Rice cooker

Abstract

To provide a rice cooker capable of saving the space of a display means and an operation means and improving operability.SOLUTION: The display operation means 10 includes a top screen B1 for displaying two or more pieces of rice-cooking information "rice", "cooking style", "hardness adjustment", and "water hardness", and a button display part B3 for "rice", a button display part B5 for "cooking style", a button display part B7 for "hardness adjustment", and a button display part G1 for "water hardness", which are setting items of the respective pieces of rice-cooking information; The rice cooker includes at least a rice selection screen G2, cooking method selection screens G3 and G4, a hardness selection screen G5, a water hardness selection screen G6, and a water hardness value entry screen G7 which are provided for setting "rice", "cooking method", "hardness adjustment", and "water hardness", respectively, and rice cooking information set in the rice selection screen G2, the cooking method selection screens G3 and, the hardness selection screen, the water hardness selection screen, and the water hardness value entry screen is displayed in the top screen G1. G4 G5 G7 G6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice cooker equipped with a display means for displaying information related to rice cooking and an operating means for operating the rice cooker. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of a rice cooker equipped with a display means for displaying information related to rice cooking and an operating means for performing operations, for example, cited document 1 discloses a rice cooker equipped with an LCD panel as a display means for displaying various information related to rice cooking, and an operating means around the LCD for issuing control instructions to a control means for cooking the food to be cooked, in particular various switches such as a rice cooking switch as a rice cooking instruction unit that accepts the start of rice cooking, a rice cooking reservation switch for timer cooking, and a cancel switch as a stop instruction unit that accepts the cancellation of rice cooking. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-185253 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The rice cooker described above is configured with various switches around the LCD, so a large space is required to arrange these components such as the LCD panel and switches. In addition, the user needs to operate the various switches arranged around the LCD as appropriate depending on the content displayed on the LCD, so there is room for improvement in operability.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rice cooker that can reduce the space required for display means and operating means and improve operability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The rice cooker of the present invention is equipped with a display operation means that accepts touch operations and displays various information, and the display operation means has at least a top screen that displays two or more pieces of rice cooking information and setting items for each of the pieces of rice cooking information, and a setting screen for setting each of the two or more pieces of rice cooking information, and the top screen displays the rice cooking information that has been set on the setting screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the rice cooker of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the space required for the display means and the operating means and improve operability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the same. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a top view of the display operation means displaying the top screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a top view of the display operation means displaying the rice selection screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a top view of the display operation means displaying the cooking method selection screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a top view of the display operation means displaying the hardness selection screen. [Figure 8] 1A is a top view of the display operation means displaying a water hardness selection screen, and FIG. 1B is a top view of the display operation means displaying a water hardness numerical value input screen. [Figure 9] 1A is a top view of the display operation means displaying a setting screen, and FIG. 1B is a top view of the display operation means displaying a guide selection screen. [Figure 10]Same as above, (A) top view of the display operation means displaying the reservation setting screen, (B) top view of the display operation means displaying the reservation time setting screen, (C) top view of the display operation means displaying the reservation time history screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a top view of the display operation means displaying the rice cooking reservation screen. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the transition of the rice cooking screen and the keep-warm screen on the display operation means. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a top view of the display operation means displaying the top screen when the lid is open in a rice cooker according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the rice cooker 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.

[0010] Figures 1 to 12 show an embodiment of a rice cooker of the present invention. The overall configuration of the rice cooker will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Reference numeral 1 denotes a main body, which, when viewed from above, has a generally rectangular shape with a front, rear, left, and right sides facing each other, and is open at the top. Reference numeral 2 denotes a lid that freely opens and closes the top opening of main body 1, and, like main body 1, also has a generally rectangular shape with a front, rear, left, and right sides facing each other, and is configured with a generally flat top. A hinge 3 that connects lid 2 to main body 1 is provided at the rear of lid 2, and a lid operating member 4 is disposed in an exposed state on the front upper surface of lid 2. When lid operating member 4 is pressed, the engagement between main body 1 and lid 2 is released, and a hinge spring (not shown) provided at the upper rear of main body 1 rotates around the hinge axis of hinge 3, causing lid 2 to open. The lid operation body 4 is not limited to being disposed on the top surface of the lid body 2, but may be disposed on the side surface of the lid body 2.

[0011] Heating means 11 (see Figure 3), such as an induction coil that heats the food to be cooked, is arranged inside main body 1. The food to be cooked is contained in a cylindrical inner pot with a bottom that can be attached and detached to main body 1. When high-frequency current is supplied to heating means 11, the alternating magnetic field generated by heating means 11 causes a magnetic material attached to the outer surface of the inner pot to heat up, heating the food to be cooked inside main body 1 during cooking and keeping warm.

[0012] A steam vent 5 is located on the upper rear surface of the lid 2, which allows steam generated from the food inside the inner pot to be released to the outside of the main body 1. In addition to the steam vent 5 and the lid operating mechanism 4, the top surface of the lid 2 is also provided with a display unit 6, which includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 25 as a screen display unit and LED (Light Emitting Diode) status indicators 26-29 (see FIG. 4), and other display devices for displaying various information related to rice cooking. The display unit 6 and operating device 7 are located above the LCD 25 and comprise, for example, a touch sensor. These devices are used to start cooking and select the cooking time and cooking course. The display unit 6 and operating device 7 together constitute a display / operation unit 10. A control PC (Printed Circuit) board (not shown) equipped with a control unit 12 (see FIG. 3) for controlling the various components of the rice cooker is located below the display unit 6. Therefore, in the rice cooker of this embodiment, apart from the operating means 7 above the LCD 25, there are no operating means such as physical keys and buttons, such as a rice cook key or an off key, which are found in conventional rice cookers, and since the rice cooker can be operated using only the operating means 7, the trouble of searching for buttons when operating the rice cooker is eliminated, improving operability. It also has a very sleek appearance, and the space in which the display means 6 and operating means 7, which are precision components, are located can be made compact. Furthermore, by eliminating the physical keys and buttons, the top surface of the lid 2 can be made approximately flat, making it easier to wipe and clean, improving cleanability.

[0013] In this embodiment, the exterior colors of the main body 1 and lid 2, particularly the color of the top surface of the lid 2, are preferably substantially the same color (e.g., black) as the color of the display / operation unit 10 when it is off, i.e., the color of the LCD 25 screen when it is dark, which is the color of the display unit 6 when it is off, and the color of the LED display units 26-29 when they are off. The color of the display / operation unit 10 is substantially the same as the color of the display unit 6 because the operation unit 7 is transparent and composed of a touch sensor or the like. This allows the rice cooker to appear as if the display unit 6 and operation unit 7 do not exist at first glance, resulting in a rice cooker with a stylish appearance. The exterior colors of the main body 1 and lid 2 may also be other colors. For example, the exterior colors of the main body 1 and lid 2 may be white, and the background color of the LCD 25 display screen when the power is on may be white, resulting in a rice cooker with a stylish appearance where the boundary between the LCD 25 and the lid 2 does not exist at first glance when the power is on.

[0014] In addition, a lid opening / closing detection means 8 is provided inside the lid 2 to detect whether the lid 2 is open or closed. The lid opening / closing detection means 8 may be of any detection type, such as optical, mechanical, or magnetic, as long as it can output a detection signal corresponding to whether the lid 2 is open or closed.

[0015] Next, the main control system of the rice cooker will be described with reference to Figure 3. In this figure, the control means 12 equipped in the main body 2 is composed of a control IC 17 constituting a microcomputer, storage means 18 such as a readable and writable memory for storing various information and data, timing means such as a timer, and drive elements for each part. The input port of the control means 12 is electrically connected to the operation means 7 and lid opening / closing detection means 8 of the display operation means 10 described above, as well as the temperature detection means 13 and pressure detection means 14. The output port of the control means 12 is electrically connected to the display means 6 and heating means 11 of the display operation means 10 described above, as well as the steam path opening / closing means 15 and pressure reduction means 16.

[0016] The temperature detection means 13 detects the temperature of the inner pot and the temperature of the inner lid (not shown) that covers the upper opening of the inner pot, thereby detecting the temperature of the food to be cooked inside the main body 1. The pressure detection means 14 detects the pressure inside the inner pot and is composed of a pressure sensor, etc.

