Cooking device and cooking system
The heating cooker integrates multiple heating sources with a control device to automatically execute cooperative cooking modes, addressing user inconvenience by seamlessly coordinating operations and acquiring cooking condition data from external devices for enhanced convenience.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021014136
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-02-01
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-02-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing heating cookers with multiple heating sources require manual coordination of operations for each heating section, lacking a system to automatically acquire and execute cooking condition data for cooperative cooking modes, leading to user inconvenience.
A heating cooker with multiple heating means, including induction, microwave, and radiant heat sources, that can automatically coordinate operations through a control device to execute cooperative cooking modes by acquiring cooking condition data via communication with external devices, allowing for seamless integration and operation of different heating principles at different locations.
Enhances user convenience by enabling automatic coordination of multiple heating sources for various cooking tasks, reducing manual intervention and ensuring reliable control based on externally acquired cooking condition data.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking device that heats an object to be heated, such as a pot placed on a top plate, and a cooking system that uses the cooking device. [Background technology]
[0002] Cooking appliances can be broadly divided into three types based on the environment in which they are used. One of these is the so-called "built-in type" which is installed inside kitchen furniture such as a kitchen counter. The second type is the "freestanding type" which is placed in a designated location on kitchen furniture, like a gas stove (also called a "gas-burning table"). The third type is the small and portable "tabletop type" which is placed in a desired location on a dining table, etc.
[0003] There are many types of "built-in" cooking appliances that are equipped with multiple types of heat sources, and they are popular because they can handle a variety of cooking methods. However, because they are installed inside kitchen furniture, the external dimensions must be designed to match the standards of general kitchen furniture, and there is much less freedom in design compared to "freestanding" or "tabletop" appliances, making it difficult to create a practical product.
[0004] A typical cooking appliance that can expand the range of cooking methods has been proposed, which is equipped with a grill chamber (also called an "oven chamber" or "heating chamber," but hereinafter referred to collectively as "heating chamber") inside the main body that is heated by a heat source, and which introduces microwaves from a microwave heating source into the heating chamber (see Patent Document 1).
[0005] The cooking device shown in Patent Document 1 has the advantage that it can use a cooking method in which heating is performed in a first location above the top plate and in a second location, the inner space of the heating chamber, and can change the heating means and the heating space (environment) to accommodate various types of food to be cooked. In particular, when a specific food to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak) is selected, it is convenient if one cooking condition data is configured with a set of the heating means and the heating space (environment).
[0006] Meanwhile, a cooking system has been proposed in the past in which communication is performed between a communication terminal such as a smartphone and a cooking appliance, and cooking condition data corresponding to a cooking recipe selected on the communication terminal is transmitted from the communication terminal to the cooking appliance to perform automatic cooking (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3).
[0007] Patent document 2 describes a configuration in which, in a cooking appliance (gas-fired cooking appliance) equipped with multiple heating sections (e.g., a right burner, a left burner, a rear burner) and a communication function, when a user operates a communication terminal to select a specific recipe from a cooking menu, the cooking appliance acquires cooking condition data for the multiple heating sections all at once.
[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a proposal that allows the heating unit to select the heating unit to be used from among a plurality of heating units (for example, a right burner and a left burner) on the cooking device side. The cooking device of Patent Document 3 is equipped with a recipe information allocation unit to automatically allocate cooking condition data (information) to each of the multiple heating units when the heating units acquire pre-specified cooking condition data from a communication terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0009] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-87506 A (Page 20, FIG. 18) [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-106685 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2017-106679 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0010] Even if the technology described in Patent Document 2 or 3 is directly applied to a cooking device such as that described in Patent Document 1, there are significant problems in actual use. For example, in the cooking device of Patent Document 1, when considering a cooking method in which an induction heating source is driven to perform cooking step 1, and then a microwave heating source is driven to perform cooking step 2 in a heating chamber, it is necessary to prepare so that the operations of specific heating parts among multiple (located) heating parts can be coordinated and driven in a specified order. However, with the technology described in Patent Document 2 or 3, cooking condition data (also called "recipe data") that is premised on such coordinated operations cannot be obtained for each cooking (recipe). In the end, the user has to manually set each heating part and cooking step each time, and the inconvenience on the user's side cannot be eliminated.
[0011] Furthermore, particularly in a cooking device equipped with a plurality of heating means, it is necessary to ensure reliable control on the cooking device side, taking into consideration the timing of receiving cooking condition data from outside via wireless communication.
[0012] A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a highly convenient cooking device that can handle a wide variety of cooking methods by improving user operability. [Means for solving the problem]
[0013] The cooking device according to the first disclosure is A first heating means for heating an object to be heated at a first location; A second heating means for heating the food to be cooked at a second location separate from the first location; an input operation unit for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit that receives cooking condition data from an external device; A control device that controls the first heating means, the second heating means, and the communication unit, The control device has a function of executing an integrated cooking mode in which the first heating means and the second heating means are driven with a time lag; The control device has a data acquisition unit that acquires the cooking condition data via the communication unit in order to execute the combined cooking mode for a specific food item, The input operation unit includes a selection unit for selecting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode, When the selection means selects cooking in the cooperative cooking mode, the data acquisition unit acquires the cooking condition data via the communication unit. Device Allowed, The data acquisition unit is configured to acquire information identifying the first heating means and the second heating means to be operated in the collaborative cooking mode, and data indicating the order in which the first heating means and the second heating means are to be operated.
[0014] The cooking device according to the second disclosure is A first heating means for heating an object placed on a top plate; A second heating means for heating the food to be cooked in the heating chamber; a third heating means for heating the heating chamber and having a heating principle different from that of the second heating means; an input operation unit for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit that receives cooking condition data from an external device; a control device that controls each of the first heating means, the second heating means, the third heating means, and the communication unit; The control device has a function of executing an integrated cooking mode in which the first heating means and at least one of the second heating means and the third heating means are driven with a time lag; The control device has a data acquisition unit that acquires the cooking condition data via the communication unit in order to execute the combined cooking mode for a specific food item, The input operation unit includes a selection unit for selecting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode, When the selection means selects cooking in the cooperative cooking mode, the data acquisition unit acquires the cooking condition data via the communication unit. Device Allowed, The data acquisition unit is configured to acquire data including information identifying the first heating means, the second heating means, and the third heating means to be operated in the collaborative cooking mode, an order in which the first heating means and at least one of the second heating means or the third heating means are operated, control conditions for operating the first heating means, and control conditions for operating at least one of the second heating means or the third heating means.
[0015] The cooking device according to the third disclosure is A first heating means for heating an object to be heated at a first location; A second heating means for heating the food to be cooked at a second location separate from the first location; an input operation unit for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit that receives cooking condition data 2 from an external device; A control device that controls the first heating means, the second heating means, and the communication unit, The control device is characterized by having a heating control unit that executes a coordinated cooking mode in which the first heating means and the second heating means are driven with a time lag based on cooking condition data 1, a data acquisition unit that acquires the cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit in order to perform heating cooking in the coordinated cooking mode for a specific food item, and a restriction unit that prohibits the data acquisition unit from acquiring the cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit during a waiting period before starting cooking in the coordinated cooking mode.
[0016] The cooking device according to the fourth disclosure is A first heating means for heating the object to be heated by a heating section; A second heating means for heating and cooking the food in a heating chamber located separately from the heating unit; a third heating means for heating the heating chamber by a heating principle different from that of the second heating means; an input operation unit for receiving commands from a user; a control device that receives a command from the input operation unit, the input operation unit includes a first mode selection unit and a second mode selection unit, The first mode selection unit selects an integrated cooking mode in which the first heating means and the second heating means are driven in a specified order, The second mode selection unit is (1) A plurality of control menus belonging to a combined cooking mode in which the second heating means and the third heating means are automatically combined and used together. Means of selecting and, (2) A plurality of control menus belonging to a single cooking mode using either the second heating means or the third heating means. A means of selecting , It is used for both, The control device has a function of executing cooking in the integrated cooking mode based on cooking condition data 1 and a function of executing cooking based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from an external source, The configuration is characterized by including a restriction unit that prohibits the acquisition of the cooking condition data 2 before the cooking in the combined cooking mode is selected by the first mode selection unit.
[0017] The cooking device according to the fifth disclosure is A first heating means for heating an object to be heated at a first location; A second heating means for heating the food to be cooked at a second location separate from the first location; an input operation unit for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit that receives cooking condition data 2 from an external device; A control device that controls the first heating means, the second heating means, and the communication unit, The control device has a function of executing an integrated cooking mode in which the first heating means and the second heating means are driven with a time lag based on cooking condition data 1 and based on the cooking condition data 2 acquired via the communication unit, a data acquisition unit that acquires the cooking condition data 2; and a restriction unit that prohibits the data acquisition unit from acquiring the cooking condition data 2 during a standby period before starting cooking in the integrated cooking mode in accordance with an input from the input operation unit, The input operation unit includes a selection unit for selecting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode, The restriction unit is configured not to restrict acquisition of the cooking condition data 2 when cooking in the integrated cooking mode is selected by the selection unit.
[0018] The cooking system according to the sixth disclosure is A cooking system including a cooking device having a plurality of heating means with different heating capacities or heating principles, and a function of a linked cooking mode in which food to be cooked is successively heated by the heating means at a first location and a second location, and a communication terminal for communicating with the cooking device, The cooking device has cooking condition data 1 for executing the cooking operation in the combined cooking mode, The communication terminal includes a terminal-side data acquisition unit that acquires cooking condition data 2 for executing the heating and cooking operation in the cooperative cooking mode from an external device other than the heating cooker; A recipe selection unit that selects a specific recipe in response to a recipe selection operation by a user; a cooking condition data transmission unit that, when the recipe selection unit selects a specific recipe, acquires the cooking condition data 2 by the terminal side data acquisition unit and transmits the cooking condition data 2 to the heating cooker; The cooking device includes a communication unit, a control device for controlling the communication unit, an input operation unit for receiving a user's command, and a selection means for selecting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode provided in the input operation unit. When the cooking in the collaborative cooking mode is selected by the selection means, The terminal side data acquisition unit acquires the data via the communication unit.The cooking condition data 2 Reception The control Device Allowed, The heating cooker is characterized by comprising a memory unit that stores the cooking condition data 2 received from the communication terminal device in correspondence with identification information, and a heating control unit that reads out the cooking condition data 2 from the memory unit in response to a user's operation to select the collaborative cooking mode or the identification information, and uses the data for cooking in the collaborative cooking mode.
