Grain analyzer, grain analysis method, grain analysis program, and heating cooker

Abstract

To provide a grain analyzer, a grain analysis method, a grain analysis program, and a heating cooker, which can detect the content of a specific component of grain in a short time with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A grain analyzer 2 includes: a light emitter 11 that irradiates polished rice with light having a wavelength band of a near-infrared region; a light receiver 12 that receives reflected light of the polished rice; and a control section 14 that controls the light emitter 11 and the light receiver 12. The light receiver 12 receives light of a first wavelength band LB1 including a first wavelength λ1 which is a wavelength λ having a minimum value of a coefficient indicating a correlation with a reference component amount which is a content of a specific component of the polished rice, for example, a regression coefficient RC, among respective wavelength s λ of the reflected light of the polished rice measured by a reference spectrometer, and receives light of a second wavelength band LB2 including a second wavelength λ2 which is a wavelength λ having a maximum value of the regression coefficient RC. The control section 14 detects the content of the specific component in the polished rice on the basis of a light reception result of the light receiver 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a grain analysis device, a grain analysis method, a grain analysis program, and a cooking machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a moisture content detection device that includes a first light-emitting element having an emission distribution in the absorption wavelength range of water, and a second light-emitting element having an emission distribution on the shorter or longer wavelength side of the absorption wavelength range of water, and that sequentially irradiates light from the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element onto the object to be detected, receives reflected light from the object to be detected by a light-receiving element, and detects the moisture content by calculation by a control unit based on the light-receiving results. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-210902 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a grain analysis device, a grain analysis method, a grain analysis program, and a cooking machine that have a simple configuration and can detect the content of a specific component in grain in a short period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The grain analysis device of the present disclosure includes a light emitter that irradiates grains with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region; a light receiver that receives at least one of the reflected light and transmitted light from the grain; and a control unit that controls the light emitter and the light receiver, wherein the light receiver receives light in a first wavelength band that includes a first wavelength that is the wavelength at which the value of a coefficient showing a correlation with a reference component amount that is the content of a specific component in the grain is smallest among the wavelengths of the reflected light from the grain measured by a reference spectrometer, and receives light in a second wavelength band that includes a second wavelength that is the wavelength at which the value of the coefficient showing the correlation is largest, and the control unit detects the content of the specific component in the grain based on the light reception result of the light receiver.

[0006] Furthermore, the grain analysis method disclosed herein is a grain analysis method for a grain analysis device comprising: a light emitter that irradiates grains with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region; a light receiver that receives at least one of the reflected light and transmitted light from the grain; and a control unit that controls the light emitter and the light receiver, wherein the control unit causes the light receiver to receive light in a first wavelength band that includes a first wavelength, which is the wavelength for which the value of a coefficient indicating a correlation with a reference component amount, which is the content of a specific component in the grain, is the smallest among the wavelengths of the reflected light of the grain measured by a reference spectrometer, and to receive light in a second wavelength band that includes a second wavelength, which is the wavelength for which the coefficient indicating the correlation is the largest, and detects the content of the specific component in the grain based on the light reception results of the light receiver.

[0007] Furthermore, the grain analysis program of the present disclosure is a grain analysis program for a grain analyzing device including: a light emitter that irradiates grains with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region; a light receiver that receives at least one of the reflected light and transmitted light from the grain; and a control unit having a processor and controlling the light emitter and the light receiver, wherein the grain analysis program causes the processor to function as a measurement execution unit that causes the light receiver to receive light in a first wavelength band that includes a first wavelength that is the wavelength for which the value of a coefficient indicating a correlation with a reference component amount, which is the content of a specific component in the grain, among the wavelengths of the reflected light of the grain measured by a reference spectrometer, is smallest, and to receive light in a second wavelength band that includes a second wavelength that is the wavelength for which the value of the coefficient indicating the correlation is largest, and a component calculation unit that detects the content of the specific component in the grain based on the light reception results of the light receiver.

[0008] Furthermore, the cooking device disclosed herein is a cooking device that includes a light emitter that irradiates grains with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region, a light receiver that receives at least one of the reflected light and transmitted light from the grain, and a control unit that controls the light emitter and the light receiver, wherein the light receiver receives light in a first wavelength band that includes a first wavelength that is the wavelength with the smallest value of a coefficient that indicates a correlation with a reference component amount that is the content of a specific component of the grain, among the wavelengths of the reflected light from the grain measured by a reference spectrometer, and receives light in a second wavelength band that includes a second wavelength that is the wavelength with the largest value of the coefficient that indicates the correlation, and detects the content of the specific component of the grain based on the output from the light receiver. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The grain analysis device, grain analysis method, grain analysis program, and cooking machine disclosed herein receive light in a first wavelength band that includes a first wavelength, which is the wavelength at which the value of a coefficient indicating a correlation with a reference component amount, which is the content of a specific component in the grain, is smallest among the wavelengths of reflected light from the grain measured by a reference spectrometer, and receive light in a second wavelength band that includes a second wavelength, which is the wavelength at which the value of the coefficient indicating the correlation is largest, and detect the content of the specific component in the grain based on the amount of light received. Therefore, the content of a specific component in grain can be detected with a simple configuration and in a short time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a light emitter and a light receiver in a first embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a light receiver according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit in the first embodiment; [Figure 5] Graph showing the relationship between the regression coefficient and wavelength in the regression formula for standard moisture content [Figure 6] Graph showing the relationship between detected moisture content and actually measured moisture content in the first embodiment [Figure 7] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of wavelength bands and the correlation coefficient and variance when detecting the moisture content of polished rice in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of wavelength bands and the correlation coefficient and variance when detecting the protein content of polished rice in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a light emitter and a light receiver in a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors came up with the idea for the present disclosure, a moisture content detection device existed that was equipped with a first light-emitting unit that had an emission distribution in the absorption wavelength range of water and a second light-emitting unit that had an emission distribution on the shorter or longer wavelength side of the absorption wavelength range of water, and that sequentially irradiated light from the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit onto the object to be detected, received light reflected from the object to be detected by a light-receiving unit, and detected the moisture content by calculation by a control unit based on the light-receiving results. However, in the moisture content detector, the light receiving element is sequentially turned on in the water absorption wavelength range and on the longer or shorter wavelength side than the water absorption wavelength range. The moisture content is calculated even when the light emitting elements of two wavelengths are simultaneously turned on during the sequential lighting operation. When the light emitting elements of two wavelengths are simultaneously turned on in this way, the power consumption of the circuit increases compared to when a single light emitting element is turned on, resulting in an increase in the cost of the components that make up the circuit. Furthermore, when switching between the two light emitting elements for measurement, the measurement time increases. Furthermore, the light receiving element itself uses expensive InGaAs, which increases manufacturing costs. The inventors have discovered these problems and have come to form the subject of the present disclosure in order to solve these problems. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a grain analysis device, a grain analysis method, a grain analysis program, and a heat cooking machine that have a simple configuration and can detect the content of a specific component in grain in a short period of time.

[0012] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. The present embodiment includes the first and second embodiments. The first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. The second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] (First embodiment) [1. Configuration] [1-1. Rice cooker configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a rice cooker 1 according to the first embodiment. 1 to 3 and 10 each show an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis and Y-axis are parallel to the horizontal direction. The Z-axis is parallel to the vertical direction. The X-axis indicates the left-right direction. The Y-axis indicates the front-back direction. The positive direction of the X-axis indicates the right direction. The positive direction of the Y-axis indicates the forward direction. The positive direction of the Z-axis indicates the upward direction. The rice cooker 1 corresponds to an example of a "heat cooking machine."

[0014] The rice cooker 1 is a so-called electric rice cooker that uses electricity to cook grains such as rice, barley, and miscellaneous grains. As shown in Fig. 1, the rice cooker 1 includes a rice cooker main body 10, a light emitter 11, a light receiver 12, a storage container 13, a control unit 14, a pot 15, a heater 16, and a temperature sensor 17. The rice cooker 1 also includes a grain analyzer 2. The grain analyzing device 2 is housed in the rice cooker main body 10 and is composed of a light emitter 11, a light receiver 12, and part of a control unit 14.

[0015] The rice cooker main body 10 is configured in a substantially cylindrical shape and houses a light emitter 11, a light receiver 12, a storage container 13, a control unit 14, a pot 15, a heater 16, and a temperature sensor 17. As shown in Figure 2, the top surface member 10U of the rice cooker main body 10 is formed with a mounting portion 101 on which the storage container 13 is placed. The placement unit 101 will be further described with reference to FIG.

