Cooker, processing method, and program

Abstract

To reduce the possibility that carbonized stains exist in a cooking chamber in a cooker.SOLUTION: A cooker according to the present embodiment comprises: an imaging unit for imaging a cooking chamber for housing an object to be cooked; a determining unit for determining whether or not predetermined stains including at least one of carbonized stains and stains causing carbonization exist in the cooking chamber, on the basis of a captured image of the imaging unit when the object to be cooked is not housed in the cooking chamber; and a reporting unit for reporting that the predetermined stains exist when it is determined by the determining unit that the predetermined stains exist.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to a cooking device, a processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a cooking appliance (for example, an oven range), there is a technique for determining whether the cooking chamber is empty (nothing is inside) based on, for example, a captured image of the cooking chamber and a reference image.

[0003] In this case, for example, by updating the reference image as appropriate, it is possible to respond to changes in the condition of the cooking appliance due to long-term use (for example, deterioration of the camera, deterioration of the lighting unit, changes in the degree of dirt inside the cooking chamber, etc.).

[0004] However, repeated heating without cleaning the cooking chamber can carbonize dirt inside the cooking chamber. It is known that if microwaves are irradiated into the cooking chamber during microwave heating when there is carbonized dirt inside the cooking chamber, the carbonized area will become hot due to so-called electric field concentration, which is undesirable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6934607 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The above-mentioned conventional technology can accurately determine whether the cooking chamber is empty or not even if the degree of dirt inside the cooking chamber changes by appropriately updating the reference image, but it does not provide a solution to the problem of carbonization of the dirt mentioned above.

[0007] Therefore, an object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a heating cooker, a processing method, and a program that can reduce the possibility of the interior of the cooking chamber becoming carbonized and dirty. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The heating cooker of this embodiment comprises an imaging unit that images a cooking chamber containing food to be cooked, a judgment unit that determines whether or not there is specified dirt in the cooking chamber, including at least one of carbonized dirt and dirt that can cause carbonization, based on an image captured by the imaging unit when there is no food to be cooked in the cooking chamber, and a notification unit that alerts the user to the presence of the specified dirt when the judgment unit determines that the specified dirt is present. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the inside of the cooking chamber of a cooking appliance will become carbonized and dirty. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the microwave oven according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially transparent perspective view of the microwave oven of FIG. 1 with the door and cabinet removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the microwave oven of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view of the microwave oven of FIG. 1 as seen from the front with the cabinet and oven back panel removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the microwave generator and its surrounding essential parts as seen from the side of the microwave oven shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the main body of the microwave oven of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the microwave oven of FIG. 1 with the door removed, viewed from the lower left. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of the internal structure of the microwave oven of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the approximate imaging range of camera 102 in cooking chamber 14 for the microwave oven of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the microwave oven of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the cooking device in the microwave oven of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the cooking device, the processing method, and the program of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that common parts will be designated by common reference numerals throughout the drawings.

[0012] First, the overall configuration of the microwave oven will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the microwave oven of the embodiment. Figure 2 is a partially transparent perspective view of the microwave oven of Figure 1 with the door and cabinet removed.

[0013] The main body 1 is configured in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a metal cabinet 2. The cabinet 2 is a member that covers the outer shell of the oven range that will be the product. A door 3 is provided on the front of the main body 1 and can be opened and closed freely.

[0014] A handle 4 for opening and closing the vertically opening door 3 is provided at the top of the door 3. An operation panel unit 5 for display, notification and operation is provided on the side of the door 3. The operation panel unit 5 includes a display means 6 (display unit) and an operation means 7.

[0015] The display means 6 displays the cooking settings, progress, etc. The operation means 7 is a means for enabling various operation inputs related to cooking, and is, for example, a button or a touch panel.

[0016] Inside the door 3, behind the operation panel unit 5, there is arranged an operation panel PC (printed circuit) board (not shown) for controlling the display means 6, operation means 7, etc.

