Cooking systems and programs

Abstract

To provide a cooking system and program that enables users to achieve more satisfying results through temperature-maintaining cooking. [Solution] The cooking system 1 comprises a stove 10 and a portable terminal device 30 capable of communicating with the stove 10 and a server 50. The portable terminal device 30 has a function to display recipes obtained from the server 50. The stove 10 comprises a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of cooking appliances installed in the stove section 11 (heating section), and a control unit that performs a temperature-keeping operation to maintain the temperature detected by the temperature sensor at a keep temperature according to user input. The control unit transmits the keep temperature during the temperature-keeping operation to the portable terminal device 30. The portable terminal device 30 stores the received keep temperature in association with the recipe corresponding to that keep temperature, and when the recipe is displayed again, it performs a process to display the keep temperature associated with that recipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking system having a stove and a program for causing a portable terminal device communicable with the stove to execute a predetermined function.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below describes a heating cooking system that executes reproduction cooking based on heating condition information in cooking information of a corresponding specific cooking when executing reproduction cooking for reproducing a specific cooking. In this heating cooking system, when the temperature characteristic information acquired during the execution of reproduction cooking and the temperature characteristic information in the cooking information of the corresponding specific cooking deviate by a predetermined characteristic value or more, the reproduction cooking is aborted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The stove may be equipped with a function of temperature keeping operation that detects the temperature of the installed cooking appliance and keeps the temperature at a predetermined value. This function is used by the user to keep the temperature of the cooking appliance at the cooking temperature determined in various recipes and the like. However, due to factors such as the material of the cooking appliance, the detected temperature may deviate from the actual temperature of the cooked food. In this case, for the user, the result of cooking may not be satisfactory.

[0005] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a cooking system and a program capable of providing cooking by temperature keeping operation to the user with a more satisfactory result.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a cooking system comprising a stove equipped with a heating unit and a portable terminal device capable of communicating with the stove and a server. The portable terminal device has a function to display recipes obtained from the server. The stove includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a cooking appliance installed in the heating unit, and a control unit that performs a temperature-keeping operation to maintain the temperature detected by the temperature sensor at a keep temperature in response to user input. The control unit transmits the keep temperature during the temperature-keeping operation to the portable terminal device. The portable terminal device stores the received keep temperature in association with the recipe corresponding to that keep temperature, receives input from the user of at least one of the following: information about the cooking appliance used in the temperature-keeping operation and information about the quality of the dish cooked by the temperature-keeping operation, stores this information in association with the recipe, and when the recipe is displayed again, executes a process to display the keep temperature associated with the recipe and the information associated with the recipe.

[0007] According to the cooking system of this embodiment, the user can accurately remember the temperature setting they used, the cooking equipment used, and the outcome of the dish when performing a temperature-keeping operation recipe in the past. As a result, when the user performs the same recipe this time, they can smoothly adjust the temperature keeping temperature for the current cooking while taking into account the relationship between the cooking equipment used this time and the cooking equipment used in the past, and they can also appropriately adjust the temperature keeping temperature for the current cooking based on the displayed outcome of the past dish.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a program that causes a control unit of a portable terminal device capable of communicating with a stove equipped with a heating unit and a server to perform a predetermined function. The program according to this aspect causes the control unit to perform the following functions: a function to display a recipe obtained from the server; a function to receive the temperature to be kept during temperature-keeping operation from the stove; a function to store the received temperature to be kept in a storage unit, linked to the recipe corresponding to the temperature to be kept; and a function to display the temperature to be kept when the recipe is displayed again.

[0009] According to the program of this embodiment, the user can access the temperature setting they previously used for a temperature-keeping operation recipe on their mobile device when executing the temperature-keeping operation for the same recipe. This allows the user to evaluate whether the temperature setting was appropriate based on the results of the dishes cooked using the recipe in the past, and adjust the temperature setting to a more appropriate value for the current temperature-keeping operation of the recipe. As a result, cooking using temperature-keeping operation can be provided to the user with a more satisfying result. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As described above, the present invention provides a cooking system and program that enables users to achieve more satisfactory results when cooking using temperature-keeping operation.