[0016] The light emitter 11 irradiates light onto the grains stored in the storage container 13. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the grains are polished rice. White rice is an example of a "grain." The light emitter 11 will be further described with reference to FIG.

[0017] The light receiver 12 receives the light reflected by the polished rice out of the light emitted from the light emitter 11 onto the polished rice, and detects the amount of light received. The optical receiver 12 will be further described with reference to FIGS.

[0018] The storage container 13 contains polished rice, which is the grain for which the grain analysis device 2 detects the content of a specific component. The polished rice is placed in the storage container 13 by the user. The storage container 13 is also placed on the placement unit 101 by the user. The storage container 13 is made of a transparent material such as glass or resin.

[0019] The control unit 14 controls each part of the grain analyzing device 2. Furthermore, the control unit 14 controls the heater 16 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 17, and controls the rice cooking operation of the rice cooker 1. The pot 15 contains the white rice to be cooked. The user places the white rice and water in the pot 15.

[0020] Heater 16 cooks the polished rice contained in pot 15 in accordance with instructions from control unit 14. Heater 16 is, for example, a coil that heats pot 15 by induction heating. Temperature sensor 17 is disposed on the underside of pot 15 to detect the temperature.

[0021] [1-2. Configuration of grain analyzer] Next, the arrangement of the light emitter 11 and the light receiver 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the light emitter 11 and the light receiver 12 in the first embodiment. 2, the storage container 13 containing polished rice is placed on the placing portion 101. The placing portion 101 is formed on the upper surface member 10U of the rice cooker body 10.

[0022] The light emitter 11 and the light receiver 12 are housed in a housing HS and are disposed below the top surface member 10U of the rice cooker main body 10. The housing HS accommodates the light emitter 11 and the light receiver 12. The housing HS has an inclined member HS1 and a bottom member HS2.

[0023] The tilting member HS1 is disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal plane, for example, the X-axis. A light emitter 11 is disposed on the tilting member HS1. The light emitter 11 irradiates the polished rice stored in the storage container 13 with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region. The light emitter 11 is formed, for example, by a halogen lamp. The light emitter 11 may also be formed, for example, by an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The mounting portion 101 of the upper surface member 10U of the rice cooker body 10 is made transparent so as to transmit light emitted from the light emitter 11. The mounting portion 101 is made of, for example, glass, resin, or the like.

[0024] A light receiver 12 is disposed on the upper surface of the bottom member HS2. The light receiver 12 receives at least one of the light reflected from and transmitted through polished rice out of the light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region irradiated from the light emitter 11. In FIG. 2, the light receiver 12 receives the light reflected from polished rice. The configuration of the optical receiver 12 will be further described with reference to FIG.

[0025] Next, the configuration of the optical receiver 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the optical receiver 12 in the first embodiment. The upper diagram of Fig. 3 is a plan view, and the lower diagram of Fig. 3 is a side view. As shown in Fig. 3, the optical receiver 12 has a bandpass filter 123, a light receiving sensor 122, and a substrate 121 arranged from top to bottom. In Fig. 3, the light receiving sensor 122 is composed of a first light receiving sensor 122A and a second light receiving sensor 122B. The first light receiving sensor 122A and the second light receiving sensor 122B are arranged along the Y axis. In other words, the second light receiving sensor 122B is arranged in a forward direction relative to the first light receiving sensor 122A. Each of the first light receiving sensor 122A and the second light receiving sensor 122B is configured by, for example, a photodiode.

[0026] The first light receiving sensor 122A receives light in a first wavelength band LB1 shown in Fig. 5. The first wavelength band LB1 is, for example, a wavelength band of 950 nm or more and 980 nm or less. The second light receiving sensor 122B receives light in the second wavelength band LB2 shown in Fig. 5. The second wavelength band LB2 is, for example, a wavelength band having a wavelength of 910 nm or more and 940 nm or less. The first wavelength band LB1 and the second wavelength band LB2 will be further described with reference to FIG.

[0027] The bandpass filter 123 is composed of a first bandpass filter 123A and a second bandpass filter 123B. The first bandpass filter 123A is disposed above the first light receiving sensor 122A. The first bandpass filter 123A is a bandpass filter that transmits a wavelength band of 950 nm or more and 980 nm or less. The second bandpass filter 123B is disposed above the second light receiving sensor 122B. The second bandpass filter 123B is a bandpass filter that transmits a wavelength band of 910 nm or more and 940 nm or less.

[0028] In other words, the optical receiver 12 is composed of a first optical receiver 12A and a second optical receiver 12B. The first optical receiver 12A has a first band-pass filter 123A and a first optical sensor 122A. The second optical receiver 12B has a second band-pass filter 123B and a second optical sensor 122B.

[0029] A light receiving sensor 122 is placed on the upper surface of the substrate 121. A sensor housing member 124 houses the light receiving sensors 122 (here, a first light receiving sensor 122A and a second light receiving sensor 122B). Band pass filters 123 (here, a first band pass filter 123A and a second band pass filter 123B) are arranged on the upper surface of the sensor housing member 124. The sensor housing member 124 and the substrate 121 are fixed to each other by a pair of screws 125.

[0030] Next, the configuration of the control unit 14 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 14 in the first embodiment. The control unit 14 includes a processor 14A and a memory 14B. The processor 14A is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPC (Micro Processing Unit), etc. The memory 14B is configured with a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.

[0031] The processor 14A may be configured with multiple processors or may be configured with a single processor. The processor 14A may be hardware programmed to implement the functions of each unit described below. That is, the processor 14A may be configured with the control program PG installed as a hardware circuit. In this case, the processor 14A may be configured with, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like. In the following description, the processor 14A executes the control program PG to realize various functions of the control unit 14.

[0032] The memory 14B has a storage area for storing programs executed by the processor 14A and data processed by the processor 14A. The memory 14B stores the control program PG executed by the processor 14A and data such as regression equations related to the operation of the grain analyzing device 2. The memory 14B has a nonvolatile storage area that stores programs and data in a nonvolatile manner. The memory 14B may include, for example, a ROM, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD) as the nonvolatile storage area. The memory 14B may also include a volatile storage area that constitutes a work area that temporarily stores programs executed by the processor 14A and data to be processed. The memory 14B may also include, for example, a random access memory (RAM) as the volatile storage area.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 14 includes a regression equation generating unit 141, a lighting instruction unit 142, a measurement execution unit 143, a component calculation unit 144, a regression equation storage unit 145, and a reference storage unit 146. Specifically, the processor 14A executes the control program PG to function as a regression equation generating unit 141, a lighting instruction unit 142, a measurement execution unit 143, and a component calculation unit 144. The processor 14A also executes the control program PG to cause the memory 14B to function as a regression equation storage unit 145 and a reference storage unit 146. The control program PG corresponds to an example of a "grain analysis program."

[0034] The regression equation storage unit 145 stores a regression calculation formula REW for estimating the moisture content QW of polished rice. The regression calculation formula REW is generated by the regression equation generation unit 141. The regression calculation formula REW generated by the regression equation generation unit 141 is stored in the regression equation storage unit 145. Furthermore, the regression equation storage unit 145 stores a regression calculation formula REP for estimating the protein content QP of polished rice. The regression calculation formula REP is generated by the regression equation generation unit 141. Furthermore, the regression calculation formula REP generated by the regression equation generation unit 141 is stored in the regression equation storage unit 145.

[0035] The reference storage unit 146 stores the amount of reference light. The reference light indicates the amount of light received by the light-receiving sensor 122 when the reference plate is placed on the placement unit 101 shown in FIG. 2. The reference plate is made of, for example, white resin. That is, the light projected from the light emitter 11 is totally reflected by the reference plate. Then, the light reflected by the reference plate is detected by the light-receiving sensor 122. The light amount of the reference light includes a first reference light amount LR1 detected by the first light receiving sensor 122A and a second reference light amount LR2 detected by the second light receiving sensor 122B. In this embodiment, the light quantity of the reference light is measured and stored in advance by the measurement execution unit 143 before the measurement of the moisture content QW of the white rice is executed.

