Rice cooking system and rice cooking method

Abstract

This invention provides a rice cooking system and method that allows for the rapid commencement of rice cooking without considering the time required. [Solution] The rice cooking system 100 of the present invention comprises a control means 22 for controlling the cooking of the food to be cooked, an operation means 17 and an app reservation cooking start screen G3 that accept touch operations of a "start reservation" button display B19 without setting a reservation time, and a touch panel 44 and a rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2 that accept touch operations of a "cook now" button display B64 when information indicating that a touch operation of the "start reservation" button display B19 has been received from the operation means 17 and the app reservation cooking start screen G3 is received. The control means 22 accepts touch operations of the "cook now" button display B64 from the touch panel 44 and the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2, and when the rice cooker 1 receives information of an immediate cooking instruction transmitted from the smartphone 6-1, it is configured to control the system to start cooking the food to be cooked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice cooking system and a rice cooking method capable of executing reserved rice cooking that completes rice cooking of a rice-to-be-cooked product at a set reserved time.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of rice cooking system, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rice cooker (21) that performs rice cooking by heating rice, which is the object to be cooked, and water to cook rice, and an information terminal (3) that can receive information transmitted from the rice cooker (21) and can transmit commands to the rice cooker (21). When the rice cooker (21) is set to reservation and is in a "reservation in progress" state waiting to start heating the rice and water, the reservation end time for rice cooking set on the rice cooker (21) can be changed by the information terminal (3).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, while the set reservation end time can be advanced by the information terminal (3) during "reservation in progress", it is not possible to transmit a command to the rice cooker (21) to perform rice cooking immediately during "reservation in progress", and there has been a demand from users to promptly perform rice cooking by the rice cooker (21) without considering the time.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a rice cooking system and a rice cooking method capable of promptly starting rice cooking without considering the time.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The rice cooking system of the present invention comprises control means for controlling the cooking of the food to be cooked; a first instruction unit that receives an operation to instruct the start of scheduled cooking without setting a reservation time; and a second instruction unit that receives an operation to instruct immediate cooking when it receives the instruction to start scheduled cooking from the first instruction unit, wherein the control means controls the system to start cooking the food to be cooked when it receives the instruction to start immediate cooking from the second instruction unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, rice cooking can be started quickly without considering the time required. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the overview of a rice cooking system in a modified version of the present invention. [Figure 2] The same as above, a perspective view of the rice cooker. [Figure 3] The same as above, this is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a rice cooker. [Figure 4] The same as above, this is a top view of the display device showing the top screen. [Figure 5] The same as above, this is a top view of the display device showing the reservation settings screen. [Figure 6] The above diagram illustrates the changes in the display method when the "App Reservation" button is touched on the reservation settings screen. [Figure 7] The same as above, this is a top view of the information terminal. [Figure 8] The same as above, this is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an information terminal. [Figure 9] The above is an explanatory diagram showing the changes in the display methods. [Figure 10] The above is an explanatory diagram showing the changes in the display when the button for setting the cooking completion time is touched on the rice cooker reservation setting screen. [Figure 11]The above is an explanatory diagram showing the changes in the display method when a rice cooker receives reservation time information sent from a smartphone. [Figure 12] The above is an explanatory diagram showing the changes in the display when the "Cook Now" button is touched on the rice cooker reservation setting screen. [Figure 13] The above is an explanatory diagram showing the changes in the display method when a rice cooker receives information about an immediate rice cooking instruction transmitted from a smartphone. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the rice cooking system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Common reference numerals will be used for common parts throughout all of these drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of a rice cooking system 100 in one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a rice cooker capable of cooking the food to be cooked S, and 2 is a wireless LAN router acting as an access point that serves as a wireless terminal. The rice cooker 1 is wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN router 2. The wireless LAN router 2 functions as a means of accessing the network 3, and is configured to exchange various information and data with the rice cooker 1 via the wireless LAN router 2.

[0011] 6 is an information terminal with display and communication functions, and 7 is an access point that acts as a wireless terminal. Here, the information terminal 6 consists of smartphones 6-1, 6-2 and tablet terminal 6-3, each individually owned by each user of the rice cooker 1, and each is wirelessly connected to the access point 7. The access point 7 functions as a means of accessing the network 3, and various information and data are exchanged between the smartphones 6-1, 6-2 and tablet terminal 6-3 that make up the information terminal 6 and the server 5 on the cloud 4 connected to the network 3 via the access point 7. Note that the wireless LAN router 2 and the access point 7 may be the same device.

[0012] The rice cooking system 100 of this embodiment can be described as a system in which a rice cooker 1 and n information terminals 6 are connected to a management server 5 via a network 3 (where n is a natural number). The server 5 stores information on all rice cooking courses that can be performed with the rice cooker 1. The information on rice cooking courses stored in the server 5 includes all the information necessary for a user to use the rice cooker 1 to cook rice according to that cooking course.

[0013] In Figure 1, three information terminals, namely smartphones 6-1 and 6-2 and a tablet terminal 6-3, are connected to the server 5 connected to the rice cooker 1 via the network 3. Currently, each user in a household using the rice cooker 1 owns one information terminal 6, so the relationship between the rice cooker 1 and the n information terminals 6 assigned to n users is one-to-many. As a result, each information terminal 6 can receive recipe information for menus that can be cooked with the rice cooker 1 via the network 3.

[0014] Next, the configuration of the rice cooker 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Reference numeral 11 denotes a main body, which has a substantially rectangular shape with a front surface and a rear surface, and a left side surface and a right side surface facing each other when viewed from above, and has an open top surface. Reference numeral 12 denotes a lid body that openably and closably covers the top opening of the main body 11. Similar to the main body 11, the lid body has a substantially rectangular shape with a front surface and a rear surface, and a left side surface and a right side surface facing each other when viewed from above, and the top surface is configured to be substantially flat. A hinge 13 serving as a connection portion with the main body 11 is provided at the rear portion of the lid body 12, and a lid operation body 14 is disposed in an exposed state on the front upper surface of the lid body 12. When this lid operation body 14 is pressed, the engagement between the main body 11 and the lid body 12 is released, and the lid body 12 is configured to open around the hinge shaft of the hinge 13 as the rotation center by a hinge spring (not shown) provided at the upper rear portion of the main body 11.

[0015] Inside the main body 11, a heating means 21 (see FIG. 3) such as an induction coil for heating the object to be cooked is disposed. The object to be cooked is accommodated in a bottomed cylindrical inner pot (not shown) that is detachable from the main body 11. When a high-frequency current is supplied to the heating means 21, the magnetic body provided on the outer surface of the inner pot generates heat by the alternating magnetic field generated from the heating means 21, so as to heat the object to be cooked inside the main body 11.

