interrupted for an excessively long time, for example, the elapsed time is counted based on the end points of cooking step 1 and cooking step 2, and when 30 minutes have elapsed, for example, an alarm is issued and a process such as forcibly terminating the execution of the cooking menu may be added.

[0537] In the example of the recipe data CD of FIG. 34, cooking step 1 is performed by the first heating means HM1, cooking step 2 is performed by a microwave heating source (second heating means HM2), and finally the object to be cooked is moved onto the top plate 3, and a cooking step 3 is provided for performing induction heating for finishing by compensating for insufficient heating.

[0538] Note that in this cooking appliance 1, countermeasures are added to protect against inadvertent setting of the cooking mode, control conditions, etc. in response to a command signal from the outside.

[0539] In the example of FIG. 34, the first heating means HM1 is operated first, and after the heating operation is completed, the second heating means HM2 is operated. However, the radiant heat heating means 12 may be operated as the third heating means simultaneously with the second heating means HM2.

[0540] As shown in FIG. 34, the coordinated cooking menu shown here is composed of four stages. P1 is the first stage (preparation period), which is the period from when the input key 107 is operated to start executing the coordinated cooking menu until the (induction) heating cooking operation is started at the right heating port 4R by the input key 113R (not shown).

[0541] When the input key 109 is operated and the above-described "permission conditions" are satisfied, the control device 40 displays the first specific screen 16M1. Note that the first specific screen 16M1 is not shown in FIG. 34.

[0542] When the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, if the input key 107 or the dial selection means 123 is operated on the central operation unit 15M, one of the coordinated cooking menus can be selected. After that, if the input key 113R is operated, it will shift to the coordinated cooking mode (using the right heating port 4R) and proceed to the heating and cooking process of P2.

[0543] When the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed on the central display unit 16M by pressing the input key 107 once, if the identification information 167 of the coordinated cooking menu desired by the user US is displayed at a predetermined position on the first specific screen 16M1 (default display), when it is desired to cook the coordinated cooking menu in this default display, it is not necessary to press the input key 107 one more time. Also, it is not necessary to perform a selection operation of the coordinated cooking menu by the dial selection means 123.

[0544] P2 is the heating and cooking period (cooking process 1) by the first heating means HM1. In this cooking process 1, when an appropriate cooking object such as a metal pot is placed on the right heating port 4R and the input key 113R (see FIG. 17) on the right operation unit 15R is pressed, the heating and cooking operation is started. That is, in the case of the coordinated cooking mode KM1 using the right heating unit 19R in cooking process 1, it is not necessary to touch-operate the input key 153R before starting the cooking process 1.

[0545] When starting the cooking process 1, since the control device 40 has already completed the determination of the permission conditions (1 and 2), the heating part of the first heating means HM1 (induction heating means) in use is known. That is, it grasps the usage states of both the right heating port 4R and the left heating port 4L. Therefore, as a default setting, the control device 40 determines to use the "right heating part" 4R in the cooking process 3 of the coordinated cooking mode and sets this right heating port 4R to the occupied state.

[0546] The cooking process 1 is basically determined in advance by the operation program of the coordinated cooking menu. For example, when the standard heating time elapses, it is notified from the voice notification unit 50, and a display such as "In a few minutes" is also made on the first specific screen 16M1. That is, the user US is notified that the end time of the cooking process 1 is approaching. To end the cooking process 1, the user US only needs to press the input key 114R (see FIG. 17) of the right operation unit 15R once. Even if the input key 114R is pressed at this time, it does not mean that the coordinated cooking mode KM1 including the subsequent cooking process 2 is canceled.

[0547] P3 is the heating pause period from when the cooking process 1 by the first heating means HM1 is temporarily stopped until the cooking process 2 of the second heating means HM2 is started.

[0548] This heating pause period P3 is a period necessary for checking the heating degree of the object to be cooked in the cooking process 1, adding seasonings, or adding another object to be cooked to perform the cooking process 2. Furthermore, it is a period necessary for moving the object to be cooked into the heating chamber 6. The heating pause process P3 ends when the start key 113 is pressed and proceeds to the cooking process 2 of P4.

[0549] This cooking process 2 is started when the control device 40 confirms that the door 7 is opened once during the pause period P3 and then closed. The door opening / closing signal from the opening / closing detection unit 10 described above is used by the control device 40. Note that the control device 40 measures the required time from when the door 7 is opened until it is closed again, and if the time exceeds a certain allowable time TX, after that point, even if the input key 113 is pressed, safety measures are taken so that the heating operation is not started.