[0011] The effects and significance of the present invention will become even clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples of how to implement the present invention, and the present invention is not limited in any way to those described in the embodiments below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cooking system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a stove according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the circuit blocks of a stove and a portable terminal device that constitute a cooking system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) illustrate the operations performed on the control panel to initiate temperature-keeping operation according to the respective embodiments. [Figure 5] Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are flowcharts showing the processes executed by the control unit of the stove and the control unit of the portable terminal device, respectively, when performing temperature-keeping operation according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6(a) shows a screen for registering cooking-related information according to an embodiment. Figure 6(b) shows a recipe display screen according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the cooking system 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the stove 10 according to the embodiment.

[0014] The cooking system 1 comprises a stove 10 and a portable terminal device 30. When the portable terminal device 30 is located inside the house (H10), the stove 10 and the portable terminal device 30 can communicate via the router 20. Also, when the portable terminal device 30 is located inside the house (H10), the portable terminal device 30 can communicate with the server 50 via the router 20 and the external communication network 40. Furthermore, even when the portable terminal device 30 is outside the house, the portable terminal device 30 can communicate with the server 50 via the external communication network 40 and public communication systems (base stations or private routers) located outside the house.

[0015] The stove 10 is a gas stove that heats food by burning gas fuel. The stove 10 has a stove section 11 (heating section) on its top surface. In this case, three stove sections 11 are arranged on the top surface of the stove 10. Each stove section 11 includes a gas burner that burns gas as fuel and a trivet for placing pots and pans.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the three stove sections 11 includes a mover 11a that descends when a cooking appliance such as a pot is placed thereon and is pushed by the lower surface of the cooking appliance. When these movers 11a descend, it is detected that a cooking appliance has been placed thereon. Further, a temperature sensor 11b (thermistor) is incorporated in the mover 11a, and the temperature of the lower surface of the cooking appliance is detected by this temperature sensor 11b.

[0017] Furthermore, the stove 10 includes a grill section 12 (heating section) at the center of the main body. Grill burners are provided above and below the grill section 12, and grill cooking is performed by the combustion of the grill burners. The grill section 12 can be opened and closed by a door on the front surface of the stove 10.

[0018] A mover that descends when a grill plate is placed thereon and is pushed by the lower surface of the grill plate is also arranged in the grill section 12, and a temperature sensor (thermistor) is incorporated in this mover. However, the method for detecting the temperature of the cooked food placed on the grill plate is not limited to this, and for example, a method of predicting the temperature of the cooked food from the detected temperature of a temperature sensor arranged in the grill compartment may be used.

[0019] On the right and left sides of the grill section 12, three operation knobs 13a for the stove section 11 and operation knobs 14a for the grill section 12 are provided, respectively. The three operation knobs 13a on the right side are associated with the three stove sections 11 arranged on the top surface. The operation knobs 13a and 14a protrude from the front surface of the stove 10 when pushed in from a flush state with respect to the front surface of the stove 10, and are locked in a flush state with respect to the front surface of the stove 10 when pushed in again from this state.

[0020] When the operation knob 13a is pushed in and protrudes from a position flush with the front surface of the stove 10, the corresponding stove section 11 is ignited at a predetermined heating power. Thereafter, when the operation knob 13a is rotated, the heating power of the stove section 11 is adjusted. When the operation knob 13a is pushed in from the protruding position, the stove section 11 is turned off. The same operations are performed on the operation knob 14a to ignite, turn off, and adjust the heating power of the grill section 12.

[0021] Below the three operation knobs 13a, a kangaroo pocket-type operation panel 13b is arranged. In the upper surface area A1 of the operation panel 13b, a plurality of operation keys for making predetermined settings related to the stove section 11 and a display for displaying predetermined information are arranged. Also, below the operation knob 14a, a kangaroo pocket-type operation panel 14b is arranged. In the upper surface area A2 of the operation panel 14b, a plurality of operation keys for inputting predetermined settings related to the grill section 12 are arranged.

