Meal support system and rice cooker

Abstract

To provide a meal support system and a rice cooker capable of supporting determination by a user as to a mixture ratio of a plurality of types of rice.SOLUTION: A meal support system includes: an acquisition part that acquires user information being information on a user's body characteristic and dish information indicating an intake amount of food materials included in dish; a calculation part that obtains a mixture ratio of a plurality of types of rice on the basis of the user information and the dish information; and a notification part that notifies the mixture ratio obtained by the calculation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a meal assistance system and a rice cooker that recommend a rice mixing ratio. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with increasing health consciousness, an increasing number of people are considering improving their dietary habits. To improve their dietary habits, people may eat brown rice, germinated rice, artificial rice, etc. instead of white rice, with the aim of reducing the intake of carbohydrates from cooked rice or increasing the intake of specific nutrients. Patent Document 1 discloses artificial rice made primarily from soybeans as an alternative to white rice. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-212145 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 states that when artificial rice is mixed with white rice or brown rice and cooked, the artificial rice should be mixed in an amount of 5 to 50% by weight (dry weight), preferably 10 to 40% by weight (dry weight). However, when consumers actually cook rice, they need to specifically determine the mixing ratio of various types of rice, and it is not easy for consumers to determine the rice mixing ratio that is suitable for them.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a meal assistance system and rice cooker that can assist users in determining the mixing ratio of multiple types of rice. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The meal assistance system according to the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires user information, which is information relating to the user's physical characteristics, and side dish information, which indicates the amount of food consumed of ingredients contained in the side dish; a calculation unit that calculates the mixing ratio of multiple types of rice based on the user information and the side dish information; and a notification unit that notifies the user of the mixing ratio calculated by the calculation unit.

[0007] The rice cooker according to the present disclosure includes the meal assistance system described above and a heating device that heats cooked rice. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The meal assistance system and rice cooker disclosed herein calculate the mixing ratio of multiple types of rice based on user information and side dish information and notify the user of this ratio, thereby helping the user determine the rice mixing ratio. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a structural example of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an operation display device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a healthy rice variety selection screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a side dish input screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing target amount correspondence information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing mixing ratio correspondence information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of a rice cooker according to a second modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the rice cooker according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same or equivalent configurations. Furthermore, in this disclosure, redundant explanations will be simplified or omitted as appropriate. This disclosure may include any modifications and combinations of the configurations disclosed in the embodiments described below, without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

[0011] Embodiment 1 A rice cooker 100 according to a first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment. The rice cooker 100 is a cooking device that cooks rice by heating an object to be heated, which includes rice and water. The rice cooker 100 may have only a rice cooking function, or may have other functions in addition to the rice cooking function. For example, the rice cooker 100 may have a function to heat and cook food other than rice as an object to be heated.

[0012] Here, the rice in the first embodiment includes refined white rice, grains such as germinated rice and brown rice, and artificial rice containing a large amount of specific nutrients. Artificial rice is made from legumes such as soybeans or chickpeas, and is primarily composed of protein. Here, "primarily composed of protein" means that protein is contained in the largest amount compared to other nutrients such as carbohydrates, lipids, inorganic substances (minerals), or vitamins. Note that artificial rice may also be artificial rice whose primary component is a nutritional component other than protein.

[0013] The overall configuration of a rice cooker 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The rice cooker 100 has a pot-shaped container 1, a main body 10, a lid 20, and a hinge 14 connecting the main body 10 and the lid 20. The container 1 is a pot-shaped container that opens upward. The container 1 contains an object to be heated. The object to be heated contained in the container 1 is mainly food such as rice and water. The container 1 is not limited to containing rice, and may contain food other than rice, such as meat and vegetables, as the object to be heated.

[0014] The main body 10 is a main structural component of the rice cooker 100. The main body 10 has a cylindrical appearance with a bottom. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 10 has a shape that opens upward. The container 1 is detachably housed in this main body 10. The main body 10 heats the container 1 housed in the main body 10. When the container 1 is heated by the main body 10, the object to be heated housed in the container 1 is cooked. The rice cooker 100 is a cooking device that cooks rice by heating the container 1, which contains rice and water, with the main body 10.

[0015] The lid 20 is attached to the main body 10 via a hinge 14 so as to be able to open and close freely. The lid 20 is configured to be able to open and close the opening at the top of the main body 10. When the lid 20 opens and closes the opening at the top of the main body 10, it also opens and closes the opening at the top of the container 1 housed in the main body 10. In the state shown in FIG. 1 , the lid 20 closes the opening at the top of the main body 10 and at the same time closes the opening at the top of the container 1.

[0016] Next, the components of the container 1, main body 10, and the like in the rice cooker 100 shown in Fig. 1 will be described in detail. First, the container 1 will be described. The container 1 is a cylindrical container with a bottom that contains an object to be heated. The container 1 contains, for example, a magnetic metal that generates heat by electromagnetic induction. As an example, the upper end of the container 1 is formed in a flange shape.

[0017] Next, the lid body 20 will be described. The lid body 20 has an outer lid 21 and an inner lid 22. The outer lid 21 forms the top and side of the lid body 20. For example, an opening button (not shown) is provided on the side of the outer lid 21 opposite the hinge part 14. When this opening button is pressed, the lid body 20 opens around the hinge part 14 due to the force of a spring or the like.

[0018] The inner lid 22 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel. The inner lid 22 is attached to the surface of the outer lid 21 facing the main body 10 via a locking member 23. When the lid body 20 is closed, the inner lid 22 is located inside the outer lid 21, i.e., closer to the object to be heated.