[0016] On the rear upper surface of the lid body 12, a steam port 15 for discharging steam generated from the object to be cooked in the inner pot to the outside of the main body 11 is disposed. In addition to the steam port 15 and the lid operation body 14, the upper surface of the lid body 12 is further provided with a display means 16 configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 25 as a screen display unit for displaying various information related to rice cooking, a process LED (Light Emitting Diode) display unit 26 as a status display unit, and the like, and an operation means 17 configured by, for example, a touch sensor and disposed above the LCD 25 for starting rice cooking, selecting time, rice cooking courses, and the like. On the lower surfaces of these components, a control PC (Printed Circuit) board (not shown) provided with a control means 22 (see FIG. 3) for controlling each part of the rice cooker is arranged.

[0017] The process LED display unit 26 displays the actual status of the rice cooker 11. In this embodiment, the "Reservation" LED display unit 26-1 lights up when a reservation is set, the "Keep Warm" process LED display unit 26-2 lights up when the keep-warm state is activated, the "Pressure" process LED display unit 26-3 lights up when the inside of the pot is pressurized from the time pressure starts to build up inside the pot during cooking until the food S is cooked, and the fan-shaped Wi-Fi mark process LED display unit 26-4 lights up when information can be sent and received by the transmission / reception means 33, which will be described later (see Figure 4). Therefore, even when the backlight of the LCD 25 is dimmed, the user can understand the current status of the rice cooker at a glance by checking the LED display unit 26.

[0018] The operating means 17, which consists of touch sensors, is configured such that, for example, multiple touch keys are arranged, each consisting of a transparent electrode part made of conductive polymer and a contact part connected to a control PC board, connected by pattern wiring. By touching one of the multiple button displays shown on the LCD 25, the touch key located on that button display is touched, and the button display is selected.

[0019] Next, the main control system of the rice cooker 1 described above will be explained with reference to Figure 3. In the same figure, the control means 22 equipped on the main body 11 is composed of a control IC 28 which constitutes a microcomputer, a storage means 29 such as a memory that can be read and written to store various information and data, a timing means such as a timer, and drive elements for each part. In addition to the operating means 17 described above, a temperature detection means 31, a pressure detection means 32, and a transmitting / receiving means 33 are electrically connected to the input port of the control means 22. In addition to the display means 16 and heating means 21 described above, a steam path opening / closing means 34, a pressure reducing means 35, and a transmitting / receiving means 33 are electrically connected to the output port of the control means 22.

[0020] The temperature detection means 31 detects the temperature of the food being cooked inside the main body 11 by detecting the temperature of the inner pot and the temperature of the inner lid (not shown) that covers the upper opening of the inner pot. The pressure detection means 32 detects the pressure inside the inner pot and is composed of a pressure sensor or the like.

[0021] The transmitting and receiving means 33 consists of a communication module and the like, and enables the transmission and reception of information with a server 5 on the cloud 4 and an information terminal 6 owned by the user via a wired or wireless network 3. Therefore, the transmitting and receiving means 33 functions as a communication means capable of transmitting and receiving information.

[0022] The steam path opening / closing means 34 opens and closes the steam passage connecting the steam vent 15 and the inner pot, which is used to release steam generated in the inner pot to the outside. When the steam path opening / closing means 34 closes the steam passage while the food being cooked inside the inner pot is being heated and boiling by the heating means 21, the steam evaporated from the food being cooked cannot be released from inside the inner pot, thus allowing the pressure inside the inner pot to be increased to above atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the steam path opening / closing means 34 also functions as a pressurizing means.

[0023] The pressure reduction means 35 lowers the pressure inside the inner pot to below normal atmospheric pressure. With the lid 12 closed to the main body 11 and the steam passage blocked by the steam passage opening / closing means 34, the internal pressure of the sealed inner pot is reduced. Furthermore, when the pressure inside the inner pot falls below a certain value below atmospheric pressure, the operation of the vacuum pump, which is the power source for the pressure reduction means 35, is stopped, maintaining the inner pot in a reduced pressure state. In addition, to return the inner pot from a reduced pressure state to the same pressure as the outside air, the operation of the vacuum pump is stopped, and a path (not shown) connecting the vacuum pump and the inside of the inner pot is opened. In other words, the pressure reduction means 35 also functions as a pressure return means to return the inner pot from a reduced pressure state to the same pressure as the outside air.

[0024] The control means 22 is equipped with a rice cooking control means 37, a display control means 38, and a reserved rice cooking control means 39 on the control IC 32 as functions on the control sequence of the program read from the storage means 29. The rice cooking control means 37 receives an instruction from the operation means 17 to start rice cooking and executes a rice cooking process that sequentially performs the following steps: a soaking step to promote water absorption of the rice placed in the inner pot, a boiling heating step to raise the temperature of the rice to be cooked to a boil in a short time, a boiling continuation step to maintain the boiling state of the rice to be cooked, and a steaming step to maintain a high temperature that does not burn the rice, thereby cooking and heating the rice inside the inner pot at a desired pressure. It also controls the rice to be cooked inside the inner pot to maintain a predetermined warming temperature in a warming step after the completion of the rice cooking process. In this embodiment in particular, for all cooking courses that can be performed by the rice cooker 1, control patterns for how the display means 16, heating means 21, steam path opening / closing means 34, and pressure reducing means 35 are operated are pre-stored in the storage means 29. When the user sets and selects any cooking course from among multiple cooking courses by operating the operation means 17, and then instructs the start of cooking, the settings and settings of the selected cooking course are stored in the storage means 29. At the same time, the cooking control means 37 reads the control pattern of the cooking course from the storage means 76 and appropriately controls the heating means 21, steam path opening / closing means 34, pressure reducing means 35, and transmitting / receiving means 33 to perform the cooking operation on the food to be cooked in the inner pot, while also displaying the information on the display means 16 in cooperation with the display control means 38, and transmitting and receiving information with the server 5 and information terminal 6.

[0025] The display control means 38 generates various control signals based on operation signals from the operation means 17 and signals from the transmission / reception means 33, and also controls the display operation of the display means 16.

[0026] The reserved rice cooking control means 39 is equipped with a timer function, and when the user operates the operation means 17 to set a reserved time and cooking course corresponding to the cooking completion time, and also instructs the start of reserved rice cooking, the reserved rice cooking control means 39 stores the set reserved rice cooking settings in the storage means 29, and the timer function causes the cooking control means 37 to automatically start cooking a predetermined time before the reserved time so that the rice is cooked by the set reserved time, and the reserved rice cooking process is controlled so that the food to be cooked is cooked by the reserved time, the cooking is completed and the process moves to the keep-warm process. In this embodiment, both (1) "instructing the start of reserved rice cooking" and (2) "setting reserved rice cooking settings such as the reserved time and cooking course" are performed and the cooking is completed at the set reserved time, and this is referred to as "reserved rice cooking". As will be described later, the configuration is such that either (1) or (2) can be performed first.