[0022] Above the three operation knobs 13a, a power switch 15 is arranged. The power switch 15 is a switch for turning on the power to the stove 10. The user can switch the power of the stove 10 between on and off by operating the power switch 15.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 1, the router 20 is a communication relay device for connecting each device existing in the building (here, inside the house H10) to the external communication network 40. When the mobile terminal device 30 exists inside the house H10, the mobile terminal device 30 is connected to the router 20 by wireless communication and can communicate with the server 50. The mobile terminal device 30 is, for example, a mobile phone. In addition, the mobile terminal device 30 may be another portable terminal device such as a portable tablet terminal. The external communication network 40 is, for example, the Internet.

[0024] A server 50 that manages cooking information is connected to the external communication network 40. The server 50 stores cooking information for each recipe, associated with the recipe. The cooking information includes recipe information such as the ingredients and quantities needed to make the dish. The cooking information also includes information (operation information) such as the appropriate temperature range for the food being cooked and the heating time within that temperature range. In addition, for dishes that can be cooked automatically, the cooking information includes cooking control information for controlling the stove 10 for automatic cooking. This cooking control information includes information such as the temperature range, heating time, and heating level from the start to the end of cooking.

[0025] In this embodiment, the stove 10 is capable of performing a temperature-keeping operation that maintains the temperature of the cooking appliance detected by the temperature sensor 11b at a keep temperature in response to user input. Among the recipes stored in the server 50, the cooking information for recipes that require temperature-keeping operation includes the keep temperature. Temperature-keeping operation can be performed, for example, on the stove unit 11 on the front right side of Figure 2. In this case, the user sets the cooking appliance on the stove unit 11 on the front right side and performs the operation for temperature-keeping operation on the control panel 13b.

[0026] In temperature-keeping operation, the heat output of the stovetop unit 11 is adjusted by feedback control using the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11b so that the temperature of the cooking appliance detected by the temperature sensor 11b is maintained at the desired temperature according to the user's input.

[0027] Figure 3 shows the circuit blocks of the stove 10 and portable terminal device 30 that constitute the cooking system 1. For convenience, the external communication network 40 and server 50 are also shown in Figure 3.

[0028] The stove 10 comprises a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an operation unit 103, a display unit 104, a drive unit 105, a detection unit 106, and a communication unit 107.

[0029] The control unit 101 is equipped with a microcomputer and controls each part of the stove 10 according to a program stored in the memory unit 102. The memory unit 102 is equipped with memory and stores predetermined control programs. The memory unit 102 stores a program for performing automatic cooking by communicating with the portable terminal device 30. The memory unit 102 also stores a program for performing automatic cooking by operating the operation knob 13a and the operation panel 13b. In addition, the memory unit 102 also stores a program for performing the temperature-keeping operation described above.

[0030] The control unit 103 includes the control knobs 13a and 14a shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the control keys located on the control panels 13b and 14b. The display unit 104 includes the display located on the control panel 13b. The drive unit 105 includes an igniter for performing combustion operations in the three stovetop units 11 and the grill unit 12, a main gas solenoid valve, a flow control valve for adjusting the gas amount, a stepping motor for driving these solenoid valves, and a drive circuit. The detection unit 106 includes the temperature sensor 11b shown in Figure 2, and various sensors such as multiple thermocouples for detecting ignition in the three stovetop units 11 and the grill unit 12, respectively.

[0031] The communication unit 107 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with the router 20. The communication unit 107 communicates with the communication unit 306 of the mobile terminal device 30 via the router 20. The communication unit 107 may also directly communicate wirelessly with the communication unit 306 of the mobile terminal device 30.

[0032] The mobile terminal device 30 comprises a control unit 301, a storage unit 302, a display input unit 303, an audio input unit 304, an audio output unit 305, and a communication unit 306.

[0033] The control unit 301 is equipped with an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU and controls each part according to the program stored in the memory unit 302. The memory unit 302 is equipped with storage means such as ROM and RAM and stores the program executed by the control unit 301. The application program for the cooking system 1 is stored in the memory unit 302.