[0019] Lid gasket 22a, which is a sealing material, is attached to the peripheral edge of inner lid 22. When lid body 20 is closed, lid gasket 22a comes into close contact with the inner part of the upper end of container 1 to seal the inside of container 1 from the outside. In the following description, "inside container 1" refers to the area surrounded by container 1 and inner lid 22 when lid body 20 is closed.

[0020] An inner lid steam vent 22b is formed in the inner lid 22. An outer lid steam vent 26 is formed in the outer lid 21. The inner lid steam vent 22b and the outer lid steam vent 26 are openings for discharging steam generated inside the container 1 to the outside of the rice cooker 100.

[0021] A cartridge 24 is detachably attached to the outer lid 21. A container side hole 24a and a steam exhaust hole 24b are formed in the cartridge 24. The inner lid steam port 22b, outer lid steam port 26, container side hole 24a, and steam exhaust hole 24b are continuous, connecting the inside and outside of the container 1. The container side hole 24a and steam exhaust hole 24b formed in the cartridge 24, together with the container side hole 24a and steam exhaust hole 24b, constitute a steam port for exhausting steam generated inside the container 1 to the outside.

[0022] An internal temperature sensor 27 is attached to the inner lid 22 side of the outer lid 21. The internal temperature sensor 27 is arranged to pass through a through-hole formed in the inner lid 22 and detects the internal temperature. The internal temperature sensor 27 is composed of a member such as a thermistor. The internal temperature sensor 27 is electrically connected to the control device 40 via a signal line (not shown). The internal temperature sensor 27 transmits temperature information indicating the detected temperature value inside the container 1 to the control device 40 via the signal line (not shown).

[0023] Next, the hinge portion 14 will be described. The hinge portion 14 is provided at the rear end of the upper part of the main body 10. The hinge portion 14 supports the lid body 20 in a state in which it can be opened and closed freely. The lid body 20 opens and closes by rotating around the hinge portion 14 as a fulcrum. The hinge portion 14 supports the lid body 20 so that the lid body 20 can open and close the opening at the top of the main body 10.

[0024] Next, we will explain the main body 10. The main body 10 has a container cover 11, a pot bottom temperature sensor 13, and a heating device 12. The main body 10 also has an operation display device that receives operation settings and the like for the rice cooker 100 from the user and displays information about the rice cooker 100, and a control device 40.

[0025] The container cover 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The container 1 is removably housed inside the container cover 11. A hole 11a is formed in the center of the bottom of the container cover 11. A pot bottom temperature sensor 13 is inserted inside the hole 11a.

[0026] The pot bottom temperature sensor 13 is used to detect the temperature of the container 1. The pot bottom temperature sensor 13 is composed of a component such as a thermistor. The pot bottom temperature sensor 13 is electrically connected to the control device 40 via a signal line (not shown). The pot bottom temperature sensor 13 inserted into the hole 11a is biased upward by means of an elastic member such as a spring. When the container 1 is placed in the container cover 11, the pot bottom temperature sensor 13, which is biased upward, is pressed against the underside of the container 1. The pot bottom temperature sensor 13 detects the temperature of the underside of the container 1 while in contact with the underside of the container 1. The pot bottom temperature sensor 13 transmits temperature information indicating the value of the detected temperature of the container 1 to the control device 40 via a signal line (not shown).

[0027] The heating device 12 is for heating the container 1. The heating device 12 is, for example, a heating coil. In the first embodiment, the heating coil will be described as an example of the heating device 12 that heats the container 1 that contains an object to be heated. The heating device 12 is, for example, arranged in a circular shape around the hole 11a at the bottom of the container cover 11. The heating device 12 is arranged so as to face the bottom of the container 1. The heating device 12 induction heats the container 1 when current is applied under the control of the control device 40.

[0028] In the first embodiment, the heating device 12 is a heating coil that performs induction heating, but the heating device 12 is not limited to one that performs induction heating. The heating device 12 may be, for example, a sheath heater that is an electric heater.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an operation display device 30 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation display device 30 includes an operation device 31 and a display device 32. The operation device 31 and the display device 32 are each electrically connected to the control device 40 via a signal line (not shown). The operation device 31 includes a plurality of operation buttons that accept input of various instructions from the user. The operation device 31 is operated by the user when using the rice cooker 100. The operation device 31 sends information related to the various instructions input by the user through the operation device 31 to the control device 40 as an electrical signal. Examples of various instructions input by the user through the operation buttons include starting rice cooking, canceling the rice cooking operation, setting the rice cooking start time, and setting the rice cooking menu. Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, user information, rice variety information, healthy rice variety information, and side dish information can be input via the operation device 31. The first embodiment is characterized in that the mixing ratio of multiple types of rice is calculated based on the input information.

[0030] The display device 32 is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display. The display device 32 displays various information related to the rice cooking operation of the rice cooker 100, such as a screen showing the current rice cooking process and a screen prompting the user to input various instructions via the operation device 31. The display device 32 also displays the mixing ratio calculated by the control device 40 using a procedure described below. In FIG. 1, the display device 32 is provided on the lid body 20, but it may also be provided on the front upper surface of the main body 10. The operation and display device 30 may also be configured such that the operation device 31 and the display device 32 are integrated into one unit, such as a touch panel type liquid crystal display.

[0031] The following describes the operations and displays for inputting information related to the calculation of the mixing ratio of multiple types of rice. First, before starting rice cooking in the rice cooker 100, the user operates the operation device 31 to register user information in the control device 40. The user information is information related to the user's physical characteristics, and includes, for example, at least one of the user's age, sex, weight, and physical activity level.