[0019] The cooking system according to the seventh disclosure is A cooking system including a cooking device having a plurality of heating means with different heating capacities or heating principles, and a function of a linked cooking mode in which food to be cooked is successively heated by the heating means at a first location and a second location, and a communication terminal for communicating with the cooking device, The cooking device has cooking condition data 1 for executing the cooking operation in the combined cooking mode, The communication terminal device includes a cooking device database that generates cooking condition data 2 for performing the cooking operation in the cooperative cooking mode, and a cooking condition data transmission unit that transmits the cooking condition data 2 to the cooking device; The cooking device includes a storage unit that stores the cooking condition data 2 received from the communication terminal device in association with identification information, and a heating control unit that reads out the cooking condition data 2 from the storage unit in response to a user's operation for selecting the linked cooking mode or the identification information, and uses the cooking condition data 2 for cooking in the linked cooking mode, The cooking device is provided with a specific input key that allows the cooking condition data 2 to be received from the communication terminal device. 、 The specific input key is an input key used in the selection operation of the collaborative cooking mode. The configuration is characterized by the above.
[0021] The heating and cooking system according to the ninth disclosure is A cooking system including a cooking device having a plurality of heating means with different heating capacities or heating principles and having a function of a linked cooking mode in which the heating means heats food to be cooked in sequence at at least two locations, and a communication terminal for communicating with the cooking device, The cooking device has cooking condition data 1 for executing the cooking operation in the combined cooking mode, The communication terminal includes a cooking condition data transmission unit that transmits cooking condition data 2 to be used in the cooperative cooking mode of the cooking appliance, The cooking device includes a storage unit that stores the cooking condition data 2 received from the communication terminal device in association with identification information, a display unit, and a heating control unit that reads out the cooking condition data 2 from the storage unit in response to a user's selection operation of the linked cooking mode and uses the data for cooking in the linked cooking mode, The cooking device is provided with a specific input key that allows the cooking condition data 2 to be received from the communication terminal device, The input key Operation By The cooking condition data 2 is permitted to be received from the communication terminal device. When the collaborative cooking mode is selected and a predetermined permission condition is satisfied, the display unit displays the identification information to select cooking to which the cooking condition data 2 is applied.
[0023] The cooking system according to the eleventh disclosure is A cooking device including a first heating means for heating an object to be heated with a heating section set on a top plate, and a second heating means for cooking the object to be cooked in a heating chamber located separately from the heating section; A communication terminal for communicating with the cooking appliance; a server connected to the cooking device and the communication terminal device via a network; A cooking system comprising: The cooking device has a cooking menu of an associated cooking mode corresponding to a specific food to be cooked, The cooking device has cooking condition data for executing a cooking menu of the cooperative cooking mode, The communication terminal device has a function of providing the cooking condition data to the cooking appliance, and a function of acquiring cooking execution data of a cooking menu of the cooperative cooking mode from the cooking appliance, The cooking device includes a communication unit, a control device for controlling the communication unit, an input operation unit for receiving a user's command, and a selection means for selecting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode provided in the input operation unit, The control device has a data acquisition unit that acquires the cooking condition data via the communication unit in order to execute the combined cooking mode for a specific food item, When the selection means selects cooking in the cooperative cooking mode, the data acquisition unit acquires the cooking condition data via the communication unit. Device Allowed, The cooking device is characterized by having a function of determining a timing for receiving the cooking condition data from the communication terminal. Effect of the Invention
[0024] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a highly convenient cooking device and cooking system that can handle a wide range of cooking methods by coordinating multiple heating means using cooking condition data acquired from outside. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a heating and cooking system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the heating and cooking system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the heat cooking system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of an installed state of a cooking device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 5 is an enlarged plan view of a left display unit, a left heating power display unit, and a left operation unit of the cooking appliance of FIG. 4. [Figure 8]5 is an enlarged plan view of a right display unit, a right heating power display unit, and a right operation unit of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 9] 5 is an enlarged plan view of the central display unit, central operation unit, and central heating status display unit of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 10] 5 is an enlarged plan view showing an example of operation of the central display unit of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 11] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an entire control menu that can be selected by the central operation unit. [Figure 13] 13 is a classification table of the control menu of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a storage structure of various cooking control menus for a coordinated cooking mode or a combined cooking mode in the cooking device of FIG. 4 and a correspondence relationship between input keys. FIG. [Figure 15] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the central display unit in the cooking device of FIG. 4 in a combined cooking mode. FIG. [Figure 16] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of a central display unit in the cooking device of FIG. 4 in a coordinated cooking mode. FIG. [Figure 17] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of an input operation section and a central display section in the cooking device of FIG. 4 in a coordinated cooking mode. FIG. [Figure 18] 5 is a table showing a combination cooking menu in a combination cooking mode of the cooking device of FIG. 4. [Figure 19] 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a time series of an operation example 1 of the coordinated preheating cooking mode among the coordinated cooking modes shown in FIG. 18. FIG. [Figure 20] 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a time series of an operation example 2 of the coordinated preheating cooking mode among the coordinated cooking modes shown in FIG. 18. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 20 is a step explanatory diagram showing the operation of the combined cooking mode shown in FIG. 18. [Figure 22] 19 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of the combined cooking mode shown in FIG. 18. [Figure 23] 19 is an explanatory diagram showing permission conditions and determination results before a transition to a combined cooking mode in the cooking device shown in FIG. 18. FIG. [Figure 24] 19 is a flowchart showing an operation of acquiring cooking condition data from an external source in the cooking device shown in FIG. 18. [Diagram 25] 19 is a diagram for explaining the content of an initial standby screen displayed on the central display unit at the time of start-up in the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 18. FIG. [Figure 26] 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the display content of the central display unit before transition to induction heating cooking in the cooking device shown in FIG. 18. FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 20 is a step explanatory diagram showing an operation of acquiring cooking condition data relating to a combined cooking mode from an external source in the cooking device shown in FIG. 18. [Figure 28] 27, an explanatory diagram of the central display unit and central operation unit showing the state before cooking based on cooking condition data obtained from the outside is started. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a main functional configuration of a (built-in combination) cooking device 1 according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the information terminal. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of an operation when cooking in the combined cooking mode is performed with the cooking appliance of FIG. [Diagram 32] FIG. 32 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the operation of the central operation unit and the central display unit in the cooking appliance of FIG. [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram 1 for explaining the operation of the central operation unit and the central display unit in the cooking device of FIG. [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram 2 for explaining the operation of the central operation unit and the central display unit in the cooking appliance of FIG. [Diagram 35] FIG. 35 is a plan view 3 for explaining the operation of the central operation unit and the central display unit in the cooking appliance of FIG. [Diagram 36] FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram 4 for explaining the operation of the central operation unit and the central display unit in the cooking appliance of FIG. [Figure 37]FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing a terminal display screen of a communication terminal device used in the heating and cooking system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram 2 showing a terminal side display screen of the communication terminal device used in the heating and cooking system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram 3 showing a terminal display screen of a communication terminal device used in the heating and cooking system according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 40] FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram 4 showing a terminal display screen of a communication terminal device used in the heating and cooking system according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 41] FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram 5 showing a terminal display screen of a communication terminal device used in the heating and cooking system according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 42] FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram 6 showing a terminal display screen of a communication terminal device used in the heating and cooking system according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 43] FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram 7 showing a terminal display screen of a communication terminal device used in the heating and cooking system according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 44] FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram 8 showing a terminal display screen of a communication terminal device used in the heating and cooking system according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 45] FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram 9 showing a terminal display screen of a communication terminal device used in the heating and cooking system according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 46] FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram 10 showing a terminal display screen of a communication terminal device used in the heating and cooking system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 47] FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing a display operation of the central display part immediately after start-up of the cooking device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 48] FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram 2 showing the display operation of the central display unit after the start-up of the cooking device of FIG. [Figure 49] FIG. 49 is an explanatory diagram 3 showing the display operation of the central display unit after the start-up of the cooking appliance of FIG. [Figure 50]FIG. 50 is a step explanatory diagram showing the operation of acquiring cooking condition data related to the combined cooking mode from outside in the cooking device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 51] FIG. 51 is a block diagram showing a main functional configuration of a cooking device according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 52] 52 is a flowchart showing an operation of acquiring cooking condition data for a combined cooking mode in the cooking device of FIG. 51. [Figure 53] FIG. 52 is a diagram for explaining the contents of an initial standby screen displayed on the central display unit at the time of start-up in the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 51. [Figure 54] FIG. 52 is a configuration diagram of a cooking system utilizing the cooking device shown in FIG. 51. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The cooking device and cooking system according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating directions (e.g., "up", "down", "right", "left", "front", "rear", etc.) are used to facilitate understanding, but these are for explanatory purposes only. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or equivalent parts, and this is common throughout the entire specification.
[0027] In the following explanation, when the phrase "a heated object placed on the top plate" is used, it means both a case where a heated object such as a pot is placed directly on the upper surface of the top plate 3 described below and heated, and a case where a heated object is placed on a supporting member such as a trivet arranged above the top plate, such as a gas burner (burner), and heated.
[0028] In this embodiment 1, the "second heating means" HM2 refers to a heat source for heating food contained inside the heating chamber 6 described below. The second heating means may be a steam generator (boiler) that supplies high-temperature steam (such as superheated steam).
[0029] In the first embodiment, a magnetron is used as the microwave heating source, but there is no limitation on the microwave oscillation principle or method, such as a microwave oscillator, etc. Also, a plurality of heating sources may be provided.
[0030] In this embodiment 1, the "third heating means" HM3 is called "third" to indicate the difference from the second heating means HM2, but does not imply a superiority / inferiority relationship. In addition, in embodiment 1, a heat source using a radiant electric heat source (such as a sheath heater, mica heater, carbon heater, ceramic heater, infrared heater, radiant heater, etc.) is used, but a heat source that generates heat in other forms or methods may also be used.
[0031] The third heating means HM3 is capable of cooking in one heating chamber 6. It may be a form in which a plurality of heating sources having different heating principles are used in combination, such as a heating source composed of an electric heater and a gas burner (burner). An induction heating source may also be used as a heating source for heating the heating chamber 6. It may also be a steam generator (boiler) that supplies high-temperature steam (such as superheated steam).