[0034] The display input unit 303 includes a display panel capable of displaying and inputting information. Alternatively, the display unit and input unit may be arranged separately. The audio input unit 304 includes a microphone, collects sound, generates audio data, and outputs it to the control unit 301. The audio output unit 305 includes a speaker and outputs predetermined audio under control from the control unit 301.

[0035] The communication unit 306 communicates with the server 50 via the external communication network 40 under control from the control unit 301. When the mobile terminal device 30 is inside the home H10, the communication unit 306 connects to the external communication network 40 via the router 20 and communicates with the server 50. When the mobile terminal device 30 is outside the home, the communication unit 306 connects to the external communication network 40 via an access point such as a base station and communicates with the server 50.

[0036] In this embodiment, the control unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30 receives a specified recipe from the user via the display input unit 303 when the application program described above is started. When the user inputs a recipe, the control unit 301 accesses the server 50 via the external communication network 40 and obtains cooking information related to the recipe specified by the user.

[0037] The control unit 301 stores the acquired cooking information in the storage unit 302. The control unit 301 also displays the acquired cooking information on the display input unit 303. If the specified recipe is a recipe that can be automatically cooked, the control unit 301 transmits cooking control information for that recipe to the stove 10 in response to the user's operation. When the cooking appliance of the specified heating unit (stove unit 11 or grill unit 12) is set, the stove 10 controls the heating unit according to the received cooking control information and performs automatic cooking.

[0038] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) illustrate the operations performed on the control panel 13b to initiate temperature-keeping operation.

[0039] First, the user places the cooking utensil containing the necessary ingredients on the stovetop unit 11 on the front right side of Figure 2, and then operates the control knob 13a to start the heating operation on the stovetop unit 11. Next, the user operates the mode button B1 on the control panel 13b to set the display mode of the display D1 to "Cooking Temperature Display Mode". As a result, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11b of the stovetop unit 11 is displayed on the display D1. Figure 4(a) shows the state of the display D1 when the Cooking Temperature Display Mode is started.

[0040] Subsequently, the temperature displayed on the display D1 rises as heating progresses. As shown in Figure 4(b), the user operates the temperature-keeping button B2 when the temperature displayed on the display D1 reaches the keep temperature indicated in the recipe for the food being cooked. At that point, the control unit 101 of the stove 10 sets the temperature displayed on the display D1 (the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11b) as the keep temperature and starts temperature-keeping operation. In the example in Figure 4(b), the temperature-keeping operation starts with 141°C as the keep temperature.

[0041] Incidentally, the aforementioned temperature-keeping operation is performed with the user setting their preferred cooking appliance on the stovetop unit 11. However, due to factors such as the material of the set cooking appliance, there may be a discrepancy between the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11b and the actual temperature of the food being cooked. In this case, such a temperature discrepancy may result in the cooking being unsatisfactory to the user.

[0042] Therefore, in this embodiment, the cooking system 1 performs control to provide the user with a more satisfying result through temperature-keeping operation. This control will be described below.

[0043] Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are flowcharts showing the processes executed by the control unit 101 of the stove 10 and the control unit 301 of the portable terminal device 30, respectively, when temperature-keeping operation is performed.

[0044] As described above, prior to starting the temperature-keeping operation, the user displays a recipe including temperature-keeping operation on their portable terminal device 30. The user puts the ingredients specified in the displayed recipe into the desired cooking utensil in the specified amount and sets the cooking utensil on the stovetop unit 11 capable of performing temperature-keeping operation. Then, the user starts the heating operation on the stovetop unit 11, and when the temperature of the cooking utensil reaches the keeping temperature, performs the operation to start the temperature-keeping operation. As a result, the temperature-keeping operation starts on the stovetop 10.

[0045] Referring to Figure 5(a), when the control unit 101 of the stove 10 starts temperature-keeping operation (S101:YES), it transmits the user-set temperature to the portable terminal device 30 (S102). Subsequently, when the heating operation of the stove unit 11 is stopped by an operation from the user and the temperature-keeping operation ends (S103:YES), the control unit 101 transmits an termination notification to the portable terminal device 30 indicating the end of the temperature-keeping operation (S104). With this, the control unit 101 terminates the process shown in Figure 5(a).