[0032] Here, physical activity levels are classified into three levels, for example, Levels I to III. Level I is a case where the physical activity level is "low." Level III is a case where the physical activity level is "high." Level II is a case where the physical activity level is "normal," between "low" and "high."

[0033] Level I (low) refers to people who spend most of their time sitting and engaging in static activities. Level II (normal) refers to people whose jobs involve sitting, but also involve moving around or standing in the workplace, working or serving customers, walking to work or shopping, housework, or light sports. Level III (high) refers to people who work in jobs that involve a lot of moving around or standing, or who have active leisure activities such as sports.

[0034] Furthermore, before starting rice cooking in the rice cooker 100, the user operates the operating device 31 to select the type of rice to be cooked by the rice cooker 100 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "rice type") from white rice or healthy rice. As a result, rice type information indicating the rice type selected by the user is sent to the control device 40. Although not shown, the display device 32 may display a screen for allowing the user to select the rice type. Healthy rice is rice that contains a higher amount of specific nutrients than white rice, and is a general term for, for example, germinated rice, brown rice, and protein artificial rice, which is artificial rice with protein as the main component.

[0035] If the user selects that the rice variety is healthy rice, the user selects the type of healthy rice (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "healthy rice variety"). FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a healthy rice variety selection screen G1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the display device 32 displays the healthy rice variety selection screen G1, and the user operates the operation device 31 according to the instructions on the display device 32 to select the healthy rice variety. As a result, healthy rice variety information indicating the healthy rice variety selected by the user is transmitted to the control device 40. Note that FIG. 3 shows an example in which selection is made from three types of healthy rice: germinated rice, brown rice, and protein-rich artificial rice; however, selection is not limited to the illustrated example, and other grains that can be cooked can also be selected. Furthermore, the artificial rice may be artificial rice whose main component is a nutrient other than protein.

[0036] The user also inputs side dish information about side dishes to be eaten with the cooked rice. Side dishes refer to any food item other than rice, which is the staple food of a meal. The side dish information indicates the ingredients included in the side dish and the amount of each ingredient (i.e., the amount of food consumed by the user). FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a side dish input screen G2 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the display device 32 displays the side dish input screen G2, and the user operates the operation device 31 according to the instructions displayed on the display device 32 to input the side dish information. Specifically, the user operates the operation device 31 to input how many grams of each ingredient will be used for the side dish to be cooked and eaten. FIG. 4 shows a case where "chicken breast" is set as one of the ingredients included in the side dish, and the amount of the ingredient is set to "64 g." If the side dish includes multiple types of ingredients, the input is repeated for each ingredient. As a result, the side dish information is transmitted to the control device 40.

[0037] In the above explanation, the user individually sets the ingredients to be used as side dishes, but a cooking menu containing a mixture of ingredients may be displayed on the display device 32, and the user may input the side dish items and amounts. For example, if the user wants to eat 150 g of meat and potatoes, the user can operate the operating device 2 to select "meat and potatoes" as the side dish item from the cooking menu displayed on the display device 32, and input "150 g" as the amount of the side dish.

[0038] The control device 40 will be described. First, the hardware configuration of the control device 40 will be described. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example configuration of the control device 40 according to the first embodiment. The control device 40 is, for example, a microcomputer, and is configured with a processor 61 such as a CPU and a memory 62 as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows that the processor 61 and the memory 62 are communicably connected to each other via a bus 63. Each function of the control device 40 is realized by the processor 61 reading and executing a program stored in the memory 62. The memory 62 may be, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), or an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM). Alternatively, a volatile semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM) may be used as the memory 62. The control device 40 may be configured with a dedicated circuit such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0039] Next, the functions of the control device 40 will be described. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an example configuration of the rice cooker 100 according to embodiment 1. The control device 40 controls the overall operation of the rice cooker 100, and as shown in Fig. 6, has an acquisition unit 41, a calculation unit 42, a heating control unit 43, a display control unit 44, a timer 45, and a memory unit 46.

[0040] The acquisition unit 41 acquires the user information and side dish information input by the user via the operation device 31 and stores them in the storage unit 46. This registers the user information in the rice cooker 100. It is not necessary to register the user information in the rice cooker 100 every time the rice cooker 100 cooks rice. However, among the user information, age is updated based on the time measured by the timer 45. Furthermore, among the user information, weight and physical activity level may be updated via the operation device 31 when, for example, it is determined that the user has significantly increased or decreased their weight.

[0041] In addition, when the user inputs the type and quantity of a side dish via the operating device 31, rather than the side dish information including the ingredients contained in the side dish and the amount of each ingredient consumed, the ingredients used and the amount per unit amount of each ingredient are stored in advance in the memory unit 46 for each cooking menu, and the acquisition unit 41 can calculate the amount of ingredients by multiplying the amount per unit amount of each ingredient by the amount of the side dish.

[0042] If the rice variety selected by the user is determined to be healthy rice based on the received rice variety information, the calculation unit 42 calculates the mixing ratio of white rice to healthy rice. Specifically, the calculation unit 42 calculates the mixing ratio of white rice to healthy rice based on the user information, side dish information, and healthy rice variety information so that the intake amount of a first nutrient component per meal satisfies the target intake amount determined by the user's physical characteristics. The first nutrient component is a nutrient component that serves as a reference for determining the mixing ratio, and is, for example, a nutrient component contained in healthy rice that is contained in a greater amount per unit amount than white rice. In the first embodiment, the first nutrient component is predetermined for each type of healthy rice selected by the user. For example, if the healthy rice is protein-rich artificial rice, the first nutrient component is protein, and if the healthy rice is brown rice, the first nutrient component is dietary fiber. A specific method for calculating the mixing ratio will be described later.