[0032] Furthermore, the third heating means may be either a heat source that heats the wall surface of the heating chamber 6 from the outside, or a heat source that is installed in the internal space of the heating chamber 6 and heats the atmosphere in the internal space to a high temperature. In addition, a heat-generating member that becomes hot by induction heating may be placed in the heating chamber, and this heat-generating member may heat the wall surface of the heating chamber 6 from the outside, or may heat the air inside the heating chamber 6.
[0033] A representative example of the induction heating coil (IH coil) referred to in this embodiment 1 is one formed by bundling about 30 thin copper or aluminum wires of about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, twisting several of these bundles together and winding them into a spiral. Alternatively, there is also one formed by winding about 1000 to 1500 wires of about 0.05 mm. There has also been a proposal to form the coil from a ring-shaped conductor made of a flat conductive material. Any of these forms corresponds to the “IH coil” which is the main part of the induction heating source 9.
[0034] In this embodiment 1, "coordinated cooking" refers to cooking that uses two or more heating sources that heat a single cooked item (including food, meat, vegetables, etc.) in different locations and whose heating operation conditions can be set independently.
[0035] The "coordinated cooking" mentioned above refers to the use of multiple heating means with a time lag. For example, in the process of completing a single dish, after preheating with a microwave heating source, the food to be cooked is moved to another location, and then heated with an IH coil at the new location to complete the dish, which is a type of "coordinated cooking" as defined here.
[0036] In addition, a type of "cooperative cooking" is also possible in which the food to be cooked is heated inside the heating chamber 6 using a gas burner (burner), and then the food is moved onto the top plate 3 and heated using the gas burner (burner) or induction heating source 9 to improve the degree of doneness of the cooking.
[0037] Embodiment 1 [1. Configuration of cooking system] The first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. Referring to FIG. The cooking system of the present embodiment 1 includes a cooking appliance 1 and a smartphone 200 (corresponding to a communication terminal device) having a function of performing wireless communication with the cooking appliance 1. The communication terminal device may be a tablet terminal device or a personal computer with a communication function other than the smartphone 200.
[0038] The smartphone 200 performs wireless communication by WiFi (registered trademark) or the like with a wireless router (not shown) installed in a house (not shown) in which the cooking appliance 1 is used.
[0039] The cooking appliance 1 can acquire at least the cooking condition data CD2 through wireless communication 400 with the smartphone 200. The cooking condition data CD2 will be described later. The smartphone 200 performs wireless communication 400 with the cooking appliance 1 using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like.
[0040] The smartphone 200 accesses a cloud server 300 in an external space via the wireless router (not shown) and a network 201 such as the Internet. The cloud server 300 includes at least one recipe information providing server 301.
[0041] The recipe information providing server 301 is equipped with a recipe DB (database) 302 that holds data on various cooking recipes, and the smartphone 200 accesses a recipe providing site operated by the recipe information providing server 301 and acquires (downloads) various cooking condition data CD1 from the recipe DB 302.
[0042] The cooking condition data CD1 and CD2 are also called recipe data. This will be described in detail later, but includes commands (command data) that specify heating means and control conditions (including at least one of heat power, heating time, etc., but not limited to these) so that a specific food can be cooked in the cooking device 1.
[0043] The cooking device 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a first heating means HM1 arranged below a top plate 3 (described in Figure 4 and subsequent figures) covering the upper surface of the cooking device 1, a second heating means HM2 which supplies microwaves to a heating chamber 6 (see Figure 5) formed inside the cooking device 1, and a third heating means HM3 which is located inside or outside the heating chamber 6 and which raises the temperature of the internal space of the heating chamber 6 to heat it.
[0044] If the upper surface of the top plate 3 is defined as a "first place", then in order to heat an object to be heated (a magnetic metal pan) placed in this first place, an induction heating means is used as the first heating means HM1. Alternatively, a gas combustion device equipped with a gas burner can be used as the first heating means HM1.
[0045] If a closed space located away from the first place is defined as a "second place," then the inside of the heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 5) corresponds to the second place.
[0046] The cooking device 1 has a function of executing an "independent cooking mode" KM1 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven independently of each other.
[0047] The cooking device 1 has a function of executing a "combined cooking mode" KM2 in which the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are driven simultaneously, or one of them is started first and the other is automatically started later, as a method of cooking one food to be cooked. Even when the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are operated simultaneously, either when the heating end times of both are the same or different is one type of operation pattern of the "combined cooking mode" KM2.
[0048] The "combined cooking mode" KM2 has at least a pattern (RG control mode 1) in which the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are driven simultaneously from the beginning, a pattern (RG control mode 2) in which the third heating means HM3 is driven after the second heating means HM2, and a pattern (RG control mode 3) in which the third heating means HM3 is driven first and then automatically switched to the second heating means HM3. In these RG control modes 1 to 3, switching between the heating means is automatically performed when cooking begins in the heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 5).
[0049] The "composite cooking mode" KM2, unlike the linked cooking mode KM3, does not have a cooking menu corresponding to a specific food to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak). In other words, a "control menu" is prepared for each pattern for driving the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3.
[0050] For example, one of the "control menus" is the "RG control mode 1." In the RG control mode (RG composite cooking mode), various foods can be cooked. One of the "control menus," for example, the "RG control mode 1," is controlled by cooking condition data that defines the control mode, but is not set for each specific food to be cooked.
[0051] That is, an operation pattern in which two or more heating sources (the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3) are operated in a predetermined sequence is the composite cooking mode KM2 having a plurality of "control menus."
[0052] In contrast to this, the cooperative cooking mode KM3 having a cooperative cooking menu applies multiple cooking condition data (corresponding to specific foods) to heat and cook foods placed inside the heating chamber 6 and above the top plate 3 in a predetermined order. In other words, the contents of the cooking condition data are different between the composite cooking mode KM2 and the cooperative cooking mode KM3.
[0053] The cooking device 1 has a function of executing a "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven with a time difference that is determined depending on the operation of a user.
[0054] The "combined cooking mode" KM3 has a pattern in which cooking process 1 is performed by the first heating means HM1, and a pattern in which cooking process 1 is performed by the second heating means HM2. For example, in order to move to cooking process 2 after completing cooking process 1 using the first heating means HM1, the food to be cooked is moved into the heating chamber 6, and then the operation of the second heating means HM2 is started, so there is a pause period between cooking process 1 and cooking process 2 during which no heating operation is performed.
[0055] In this "cooperative cooking mode" KM3, the control condition data (recipe data) is prepared for each specific food to be cooked (for example, hamburger steak, roast beef, or gratin). The control condition data (recipe data) specifies the heating means to be used, the order in which the heating means are driven, and the control conditions of the heating means (including at least one of the heating power, heating time, etc., but are not limited to these).
[0056] The control condition data (recipe data) is stored in both the cooking appliance 1 and the recipe DB 302. The control condition data (recipe data) stored in the recipe DB and the cooking appliance 1 does not need to be the same. For example, the recipe DB 302 may be configured such that new control condition data of the coordinated cooking mode KM3 is sequentially added, and the control condition data (recipe data) of a composite cooking menu is sequentially accumulated.
[0057] When the cooking appliance 1 acquires the cooking condition data for executing the cooperative cooking mode KM3 from the smartphone 200, the data is one cooking menu unit selected by the user on the smartphone 200. This is not limited to the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3, but is also common to the "combined cooking mode" KM2 and the "single cooking mode."
[0058] As described above, the smartphone 200 requests the recipe information providing server 301 to provide a recipe for a desired food to be cooked, and downloads the cooking condition data CD1 corresponding to the desired recipe.
[0059] The smartphone 200 can transmit cooking condition data CD2 corresponding to the recipe acquired from the recipe information providing server 301 to the cooker 1. In order to use such a recipe acquisition function, a user of the cooking appliance 1 accesses a recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) and installs an application for selecting a recipe (hereinafter, referred to as a recipe selection app) on the smartphone 200.
[0060] When the user installs the recipe selection application, the user performs an operation to register identification information such as the model name of the cooking device as an initial setting. This registration allows the user to obtain cooking condition data corresponding to the specifications of the cooking device 1 (such as the heating capacity of each of the heating means HM1 to HM3) from a recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301).
[0061] Furthermore, the user performs pairing between the smartphone 200 and the cooking appliance 1 using the recipe selection application, and establishes wireless communication 400 between the smartphone 200 and the cooking appliance 1. Note that this wireless communication may be performed using a near field communication (NFC) method.
[0062] Next, referring to FIG. The cooking system in Fig. 2 differs from that in Fig. 1 in the role of the smartphone 200. Also, it is the cooker 1, not the smartphone 200, that accesses a recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) and obtains an application for selecting a recipe (referred to as a "recipe selection application").
[0063] The smartphone 200 and a recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) are connected via a network 202 such as the Internet. The recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) and the cooking appliance 1 are connected via a network 203 such as an internet line. A wireless router (not shown) may be interposed between the smartphone 200 and the cloud server 300. Similarly, a wireless router (not shown) may be interposed between the cooking appliance 1 and the cloud server 300.
[0064] 2, cooking condition data CD3 (corresponding to a recipe) created by the user can be transmitted to the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) by smartphone 200, temporarily stored in the recipe DB 302, and provided to the cooker 1. In other words, when the smartphone 200 is located far away from the house in which the cooker 1 is installed (e.g., when away from home), the cooking condition data CD3 of the smartphone 200 can be conveniently stored in the recipe information providing server 301.
[0065] The cooking appliance 1 downloads cooking condition data CD4 corresponding to a specific recipe stored in the recipe information providing server 301 through the network 203 between the cooking appliance 1 and the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301). In this case, the cooking condition data CD4 may be the cooking condition data CD2 provided by the smartphone 200.
[0066] In order to utilize such a function of (directly) acquiring information from recipe data (cooking condition data), the user of the cooking appliance 1 accesses a recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) and installs in advance an application for selecting recipes (hereinafter referred to as recipe selection application) in the cooking appliance 1. It is convenient to make this installation possible to be easily executed in the cooking appliance 1 as one menu of a "function mode" described later.
[0067] When the user installs the recipe selection application, the user performs an operation to register identification information such as the model name of the cooking device as an initial setting. This registration allows the user to obtain cooking condition data corresponding to the specifications of the cooking device 1 (such as the heating capacity of each of the heating means HM1 to HM3) from a recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301).
[0068] In the heating and cooking system of Figure 2, the user may obtain cooking condition data CD1 (corresponding to a recipe) as described in Figure 1, display and confirm the contents of the cooking condition data CD1 on the display screen of the smartphone 200, and then modify a portion of the cooking condition data CD1 as cooking condition data CD3 and store it in the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) as described in Figure 2.