[0027] In the rice cooker 1 of this embodiment, cooking courses corresponding to each rice type, cooking settings, cooking method settings, texture settings, and keep-warm settings are stored in the storage means 29. The rice type, cooking settings, cooking method settings, texture settings, and keep-warm settings of the stored cooking courses are displayed on the display means 16 in a selectable manner, and the cooking course is selected and set by making these settings. Once the cooking course is set, the cooking control means 37 controls the heating means 21, the steam path opening / closing means 34, and the pressure reducing means 35 for each cooking setting of the cooking course, i.e., performs cooking control, and by performing appropriate cooking, the deliciousness of the cooked rice can be further enhanced. Therefore, these settings for rice type, cooking settings, cooking method settings, texture settings, and keep-warm settings have the function of cooking settings.

[0028] Figure 4 shows a top view of the display means 16, and in each drawing, the upper side is referred to as "top," the lower side as "bottom," the left side as "left," and the right side as "right." Also, in each drawing, the front side is referred to as "front" and the back side as "back." In Figure 4, the LCD 25 is displaying the top screen G1. When the user plugs the power plug, which has been pre-installed on the main unit 11, into a household outlet, the necessary power is supplied to each part of the rice cooker 1. At this time, the display control means 38 displays the arrangement of the top screen G1 shown in Figure 4 on the LCD 25 as the initial screen for normal use after a predetermined time has elapsed or for displaying a predetermined startup display screen, and lights up the Wi-Fi mark process LED display unit 26-4 of the process LED display unit 26.

[0029] Referring to Figure 4, the top screen G1 is described as having a menu key display area A1 at its top, where four button displays B1 to B7 are arranged side by side. Here, the "Rice / Cooking" button display B1 includes the text display D1 that says "Rice / Cooking" and the text display D2 that says "▼". The "Cooking Method" button display B3 includes the text display D3 that says "Cooking Method" and the text display D4 that says "▼". The "Texture" button display B5 includes the text display D5 that says "Texture" and the text display D6 that says "▼". The "Keep Warm" button display B7 includes the text display D7 that says "Keep Warm" and the text display D8 that says "▼".

[0030] Below the menu key display area A1, a rice cooking information display area A2 is formed, with four setting display units D11 to D14 arranged side by side. Here, the "Rice / Cooking" setting display unit D11 displays information about the selected rice or cooking method, and is located behind the "Rice / Cooking" button display unit B1. In Figure 4, "White Rice, Brand Selection" is displayed. The "Cooking Method" setting display unit D12 displays information about the selected cooking method, and is located behind the "Cooking Method" button display unit B3. In Figure 4, "Master Cooking" is displayed. The "Texture" setting display unit D13 displays information about the selected texture, such as hard or soft, and is located behind the "Texture" button display unit B5. In Figure 4, "Normal" is displayed. The "Keep Warm" setting display unit D14 displays information about the selected keep-warm process, and is located behind the "Keep Warm" button display unit B7. In Figure 4, "Standard" is displayed.

[0031] Below the rice cooking information display area A2, button display unit B15, which includes a text display unit D15 labeled "Soak +", and button display unit B16, which includes a text display unit D16 labeled "Maintenance", are displayed side by side. To the right of the "Soak +" button display unit B15 and the "Maintenance" button display unit B16, there is a text display unit D17 labeled "Cooking Time", which suggests that the number displayed on the clock display unit D18 is the cooking time, and the cooking time required, the remaining time which is the actual time until cooking is completed, and the expected time when cooking is completed. In Figure 4, the clock display unit D18, which displays "approximately 38 minutes", the cooking time required calculated from the settings in the rice cooking information display area A2, and button display unit B19, which includes a text display unit D19 labeled "Start Cooking", are displayed side by side.

[0032] Also, at the bottom of the top screen G1, the following are displayed side by side: a setting button display B20 containing a text display D20 resembling a gear diagram; a button display B21 containing a text display D21 labeled "Keep Warm"; a button display B22 containing a text display D22 labeled "Reservation"; a time display D23 showing the current time; and a button display B24 containing a text display D24 labeled "Off".

[0033] The "Off" button indicator B24 is operated when stopping rice cooking or keeping warm. When the "Off" button indicator B24 is touched, the display control means 38 receives an operation signal from the operation means 17 located above the "Off" button indicator B24. The rice cooking control means 37 then controls the unit to stop heating the food in the inner pot and the scheduled cooking, and to set it to the "Off" state. The display control means 38 then controls the display means 16 to display the top screen G1 with the setting of the rice cooking information display area A2 set to the setting from the most recent cooking, i.e., the setting stored in the memory means 29.

[0034] The "Start Cooking" button display unit B19 is operated when cooking rice. When the "Start Cooking" button display unit B19 is touched, the cooking control means 37 stores the rice settings, cooking method settings, texture settings, and keep-warm settings currently displayed in the cooking information display area A2 in the storage means 29 as the settings for the current cooking course. The system is configured to control the start of cooking for the food to be cooked in the main unit 11 using the settings for the current cooking course stored in the storage means 29.

[0035] The "Keep Warm" button indicator B19 is operated when the "Keep Warm" function is activated. When the "Keep Warm" button indicator B19 is touched, the rice cooking control means 37 sends appropriate control signals to the heating means 21, the steam path opening / closing means 34, and the pressure reducing means 35 to start reheating the rice being cooked in the main unit 11.

[0036] The "Rice / Cooking" button display unit B1 is used to select the type and brand of rice to be cooked, or to select a cooking method other than rice, such as bread. When the "Rice / Cooking" button display unit B1 is touched, the display control unit 38 controls the display unit 16 to display the rice / cooking selection screen (not shown). When the type and brand of rice or cooking method is selected on this rice / cooking selection screen, the display control unit 38 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display unit 16 to display the selected type and brand of rice or cooking method on the text display unit D11.

[0037] The "Cooking Method" button display unit B3 is operated to select the type of cooking method for the food to be cooked. When the "Cooking Method" button display unit B3 is touched, the display control means 38 controls the display means 16 to display a cooking method selection screen (not shown). When a cooking method for the food to be cooked is selected on this cooking method selection screen, the display control means 38 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 16 to display the selected cooking method for the food to be cooked in the text display unit D12.

[0038] The "texture" button display unit B5 is operated to select the type of texture of the rice to be cooked. When the "texture" button display unit B5 is touched, the display control means 38 controls the display means 16 to display a texture selection screen (not shown). When a rice texture is selected on this texture selection screen, the display control means 38 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 16 to display the selected rice texture on the text display unit D13.