[0036] The regression equation generation unit 141 performs multivariate analysis of the detected light intensity LM in each of wavelength bands LB, number N of which is two or more, and the standard moisture content QWA of the polished rice for each of multiple types (e.g., 500 types) of polished rice, to generate a regression calculation formula REW that estimates the moisture content QW of the polished rice. The regression equation generation unit 141 performs multivariate analysis of, for example, the first light intensity LM1, the second light intensity LM2, and the standard moisture content QWA of the polished rice, to generate a regression calculation formula REW that estimates the moisture content QW of the polished rice. The reference moisture content QWA is the exact moisture content of white rice. The reference moisture content QWA will be explained further in [1-3. Experimental Results]. The reference moisture content QWA corresponds to an example of a "reference component amount." For example, the bandwidth of each of the wavelength bands LB, number N of which is two or more, is, for example, 30 nm. Then, a regression calculation formula REW for estimating the reference moisture content QWA of polished rice using the detected light intensity LM of at least two wavelength bands LB among the number N of wavelength bands LB is calculated by performing PLS (Partial Least Squares) regression analysis. The at least two wavelength bands LB are, for example, two to five wavelength bands LB. PLS regression analysis corresponds to an example of multivariate analysis. The number N corresponds to an example of a "predetermined number."

[0037] When the at least two wavelength bands LB are, for example, two wavelength bands LB, the two wavelength bands LB are composed of a first wavelength band LB1 and a second wavelength band LB2. The at least two wavelength bands LB are further described with reference to FIG.

[0038] An example of the regression calculation formula REW is shown in formula (1). QW=A1×X1+A2×X2+···+AN×XN+B (1) Here, coefficients A1, A2, ..., and AN are regression coefficients RW. Variables X1, X2, ..., and XN are absorbances DA corresponding to the detected light amounts LM in at least two wavelength bands LB. "At least two" means, for example, "two" to "five."

[0039] If "at least two" is, for example, "two," the regression calculation formula REW is expressed by formula (2). QW=A1×X1+A2×X2+B (2) Here, the variable X1 is the first absorbance DA1 corresponding to the first light amount LM1, and the variable X2 is the second absorbance DA2 corresponding to the second light amount LM2. The coefficients A1 and A2 are regression coefficients RW. The first absorbance DA1 is calculated by the following formula (3). DA1=-Log 10 (LM1 / LR1) (3) The second absorbance DA2 is calculated by the following formula (4). DA2=-Log 10 (LM2 / LR2) (4) Furthermore, the regression equation generating unit 141 stores the generated regression calculation equation REW in the regression equation storage unit 145.

[0040] If "at least two" is, for example, "three," the regression calculation formula REW is expressed by formula (5). QW=A1×X1+A2×X2+A3×X3+B (5) If "at least two" is, for example, "four," the regression calculation formula REW is expressed by formula (6): Coefficients A1, A2, and A3 are regression coefficients RW. QW=A1×X1+A2×X2+A3×X3+A4×X4+B (6) If "at least two" is, for example, "five," the regression calculation formula REW is expressed by formula (7): Coefficients A1, A2, A3, and A4 are regression coefficients RW. QW=A1×X1+A2×X2+A3×X3+A4×X4+A5×X5+B (7)

[0041] Furthermore, the regression equation generation unit 141 generates a regression calculation equation REW for estimating the moisture content QW of polished rice, and similarly, a regression calculation equation REP for estimating the protein content QP of polished rice. If "at least two" is, for example, "two," the regression calculation formula REP is expressed by formula (8). QP=C1×Y1+C2×Y2+D (8) Here, coefficients C1, C2, and D are the regression coefficients RC. Variable Y1 is the first absorbance DA1 corresponding to the first light amount LM1, and variable Y2 is the second absorbance DA2 corresponding to the second light amount LM2. Furthermore, the regression equation generating unit 141 stores the generated regression calculation equation REP in the regression equation storage unit 145.

[0042] The lighting instruction unit 142 lights up the light emitter 11. The lighting instruction unit 142 lights up the light emitter 11 based on, for example, an instruction from the user. The grain analyzing device 2 may include a sensor (for example, a proximity sensor) that detects that the storage container 13 containing polished rice has been placed on the placement portion 101 of the top surface member 10U of the rice cooker body 10. In this case, the lighting instruction unit 142 turns on the light emitter 11, for example, when the sensor detects that the storage container 13 containing polished rice has been placed on the placement portion 101 of the top surface member 10U of the rice cooker body 10.

[0043] The measurement execution unit 143 causes the light receiver 12 to receive light reflected from the polished rice. For example, the measurement execution unit 143 causes the first light receiving sensor 122A to detect light in a first wavelength band LB1 and acquires a first light amount LM1 as the detection result. Also, the measurement execution unit 143 causes the second light receiving sensor 122B to detect light in a second wavelength band LB2 and acquires a second light amount LM2 as the detection result.

[0044] The component calculation unit 144 calculates the moisture content QW of the polished rice stored in the storage container 13 based on the light reception result of the light receiver 12. First, the component calculation unit 144 calculates the first absorbance DA1 using equation (3), and calculates the second absorbance DA2 using equation (4). Then, the component calculation unit 144 calculates the moisture content QW of the polished rice, for example, by substituting the first absorbance DA1 and the second absorbance DA2 into the regression calculation formula REW shown in equation (4). In the following explanation, the moisture content QW calculated by the component calculation unit 144 may be referred to as the detected moisture content QWD to distinguish it from the reference moisture content QWA.

[0045] Furthermore, the component calculation unit 144 calculates the protein amount QP of the polished rice stored in the storage container 13 based on the light reception result of the light receiver 12. First, the component calculation unit 144 calculates the first absorbance DA1 using equation (3), and calculates the second absorbance DA2 using equation (4). Then, the component calculation unit 144 calculates the protein amount QP of the polished rice, for example, by substituting the first absorbance DA1 and the second absorbance DA2 into the regression calculation formula REP shown in equation (8). In the following explanation, the protein amount QP calculated by the component calculation unit 144 may be referred to as the detected protein amount QPD to distinguish it from the reference protein amount QPA.

[0046] [1-3. Experimental Results] First, the regression equation QEW used to determine the first wavelength band LB1 to the fifth wavelength band LB5 will be described. The moisture content QW of each of multiple types of polished rice was accurately measured in advance. The multiple types are, for example, 600 types. The 600 types of polished rice include multiple brands (Koshihikari, Sasanishiki, etc.) of polished rice. A specialized institution was commissioned to conduct chemical analysis of each of the 600 types of polished rice, and the moisture content QW was accurately measured. In the following description, the moisture content QW accurately measured in this manner may be referred to as the reference moisture content QWA. Similarly, a specialized institution was commissioned to conduct chemical analysis of each of the 600 varieties of polished rice, and the protein content QP was accurately measured in advance. In the following description, the protein content QP thus accurately measured may be referred to as the reference protein content QPA. The reference protein content QPA corresponds to an example of a "reference component content."

[0047] Next, using the C14384MA-01 mini-spectrometer from the SMD series manufactured by Hamamatsu Phototronics K.K., the amount of light LM at each wavelength λ of reflected light in the near-infrared region was measured for 500 of the 600 types of white rice. The "C14384MA-01" manufactured by Hamamatsu Phototronics Co., Ltd. corresponds to an example of a "reference spectrometer." In the following description, the "C14384MA-01" manufactured by Hamamatsu Phototronics Co., Ltd. may be referred to as a "reference spectrometer" for convenience.

[0048] For each of the 500 types of polished rice, the light intensity LM of the reference light from the reference spectroscope was measured before measuring the light intensity LM of each wavelength λ of reflected light in the near-infrared region using a reference spectroscope. Then, for each of the 500 types of polished rice, the light intensity LM of each wavelength λ of reflected light in the near-infrared region was detected by the reference spectroscope. In this embodiment, the near-infrared region refers to light in a wavelength region where the wavelength λ is equal to or greater than 640 nm and up to 1050 nm, for example.

[0049] Then, for each of the 500 types of white rice, the wavelength spectrum of absorbance DA at each wavelength λ was calculated using the following equation (9) based on the light intensity LM of reflected light at each wavelength λ in the near-infrared region and the light intensity LR of reference light at each wavelength λ. DA=-Log 10 (LM / LR) (9) Next, the wavelength spectrum of absorbance DA was subjected to second-order differentiation with respect to wavelength λ as a preprocessing step. Next, the reference moisture content QWA for each of the multiple types of polished rice and the wavelength spectrum of the second-order differentiated absorbance DA were subjected to multivariate analysis, in this case PLS regression analysis, to calculate the regression equation QEW, which represents the calibration curve. An example of the regression equation QEW is shown in the following equation (10). The wavelength spectrum of absorbance DA was detected at 1 nm intervals with respect to wavelength λ. QWA=AN1×XN1+AN2×XN2+···+ANK×XNK+B (10)

[0050] Here, coefficients AN1, AN2, ..., and ANK are regression coefficients RC. Each of integers N1 to NK indicates a wavelength λ. That is, integer N1 is "640" and integer NK is "1050". Integer K is 411 (= 1050 - 640 + 1). Each of the coefficients AN1-ANK is a regression coefficient RC for wavelengths λ ranging from 640 (nm) to 1050 (nm). A large regression coefficient RC corresponding to a wavelength λ indicates a small correlation between the light intensity at wavelength λ and the reference moisture content QWA. A small regression coefficient RC corresponding to a wavelength λ indicates a large correlation between the light intensity at wavelength λ and the reference moisture content QWA. The regression coefficient RC corresponds to an example of a "coefficient indicating correlation."