[0069] In the cooking system shown in FIG. 1, when the smartphone 200 and the cooking appliance 1 are located close to each other, the cooking condition data CD2 can be provided from the smartphone 200 to the cooking appliance 1. However, when the smartphone 200 is taken to a remote outdoor location, for example, the cooking appliance 1 cannot directly acquire the cooking condition data CD2. In contrast, in the cooking system shown in FIG. 2, regardless of the location of the smartphone 200, as long as the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) can be accessed, the cooking condition data CD4 can be downloaded and used for cooking.
[0070] Next, referring to FIG. The cooking system shown in FIG. 3 differs from that shown in FIG. 1 in the role of the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301). In the cooking system of FIG. 3, the cooker 1 accesses a recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) and downloads cooking condition data CD6.
[0071] In the cooking system of FIG. 3, the cooker 1 can access a recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) to provide cooking condition data CD7. For example, if cooking is actually performed and the cooking is satisfactory, after the cooking, the cooking condition data remaining in the storage unit of the cooking device 1 can be provided to the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) as improved cooking condition data CD7. Such favorite recipes of the user can be registered (stored) in the recipe information providing server 301 as "favorite recipes." Note that this system differs from the cooking system in FIG. 1 in that it is the cooking device 1 that acquires the application for recipe selection (referred to as a "recipe selection app").
[0072] The cooking appliance 1 and the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) are connected via networks 204, 205 such as the Internet. A wireless router (not shown) may be interposed between the cooking appliance 1 and the cloud server 300. Similarly, a wireless router (not shown) may be interposed between the networks 204, 205 between the cooking appliance 1 and the cloud server 300. A wireless router (not shown) may also be interposed between the smartphone 200 and the cloud server 300.
[0073] 3, a user can directly obtain cooking condition data CD6 from a recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) using cooker 1. Therefore, even if the user does not own smartphone 200, the user can obtain cooking condition data CD6 of a desired recipe from the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) every time cooking is performed. As described above, if the cooking is actually performed and the cooking is satisfactory, the cooking condition data CD7 can be provided to the recipe providing site (recipe information providing server 301) after the cooking is performed. Therefore, the cooking condition data CD7 can be called up from the cooking device 1 and used for cooking from the next time onwards, which is convenient.
[0074] [2. Configuration of cooking device] Next, the configuration of the cooking device 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5, cooking appliance 1 is a built-in type IH cooking heater that is incorporated into kitchen furniture 600 that has a cooking counter on top. Cooking appliance 1 has a main body 2 and a top plate 3 installed on main body 2. Top plate 3 is exposed above a kitchen countertop that constitutes the top surface of kitchen furniture 600.
[0075] The top plate 3 is composed of, for example, a heat-resistant glass plate and a metal frame attached to the periphery of the glass plate. On the upper surface of the top plate 3, three heating ports 4 are provided: a left heating port 4L, a right heating port 4R, and a central heating port 4C.
[0076] The left heating port 4L, the right heating port 4R, and the central heating port 4C indicate the area where a metal cooking container such as a pot or a frying pan (also called the "heated object" for the first heating means HM1) is placed. Guide marks (not shown) serving as guides for placing the heated object are printed on the upper surface of the top plate 3 for the left heating port 4L, the right heating port 4R, and the central heating port 4C.
[0077] An exhaust port cover 5 is provided on the back side (rear side) of the top plate 3. The exhaust port cover 5 is made of a punched metal or a lattice-shaped metal member with numerous small through holes, and has good ventilation throughout and low ventilation resistance. Exhaust air released from inside the cooking appliance 1 passes through the exhaust port cover 5 and exits to the outside of the cooking appliance 1.
[0078] A door (heating door) 7 for opening and closing the front of a heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 5) disposed inside the main body 2 is provided on the front of the cooking device 1. The door 7 is provided with a handle 8 for opening and closing the door.
[0079] Fig. 5 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the cooking device 1 according to embodiment 1 as viewed from the side. As shown in Fig. 5, an induction heating coil 9L (hereinafter referred to as "left IH coil") serving as a left induction heating means is provided below the left heating port 4L.
[0080] Similarly, an induction heating coil 9R (hereinafter referred to as the "right IH coil") serving as a right induction heating means is provided below the right heating port 4R, and an induction heating coil 9C (hereinafter referred to as the "central IH coil") serving as a central induction heating means is provided below the central heating port 4C.
[0081] These IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R are circular heating coils made by winding thin conductors such as copper or aluminum wires, and generate a high-frequency magnetic field when a high-frequency current is supplied to them, which inductively heats the cooking vessels (objects to be heated) placed over the left heating port 4L, right heating port 4R, and center heating port 4C.
[0082] The heating means including the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R and their drive circuits (high-frequency power supply circuits such as inverter circuits, not shown) may be referred to as the induction heating source 9 or the first heating means HM1. In the following description, the term "first heating means" HM1 will be used unless there is a particular contradiction.
[0083] A temperature sensor group 30 (not shown) consisting of a plurality of temperature sensors is mounted near the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R to detect the temperatures of the top plate 3 and the cooking vessel (the object to be heated). One temperature sensor 30A (not shown) constitutes one sensor in the temperature sensor group 30 shown in FIG.
[0084] The heating chamber 6 is provided inside the main body 2 and below the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R. The heating chamber 6 is surrounded by a metal wall such as stainless steel, and is a space for heating the food (foodstuffs, ingredients) contained in the heating chamber 6.
[0085] The food to be cooked may be placed on a heat-resistant plastic container, a porcelain or heat-resistant glass dish, or may be placed inside a container and placed in the heating chamber 6, in which case the dish or container may be called the "heated container." However, since the container is not induction-heated by the IH coils 9C, 9L, 9R, even if it is placed on the heating port 4 of the top plate 3, it is not called the "heated food" of the IH coils 9C, 9L, 9R.
[0086] An opening is formed in the front of the heating chamber 6 for putting in and taking out the food to be cooked. The opening in the front of the heating chamber 6 is covered by a door 7 which can be opened and closed freely. The door 7 is supported by the main body 2 so as to be rotatable via a hinge and an arm (not shown). This allows the door 7 to open forward to a horizontal position with its lower end portion as a fulcrum (center of rotation). The door 7 may be pulled forward integrally with a support member (a structure such as a shelf, not shown) that supports the container to be heated from below, by a slide rail (not shown).
[0087] Door 7 is provided with an opening / closing detector 10 for detecting opening / closing of door 7. Opening / closing detector 10 is, for example, a microswitch or an infrared sensor. A microwave oscillator 11 for heating the food placed in heating chamber 6 is provided behind heating chamber 6. Microwave oscillator 11 is, for example, composed of a magnetron, and irradiates microwaves into heating chamber 6 to heat the food placed in the heating chamber, that is, perform so-called range heating.
[0088] The heating means including the microwave oscillator 11 and its drive circuit (which refers to a high-frequency power supply circuit such as an inverter circuit, not shown) may be called second heating means HM2.
[0089] Additionally, upper radiant heat heating means 12a and lower radiant heat heating means 12b are provided in the heating chamber 6 to heat the food from above and below with so-called heaters. The upper radiant heat heating means 12a is disposed on the outer or inner ceiling wall surface of the heating chamber 6, and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b is disposed on the inner or outer wall surface of the heating chamber 6, and both are sheath heaters.
[0090] Other types of radiant heat heating means (e.g., a mica heater or a carbon heater) may be installed outside the heating chamber 6. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b are both installed in close contact with the outer wall surface of the heating chamber 6.
[0091] The heating means including the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b and their drive circuits (not shown) may be referred to as the third heating means HM3. The upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b may be collectively referred to as the "radiant heat heating means", in which case the reference number "12" is used.
[0092] Further, in the heating chamber 6, an infrared sensor 13, which is a non-contact temperature sensor, is provided to detect the temperature of the food to be cooked in the heating chamber 6 in a non-contact manner. The temperature range detected by this infrared sensor 13 is set to, for example, -20°C to 100°C. This makes it possible to detect the degree of heating of the food to be cooked in increments of 1°C with high accuracy in real time. This infrared sensor 13 also constitutes one sensor in the group of temperature sensors 30 shown in FIG. 11.
[0093] In addition, the heating chamber 6 is also provided with a contact-type temperature sensor (eg, a thermistor sensor) 14 which is an interior temperature sensor that detects the atmospheric temperature inside the heating chamber 6 or the wall surface temperature of the heating chamber 6.
[0094] The thermistor sensor 14 has the characteristic of detecting temperature by detecting a change in electrical resistance, and therefore the upper limit of the temperature that can be detected is approximately 250° C. This thermistor sensor 14 constitutes one sensor in the temperature sensor group 30 shown in Fig. 10. Note that this thermistor sensor 14 may be installed in two locations, near the bottom surface and near the ceiling surface of the heating chamber 6, as shown in Fig. 5.
[0095] Fig. 6 is a top view of the cooking device 1 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 6, a left operation unit 15L, a central operation unit 15M, and a right operation unit 15R are provided on the front side of the upper surface of the top plate 3 of the cooking device 1. These three operation units may be collectively referred to as "input operation units", in which case the reference numeral 15 is used.
[0096] At the rear (rear) side of the left operating unit 15L, the central operating unit 15M and the right operating unit 15R, there are provided a left display unit 16L, a central display unit 16M and a right display unit 16R, a left heating power display unit 17L, a right heating power display unit 17R and a central heating status display unit 17M.
[0097] The left display unit 16L, the center display unit 16M, and the right display unit 16R may be collectively referred to as the "display unit", in which case the reference numeral 16 is used. The center display unit 16M has a horizontally long liquid crystal display screen. The left display unit 16L and the right display unit 16R display the heat level using light-emitting elements (such as LEDs) and do not have a display screen.
[0098] The left heating power display unit 17L, the right heating power display unit 17R and the central heating status display unit 17M may be collectively referred to as the "heat power display units", in which case the reference number 17 will be used.
[0099] In addition, adjacent to the right operation unit 15R, there is provided an operation button (key) 20A for a main power switch 20 (see FIG. 11). The main power switch 20 turns on or off the main power of the cooking appliance 1. The button (key) that is pressed when turning the power on and off is the operation button.