[0043] When the user inputs various instructions, such as instructions to start and stop rice cooking and to set a scheduled rice cooking start time, via the operation device 31, the heating control unit 43 starts or stops the operation of the heating device 12 in accordance with the input instructions. The heating control unit 43 controls the supply of electricity to the heating device 12 so that the temperatures detected by the pot bottom temperature sensor 13 and the internal temperature sensor 27 become the temperatures predetermined by the cooking sequence.

[0044] Furthermore, the heating control unit 43 adjusts the control content of the heating device 12 according to the type of rice selected by the user and the mixing ratio of white rice and healthy rice calculated by the calculation unit 42. For example, when white rice and artificial rice are mixed, the target bottom temperature and the cooking time for each cooking step are set according to the mixing ratio of rice and artificial rice. There are no particular limitations on the specific method for setting the target bottom temperature and the cooking time for each cooking step, but the greater the proportion of white rice, the closer the target bottom temperature and cooking time for each cooking step are set to when white rice is cooked alone.

[0045] The display control unit 44 displays the various screens described above on the display device 32. The display control unit 44 controls the content displayed on the display device 32 in accordance with input from the operation device 31 and the progress of the rice cooking process. The display control unit 44 also notifies the user of the mixing ratio calculated by the calculation unit 42 by displaying the mixing ratio on the display device 32.

[0046] The timer 45 measures the time required for the calculation process executed by the calculation unit 42 and the heating control executed by the heating device 12. The timer 45 provides time information, which is information relating to the measured time, to the calculation unit 42 and the heating control unit 43. The timer 45 may be provided in hardware that is provided outside the control device 40 and separate from the control device 40.

[0047] The storage unit 46 stores user information, side dish information, rice variety information, and healthy rice variety information input by the user through operation of the operation device 31. Note that the side dish information, rice variety information, and healthy rice variety information only need to be stored at least from the time this information is input until the first rice cooking is performed. The storage unit 46 also stores various information for calculating the mixing ratio of multiple types of rice. Specifically, the storage unit 46 stores target amount correspondence information, nutritional component information, and mixing ratio correspondence information, which will be described later.

[0048] Next, the operation of the rice cooker 100 when performing the rice cooking function will be described. Here, a method for calculating the mixing ratio will be described using an example in which the user selects protein artificial rice, which is artificial rice with protein as the main component, as the type of rice to eat. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0049] First, as shown in FIG. 7, the acquisition unit 41 acquires user information input by the user via the operation device 31 (step S1) and stores it in the storage unit 46. As described above, the user information includes at least one of age, gender, weight, and physical activity level. Here, for example, it is assumed that user information indicating the physical characteristics of user A, "age: 46 years old, gender: female, weight: 53.0 kg, physical activity level: I (low)", is stored in the storage unit 46. The processing of step S1 may be performed at a timing unrelated to when the rice cooker 100 cooks rice, as long as the user information is registered before the calculation of the mixing ratio.

[0050] When actually cooking rice, the acquisition unit 41 first acquires the rice type information and healthy rice type information input by the user via the rice type selection screen displayed by the display control unit 44 (step S2). In this case, since the user selected protein artificial rice as the type of rice to eat, the rice type information indicates healthy rice, and the healthy rice type information indicates protein artificial rice. Next, the acquisition unit 41 acquires the side dish information input by the user via the side dish input screen G2 displayed by the display control unit 44 (step S3).

[0051] Next, the calculation unit 42 calculates the mixing ratio of white rice and healthy rice suited to the user's physical characteristics based on the user information input in step S1, the healthy rice variety information selected in step S2, and the side dish information input in step S3 (step S4). A specific example of a method for calculating the mixing ratio of white rice and healthy rice suited to the user's physical characteristics will be described below.

[0052] First, the target amount correspondence information, nutritional component information, and mixing ratio correspondence information that the calculation unit 42 references to calculate the mixing ratio will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the target amount correspondence information according to the first embodiment. The target amount correspondence information is information indicating the relationship between the user's physical characteristics and the target protein intake amount, and is stored in a table format, for example, as shown in FIG. 8. The target amount correspondence information discloses the target protein intake amount per day [g / day] corresponding to the user's age, gender, and physical activity level. The target amount correspondence information may be any information that has been proven by research or the like to be sufficient to maintain the user's health in relation to the user's physical characteristics. Here, it is assumed that the information conforms to the content of the report "Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese (2020 Edition)" published by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.

[0053] The nutritional information indicates the nutritional content and total energy per unit amount of each type of rice and each ingredient that can be input as side dish information. The nutritional information conforms to the content shown in the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (2020 edition (8th revision)) published by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, for example. As an example, the information stores that the components per 100g of cooked polished non-glutinous rice are 37.1g of carbohydrates, 2.5g of protein, and 0.3g of fat.

[0054] Even for food ingredients not listed in the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (2020 edition (8th revision)), such as artificial rice, if the food ingredient can be selected as rice information or entered as side dish information, the nutritional information and total energy per unit amount is stored as nutritional information. For example, protein artificial rice, which is artificial rice with protein as its main component, is stored as having 10g of carbohydrates and 20g of protein per 100g.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing mixing ratio correspondence information according to the first embodiment. The mixing ratio correspondence information is information indicating at least the first nutrient component contained in one serving (e.g., 150 g) for each mixing ratio of healthy rice and polished rice, and is stored in a table format, for example, as shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, the intake amount of each nutrient component (here, only protein and carbohydrates are extracted) when polished rice and protein-rich artificial rice are mixed is stored. In the example of FIG. 9, the intake amount of each nutrient component when the mixing ratio of polished rice and protein-rich artificial rice is adjusted by 10% each is stored. The mixing ratio correspondence information stores the results of measurements of the amount of the first nutrient component that can be ingested for each mixing ratio, performed by, for example, a manufacturer of the rice cooker 100.