[0051] Next, based on the regression coefficient RC, wavelength bands LB were determined with a number N of 2 or more. For example, a first wavelength band LB1 and a second wavelength band LB2 were determined as wavelength bands LB with a number N of 2 or more. The first wavelength band LB1 is a wavelength band that includes a first wavelength λ1, which is the wavelength with the smallest regression coefficient RC. The first wavelength band LB1 is, for example, a wavelength band with a wavelength of 950 nm or more and 980 nm or less. The first light amount LM1, which is the light amount in the first wavelength band LB1, is detected by the first light receiving sensor 122A shown in FIG. The second wavelength band LB2 is a wavelength band that includes a second wavelength λ2, which is the wavelength with the largest regression coefficient RC. The second wavelength band LB2 is, for example, a wavelength band with a wavelength of 910 nm or more and 940 nm or less. The second light amount LM2, which is the light amount in the second wavelength band LB2, is detected by the second light receiving sensor 122B shown in FIG.

[0052] Next, the experimental results of the grain analyzing device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the regression coefficient RC and the wavelength λ in the regression equation QEW. The horizontal axis of Fig. 5 represents wavelength λ, and the vertical axis of Fig. 5 represents the regression coefficient RC in the regression equation QEW. Note that the higher the position on the vertical axis of Fig. 5, i.e., the larger the regression coefficient RC, the weaker the correlation with the standard moisture content QWA. In other words, the lower the position on the vertical axis of Fig. 5, i.e., the smaller the regression coefficient RC, the stronger the correlation with the standard moisture content QWA.

[0053] Graph G1 shows the relationship between the regression coefficient RC and the wavelength λ. As shown in graph G1, the regression coefficient RC was at its minimum value at the first wavelength λ1. In other words, the first wavelength λ1 is the wavelength λ with the greatest correlation with the reference moisture content QWA. The first wavelength λ1 was 965 nm. The regression coefficient RC at the first wavelength λ1 was "-2159." Also, as shown in graph G1, the regression coefficient RC was at its maximum value at the second wavelength λ2. In other words, the second wavelength λ2 is the wavelength λ with the smallest correlation with the reference moisture content QWA. The second wavelength λ2 was 925 nm. The regression coefficient RC at the second wavelength λ2 was "1660." Based on the above measurement results, the first wavelength band LB1 was set to a wavelength band of 950 nm or more and 980 nm or less, and the second wavelength band LB2 was set to a wavelength band of 910 nm or more and 940 nm or less.

[0054] As will be explained below, the third wavelength λ3 to the fifth wavelength λ5 were selected in descending order of the absolute value of the regression coefficient RC. As shown in graph G1, the regression coefficient RC was maximum at the third wavelength λ3. The third wavelength λ3 was 820 nm. The regression coefficient RC at the third wavelength λ3 was "418." The regression coefficient RC was minimum at the fourth wavelength λ4. The fourth wavelength λ4 was 860 nm. The regression coefficient RC at the fourth wavelength λ4 was "-344." The regression coefficient RC was minimum at the fifth wavelength λ5. The fifth wavelength λ5 was 680 nm. The regression coefficient RC at the fifth wavelength λ5 was "-218." Based on the above measurement results, the third wavelength band LB3 was set to a wavelength band of 805 nm or more and 835 nm or less, the fourth wavelength band LB4 was set to a wavelength band of 845 nm or more and 875 nm or less, and the fifth wavelength band LB5 was set to a wavelength band of 665 nm or more and 695 nm or less.

[0055] The third wavelength band LB3 is set as the wavelength band LB detected by the light receiving sensors 122 when "at least two" is "three" or more, that is, when the number of light receiving sensors 122 is "three" or more. The fourth wavelength band LB4 is set as the wavelength band LB detected by the light receiving sensors 122 when "at least two" is "four" or more, that is, when the number of light receiving sensors 122 is "four" or more. The fifth wavelength band LB5 is set as the wavelength band LB detected by the light receiving sensors 122 when "at least two" is "five" or more, that is, when the number of light receiving sensors 122 is "five" or more.

[0056] Next, the relationship between the detected moisture amount QWD and the reference moisture amount QWA will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the detected moisture amount QWD and the reference moisture amount QWA in the first embodiment. The horizontal axis of Figure 6 is the reference moisture content QWA, and the vertical axis of Figure 6 is the detected moisture content QWD. The circles in Figure 6 correspond to 100 types of polished rice, out of the 600 types of polished rice for which the reference moisture content QWA was measured, excluding the 500 types of polished rice for which the regression equation QEW was used to calculate. In other words, the circles in Figure 6 represent the relationship between the detected moisture content QWD and the reference moisture content QWA, as determined by the grain analyzer 2 for each of the 100 types of polished rice, out of the 600 types of polished rice for which the reference moisture content QWA was measured, excluding the 500 types of polished rice for which the regression equation QEW was used to calculate.

[0057] As shown in graph G2 in Figure 6, the difference between the detected moisture content QWD detected by the grain analyzer 2 and the corresponding reference moisture content QWA was ±0.5% or less. As shown in Figure 6, the grain analyzer 2 was able to detect the moisture content QW of white rice with sufficient accuracy.

[0058] Next, the relationship between the number N of wavelength bands used to detect the detected moisture content QWD in the grain analyzing apparatus 2 and the correlation coefficient CW and variance VW will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the number N of wavelength bands and the correlation coefficient CW and variance VW when the grain analyzing apparatus 2 detects the moisture content (=detected moisture content QWD) of white rice in the first embodiment.

[0059] The number N of wavelength bands used to detect the detected moisture content QWD in the grain analyzer 2 was changed from 2 to 5. Then, for each of the wavelength bands where the number N was from 2 to 5, the detected moisture content QWD was detected in the grain analyzer 2. Furthermore, for each of the wavelength bands where the number N was from 2 to 5, the correlation coefficient CW and variance VW were determined based on the graph showing the relationship between the detected moisture content QWD and the reference moisture content QWA, as described with reference to Figure 6.

[0060] The horizontal axis of Fig. 7 is the number N of wavelength bands, the vertical axis on the left side of Fig. 7 is the correlation coefficient CW, and the vertical axis on the right side of Fig. 7 is the dispersion VW. Graph G31 shows the relationship between the correlation coefficient CW and the number N of wavelength bands, and graph G32 shows the relationship between the dispersion VW and the number N of wavelength bands.

[0061] As shown in graph G31, when the number N of wavelength bands used to detect the moisture content QWD in the grain analysis device 2 was changed from 2 to 5, the correlation coefficient CW increased as the number N of wavelength bands increased. Furthermore, as shown in graph G32, when the number N of wavelength bands used to detect the moisture content QWD in the grain analysis device 2 was changed from 2 to 5, the dispersion VW decreased as the number N of wavelength bands increased.

[0062] As described above, it was found that the moisture content QW of white rice can be detected more accurately as the number N of wavelength bands increases. Therefore, it is now possible to set the number N of wavelength bands according to the accuracy required by the user.

[0063] Next, the relationship between the number N of wavelength bands used to detect the detectable protein amount QPD in the grain analyzing apparatus 2, and the correlation coefficient CP and variance VP will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the number N of wavelength bands and the correlation coefficient CW and variance VW when the grain analyzing apparatus 2 detects the protein content (=detectable protein amount QPD) of white rice in the first embodiment.

[0064] The number N of wavelength bands used to detect the detected protein amount QPD in the grain analyzing device 2 was changed from 2 to 5. Then, for each of the number N of wavelength bands from 2 to 5, the detected protein amount QPD was detected in the grain analyzing device 2. Furthermore, for each of the number N of wavelength bands from 2 to 5, the correlation coefficient CP and variance VP were determined based on the graph showing the relationship between the detected protein amount QPD and the reference protein amount QPA, as described with reference to Figure 6.

[0065] The horizontal axis of Fig. 8 is the number N of wavelength bands, the vertical axis on the left side of Fig. 8 is the correlation coefficient CP, and the vertical axis on the right side of Fig. 8 is the dispersion VP. Graph G41 shows the relationship between the correlation coefficient CP and the number N of wavelength bands, and graph G42 shows the relationship between the dispersion VP and the number N of wavelength bands.