[0017] The steam path opening and closing means 15 opens and closes the steam path that connects the steam outlet 5 and the inner pot to release steam generated in the inner pot to the outside, and if the steam path opening and closing means 15 closes the steam path when the food to be cooked inside the inner pot is heated by the heating means and boiling, the steam that has evaporated from the food to be cooked cannot be released from inside the inner pot, so the pressure inside the inner pot can be increased to above atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the steam path opening and closing means 15 also functions as a pressurizing means.

[0018] The pressure reducing means 16 reduces the pressure inside the inner pot below normal atmospheric pressure. It does so by closing the lid 2 on the main body 1 and blocking the steam passage with the steam passage opening / closing means 15. When the pressure inside the inner pot drops below atmospheric pressure by a certain amount, the vacuum pump, which powers the pressure reducing means 16, stops operating, maintaining the inner pot at a reduced pressure. To restore the pressure inside the inner pot to the same pressure as the outside air, the vacuum pump stops operating and a path (not shown) connecting the vacuum pump to the inside of the inner pot is opened. In other words, the pressure reducing means 16 also serves as a pressure restoration means, restoring the pressure inside the inner pot from the reduced pressure to the same pressure as the outside air.

[0019] The control means 12 includes a control IC 17 containing a rice cooking control means 21, a keep-warm control means 22, a display control means 23, and a condition setting means 24 as functions of the control sequence of the program read from the storage means 18. Upon receiving a command to start rice cooking from the operating means 7, the rice cooking control means 21 executes a rice cooking process that sequentially performs a soaking process to promote water absorption by the rice placed in the inner pot, a boiling heating process to quickly raise the temperature of the food to a boil, a boiling continuation process to maintain the boiling state of the food, and a high-temperature maintenance process to maintain the rice at a high temperature without burning it, thereby cooking the food in the inner pot at the desired pressure. The keep-warm control means 22 controls the keep-warm process to maintain the rice in the inner pot at a predetermined keep-warm temperature. The display control means 23 generates various control signals based on operation signals from the operating means 7 and controls the display operation of the display means 6. The condition setting means 24 also works in conjunction with the display control means 23 to enable the selection and setting of conditions that can be selected by the operation means 7, for example, the selection and setting of a desired rice cooking course from among a plurality of rice settings, cooking method settings, hardness settings, and water hardness settings.

[0020] In the rice cooker 1 of this embodiment, rice cooking courses corresponding to the settings for each rice, cooking method, hardness, and water hardness are stored in the memory means 51, and the rice settings, cooking method settings, hardness settings, and water hardness settings for the stored rice cooking courses are selectably displayed on the display means 6, and the rice cooking course can be selected and configured by making these settings.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a top view of the display and operation means 10 of the rice cooker 1 of this embodiment. Figs. 4 to 12 show top views of the display and operation means 10, with the upper side of each drawing referred to as the "front," the lower side referred to as the "rear," the left side referred to as the "left," and the right side referred to as the "right." The front side of each drawing will be referred to as the "top" and the back side referred to as the "bottom." In Fig. 4, the display means 6 of the display and operation means 10 is composed of an LCD 25 located in the center of the top surface of the lid 2, and process LED displays 26 to 29 located in front of this LCD 25. The process LED indicators 26-29 display the actual status of the rice cooker. In this embodiment, the "PRESET" process LED indicator 26 lights when a timer is set, the "KEEP WARM" process LED indicator 27 lights when the rice cooker is in the "KEEP WARM" state, the "VACUUM" process LED indicator 28 lights when the pressure reducing device 16 creates a vacuum state (lower than atmospheric pressure) inside the inner pot, and the "PRESSURE" process LED indicator 29 lights when the pressure inside the inner pot is maintained from the time pressure begins to build up inside the inner pot during cooking until the rice is cooked. This allows the user to understand the current status of the rice cooker at a glance, even when the LCD 25 backlight is dimmed. Furthermore, each of the process LED indicators 26-29 illuminates in a different color, allowing the user to understand the current status of the rice cooker at a glance. In this embodiment, the process LED indicators 26-29 are located directly in front of the LCD 25, but they may also be located away from the LCD 25. Alternatively, the process LED display units 26 to 29 may be omitted, and the display contents of these process LED display units 26 to 29 may be displayed on the LCD 25.

[0022] Fig. 4 shows the top screen G1. When the user inserts the power plug provided in advance on the main body 1 into a household outlet, the necessary power is supplied to each section, such as the display operation means 10 and the control means 12. At this time, the display control means 23 causes the display means 6 to display the layout of the top screen G1 as shown in Fig. 4 as the usual initial screen to be displayed on the display means 6 after a predetermined time has elapsed or when a predetermined startup display screen is displayed.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, the top screen G1 has a menu key display area A1 in its front, displaying four button display areas B1 to B7 arranged side by side. Here, the "Rice" button display area B1 includes a text display element D1 that reads "Rice" and a text display element D2 that reads "▼." The "How to Cook" button display area B3 includes a text display element D3 that reads "How to Cook" and a text display element D4 that reads "▼." The "Hardness Adjustment" button display area B5 includes a text display element D5 that reads "Hardness Adjustment" and a text display element D6 that reads "▼." The "Water Hardness" button display area B7 includes a text display element D7 that reads "Water Hardness" and a text display element D8 that reads "▼."

[0024] Additionally, behind the menu key display area A1, there is a rice cooking information display area A2 displaying four setting indicators D11-D14 arranged side by side. Here, the "Rice" setting indicator D11 displays information about the rice that has been set. It is located behind the "Rice" button indicator B1, and in FIG. 4, it displays "White Rice, Random Brand." The "Cooking Method" setting indicator D12 displays information about the cooking method that has been set. It is located behind the "Cooking Method" button indicator B3, and in FIG. 4, it displays "Kamado Master." The "Hardness Adjustment" setting indicator D13 displays information about the hardness adjustment that has been set. It is located behind the "Hardness Adjustment" button indicator B5, and in FIG. 4, it displays "Recommended." The "Water Hardness" setting indicator D14 displays information about the water hardness that has been set. It is located behind the "Water Hardness" button indicator B7, and in FIG. 4, it displays "40-60."

[0025] Behind the rice cooking information display area A2, a text display D15 that reads "Rice Cooking Time" reminds the user that the numbers displayed on the clock display D16 are the rice cooking time, and displays the required rice cooking time, the remaining time until the actual rice cooking is completed, and the predicted cooking time, which is the time when the rice cooking is completed.In Figure 4, the clock display D16 that displays "approximately 38 minutes," the required rice cooking time calculated from the settings of the rice cooking information display area A2, and a button display B17 that includes a text display D17 that reads "Start cooking" are displayed side by side.

[0026] Also, at the rear of the top screen G1, a setting button display B18 including a text display D18 reminiscent of a gear diagram, a button display B19 including a text display D19 saying "Keep warm", a button display B20 including a text display D20 saying "Reservation", a time display D21 showing the current time, and a button display B22 including a text display D22 saying "Off" are displayed side by side.

[0027] The operating means 7, which is composed of a touch sensor or the like, is configured such that a plurality of components are arranged as touch keys, each of which is connected by pattern wiring between a transparent electrode section made of a conductive polymer and a contact section connected to a control PC board, and by performing a touch operation on one of the plurality of button display sections displayed on the LCD 25, the touch key arranged above that button display section and corresponding to that button display section is touched and that button display section is selected.

[0028] The "Off" button display B22 is operated to stop cooking rice or keeping it warm, and when the "Off" button display B22 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Off" button display B22, and the rice cooking control means 21 performs control to stop heating the food to be cooked in the main body 1 and the scheduled rice cooking and turn it off, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the top screen G1 with the settings for the rice cooking information display area A2 set to the settings for the most recent rice cooking, that is, the settings stored in the storage means 18. Therefore, the "Off" button display B22 also functions as a stop instruction unit that accepts the cancellation of rice cooking. Furthermore, when the "Off" button display section B22 on the top screen G1 is touched, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to discard the rice settings, cooking method settings, hardness adjustment settings, and water hardness settings that were set before cooking and are currently displayed in the rice cooking information display area A2, and to display the settings in the rice cooking information display area A2 as they were when rice was most recently cooked, i.e., the settings stored in the memory means 18.