[0550] The cooking process 2 basically ends automatically when the elapsed heating time determined in advance by the operation program of the coordinated cooking menu has passed, or when the temperature of the food to be cooked has risen to the set value (for example, 90°C). For example, in a certain coordinated cooking menu, heating starts with a microwave output of 500W. Also, if the user US opens the door 7 at an arbitrary timing, the irradiation of the microwave is immediately stopped and the heating operation is stopped.

[0551] In the cooking process 2 of P4, when at least one of the two input keys 108 and 109 is operated and the dial-type selection means 123 is operated, the user US may be able to individually set the control conditions (for example, heating cooking time and target temperature). However, depending on the cooking menu, there may be cases where the user US cannot change the control conditions.

[0552] This example in Fig. 34 shows the case where the cooking process 2 is ended by pressing the stop key 114 of the central operation unit 15M. When the stop of the cooking process 2 is commanded in this way, the cooking process 2 ends and proceeds to the heating pause period of P5.

[0553] The heating pause period P5 is a period necessary for checking the degree of heating of the food to be cooked in the cooking process 2, adding seasonings, or adding another food to be cooked to perform the next cooking process 3. For example, in the cooking process 2, only frozen food is heated as the food to be cooked, and in the cooking process 3, the food to be cooked immersed in seasonings or cooking liquid, or preheated separately, can be added to the same food to be cooked. Therefore, the range of cooking is widened.

[0554] During this heating pause period P5, the user US opens the door 7, takes out the food to be cooked from the inside of the heating chamber 6, and places it on the top plate 3. The food to be cooked is placed in a heated object N (not shown) such as a metal pot. Then, when the start of cooking is commanded by pressing the input key 113R (not shown) of the right heating unit 4, the heating pause period of P5 ends and proceeds to the heating cooking period of P6 (the "cooking process 3" of induction heating).

[0555] P6 switches from the cooking step 2 by the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating source) to the cooking step 3 of the first heating means HM1 (in this case, induction heating means; for example, the right heating port 4R). In this cooking step 3, when heating and cooking is performed at the right heating port 4R as described above, the user US can individually set the control conditions (for example, heating and cooking time and target temperature) by operating the input keys 156R, 157R (FIG. 17) arranged at the right operation unit 15R. Also, the control conditions can be selected by the dial type selection means 123.

[0556] Also, in the case where this cooking step 3 is performed by heating and cooking at the left heating port 4L, the user US can individually set the control conditions (for example, heating and cooking time and target temperature) by operating the input keys 156L, 157L (both not shown) arranged at the left operation unit 15L. Also, the control conditions can be selected by the dial type selection means 123.

[0557] When the stop key 114R (not shown) of the right operation unit 15R is pressed to command the stop of cooking, the cooking step 3 ends, and all operations in the coordinated cooking mode KM1 end at this stage. In the case of timer cooking, the induction heating cooking automatically ends when the time elapses, and the cooking step 3 ends.

[0558] As is clear from FIG. 34, the right operation unit 15R of the right heating port 4R becomes unusable (occupied) not at the stage of selecting the coordinated cooking menu, that is, when the identification information 167 indicating the name of the cooking of the coordinated cooking menu is displayed on the central display unit 16M, but from the time when the start of cooking is determined by the start key 113 of the central operation unit 15M. If the left heating port 4L is set in the default setting, the left heating port 4L becomes occupied, and the right heating port 4R is removed from the occupied target.

[0559] As is clear from the above description, the control device 40 performs the following function limitation processing. (1) The input signal from the right operation unit 15R is processed to invalidate or restrict the input. For example, the input functions of the input keys 153R, 156R, and 157R are invalidated. As a result, during the heating cooking period (cooking step 1) to the heating cooking period (cooking step 3), the right heating port 4R cannot be used (input) except in situations where input is required in the coordinated cooking mode KM1. (2) Even when entering the heating cooking period (cooking step 1), the left operation unit 15L can be used (the input signal from the left operation unit 15L is not invalidated).

[0560] In this way, when entering the heating cooking period (cooking step 1), the control device 40 will occupy only the right heating port 4R during the period from the stage of cooking step 1 to cooking step 3.

[0561] Therefore, the right heating port 4R is in an "occupied" state by the selection of the coordinated cooking menu. Also, from the perspective of the entire first heating means HM1, only a part (right side) of the three heating parts is "restricted" in use.

[0562] And even after the heating cooking period (cooking step 1) ends, the above-mentioned restricted state of the right heating port 4R is not released. Note that at the stage of the preparation period P1, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed on the central display unit 16M, and the user US can easily understand that they are entering the coordinated cooking mode. Then, at the stage of cooking step 1, the display of the first specific screen 16M1 on the central display unit 15M disappears, and instead, the first specific screen 16R1 (not shown) is displayed on the right display unit 15R. Therefore, when operating the right operation unit 15R, the user US can easily understand from the right display unit 16R that they are in the coordinated cooking mode. The same is true in cooking step 3.