[0017] A water supply cassette 8 and a water receiver 9 are disposed at the bottom of the main body 1, and can be attached and detached from the front of the main body 1. The water supply cassette 8 is a bottomed container that holds liquid water and is a supply source for steam that is sprayed from the steam supply device 43, which will be described later. The water receiver 9 is also a bottomed container that receives food debris, water droplets, steam, etc. from the main body 1.

[0018] Below, reference will be made to Figures 3 and beyond as appropriate. Cabinet 2, which forms the left and right side surfaces and top surface of main body 1, is provided between oven front plate 12, which forms the front surface of main body 1, and oven rear plate 13, which forms the rear surface of main body 1, so as to cover oven bottom plate 11 (Figure 3), which forms the bottom surface of main body 1 and therefore the oven range. Main body 1 also has cooking chamber 14, which contains food to be cooked, and thermistor 15 (Figures 3 and 4), which has a temperature detection element that detects the temperature of cooking chamber 14.

[0019] The front of cooking chamber 14 reaches oven front panel 12 and is open to allow food to be placed in and removed, with this opening being opened and closed by door 3. A thermistor 15, which serves as an internal temperature detection means, is disposed inside cooking chamber 14 near door 3. A fan intake 10 (Fig. 1) is provided on the side of cabinet 2 at a location opposite the cooling fan built into sensor unit 51 (Fig. 2).

[0020] The peripheral walls that form the inner surface of cooking chamber 14 are made up of ceiling wall 14a, bottom wall 14b, left side wall 14c, right side wall 14d, and rear wall 14e. Rear wall 14e of cooking chamber 14 has air inlet 16 (Fig. 4) at its center and multiple air outlets 17 (Fig. 4) around air inlet 16.

[0021] Furthermore, an upper heater 18 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 7) for grilling that radiates heat to food to be cooked from above the cooking chamber 14 is provided on the top of the main body 1, facing the dome-shaped ceiling wall 14a that forms the upper wall surface of the cooking chamber 14. Furthermore, a microwave generator 19 (FIGS. 3 and 5) including a magnetron is provided on the bottom of the main body 1 to supply microwaves, which are radio waves, into the cooking chamber 14. As a result, food to be cooked placed in the cooking chamber 14 is grill-heated from above by heat radiation when power is applied to the upper heater 18, and microwaves are radiated to the food to be cooked placed in the cooking chamber 14 when power is applied to the microwave generator 19, thereby heating the food in the microwave oven.

[0022] Note that the ceiling wall 14a may have a curvature only in a portion thereof, and a sensor window 70 (FIG. 7), which will be described later, may be provided at a position defined by the curvature of the ceiling wall 14a. In addition, the present embodiment is not limited to a configuration in which the ceiling wall 14a has a curvature, and may have a configuration in which, for example, the ceiling wall 14a is formed in a mountain shape with an inclined portion, and the sensor window 70 is provided at the inclined portion of the ceiling wall 14a.

[0023] A sensor window 70 (see FIG. 7) for the infrared sensor 57 is formed near the right side wall 14d on the top surface, which is the outer surface of the ceiling wall 14a serving as the upper part of the cooking chamber 14, and a detection unit 57-1 of the infrared sensor 57 is disposed on the upper part of the main body 1 opposite this sensor window 70. The sensor window 70 may also be formed on the side surface, which is the outer surface of the right side wall 14d serving as the side part of the cooking chamber 14. In this case, the detection unit 57-1 of the infrared sensor 57 is disposed on the side of the main body 1 opposite the sensor window 70.

[0024] A pair of shelf supports 22 are provided on two levels, one above the other, on the left side wall 14c and the other on the right side wall 14d of the cooking chamber 14 to store and hold metal square plates (not shown) in a suspended state inside the cooking chamber 14. When using the microwave generator 19 described above for microwave heating, the food to be cooked can be placed in a microwaveable container (not shown) and cooked inside the cooking chamber 14 without placing a square plate or the like inside the cooking chamber 14.