[0029] The "Start cooking" button display B17 is operated when rice cooking begins, and when the "Start cooking" button display B17 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operating means 7 arranged above the "Start cooking" button display B17, the condition setting means 24 stores the rice settings, cooking method settings, hardness settings, and water hardness settings currently displayed in the rice cooking information display area A2 in the memory means 18 as the settings for this rice cooking course, and the rice cooking control means 21 controls the start of cooking the food to be cooked in the main unit 1 using the settings for this rice cooking course stored in the memory means 18. Therefore, the "Start cooking" button display B17 also functions as a rice cooking instruction unit that receives a command to start rice cooking.

[0030] The "keep warm" button display B19 is operated when keeping food warm, and when the "keep warm" button display B19 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "keep warm" button display B19, and the keep warm control means 22 sends an appropriate control signal to the heating means 11 so that the food to be cooked in the main body 1 begins to be kept warm and reheated.

[0031] The "Rice" button display section B1 is operated to select the type of rice to be cooked. When the "Rice" button display section B1 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Rice" button display section B1, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the rice selection screen G2 as shown in Figure 5.

[0032] The "Cooking method" button display section B3 is operated to select the type of cooking method for the food to be cooked. When the "Cooking method" button display section B3 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Cooking method" button display section B3, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display cooking method selection screens G4 and G5 as shown in Figure 6.

[0033] The "hardness adjustment" button display section B5 is operated to select the type of texture of the rice to be cooked. When the "hardness adjustment" button display section B5 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "hardness adjustment" button display section B5, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display a hardness selection screen G5 as shown in Figure 7.

[0034] The "Water Hardness" button display section B7 is operated to select the hardness of the water to be cooked. When the "Water Hardness" button display section B7 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Water Hardness" button display section B7, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display a water hardness selection screen G6 or a water hardness numerical value input screen G7 as shown in Figure 8.

[0035] The setting button display section B18 is operated to set up the rice cooker. When the setting button display section B18 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the setting button display section B18, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the setting screen G8 as shown in Figure 9.

[0036] The "Reservation" button display section B20 is operated when scheduling rice cooking. When the "Reservation" button display section B20 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Reservation" button display section B20, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the reservation setting screen G11 as shown in Figure 10.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows the rice selection screen G2, which is displayed when the "Rice" button display B1 on the top screen G1 is touched. Referring to FIG. 5, the rice selection screen G2 is described as follows: A text display 31 reading "Please select rice" is displayed in the foreground. Behind the text display 31, a rice selection display area A3 is formed, displaying six button displays B31-B41 arranged front to back and left to right. The currently selected button display, e.g., in FIG. 5, a selection display S1 is displayed around the "White rice, random brand" button display B31. The "White rice, random brand" button display B31 includes a text display D31 reading "White rice, random brand" and an image display D32 showing a picture of white rice in a bowl. The "White rice, select brand" button display B33 includes a text display D33 reading "White rice, select brand" and an image display D34 showing a picture of ripe rice. The "Rinse-free rice, random brand" button display section B35 includes a text display D35 that reads "Rinse-free rice, random brand" and an image display D36 that shows a photograph of white rice served in a bowl. The "Brown rice" button display section B37 includes a text display D37 that reads "Brown rice" and an image display D38 that shows a photograph of brown rice served in a bowl. The "Mixed grain rice" button display section B39 includes a text display D39 that reads "Mixed grain rice" and an image display D40 that shows a photograph of mixed grain rice served in a bowl. The "Barley rice" button display section B41 includes a text display D41 that reads "Barley rice" and an image display D42 that shows a photograph of barley rice served in a bowl.

[0038] Additionally, at the rear of the rice selection screen G2, a button display section B42 including a text display section D42 that reads "Back" and a button display section B43 including a text display section D43 that reads "Cancel" are arranged side by side. Therefore, the rice selection screen G2 does not display the "Start cooking" button display section B17, the "Scheduled cooking" button display section B117 described below, the "Off" button display section B22, or the "Off (long press)" button display section B149 described below, and is configured so that it is not possible to start rice cooking, start scheduled cooking, heat the food to be cooked in the main unit 1, or cancel scheduled cooking on this rice selection screen G2.

[0039] Button display sections B31 to B41 in the rice selection display area A3 are operated to select the type of rice to be cooked, and when button display section B31, B35, B37, B39 or B41, for example, button display section B35 for "unwashed rice, random brand," is touched, control means 12 receives an operation signal from operation means 7 arranged above each button display section B31, B35, B37, B39 or B41, for example, button display section B35 for "unwashed rice, random brand," and display control means 23 returns to the top screen G1 and controls display means 6 to change the display of "Rice" setting display D11 to the display of the button display section that was touched, for example, to "unwashed rice, random brand."

[0040] Furthermore, when the "White rice brand selection" button display section B33 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "White rice brand selection" button display section B33, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display a brand selection screen (not shown). When a brand of rice is selected on this brand selection screen, the display control means 23 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 6 to change the display of the "Rice" setting display D11 to display the selected brand of rice.

[0041] The "Back" button display section B42 is operated to discard the settings on the current screen, for example, the rice selection screen G2, and return to the previous screen, for example, the top screen G1. When the "Back" button display section B42 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Back" button display section B42, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to discard the settings currently displayed on the LCD 25, return to the previous screen, for example, the top screen G1, and display the settings that were displayed on the previous screen.

[0042] The "Cancel" button display section B43 is operated when discarding the settings on the current screen, for example, the rice selection screen G2, and returning to the top screen G1. When the "Cancel" button display section B43 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Cancel" button display section B43, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to discard the settings currently displayed on the LCD 25, return to the top screen G1, and display the settings that were displayed on the most recent top screen G1.

[0043] 6(A) and 6(B) show the cooking method selection screens G3 and G4, which are displayed when the "Cooking Method" button display B3 on the top screen G1 is touched. Referring to FIG. 6(A), the cooking method selection screen G3 is illustrated. At the front of the screen, a text display 45 reading "Please select rice" and cursor displays C1 and C2, which remind the user that there are other cooking method selection screens besides the current cooking method selection screen G3, are arranged side by side. Behind the text display 45 and cursor displays C1 and C2, a first cooking method selection display area A4 is formed, displaying six button displays B46-B51 arranged side by side. The currently selected button display, for example, the "Kamado Master" button display B46 in the case of FIG. 5, displays a selection display area S2 around the periphery of the button display B46.

[0044] Here, the "Kamado Master" button display B46 includes a text display D46 that reads "Kamado Master" and is selected for normal rice cooking. The "Target Cook" button display B47 includes a text display D47 that reads "Target Cook" and is selected when you want to cook rice for a specified cooking time. The "Sweet Cook" button display B48 includes a text display D48 that reads "Sweet Cook" and is selected when you want to cook rice with a sweeter taste. The "Quick Cook" button display B49 includes a text display D49 that reads "Quick Cook" and is selected when you want to finish cooking rice quickly. The "Small Quantity" button display B50 includes a text display D50 that reads "Small Quantity" and is selected when you are cooking a small amount of rice. The "Lunch Box" button display B51 includes a text display D51 that reads "Lunch Box" and is selected when you want to cook rice that does not harden even when cooled. Additionally, behind the first cooking method selection display area A3, a "Back" button display B42, a button display B52 including a text display D52 "<", a button display B53 including a text display D53 ">", and a "Cancel" button display B43 are arranged side by side.

[0045] The cursor indicators C1 and C2 indicate whether the cooking method selection screen G3 or G4 is currently displayed on the LCD 25. When the cooking method selection screen G3 is displayed on the LCD 25, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 so that the cursor indicator C1 is displayed lit and the cursor indicator C2 is displayed unlit in the same color as the background color. On the other hand, when the cooking method selection screen G4 is displayed on the LCD 25, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 so that the cursor indicator C1 is displayed unlit and the cursor indicator C2 is displayed lit.

[0046] The button display sections B46 to B51 in the first cooking method selection display area A4 are operated to select the cooking method for the food to be cooked, and when button display section B46, B48, B49, B50 or B51, for example the "quick cook" button display section B49, is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the respective button display section B46, B48, B49, B50 or B51, for example the "quick cook" button display section B49, and the display control means 23 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 6 to change the display of the "cooking method" setting display D12 to the display of the button display section that was touched, for example "quick cook".