[0563] Even when the control device 40 detects that the door 7 has changed from the open state to the closed state before starting the heat cooking period (cooking step 2), if the temperature inside the heating chamber 6 is higher than the reference value, there is a concern that the control device 40, the non-contact (infrared) sensor 13, and the thermistor sensor 14 may erroneously recognize an abnormally high temperature as the completion of cooking before starting cooking in the heating chamber 6. Therefore, before starting the heat cooking period (cooking step 1), if the temperature of the heating chamber 6 is too high, on the first specific screen 16M1 displayed on the central display unit 16M, it is displayed that "due to the high temperature, the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) cannot be used immediately".

[0564] The period indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 34 is the reception deadline period of one recipe data CD and the acquisition deadline period of an additional recipe data CD.

[0565] After the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed by touching the input key 107 once on the central operation unit 15M, the following limiting operation is performed by the limiting unit 55. Note that the communication unit 51 becomes effective in the reception / transmission function when the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed (before that, at least the reception function is invalid).

[0566] That is, the limiting unit 55 built in the control device 40 operates as follows. As shown in FIG. 34, a specific linked cooking menu A acquired from the outside cannot be changed to another linked cooking menu B (for example, "hamburger") in the same linked cooking mode KM1. To change it, it is necessary to operate the stop key 114 to cancel the linked cooking mode KM1 once and return to the initial standby screen 16MH at the beginning.

[0567] That is, when the expiration period indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 34 is reached, if the stop key 114 is operated, the cooking by the specific linked cooking menu A once obtained from the outside can be canceled at any time. When such a cancellation operation is performed once, the standby initial screen 16MH is returned, and in that state, it is necessary to touch the input key 107 again.

[0568] Also, for the specific linked cooking menu A based on the recipe data CD obtained from the outside, during the period until all cooking steps are completed, the control device 40 cannot obtain the recipe data CD of another linked cooking menu C from the outside (such as the communication terminal 200, etc.).

[0569] That is, when the expiration period indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 34 is reached, if the start key 113 of the central operation unit 15M is operated, the start of cooking step 1 of the linked cooking mode KM1 can be determined, and cooking can be executed according to the recipe data CD of the specific linked cooking menu A obtained immediately before this determination. However, until all cooking steps of this cooking menu A are completed, the recipe data CD cannot be additionally obtained from the outside.

[0570] Also, when the specific linked cooking menu D based on the recipe data CD obtained from the outside performs cooking step 1 at the right heating port 4L, when the start key 113R (FIG. 17) arranged on the right operation unit 15R is pressed, for that specific linked cooking menu D, during the period until all cooking steps are completed, the control device 40 cannot obtain the recipe data CD of another linked cooking menu from the outside (such as the communication terminal 200, etc.).

[0571] Next, FIGS. 35 to 37 will be described. FIG. 35 is a time chart 1 for explaining the overall recipe data acquisition possible section and control operation in the linked cooking mode KM1 in the heating cooker 1.

[0572] In FIG. 35, SA1 to SA9 indicate the operations of the control device 40. First, the control device 40 detects that the main power switch 20 has been turned on (step SA1), transmits data indicating that it has been activated (a type of operation state data OS) from the communication unit 51 to the outside, and starts the self-diagnosis mode (SA2). That is, it checks whether the components such as each circuit and sensors of the cooking heater 1 are abnormal.

[0573] Next, the display unit 16 is activated, and standby initial screens are respectively displayed on the three display units 16, namely the central display unit 16M, the right display unit 16R, and the left display unit 16L.

[0574] The heating cooking mode can be selected by any of the three operation units, namely the central operation unit 15M, the right operation unit 15R, and the left operation unit 15L. However, in the central operation unit 15M, the linked cooking mode KM1 and the composite cooking mode KM2 can be selected. Therefore, in FIGS. 35 to 37, the description is limited to the case where heating cooking is started at the central operation unit 15M.

[0575] The standby initial screen 16MH is displayed on the central display unit 16M. Then, after that, a display prompting the user US to select a heating means is made through the standby initial screen 16MH, and the same voice guidance is provided by the voice notification unit 50 (SA3A).

[0576] Next, the user US presses the input key 107 of the central operation unit 15M to select the linked cooking mode KM1. This is step SA4 in FIG. 35.

[0577] The "initial standby period" TP in this Embodiment 1 is the period starting from step SA3A, and the timing when this initial standby period TP ends is the time when the input key for starting the heating operation is pressed (SA7). The input key for starting is the input key 113 in the linked cooking mode KM1. SA9 indicates the time when the heating operations and oscillation operations of the heating coils 9L, 9C, 9R and the microwave oscillation source 11 are actually started.