[0025] Hot air unit 24 (Figs. 3 and 6) for heating the oven is disposed inside main body 1, extending from the rear exterior of cooking chamber 14 downward. Hot air unit 24 is a heating means for the food to be cooked and is generally composed of a convex casing 26 attached to rear wall 14e, a hot air heater 27 that heats the air, a hot air fan 28 that sends the heated air into cooking chamber 14 and circulates it, an electric hot air motor 29 that rotates hot air fan 28 in a predetermined direction, and a transmission mechanism 30 that transmits the driving force from hot air motor 29 to hot air fan 28.

[0026] A hot air heater 27 and a hot air fan 28 are disposed in a heating chamber 31 (Fig. 3) formed outside and rearward of the cooking chamber 14 as an internal space between the rear wall 14e and the casing 26. A hot air motor 29 is disposed in a lower space 32 (Fig. 3) formed inside the main body 1 between the cooking chamber 14 and the oven bottom plate 11. An oven rear plate 13 is disposed at the rear of the main body 1 so as to cover the entire hot air unit 24 from the outside rear.

[0027] Hot air fan 28 is a centrifugal fan that takes in air in the axial direction and expels it in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction due to centrifugal force generated when it rotates. Tubular hot air heater 27 is arranged to surround hot air fan 28 in the radial direction. Hot air heater 27, which also serves as a heat-generating unit, can be realized by, for example, a sheath heater, mica heater, quartz tube heater, or halogen heater. The aforementioned air inlet 16 (FIG. 4) and air outlet 17 (FIG. 4) function as ventilation sections that connect cooking chamber 14 and heating chamber 31.

[0028] When hot air motor 29 is energized and hot air fan 28 is driven to rotate, air is sucked in from inside cooking chamber 14 through intake port 16 and blown out in the radial direction of hot air fan 28, where it is heated by energized hot air heater 27, and the hot air passes through outlet port 17 and is supplied into cooking chamber 14. This forms a path for circulating hot air inside and outside cooking chamber 14, allowing food to be cooked in cooking chamber 14 to be heated by hot air convection.

[0029] Next, microwave generator 19 (Figs. 3 and 5) as microwave heating means for heating food to be cooked and its surrounding detailed structure will be described. Bottom wall 14b of cooking chamber 14 is formed by covering the upper opening of concave antenna housing section 35 (Fig. 5) formed in metal plate 34 with bottom plate 36 (Figs. 2 and 5) that is permeable to microwaves, such as a ceramic plate. Metal plate 34 (Figs. 2 and 5), which is impermeable to microwaves, forms not only the periphery of bottom wall 14b but also integrally with left wall 14c, right wall 14d, and rear wall 14e, and all of the inner surfaces of cooking chamber 14 except for bottom plate 36, are made of a material that is impermeable to microwaves.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the microwave generator 19 is mainly composed of a magnetron (not shown) that serves as a microwave supply source, as well as a waveguide 37, an antenna motor 38, an antenna holder 39, a cylindrical cable shaft 40, and an antenna 41 in the lower space 32 inside the main body 1.

[0031] Waveguide 37 guides microwaves generated by the magnetron to directly below antenna housing section 35. Antenna motor 38 is disposed below waveguide 37. Antenna holder 39 has its lower end disposed inside waveguide 37 and attached and fixed to the rotation shaft of antenna motor 38. Cylindrical cable shaft 40 is inserted and fixed inside antenna holder 39. Antenna 41 has the upper end of cable shaft 40 attached and fixed to the center of antenna 41, and is provided rotatably inside antenna housing section 35.

[0032] Furthermore, when the top opening of the antenna storage section 35 is closed by the bottom plate 36, the entire antenna 41 is positioned parallel to the flat bottom plate 36 that forms the bottom wall 14b of the cooking chamber 14, facing the flat bottom plate 36.

[0033] The steam supply device 43 (Figure 3) that sends steam into the cooking chamber 14 includes, in addition to the water supply cassette 8 described above, a nozzle 45 (Figure 6) that turns the supplied liquid water into a mist, a water supply pipe 46 (Figure 6) that connects between the water supply cassette 8 and the nozzle 45, a water supply pump 47 (Figure 6) that directs water from the water supply cassette 8 to the nozzle 45, and a plurality of steam ejection holes 44 (Figures 3 and 6) that communicate with the inside of the nozzle 45.