[0047] Furthermore, when the "target cooking" button display section B47 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "target cooking" button display section B47, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the "target cooking" time selection screen (not shown). When a time is selected on this "target cooking" time selection screen, the display control means 23 returns to the top screen G1, changes the display on the "cooking method" setting display D12 to "target cooking", and controls the display means 6 to display the time selected on the "target cooking" time selection screen on the clock display D16.

[0048] The "<" button display B52 and ">" button display B53 are operated to change the cooking method selection screens G3 and G4, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 so that when operable, the button display parts B52 and B53 are displayed in a dark color and the "<" text display D52 and ">" text display D53 are displayed in white, and when inoperable, meaning that the screen does not change even when touched, the display control means 6 controls the button display parts B52 and B53 to be displayed in approximately the same color as the background and the "<" text display D52 and ">" text display D53 are displayed in gray.

[0049] FIG. 6(B) shows the cooking method selection screen G4, which is accessed when the ">" button display B53 is touched on the cooking method selection screen G3. Referring to FIG. 6(B), the cooking method selection screen G4 is explained. The text display 45 and cursor displays C1 and C2 are arranged in the foreground, and behind these displays is the second cooking method selection display area A5, which displays six button displays B46-B51 arranged front to back and left to right. The "Eco Cooking" button display B55 includes a text display D55 that reads "Eco Cooking" and is selected when you want to cook rice while reducing power consumption and paying attention to taste. The "Takomi" button display B56 includes a text display D56 that reads "Takomi" and is selected when you want to cook seasoned rice. The "Porridge" button display B57 includes a text display D57 that reads "Porridge" and is selected when you want to cook rice porridge. Furthermore, the "Mixed White Rice 2:1 Brown Rice" button display B58 includes a text display D58 that reads "Mixed White Rice 2:1 Brown Rice," and is selected when you want to cook rice in a ratio of 2 white rice to 1 brown rice. The "Mixed White Rice 1:1 Brown Rice" button display B59 includes a text display D59 that reads "Mixed White Rice 1:1 Brown Rice," and is selected when you want to cook rice in a ratio of 1 white rice to 1 brown rice. The "Mixed White Rice 1:1 Brown Rice" button display B60 includes a text display D60 that reads "Mixed White Rice 1:1 Brown Rice," and is selected when you want to cook rice in a ratio of 1 white rice to 2 brown rice. Additionally, behind the second cooking method selection display area A4, a "Back" button display area B42, a "<" button display area B52, a ">" button display area B53, and a "Cancel" button display area B43 are arranged side by side. Therefore, just like the rice selection screen G2, the cooking method selection screens G3 and G4 do not display the "Start cooking" button display area B17, the "Scheduled cooking" button display area B117 (described later), the "Off" button display area B22, or the "Off (long press)" button display area B149 (described later), and are configured so that it is not possible to start rice cooking, start scheduled cooking, heat the food to be cooked in the main unit 1, or cancel scheduled cooking on the rice selection screen G2.

[0050] Like button display units B46 to B51, button display units B55 to B60 in the first cooking method selection display area A5 are operated to select the cooking method for the food to be cooked. When button display units B55 to B60, for example, the "Eco Cooking" button display unit B55, is touched, control unit 12 receives an operation signal from operation unit 7 arranged above each button display unit B55 to B60, for example, the "Eco Cooking" button display unit B55, and display control unit 23 returns to the top screen G1 and controls display unit 6 to change the display of the "Cooking Method" setting display D12 to the display of the button display unit that was touched, for example, to "Eco Cooking".

[0051] 7 shows the rice hardness selection screen G5, which is accessed when the "hardness adjustment" button display B5 on the top screen G1 is touched. Referring to FIG. 7, the cooking method selection screen G3 is explained. At the front of the screen is a text display D63 that reads, "Please select hardness." Behind the text display D63 is a hardness selection display area A6, which displays cursor displays C4-C8 and text displays D64-D68 side-by-side. The currently selected cursor display, for example, the "recommended" cursor display C6 in FIG. 7, is lit, while the other cursor displays C4, C5, C7, and C8 are unlit. Here, a text display D64 saying "firm" is placed in front of the cursor display C4 saying "firm", and similarly, a text display D65 saying "crisp" is placed in front of the cursor display C5 saying "crisp", a text display D66 saying "recommended" is placed in front of the cursor display C6 saying "recommended", a text display D67 saying "crisp" is placed in front of the cursor display C7 saying "soft", and a text display D68 saying "soft" is placed in front of the cursor display C8 saying "soft".

[0052] Additionally, behind the hardness selection display area A6, a button display section B69 including a text display section D69 that reads "<" and a button display section B70 including a text display section D70 that reads ">" are arranged side by side. And behind the hardness selection screen G5, a "Back" button display section B42, a button display section B71 including a text display section D71 that reads "OK," and a "Cancel" button display section B43 are arranged side by side. Therefore, like the other selection screens G2 to G4, the hardness selection screen G5 does not display the "Start Cooking" button display section B17, the "Scheduled Cooking" button display section B117 (described later), the "Off" button display section B22, or the "Off (Long Press)" button display section B149 (described later), and is configured so that it is not possible to start rice cooking, start scheduled cooking, heat the food to be cooked in the main unit 1, or cancel scheduled cooking on this rice selection screen G2.

[0053] The cursor indicators C4 to C7 indicate the texture setting for the cooked rice, and the cooking course is set so that the texture of the rice becomes softer as you move to the right cursor indicator. In this embodiment, the hardness is selected by moving the illuminated cursor indicators C4 to C7 left and right, and the illuminated cursor indicators C4 to C7 are moved using the "<" button indicator B69 and the ">" button indicator B70. For example, when the "<" button indicator B69 is touched once in the state shown in FIG. 7, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "<" button indicator B69, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to turn off the "recommended" cursor indicator C6 and turn on the "crisp" cursor indicator C5. The "OK" button display B71 is operated to confirm the hardness selection, and for example, when the "OK" button display B71 is touched while the above-mentioned "sharp" cursor display C5 is lit, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "OK" button display B71, and the display control means 23 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 6 to change the display of the "hardness adjustment" setting display D13 to the setting of the hardness selection screen G5 when the "OK" button display B71 is operated, for example, to "sharp".

[0054] 8(A) and 8(B) show the water hardness selection screen G6 and the water hardness numerical value input screen G7, which are displayed when the "Water Hardness" button display B7 on the top screen G1 is touched. Referring to FIG. 8(A), the water hardness selection screen G6 is shown in front of a water hardness screen display area A7, which displays a tab display area B73 including a text display element D73 that reads "Select Water Hardness" and a tab display area B74 including a text display element D74 that reads "Numeric Input," side by side. Behind the water hardness screen display area A7, a text display element D75 that reads "Please select water hardness" is displayed.

[0055] Behind the text indicator D75, cursor indicators C11 to C15 are displayed in a straight line, and in front of these cursor indicators C11 to C15, text indicators D76 to D81 are displayed side by side, and behind the cursor indicators C11 to C15, a water hardness selection display area A8 is formed in which a text indicator D82 reading "mg / L" is displayed, reminding the user that the numerical values ​​in the text indicators D76 to D81 are numerical values ​​for water hardness. Furthermore, the currently selected cursor indicator, for example, the cursor indicator C13 of "40 to 60" in Figure 8, is displayed lit, and the other cursor indicators C11, C12, C14, and C15 are displayed unlit. Here, a text display D76 of "0" and a text display D77 of "20" are placed to the left and right of the cursor display C11 of "0-20". Similarly, a text display D77 of "20" and a text display D78 of "40" are placed to the left and right of the cursor display C12 of "20-40". Furthermore, a text display D78 of "40" and a text display D79 of "40" are placed to the left and right of the cursor display C13 of "40-60". A text display D78 with "60" and a text display D79 with "60" are placed in front of the left and right ends of cursor display C14 with "60-80", a text display D79 with "60" and a text display D80 with "80" are placed in front of the left and right ends of cursor display C15 with "80-100", and a text display D80 with "80" and a text display D81 with "100" are placed in front of the left and right ends of cursor display C15 with "80-100".