[0066] As shown in graph G41, when the number N of wavelength bands used to detect the detected protein quantity QPD in the grain analysis device 2 was changed from 2 to 5, the correlation coefficient CP increased as the number N of wavelength bands increased. Furthermore, as shown in graph G42, when the number N of wavelength bands used to detect the detected protein quantity QPD in the grain analysis device 2 was changed from 2 to 5, the dispersion VP decreased as the number N of wavelength bands increased.

[0067] Thus, it was found that the greater the number of wavelength bands N, the more accurately the protein content QP of white rice can be detected. Therefore, it is now possible to set the number of wavelength bands N according to the accuracy required by the user.

[0068] [1-4. Processing of the control unit] Next, the processing of the control unit 14 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit 14 in the first embodiment. 9, a case will be described in which the regression equation generating unit 141 obtains the regression calculation equation REW shown in equation (2) in advance and stores it in the regression equation storage unit 145. 9 will be described as a case where the measurement execution unit 143 measures the amount of reference light in advance and stores it in the reference storage unit 146. The amount of reference light includes a first reference amount of light LR1 detected by the first light receiving sensor 122A and a second reference amount of light LR2 detected by the second light receiving sensor 122B.

[0069] First, in step S101, the lighting instruction unit 142 lights up the light emitter 11. Next, in step S103, after the amount of light irradiated from the light emitter 11 onto the white rice has stabilized, the measurement execution unit 143 causes the first light receiving sensor 122A to detect light in the first wavelength band LB1, and obtains the first light amount LM1 as the detection result. Next, in step S105, the measurement execution unit 143 causes the second light receiving sensor 122B to detect light in the second wavelength band LB2, and acquires a second light amount LM2 as the detection result.

[0070] Next, in step S107, the component calculation unit 144 calculates the first absorbance DA1 by substituting the first light amount LM1 and the first reference light amount LR1 into the following equation (11): Equation (11) is a re-expression of equation (3) for convenience. DA1=-Log 10 (LM1 / LR1) (11) Next, in step S109, the component calculation unit 144 calculates the second absorbance DA2 by substituting the second light amount LM2 and the second reference light amount LR2 into the following equation (12). Equation (12) is a convenient re-formulation of equation (4). DA2=-Log 10 (LM2 / LR2) (12) Next, in step S111, the component calculation unit 144 calculates the detected moisture amount QWD of the polished rice by substituting the first absorbance DA1 and the second absorbance DA2 into the regression calculation formula REW shown in formula (2). Then, the process ends.

[0071] (Second embodiment) [2. Configuration] The configuration of the rice cooker 1 in the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the rice cooker 1 in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] [2-1. Configuration of grain analyzer] Next, the arrangement of the light emitter 11 and the light receiver 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the light emitter 11 and the light receiver 12 in the second embodiment. In the following explanation, differences from the configuration of the grain analysis device 2 in the first embodiment explained with reference to Figure 2 will be mainly explained, and explanations of points that are the same as the configuration of the grain analysis device 2 in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 10, the grain analyzing device 2A in the second embodiment includes a light emitter 11 and a light receiver 12. The light emitter 11 and the light receiver 12 are housed in a housing HS and are arranged below the top member 10U of the rice cooker main body 10. The housing HS is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. A light emitter 11 and a light receiver 12 are disposed on the bottom surface of the housing HS.

[0074] The light emitter 11 is composed of a first light emitter 111 and a second light emitter 112 . The first light emitter 111 irradiates light in the first wavelength band LB1 onto the polished rice stored in the storage container 13. The first light emitter 111 is configured, for example, by an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The second light emitter 112 irradiates the polished rice stored in the storage container 13 with light in the second wavelength band LB2. The second light emitter 112 is formed of, for example, an LED.

[0075] The light receiver 12 differs from the light receiver 12 in the first embodiment in that it does not have a bandpass filter. Because the first light emitter 111 irradiates the polished rice with light in the first wavelength band LB1 and the second light emitter 112 irradiates the polished rice with light in the second wavelength band LB2, the light receiver 12 does not need to be equipped with a bandpass filter. Also, the light receiver 12 in the first embodiment is different in that it is composed of a first light receiving sensor 122A and a second light receiving sensor 122B, whereas the light receiver 12 in the second embodiment is composed of a single light receiving sensor 122.

[0076] On the other hand, since the light emitter 11 is made up of the first light emitter 111 and the second light emitter 112, when the first light emitter 111 is irradiating light onto the polished rice, the second light emitter 112 must be turned off. Also, when the second light emitter 112 is irradiating light onto the polished rice, the first light emitter 111 must be turned off. This point will be further explained with reference to FIG. 11.

[0077] [2-2. Processing of the control unit] Next, the processing of the control unit 14 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control unit 14 in the second embodiment. 11, a case will be described in which the regression equation generating unit 141 obtains the regression calculation equation REW shown in equation (2) in advance and stores it in the regression equation storage unit 145. 11 will also explain a case where the measurement execution unit 143 measures the light intensity of the reference light in advance and stores it in the reference storage unit 146. The light intensity of the reference light includes a first reference light intensity LR1 detected by the light receiving sensor 122 as reflected light of light emitted by the first light emitter 111, and a second reference light intensity LR2 detected by the light receiving sensor 122 as reflected light of light emitted by the second light emitter 112.

[0078] First, in step S201, the lighting instruction unit 142 lights up the first light emitter 111. Next, in step S203, after the amount of light irradiated from the first light emitter 111 onto the white rice has stabilized, the measurement execution unit 143 causes the light receiving sensor 122 to detect light in the first wavelength band LB1, and obtains the first light amount LM1 as the detection result. Next, in step S205, the lighting instruction unit 142 turns off the first light emitter 111. Next, in step S207, the second light emitter 112 is turned on. Next, in step S209, after the amount of light irradiated from the second light emitter 112 onto the white rice has stabilized, the measurement execution unit 143 causes the light receiving sensor 122 to detect light in the second wavelength band LB2, and obtains the second light amount LM2 as the detection result.

[0079] Next, in step S211, the component calculation unit 144 calculates the first absorbance DA1 by substituting the first light amount LM1 and the first reference light amount LR1 into the following equation (13): Equation (13) is a re-expression of equation (3) for convenience. DA1=-Log10(LM1 / LR1) (13) Next, in step S213, the component calculation unit 144 calculates the second absorbance DA2 by substituting the second light amount LM2 and the second reference light amount LR2 into the following equation (14). Equation (14) is a convenient re-formulation of equation (4). DA2=-Log10(LM2 / LR2) (14) Next, in step S215, the component calculation unit 144 calculates the detected moisture amount QWD of the polished rice by substituting the first absorbance DA1 and the second absorbance DA2 into the regression calculation formula REW shown in equation (3). Then, the process ends.

[0080] [3. Composition and Effects] As described above, each of the grain analyzing apparatus 2 and the grain analyzing apparatus 2A comprises a light emitter 11 that irradiates white rice with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region, a light receiver 12 that receives the light reflected from the white rice, and a control unit 14 that controls the light emitter 11 and the light receiver 12. The light receiver 12 receives light in a first wavelength band LB1 that includes a first wavelength λ1, which is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC is smallest, indicating a correlation with the reference component amount, which is the content of a specific component in the white rice, among the wavelengths λ of the light reflected from the white rice measured by the reference spectrometer, and also receives light in a second wavelength band LB2 that is equal to or smaller than a second threshold value TH2 and includes a second wavelength λ2, which is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC is largest. The control unit 14 detects the content of the specific component in the white rice based on the light reception result of the light receiver 12.

[0081] According to this, the light receiver 12 receives light in a first wavelength band LB1 that includes a first wavelength λ1, which is the wavelength λ with the smallest value of the regression coefficient RC, that is, the coefficient that indicates the correlation with the reference component amount, which is the content of a specific component in white rice, among the wavelengths λ of the reflected light from white rice measured by the reference spectroscope, and also receives light in a second wavelength band LB2 that includes a second wavelength λ2, which is the wavelength λ with the largest value of the regression coefficient RC, and the control unit 14 detects the content of the specific component in white rice based on the light reception results of the light receiver 12. Therefore, the content of the specific component in white rice can be detected with a simple configuration in a short time.

[0082] In the grain analyzing device 2, the light receiver 12 has a first light receiver 12A that receives light in a first wavelength band LB1 and a second light receiver 12B that receives light in a second wavelength band LB2.