[0056] The mixing ratio correspondence information may be calculated from the nutritional component information. In this case, the mixing ratio correspondence information does not need to be stored in the storage unit 46. For example, in the case of mixing polished rice and protein-rich artificial rice, the mixing ratio correspondence information may be calculated by multiplying the protein mass contained in cooked rice after cooking polished non-glutinous rice and the protein mass contained in cooked protein-rich artificial rice, which are stored in the nutritional component information, by each ratio.

[0057] A specific example of the calculation will be described. In the first step, the calculation unit 42 references the target amount correspondence information to determine the target amount of protein intake per day (Xg) for a person having the physical characteristics of the user indicated by the user information. In the second step, the calculation unit 42 calculates the target amount of protein per meal (X÷3=X / 3) [g], assuming that the user eats three meals per day. In the third step, the calculation unit 42 references the nutritional component information to determine the estimated amount of protein Y [g] estimated to be ingested from the ingredients indicated by the side dish information input in step S3. In the fourth step, the calculation unit 42 calculates the protein intake deficiency Z [g] by subtracting the estimated amount of protein Y ingested from side dishes from the target amount of protein per meal (X / 3). Then, in the fifth step, the calculation unit 42 refers to the mixing ratio correspondence information and finds one mixing ratio of polished rice and protein-rich artificial rice that results in a protein mass that is equal to the protein mass intake deficiency amount Z [g]. Note that if the mixing ratios indicated by the mixing ratio correspondence information are stored with intervals between them, the calculation unit 42 finds the mixing ratio of polished rice and protein-rich artificial rice that results in a protein mass that is closest to the protein mass intake deficiency amount Z [g].

[0058] Returning to Figure 7, the display control unit 44 causes the display device 32 to display the mixing ratio of white rice and healthy rice calculated by the calculation unit 42 (step S5). If the rice type information is white rice, the processes of steps S3 to S5 may be omitted. After that, the rice cooker 100 waits for the user to input an instruction to start cooking rice or for the scheduled start time to arrive.

[0059] The heating control unit 43 determines whether or not a command to start cooking rice has been input (step S6). If a command to start cooking rice has not been input (step S6: NO), the heating control unit 43 waits until a command to start cooking rice is input. If a command to start cooking rice has been input (step S6: YES), the heating control unit 43 executes heating control on the heating device 12 according to the rice cooking process (step S7). Then, the heating control unit 43 determines whether or not the cooking sequence has ended (step S8). If the cooking sequence has not ended (step S8: NO), the heating control unit 43 continues to control the heating device 12 until the cooking sequence has ended. If the cooking sequence has ended (step S8: YES), the heating control unit 43 ends the heating control on the heating device 12, and rice cooking is completed.

[0060] In the above explanation, the healthy rice type is artificial protein rice and the first nutritional component is protein, but the healthy rice type may be brown rice. In this case, the first nutritional component is dietary fiber.

[0061] As described above, the rice cooker 100 of the first embodiment determines the mixing ratio of multiple types of rice based on the user information and side dish information, and displays this to the user. Therefore, the rice cooker 100 of the first embodiment can assist the user in determining the rice mixing ratio. Then, by the user cooking rice based on the displayed rice mixing ratio, it is possible to prevent the first nutrient component from becoming insufficient in the user's diet.

[0062] The device having the function of determining and notifying the mixing ratio corresponds to the "meal assistance system" of the present disclosure. In the first embodiment, the function of the meal assistance system is realized by the acquisition unit 41, calculation unit 42, and display control unit 44 of the control device 40. The display control unit 44 corresponds to the "notification unit" of the present disclosure.

[0063] (First Modification of First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which the mixing ratio of white rice and healthy rice for the meal that the user is about to eat is calculated so that the intake amount of the first nutrient component in one meal is the target intake amount. However, the mixing ratio of white rice and healthy rice for the meal that the user is about to eat may be calculated so that the total intake amount of the first nutrient component ingested during a certain period is the target intake amount for that period.

[0064] The user inputs meal history information via the operating device 31 before calculating the mixing ratio. The meal history information is information that stores the details of meals taken from the time when the mixing ratio is calculated until a target time (for example, 48 hours) ago. For each meal, the meal history information records the amount of cooked rice consumed, the mixing ratio of white rice to healthy rice, and the amount of each ingredient consumed in the side dish. The meal history information does not record information about the current meal.

[0065] A specific example of calculation will be described. Here, the target time is 48 hours, and the mixing ratio of white rice and healthy rice is calculated so that the intake of a first nutrient component from meals over the 48 hours, including the current meal, is the appropriate target intake amount for that 48 hours. In a first step, the calculation unit 42 references the target amount correspondence information to calculate the target daily protein intake (Xg) for a person with the user's physical characteristics indicated by the user information. In a second step, the calculation unit 42 calculates the target protein intake (X × 2 = 2X) [g] corresponding to the 48 hours. In a third step, the calculation unit 42 references the nutritional component information to calculate the estimated protein mass Y′ [g] estimated to be ingested from meals eaten up to 48 hours ago indicated by the meal history information and the side dishes of the current meal indicated by the side dish information. In the fourth step, the calculation unit 42 calculates the protein intake deficiency Z [g] by subtracting the estimated protein mass Y' from the target protein intake amount (2X) corresponding to the target time. Then, in the fifth step, the calculation unit 42 refers to the mixing ratio correspondence information and calculates the mixing ratio of polished rice and protein-rich artificial rice that satisfies the protein intake deficiency Z [g].