[0056] Additionally, a button display section B83 including a text display element D83 that reads "<" and a button display section B84 including a text display element D84 that reads ">" are arranged side by side behind the water hardness selection display area A8. Then, a "Back" button display section B42, a button display section B85 including a text display element D85 that reads "OK," a button display section B86 including a text display element D86 that reads "Average for each prefecture," and a "Cancel" button display section B43 are arranged side by side behind the water hardness selection screen G6. Therefore, on the hardness selection screen G5, like the other selection screens G2 to G4, the "Start cooking" button display B17, the "Scheduled cooking" button display B117 described below, the "Off" button display B22, and the "Off (long press)" button display B149 described below are not displayed, and this rice selection screen G2 is configured so that it is not possible to start cooking, start scheduled cooking, heat the food to be cooked in the main unit 1, or cancel scheduled cooking.

[0057] The "Water Hardness Selection" tab display section B73 and the "Numeric Input" tab display section B74 indicate whether the water hardness selection screen G6 or the water hardness numerical value input screen G7 is currently displayed on the LCD 25. When the "Water Hardness Selection" tab display section B73 is selected and the water hardness selection screen G6 is displayed on the LCD 25, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 so that the "Water Hardness Selection" tab display section B73 is displayed in substantially the same color as the background and the "Numeric Input" tab display section B74 is displayed in a lighter color, i.e., a so-called grayed-out display. On the other hand, when the "Numeric Input" tab display section B74 is selected and the water hardness numerical value input screen G7 is displayed on the LCD 25, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 so that the "Water Hardness Selection" tab display section B73 is displayed in grayed-out and the "Numeric Input" tab display section B74 is displayed in substantially the same color as the background.

[0058] The cursor indicators C11 to C15 indicate the water hardness setting for the food to be cooked. The water hardness increases as you move to the right cursor indicator, and the rice cooking course is set based on the water hardness displayed by the cursor indicator. In this embodiment, the water hardness is selected by moving the illuminated cursor indicators C11 to C15 left and right, and the illuminated cursor indicators C11 to C15 are moved using the "<" button indicator B83 and the ">" button indicator B84. For example, when the "<" button indicator B83 is touched once in the state shown in FIG. 8(A), the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "<" button indicator B83, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to turn off the "40 to 60" cursor indicator C13 and turn on the "20 to 40" cursor indicator C12. The display control means 23 may also control the display means 6 to display the "<" button display B83 in a grayed-out state when the "0-20" cursor display C11 is lit, and to control the display means 6 to display the ">" button display B84 in a grayed-out state when the "80-100" cursor display C15 is lit.

[0059] The "OK" button display B85 is operated to confirm the selection of water hardness, and for example, when the "OK" button display B85 is touched while the above-mentioned "20-40" cursor display C12 is lit, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "OK" button display B85, and the display control means 23 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 6 to change the display of the "Water hardness" setting display D14 to the setting of the water hardness selection screen G6 when the "OK" button display B85 is operated, for example, to "20-40".

[0060] The "Average for each prefecture" button display section B86 is operated to select the average value for each prefecture when selecting water hardness. When the "Average for each prefecture" button display section B86 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Average for each prefecture" button display section B86, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display a prefecture selection screen (not shown). When a prefecture is selected on this prefecture selection screen, the display control means 23 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 6 to change the display of the "Water hardness" setting display section D14 to a cursor display section C11 to C15 that indicates the range of the average hardness of the tap water in the selected prefecture, for example, "20 to 40" since Niigata prefecture is 33.0 mg / L.

[0061] 8(B) shows the water hardness numeric value input screen G7, which is displayed when the "Numeric Input" tab display B74 on the water hardness selection screen G6 is touched. Referring to FIG. 8(B), the water hardness numeric value input screen G7 is described. A water hardness screen display area A7 is formed in the foreground, and behind this water hardness screen display area A7, a text display D88 that reads "Settable from 0 to 120" is displayed. A picker display B89 including a text display D89 showing the set ten-minute digits, a picker display B90 including a text display D90 showing the set units-minute digits, and a text display D91 that reads "mg / L," which indicates that the numbers displayed in the text displays D89 and D90 are water hardness, are displayed side by side. Furthermore, an up key display B92 including an icon display D92 evoking an increase in the tens digit number displayed in the text display D89 is arranged in front of the picker display B89, an up key display B93 including an icon display D93 evoking an increase in the units digit number displayed in the text display D90 is arranged in front of the picker display B90, and a down key display B94 including an icon display D94 evoking a decrease in the tens digit number displayed in the text display D89 is arranged behind the picker display B89, and a down key display B95 including an icon display D95 evoking a decrease in the units digit number displayed in the text display D90 is arranged behind the picker display B90. These displays D86 to D95 and displays B89 to B95 are arranged and displayed as described above to form a water hardness numerical input display area A9. Therefore, like the other selection screens G2 to G5, the water hardness selection screen G6 and the water hardness numerical value input screen G7 do not display the "Start cooking" button display B17, the "Scheduled cooking" button display B117 described below, the "Off" button display B22, or the "Off (long press)" button display B149 described below, and are configured so that it is not possible to start cooking rice, start scheduled cooking, heat the food to be cooked in the main unit 1, or cancel scheduled cooking on this rice selection screen G2.

[0062] The picker display sections B89, B90 display the setting of the water hardness for the food to be cooked, and by touching the up key display sections B92, B93 or the down key display sections B94, B95 to change the display on the picker display sections B89, B90, the rice cooking course is set according to the water hardness displayed on the picker display sections B89, B90. For example, when the down key display section B94 is touched once in the state shown in Figure 8(B), the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 disposed above the down key display section B94, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to decrease by 1 the number "5" in the text display section D89 displayed on the picker display section B89, so that the number "4" is displayed on the text display section D89. For example, when the "OK" button display B85 is touched while the above-mentioned picker display B89, B90 is displaying "40," the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "OK" button display B85, and the display control means 23 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 6 to change the display of the "Water hardness" setting display D14 to the setting of the water hardness numerical value input screen G7 when the "OK" button display B85 is operated, for example, to "40."

[0063] 9(A) and 9(B) show the settings screen G8 and the guide selection screen G9, which are displayed when the settings button display B18 on the top screen G1 is touched. Referring to FIG. 9(A), the settings screen G8 is described. In the front of the settings screen G8, a settings / guide screen display area A11 is formed, displaying a tab display B101 including a text display D101 called "Settings" and a tab display B102 including a text display D102 called "Guide" side by side. Behind the settings / guide screen display area A11, a settings selection display area A12 is formed, displaying six button displays B103-B108 side by side. In the rear of the settings screen G8, a "Back" button display 42, a time display D21, and a "Cancel" button display B43 are displayed side by side.

[0064] Here, the "Current Time Setting" button display section B103 includes a text display D103 reading "Current Time Setting" and is selected when setting the display of the time display D21. The "Key Lock Setting" button display section B104 includes a text display D104 reading "Key Lock Setting" and is selected when setting the lock state of all button displays. The "Screen Brightness" button display section B105 includes a text display D105 reading "Screen Brightness" and is selected when setting the brightness of the screen display of the LCD 25. The "Screen Design" button display section B106 includes a text display D106 reading "Screen Design" and is selected when setting the background color displayed on the screen of the LCD 25. The "Cooking / Keeping Warm Setting" button display section B107 includes a text display D107 reading "Cooking / Keeping Warm Setting" and is selected when setting the operation interval of the vacuum pump of the pressure reducing means 16, the number of pressure adjustments of the steam path opening / closing means 15, and the heating during keep-warm operation. The "Initialize Settings" button display B108 includes a text display D108 that reads "Initialize Settings", and is selected when initializing settings to return them to their initial settings and setting the contents of the initialization.

[0065] The "Settings" tab display section B101 and the "Guide" tab display section B102 indicate whether the settings screen G8 or the guide selection screen G9 is currently displayed on the LCD 25. When the "Settings" tab display section B101 is selected and the settings screen G8 is displayed on the LCD 25, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 so that the "Settings" tab display section B101 is displayed in substantially the same color as the background color and the "Guide" tab display section B102 is displayed in a grayed-out color. On the other hand, when the "Guide" tab display section B102 is selected and the guide selection screen G9 is displayed on the LCD 25, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 so that the "Settings" tab display section B101 is displayed in a grayed-out color and the "Guide" tab display section B102 is displayed in substantially the same color as the background color.