[0039] The "Keep Warm" button display unit B7 is operated to select the settings for the keep-warm process after cooking. When the "Keep Warm" button display unit B7 is touched, the display control unit 38 controls the display unit 16 to display the keep-warm selection screen (not shown). When settings such as the length and type of keep-warm time are selected on this keep-warm selection screen, the display control unit 38 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display unit 16 to display the selected keep-warm settings on the text display unit D14.

[0040] The setting button display unit B20 is operated to set the rice cooker 1. When the setting button display unit B20 is touched, the display control means 38 controls the display means 16 to display a setting screen (not shown).

[0041] The "Hitashi+" button display unit B15 is operated when the soaking time in the rice cooking process is extended in advance. When the "Hitashi+" button display unit B15 is touched, the display control unit 38 controls the display unit 16 to display the soaking time extension selection screen (not shown). When an extension time is selected on this soaking time extension selection screen, the display control unit 38 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display unit 16 to display a display that adds the selected extension time to "Hitashi+", for example, if the selected extension time is 30 minutes, it will display "Hitashi+30 minutes" on the text display unit D15.

[0042] The "Maintenance" button display unit B16 is operated to perform maintenance on the rice cooker 1, such as boiling and drying the inner pot of the rice cooker 1. When the "Maintenance" button display unit B16 is touched, the display control means 38 controls the display means 16 to display a maintenance selection screen (not shown).

[0043] The "Reservation" button display unit B20 is operated when performing a reservation cooking function. When the "Reservation" button display unit B20 is touched, the display control means 38 controls the display means 16 to light up the "Reservation" LED display unit 26-1 in addition to the Wi-Fi mark process LED display unit 26-4 of the process LED display unit 26, and to display the reservation setting screen G2.

[0044] Figure 5 shows the reservation setting screen G2, which is accessed when the "Reservation" button display B20 is touched on the top screen G1. Referring to the same figure, the reservation setting screen G2 is shown below the rice cooking information display area A2, with a button display B31 containing a text display D31 and LED display D32 labeled "Main Unit Reservation" and another button display B33 containing a text display D33 and LED display D34 labeled "App Reservation" displayed vertically. To the right of the "Main Unit Reservation" button display B31 and the "App Reservation" button display B33, a clock display D18 showing the currently set cooking completion time of "6:00" and a button display B19 whose display has been changed to the text display D33 labeled "Reservation Cooking" are displayed horizontally. Therefore, the button display B19 also functions as an indicator that signals the start of reservation cooking, which is operated when starting reservation cooking. Furthermore, at the bottom of the reservation settings screen G2, button displays B34 including the text display D34 labeled "Back", button displays B35 including the text display D35 labeled "History", a time display D23, and button displays B36 including the text display D36 labeled "Cancel" are arranged side by side.

[0045] The "Back" button indicator B34 is operated when you want to discard the settings on the current screen, for example, the reservation setting screen G2, and return to the previous screen, for example, the top screen G1. When the "Back" button indicator B34 is touched, the display control means 38 controls the display means 16 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 that previous screen.

[0046] The "Cancel" button indicator B36 is operated when you want to discard the settings on the current screen, for example, the reservation setting screen G2, and return to the top screen G1. When the "Cancel" button indicator B36 is touched, the display control means 38 controls the display means 16 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.

[0047] The "History" button display unit B35 is operated when selecting the reservation time setting from past rice cooking reservations. When the "History" button display unit B35 is touched, the display control unit 38 controls the display unit 16 to display the reservation time history selection screen (not shown). When a reservation time setting is selected on this reservation time history selection screen, the display control unit 38 returns to the reservation setting screen G2 and controls the display unit 16 to display the selected reservation time setting on the clock display unit D18.

[0048] The "Main Unit Reservation" button display unit B31 is operated when setting a reservation time on the rice cooker 1 to perform reserved cooking. When the "Main Unit Reservation" button display unit B31 is touched, the display control means 38 controls the display means 16 to display the reservation time setting screen (not shown). When the reservation time is set on this reservation time setting screen, the display control means 38 returns to the reservation setting screen G2, lights up the LED display unit D32 of the "Main Unit Reservation" button display unit B31, and controls the display means 16 to display the set reservation time on the clock display unit D18. When the button display unit B19, which is labeled "Reservation Cooking," is touched in this state, the reservation control means 39 stores the rice settings, cooking method settings, texture settings, and keep-warm settings currently displayed in the cooking information display area A2 as the settings for the current cooking course in the storage means 29, and stores the time setting currently displayed in the clock display unit D18 as the settings for the current reservation cooking in the storage means 29. The storage means 29 then calculates how long the cooking time will be based on the settings for the current cooking course stored in the storage means 29, and when the time reaches the amount of time before the current reservation time calculated from the cooking time, it controls the cooking control means 37 to start cooking the food to be cooked in the main unit 11 based on the set reservation time.

[0049] The "App Reservation" button display unit B33 is operated when setting a reservation time and performing reserved cooking using an information terminal 6 or other device other than the rice cooker 1 that can communicate with the rice cooker 1. When the "App Reservation" button display unit B33 is touched, the display control means 38 controls the display means 16 to display the app reserved cooking start screen G3 while continuing to light up the Wi-Fi mark on the process LED display unit 26-4 and the "Reservation" LED display unit 26-1 of the process LED display unit 26.

[0050] Figure 6 shows the changes in the display of the display means 16 when setting a reservation time and performing reserved cooking using a rice cooker other than rice cooker 1. Figure 6(A) shows the app-reserved rice cooking start screen G3, which is accessed when the "App Reservation" button display unit B33 is touched on the reservation setting screen G2. On the app-reserved rice cooking start screen G3, below the rice cooking information display area A2, a text display unit D37 that reads "The reservation time for completion can be set later in the app" and a button display unit B19 that has been changed to a text display unit D38 that reads "Start Reservation" are displayed side by side. Therefore, the button display unit B19 also functions as an instruction unit that instructs the start of reserved cooking when the "App Reservation" reserved cooking is started. Then, when the user touches the button display B19 that says "Start Reservation" on the app reservation cooking start screen G3, the reservation control means 39 stores the rice settings, cooking method settings, texture settings, and keep-warm settings currently displayed in the cooking information display area A2 as the settings for the current cooking course in the storage means 29 and starts the reservation cooking process. It sends information about the time when the "app reservation" reservation cooking started to the information terminal 6 via the network 3 and server 5, and controls the cooking control means 37 to control the waiting process until the cooking process in the reservation cooking process starts. The cooking control means 37 may also be controlled to create a reduced pressure state inside the inner pot during this waiting process. In addition, the information sent to the information terminal 6 may include information about the settings for the current cooking course in addition to the start time of the "app reservation" reservation cooking.