[0100] When the main power supply of the cooking device 1 is OFF, pressing the operation button 20A for, for example, several seconds turns the main power supply ON. Also, when the main power supply of the cooking device 1 is ON, pressing the operation button 20A for, for example, several seconds turns the main power supply OFF.
[0101] 7 is an enlarged view of the left display unit 17L, the left heating power display unit 16L, and the left operation unit 15L according to embodiment 1. The left display unit 17L displays information related to cooking in the left heating port 4L, and is formed, for example, by a liquid crystal display.
[0102] The left display unit 17L displays the set time for timer cooking for the object to be heated placed on the left heating port 4L, the elapsed time since the heating operation at the left heating port 4L started, or the remaining time until the timer set time ends. Alternatively, when preheat cooking at the left heating port 4L is selected, the left display unit 17L displays the automatically set temperature (default temperature) or the current temperature. The automatically set temperature (default temperature) refers to the target temperature of the bottom surface of the object to be heated (e.g., a metal pot) when the object to be heated is heated at the left heating port 4L. The default temperature can be arbitrarily changed by the user within a certain range.
[0103] The left heating power display unit 16L is composed of multiple light-emitting elements (LEDs) arranged in a horizontal line, and displays the heating power of the left heating port 4L in multiple stages. The left heating power display unit 16L expresses the heating power by switching the lighting state (on, off, blinking, etc.) of the multiple LEDs or by switching the lighting color. This allows the user to be notified of the heating power in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.
[0104] The left operation section 15L is used to input operations related to cooking at the left heating port 4L. 7, the left operation unit 15L has five input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L. These input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L are capacitive touch sensors (touch switches) that can input by utilizing a change in capacitance when the user lightly touches them with a finger or the like.
[0105] A light emitting unit 21L is provided corresponding to the input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L. The light emitting unit 21L is composed of a plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs), and emits light in response to the operation of the input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L. Note that two adjacent input keys 154L and 155L share one light emitting unit 21L because they perform the same type of function, that is, increasing and decreasing the flame power.
[0106] The input key 151L is a key that is pressed when selecting timer cooking for the left heating port 4L. Timer cooking is a cooking method in which the user sets a cooking time and performs induction heating operation only for the set time.
[0107] The input key 152L is a key that is pressed when selecting a control menu to be performed by the left heating port 4L. Each time the input key 152L is pressed, one of a plurality of control menus can be selected. The "control menu" referred to here is, for example, boiling water, stewing, deep frying (automatic cooking), etc. The operating time, heat power, or operating pattern of the left heating port 4L differs for each control menu.
[0108] The control menu for using the left heating port 4L and the right heating port 4R by operating the left operation unit 15L or the right operation unit 15R without operating the central operation unit 15M is the control menu for the "single cooking mode" KM1, which uses induction heating only. The "single cooking mode" KM1 will be described later.
[0109] The input key 153L is a key that is pressed to start or stop cooking in the left heating port 4L. That is, by pressing the input key 153L, the left IH coil 9L arranged below the left heating port 4L is driven. When the input key 153L is pressed again while the left IH coil 9L is being driven, the driving of the left IH coil 9L is stopped and the induction heating operation is immediately stopped.
[0110] The input keys 154L and 155L are keys that are pressed when specifying the heat power during heating cooking at the left heating port 4L. Pressing the input key 154L on the left side decreases the heat power by one level. Conversely, pressing the input key 155L on the right side increases the heat power by one level. The heat power during induction heating cooking at the left heating port 4L has nine levels, ranging from the minimum rated heat power (heat power level 1: 150W) to the maximum rated heat power (heat power level 9: 3200W).
[0111] 8 is an enlarged view of the right display unit 17R, right heating power display unit 16R, and right operation unit 15R according to embodiment 1. The right display unit 17R displays information related to cooking in the right heating port 4R, and is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display. The information related to cooking in the right heating port 4R displayed on the right display unit 17R is the same as the information related to cooking in the left heating port 4L.
[0112] The right heating power display unit 16R is composed of multiple light-emitting elements (LEDs) and displays the heating power of the right heating port 4R in multiple stages. Like the left heating power display unit 16L, the right heating power display unit 16R expresses the heating power by switching the lighting state (on, off, blinking, etc.) of the multiple light-emitting elements (LEDs) or by switching the lighting color.
[0113] The right operation unit 15R is used to input operations related to cooking at the right heating port 4R. As shown in Fig. 8, the right operation unit 15R includes five input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R and 155R.
[0114] The input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R, and 155R are capacitive touch sensors that can provide input by utilizing a change in capacitance when the user lightly touches the keys with a finger or the like.
[0115] A light emitting unit 21R is provided corresponding to each of the input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R, and 155R. The light emitting unit 21R is a light emitting element (LED), and the light emitting unit 21R corresponding to each of the input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R, and 155R emits light in response to the operation of the input keys. However, two adjacent input keys 154R and 155R share one light emitting unit 21R because they have the same type of function of increasing and decreasing the flame power.
[0116] The input key 151R is a key that is pressed when selecting timer cooking for the right heating port 4R. The input key 152R is a key that is pressed when selecting a control menu to be performed for the right heating port 4R.
[0117] Input key 153R is a key that is pressed to start or stop cooking at right heating port 4R. Input keys 154R and 154R are keys that are pressed to specify the heat power during cooking at right heating port 4R. Pressing left input key 154R decreases the heat power by one level. Conversely, pressing right input key 155R increases the heat power by one level. Note that there are nine heat power levels during induction cooking at right heating port 4R, ranging from a rated minimum heat power (heat power level 1) of 150W to a rated maximum heat power (heat power level 9) of 3200W.
[0118] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of central display unit 16M, central operation unit 15M, and central heating status display unit 17M according to the first embodiment.
[0119] The central display unit 16M is configured with a liquid crystal display and displays information and warnings regarding the entire cooking device 1. The display screen of the central display unit 16M displays the selection result of the induction heating means (first heating means) HM1, the microwave heating means (second heating means) HM2, and the radiant heat heating means (third heating means) HM3, the operating state of each heating means, and caution information or warning information regarding cooking with each heating means.
[0120] The central display unit 16M is a single liquid crystal display in terms of hardware, but as shown in Fig. 9, it has three display areas, a first display area 22 on the left, a second display area 23 in the center of the left and right, and a third display area 24 on the right, and each display area can perform a different display. Also, the three display areas 22-24 may be appropriately linked to become one (wide area) display area depending on the display scene, and may perform a single purpose of display. In the following, the first display area 22 will be referred to as the first area 22, the second display area 23 as the second area 23, and the third display area 24 as the third area 24.
[0121] The central heating status display unit 17M is divided into two levels in the front-to-rear direction. The lower level (front side) is composed of a range light-emitting element (LED) 310 located behind the range text display unit, a grill light-emitting element (LED) 311 located behind the grill text display unit, an oven light-emitting element (LED) 312 located behind the oven text display unit, and a central IH light-emitting element (LED) 313 located behind the central IH text display unit. The upper level (rear side) is composed of a group of high temperature warning light-emitting elements (LEDs) 314 arranged in front of and below the warning text ``Caution: High Temperature'' and a figure that diagrammatically represents the heating chamber 6 and the three heating ports 4L, 4C, and 4R on the top plate 3.
[0122] The high temperature caution light emitting element (LED) group 314 is made up of a heating chamber high temperature caution light emitting element (LED) 314a and an IH high temperature caution light emitting element (LED) 314b aligned on the left and right.
[0123] The heating chamber high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) 314a lights up when the temperature inside the heating chamber 6 is high, for example, 50° C. or higher. The IH high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) 314b lights up when any of the left IH coil 9L, right IH coil 9R, and center IH coil 9C is in operation or when the temperature of the top plate 3 is high, for example, 50° C. or higher.
[0124] Central operation unit 15M is used to input operations mainly related to cooking in heating chamber 6 and cooking by central heating port 4C. As shown in FIG. 9, the central operation unit 15M includes nine input keys 151M, 152M, 153M, 154M, 155M, 156M, 157M, 158M, and 159M, and a function setting key 151KP (not shown).
[0125] The nine input keys 151M to 159M are capacitive touch sensors. In addition, light emitting units 21M are provided in the vicinity of each of the input keys 151M to 159M.
[0126] The function setting key 151KP (not shown) is located on the leftmost side of the central operation unit 15M. The function setting key 151KP is used to set various operations and displays of the entire cooking device 1 as desired by the user.
[0127] When the function setting key 151KP (not shown) is pressed, the control device 40, which will be described later, switches to a "function mode", and displays a "function setting menu" such as the one shown below on the display screen of the central display unit 16M. (1) Child lock setting (setting to disable operation of various input keys). (2) Set the ventilation fan linkage mode. (3) Cleaning guide setting (setting the automatic notification function for when to clean the heating chamber 6 and exhaust vent cover 5). (4) Peak cut setting (select maximum power consumption from four levels: 5700W, 5000W, 4800W, or 4000W). (5) Audio guide audio settings. (6) Audio guide volume settings. (7) Settings to prevent food, cooking utensils, etc. from being forgotten to be removed from the heating chamber 6 (whether or not an alarm is required by the audio notification unit 50 and the central display unit 16M). (8) HEMS registration settings (settings related to the power usage restriction function of the home power control device). (9) Setting the time unit for timer cooking (change the 1-minute setting to 5-minute or 30-minute units). (10) Switching between beginner mode and normal (expert) mode. (11) Setting the type (range) of inventory information to be obtained from an external device (refrigerator: not shown). (12) Setting the display priority (specific cooking menu to be displayed as default, identification information 167) of each cooking menu (for example, “hamburger steak”) in the collaborative cooking mode KM3. (13) Setting the display priority (the specific control menu to be displayed as the default) of each control menu of the composite cooking mode KM2 (e.g., "Grill in the microwave" and "Pre-boil leafy vegetables"). (14) Setting the cooking mode to be automatically displayed on the central display unit 16M when the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened after the main power switch 20 is turned “ON” (such as the display priority between the linked cooking mode KM3 and the combined cooking mode KM2). (15) A setting for preventing the automatic display of additional information 165 and 166 (see FIG. 15) described later and a setting for preventing the audio notification unit 50 from notifying the additional information 165 and 166 by audio.
[0128] The "beginner mode" is an optional function for people (users) who are not familiar with using the cooking device 1, and when the beginner mode is set, the contents of the voice guidance in the voice notification unit 50 become more detailed and thorough. Also, the number of voice guidance regarding the input operation in the input operation unit 15 increases, and the amount of display information on the display screen of the central display unit 16M increases.