[0066] Button display sections B103-B108 in setting selection display area A12 are operated to make each setting for the rice cooker, and when any of button display sections B103-B108 is touched, control section 12 receives an operation signal from operation section 7 disposed above each button display section B103-B108, and display control section 23 controls display section 6 to transition to a setting screen corresponding to the selected button display section. Furthermore, when setting is completed on each setting screen, display control section 23 controls display section 6 to transition to top screen G1.

[0067] 9(B) shows the guide selection screen G9, which is displayed when the "Guide" tab display portion B102 on the settings screen G8 is touched. Referring to the same figure, the guide selection screen G9 will be described. A settings / guide screen display area A11 is formed in the front, and behind this settings / guide screen display area A11, a settings selection display area A13 is formed, displaying six button display portions B109-B114 arranged side by side. Also, at the rear of the guide selection screen G9, a "Back" button display portion 42, a time display portion D21, and a "Cancel" button display portion B43 are displayed side by side. Therefore, on the setting screen G8 and the guide selection screen G9, as with the other selection screens G2 to G7, the "Start cooking" button display B17, the "Scheduled cooking" button display B117 described below, the "Off" button display B22, and the "Off (long press)" button display B149 described below are not displayed, and this rice selection screen G2 is configured so that it is not possible to start cooking rice, start scheduled cooking, heat the food to be cooked in the main unit 1, or cancel scheduled cooking.

[0068] Here, the "Tips for Cooking Delicious Rice" button display B109 includes a text display D109 that reads "Tips for Cooking Delicious Rice," and is selected when wanting to know the steps for cooking delicious rice, including how to prepare the rice, wash the rice, and add water. The "About Rice Cooking Courses" button display B110 includes a text display D110 that reads "About Rice Cooking Courses," and is selected when wanting to check the explanation of the rice cooking courses. The "Cooking Menu" button display B111 includes a text display D111 that reads "Cooking Menu," and is selected when wanting to check the recipes of several dishes. The "Average Tap Water Hardness for Each Prefecture" button display B112 includes a text display D112 that reads "Average Tap Water Hardness for Each Prefecture," and has substantially the same function as the "Average for Each Prefecture" button display B86, which is operated to select the average value for each prefecture when selecting water hardness. The "Maintenance Boil Cleaning" button display B113 includes a text display D113 that reads "Maintenance Boil Cleaning" and is selected when boil cleaning is performed. The "What to do in these cases" button display B114 includes a text display D113 that reads "What to do in these cases" and is selected when checking the rice cooker Q&A.

[0069] Button display sections B109, B110, B111, B112, and B114 in setting selection display area A12 are operated to provide explanations or confirmations about the rice cooker, and when button display sections B109, B110, B111, B112, or B114 are touched, control section 12 receives an operation signal from operation section 7 disposed on button display section B109, B110, B111, B112, or B114, and display control section 23 controls display section 6 to transition to an explanation screen or guide screen corresponding to the selected button display section. Also, by operating "Back" button display section 42 or "Cancel" button display section 43 on each explanation screen or guide screen, display control section 23 controls display section 6 to transition to guide selection screen G9 or top screen G1. Furthermore, when the "Maintenance Boiling Cleaning" button display section B113 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Maintenance Boiling Cleaning" button display section B113, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to transition to a boiling cleaning selection screen (not shown), and by selecting the type of boiling cleaning on this screen, the control means 12 controls each component part to perform boiling cleaning.

[0070] 10(A) shows the reservation setting screen G11, which is displayed when the "Reservation" button display B20 on the top screen G1 is touched. Referring to the figure, the reservation setting screen G11 will be explained. When the reservation setting screen G11 is displayed, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to blink the "Reservation" process LED display 26. Similarly to the top screen G1, the menu key display area A1 and the rice cooking information display area A2 are formed in the front of the reservation setting screen G11. Behind the rice cooking information display area A2, a button display B116 including a text display D116 that reads "Cooking Completion Time," a clock display D16 that displays the cooking completion time of "6:00" in FIG. 10(A), and a button display B117 including a text display D117 that reads "Reservation Cooking" are displayed side by side. Also, at the rear of the reservation setting screen G11, a "Back" button display B42, a button display B118 including a text display D118 for "History", a time display D21, and an "Off" button display B22 are displayed side by side. Also, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to blink the "Reservation" process LED display 26 when the reservation setting screen G11 is displayed.

[0071] The "Cooking time" button display section B116 is operated to set the cooking time when the rice cooking process will be completed with scheduled cooking. When the "Cooking time" button display section B116 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Cooking time" button display section B116, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to pop up and display the scheduled time setting screen G12 as shown in Figure 10(B).

[0072] To explain the reservation time setting screen G12, a button display B121 including a text display D121 reading "X" is located at the front right edge of the screen, and a text display 122 reading "Please set the cooking time" is located at the front of the reservation time setting screen G12. Below the text display 122, there are displayed side by side the following display units that rotatably display the set time: a picker display B123 including a text display D123 showing the digits of the set hour; a text display D124 reading ":" to remind users that the digits displayed in text displays D123 and D125 are the time; and a picker display B125 including a text display D125 showing the digits of the set minute. Furthermore, an up key display B126 including an icon display D126 evoking an increase in the number in the hour digits displayed in the text display D123 is arranged in front of the picker display B123, an up key display B127 including an icon display D127 evoking an increase in the number in the minute digits displayed in the text display D125 is arranged in front of the picker display B125, a down key display B128 including an icon display D128 evoking a decrease in the number in the hour digits displayed in the text display D123 is arranged behind the picker display B123, and a down key display B129 including an icon display D129 evoking a decrease in the number in the minute digits displayed in the text display D125 is arranged behind the picker display B90. And a button display B131 including a text display D131 reading "OK" is arranged at the rear of the reservation time setting screen G12.

[0073] The picker display sections B123, B125 display the set cooking time when the rice cooking process will be completed with scheduled rice cooking, and by touching the up key display sections B125, B127 or the down key display sections B128, B129 to change the display on the picker display sections B123, B125, scheduled rice cooking is set to the cooking time displayed on the picker display sections B123, B125. For example, when the up key display section B127 is touched once in the state shown in Figure 10(B), the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the up key display section B127, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to increment the number "00" in the text display section D125 displayed on the picker display section B125 by 1, so that the number in the text display section D125 displays "01". For example, when the "OK" button display B131 is touched while the above-mentioned picker display B123, B125 and text display D124 are displaying "6:01," the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "OK" button display B131, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to return to the reservation setting screen G11 and change the display on the clock display D16 to the setting of the reservation time setting screen G12 when the "OK" button display B131 was operated, for example, "6:01."

[0074] Similarly to the "Back" button display B42, the "x" button display B121 is operated to discard the settings on the current screen, the reservation time setting screen G12, and return to the previous screen, the reservation setting screen G11. When the "x" button display B121 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "x" button display B121, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to discard the settings currently displayed on the LCD 25, return to the reservation setting screen G11, and display the settings that were displayed on the clock display D16 of the reservation setting screen G11, i.e., the settings that were stored in the storage means 18.

[0075] Returning to Figure 10(A), the "History" button display section B118 is operated to set the cooking time by selecting a reservation time for a past rice cooking reservation. When the "History" button display section B118 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "History" button display section B118, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the reservation time history screen G13 as shown in Figure 10(C).

[0076] To explain the reservation time history screen G13, a text display 133 reading "Reservation Time History" is displayed at the front. Behind the text display 133 is a reservation time history display area A14, which displays four button displays B134-B140 arranged front to back and left to right. Here, the "Previous" button display B134 includes a text display D134 reading "Previous" and a text display D135 showing the cooking completion time set for the previous reservation cooking, which displays "6:00" in Figure 10(C). The "Previous" button display B136 includes a text display D136 reading "Previous" and a text display D137 showing the cooking completion time set for the previous reservation cooking, which displays "18:00" in Figure 10(C). The "3 times ago" button display B138 includes a text display D138 that reads "3 times ago" and a text display D139 that displays the cooking completion time set when the rice was scheduled three times ago, and in Fig. 10(C) it displays "12:00". The "4 times ago" button display B140 includes a text display D140 that reads "4 times ago" and a text display D141 that displays the cooking completion time set when the rice was scheduled four times ago, and in Fig. 10(C) it displays "7:00".

[0077] The button display sections B134 to B140 in the reservation time history display area A14 are operated to select a reservation time, and when any of the button display sections B134 to B140 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above each button display section B134 to B140, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to return to the reservation setting screen G11 and display the selected reservation time on the clock display D16.