[0051] Figure 6(B) shows the app reservation explanation popup screen G4, which is the first screen displayed when the button display unit B19 is touched on the app reservation cooking start screen G3 and the device moves to the app reservation cooking standby screen G5. The app reservation explanation popup screen G4 has an app reservation explanation popup display unit P1 that covers almost the entire surface of the LCD25. A button display unit B41 containing a text display unit D41 that says "×" is located on the upper right side of the app reservation explanation popup display unit P1. A guide display unit D42 is located almost in the center of the app reservation explanation popup display unit P1, displaying an explanation about setting up reservation cooking via the app, which says "Please set the cooking completion reservation time from the app. Cooking will not start unless the cooking completion reservation time is set." Below the guide display unit D42, a checkbox display unit B43 with a white outline, a text display unit D44 that says "Do not show next time", and a button display unit B45 containing a text display unit D45 that says "OK" are displayed side by side.

[0052] The "×" button indicator B41 is operated to clear the app reservation explanation popup display unit P1. When the "×" button indicator B41 is touched, the display control means 38 controls the display means 16 to clear the app reservation explanation popup display unit P1 and display the app reservation rice cooking standby screen G5.

[0053] The checkbox display unit B43 is operated when selecting whether or not to display the app reservation explanation popup display unit P1. When the checkbox display unit B43 is touched, the display control means 49 controls the display means 16 to display a checked mark, such as a checkmark, within the checkbox display unit B43.

[0054] The "OK" button indicator B45 is operated to determine whether or not to display the app reservation explanation popup display unit P1. For example, if the "OK" button indicator B45 is touched while the aforementioned checked mark is displayed in the checkbox indicator B43, the display control means 38 controls the display means 16 to display the app reservation cooking standby screen G5. The display control means 38 then controls the display means 16 so that, from the next time onward, when transitioning from the app reservation cooking start screen G3 to the app reservation cooking standby screen G5, the app reservation explanation popup display unit P1 is not displayed, and the app reservation cooking standby screen G5 is displayed instead. On the other hand, if, for example, the checked mark mentioned above is not displayed in the checkbox display unit B43 and the "OK" button display unit B45 is touched while it is a white square, the display control means 38 controls the display means 18 to display the app reservation cooking standby screen G5, and the display control means 38 also controls the display means 16 to display the app reservation explanation popup display unit P1 as a popup the next time the user transitions from the app reservation cooking start screen G3 to the app reservation cooking standby screen G5.

[0055] Figure 6(C) shows the app-scheduled rice cooking standby screen G5, which is accessed when the button display unit B19 is touched on the app-scheduled rice cooking start screen G3. The app-scheduled explanation popup screen G4 has a rice cooking information display area A2 at its top, but lacks a menu key display area A1. Below the rice cooking information display area A2 is a guide display unit D51, which in Figure 6(C) displays "Please set the rice cooking completion time from the app." Below the guide display unit D51 are two text displays side by side: a text display unit D52 that says "Cooking Completion Time," suggesting that the number displayed on the clock display unit D18 is the rice cooking completion time, and a clock display unit D18 that displays "Not Set," indicating that the rice cooking completion time has not yet been set, as shown in Figure 6(C). Furthermore, at the bottom of the app's scheduled rice cooking standby screen G5, the time display unit D23 and the button display unit B24, which has been changed to display the text "Off (long press)" on D53, are displayed side by side. Note that to operate the "Off (long press)" button display unit B24 on the app's scheduled rice cooking standby screen G5, a long press operation of, for example, 3 seconds or more is required, rather than a touch operation.

[0056] Figure 7 shows the external configuration of a typical smartphone 6-1 among the information terminals 6. In this figure, the smartphone 6-1 mainly consists of a display means 41 capable of displaying information on a screen, push-button operation buttons 42, and a communication module 43. A touch panel 44 is provided on the surface of the display means 41, and together with the operation buttons 42 and the touch panel 44, an operation means 45 is formed that enables operation from the smartphone 6-1. The communication module 43, which serves as the terminal communication means, is mounted inside the main body of the smartphone 6-1 as a transceiver that enables wireless communication with the access point 7. The smartphone 6-1 also has other features such as a microphone and speaker for making calls and a camera for taking pictures, but these are omitted from the illustration here.

[0057] Figure 8 shows the main electrical configuration of smartphone 6-1. In the figure, 46 is a terminal control means configured by a microcomputer, and as is well known, this terminal control means 46 includes a CPU as a processing means, storage means 47 such as a memory capable of reading and writing various information and data, a timer as a timing means, and input / output devices. An operating means 45 and a communication module 43 are electrically connected to the input port of the terminal control means 46, and a display means 41 and a communication module 43 are electrically connected to the output port of the terminal control means 46.

[0058] The terminal control means 46 receives an operation signal from the operation means 45 and, based on information acquired from the communication module 43, has the function of outputting a control signal for display to the display means 41 at a predetermined timing based on timing from the timing means. This function is realized by activating a program such as an application recorded in the storage means 47, which acts as a storage medium. In particular, this embodiment includes a program that primarily causes the terminal control means 46 to function as a communication control unit 48 and a display control unit 49.

[0059] The communication control unit 48 primarily controls operations related to the communication module 43. By operating the communication module 43 as needed, it has the function of sending various information and data from the terminal control means 46 to the rice cooker 1 via the network 3 and server 5, and conversely, receiving various information and data from the rice cooker 1 to the terminal control means 46 via the network 3 and server 5.

[0060] The display control unit 49 primarily controls the operation related to the display of the display means 41, and is equipped with a function to switch and display various screens on the display means 41. In particular, in this embodiment, when the communication module 43 receives information on rice cooking settings and the history of rice cooking settings from the server 5, the display control unit 49 is configured to reflect that information on the screen displayed on the display means 41.

[0061] Next, the operation of the rice cooking system 100 with the above configuration will be explained in detail.

[0062] Figure 9 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display means 41 when an application is launched by operation from the operating means 45 of the smartphone 6-1, where (A) shows the rice cooker top screen PG1 and (B) shows the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2.

[0063] When the user operates the smartphone 6-1 using the operating means 45 to launch the application, the communication control unit 48 transmits information to the rice cooker 1 via the network 3 and server 5 indicating that the application has been launched. Upon receiving this information, the rice cooker 1 controls the transmitting and receiving means 33 to transmit the current status of the rice cooker 1 to the smartphone 6-1.

[0064] On the rice cooker top screen PG1, for example, a background display unit D51 is displayed across the entire display unit 41. At the upper edge of the display unit 41, a text display unit B52 containing a text display unit D52 that reads "<", a text display unit D53 that reads "rice cooker", a setting icon display unit B54 containing a text display unit D56 that reads "settings" and suggests that operating the setting icon display unit B54 will take the user to a settings screen, and a support information icon display unit B55 containing a text display unit D55 that reads "settings" and suggests that operating the setting icon display unit B54 will take the user to a settings screen. These are displayed side by side. In addition, an image display unit D58 of "rice cooker" is placed approximately in the center of the display unit 41, suggesting that the device currently showing information exchange is the rice cooker 1. Below the "rice cooker" image display unit D58, a status information display unit D59 is positioned to show the current status of rice cooker 1. In Figure 7(A), the information transmitted from rice cooker 1, "Stopped," is displayed.