[0083] In this configuration, the first light receiver 12A receives light in the first wavelength band LB1, and the second light receiver 12B receives light in the second wavelength band LB2. Therefore, the content of a specific component in polished rice can be detected with a simple configuration in a short time.

[0084] In the grain analysis device 2, the first photoreceiver 12A has a first bandpass filter 123A that transmits light in a first wavelength band LB1, and the second photoreceiver 12B has a second bandpass filter 123B that transmits light in a second wavelength band LB2.

[0085] According to this, the first photoreceiver 12A has a first bandpass filter 123A that transmits light in the first wavelength band LB1, and can therefore receive light in the first wavelength band LB1 with a simple configuration. Also, the second photoreceiver 12B has a second bandpass filter 123B that transmits light in the second wavelength band LB2, and can therefore receive light in the second wavelength band LB2 with a simple configuration.

[0086] In the grain analysis device 2, the grain is white rice, the specific component is moisture, the first wavelength band LB1 is a wavelength band of 950 nm or more and 980 nm or less, and the second wavelength band LB2 is a wavelength band of 910 nm or more and 940 nm or less.

[0087] 5, when the grain analyzing device 2 detects the moisture content of polished rice, the first wavelength band LB1 can be set to a wavelength band including a first wavelength λ1, which is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC, which indicates a correlation with the standard moisture content of polished rice, is the smallest. Also, the second wavelength band LB2 can be set to a wavelength band including a second wavelength λ2, which is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC, which indicates a correlation with the standard moisture content of polished rice, is the largest. Therefore, when the grain analyzing device 2 detects the moisture content of polished rice, the first wavelength band LB1 and the second wavelength band LB2 can be set to appropriate wavelength bands.

[0088] In the grain analysis device 2, the grain is white rice, the specific component is protein, the first wavelength band LB1 is a wavelength band of 870 nm or more and 910 nm or less, and the second wavelength band LB2 is a wavelength band of 920 nm or more and 960 nm or less.

[0089] According to this, when the grain analyzing device 2 detects the protein content of polished rice, the first wavelength band LB1 can be set to a wavelength band including a first wavelength λ1, which is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC, which indicates a correlation with the standard protein amount of polished rice, is the smallest. Also, the second wavelength band LB2 can be set to a wavelength band including a second wavelength λ2, which is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC, which indicates a correlation with the standard protein amount of polished rice, is the largest. Therefore, when the grain analyzing device 2 detects the protein content of polished rice, the first wavelength band LB1 and the second wavelength band LB2 can be set to appropriate wavelength bands.

[0090] In the grain analysis device 2A, the light emitter 11 has a first light emitter 111 that emits light in a first wavelength band LB1 and a second light emitter 112 that emits light in a second wavelength band LB2, and the control unit 14 causes the first light emitter 111 and the second light emitter 112 to emit light sequentially.

[0091] According to this, the first light emitter 111 and the second light emitter 112 are sequentially caused to emit light, and when the first light emitter 111 is caused to emit light in the first wavelength band LB1, the light receiver 12 can receive the light of the first wavelength band LB1 reflected by the polished rice. Furthermore, when the second light emitter 112 is caused to emit light in the second wavelength band LB2, the light receiver 12 can receive the light of the second wavelength band LB2 reflected by the polished rice. Therefore, the light receiver 12 can receive light in the first wavelength band LB1 with a simple configuration, and can also receive light in the second wavelength band LB2 with a simple configuration.

[0092] In the grain analysis device 2A, the grain is white rice, the specific component is moisture, the first wavelength band LB1 is a wavelength band of 950 nm or more and 980 nm or less, and the second wavelength band LB2 is a wavelength band of 910 nm or more and 940 nm or less.

[0093] 5, when the grain analyzing device 2 detects the moisture content of polished rice, the first wavelength band LB1 can be set to a wavelength band including a first wavelength λ1, which is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC, which indicates a correlation with the standard moisture content of polished rice, is the smallest. The second wavelength band LB2 can be set to a wavelength band including a second wavelength λ2, which is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC, which indicates a correlation with the standard moisture content of polished rice, is the largest. Therefore, the first wavelength band LB1 and the second wavelength band LB2 can be set to appropriate wavelength bands.

[0094] In the grain analysis device 2A, the grain is white rice, the specific component is protein, the first wavelength band LB1 is a wavelength band of 870 nm or more and 910 nm or less, and the second wavelength band LB2 is a wavelength band of 920 nm or more and 960 nm or less.

[0095] According to this, when the grain analyzing device 2A detects the protein content of polished rice, the first wavelength band LB1 can be set to a wavelength band including a first wavelength λ1, which is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC, which indicates a correlation with the standard protein amount of polished rice, is the smallest. Also, the second wavelength band LB2 can be set to a wavelength band including a second wavelength λ2, which is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC, which indicates a correlation with the standard protein amount of polished rice, is the largest. Therefore, when the grain analyzing device 2 detects the protein content of polished rice, the first wavelength band LB1 and the second wavelength band LB2 can be set to appropriate wavelength bands.

[0096] In the grain analysis device 2 and the grain analysis device 2A, the photoreceiver 12 receives light in three or more, number N, of different wavelength bands including a first wavelength band LB1 and a second wavelength band LB2, and each of the number N of different wavelength bands is selected in descending order of the absolute value of the regression coefficient RC, and the control unit 14 sets the number N.

[0097] According to this, the light receiver 12 receives light in three or more different wavelength bands, N in number, including the first wavelength band LB1 and the second wavelength band LB2, and by appropriately setting the N different wavelength bands, the content of a specific component in polished rice can be detected with high accuracy. Furthermore, the N different wavelength bands are selected in descending order of the absolute value of the regression coefficient RC, and therefore the N different wavelength bands can be appropriately set. Furthermore, the control unit 14 sets the number N, and therefore the number N can be set according to the accuracy desired by the user.

[0098] The grain analysis method is a grain analysis method for a grain analysis device 2 that includes a light emitter 11 that irradiates white rice with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region, a light receiver 12 that receives the light reflected from the white rice, and a control unit 14 that controls the light emitter 11 and the light receiver 12. The control unit 14 causes the light receiver 12 to receive light in a first wavelength band LB1 that includes a first wavelength λ1 that is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC, which indicates a correlation with the reference component amount that is the content of a specific component in the white rice, is the smallest among the wavelengths λ of the reflected light from the white rice measured by the reference spectrometer, and to receive light in a second wavelength band LB2 that includes a second wavelength λ2 that is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC is the largest, and detects the content of the specific component in the white rice based on the light reception results of the light receiver 12.

[0099] According to this, the grain analysis method has the same effects as those of the grain analysis device 2 described above.

[0100] The control program PG is for a grain analyzing device 2 that includes a light emitter 11 that irradiates white rice with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region, a light receiver 12 that receives the light reflected from the white rice, and a control unit 14 that has a processor 14A and controls the light emitter 11 and the light receiver 12. The control program PG causes the processor 14A to function as a measurement execution unit 143 that causes the light receiver 12 to receive light in a first wavelength band LB1 that includes a first wavelength λ1 that is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC is smallest, which indicates a correlation with the reference component amount that is the content of a specific component in the white rice, among the wavelengths λ of the reflected light from the white rice measured by the reference spectrometer, and to receive light in a second wavelength band LB2 that includes a second wavelength λ2 that is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC is largest, and a component calculation unit 144 that detects the content of the specific component in the white rice based on the light reception results of the light receiver 12.

[0101] According to this, the control program PG has the same effects as those of the grain analyzing device 2 described above.

[0102] The rice cooker 1 comprises an emitter 11 that irradiates white rice with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region, a receiver 12 that receives the light reflected from the white rice, and a control unit 14 that controls the emitter 11 and the receiver 12. The receiver 12 receives light in a first wavelength band LB1 that includes a first wavelength λ1, which is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC, which indicates a correlation with the reference component amount, which is the content of a specific component in the white rice, is the smallest, among the wavelengths λ of the light reflected from the white rice measured by the reference spectrometer, and receives light in a second wavelength band LB2 that includes a second wavelength λ2, which is the wavelength λ at which the value of the regression coefficient RC is the largest. The control unit 14 detects the content of the specific component in the white rice based on the light reception results of the receiver 12.

[0103] As a result, the rice cooker 1 has the same effects as those of the grain analyzing device 2 described above.

[0104] (Other embodiments) As described above, the first and second embodiments have been described as examples disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first and second embodiments to create new embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments will be described below as examples.