[0078] Returning to Figure 10(A), the "Scheduled Cooking" button display B117 is operated when scheduled cooking begins. When the "Scheduled Cooking" button display B117 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Scheduled Cooking" button display B117, and the condition setting means 24 stores the rice settings, cooking method settings, hardness settings, water hardness settings and scheduled time settings currently displayed on the LCD 25 in the memory means 18 as the settings for this scheduled cooking. The display control means 23 changes the "Scheduled" process LED display 26 from flashing to lit, as shown in Figure 11, and controls the display means 6 to move to the scheduled cooking screen G14. The rice cooking control means 21 controls scheduled cooking for the food to be cooked in the main unit 1 using the settings for this scheduled cooking stored in the memory means 18. For this reason, the "Scheduled Cooking" button display section B117, like the "Start Cooking" button display section B17, also functions as a rice cooking instruction section that accepts the start of rice cooking, and is configured so that the position of the "Scheduled Cooking" button display section B117 on the reservation setting screen G11 is approximately the same as the position of the "Start Cooking" button display section B17 on the top screen G1. Therefore, when starting rice cooking or scheduling rice cooking, the user can find the "Start Cooking" button display section B17 or the "Scheduled Cooking" button display section B117 without having to search for them.

[0079] Referring to Figure 11, the scheduled rice cooking screen G14 has a rice cooking information display area A2 at the top, and a text display 122 reading "Scheduled rice cooking set" behind the rice cooking information display area A2. Behind the text display 122, a text display D143 reading "Cooking time" is displayed side by side with the clock display D16, reminding the user that the number displayed on the clock display D16 indicates the cooking completion time. At the rear of the scheduled rice cooking screen G14, a time display D21 and an "Off" button display B22 are displayed side by side. The "Off" button display B22 is positioned in substantially the same location as on the top screen G1 and the scheduled rice cooking setting screen G11, but the display area of ​​the button display B22 is larger vertically for easier touch operation. In this way, the position of the "OFF" button display B22 as the cancel instruction section is configured to be approximately the same as the position of the button display B22 on the top screen G1 and the reservation setting screen G11, so the user can find the "OFF" button display B22 without searching when canceling reserved rice cooking. On the other hand, the "Start cooking" button display B17 and the "Reserved cooking" button display B117 are not displayed, so it is not possible to start new rice cooking or reserved rice cooking on this reserved rice cooking screen G14.

[0080] Figure 12 shows the transitions of the rice cooking screen G15 and the keep-warm screen G16 that are displayed when the "Start Cooking" button display B17 on the top screen G1 is touched. Referring to Figure 12(A), the rice cooking screen G15 is described. A rice cooking information display area A2 is formed in the foreground. Behind the rice cooking information display area A2, a text display D145 that reads "COOKING" reminds the user that rice is currently being cooked, and a text display D146 that reads "VACUUM PUMP OPERATION," reminding the user that the vacuum pump of the pressure reducing means 16 is operating, are displayed side by side. Behind the text displays D145 and D146, a text display D147 that reads "REMAINSTANT" reminds the user that the number displayed on the clock display D16 indicates the remaining time until rice cooking is complete. In Figure 12(A), a clock display D16 that displays "approximately 38 minutes," the estimated remaining time until rice cooking is complete, is displayed side by side. Additionally, at the bottom of the rice cooking screen G15, a time display D21 and a button display B149 including a text display D149 reading "OFF (long press)" are displayed side by side. The position of the "OFF (long press)" button display B149 is configured so that the position of the "OFF" button display B22 on the top screen G1, reservation setting screen G11, and reservation cooking screen G14 is approximately the same as the position of the button display B22 on the top screen G1 and reservation setting screen G11, allowing the user to find the "OFF (long press)" button display B149 without having to search for it when canceling rice cooking.

[0081] The "OFF (long press)" button display B149 is operated to stop cooking rice or keeping it warm, and has the same function as the "OFF" button display B22. On the other hand, even if the "OFF (long press)" button display B149 is touched, the display control means 23 does not send an operation signal to the control means 12. Instead, by pressing and holding the "OFF (long press)" button display B149 for a predetermined period of time, such as two seconds or more, the display control means 23 sends an operation signal from the operation means 7 disposed above the button display B22 of the "OFF (long press)" button display B149 to the control means 12, and the rice cooking control means 21 stops heating the food to be cooked in the main body 1 and switches the state to OFF. Therefore, like the "OFF" button display B22, the "OFF (long press)" button display B149 also functions as a stop instruction unit that accepts the cancellation of rice cooking.

[0082] When the rice cooking process is started by touching the "Start cooking" button display B17, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the text display D125 of "Cooking rice." Here, when the vacuum pump is operated with the steam passage closed by the steam path opening / closing means 15, for example, when the pressure inside the inner pot is reduced to promote water absorption by the rice in the soaking cooking step of the rice cooking process, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to blink the "Vacuum" step LED display 28 and to display the text display D146 of "Vacuum pump operating," as shown in Fig. 12(A).

[0083] In Figure 12(A), when the pressure detection means 14 detects that the vacuum pump has operated for a predetermined period and the pressure inside the inner pot has been reduced to a predetermined level, the rice cooking control means 21 controls the pressure reduction means 16 to stop the operation of the vacuum pump. At the same time, the path connecting the vacuum pump to the inside of the inner pot remains closed, maintaining a reduced pressure inside the inner pot. At this time, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to change the "Vacuum" process LED display 28 from a flashing state to a lit state, and to turn off the display of the text display D146, as shown in Figure 12(B).

[0084] Then, for example, during the boiling heating process, the rice cooking control means 21 controls the pressure reducing means 16 to open the path between the vacuum pump and the inside of the inner pot, and also controls the steam path opening / closing means 15 to open the steam path, thereby returning the pressure inside the inner pot from the reduced pressure state to the same as the outside air. At this time, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to turn off the "vacuum" process LED display 28, as shown in Figure 12(C).

[0085] Then, for example, during the boiling heating process, continuing boiling process, or maintaining high temperature process, the rice cooking control means 21 controls the steam path opening / closing means 15 to close the steam passage, and the pressure inside the inner pot is increased above atmospheric pressure by the steam evaporated from the food being cooked. At this time, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to light the "Pressure" process LED display 29, as shown in Figure 12(D). After that, when the rice cooking process is completed, the keep-warm control means 22 controls the heating means 11 to perform the keep-warm process. At this time, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to transition from the rice cooking screen G15 to the keep-warm screen G16 as shown in Figure 12(E).

[0086] 12(E) Explaining the keep-warm screen G16, the rice cooking information display area A2 is formed in the front, and behind the rice cooking information display area A2, a text display D151 that reads "Please loosen" is displayed, reminding the user that the rice cooking process is complete. Also, behind the text display D131, a text display D152 that reads "Keep Warm Elapsed" is displayed side by side, reminding the user that the number displayed on the clock display D16 indicates the time for keeping the rice warm since cooking is complete. In FIG. 12(E), the clock display D16 displays "0 minutes," which indicates the time for keeping the rice warm since cooking is complete. Also, at the rear of the rice cooking screen G15, a time display D21 and an "Off (long press)" button display B149 are displayed side by side.

[0087] When the rice cooking process is completed and the process shifts to the keep-warm process, the display control means 23 lights up the "keep-warm" process LED display 28 and controls the display means 6 to shift to the keep-warm screen G16, as shown in Fig. 12(E). After that, when the lid opening / closing detection means 8 detects that the lid 2 has been opened or closed, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to turn off the text display D151, as shown in Fig. 12(F). In this way, the position of the "OFF (long press)" button display B149 or the "OFF" button display B22 on the rice cooking screen G15 and keep warm screen G16 for the rice cooking process and keep warm process is configured so that the position of the "OFF" button display B22 on the top screen G1, reservation setting screen G11, and reserved rice cooking screen G14 is approximately the same as the position of the button display B22 on the top screen G1 and reservation setting screen G11, so that the user can find the "OFF (long press)" button display B149 or the "OFF" button display B22 without having to search for it when canceling rice cooking. On the other hand, the "Start cooking" button display B17 or the "Reserved cooking" button display B117 is not displayed on the rice cooking screen G15 and keep warm screen G16, and it is configured so that new rice cooking or reserved rice cooking cannot be started on these rice cooking screens G15 and keep warm screen G16.