[0034] As a result, when steam supply device 43 is operating, water from water supply cassette 8 is sent to nozzle 45 by water supply pump 47, and the water supplied by nozzle 45 is turned into mist and supplied into cooking chamber 14 through steam outlet 44. At this time, if the temperature inside cooking chamber 14 is higher than 100°C at atmospheric pressure (hereinafter, temperature values ​​will be referred to as temperature values ​​in Celsius at atmospheric pressure), this water vapor instantly evaporates inside cooking chamber 14 and becomes superheated steam, so that food placed in cooking chamber 14 is heated quickly and evenly with the appropriate amount of water molecules (superheated steam).

[0035] The sensor unit 51 (FIG. 2) includes an infrared sensor 57 (FIG. 7) that detects the temperature of the food to be cooked, and a cooling fan (not shown).

[0036] The heat shield 75 (Figure 2) is made of metal and specifically blocks radiant heat from the upper heater 18. It has a horizontal C-shaped cross section and is provided on the ceiling of the cooking chamber 14 so as to cover the area above the upper heater 18 from near the oven front plate 12 to near the oven rear plate 13.

[0037] Next, explanation will be made mainly with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a side view of the internal structure of the microwave oven of Fig. 1.

[0038] First substrate 101 is provided with at least a camera 102 that captures images of cooking chamber 14 and a camera control unit 103 (FIG. 10) that controls camera 102. Camera control unit 103 controls camera 102 in response to an instruction signal from control means 81. Camera 102 is an example of an imaging unit.

[0039] As described above, cooking chamber 14 is provided with sensor window 70 (FIG. 7) that faces infrared sensor 57 provided outside cooking chamber 14. Camera 102 is provided outside cooking chamber 14 and captures images of cooking chamber 14 through sensor window 70.

[0040] First substrate 101 and second substrate 111 are provided at positions spaced apart via first wiring section 121. Second substrate 111 is provided with at least determination section 112. Determination section 112 determines whether or not predetermined stains including at least carbonized stains and stains that cause carbonization are present in cooking chamber 14, based on an image captured by camera 102 when no food is placed in cooking chamber 14.

[0041] Furthermore, the fact that no food is contained in cooking chamber 14 can be recognized, for example, based on the image captured by camera 102 and a reference image when no food is contained in cooking chamber 14.

[0042] Additionally, the timing for camera 102 to take an image when no food is placed in cooking chamber 14 may be specified by the user. Camera 102 may also automatically take images at a predetermined frequency, such as before heating begins (for example, before the food is placed in cooking chamber 14) or after the food is removed from cooking chamber 14 after heating has ended.

[0043] The first substrate 101 is also provided with a memory unit 113 (see FIG. 10). The memory unit 113 stores a trained model 114 (see FIG. 10). The trained model 114 is created in advance by learning using training images, which are images of the cooking chamber 14 when a predetermined stain is present, as training data. The trained model 114 is a model that inputs a captured image and outputs the presence or absence of the predetermined stain in the input captured image. The determination unit 112 then uses the captured image of the camera 102 and the trained model 114 to determine whether or not a predetermined stain is present in the cooking chamber 14, and outputs a stain detection signal if it determines that the predetermined stain is present. The stain detection signal may, for example, only indicate the presence of the predetermined stain, or may include information such as the type, number, and level of stain if the determination unit 112 detects such information as will be described later.

[0044] Carbonization is a type of chemical reaction of substances primarily composed of carbon compounds, and refers to a phenomenon in which, due to heating or other factors, carbon atoms remain as a solid, while many other atoms become various gas molecules and leave. It is known that if microwaves are irradiated into cooking chamber 14 during microwave heating in a situation where carbonized dirt is present, the carbonized area will become hot due to so-called electric field concentration, which is undesirable.

[0045] In addition, in the case of food and drink, many of the proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids that contain carbon atoms will carbonize when heated. However, substances that evaporate when heated (such as water and ethanol) and substances that do not contain carbon atoms (such as salt) will not carbonize when heated.