[0578] The initial waiting period TP cannot exceed the first deadline period (the first limit time TX). That is, by the process of step SM5 described in FIG. 21, for example, it is within 30 minutes at the longest.

[0579] Next, when the input key 107 that also serves as the selection unit for the voice input mode 1 is "long pressed" during the initial waiting period TP while waiting for a command to start the heating operation as described above, the voice input mode VM is started. During the initial waiting period TP, if consent is not given to the acquisition of the recipe acquisition data CD from the outside, recipe data CDs such as the linked cooking mode KM1 and the combined cooking mode KM2 cannot be acquired.

[0580] However, in the cooking heater 1 of this Embodiment 1, at the stage of step SA4, when the input key 107 is "long pressed", the "recipe acquisition permission condition" described later is satisfied. That is, it is a program that permits the acquisition of the recipe data CD by the data acquisition unit 53.

[0581] Note that even if the input key 107 is "short pressed" at the stage of step SA4, the "recipe acquisition permission condition" described later is satisfied.

[0582] Also, in the cooking heater 1 of this Embodiment 1, at the stage of step SA4, when the input key 108 is "long pressed" or "short pressed", the "recipe acquisition permission condition" described later is satisfied. That is, it is a program that permits the acquisition of the recipe data CD (for the combined cooking mode KM2) by the data acquisition unit 53.

[0583] Incidentally, the input key 107 also serves as the selection unit for the voice input mode 1. Therefore, when it is "long pressed" at the stage of step SA4 and the touch time TA exceeds the above-described threshold value (5 seconds), it automatically switches to the voice input mode 1 at the time of the excess (step SA5).

[0584] Therefore, since it switches to the voice input mode 1 from the time of step SA5 shown in FIG. 35, during the period of this voice input mode 1, the control conditions of the cooperative cooking mode KM1 can be set by voice input. Note that the voice input mode 1 automatically ends when a command to start the heating operation is given by the input key 113.

[0585] During the initial standby period TP, the period from steps SA4 to SA7 is the acquisition available period TB1 of the recipe data CD of the composite cooking mode KM2. Also, the period from steps SA4 to SA7 is the cancelable period TB1 of the recipe data CD of the cooperative cooking mode KM1. Furthermore, the period from steps SA4 to SA7 is the controllable condition (control data) changeable period TB3 of the recipe data CD of the cooperative cooking mode KM1.

[0586] Next, FIG. 36 will be described. FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the relationship between the input operation unit (central operation unit 15M) and the central display unit 16M in time series. In FIG. 36, the user US operates the input key 154M to select the composite cooking mode KM2 (step SA4). Then, during the initial standby period TP, at the time of step SA4 when the input key 108 is pressed, it is considered that the "recipe acquisition condition" is satisfied.

[0587] When the "recipe acquisition condition" is satisfied during the initial standby period TP, the data acquisition unit 53 can acquire the recipe data CD of the control menu (for example, "heat") of the composite cooking mode KM2 only once via the communication unit 51.

[0588] Furthermore, during the initial standby period TP, the recipe data CD of the cooking menu of the composite cooking mode KM2 acquired from the outside can be canceled by the stop key 114. Actually, during the initial standby period TP, first, the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed, and after the identification information 160 of the recipe data CD is displayed on that screen, if the stop key 114 is pressed, it can be canceled.

[0589] Furthermore, during the initial standby period TP, the control conditions of the acquired recipe data CD can be appropriately changed (there are also control conditions that cannot be changed) by operating the input keys 108, 109 or the dial selection means 123. Since the control conditions are also displayed on the displayed second specific screen 16M1, they can be changed after confirming the displayed content.

[0590] Incidentally, the input key 108 also serves as the selection part of the voice input mode 1. Therefore, when "long pressed" at the stage of step SA4 and the touch time TA exceeds the above-mentioned threshold value (5 seconds), it automatically switches to the voice input mode 1 at the point of exceeding (step SA5).

[0591] For this reason, since it switches to the voice input mode 1 from the time point of step SA5 shown in FIG. 36, during the period of this voice input mode 1, the control conditions of the composite cooking mode KM2 can be set by voice input. Note that the voice input mode 1 automatically ends when a command to start the heating operation is given by the input key 113.

[0592] Also in the case of FIG. 36, the initial standby period TP ends when the input key 113 is operated (SA7). And the actual heating operation starts immediately thereafter (SA9). Note that since the initial standby period TP ends at the time point of step SA9 when the start key 113 is pressed as described above, thereafter, recipe data CD of another composite cooking mode KM2 cannot be acquired from the outside (however, if the composite cooking mode KM2 is canceled with the stop key 114 during the cooking process, acquisition of the recipe data CD is possible again).