[0066] The meal history information may be a collection of side dish information for each meal and the mixing ratio of white rice and protein-rich artificial rice for each meal calculated by the procedure of the first embodiment, for multiple meals. The criterion for tabulating the first nutrient component may be determined based on the number of meals, rather than the target time. The target time may be a period longer or shorter than 48 hours, rather than 48 hours.

[0067] (Modification 2 of Embodiment 1) Fig. 10 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a rice cooker according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 1. In Embodiment 1, the user registers side dish information in the rice cooker 100 via the operation device 2, but registration may also be performed via a communication terminal 200 such as a smartphone carried by the user. As shown in Fig. 10, the rice cooker 100 has a communication module 50 that wirelessly communicates with the communication terminal 200 via short-range wireless communication or the like.

[0068] For example, the manufacturer of the rice cooker 100 provides a user who purchases the rice cooker 100 with an application software program for operating the rice cooker 100 via wireless communication from the communication terminal 200. Hereinafter, this application software program will be referred to as the AS program. The user operates the communication terminal 200 to access a website designated by the manufacturer via a network such as the Internet, and installs the AS program in the communication terminal 200. The user then executes the AS program on the communication terminal and operates the rice cooker 100 by inputting instructions into the communication terminal 200 instead of the operation device 31 of the rice cooker 100. In this case, the functions of the operation device 31 and display device 32 of the rice cooker 100 are substituted by an operation display device such as a touch panel of the communication terminal 200, so the operation device 31 and display device 32 do not necessarily have to be provided in the rice cooker 100.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the user inputs the intake amount of each ingredient as side dish information. However, the user may acquire side dish information based on a recipe used to cook the side dish specified by the user via the communication terminal 200. The recipe may be provided by the manufacturer of the rice cooker 100 or by a recipe website affiliated with the manufacturer of the rice cooker 100. Specifically, the user causes the communication terminal 200 to execute an AS program and specifies the recipe to be used via the communication terminal 200. The communication terminal transmits side dish information indicating the ingredients included in the side dish and the intake amount of each ingredient from the specified recipe to the control device 40 of the rice cooker 100. The rice cooker 100 then calculates, via the calculation unit 42 of the control device 40, the amount of a first nutrient component estimated to be ingested from the ingredients specified in the side dish information. Alternatively, the communication terminal 200 may calculate the amount of the first nutrient component estimated based on the specified recipe and transmit the calculated amount of the first nutrient component to the rice cooker 100. The mixing ratio of white rice and healthy rice may be displayed on the communication terminal 200 connected to the rice cooker 100, rather than on the display device 32 of the rice cooker 100.

[0070] In the first embodiment, the case has been described in which the user himself / herself registers user information in the rice cooker 100 via the operation device 2. However, weight information among the user information may be reflected in a predetermined cycle based on the user's current or most recent weight by linking the rice cooker 100 with a weighing scale 300 that is communicatively connected to the rice cooker 100 via the communication module 50. Physical activity level information among the user information may be reflected in a predetermined cycle based on the user's current or most recent physical activity level by linking the rice cooker 100 with an activity meter 400 that is communicatively connected to the rice cooker 100 via the communication module 50. The activity meter 400 may be, for example, a pedometer, a heart rate meter, a calorie consumption meter, or a travel distance measuring device. The travel distance measuring device is a device that measures the user's travel distance using a GPS (Global Positioning System). Furthermore, a communication terminal 200 having a function as a pedometer, a heart rate meter, or a calorie consumption meter may be used in addition to or instead of the activity meter 400. Furthermore, the base station radio waves of the communication terminal 200 may be used to measure the distance traveled by the user.

[0071] Embodiment 2 The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the nutritional component used to determine the mixing ratio that satisfies the target intake amount is selected from a first nutritional component and a second nutritional component. The second nutritional component is, for example, a nutritional component contained in white rice in a greater amount per unit amount than healthy rice. In the second embodiment, the second nutritional component is a carbohydrate. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0072] When the rice type selected by the user is healthy rice, the display control unit 44 causes the display device 32 to display a screen for selecting whether the first nutrient component or the second nutrient component will be used as the reference nutrient component for calculating the mixing ratio. After viewing the screen for selecting the reference nutrient component, the user operates the operation device 31 to select the reference nutrient component to be used in calculating the mixing ratio from the first nutrient component or the second nutrient component according to the user's interest. For example, when protein-rich artificial rice is selected as the healthy rice type, the display device 32 displays protein as the first nutrient component and carbohydrates as the second nutrient component. If the user wants to appropriately intake protein to improve muscle strength, the user selects protein as the first nutrient component. If the user is on a diet and wants to appropriately intake carbohydrates, the user selects carbohydrates as the second nutrient component.

[0073] The acquisition unit 41 acquires reference nutrient component information indicating the reference nutrient component selected by the user.

[0074] The calculation unit 42 calculates the mixing ratio of white rice and healthy rice so that the intake amount of the reference nutrient selected by the user from the first nutrient and the second nutrient is the target intake amount. Note that even when calculating the mixing ratio so that the second nutrient is the target intake amount, the calculation method is the same as the calculation method for the mixing ratio of the first nutrient described in the first embodiment.

[0075] Next, the operation of the rice cooker 100 when performing the rice cooking function will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the rice cooker according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the processes of steps S1 to S3 are the same as those shown in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. The display control unit 44 displays a selection screen for allowing the user to select whether the reference nutritional component is the first nutritional component or the second nutritional component based on the healthy rice variety information acquired in step S2. For example, as in the first embodiment, if protein artificial rice is selected as the healthy rice, the first nutritional component is protein and the second nutritional component is carbohydrate.