[0046] Therefore, based on these facts, it is possible to prepare training images as training data without actually carbonizing food. That is, for example, an image showing stains in the cooking chamber 14 that will carbonize when heated (for example, an image showing oil stains before carbonization) can be used as training images as training data. Naturally, images with stains that have already been carbonized can also be used as training images.

[0047] In addition, the judgment unit 112 may be configured to judge whether or not there is a specified stain in the cooking chamber 14 based on an image captured by the camera 102 a specified time after a notification unit (e.g., display control unit 811) described below has notified (e.g., displayed on the display means 6) that there is a specified stain.

[0048] In addition, the judgment unit 112 may be configured to judge whether or not there is a specified amount of dirt in parts of the cooking chamber 14 other than the food to be cooked, based on an image captured by the camera 102 during microwave heating operation when food to be cooked is contained in the cooking chamber 14.

[0049] The cooking device further includes a third substrate 141 on which at least a control means 81 (see FIG. 10) that executes various controls is provided. The second substrate 111 and the third substrate 141 are provided at positions spaced apart from each other via a second wiring portion 122.

[0050] Here, the approximate imaging range of camera 102 in cooking chamber 14 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the approximate imaging range of camera 102 in cooking chamber 14 for the microwave oven of Fig. 1.

[0051] The angle of view of camera 102 is normally set so as to capture an image of food placed on the bottom surface of cooking chamber 14. In other words, the imaging range of camera 102 is approximately imaging range R in FIG.

[0052] However, certain stains may occur on the side surfaces and top surfaces of cooking chamber 14 in addition to the bottom surface. Therefore, in order to be able to deal with stains on the side surfaces and top surfaces of cooking chamber 14, camera 102 may be provided with a mechanism for changing the imaging direction.

[0053] Furthermore, since it is difficult to capture images near camera 102, for example, another camera may be provided inside cooking chamber 14 at a position opposite camera 102. This can reduce blind spots in the image capture.

[0054] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the microwave oven in Figure 1. The control means 81 is made up of, for example, a microcomputer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as an arithmetic processing means, a memory as a storage means, a timer as a timing means, an input / output device, etc.

[0055] In addition to the operation means 7, infrared sensor 57, and thermistor 15, the input port of the control means 81 is electrically connected to hot air motor rotation detection means 83 that detects the rotation speed of the hot air fan 28, door open / close detection means 84 that detects the open / close state of the door 3, antenna position detection means 85 that detects the origin position of the antenna 41 of the microwave generator 19, and second board 111. As described above with reference to Figure 8, the first board 101 is connected to the second board 111 via the first wiring part 121.

[0056] In addition to the display means 6, the output port of the control means 81 is electrically connected to microwave heating means 88, heater driving means 89, antenna driving means 90, hot air motor driving means 91, pump driving means 93, cooling fan driving means 94, and camera control unit 103.

[0057] The microwave heating means 88 includes a magnetron and its driving means. The heater driving means 89 is a relay or the like that turns on and off the upper heater 18 for grill heating and the hot air heater 27 for oven heating. The antenna driving means 90 operates the antenna motor 38 that rotates the antenna 41 that radiates microwaves into the cooking chamber 14.

[0058] Hot air motor driving means 91 rotates and drives the hot air motor 29. Pump driving means 93 operates the water supply pump 47 of the steam supply device 43. Cooling fan driving means 94 operates a fan motor that rotates and drives the cooling fan.

[0059] The control means 81 receives operation signals from the operation means 7 and detection signals from the infrared sensor 57, thermistor 15, hot air motor rotation detection means 83, door open / close detection means 84, antenna position detection means 85, and second board 111. The control means 81 has the function of outputting drive control signals to the microwave heating means 88, antenna drive means 90, heater drive means 89, hot air motor drive means 91, pump drive means 93, and cooling fan drive means 94 at predetermined timing based on the timekeeping from the clocking means, and also outputs display control signals to the display means 6.