[0046] Referring to Figure 5(b), when the control unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30 receives the keep temperature transmitted in step S102 of Figure 5(a) (S201:YES), it associates the received keep temperature and the current date and time obtained from its own clock circuit with the currently displayed recipe and stores them in the storage unit 302 (S202). Subsequently, when it receives the completion notification transmitted in step S104 of Figure 5(a) (S203:YES), the control unit 301 waits for a predetermined time to elapse since the receipt of the completion notification (S204).

[0047] Here, the predetermined time can be set to a time suitable for evaluating the quality of the dish cooked by the temperature-keeping operation, such as the time required from the end of the temperature-keeping operation until the dish of the recipe is eaten. For example, the predetermined time can be set to the time it is assumed that a dish cooked by the temperature-keeping operation will be eaten for dinner, etc. (for example, 1 to 2 hours).

[0048] After a predetermined time has elapsed (S204:YES), the control unit 301 executes a cooking-related information registration process (S205). The cooking-related information registration process involves receiving information from the user regarding the cooking equipment used for this temperature-keeping operation and information regarding the quality of the dish cooked during this temperature-keeping operation, and then linking this information to the recipe related to the temperature-keeping operation and storing it in the storage unit 302.

[0049] Figure 6(a) shows the registration screen 310 for cooking-related information.

[0050] The registration screen 310 in Figure 6(a) is displayed in step S205 of Figure 5(b). For example, the control unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30 outputs a push notification to display the registration screen 310 in response to the determination in step S204 being YES. The control unit 301 displays the registration screen 310 on the display input unit 303 when the user performs the operation in response to this push notification.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6(a), the registration screen 310 includes a recipe display item 311 and a keep temperature display item 312. The recipe display item 311 displays the recipe name of the recipe linked in step S202 of Figure 5(b), and the keep temperature display item 312 displays the keep temperature linked in step S202. The recipe name is included in the recipe information obtained from the server 50.

[0052] The registration screen 310 further includes a cooking equipment input field 313, a result input field 314, an additional information input field 315, and a registration button 316.

[0053] Cooking equipment input field 313 is for inputting the cooking equipment used for temperature-keeping operation. Result input field 314 is for inputting the result of the dish cooked using the temperature-keeping operation. Additional information input field 315 is for inputting any special notes related to the temperature-keeping operation (for example, if the amount of oil was less than the specified amount).

[0054] When the user operates the cooking utensil input field 313, a set of operation keys for entering text information is displayed. The user operates these operation keys to enter the cooking utensils they used as text into the cooking utensil input field 313. For example, the user can identify the cooking utensils, such as aluminum pot, earthenware pot, large pot, red pot, etc., and enter the details of the cooking utensils into the cooking utensil input field 313.

[0055] Similarly, when the user operates the "Dish Quality Input Item 314," the above set of operation keys is displayed, and when the user operates the "Supplementary Information Input Item 315," the above set of operation keys is displayed. The user operates these operation keys to input text information such as the dish's quality and any special notes into the "Dish Quality Input Item 314" and the "Supplementary Information Input Item 315."

[0056] The registration button 316 is used to associate the information entered in the cooking utensil input field 313, the result input field 314, and the associated information input field 315 with the recipe whose name is displayed in the recipe display field 311 and store it in the memory unit 302. The user enters information in the cooking utensil input field 313, the result input field 314, and the associated information input field 315, and then operates the registration button 316. As a result, the control unit 301 associates the information entered in the cooking utensil input field 313, the result input field 314, and the associated information input field 315 with the recipe whose name is displayed in the recipe display field 311 and stores it in the memory unit 302.

[0057] Furthermore, when registering cooking-related information, it is not necessary to fill in all of the cooking equipment input field 313, the result input field 314, and the supplementary information input field 315. Also, if the user does not enter information in any of the cooking equipment input field 313, the result input field 314, or the supplementary information input field 315, they can simply operate the close button 317. In this case, the control unit 301 will terminate the process in step S205 of Figure 5(b) without associating any of the information from the cooking equipment input field 313, the result input field 314, or the supplementary information input field 315 with the recipe whose name is displayed in the recipe display field 311.