[0105] In the first and second embodiments described above, the "cooking machine" of the present disclosure is described as a rice cooker 1. The "cooking machine" of the present disclosure is not limited to the rice cooker 1. The "cooking machine" of the present disclosure may be, for example, a pressure cooker. The "cooking machine" of the present disclosure may also be, for example, a bread maker.

[0106] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the case where the "grain" of the present disclosure is white rice has been described. The "grain" of the present disclosure is not limited to white rice. The "grain" of the present disclosure may be, for example, brown rice. The "grain" of the present disclosure may also be, for example, wheat. The "grain" of the present disclosure may also be, for example, barley.

[0107] In the first and second embodiments described above, the light receiver 12 receives light reflected from polished rice. The light receiver 12 of the present disclosure is not limited to receiving light reflected from polished rice. The light receiver 12 of the present disclosure may receive at least one of light transmitted through polished rice and light reflected from polished rice. That is, the light receiver 12 of the present disclosure may receive, for example, light transmitted through polished rice. Furthermore, the light receiver 12 of the present disclosure may receive, for example, light transmitted through polished rice and light reflected from polished rice.

[0108] In the first and second embodiments described above, the optical receiver 12 receives light in a first wavelength band LB1 and light in a second wavelength band LB2. The optical receiver 12 of the present disclosure is not limited to receiving light in the first wavelength band LB1 and light in the second wavelength band LB2. The optical receiver 12 of the present disclosure may receive, for example, light in the first wavelength band LB1, light in the second wavelength band LB2, and light in a third wavelength band LB3. The optical receiver 12 of the present disclosure may also receive, for example, light in the first wavelength band LB1, light in the second wavelength band LB2, light in the third wavelength band LB3, and light in a fourth wavelength band LB4. The optical receiver 12 of the present disclosure may also receive, for example, light in the first wavelength band LB1, light in the second wavelength band LB2, light in the third wavelength band LB3, light in the fourth wavelength band LB4, and light in a fifth wavelength band LB5.

[0109] The configuration of the grain analyzing device 2 shown in Figure 4 is one example, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessarily necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each unit individually, and it is also possible to configure the device so that the functions of each unit are realized by a single processor executing a program. Furthermore, some of the functions realized by software in the above-mentioned embodiments may be realized by hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be realized by software.

[0110] The processing steps shown in Figures 9 and 11 are divided according to the main processing content to facilitate understanding of the processing, and the processing is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The processing may be divided into more step units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, one step unit may be divided so that it includes more processing. Furthermore, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0111] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0112] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0113] (Technology 1) A grain analysis device comprising: a light emitter that irradiates grains with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region; a light receiver that receives at least one of the reflected light and transmitted light from the grain; and a control unit that controls the light emitter and the light receiver, wherein the light receiver receives light in a first wavelength band that includes a first wavelength that is the wavelength for which the value of a coefficient showing a correlation with a reference component amount, which is the content of a specific component in the grain, is smallest among the wavelengths of the reflected light from the grain measured by a reference spectrometer, and receives light in a second wavelength band that includes a second wavelength that is the wavelength for which the coefficient showing the correlation is largest, and the control unit detects the content of the specific component in the grain based on the light reception result of the light receiver. According to this configuration, the light receiver receives light in a first wavelength band including a first wavelength that is the wavelength at which the coefficient showing the correlation with the reference component amount, which is the content of a specific component in the grain, is smallest among the wavelengths of the reflected light from the grain measured by the reference spectrometer, and receives light in a second wavelength band including a second wavelength that is the wavelength at which the coefficient showing the correlation is largest, and the control unit detects the content of the specific component in the grain based on the light reception result of the light receiver. Thus, the content of the specific component in the grain can be detected with a simple configuration and in a short time.

[0114] (Technology 2) The grain analysis device according to Technology 1, wherein the photoreceiver has a first photoreceiver that receives light in the first wavelength band and a second photoreceiver that receives light in the second wavelength band. According to this configuration, the first light receiver receives light in the first wavelength band, and the second light receiver receives light in the second wavelength band, so the content of a specific component in grain can be detected with a simple configuration in a short time.

[0115] (Technology 3) The grain analysis device according to Technology 1 or Technology 2, wherein the first photoreceiver has a first bandpass filter that transmits light in the first wavelength band, and the second photoreceiver has a second bandpass filter that transmits light in the second wavelength band. According to this configuration, the first photodetector has a first bandpass filter that transmits light in the first wavelength band, so that the light in the first wavelength band can be received with a simple configuration, and the second photodetector has a second bandpass filter that transmits light in the second wavelength band, so that the light in the second wavelength band can be received with a simple configuration.

[0116] (Technology 4) The grain analysis device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, wherein the grain is white rice, the specific component is moisture, the first wavelength band is a wavelength band of 950 nm or more and 980 nm or less, and the second wavelength band is a wavelength band of 910 nm or more and 940 nm or less. With this configuration, when the grain analyzing device detects the moisture content of polished rice, the first wavelength band can be set to a wavelength band including a first wavelength that is the wavelength with the smallest value of a coefficient that indicates correlation with the standard moisture content of polished rice. Furthermore, the second wavelength band can be set to a wavelength band including a second wavelength that is the wavelength with the largest value of a coefficient that indicates correlation with the standard moisture content of polished rice. Therefore, when the grain analyzing device detects the moisture content of polished rice, the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band can be set to appropriate wavelength bands.

[0117] (Technology 5) The grain analysis device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, wherein the grain is white rice, the specific component is protein, the first wavelength band is a wavelength band of 870 nm or more and 910 nm or less, and the second wavelength band is a wavelength band of 920 nm or more and 960 nm or less. With this configuration, when the grain analyzing device detects the protein content of polished rice, the first wavelength band can be set to a wavelength band including a first wavelength that is the wavelength at which the value of the coefficient showing correlation with the standard protein amount of polished rice is smallest. Also, the second wavelength band can be set to a wavelength band including a second wavelength that is the wavelength at which the value of the coefficient showing correlation with the standard protein amount of polished rice is largest. Therefore, when the grain analyzing device detects the protein content of polished rice, the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band can be set to appropriate wavelength bands.

[0118] (Technology 6) The grain analysis device according to Technology 1, wherein the light emitter includes a first light emitter that emits light in the first wavelength band and a second light emitter that emits light in the second wavelength band, and the control unit sequentially causes the first light emitter and the second light emitter to emit light. With this configuration, the first light emitter and the second light emitter are sequentially caused to emit light, and when the first light emitter is caused to emit light in the first wavelength band, the light receiver can receive light in the first wavelength band reflected by the polished rice. Furthermore, when the second light emitter is caused to emit light in the second wavelength band, the light receiver can receive light in the second wavelength band reflected by the polished rice. Therefore, the light receiver can receive light in the first wavelength band with a simple configuration, and can also receive light in the second wavelength band with a simple configuration.

[0119] (Technology 7) The grain analysis device according to Technology 6, wherein the grain is white rice, the specific component is moisture, the first wavelength band is a wavelength band of 950 nm or more and 980 nm or less, and the second wavelength band is a wavelength band of 910 nm or more and 940 nm or less. With this configuration, when the grain analyzing device detects the moisture content of polished rice, the first wavelength band can be set to a wavelength band including a first wavelength that is the wavelength with the smallest value of a coefficient that indicates correlation with the standard moisture content of polished rice. Furthermore, the second wavelength band can be set to a wavelength band including a second wavelength that is the wavelength with the largest value of a coefficient that indicates correlation with the standard moisture content of polished rice. Therefore, when the grain analyzing device detects the moisture content of polished rice, the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band can be set to appropriate wavelength bands.

[0120] (Technology 8) The grain analysis device according to Technology 6, wherein the grain is white rice, the specific component is protein, the first wavelength band is a wavelength band of 870 nm or more and 910 nm or less, and the second wavelength band is a wavelength band of 920 nm or more and 960 nm or less. With this configuration, when the grain analyzing device detects the protein content of polished rice, the first wavelength band can be set to a wavelength band including a first wavelength that is the wavelength at which the value of the coefficient showing correlation with the standard protein amount of polished rice is smallest. Also, the second wavelength band can be set to a wavelength band including a second wavelength that is the wavelength at which the value of the coefficient showing correlation with the standard protein amount of polished rice is largest. Therefore, when the grain analyzing device detects the protein content of polished rice, the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band can be set to appropriate wavelength bands.