[0060] For example, when the control means 81 receives an operation signal associated with the operation of the operating means 7 and determines that the door 3 is closed based on a detection signal from the door open / close detection means 84, the control means 81 sends control signals to the microwave heating means 88, antenna driving means 90, heater driving means 89, hot air motor driving means 91, and pump driving means 93 in response to the operation signal to control various heating and cooking operations for the food to be cooked, and sends a control signal to the cooling fan driving means 94 to control cooling operations for the infrared sensor 57, second board 111, etc. Also, for example, the control means 81 controls the display operations of the display means 6. Also, for example, when an image needs to be captured by the camera 102, the control means 81 sends an instruction signal to the camera control unit 103. In response to this, the camera control unit 103 controls the camera 102, causing the camera 102 to capture an image of the cooking chamber 14.

[0061] Next, the operation of the oven range configured as described above will be explained in detail. With food to be cooked placed in cooking chamber 14, door 3 is closed while gripping handle 4, a cooking menu is selected using operating means 7, and a command is given to start cooking the food. A control signal generated in accordance with the selected cooking menu is output from the output port of control means 81 at a predetermined timing, and the food is cooked.

[0062] Here, for example, when a cooking menu for microwave heating is selected, control means 81 receives detection signals from infrared sensor 57 and thermistor 15, and sends control signals to microwave heating means 88 and antenna driving means 90 so that the food to be cooked is heated to the set temperature. As a result, microwave generator 19 is energized and supplies and radiates microwaves, and the rotational force generated in antenna motor 38 is transmitted to antenna 41, driving it to rotate, radiating microwaves into cooking chamber 14, and the food to be cooked placed on bottom wall 14b is heated in the microwave.

[0063] Furthermore, when the oven heating menu is selected, control means 81 receives a detection signal from thermistor 15 and sends control signals to heater drive means 89 and hot air motor drive means 91, respectively, to control the energization and de-energization of hot air heater 27 and hot air motor 29 so that cooking chamber 14 is heated to the set temperature. As a result, the rotational force generated in hot air motor 29 is transmitted to hot air fan 28, causing hot air fan 28 to rotate inside heating chamber 31, and the hot air motor rotation detection means 83 captures the rotation speed in control means 81. At the same time, air sucked into heating chamber 31 from cooking chamber 14 through intake port 16 is sent toward energized hot air heater 27, and the heated air is supplied to cooking chamber 14 through outlet port 17 as hot air. As a result, the food to be cooked in cooking chamber 14 is heated by hot air convection.

[0064] When the grill cooking menu is selected, the control means 81 receives a detection signal from the thermistor 15 and controls the heater driving means 89 to turn on and off the upper heater 18 so that the cooking chamber 14 is heated to the set temperature, and the food to be cooked in the cooking chamber 14 is grill-heated from above.

[0065] Furthermore, when a menu item for steam cooking using superheated steam is selected, control means 81 receives a detection signal from thermistor 15 and controls heater drive means 89 to turn on or off upper heater 18 so that cooking chamber 14 is heated to the set temperature. When control means 81 determines that the temperature inside cooking chamber 14 has reached the set temperature, it sends a control signal to pump drive means 93, which controls the operation of water supply pump 47 incorporated in steam supply device 43, and sprays mist-like water from steam outlet holes 44 into cooking chamber 14 to supply steam.

[0066] When steam is supplied into cooking chamber 14, the temperature inside cooking chamber 14 drops. Control means 81 determines whether the temperature inside cooking chamber 14 has reached the set temperature based on a detection signal from thermistor 15, and if control means 81 determines that the temperature has not reached the set temperature, control means 81 controls the heater drive means 89 to turn on or off upper heater 18 so that the inside of cooking chamber 14 is heated to the set temperature. Then, if control means 81 determines that the temperature inside cooking chamber 14 has reached the set temperature, mist-like water is sprayed into cooking chamber 14 as described above to supply steam again. This causes the steam to instantly vaporize into superheated steam, and the food to be cooked in cooking chamber 14 is heated with the appropriate amount of water molecules (superheated steam).

[0067] In addition to the above-described operations, the following operations can also be performed: Camera 102 captures an image of the food placed in cooking chamber 14. Determination unit 112 determines whether or not there is a predetermined stain in cooking chamber 14 based on the image captured by camera 102 when no food is placed in cooking chamber 14 and trained model 114 stored in memory unit 113, and sends a stain detection signal to control means 81 if it determines that there is a predetermined stain.