[0058] Furthermore, input to the cooking equipment input field 313 and the result input field 314 may be performed not by text input, but by selecting from a pre-prepared set of options. These options may, for example, be included in the recipe information obtained from the server 50. In this case, the user selects the option closest to the cooking equipment they used in the cooking equipment input field 313, and selects the option closest to the result they felt was best in the result input field 314. The set of options in the result input field 314 may differ for each recipe.

[0059] In this way, the temperature to keep and cooking-related information stored in association with the recipe is displayed on the mobile terminal device 30 when the user performs the operation to display the recipe on the mobile terminal device 30 again. As described above, the recipe information that the mobile terminal device 30 has previously acquired from the server 50 is sequentially stored in the storage unit 302. The user can display a list of recipes previously acquired from the server 50 on the mobile terminal device 30 and select the desired recipe. The control unit 301 reads the selected recipe from the storage unit 302 and displays it on the mobile terminal device 30 again. At this time, the mobile terminal device 30 displays the temperature to keep and cooking-related information stored in association with this recipe on the display input unit 303.

[0060] Figure 6(b) shows the recipe display screen 320.

[0061] The recipe display screen 320 is divided into a first area A11 and a second area A12. The first area A11 shows the steps of the preparation process. Each step includes a text area 321a that describes the content of the step and an image area 321b that shows an image of the step. The display in the first area A11 can be scrolled to the upper limit by swiping up and down.

[0062] The second area A12 contains a memo display button 322. When the user operates the memo display button 322, a sub-screen 330 for displaying memo information 331 is displayed overlaid on the recipe display screen 320, as shown in Figure 6(b). Before the memo display button 322 is operated, the sub-screen 330 is omitted from the state shown in Figure 6(b), and only the recipe display screen 320 is displayed.

[0063] The sub-screen 330 displays memo information 331, which consists of the keep temperature, date and time, and the cooking-related information mentioned above, all of which are stored in the memory unit 302 and linked to the currently displayed recipe. Here, since multiple sets of keep temperature, date and time, and cooking-related information are stored in the memory unit 302 and linked to recipes, all of the memo information 331 for these sets are displayed chronologically on the sub-screen 330. The display of memo information 331 on the sub-screen 330 can be scrolled up and down by swiping the sub-screen 330 in the up and down direction.

[0064] The user can see from the sub-screen 330 what temperature they set the temperature to maintain when cooking similar recipes in the past, as well as the cooking equipment used, the quality of the dish, and any special notes. This allows the user to determine which cooking equipment to use and what temperature to set it to during the current temperature-maintaining operation. In this way, the user can smoothly and successfully carry out cooking using the temperature-maintaining operation.

[0065] The user refers to the sub-screen 330 to check information about past temperature-keeping operations, and then operates the close button 332. This closes the sub-screen 330, and only the recipe display screen 320 is displayed.

[0066] If the displayed recipe does not yet have a temperature setting or other parameters associated with it, the memo display button 322 will be grayed out and inoperable. In this case, the sub-screen 330 will not be displayed, and only the recipe display screen 320 will be shown.

[0067] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to the embodiment, the following effects may be achieved.

[0068] As shown in Figure 1, the cooking system 1 comprises a stove 10 and a portable terminal device 30. As described above, the portable terminal device 30 has a function to display recipes obtained from the server 50. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the stove 10 comprises a temperature sensor 11b that detects the temperature of cooking appliances installed in the stove section 11 (heating section), and a control unit 101 that performs a temperature-keeping operation to maintain the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11b at a keep temperature according to user input. As shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), the control unit 101 transmits the keep temperature during the temperature-keeping operation to the portable terminal device 30 (S102), and the portable terminal device 30 stores the received keep temperature in association with the recipe corresponding to that keep temperature (S202). As shown in Figure 6(b), when the recipe is displayed again, the portable terminal device 30 performs a process to display the keep temperature associated with that recipe.