[0076] When the user inputs the reference nutritional components into the reference nutritional component selection screen, the acquisition unit 41 acquires reference nutritional component information indicating the reference nutritional components (step S11). Then, the calculation unit 42 calculates the mixing ratio of polished rice and protein-rich artificial rice such that the reference nutritional components indicated by the acquired reference nutritional component information become the target intake amount (step S4). The subsequent processing of steps S5 to S8 is the same as that shown in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to assist the user in determining the rice mixing ratio, similar to the first embodiment. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to allow the user to select which of a plurality of nutritional components is used as the basis for determining the mixing ratio, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0078] The above is a description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the above embodiments and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept. For example, the meal assistance system implemented by the functional units of the control device 40 in embodiment 1 may be provided external to the rice cooker 100. The meal assistance system is, for example, a server device, and includes at least the acquisition unit 41 and calculation unit 42 described in the embodiments, as well as a notification unit. The notification unit is a functional unit that performs the mixing ratio notification function, which in embodiment 1 was described as being performed by the display control unit 44. Each functional unit of the meal assistance system is implemented by the processor of the server device reading and executing a program stored in memory.

[0079] When the meal assistance system is a server device, the mixing ratio is notified to the user, for example, as follows. First, information for calculating the mixing ratio is input via the operation device 31 of the rice cooker 100, which is communicatively connected to the server device, and a request to calculate the mixing ratio is sent to the server device. Upon receiving the request, the server device calculates the mixing ratio based on the input information and sends it to the rice cooker 100. The rice cooker 100, which has received the mixing ratio calculated by the server device, displays the mixing ratio on the display device 32. Note that, instead of the operation device 31 of the rice cooker 100, the information for calculating the mixing ratio may be input from a communication terminal such as a personal computer (PC) or smartphone owned by the user, as described in Variation 2 of Embodiment 1. However, the meal assistance system is not limited to being configured solely by a server device. Some or all of the functions of the meal assistance system may be realized by a communication terminal owned by the user.

[0080] In the first embodiment, the mixing ratio is calculated based on the amount of nutrients ingested from one serving of cooked rice. However, if it is known in advance that the amount of cooked rice consumed will be more than one serving or that one serving will be more than a standard amount (e.g., 150 g), this information may be input via the operation device 31. In this case, the calculation unit 42 calculates the mixing ratio after setting the amount of cooked rice consumed per meal to be more than the standard amount. Similarly, if it is known in advance that the amount of cooked rice consumed will be less than one serving or that one serving will be less than a standard amount (e.g., 150 g), the calculation unit 42 calculates the mixing ratio after setting the amount of cooked rice consumed per meal to be less than the standard amount. Alternatively, the user may be prompted to input the amount of cooked rice consumed in grams via the operation device 31. In this case, the calculation unit 42 calculates the mixing ratio based on the amount of cooked rice consumed input by the user. However, if the amount of side dishes is small or the nutrients are unbalanced, it is possible that the intake of the nutritional component selected by the user will not meet the intake target amount even if the ratio of healthy rice is 100% in the standard amount or the set intake amount of cooked rice. In this case, the display control unit 44 may display on the display device 32 that the nutritional component is insufficient and the amount of the deficiency.

[0081] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the nutritional components that are used as the basis for calculating the mixing ratio are predetermined depending on the type of healthy rice, but the user may freely select any component contained in any type of rice to be cooked.

[0082] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the case where white rice and healthy rice are mixed and cooked has been described, but two types of healthy rice may also be mixed and cooked. For example, brown rice and protein-rich artificial rice may be mixed and cooked. Although the embodiments have been described assuming that healthy rice is mixed and cooked, processing may also be performed in consideration of cooking healthy rice alone without mixing it. For example, a button may be added to the operation device 31 to allow the user to select whether or not to mix healthy rice when selecting a type of rice, and the mixing ratio may be calculated only when this button is pressed.

[0083] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the target intake amount is set to be neither too much nor too little for maintaining the user's health, based on the content disclosed in the report "Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese (2020 Edition)" published by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. However, the target intake amount may be determined based on a different perspective. In this case, for example, the target intake correspondence information may store different target intake amounts depending on the user's interests. Furthermore, the display device 32 may display a screen for inquiring about the user's interest in nutrient intake, such as "I want to maintain my health," "I want to build muscle," or "I want to lose weight," and the user may input which item the user is interested in. The calculation unit 42 then refers to the target intake correspondence information when calculating the mixing ratio, and uses the target intake amount corresponding to the user's interest. For example, if the user answers "I want to build muscle," the target protein intake amount may be set to an amount greater than the amount considered to be neither too much nor too little for maintaining the user's health, as described in the first embodiment. Furthermore, if the user answers "I want to lose weight," the target carbohydrate intake amount may be set to a lower amount than if the user had answered otherwise.

[0084] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, one mixing ratio that satisfies the target intake amount of the first nutrient component is determined, but if the user's interests are input as described above, a range of mixing ratios that satisfies the target intake amount of the first nutrient component may be determined. For example, if the user answers "I want to build muscle," a range of mixing ratios that will result in the target protein intake amount being equal to or greater than the target intake amount may be determined and displayed on the display device 32. Also, if the user answers "I want to go on a diet," a range of mixing ratios that will result in the target carbohydrate intake amount being equal to or less than the target intake amount may be determined and displayed on the display device 32.