[0129] When the beginner mode is set, particularly in the case of cooking in the composite cooking mode KM2 and the cooperative cooking mode KM3, the amount of reference information (including, for example, additional information 165, 166 described later) displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M increases in cooking process 1 and cooking process 2, or the content of the voice guidance in the voice notification unit 50 increases. This enhances the function of supporting the user's input operations.
[0130] In addition, in conjunction with switching from the "beginner mode" to the "normal (expert) mode", the contents of the voice guidance from the voice notification unit 50 may be automatically set to not change.
[0131] When the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened after the main power switch 20 described later is turned "ON," the cooking mode setting automatically displayed on the central display unit 16M refers to setting either the coordinated cooking mode KM3 or the combined cooking mode KM2. Since both the coordinated cooking mode KM3 and the combined cooking mode KM2 use the same central display unit 16M, the user can set the display of either one to take priority. This will be described in detail later. Note that in the first embodiment, the "combined cooking mode" KM2 here exceptionally includes the cooking menus of some single cooking modes, such as the single cooking mode KM1 using the central IH coil 9M.
[0132] When the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened after the main power switch 20 is turned "ON", the control device 40 detects that the door 7 has been opened. There is a function that presumes that the user will be cooking using the heating chamber 6, and automatically displays either the first specific screen 16M1 for the linked cooking mode KM3 or the second specific screen 16M2 for the combined cooking mode KM2 on the central display unit 16M. In addition, immediately after the main power switch 20 is turned "ON", a standby initial screen 16MHK, which will be described later, is displayed on the central display section 16M. After that, immediately after the door 7 is opened, the second specific screen 16M2 is automatically displayed.
[0133] After the "Function Setting Menu" is displayed on the display screen of central display unit 16M, by "pressing and holding" (hereinafter referred to as "long press") a specific input key (e.g., 154M) other than function setting key 151KP, one setting menu from the "Function Setting Menu" can be selected and then changed to the desired setting content.
[0134] Alternatively, if two specific input keys other than the function setting key 151KP are pressed and held simultaneously, one of the setting menus in the function setting menu described above can be called up and the desired setting contents can be changed.
[0135] The "long press" refers to a state in which the button is pressed continuously for five seconds or more, for example. The control device 40 judges whether or not the state is a "long press" by comparing the timing of the touch input on the central operation unit 15M with a reference value. That is, the timing when the input keys (for example, 154M and 155M) on the central operation unit 15M are pressed simultaneously can be determined by the "ON" (when touched)-"OFF" (when not touched) signal transmitted from the input operation unit 15M to the control device 40, and the control device 40 measures the time from the "ON" signal to the time when it changes to the "OFF" signal to judge whether or not it is a "long press."
[0136] The type (range) of inventory information obtained from the refrigerator (not shown) may be, for example, limited to only frozen foods, or limited to only food ingredients that can be heated by a microwave heating source (second heating means HM2).
[0137] In the central display section 16M, when the control mode and control conditions (temperature, heat, time, etc.) of the first heating means HM1, the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are being selected, the input function of the function setting key 151KP is disabled so as not to switch the function mode.
[0138] The following describes the setting of the peak cut value of the cooking appliance 1. Even if the default value at the time of shipment from the manufacturer is 5400W, it can be set to any of 5000W, 4800W, or 4000W when the appliance is installed in the user's home.
[0139] In this way, the functions of the cooking appliance 1 can be changed by the function setting key 151KP according to the user's wishes and the usage environment (power situation of the home where the appliance is installed), etc. When the peak cut value is set in this way, the setting result is stored in the control device 40, and is used to determine whether or not to permit the use of the linked cooking mode KM3 when the user selects the linked cooking mode KM3, as described below. Therefore, the peak cut value cannot be changed by the function setting key 151KP (not shown) during the period when cooking condition data, described below, is being received from the communication terminal device 200.
[0140] The light emitting section 21M is composed of an LED, and emits light in response to the operation of the input keys 151M to 159M. The two adjacent input keys 155M and 154M have in common the function of changing the display content of the first area 22, and therefore share one light-emitting section 21M.
[0141] The two adjacent input keys 157M and 156M have in common the function of changing the display content of the second area 23, and therefore share one light-emitting section 21M. The two adjacent input keys 159M and 158M have in common the function of changing the display content of the third area 24, and therefore share one light-emitting section 21M.
[0142] Input key 151M is a start key that is pressed (touched) to start cooking, and input key 152M is a cancel key that is pressed (touched) to stop or end cooking.
[0143] The input key 153M is a key that is operated to select the "single cooking mode" KM1, the "combined cooking mode" KM2, or the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 that executes the "control menu" described above.
[0144] When any one of the "single cooking mode M3", "composite cooking mode M2" and "combined cooking mode M1" is selected, the selection result is displayed on the central display unit 16M. The "single cooking mode M3", "composite cooking mode M2" and "combined cooking mode M1" will be described in detail later.
[0145] As shown in FIG. 9, the input keys 154M and 155M are located adjacent to and in front of the first area 22 of the central display unit 16M, and are keys for switching the display content of the screen displayed in the first area 22 of the central display unit 16M.
[0146] Next, FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the central display section 16M. When the input key 154M is pressed, that is, when the user operates it, the content displayed in the first area 22, for example, the display information 25A of "Microwave manual" in one control menu belonging to the "combined cooking mode" KM2, moves backward. At the same time, the display information 25B of "Pre-boil leafy vegetables" displayed in the front is moved to the center.
[0147] In addition, when the input key 155M is pressed, i.e., operated by the user, the display information 25A for "Microwave Manual" displayed in the first area 22 moves forward, and the display information 25C for "Warm" displayed at the rear is displayed in the center.
[0148] In this manner, the user can select a particular control menu (eg, "Range Manual") within the "Control Menu" by operating input keys 154M and 155M.
[0149] It should be noted that the "manual range" control menu originally belongs to the "single cooking mode M3" which uses only the second heating means HM2, but in addition to this, control menus (for composite cooking) belonging to the "composite cooking mode M2" and "linked cooking mode M1", respectively, as well as control menus and linked cooking menus (for example, "hamburger steak"), are also displayed in the first area 22.
[0150] Then, when input key 151M is pressed, that is, when operated by the user, in the case of FIG. 9, "Microwave Manual" is selected from the control menu displayed in the center, and the corresponding heating is started, that is, the heating means (in this case, microwave oscillation source 11) is driven. Thus, input keys 154M and 155M correspond to the selection keys of the control menu operated by the user. Similarly, they correspond to the selection keys of the control menu (for composite cooking). Furthermore, they also correspond to the selection keys of the linked cooking menu.
[0151] In FIG. 9, input keys 156M and 157M are arranged adjacent to the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M, in a position near the front of it, and are keys for switching the display content of the screen displayed in the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M.
[0152] Explaining the example of Fig. 10, by pressing input key 156M, the wattage (microwave output value) displayed in second area 23 ("500W" in Fig. 10) is increased by one step (e.g., to "600W"). Conversely, by pressing input key 157M, the wattage displayed in second area 23 is decreased by one step (e.g., to "200W").
[0153] By operating input keys 156M and 157M, the user can select the wattage (microwave output value) for range cooking performed in heating chamber 5 (a type of "single cooking mode M3" using microwave source 11).
[0154] The input keys 158M and 159M are disposed adjacent to the third area 24 of the central display unit 16M, in the vicinity of the front thereof, and are used to switch the display contents displayed in the third area 24.
[0155] 10, when input key 158M is pressed, the heating operation time displayed in the third area 24 is increased by one step. Conversely, when input key 159M is pressed, the heating operation time displayed in the third area 24 is decreased by one step. The user can select the time for microwave cooking to be performed in the heating chamber 6 by operating input keys 158M and 159M.
[0156] Next, referring to FIG. FIG. 11 is a control block diagram showing main functions of the cooking device 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the cooking device 1 includes a control device 40 that controls the cooking device 1 as a whole.
[0157] The control device 40 is an electronic circuit board on which electronic components such as a control circuit that controls the operation of each part of the cooking device 1 are mounted. The control device 40 controls the driving of the left IH coil 9L and the right IH coil 9R based on the operation of the left operation unit 15L and the right operation unit 15R and the temperature of the object to be heated on the top plate 3.
[0158] The control device 40 controls the operation of the central IH coil 3C, the microwave heating means 11, the upper radiant heat heating means 12a, and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b based on the operation of the central operation unit 15M, the temperature of the heated object on the top plate 3, and the detection results of the infrared sensor 13 and the thermistor sensor 14.
[0159] Furthermore, the control device 40 controls the displays of the left display unit 16L, the right display unit 16R, the left heating power display unit 17L, and the right heating power display unit 17R based on the operations of the left operation unit 15L and the right operation unit 15R.
[0160] Furthermore, the control device 40 controls the display of the central display unit 16M and the central heating status display unit 17M based on an open signal from the open / close detection unit 10 and the operations of the left operation unit 15L, the right operation unit 15R and the central operation unit 15M.
[0161] The control device 40 has a storage device 41 that stores data such as various programs and parameters used to control the cooking appliance 1 (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as "control data") and data of the display screens displayed on the display units 16L, 16R, 16M, 17L, and 17R (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as "display condition data"). The control device 40 also activates the audio notification unit 50 as necessary to notify the user of the operating status of the cooking appliance 1 by audio.
[0162] The control device 40 stores in a cooking condition data storage section 42 of the storage device 41 various programs and data such as parameters used for the heating control section 43 to control cooking (hereinafter referred to as “cooking condition data”).
[0163] The "cooking condition data" and the "display condition data" may be acquired by the cooker 1 from an external device such as the communication terminal device 200, either together or separately.
[0164] A storage unit 42 stores the "cooking condition data" and the "display condition data". The storage unit 42 may be configured as one section (area) in the storage device 41, or may be configured as a separate unit from the storage device 41 in terms of hardware.
[0165] Reference numeral 43 denotes a heating control section that performs integrated control of the entire heating operation of the cooking device 1, and is mainly composed of a microcomputer. A data acquisition unit 53 acquires the “cooking condition data” from the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51. In addition, the data acquisition unit 53 may acquire the “display condition data” from the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51.
[0166] Reference numeral 51 denotes a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the outside, and has a function of performing wireless communication 400 with the smartphone 200 as shown in Fig. 1 or 3. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the communication unit 51 has a function of forming networks 203, 204, and 205 with the cloud server 300.