[0065] The "<" text display unit B52 is operated when returning to the previous screen from the current screen. The settings icon display unit B54 is operated to configure the currently running application. When the settings icon display unit B54 is touched, the display control unit 49 controls the display means 41 to display the application's settings screen (not shown). The support information icon display unit B55 is operated to check support information, such as how to operate the application. When the support information icon display unit B55 is touched, the display control unit 49 controls the display means 41 to display the support information screen (not shown).

[0066] When the application is running, and the button display unit B19, which displays "Start Reservation" on the rice cooker's app reservation cooking start screen G3, is touched, the display control unit 49 receives information from the rice cooker 1 about the time when the "app reservation" reservation cooking started, and controls the display means 41 to display the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2.

[0067] In the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2, the rice cooker reservation setting area A3 is formed in the location of the status information display unit D59. At the top of the rice cooker reservation setting area A3 is a text display unit D61 that says "Reserve from app," and below the text display unit D61 that says "Reserve from app," two button displays B62 and B64 are arranged vertically. Here, the button display unit B62 for setting the cooking completion reservation time includes a text display unit D62 that says "Cooking completion reservation time," and a reservation time display unit D63 that displays "Not set," which indicates that the cooking completion reservation time has not yet been set in Figure 7(B). Also, the button display unit B64 for "Cook now" includes a text display unit D64 that says "Cook now."

[0068] The button display unit B62 for setting the cooking completion time is operated when setting the cooking completion time and performing scheduled cooking. When the button display unit B62 for setting the cooking completion time is touched, the display control unit 49 controls the display means 41 to display the reservation time setting screen PG3.

[0069] The "Cook Now" button display unit B64 is used when you want to start cooking rice immediately without setting a cooking completion time. When the "Cook Now" button display unit B64 is touched, the display control unit 49 controls the display means 41 to display the "Cook Now" start confirmation screen PG6.

[0070] If the display control unit 49 determines that it has not sent an instruction for the cooking completion time to the rice cooker 1, and has not sent an instruction to start "Cook Now," even after a predetermined time has elapsed, such as 5 or 8 hours, since the start of the "App Reservation" scheduled cooking, the display control unit 49 determines that the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2 has not accepted any touch operations on the "Cook Now" button display unit B64 or the cooking completion time setting button display unit B62 for a predetermined period, and has not sent an instruction for scheduled cooking to the rice cooker 1, and controls the display means 41 to display a pop-up display with a message such as "Have you forgotten to set a reservation?". Alternatively, if the display control unit 49 receives information on the start time of the "App Reservation" scheduled cooking, it may also control the display means 41 to display the aforementioned pop-up display when it determines that it has not sent an instruction for scheduled cooking to the rice cooker 1 even at a predetermined time, such as 11:00, which is one hour before the typical cooking time of 12:00, which is typical lunchtime. Alternatively, the display means 41 may be controlled to initially display a pop-up display, and then to display the aforementioned message pop-up display at predetermined intervals, such as every two hours. Furthermore, to ensure notification even when the application is not running, the terminal control means 46 may control the display means 41 to notify in a way other than the application, such as email or SNS (Social Networking Service), if it receives information about the time when the "App Reservation" scheduled cooking started and determines that the instruction for scheduled cooking has not been sent to the rice cooker 1 after a predetermined time has elapsed. In addition, the display control unit 49 may control a notification unit such as a speaker that emits sound in the smartphone 6-1, and the display control unit 49 may be configured to control the notification unit to emit sound in conjunction with the display when the aforementioned message pop-up display is displayed.

[0071] Figure 10 shows the changes in the display of the display means 41 when the button display unit B62 for setting the cooking completion time is touched on the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2, where (A) is the reservation time setting screen PG3, (B) is the reservation time transmission confirmation screen PG4, (C) is the reservation time transmission screen PG5, and (D) is the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2.

[0072] On the reservation time setting screen PG3, the reservation time setting popup display section PP1 is displayed approximately in the center of the display means 41, and the parts other than the reservation time setting popup display section PP1 are grayed out. Above the reservation time setting popup display section PP1, a text display element D71 that reads "Change Reservation Time" and a text display element D72 that reads "Please select the cooking completion time," suggesting that the numbers set by the hour digit drum roll display element D73 and the minute digit drum roll display element D74 are the cooking completion reservation time. Below the text display unit D72, a drum roll display unit D73 for the "hour" digit, formed from the numbers 1 to 24, with the numbers 6 to 10 displayed in Figure 10(A), and a drum roll display unit D74 for the "minute" digit, formed from the numbers 00, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, with the numbers 20, 30, 40, 50 displayed in Figure 10(A), are arranged side by side. A cursor display unit C1 is positioned across the center of the hour and minute drum roll display units D73 and D74, with a text display unit D75 labeled ":" in the center of the cursor display unit C1. At the bottom, a button display unit B76 containing the text display unit D76 labeled "Cancel" and another button display unit B76 containing the text display unit D76 labeled "Confirm" are arranged side by side.

[0073] The hour drum roll display D73 is operated to set the hour digit of the reservation time. By touching the hour drum roll display D73 and sliding your finger upwards or downwards, the arrangement of the numbers displayed on the display means 41 moves in the direction of the slide. Similarly, the minute drum roll display D74 is operated to set the minute digit of the reservation time. By touching the minute drum roll display D74 and sliding your finger upwards or downwards, the arrangement of the numbers displayed on the display means 41 moves in the direction of the slide. The numbers on the hour drum roll display D73 and the minute drum roll display D74, located at cursor display unit C1, determine the reservation time. For example, in Figure 10(A), the hour drum roll display D73 at cursor display unit C1 is "8" and the minute drum roll display D74 is "40", so "8:40" is set as the reservation time. In this embodiment, upper and lower limits are set for the operation of the hour digit drum roll display D73 and the minute digit drum roll display D74, and the display will not move beyond these limits even if the slide operation is performed. For example, the hour digit drum roll display D73 has a lower limit when "1" is located on the cursor display unit C1 and an upper limit when "24" is located on the cursor display unit C1, and the display will not move beyond these numbers. However, for example, the hour digit drum roll display D73 could be configured to connect "24" and "1", and the minute digit drum roll display D74 could be configured to connect "50" and "00", allowing the numbers to move in a loop with the slide operation.