[0069] According to the cooking system 1 of this embodiment, the user can access the temperature-keeping setting they previously used for a temperature-keeping operation recipe on their portable terminal device 30 when performing the temperature-keeping operation for the current recipe. This allows the user to evaluate whether the temperature-keeping setting was appropriate based on the results of the dishes cooked using the recipe in the past, and adjust the temperature-keeping setting to a more appropriate value for the current temperature-keeping operation of the recipe. As a result, the cooking operation using temperature-keeping can be provided to the user with a more satisfying result.

[0070] As explained with reference to Figure 6(a), the portable terminal device 30 receives information from the user regarding the cooking appliance used for temperature-keeping operation (cooking appliance input item 313) and information regarding the quality of the dish cooked by temperature-keeping operation (quality input item 314), and stores this information in the storage unit 302, further linking it to the recipe. As shown in Figure 6(b), when the portable terminal device 30 displays the recipe again, it performs a process to further display this information linked to the recipe.

[0071] With this configuration, users can accurately recall past temperature-keeping recipes, including the temperature they set, the cooking equipment used, and the outcome of the dish. This allows users to smoothly adjust the temperature setting for the current cooking session by considering the relationship between the cooking equipment used in the past and the equipment used in the current session, and to appropriately adjust the temperature setting for the current session based on the displayed outcome of past dishes.

[0072] As shown in Figure 5(b), the portable terminal device 30 performs a process to receive cooking-related information from the user when a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the temperature-keeping operation (S204:YES) (S205).

[0073] With this configuration, for example, the user can input information about the quality of a dish cooked using the temperature-keeping function at a time when the evaluation of the dish's quality is clear, and can also accurately input the cooking equipment used for the temperature-keeping function without forgetting it. Therefore, the user can perform this input properly and smoothly.

[0074] In step S202 of Figure 5(b), the mobile terminal device 30 performs the association of the keep temperature, using the recipe displayed when it receives the keep temperature as the recipe to be associated, as described above.

[0075] This configuration allows for easy and accurate linking of recipes to specific temperature requirements.

[0076] <Example of changes> In the above embodiment, the transfer of the temperature to be kept was performed by communication between the stove 10 and the portable terminal device 30 via the router 20, but the method of transferring the temperature to be kept is not limited to this.

[0077] For example, the temperature to be kept may be transmitted from the stove 10 to the mobile terminal device 30 by direct communication, such as short-range wireless communication, between the stove 10 and the mobile terminal device 30, without going through the router 20. Alternatively, the temperature to be kept may be transmitted from the stove 10 to the mobile terminal device 30 via the router 20 and the server 50. Furthermore, if a device that can communicate with the stove 10, such as a range hood, can communicate with the server 50, the temperature to be kept may be transmitted from the stove 10 to the mobile terminal device 30 via this device and the server 50. The method of transmitting the notification of the end of temperature-keeping operation can also be changed in a similar manner.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, after the mobile terminal device 30 receives notification of the end of temperature-keeping operation and a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30 displays the registration screen 310 shown in Figure 6(a). However, the trigger for displaying the registration screen 310 is not limited to this.

[0079] For example, even if the notification of the end of temperature-keeping operation is not sent to the mobile terminal device 30, the stove 10 may determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of temperature-keeping operation, and if this determination is YES, a push notification to display the registration screen 310 may be sent from the stove 10 to the mobile terminal device 30. Alternatively, the notification of the end of temperature-keeping operation may be sent to the server 50, and the server 50 may then determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed thereafter. In this case, if the server 50 determines that this determination is YES, it will send a push notification to display the registration screen 310 to the mobile terminal device 30.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the received keep temperature was associated with a recipe displayed on the mobile terminal device 30 at the time the keep temperature was received. However, the method of associating a keep temperature with a recipe is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 30 may store the received keep temperature in the storage unit 302 along with the date and time of reception, and when a predetermined time has elapsed since reception (for example, about 1 to 2 hours), it may display these and the recipes stored in the storage unit 302 as selection candidates, allowing the user to select the recipe to which the keep temperature for that date and time should be associated.