[0593] The time difference in obtaining the recipe data CD between step SA3 and step SA4 in this Figure 36 is restricted within 30 minutes. If it exceeds 30 minutes, since there is a possibility that the user US has forgotten the operation input, for safety reasons, the control device 40 forcibly turns off the main power switch 20. Or, it issues an instruction to perform an operation such as sounding an alarm with the voice notification unit 51 (refer to step SL8 in Figure 25).

[0594] Note that instead of restricting the time difference in obtaining the recipe data CD between step SA3 and step SA4 within 30 minutes, it may be changed to restrict the period from step SA3A to step SA4, which is the time when the initial waiting period TP starts, within 30 minutes.

[0595] As is clear from Figure 36, within the initial waiting period TP, the period from steps SA4 to SA7 is the acquisition available period TB1 of the recipe data CD in the composite cooking mode KM2.

[0596] Within the initial waiting period TP, the period from steps SA4 to SA7 is the cancellation available period TB2 of the recipe data CD in the composite cooking mode. Also, the period from steps SA4 to SA7 is the control condition (control data) changeable period TB3 of the recipe data CD in the composite cooking mode KM2.

[0597] Next, Figure 37 will be described. This Figure 37 is a time chart showing a modification example 1 of the time chart shown in Figure 35. SA1 to SA9 show the operations of the heating control unit 43 of the control device 40 when performing cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM1, similar to Figure 35. Step SA4 is the point in time when the user US touches the input key 107 and selects the cooperative cooking mode KM1. Also in the case of this Figure 37, the initial waiting period TP is the period that starts from step SA3A and ends when the start key 113 is pressed.

[0598] Even in the case of the linked cooking mode KM1 shown in FIG. 37, since the input key 107 has been pressed during the initial standby period TP limited to a predetermined time (e.g., within 30 minutes), it means that the "recipe acquisition permission condition" is satisfied at the time of step SA4.

[0599] When the "recipe acquisition permission condition" is satisfied, the data acquisition unit 53 can acquire the recipe data CD of the linked cooking mode KM1 only once via the communication unit 51. In FIG. 37, the example shown in FIG. 35 is different from the acquisition timing of the recipe data CD as described below.

[0600] Unless the input key 107 that also serves as the selection unit for the voice input mode 1 is pressed during the initial standby period TP, the cooking menu of the linked cooking mode KM1 cannot be selected. That is, the recipe data CD to be acquired cannot be specified.

[0601] Therefore, when the input key 107 is operated, the "recipe acquisition permission condition" is satisfied. That is, the data acquisition unit 53 is a program that permits the acquisition of the recipe data CD. The recipe data CD can be acquired from the time of this step SA4 (note that in actuality, due to restrictions such as the performance of the communication infrastructure, the acquisition may not be completed instantaneously and may take several seconds to about 20 seconds).

[0602] By the way, the input key 107 also serves as the selection unit for the voice input mode 1. Therefore, when "long pressed" at the stage of step SA4 and the touch time TA exceeds the above-mentioned threshold value (5 seconds), it automatically switches to the voice input mode 1 at the time of the excess (step SA5).

[0603] However, there may be cases where the user US does not know that the switch to the voice input mode 1 has been made at the above stage. Or, it is also assumed that the long press operation was not noticed. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 37, when displaying on the first specific screen 16M1 that the recipe data CD has been acquired after automatically switching, it is displayed on the screen that the voice input mode 1 has been switched. Also, at the same time, the voice notification unit 50 also performs notification. Note that an example of the actual first specific screen 16M1 is shown in FIG. 38.

[0604] Therefore, from the time point of step SA5 shown in FIG. 37, input in the voice input mode 1 is accepted. Therefore, from the time point of step SA5, the control conditions of the linked cooking mode KM1 can be set by voice input. Note that the voice input mode 1 automatically ends when a command to start the heating operation is given by the input key 113.

[0605] Next, FIG. 38 will be described. FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing the display contents of the input operation unit 15 and the central display unit 16M in the linked cooking mode KM1 corresponding to the modified example shown in FIG. 37. There are two types of the auxiliary information 179 shown in FIG. 38. That is, one is the voice input mode display information 179D indicating that input is being received by voice because it is the voice input mode. The other is the reference information 179E that recommends input of control conditions and includes examples (standard values) of control conditions that can be input. Note that instead of showing one standard value, the allowable range (upper limit value and lower limit value) that can be input may be displayed.

[0606] 173 is an external recipe identification unit as also described in FIG. 32. Thus, it can be easily understood that the linked cooking menu currently displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 is acquired from the outside.