[0074] The "Cancel" button indicator B76 is operated when you want to discard the settings on the current screen, for example, the reservation time setting screen PG3, and return to the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2. When the "Cancel" button indicator B76 is touched, the display control unit 49 discards the settings currently displayed on the display means 41, returns to the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2, and controls the display means 41 to display the settings that were displayed on the most recent rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2.

[0075] The "Confirm" button indicator B77 is operated to set the numbers on the hour digit drum roll indicator D73 and the minute digit drum roll indicator D74, which are currently located on the cursor indicator C1, as the reservation time. When the "Confirm" button indicator B77 is touched, the display control unit 49 controls the display means 41 to display the reservation time transmission confirmation screen PG4.

[0076] On the reservation time transmission confirmation screen PG4, the reservation time transmission confirmation popup display unit PP2 is displayed approximately in the center of the display means 41, and the parts other than the reservation time transmission confirmation popup display unit PP2 are grayed out. At the top of the reservation time transmission confirmation popup display unit PP2 is a text display unit D81 that reads "Do you want to send the reservation time?", and below the text display unit D81 that reads "Reservation Time", there are two text display units D82 and D63 that read "Reservation Time", suggesting that the number displayed on the reservation time display unit D63 is the cooking completion reservation time set on the reservation time setting screen PG3. At the bottom, there is a button display unit B76 that reads "Cancel", and a button display unit B83 that includes a text display unit D83 that reads "Send", arranged side by side.

[0077] The "Send" button indicator B83 is operated when sending the numerical value of the time currently displayed on the reservation time indicator D63 to the rice cooker 1. When the "Send" button indicator B83 is touched, the communication control unit 48 controls the communication module 43 to send the numerical information displayed on the reservation time indicator D63 to the rice cooker 1 via the network 3 or server 5, and the display control unit 49 controls the display means 41 to display the reservation time transmission screen PG5.

[0078] On the reservation time transmission screen PG5, the reservation time transmission popup display unit PP3 is displayed approximately in the center of the display means 41, and the parts other than the reservation time transmission popup display unit PP3 are grayed out. The reservation time transmission popup display unit PP3 has a text display unit D84 that says "Sent" and a button display unit B85 that includes a text display unit D85 that says "OK" arranged vertically.

[0079] The "OK" button indicator B85 is operated when the transmission of the reservation time is complete. When the "OK" button indicator B85 is touched, the display control unit 49 displays the reservation time transmission screen PG5, as shown in Figure 10(D), and controls the display means 41 to display the reservation time indicator D63 as the numerical value of the reservation time transmitted to the rice cooker 1.

[0080] When the rice cooker 1 receives reservation time information transmitted from the smartphone 6-1, the reservation control means 39 stores the received reservation time information in the storage means 29 as the setting for this reservation cooking, and calculates how long the cooking time will be based on the setting for this cooking course stored in the storage means 29. Also, as shown in Figure 11(A), the display control means 38 displays the set reservation time on the clock display unit D18 on the app reservation cooking standby screen G5, and controls the display means 16 to change the guide display unit D51 to display "The reservation time for cooking completion has been set from the app."

[0081] Subsequently, when the time is earlier than the scheduled cooking time (the scheduled cooking completion time), the reservation control means 39 controls the cooking control means 37 to start cooking the food to be cooked in the main unit 11, based on the settings for the scheduled cooking. Also, as shown in Figure 11(B), the display control means 38 changes the guide display unit D51 to display "Cooking," and controls the display means 16 to display the cooking screen G6, which is displayed side by side below the guide display unit D51, with a text display unit D53 that says "Approximately Remaining," suggesting that the number displayed on the clock display unit D18 is the time until cooking is complete, and a clock display unit D18 displaying the calculated cooking time, "45 minutes."

[0082] Figure 12 shows the screen transitions of the display means 41 when the "Cook Now" button display unit B64 is touched on the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2, where (A) is the immediate cooking instruction confirmation screen G6 and (B) is the immediate cooking instruction transmission screen PG7.

[0083] On the instant rice cooking instruction confirmation screen G6, the instant rice cooking instruction confirmation pop-up display section PP4 is displayed approximately in the center of the display means 41, and the parts other than the instant rice cooking instruction confirmation pop-up display section PP4 are grayed out. Above the instant rice cooking instruction confirmation pop-up display section PP4 is a text display element D87 that reads "Do you want to start cooking now?", and below the text display element D87 that reads "Do you want to start cooking now?", a button display element B76 that reads "Cancel" and a button display element B88 that includes a text display element D83 that reads "Start" are arranged side by side.

[0084] The "Start" button indicator B88 is operated when sending an immediate cooking instruction to the rice cooker 1. When the "Start" button indicator B88 is touched, the communication control unit 48 controls the communication module 43 to send information about the immediate cooking instruction to the rice cooker 1 via the network 3 or server 5, and the display control unit 49 controls the display means 41 to display the immediate cooking instruction transmission screen PG7.

[0085] On the instant rice cooking instruction transmission screen PG7, the instant rice cooking instruction transmission pop-up display section PP5 is displayed approximately in the center of the display means 41, and the parts other than the instant rice cooking instruction transmission pop-up display section PP5 are grayed out. The instant rice cooking instruction transmission pop-up display section PP5 has a text display element D84 that says "Sent" and a button display element B89 that includes a text display element D89 that says "OK" arranged vertically.

[0086] The "OK" button indicator B89 is operated when the instruction to start cooking immediately has been sent. When the "OK" button indicator B89 is touched, the display control unit 49 displays the rice cooker top screen PG1, changes the display of the status information indicator D59 to "Cooking," and controls the display means 41 to change the background display unit D51 to red, for example, a color that indicates that the rice cooker 1 is cooking.

[0087] When the rice cooker 1 receives information about an immediate cooking instruction transmitted from the smartphone 6-1, the reservation control means 39 calculates how long the cooking time will be based on the settings of the cooking course stored in the memory means 29 as the setting for this reserved cooking, and controls the cooking control means 37 to control the start of cooking for the food to be cooked in the main unit 11. Also, as shown in Figure 12(B), the display control means 38 changes the guide display unit D51 to display "Cooking," and controls the display means 16 to display the cooking screen G6, which displays the text display unit D53 that says "Approximately remaining" and the clock display unit D18 that displays the calculated cooking time of "45 minutes."

[0088] As described above, the rice cooking system 100 of this embodiment includes a control means 22 for controlling the cooking of the food to be cooked, an operation means 17 and an app reservation cooking start screen G3 as a first instruction unit that accepts a touch operation of a "reservation start" button display B19 as an operation to instruct the start of reservation cooking without setting a reservation time, and a touch panel 44 and a rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2 as a second instruction unit that accepts a touch operation of a "cook now" button display B64 as an operation to instruct immediate cooking on the smartphone 6-1 when information that a touch operation of the "reservation start" button display B19 has been accepted is received from the operation means 17 and the app reservation cooking start screen G3. The control means 22 is configured to start cooking the food to be cooked when the rice cooker 1 receives information that an immediate cooking instruction has been sent from the smartphone 6-1 after receiving a touch operation of the "cook now" button display B64 from the touch panel 44 and the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2.