[0121] (Technology 9) The grain analysis device according to any one of Technology 1 to Technology 8, wherein the light receiver receives light of a predetermined number of three or more mutually different wavelength bands including the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band, and each of the predetermined number of mutually different wavelength bands is selected in descending order of the absolute value of the coefficient indicating the correlation, and the control unit sets the predetermined number. According to this configuration, the light receiver receives light in a predetermined number of three or more different wavelength bands, including the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band. Therefore, by appropriately setting the predetermined number of different wavelength bands, the content of a specific component in polished rice can be accurately detected. Furthermore, since the predetermined number of different wavelength bands are selected in descending order of the absolute value of the coefficient indicating the correlation, the predetermined number of different wavelength bands can be appropriately set. The control unit sets the predetermined number, so it can set the predetermined number according to the accuracy desired by the user.

[0122] (Technology 10) A grain analysis method for a grain analysis apparatus comprising: a light emitter that irradiates grains with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region; a light receiver that receives at least one of the reflected light and transmitted light from the grain; and a control unit that controls the light emitter and the light receiver, wherein the control unit causes the light receiver to receive light in a first wavelength band that includes a first wavelength, which is the wavelength at which the value of a coefficient showing a correlation with a reference component amount, which is the content of a specific component of the grain, is smallest among the wavelengths of the reflected light of the grain measured by a reference spectrometer, and to receive light in a second wavelength band that includes a second wavelength, which is the wavelength at which the value of the coefficient showing the correlation is largest, and detects the content of the specific component of the grain based on the light reception results of the light receiver. This configuration provides the same effects as the grain analyzing device described in the first technique.

[0123] (Technology 11) A grain analysis program for a grain analysis device comprising: a light emitter that irradiates grains with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region; a light receiver that receives at least one of the reflected light and transmitted light from the grain; and a control unit having a processor and controlling the light emitter and the light receiver, wherein the grain analysis program causes the processor to function as a measurement execution unit that causes the light receiver to receive light in a first wavelength band including a first wavelength that is the wavelength with the smallest value of a coefficient showing correlation with a reference component amount that is the content of a specific component of the grain, among the wavelengths of the reflected light of the grain measured by a reference spectrometer, and to receive light in a second wavelength band including a second wavelength that is the wavelength with the largest value of the coefficient showing correlation; and a component calculation unit that detects the content of the specific component of the grain based on the light reception results of the light receiver. This configuration provides the same effects as the grain analyzing device described in the first technique.

[0124] (Technology 12) A cooking device comprising: a light emitter that irradiates grain with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region; a light receiver that receives at least one of the reflected light and transmitted light from the grain; and a control unit that controls the light emitter and the light receiver, wherein the light receiver receives light in a first wavelength band that includes a first wavelength that is the wavelength at which the value of a coefficient showing a correlation with a reference component amount that is the content of a specific component of the grain is smallest among the wavelengths of the reflected light of the grain measured by a reference spectrometer, and receives light in a second wavelength band that includes a second wavelength that is the wavelength at which the value of the coefficient showing the correlation is largest, and the control unit detects the content of the specific component of the grain based on the light reception result of the light receiver. This configuration provides the same effects as the grain analyzing device described in the first technique. [Industrial Applicability]

[0125] As described above, the grain analysis device, grain analysis method, grain analysis program, and heat cooking machine according to the present invention can be used to detect the content of specific components in grains in a short period of time with a simple configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1. Rice cooker (heating cooking machine) 2, 2A grain analyzer 3. Sound output device 11 Light-emitting organ 12 Receiver 12A 1st receiver 12B 2nd receiver 122 Light receiving sensor 122A First light receiving sensor 122B Second light receiving sensor 123 Bandpass Filter 123A 1st bandpass filter 123B 2nd bandpass filter 14 Control Unit 14A processor 141 Regression equation generation unit 142 Lighting indicator 143 Measurement Execution Unit 144 Component calculation unit 14B memory 145 Regression Memory Section 146 Reference Memory Unit DA absorbance DA1 1st absorbance DA2 2nd absorbance LB1 First wavelength band LB2 Second Wavelength Band LM1 First light intensity LM2 2nd light intensity N number (predetermined number) PG control program (grain analysis program) QP protein amount QPA standard protein amount (standard component amount) QPD detected protein amount QW Moisture content QWA standard moisture content (standard component amount) QWD detection moisture amount RC regression coefficient (coefficient showing correlation) REW, REP regression formula λ wavelength λ1 1st wavelength λ2 second wavelength

Claims

1. a light emitter that irradiates the grain with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region; a light receiver that receives at least one of reflected light and transmitted light from the grain; a control unit that controls the light emitter and the light receiver; Equipped with The optical receiver includes: Among the wavelengths of the reflected light from the grain measured by the reference spectroscope, light in a first wavelength band including a first wavelength which is the wavelength at which the value of a coefficient showing a correlation with a reference component amount which is the content of a specific component in the grain is the smallest is received; receiving light in a second wavelength band including a second wavelength at which the value of the coefficient indicating the correlation is maximum; The control unit detects the content of a specific component in the grain based on the light reception result of the light receiver.

2. The optical receiver includes: a first optical receiver that receives light in the first wavelength band; a second light receiver that receives light in the second wavelength band; having The grain analysis device according to claim 1 .

3. the first optical receiver has a first bandpass filter that transmits light in the first wavelength band; the second optical receiver has a second bandpass filter that transmits light in the second wavelength band; The grain analysis device according to claim 2 .

4. the grain is white rice, the specific component is water, the first wavelength band is a wavelength band of 950 nm or more and 980 nm or less, The second wavelength band is a wavelength band of 910 nm or more and 940 nm or less. The grain analysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the grain is white rice, and the specific component is protein; the first wavelength band is a wavelength band of 870 nm or more and 910 nm or less, The second wavelength band is a wavelength band of 920 nm or more and 960 nm or less. The grain analysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The light emitter is a first light emitter that emits light in the first wavelength band; a second light emitter that emits light in the second wavelength band; and the control unit sequentially causes the first light emitter and the second light emitter to emit light. The grain analysis device according to claim 1 .

7. the grain is white rice, the specific component is water, the first wavelength band is a wavelength band of 950 nm or more and 980 nm or less, The second wavelength band is a wavelength band of 910 nm or more and 940 nm or less. The grain analysis device according to claim 6.

8. the grain is white rice, and the specific component is protein; the first wavelength band is a wavelength band of 870 nm or more and 910 nm or less, The second wavelength band is a wavelength band of 920 nm or more and 960 nm or less. The grain analysis device according to claim 6.

9. the optical receiver receives light of a predetermined number of wavelength bands that are different from each other, which are three or more, including the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band; the predetermined number of mutually different wavelength bands are selected in descending order of absolute value of the coefficient indicating the correlation, The control unit sets the predetermined number. The grain analysis device according to claim 1 .

10. a light emitter that irradiates the grain with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region; a light receiver that receives at least one of reflected light and transmitted light from the grain; a control unit that controls the light emitter and the light receiver; A grain analysis method for a grain analyzer, comprising: The control unit the light receiver is caused to receive light in a first wavelength band including a first wavelength which is a wavelength at which a coefficient value indicating a correlation with a reference component amount, which is the content of a specific component in the grain, is smallest among the wavelengths of the reflected light of the grain measured by a reference spectrometer, and also to receive light in a second wavelength band including a second wavelength which is a wavelength at which a coefficient value indicating the correlation is largest; Detecting the content of a specific component in the grain based on the light reception result of the light receiver. Grain analysis methods.

11. a light emitter that irradiates the grain with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region; a light receiver that receives at least one of reflected light and transmitted light from the grain; a control unit having a processor and controlling the light emitter and the light receiver; A grain analysis program for a grain analysis apparatus comprising: The processor, a measurement execution unit that causes the light receiver to receive light in a first wavelength band including a first wavelength that is a wavelength at which a coefficient value indicating a correlation with a reference component amount that is a content of a specific component in the grain is smallest among the wavelengths of the reflected light of the grain measured by a reference spectroscope, and to receive light in a second wavelength band that is a wavelength at which a coefficient value indicating the correlation is largest; a component calculation unit that detects the content of a specific component in the grain based on the light reception result of the light receiver; A grain analysis program that acts as a

12. a light emitter that irradiates the grain with light having a wavelength band in the near-infrared region; a light receiver that receives at least one of reflected light and transmitted light from the grain; a control unit that controls the light emitter and the light receiver; Equipped with The optical receiver includes: Among the wavelengths of the reflected light from the grain measured by the reference spectroscope, light in a first wavelength band including a first wavelength which is the wavelength at which the value of a coefficient showing a correlation with a reference component amount which is the content of a specific component in the grain is the smallest is received; receiving light in a second wavelength band including a second wavelength at which the value of the coefficient indicating the correlation is maximum; The control unit detects the content of a specific component in the grain based on the light reception result of the light receiver.

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