[0607] Next, FIG. 39 will be described. FIG. 39 is a time chart for explaining the entire acquirable section of the recipe data CD and the control operation in the linked cooking mode KM1, and shows a modified example 2 of the time chart shown in FIG. 35.

[0608] In FIG. 39, SA1 to SA9 indicate the operations of the control device 40, similar to FIG. 35. This example of FIG. 39 changes the hardware configuration of the dedicated voice input key 180. Specifically, the operation surface of the input key 180 is configured to be illuminated from below by a light emitting element (LED) (not shown) disposed below the operation surface.

[0609] After the control device 40 is activated, the input function of the input key 180 becomes effective when the input keys 107, 108, or 109 are touch-operated (step SA4). Further, after the input function becomes effective, it is illuminated by the light emitting element (not shown) and becomes prominent among the operation units 15.

[0610] For example, when a dedicated voice input key 180 is provided also in the right operation unit 15R and a dedicated voice input key 180 is provided also in the left operation unit 15L, in the right operation unit 15R, when the input key 153R (see FIG. 17) is "long-pressed" first, only the dedicated voice input key 180 in this right operation unit 15R is illuminated from below by a light emitting element (not shown), indicating that it has switched to the voice input mode VM.

[0611] Also, the initial standby period TP starts from the point in time (step SA3A) when a display prompting the user US to select a cooking mode is displayed by the standby initial screen 16MH.

[0612] Step SA4 is the point in time when any one of the input keys 107, 108, or 109 is touch-operated, similar to FIG. 35. Since the "recipe acquisition permission condition" is satisfied at this point in time, the acquisition of the recipe data CD can be executed. Then, the initial standby period TP ends when the input key 113 is operated.

[0613] In the example of FIG. 39, after the input key 107 is touched for a "short press" operation, the recipe data of the linked cooking mode KM1 can be obtained from the outside via the communication unit 51. Note that when the input key 108 is touched for a "short press" operation without touching the input key 107, the recipe data of the combined cooking mode KM2 can be obtained.

[0614] After the input key 107 or 108 has been a "short press" operation as described above, when the input key 180 is touched and input at the time of step SA5, the control device 40 shifts to the voice input mode 2 therefrom. Therefore, after this step SA5, the user US can input control conditions by voice. Note that in the example of FIG. 39, since it is a case of the voice input mode 2A, the input functions of (some of) the input keys other than the dedicated voice input key 180 (for example, 107) are temporarily invalidated after the voice input key is started. Therefore, even if the input keys 107 and 108 are touched, nothing can be input. Note that the start key 113 does not become invalid in its input function.

[0615] Next, FIG. 40 will be described. FIG. 39 shows the main processing of the control device 40 until the start of heat cooking by the recipe data CD obtained from the outside. In particular, it shows the processing of displaying the data of food components and nutritional components.

[0616] In FIG. 39, the recipe data CD obtained from the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51 is stored in the recipe data storage unit 42 of the storage device 41 (step SS30). Then, it is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SS31).

[0617] At the stage of step SS31, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed on the central display unit 16M. That is, at least the identification information 167 is displayed.

[0618] In the next step SS32, in order to display food ingredients, it is determined whether there is a display command from the user US. Since the voice input mode 1 has already been switched to, if a prescribed term (phrase) such as "food ingredients" or "calories" is uttered in voice, this step SS32 will result in a "Yes" determination. The voice signal analysis unit 58 (see FIG. 8) analyzes this voice signal and reads out the data of the food ingredients of the target cooking menu from the storage device 41.

[0619] On the first specific screen 16M1, a food ingredient display screen 16M1A as shown in FIG. 33(A) is displayed (step SS33). Then, the energy amount, protein, lipid, and carbohydrate amounts are displayed. Next, it proceeds to the determination step SS34 of whether the start key 113 has been pressed. In this step SS34, it waits for input for a certain period of time until an operation by the user US is performed. If the start key 113 is pressed during the waiting time, it returns to the display of the first specific screen 16M1. Then, the driving of the heating means (such as the first heating means HM1) is started (SS35).

[0620] If the input key 109 is not pressed and there is no voice command to display food ingredients within a certain period of time from the time of step SS31, the determination in step SS32 will be "No".

[0621] If the determination in step SS32 is "No", it proceeds to step SS36. In step SS36, it is determined whether there is a command to display the nutritional components of the food. Since the voice input mode 1 has already been switched to, at this stage of step SS36, a prescribed term (phrase) such as "nutrients" or "nutrition" is uttered in voice.