[0081] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 6(a), both information regarding the cooking appliance used for temperature-keeping operation (cooking appliance input item 313) and information regarding the quality of the food cooked by temperature-keeping operation (quality input item 314) could be registered. However, it is also possible to register only one of these two items.

[0082] Alternatively, the reception shown in Figure 6(a) may be omitted, and only the keep temperature and date / time may be associated with the recipe and stored. However, in this case, the user may not be able to remember what cooking equipment was used during the temperature-keeping operation at that date and time, nor may they be able to remember the quality of the area cooked by that temperature-keeping operation. Therefore, in order to smoothly and appropriately evaluate the keep temperature during past temperature-keeping operations, it is preferable that, as in the above embodiment, information about the cooking equipment used for the temperature-keeping operation and information about the quality of the dish cooked by the temperature-keeping operation are associated with the recipe and stored, and that this information is displayed when the recipe is displayed again.

[0083] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 6(b), the recipe display screen 320 includes a memo display button 322, but the memo display button 322 may be omitted. In this case, the control unit 301 can display the sub-screen 330 at a predetermined timing after the start of display of the recipe display screen 320. For example, the control unit 301 may display the sub-screen 330 in response to the start of display of the recipe display screen 320, or in response to the scrolling of the display in the first area A11. Alternatively, the control unit 301 may display the sub-screen 330 after a predetermined time (for example, several tens of seconds) has elapsed after the start of display of the recipe display screen 320.

[0084] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 6(b), multiple sets of the keep temperature, date and time, and cooking-related information are all displayed on the sub-screen 330. However, only the most recent keep temperature, date and time, and cooking-related information may be displayed on the sub-screen 330, or sets of the keep temperature, date and time, and cooking-related information from the most recent to a predetermined number in the past may be displayed on the sub-screen 330. In these cases, the keep temperature, date and time, and cooking-related information that is not used for display should be sequentially deleted from the storage unit 302.

[0085] Furthermore, although the stove 10 was a gas stove in the above embodiment, the stove 10 may be configured to heat food using a method other than gas combustion. For example, the stove 10 may be an induction heating stove (IH stove) that generates heat in metal cooking utensils (pots, kettles, etc.) by an electric current flowing through a coil.

[0086] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1. Cooking System 10 stovetops 11a Cooktop section (heating section) 11b Temperature sensor 30 Mobile terminal devices 101 Control Unit

Claims

1. A cooking system comprising a stove equipped with a heating element, and a portable terminal device capable of communicating with the stove and a server, The aforementioned mobile terminal device has a function to display recipes obtained from the server, The aforementioned stove is, A temperature sensor installed in the heating section detects the temperature of the cooking appliance, The system includes a control unit that performs a temperature-keeping operation to maintain the temperature detected by the temperature sensor at a specified temperature in response to user input, The control unit transmits the temperature maintained during the temperature-maintaining operation to the portable terminal device. The aforementioned mobile terminal device, The received keep temperature is stored in association with the recipe corresponding to that keep temperature. The system receives input from the user regarding at least one of the following: information about the cooking appliance used in the temperature-keeping operation, and information about the quality of the dish cooked by the temperature-keeping operation; and stores this information in conjunction with the recipe. When the recipe is displayed again, the process is executed to display the aforementioned keep temperature associated with the recipe and the aforementioned information associated with the recipe. A cooking system characterized by the following features.

2. In the cooking system described in claim 1, The mobile terminal device executes a process to receive the information from the user when a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the temperature-keeping operation. A cooking system characterized by the following features.

3. In the cooking system described in claim 1, The mobile terminal device, upon receiving the keep temperature, uses the recipe currently displayed as the recipe to be associated and performs the association of the keep temperature. A cooking system characterized by the following features.

4. A control unit for a portable terminal device that can communicate with a stove equipped with a heating unit and a server, A function to display recipes obtained from the aforementioned server, A function to receive the temperature to be kept from the stove during temperature-keeping operation, A function to store the received "keep temperature" in the memory unit, linked to the recipe corresponding to that "keep temperature". A program that, when the recipe is displayed again, executes the function of displaying the aforementioned keep temperature associated with the recipe.

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