[0088] As described above, the rice cooker of this embodiment is equipped with a display operation means 10 consisting of an operation means 7, which is formed, for example, by a touch sensor and accepts touch operations, and a display means 6 that displays various information. The display operation means 10 is configured to simultaneously display at least one of the "Start cooking" button display B17 and the "Scheduled cooking" button display B117 as cooking instruction units that accept touch operations to start cooking, and the "Off" button display B22 and the "Off (long press)" button display B149 as cancel instruction units that accept touch operations to cancel cooking, as well as displays other than the "Start cooking" button display B17, the "Scheduled cooking" button display B117, the "Off" button display B22, and the "Off (long press)" button display B149. This eliminates the need to provide at least one of the "Start Cooking" button, "Scheduled Cooking" button, "Off" button, and "Off (long press)" button on the exterior of the rice cooker, thereby saving space for the display means 6 and the operating means 7. In addition, it eliminates the need to provide at least one of the "Start Cooking" button, "Scheduled Cooking" button, "Off" button, and "Off (long press)" button on the exterior of the rice cooker, eliminating the need to search for buttons when operating the rice cooker and improving operability.

[0089] Furthermore, the display operation means 10 of this embodiment is configured to display the "Start Cooking" button display B17 or the "Scheduled Cooking" button display B117 only when it is possible to start the rice cooking process or start scheduled rice cooking, for example, on the top screen G1 or the reservation setting screen G11, or to display the "Off" button display B22 or the "Off (long press)" button display B149 only when it is possible to stop the rice cooking process or scheduled rice cooking, for example, on the top screen G1, the reservation rice cooking screen G14, the rice cooking screen G15, the keep warm screen G16, etc. Therefore, these button display units are not always displayed, and there is no risk of accidentally instructing to start or stop the rice cooking process during setting or selection, for example, on the selection screens G2 to G7, the setting screen G8, or the guide selection screen G9, thereby preventing malfunctions.

[0090] In addition, the rice cooker of this embodiment has process LED display units 26-29 as status display units that display the status of the rice cooker, and even when the backlight of LCD 25 of display means 6 is dimmed, the user can understand the current status of the rice cooker at a glance by checking process LED display units 26-29.

[0091] Furthermore, the display operation means 10 of this embodiment is configured so that even when the display content switches between screens G1 to G15, the position of the "Start cooking" button display B17 or the "Scheduled cooking" button display B117 on screens when it is possible to start the rice cooking process or start scheduled cooking, such as the top screen G1 or the reservation setting screen G11, is approximately the same when displayed on the display means 6 of the display operation means 10, and / or even when the display content switches between screens G1 to G15, the position of the "Off" button display B22 or the "Off (long press)" button display B149 on screens when it is possible to cancel the rice cooking process or scheduled cooking, such as the top screen G1, the scheduled cooking screen G14, the rice cooking screen G15, and the keep warm screen G16, is approximately the same when displayed on the display means 6 of the display operation means 10. Therefore, when the user starts cooking rice or starts scheduled cooking, they can find the "Start cooking" button display B17 or the "Scheduled cooking" button display B117 without searching, and when the user wants to cancel cooking rice or scheduled cooking, they can find the "Off" button display B22 or the "Off (long press)" button display B149 without searching.

[0092] Furthermore, when the "Start Cooking" button display section B17 or the "Scheduled Cooking" button display section B117 is not displayed on the selection screens G2 to G7, the setting screen G8, the guide selection screen G9, etc., the display operation means 10 of this embodiment displays, for example, "No-wash rice" at the same position where the "Start Cooking" button display section B17 or the "Scheduled Cooking" button display section B117 is displayed. Other displays such as the "Brand Random" button display B35, the "Barley Rice" button display B41, the "Sweet Cooked" button display B48, the "Lunch Box" button display B51, the "Soft" cursor display C8, and the "80-100" cursor display C15 are displayed, or when the "Off" button display B22 or the "Off (Long Press)" button display B149 is not displayed, another display such as the "Cancel" button display B43 is displayed in the same position as the "Off" button display B22 or the "Off (Long Press)" button display B149.

[0093] With this configuration, the positions of the "Start cooking" button display B17 or the "Scheduled cooking" button display B117, and the "Off" button display B22 or the "Off (long press)" button display B149 are not in dedicated spaces for these button displays, and there is no need to provide dedicated locations on the LCD 25 of the display means 6 for the "Start cooking" button display B17 or the "Scheduled cooking" button display B117, or the "Off" button display B22 or the "Off (long press)" button display B149, which allows for a wider range of design options for the screen of the display means 6.

[0094] Furthermore, display operation means 10 of this embodiment is disposed on the upper surface of lid body 2, which opens and closes the top opening of main body 1, and the upper surface of lid body 2 is configured to have no other operating means such as physical keys and buttons other than lid body operating body 4 for opening and closing lid body 2 and display operating means 10, so that there are no display means other than LCD 21 as display means 6 and process LED displays 22-25, and there are no operating means such as physical keys and buttons other than a touch sensor as operating means 7 disposed above LCD 21, resulting in a very smart appearance. Note that lid operating body 4 is not limited to being disposed on the upper surface of lid body 2, and may be disposed on the side of lid body 2.

[0095] Furthermore, in the rice cooker of this embodiment, it is preferable that the color of the display operation means 10 when it is off is approximately the same as the color of the top surface of the lid body 2, so that when the rice cooker is viewed at a glance, it appears as if the display means 6 and operation means 7 of the display operation means 10 do not exist, resulting in a rice cooker with a stylishly designed appearance.

[0096] 13 shows a modification of this embodiment, in which the operation by the operating means 7 is not accepted when the cover 2 is open.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 13 , when the lid opening / closing detection means 8 detects that the lid 2 has been opened, the display control means 23 is configured to enter a key-lock state, preventing the transmission of an operation signal from the operation means 7 to the control means 12. Therefore, even if the operation means 7 is touched, the control means 12 will not accept the operation signal. At this time, the “Start Cooking” button display B17, the setting button display B18, the “Keep Warm” button display B19, the “Reserve” button display B20, and the “Off” button display B22, which are easily visible to the user, are all displayed in gray, thereby informing the user that the operation means 7 is currently in a key-lock state. When the lid opening / closing detection means 8 detects that the lid 2 has been closed, the display control means 23 releases the key-lock state of the operation means 7 and controls the display means 6 to cancel the grayed-out display of the button displays, as shown in FIG. 4 . This configuration prevents malfunctions when the lid 2 is open.

[0098] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, both the "Start Cooking" button display B17 and the "Scheduled Cooking" button display B117 as rice cooking instruction units, and the "Off" button display B22 and the "Off (long press)" button display B149 as cancel instruction units are configured to be displayed on the display means 6. However, it is also possible to display only one of these on the display means 6, and operate the other using an operating means such as a physical key or button. Furthermore, the numerical values ​​exemplified in the embodiment are merely examples, and may be changed as appropriate depending on the specifications of the rice cooker. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 10 Display operation means B1 "Rice" button display (setting item) B3 "Cooking method" button display (setting item) B5 "Hardness adjustment" button display (setting item) B7 "Water hardness" button display (setting item) B18 Setting button display section (setting button) D11 "Rice" setting display (cooking information) D12 "Cooking method" setting display (rice cooking information) D13 "Hardness adjustment" setting display (rice cooking information) D14 "Water hardness" setting indicator (rice cooking information) G1 top screen G2 Rice selection screen (setting screen) G3, G4 Cooking method selection screen (setting screen) G5 Hardness selection screen (setting screen) G6 Water hardness selection screen (setting screen) G7 Water hardness numerical value input screen (setting screen)

Claims

1. a display operation means for receiving touch operations and displaying various information; The display operation means A top screen that displays two or more pieces of rice cooking information and setting items for each piece of rice cooking information; and a setting screen for setting each of the two or more pieces of rice cooking information. The rice cooker is characterized in that the rice cooking information set on the setting screen is displayed on the top screen.

2. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein when a setting item on the top screen is touched, the corresponding setting screen is displayed.

3. The rice cooker according to claim 1 , wherein the top screen displays a setting button for transitioning to a screen for setting details of keep-warm function.

4. 2. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the top screen displays a setting button for switching to a screen for setting the time.

Images