[0068] The control means 81 includes a display control unit 811. The display control unit 811 causes the display means 6 to display various information. For example, when the display control unit 811 receives a dirt detection signal from the determination unit 112, it causes the display means 6 to display that there is a predetermined dirt in the cooking chamber 14. The display control unit 811 is an example of an alarm unit that alarms that there is a predetermined dirt when the determination unit 112 determines that there is a predetermined dirt.

[0069] Furthermore, the determination unit 112 may determine (detect) the type, number, level, etc. of dirt, in addition to determining the presence or absence of dirt. In this case, the trained model 114 may be constructed by learning to output the type, number, level, etc. of dirt in addition to the presence or absence of dirt. The trained model 114 may be constructed by learning to output, for example, carbonized dirt, dirt that has not been carbonized but can cause carbonization (e.g., oily dirt), simple dirt, etc., as the type of dirt. The trained model 114 may be constructed by learning to output, for example, carbonized dirt or dirt with a high degree of carbonization as a high level, dirt that has not been carbonized but can cause carbonization (e.g., oily dirt) or dirt with a low degree of carbonization as a medium level, and simple dirt as a low level. However, these are merely examples and are not limiting.

[0070] In this case, the display control unit 811 displays the determination result, i.e., the type, number, and level of dirt, on the display means 6. For example, if carbonized dirt has already occurred or the level of dirt is high, it is desirable to display this on the display means 6. In this case, the display means 6 may also display a message urging the user to clean the cooking chamber 14.

[0071] Next, the process performed by the cooking device will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the cooking device for the microwave oven of Fig. 1.

[0072] First, in step S1, the determination unit 112 acquires an image captured by the camera 102 when no food is placed in the cooking chamber 14.

[0073] Next, in step S2, the judgment unit 112 determines whether or not there is a specified dirt in the cooking chamber 14 based on the captured image acquired in step S1 and the trained model 114 stored in the memory unit 113, and if the answer is Yes, it sends a dirt detection signal to the control means 81 and proceeds to step S3, and if the answer is No, it terminates the processing.

[0074] In step S3, the display control unit 811 causes the display means 6 to display that the cooking chamber 14 is soiled to a predetermined extent.

[0075] Next, in step S4, the determination unit 112 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since step S3, and if Yes, the process proceeds to step S5, and if No, the process returns to step S4.

[0076] In step S5, the determination unit 112 acquires from the camera 102 an image captured when no food is placed in the cooking chamber 14.

[0077] Next, in step S6, the judgment unit 112 judges whether or not there is a specified dirt in the cooking chamber 14 based on the captured image acquired in step S5, and if the answer is Yes, it sends a dirt detection signal to the control means 81 and proceeds to step S7, and if the answer is No, it terminates the processing.

[0078] In step S7, the display control unit 811 causes the display means 6 to display that the cooking chamber 14 is soiled to a predetermined extent.

[0079] As described above, the cooking appliance of the present embodiment determines whether or not there is a predetermined stain in cooking chamber 14 based on the image captured by camera 102 when no food is placed in cooking chamber 14, and notifies the user if it is determined that there is a predetermined stain. This allows the user to know that there is a predetermined stain in cooking chamber 14, including at least one of carbonized stain and stain that can cause carbonization, and can serve as an opportunity to clean cooking chamber 14. This reduces the possibility that the inside of cooking chamber 14 will become contaminated with carbonized stain.

[0080] Furthermore, by using the above-mentioned trained model 114 to determine whether or not a stain is present, it is possible to obtain a more accurate determination result than, for example, a method of simply comparing a captured image with a reference image without stains to determine whether or not a stain is present.

[0081] Furthermore, when informing the user that there is a predetermined stain, for example, the display control unit 811 displays that there is a predetermined stain on the display means 6. This makes it easier for the user to recognize that there is a predetermined stain in the cooking chamber 14.