[0167] Reference numeral 54 denotes an authorization condition determination unit that performs a process of determining whether or not cooking in the combined cooking mode KM3 is permitted. Reference numeral 57 denotes a power supply circuit, which supplies power of a constant voltage to the control device 40. Reference numeral 20 denotes a main power supply switch inserted in this power supply circuit 57.
[0168] [3. Configuration of the control menu on the central operation unit] Next, the selectable control menu displayed on central display unit 16M by central operation unit 15M will be described with reference to FIG.
[0169] FIG. 12 shows the entire control menu that can be selected by the central operation unit 15M. The control menus that can be selected by the central operating unit 15M are divided into an RG (range grill) menu group that uses the microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) and one or both of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b, and an IH menu group that uses the central IH coil 9C corresponding to the central heating port 4C.
[0170] The control menu shown in Fig. 12 is classified into four categories (categories 1 to 4) in Fig. 13. As is clear from Fig. 13, the control menu is roughly classified into a single cooking mode KM1 and a combined cooking mode KM2. Although the combined cooking mode KM3 is not shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the combined cooking menu can be executed in the combined cooking mode on the central operation unit 15M.
[0171] When the main power switch 20 is turned "ON" and the input key 154M or 155R is pressed without operating the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M, the combined cooking mode KM2 is selected.
[0172] Therefore, the display screen of the central display portion 16M is switched to the second specific screen 16M2. In the first area 22 of the second specific screen 16M2, the control menu "Warm" shown in the "Left display area" of Fig. 12 is always displayed first. This is because the control menu "Warm" is set as the default.
[0173] The "left display area" in Fig. 12 is a display area that corresponds to the first area 22 described in Fig. 9. In other words, the various control menus described in the "left display area" in Fig. 12 are displayed sequentially in the first area 22.
[0174] As shown in the "left display area" of Figure 12, in addition to "Warm," there are 13 control menus: "Microwave manual," "Pre-boil leafy vegetables," "Pre-boil root vegetables," "Defrost meat," "Microwave grill (RG) cooking," "Microwave grill (RG) re-heat," "Microwave grill (RG) manual," "Grill," "Oven," "IH keep warm," "IH rice cooking," and "IH heat."
[0175] The control menus "Warm", "Manual microwave", "Pre-boil leafy vegetables", "Pre-boil root vegetables", "Defrost meat", "Range grill (RG) cooking", "Range grill (RG) reheat", "Range grill (RG) manual", "Grill", and "Oven" are included in the RG menu group. Additionally, "IH Keep Warm," "IH Cooking," and "IH Heating" are included in the IH menu group.
[0176] The contents described in the "Central Display Area" in Fig. 12 are displayed in the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M, and relate to adjustments of the heating conditions during cooking, such as temperature, time, heat, "high", "low", etc. In other words, various control conditions are described in the "Central Display Area". The contents of the default settings of this "Central Display Area" are listed in the "Default" column in the right column of the "Central Display Area".
[0177] The contents written in the "right display area" in Fig. 12 indicate the contents displayed in the third area 24 of the central display unit 16M. The contents of the default settings of the "right display area" are listed in the "Default" column in the right column of the "right display area". A blank space does not mean that a control condition can be changed, but rather that no information is displayed, or that an appropriate explanatory text that cannot be selected or changed (by the user) is displayed in the third area 24.
[0178] Next, a total of 13 types of control menus displayed in the "left display area" of FIG. 12 will be described. (1) Warming: Refers to heating the food in the heating chamber 6 using microwave heating means (second heating means HM2). This "warming" is also suitable for reheating the food. The default setting is "80°C", so microwave heating automatically stops when the food is heated to 80°C. Note that "80°C" is the target temperature, which can be adjusted by the user before heating begins. As shown in the central display area of Figure 12, for example, the range from 0°C to 90°C can be set in 5°C increments.
[0179] (2) Manual Range: This refers to using the microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) to heat the food in the heating chamber 6. The heating time is set by the user to a specific time between 10 seconds and 60 minutes.
[0180] (3) Leafy vegetable parboiling: This is suitable for boiling food in the heating chamber 6, particularly vegetables whose leaves are edible, such as spinach, Chinese cabbage, etc., using microwave heating means (second heating means HM2). The infrared sensor 13 measures the temperature rise of the food in real time and automatically stops.
[0181] (4) Parboiling of root vegetables: This is suitable for parboiling food items in the heating chamber 6, particularly roots, rhizomes, potatoes, and other root vegetables, using microwave heating means (second heating means HM2).
[0182] (5) Meat thawing: Suitable for thawing various kinds of frozen meat in the heating chamber 6. (6) Range grill (RG) cooking: Food items in the heating chamber 6 are cooked by combining microwave heating using a microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) with oven heating using upper radiant heat heating means 12a and lower radiant heat heating means 12b.
[0183] (7) Range Grill (RG) Re-cooking: Suitable for re-heating food that has already been cooked in the heating chamber 6. (8) Range Grill (RG) Manual: The user can select between microwave heating and oven heating as appropriate to heat and cook the food in the heating chamber 6.
[0184] (9) Grill: Uses either or both of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b to heat food in the heating chamber 5. That is, this is a control menu using the third heating means HM3.
[0185] In the "Grill" mode, the temperature of the heating chamber 6 is not managed, and the heating operation is not stopped when a rise in temperature of the food to be cooked is not detected. The heating operation is performed for a period of time specified by the user within a range of 10 seconds to 30 minutes.
[0186] (10) Oven: Either or both of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b are used to heat the food in the heating chamber 6. The temperature of the heating chamber 6 is measured in real time by a thermistor sensor 14, and the power supply to the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b is controlled so that the temperature reaches a set target temperature.
[0187] (11) IH Warmth: Heats an object to be heated, such as a pot, above the central heating port 4C, so as to keep it at a temperature set by the user. A low to medium heat of 200W to 750W is used for induction heating, and a temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C detects the temperature of the object to be heated in real time, and the heating control section 43 of the control device 40 controls the heat based on the detected temperature. The default temperature is 80°C, as shown in Fig. 12. For example, this is suitable for keeping soup warm.
[0188] (12) IH rice cooking: Heats according to the number of servings (amount of rice cooked) set by the user. Induction heating powers range from low to high, from 200W to 1500W. A temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C is used to detect abnormal heating of the object to be heated (also called an overheated state or overheating; the same applies below), and if an abnormal temperature is detected, the control device 40 reduces the heat or stops the heating operation.
[0189] (13) IH heating: Heats according to the induction heating power set by the user. There are five levels of heat that can be set: Heat 1: 200W, Heat 2: 500W, Heat 3: 750W, Heat 4: 1000W, and Heat 5: 1500W. A temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C is used to detect abnormal heating of the object to be heated, and if an abnormal temperature is detected, the control device 40 reduces the heat or stops the heating operation. The default heat is 500W.
[0190] Next, we will refer to FIG. FIG. 13 is a classification table of the RG control menus ("RG menu group" in FIG. 12) and the IH control menus of the single cooking mode KM1 using the induction heating source 9 ("IH menu group" in FIG. 12).
[0191] The "left display area" of the first region in Fig. 13 means the first area. As is clear from Fig. 13, the names of the control menus shown in Fig. 13 are also displayed in text in the first area 22 of the central display unit 16M, and are used by the user to select a control menu.
[0192] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage structure of various cooking control menus in the cooperative cooking mode and the combined cooking mode, and the correspondence between the menus and input keys. Information indicating the main points of each control menu shown in category 2 of FIG. 13 is stored as data in the third layer of cooking condition storage unit 42 as shown in FIG.
[0193] Therefore, by operating input keys 154M and 155M to select a desired control menu, the user can automatically or arbitrarily display information indicating the main points of each control menu shown in category 2 in Fig. 13, which corresponds one-to-one (is linked) to the selected control menu. Fig. 15 shows an example of this automatic display.
[0194] Next, the display on central display unit 16M when central operation unit 15M is operated will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. First, when the user presses the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 (see FIG. 11) to turn on the main power, the left operation unit 15R, the central operation unit 15M, and the right operation unit 15R are placed in a state in which they can accept operations, and a predetermined screen (hereinafter referred to as the "standby initial screen" 16MH) is displayed on the central display unit 16M, although this is not shown in the figure.
[0195] In this state, when the user presses the input key 154M or 155M, the display screen 15ST is displayed on the central display section 16M as shown in FIG. As is clear from the display screen 15ST, a name 160 of the control menu "Warm" is displayed large in the center of the first area 22 in the front-to-rear direction.
[0196] Behind the control menu identification information 160 "Warm" displayed in the center of the first area 22 are the words "IH heating" (control menu identification information) 161, and conversely, in front of it are the words "Microwave manual" (control menu identification information) 162, displayed slightly smaller.
[0197] This allows the user to know that when selecting a control menu, the next options are "IH heating" and "Microwave manual." If, at this stage, the input key 154M is pressed once, the control menu identification information 162 for "Microwave manual" is displayed large, as if it has moved (backwards) to the position of the character "Warm" (control menu identification information) 160. Note that the character of the control menu identification information 162 has not actually moved; the displayed information has simply switched.
[0198] Moreover, when the input key 155M is pressed once, the characters "IH heating" (control menu identification information) 161 are displayed large and seem to have moved (forward) to the position of the characters "Warm" (control menu identification information) 160. Note that in this case as well, the control menu identification information 162 has not actually moved, but the display information has simply been switched.
[0199] 15, the display screen 15ST displays a target temperature of "80°C" in the second area 23. When microwave heating is performed at this target temperature, when the thermistor sensor 14 detects that the temperature of the food to be cooked is 80°C, the microwave heating is automatically stopped.
[0200] If one wishes to change the temperature displayed in this second area 23 and thereby change the automatic stop temperature, one need only operate input key 156M or 157M; pressing input key 156M once will raise the temperature by 5°C to 85°C, as shown in display screen 15UP1, and pressing input key 167M once will lower the temperature by 5°C to 75°C, as shown in display screen 15DN1.
[0201] Also, in the second area 23, a heat source display section 163 is displayed which displays in text that the heat source is microwave heating means (second heating means HM2).
[0202] As described above, 164 is reference information that is automatically displayed to indicate that this is a recommended control menu for heating side dishes, etc. The content of this reference information may be other additional information 165, and two or more types of information may be displayed alternately or sequentially for several seconds each on the display screen (for example, the third area 24) of the central display unit 16M.