[0622] Then, the voice signal analysis unit 58 (see FIG. 8) analyzes this voice signal and reads out the data of the nutritional components of the target cooking menu from the storage device 41. Then, step SS36 results in a "Yes" determination. Note that even if the input key 180 is pressed again to cancel the voice input mode 2 and the input key 156M is pressed, step SS36 will be "Yes".

[0623] If the determination in step SS36 is "Yes", a nutritional component display screen 16M1B as shown in FIG. 33(B) is displayed on the display unit 16 (step SS37). Then, the amount of energy, protein, fat, and iron is displayed. Then, the process proceeds to step SS34.

[0624] As described above, if the input keys 115 for function setting are not operated in advance and the settings for individually displaying the components of the food and the nutritional components at each time before the start of heat cooking are not made, the operations of steps SS33 and SS37 shown in FIG. 40 are not performed.

[0625] In the examples of FIGS. 35 to 39, the single cooking mode KM3 is not shown, but similar to the recipe data CD of the composite cooking mode KM2 and the linked cooking mode KM1, the recipe data CD can be acquired from the outside via the communication unit 51 during the initial expected period TP.

[0626] Next, FIG. 40 will be described. FIG. 41 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control device 40 when the heating cooker 1 is switched to the voice input mode. Note that FIG. 41 shows the case of the linked cooking mode KM3, but it is basically the same in other cooking modes.

[0627] In FIG. 41, step SS20 indicates the point in time when the input mode of the control device 40 is switched to the voice input mode 1. In the next step SS21, it is notified that the voice notification unit 50 and the central display unit 16M have started accepting voice input. The state of the central display unit 16M at this time is, for example, as shown in FIG. 28. That is, as the auxiliary information 179, voice input mode display information 179A indicating that voice input is being accepted is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1.

[0628] In the next step SS22, the voice signal analysis unit 58 shifts to an input waiting state for receiving a command by voice from the user US. Also, measurement of the elapsed time is started by a time measurement unit (not shown) inside the control device 40.

[0629] Input information in the voice uttered by the user US is acquired by the voice signal receiving unit 56 via a microphone (not shown). The voice signal receiving unit 56 converts the acquired voice information into a predetermined voice signal and transmits it to the voice signal analysis unit 58 (step SS23).

[0630] The voice signal analysis unit 56 analyzes the received voice signal (step SS24), and causes the input content to be displayed on the central display unit 16M (first specific screen 16M1). For example, it notifies by voice such as "Hamburger, right IH received", and also displays it in characters on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SS25).

[0631] In step SS25, when the input information is insufficient, the voice notification unit 50 further guides by voice such as "Please specify the preheating temperature". Alternatively, the range of specific control conditions may be notified, such as "The preheating temperature is preferably 200°C. Please specify the temperature".

[0632] When the input of the control conditions necessary for starting the heating operation is insufficient, it returns to step SS23. Before returning to step SS23, the voice notification unit 50 points out the control conditions for which the input is insufficient and performs an operation to prompt the input (not shown).

[0633] When the heating control unit 43 determines that the input of the control conditions necessary for starting the heating operation is complete (step SS26), it proceeds to step SS27. In step SS27, since the voice input is complete, it notifies that the voice input mode 1 will be canceled and recommends touching the start key 113 (step SS27). Note that when the touch key 113 is touched, the voice input mode 1 is canceled.

[0634] On the one hand, if no voice command is received in step SS23, the process proceeds to step SS28. In step SS28, it is determined whether the elapsed time from step SS22 exceeds a predetermined limit time TZ. If the limit time TZ has not been exceeded, the process returns to step SS23. However, if the limit time TZ (for example, 5 minutes) has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SS29. Step SS29 is the same "automatic shutdown process 2" as step SM6 in FIG. 21. This "automatic shutdown process 2" is a series of processes in which, in the state of the first specific screen 16M1, an alarm is issued to the user US by the voice notification unit 50, then it is automatically switched to the standby initial screen 16MH, and then the main power switch 20 is automatically turned off. This avoids the situation of being left unattended for a long time due to some reason during the input process and ensures safety.

[0635] Next, FIG. 42 will be described. FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display of a control menu on the central display unit 16M when the central operation unit 15M is operated for the composite cooking mode KM2. First, when the user US presses the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 (see FIG. 8) to turn on the main power, the left operation unit 15L, the central operation unit 15M, and the right operation unit 15R become effective in input functions. That is, the control device 40 is in a state of receiving operation signals from these respective operation units 15L, 15M, and 15R, and the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed on the central display unit 16M.

[0636] In this state, when the user US presses the input key 108, the display screen 16ST (in the default setting) is displayed as shown in FIG. 42. This FIG. 42 shows the change of the second specific screen 16M2. As is clear from the display screen 16ST, in the center of the first area 22 in the front-rear direction, the name (identification information) 160 of the control menu "Warm" is largely displayed.