[0082] Furthermore, if the user is notified that there is a certain level of dirt in the cooking chamber 14, it is conceivable that the user will then clean the cooking chamber 14. Therefore, by performing a dirt determination again after a predetermined time, it is possible to determine whether the situation has improved as a result of cleaning. In this case, for example, the determination results may be displayed on the display means 6 both in cases where there has been an improvement and in cases where there has not been an improvement. This can serve as reference information for the user.

[0083] Furthermore, if camera 102 is provided with a mechanism for changing the imaging direction, it will be possible to address dirt in parts of cooking chamber 14 that are not included in the initial angle of view of camera 102 (for example, dirt on the sides or top surface). It is also possible that the initial angle of view of camera 102 does not capture the entire bottom surface of cooking chamber 14, and this can also be a countermeasure for this.

[0084] Furthermore, if the contamination determination is performed in the same manner while the food is being heated in the microwave, it becomes possible to control the device, for example, by stopping the heating if it is determined that the food is dirty, which is even more preferable.

[0085] Furthermore, the programs executed by the camera control unit 103, the determination unit 112, and the control means 81 of this embodiment can be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a recording medium readable by a computer device, such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).The programs may also be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0086] Furthermore, each or part of the camera control unit 103, the determination unit 112, and the control means 81 of this embodiment can also be realized by a hardware circuit such as an electronic circuit.

[0087] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0088] For example, the determination unit 112 and the storage unit 113 in which the trained model 114 is stored may be provided in the control means 81.

[0089] Furthermore, the control means 81 may be provided with a sound output control section as a notification section, which outputs a sound from a speaker (not shown) indicating that the cooking chamber 14 is soiled to a predetermined extent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1 Main unit 6 Display means (display section) 14 Galley 18 Upper heater 27 Hot air heater 28 Hot air fan 29 Hot air motor 57 Infrared Sensor 70 Sensor window 81 Control Means 101 First board 102 Camera (imaging unit) 103 Camera control unit 111 Second board 112 Judgment section 113 Storage section 114 trained models 121 1st wiring section 122 2nd wiring section 141 Third board 811 Display control unit (notification unit)

Claims

1. an imaging unit that images a cooking chamber that accommodates food to be cooked; A determination unit that determines whether or not there is predetermined dirt in the cooking chamber, including at least one of carbonized dirt and dirt that can cause carbonization, based on an image captured by the imaging unit when no food is stored in the cooking chamber; a notification unit that notifies the presence of the specified dirt when the determination unit determines that the specified dirt is present.

2. The heating cooker described in claim 1, characterized in that the judgment unit determines whether the specified dirt is present in the cooking chamber using a trained model that was created in advance by learning using the captured image and a training image that is an image of the cooking chamber when the specified dirt is present as training data.

3. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is a display control unit that displays on a display unit that the predetermined stain exists when the determination unit determines that the predetermined stain exists.

4. The heating cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that the determination unit determines whether or not the specified dirt is present in the cooking chamber based on an image captured by the imaging unit a predetermined time after the notification unit notifies the presence of the specified dirt.

5. The cooking device according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging unit includes a mechanism for changing an imaging direction.

6. The heating cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that the determination unit determines whether or not the specified dirt is present in a part of the cooking chamber other than the food to be cooked based on an image captured by the imaging unit during microwave heating operation when the food to be cooked is contained in the cooking chamber.

7. A processing method using a cooking device equipped with an imaging unit that images a cooking chamber that accommodates food to be cooked, A determination step of determining whether or not there is predetermined dirt in the cooking chamber, including at least one of carbonized dirt and dirt that can cause carbonization, based on an image captured by the imaging unit when no food is stored in the cooking chamber; a notification step of notifying the presence of the specified stain when the determination step determines that the specified stain is present.

8. A computer in a cooking device having an imaging unit that images a cooking chamber that contains food to be cooked, A determination unit that determines whether or not there is predetermined dirt in the cooking chamber, including at least one of carbonized dirt and dirt that can cause carbonization, based on an image captured by the imaging unit when no food is stored in the cooking chamber; A program for causing the device to function as an alarm unit that notifies the user of the presence of the specified dirt when the determination unit determines that the specified dirt is present.

Images