[0089] By configuring it in this way, rice cooking can be started immediately without having to consider the time required.

[0090] Furthermore, in the rice cooking system 100 of this embodiment, the touch panel 44 and the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2 receive touch operations on the button display B62 for setting the cooking completion reservation time, and the control means 22 receives touch operations on the button display B62 for setting the cooking completion reservation time from the touch panel 44 and the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2, and when the rice cooker 1 receives reservation time information transmitted from the smartphone 6-1, it is configured to start cooking the food to be cooked based on the set reservation time.

[0091] By configuring it in this way, you can set the reservation time on the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2 and start the rice cooking process.

[0092] Furthermore, the rice cooking system 100 of this embodiment includes an operation means 17 and a reservation setting screen G2, which act as a third instruction unit that accepts a touch operation of a button display B19 labeled "Reservation Cooking" as an operation to set a clock display D18 as the reservation time and instruct the start of reservation cooking. The control means 22 is configured to start cooking the food to be cooked based on the set reservation time when a reservation time is set on the clock display D18 and a touch operation of the button display B19 labeled "Reservation Cooking" is received from the operation means 17 and the reservation setting screen G2.

[0093] By configuring it in this way, it is possible to set the reservation time on the reservation setting screen G2, which is an instruction unit other than the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2, and start the rice cooker by reservation.

[0094] Furthermore, the rice cooking system 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a display unit, the display unit 41, which receives information from the operation unit 17 and the app reservation cooking start screen G3 that a touch operation of the "Start Reservation" button display unit B19 has been received, and if the touch panel 44 and the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2 have not received a touch operation of either the "Cook Now" button display unit B64 or the button display unit B62 for setting the cooking completion time for a predetermined period of time, the display unit 41 is configured to show a message to that effect, for example, by displaying a pop-up display unit with a message such as "Have you forgotten to set a reservation?".

[0095] By configuring it in this way, the rice cooker 1 can start the "app reservation" scheduled cooking process, but the user can be notified that the reservation time has not been set on the reservation settings screen G2 and that immediate cooking has not been instructed.

[0096] Furthermore, the rice cooking system 100 of this embodiment includes a rice cooker 1 for cooking the food to be cooked, and an information terminal 6 that is provided to communicate with the rice cooker 1. The rice cooker 1 is equipped with an operating means 17 and an app reservation cooking start screen G3, and the information terminal 6 is equipped with a touch panel 44 and a rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2. Even if the user is not near the rice cooker 1, the information terminal 6 can be used to quickly start cooking without considering the time, and a reservation time can be set to start reserved cooking.

[0097] Furthermore, in the rice cooking system 100 of this embodiment, the information terminal 6 is equipped with a display means 41 and a speaker as a notification unit that notifies with sound and display, the touch panel 44 and the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2 accept touch operations on the button display B62 for setting the cooking completion reservation time, the display means 41 and the speaker receive information from the operation means 17 and the app reservation cooking start screen G3 that a touch operation on the "Start Reservation" button display B19 has been accepted, and if the touch panel 44 and the rice cooker reservation setting screen PG2 have not accepted a touch operation on either the "Cook Now" button display B64 or the button display B62 for setting the cooking completion reservation time for a predetermined period of time, the system is configured to notify multiple times at predetermined intervals with a pop-up display or sound, for example, a message such as "Have you forgotten to set a reservation?".

[0098] By configuring it in this way, while the rice cooker 1 has started the "app reservation" scheduled cooking process, the information terminal 6 can inform the user that the reservation time has not been set on the reservation setting screen G2 and that immediate cooking has not been instructed.

[0099] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in this embodiment, the set "reservation time" or "reservation date" is the time or date when cooking is completed, but the time or date when cooking starts may also be set as the "reservation time" or "reservation date". Also, the numerical values ​​and other figures exemplified in the embodiments are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate depending on the specifications of the rice cooker, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0100] 1. Rice cooker 6. Information terminals 17 Operating means (first indicator unit, third indicator unit) 22 Control means 41 Display means (display unit, notification unit) 44 Touch panel (second display unit) 100 Rice Cooking Systems G2 Reservation settings screen (third instruction section) G3 App Scheduled Rice Cooking Start Screen (First Instruction Section) PG2 Rice Cooker Reservation Setting Screen (Second Instruction Section)

Claims

1. A control means for controlling the cooking of the food to be cooked, A first instruction unit that accepts an operation to instruct the start of scheduled rice cooking without setting a reservation time, The system includes a second instruction unit that receives an instruction to start immediate cooking when it receives an instruction to start the scheduled cooking from the first instruction unit, The rice cooking system is characterized in that the control means controls the start of cooking of the food to be cooked when it receives the instruction for immediate rice cooking from the second instruction unit.

2. The second instruction unit receives the operation to set the reservation time, The rice cooking system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means controls the cooking of the food to be cooked based on the set reservation time when it receives the setting of the reservation time from the second instruction unit.

3. It includes a third instruction unit that receives an operation to set the reservation time and instruct the start of the reserved rice cooking, The rice cooking system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means controls the cooking of the food to be cooked based on the set reservation time when it receives an instruction to start the reserved cooking from the third instruction unit.

4. Equipped with a display unit, The rice cooking system according to claim 2, characterized in that the display unit receives an operation from the first instruction unit to instruct the start of the reserved rice cooking, and the second instruction unit has not received an operation to set the reserved time or an operation to instruct immediate rice cooking for a predetermined period of time, and displays a statement to that effect.

5. The system comprises a rice cooker for cooking the aforementioned food, and a terminal that is capable of communicating with the rice cooker. The rice cooker is equipped with the first indicator unit, The rice cooking system according to claim 1, characterized in that the terminal comprises the second instruction unit.

6. It is equipped with a notification unit that provides notifications via sound and display. The second instruction unit receives the operation to set the reservation time, The rice cooking system according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification unit notifies the first instruction unit multiple times at predetermined intervals if it has received an operation to instruct the start of the reserved rice cooking, and the second instruction unit has not received an operation to set the reserved time or an operation to instruct immediate rice cooking for a predetermined period of time.

7. The first instruction unit performs an operation to instruct the start of scheduled rice cooking without setting a reservation time, The second instruction unit receives an instruction from the first instruction unit to start the scheduled rice cooking and performs an operation to instruct immediate rice cooking, A rice cooking method characterized by comprising the step of a control means for controlling the cooking of the food to be cooked receiving an instruction for immediate cooking from the second instruction unit and controlling it to start cooking the food to be cooked.

Images