[0637] Behind the control menu identification information 160 of "warm" displayed in the center of the first area 22, the characters (control menu identification information) 161 of "IH heating" are displayed slightly smaller, and conversely, the characters (control menu identification information) 162 of "range manual" are displayed slightly smaller on the front side.

[0638] Thus, when the user US selects a control menu, it can be seen that the next candidates are "IH heating" and "range manual". If at this stage, the input key 107 is pressed one more time and the dial selection means 123 is rotated (for example, in the clockwise direction), the control menu identification information 162 of "range manual" is displayed large as if it has moved (to the rear) to the position of the characters (control menu identification information) 160 of "warm". Note that the characters of the control menu identification information 162 do not actually move, but only the display information is switched.

[0639] Also, the characters (control menu identification information) 161 of "IH heating" are displayed large as if they have moved (to the front) to the position of the characters (control menu identification information) 160 of "warm". Note that in this case as well, the control menu identification information 162 does not actually move, but only the display information is switched.

[0640] As shown in FIG. 42, on the display screen 16ST, the target temperature of "80 °C" is displayed in the second area 23. When heating with microwaves at this target temperature, when the temperature of the object to be cooked is detected by the infrared sensor 13 to be 80 °C, the microwave heating is automatically stopped.

[0641] If you want to change the temperature displayed in this second area 23 and change the automatic stop temperature, you can press the input key 108 corresponding to the second area 23 once and rotate the dial selection means 123. For example, when the dial selection means 123 is rotated clockwise, as shown in the display screen 16UP1, the temperature rises by 5 °C to 85 °C. Conversely, when rotated counterclockwise, as shown in the display screen 16DN1, the temperature drops by only 5 °C to 75 °C.

[0642] In addition, in the second area 23, a heat source display unit 163 that displays in characters that the heat source is microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) is displayed.

[0643] As described above, 164 is reference information that automatically displays that it is a recommended control menu for warming side dishes and the like. The content of this reference information may be another additional information 165, or two or more types of information may be alternately or sequentially displayed on the display screen (for example, the third area 24) of the central dis...

Claims

1. A cooking appliance having a communication unit and a heating chamber, and a communication terminal wirelessly connected to the communication unit, wherein the communication terminal has a function of transmitting recipe data to the cooking appliance, a plurality of input operation units of the cooking appliance each have a plurality of input keys, and a specific input key among the input keys selects one cooking mode among a plurality of cooking modes and permits the voice input mode only for one input operation unit, wherein the cooking appliance has a function of acquiring the recipe data when the specific input key is operated, and when the cooking appliance does not permit acquisition of the recipe data transmitted from the communication terminal, the cooking appliance transmits a notification of non - permission processing from the communication unit to the communication terminal. A cooking system characterized by the above.

2. When the communication terminal receives the notification of non - permission processing, the communication terminal displays at least one of information indicating the non - permission processing or a transmission failure notification unit on a terminal - side display unit. The cooking system according to Claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. When the communication terminal receives the notification of non - permission processing, the communication terminal displays reference information for dealing with the non - permission processing on a terminal - side display unit. The cooking system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. When the communication terminal receives the notification of non - permission processing, an auxiliary information display unit indicating the reason for the non - permission processing is displayed on a terminal - side display unit. The cooking system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

5. When the communication terminal receives the notification of non - permission processing, a countermeasure information display unit is simultaneously displayed on a terminal - side display unit. The cooking system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

6. A cooking appliance having a communication unit and a heating chamber, and a communication terminal wirelessly connected to the communication unit, wherein the communication terminal has a function of transmitting recipe data to the cooking appliance, an input operation unit of the cooking appliance has an input key for determining to acquire the recipe data, and when the cooking appliance does not permit the recipe data transmitted from the communication terminal, the cooking appliance transmits a notification of non - permission processing from the communication unit to the communication terminal. When the communication terminal receives the notification of the non-permission process, it displays at least one of reference information indicating the response to the non-permission process on the terminal-side display unit, an auxiliary information display unit regarding the reason for the non-permission process, or a countermeasure information display unit. A cooking system characterized by the above.

7. On the terminal-side display unit, the auxiliary information display unit displays information that can eliminate the cause of the non-permission process. The cooking system according to claim 6, characterized by the above.

8. The cooking device has a function of selecting one cooking mode from a plurality of cooking modes and a function of a voice input mode for receiving commands by voice. The cooking system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by the above.

9. On the communication terminal, an input key for determining to transmit the recipe data is displayed on the display screen that displays the control conditions of the recipe data on the terminal-side display unit. The cooking system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by the above.

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