[0085] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, the calculated mixing ratio is described as being displayed on the display device 32. However, instead of or in addition to such a visual notification by the display device 32, an auditory notification may be made using a speaker or the like. The speaker is provided in the rice cooker 100 or a communication terminal connected to the rice cooker 100 so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0086] The calculation unit 42 may also calculate the recommended amount of water from the selected rice type and mixing ratio. There are no particular limitations on the method for calculating the recommended amount of water, but it is known that artificial rice absorbs more water than rice and absorbs water more quickly. For this reason, for example, when the amount of rice to be cooked is the same, the greater the proportion of artificial rice, the greater the recommended amount of water set compared to when cooking rice using only white rice. In this case, the display control unit 44 displays the recommended amount of water on the display device 32 in addition to the mixing ratio calculated by the calculation unit 42.

[0087] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices. (Appendix 1) an acquisition unit that acquires user information, which is information about the user's physical characteristics, and side dish information, which indicates the amount of food intake of ingredients included in the side dish; a calculation unit that calculates a mixing ratio of a plurality of types of rice based on the user information and the side dish information; a notification unit that notifies the mixing ratio calculated by the calculation unit; Meal assistance system. (Appendix 2) At least one of the plurality of types of rice contains a first nutrient component; The calculation unit calculates the mixing ratio such that the intake amount of the first nutrient component taken by the user satisfies a predetermined intake target amount corresponding to the physical characteristics. 1. A meal assistance system as described in Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) At least one of the plurality of types of rice contains a first nutrient component and a second nutrient component different from the first nutrient component; The calculation unit calculates the mixing ratio such that an intake amount of a nutrient component selected by the user from the first nutrient component and the second nutrient component ingested by the user satisfies a predetermined intake target amount corresponding to the physical characteristics. 1. A meal assistance system as described in Appendix 1. (Appendix 4) The first nutritional component is a protein, One of the multiple types of rice is artificial rice whose main component is protein. 4. A meal assistance system according to claim 2 or 3. (Appendix 5) The first nutritional component is dietary fiber, One of the plurality of types of rice is brown rice. 4. A meal assistance system according to claim 2 or 3. (Appendix 6) The first nutritional component is a carbohydrate, One of the plurality of types of rice is white rice. 4. A meal assistance system according to claim 2 or 3. (Appendix 7) the acquisition unit acquires meal history information that is information indicating the contents of meals eaten by the user in the past; The calculation unit calculates the mixing ratio based on the user information, the side dish information, and the meal history information. A meal assistance system according to any one of appendices 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) The user information includes at least one of age, sex, weight, and physical activity level. A meal assistance system according to any one of appendices 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) A meal assistance system according to any one of appendices 1 to 8; A rice cooker equipped with a heating device for heating cooked rice. (Appendix 10) an operation device that accepts an operation from the user; It is connected to a communication terminal via a network, The acquisition unit acquires the intake amount of ingredients included in the side dish input from the communication terminal or the operation device. 9. A rice cooker as described in Appendix 9. (Appendix 11) It is connected to a communication terminal via a network, The acquisition unit calculates the intake of ingredients included in the side dish based on the recipe input from the communication terminal. 11. The rice cooker according to claim 9 or 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 container, 10 main body, 11 container cover, 11a hole portion, 12 heating device, 13 pot bottom temperature sensor, 14 hinge portion, 20 lid body, 21 outer lid, 22 inner lid, 22a lid gasket, 22b inner lid steam vent, 23 locking material, 24 cartridge, 24a container side hole, 24b steam exhaust hole, 26 outer lid steam vent, 27 internal temperature sensor, 30 operation display device, 31 operation device, 32 display device, 40 control device, 41 acquisition unit, 42 calculation unit, 43 heating control unit, 44 display control unit, 45 timer, 46 memory unit, 50 communication module, 61 processor, 62 memory, 63 bus, 100 rice cooker, 200 communication terminal, 300 weighing scale, 400 activity meter.

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires user information, which is information about the user's physical characteristics, and side dish information, which indicates the amount of food intake of ingredients included in the side dish; a calculation unit that calculates a mixing ratio of a plurality of types of rice based on the user information and the side dish information; a notification unit that notifies the mixing ratio calculated by the calculation unit; Meal assistance system.

2. At least one of the plurality of types of rice contains a first nutrient component; The calculation unit calculates the mixing ratio such that the intake amount of the first nutrient component taken by the user satisfies a predetermined intake target amount corresponding to the physical characteristics. The meal assistance system according to claim 1 .

3. At least one of the plurality of types of rice contains a first nutrient component and a second nutrient component different from the first nutrient component, The calculation unit calculates the mixing ratio such that an intake amount of a nutrient component selected by the user from the first nutrient component and the second nutrient component ingested by the user satisfies a predetermined intake target amount corresponding to the physical characteristics. The meal assistance system according to claim 1 .

4. The first nutritional component is a protein, One of the multiple types of rice is artificial rice whose main component is protein. The meal assistance system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The first nutritional component is dietary fiber, One of the plurality of types of rice is brown rice. The meal assistance system according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The first nutritional component is a carbohydrate, One of the plurality of types of rice is white rice. The meal assistance system according to claim 2 or 3.

7. the acquisition unit acquires meal history information that is information indicating the contents of meals eaten by the user in the past; The calculation unit calculates the mixing ratio based on the user information, the side dish information, and the meal history information. The meal assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The user information includes at least one of age, sex, weight, and physical activity level. The meal assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. A meal assistance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3; A rice cooker equipped with a heating device for heating cooked rice.

10. an operation device that accepts an operation from the user; It is connected to a communication terminal via a network, The acquisition unit acquires the intake amount of ingredients included in the side dish input from the communication terminal or the operation device. The rice cooker according to claim 9.

11. It is connected to a communication terminal via a network, The acquisition unit calculates the intake of ingredients included in the side dish based on the recipe input from the communication terminal. The rice cooker according to claim 9.

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