[0203] Furthermore, as shown in category 2 of FIG. 13, information (reference information) 164 indicating the main points of each control menu may be displayed at any time in response to the operation of the input keys 158 or 159. That is, in this embodiment 1, the reference information 164 that corresponds one-to-one with each control menu (e.g., "warm up") is displayed so that the user does not hesitate as to whether to select each control menu (e.g., "warm up").
[0204] Furthermore, when reference information 164 is displayed as shown in FIG. 15, when one of the (two) input keys 158M or 159M located in front of the reference information 164 is touched, more detailed additional information 166 may be displayed in the third area 24 instead of the reference information 164.
[0205] As shown in Figure 15, the aforementioned "composite cooking mode" KM2 is a mode in which multiple heating means with different heating principles, such as the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3, are driven simultaneously or automatically switched with a time lag to heat and cook a common food item.
[0206] In FIG. 15, the display screen of the central display section 16M is a dedicated display screen for the "combined cooking mode" KM2, and may be referred to as a "second specific screen" 16M2.
[0207] Next, a description will be given of FIGS. 16 is a plan view showing the relationship between the display operation of the central display unit 16M and the central operation unit 15M in the coordinated cooking mode KM3, showing a state during a heating operation.
[0208] In FIG. 16, when the main power switch 20 is turned "ON" to start up the control device 40 and the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M is pressed, a first specific screen 16M1 shown in this FIG. 16 is displayed.
[0209] Even if the input key 155M or 156M is pressed first and the setting operation for the "combined cooking mode" KM2, such as a single cooking mode such as microwave heating or microwave grill (RG) cooking, is halfway through, if it is at a stage before the input key 151M is pressed, the input process will change to the input process for the "combined cooking mode" KM3 at the stage when the input key 153M is pressed. In other words, from this stage, only the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed on the central display section 16M.
[0210] When input key 153M is touched, followed by input key 154M or 155M, further identification information (including a graphic mark and the name of the food) 167 for identifying the food to be cooked (which is a coordinated cooking menu) that is the target of the multiple coordinated cooking modes KM3 is displayed in the first area 22 of the display screen (first identification screen) 16M1 of the central display unit 16M.
[0211] In Fig. 16, the number of "food items" that can be cooked in the coordinated cooking mode displayed in the central display section 16M is three. That is, there are three: hamburger steak, gratin, and roast beef. In this way, the number of food items is called the "number of coordinated cooking menus."
[0212] In this embodiment 1, there are a total of eight coordinated cooking menus. Details will be explained in Figures 17 and 18. However, it is possible to obtain cooking condition data from a smartphone (communication terminal device) 200 (described later) to further increase the number of coordinated cooking menus.
[0213] In Fig. 16, 167, 168, and 169 are identification information, which in this embodiment 1 indicates the names of the foods to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak, gratin, roast beef) one-to-one. When describing all the identification information of the coordinated cooking menu, the reference number 167 is used.
[0214] The position where the control menu identification information 160 (see FIG. 15) is displayed may be hereinafter referred to as "display position A." In contrast, in the collaborative cooking mode KM3, the position where the identification information 167 is displayed may hereinafter be referred to as "display position B."
[0215] In this embodiment 1, "display position B" and the above-mentioned "display position A" (see FIG. 15) are in the same position, but they may be set to different positions. However, in order to avoid user confusion, in the coordinated cooking mode KM3, the eight coordinated cooking menus are always set to the same position (display position B). Also, in the composite cooking mode KM2, it is preferable to always unify each control menu to the same (single) "display position A."
[0216] In Fig. 16, the operation support information 170 displays "Press the start button to start heating the left IH." This means that by pressing the input key 151M on the central operation unit 15M, induction heating (in the coordinated cooking mode KM3) can be started by the left IH coil 9L. However, in this embodiment 1, it is necessary to press the input key 153L on the left operation unit 15L after pressing the input key 151M.
[0217] As shown in FIG. 16, above (at the rear in plan view) the identification information 167 shown on the first specific screen 16M1, identification information 168 indicating the name of another food item (for example, gratin) is displayed.
[0218] Also, identification information 169 indicating the name of another food (for example, roast beef) is displayed below the identification information 167. In Fig. 16, one light emitting section 21M corresponding to an input key 151M is surrounded by a dashed circle, which indicates that the light emitting section 21M is blinking (or emitting light in a color different from the other light emitting sections) and waiting for a command to start cooking.
[0219] Next, we will explain FIG. Similarly to switching the display between the "combined cooking mode" KM2 and the "single cooking mode" KM1, the food to be cooked in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 can be selected by operating the two input keys 154M and 155M.
[0220] That is, each time either input key 154M or 155M is operated once, identification information 167 indicating the name of the food to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak) is changed in display by moving one step upward or downward in sequence. That is, identification information 167 can be displayed in a predetermined position (front-rear center position) of first area 22L, in other words, in the display position B, in sequence by forward and reverse.
[0221] In this embodiment 1, there are a total of eight types of food to be cooked in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, as described above. Therefore, for example, by operating the left input key 155M eight times, the identification information 167 of one food to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak) is cycled through. Conversely, by operating the right input key 154M eight times, the identification information 167 of one food to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak) is cycled through.
[0222] In Fig. 17(A), FG indicates the user's fingertips. Every time the input key 155M is pressed once, the display contents of the first specific screen 16M1 change to display screens 17A to 17D as shown in Fig. 17(B).
[0223] Referring to FIG. FIG. 18 is a table showing the correspondence between the cooking menu in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 and the operation support information 170.
[0224] 18, there are two types of operation support information 170: operation support information A and operation support information B. One is information that says "Press the start button to start heating the left IH cooker," and the other is information that says "Press the start button to confirm." This "start button" refers to input key 151M.
[0225] The above-mentioned two types of operation support information 170 are automatically switched before the start of the cooking process in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3. For example, they are displayed alternately every few seconds.
[0226] Next, we will explain FIG. In this embodiment 1, a "cooperative preheat cooking mode" KM4 is provided as one type of the cooperative cooking mode KM3. There are two types of collaborative preheat cooking mode KM4.
[0227] An example of a cooking menu that utilizes the linked preheat cooking mode KM4 is "hamburger steak." In the case of "hamburger steak," the preheating process is performed by the induction heating source 9 (first heating means HM1).
[0228] If the cooking process 1 is started while the preheating process is being performed (by the induction heating source 9), the heating operation of the preheating process has not been stopped at the time when the cooking process 1 is started. Therefore, the energization of the induction heating source 9 and the energization of the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) and the third heating means HM3 in charge of the cooking process 1 are performed in parallel during the same time period.
[0229] In other words, in the coordinated preheating cooking mode KM4, the heating source (in the above description, the first heating means HM1) that has started operating before cooking process 1 is not necessarily stopped at the start of cooking process 1, and during cooking process 1, power may be applied to either or both of the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) and the third heating means HM3.
[0230] Unless otherwise specified, the following description will be given on the assumption that the cooperative cooking mode KM3 includes the cooperative pre-heating cooking mode KM4.
[0231] When the collaborative cooking mode KM3 is selected, once the identification information 167 indicating the name of the food to be cooked is displayed on the central display unit 16M, the left operation unit 15L of the left IH coil 9L cannot be used for other cooking menus.
[0232] Specifically, among the various input keys of the left operation unit 15L, at least the input key 153L is disabled by the heating control unit 43. This "disabled" means that a valid command signal is not sent from the input key 153L to the heating control unit 43, and that even if a valid command signal is sent, the heating control unit 43 does not process the command signal as a valid command signal. In either case, heating with the left IH coil 9L cannot be selected.
[0233] At the same time, when the identification information 167 is displayed, the right operation unit 15R of the right heating port 4R may be made unavailable (by "disabling" the input key 153R). However, if the user has set the function in advance on the input operation unit 15 (using the function setting key 151KP) so that this "disabling" is not performed, the right IH coil 9R can be used as is if it is already being used for another control menu (heating operation is ongoing). On the other hand, in the linked cooking mode KM3, it is determined (by the heating control unit 43) that the right IH coil 9R cannot be used because it has already been used.
[0234] Therefore, only the left IH coil 9L is "occupied" by the selection of the linked cooking mode KM3. Also, when viewed from the perspective of the first heating source HM1 as a whole, the use of only a portion of the three heating parts (the left IH coil 9L) is "restricted." Note that if the right IH coil 9R is not being used for other cooking, the right IH coil 9R may also be placed in an occupied state.
[0235] Continuing with the description of FIG. Fig. 19 shows the operation steps when "fried chicken" is performed in the cooperative cooking mode KM3. In Fig. 19, #1 to #9 show the user's operations and the state changes of the cooking appliance 1.
[0236] 19 differs from the above-mentioned "hamburger steak" in that cooking step 1 is performed in heating chamber 6 and cooking step 2 is performed by induction heating source 9.
[0237] In Fig. 19, before starting cooking step 1 to cook "fried chicken", the user first selects the left IH coil 9L and presses the input key 151L. Then, preheating of the object to be heated placed on the top plate 3 begins. In this case, the object to be heated is a metal pot or frying pan, etc., in which a certain amount of cooking oil is poured.
[0238] Meanwhile, the user opens the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 and places the ingredients for "fried chicken" (such as seasoned chicken) into the heating chamber 6 (#1). Then, after closing the door 7, an operation A23 called "pressing the start button" is performed. This operation is performed by pressing the input key 151M of the central operation unit 15M.
[0239] At this time, the microwave heating source (second heating means HM2) is operated to start the cooking step 1 of microwave cooking. Then, a notification 3 of reference information is performed.
[0240] During this cooking step 1, preheating of the left IH coil 9L is completed (for example, the object to be heated is heated to 180°C, which is the standard preheating temperature). The user is notified of the completion of preheating by voice and text, etc., via the audio notification unit 51 and the central display unit 16M (first specific screen 16M1) (#2).
[0241] The user can stop microwave heating at any time during cooking process 1. To stop the microwave heating, the user simply opens door 7. Note that pressing input key 152M of central operation unit 15M cancels the selection of "fried chicken" in the linked cooking mode.
[0242] By opening door 7, the microwave heating operation is immediately stopped and cooking process 1 ends (#3). Next, the user moves the food material that has been heated in the heating chamber 6 into the object to be heated that has been preheated on the top plate 3 (#4).
[0243] Then, cooking process 2 begins at left heating port 4L (#5). In cooking step 2, since input key 153L (see FIG. 7) of left operation unit 15L is pressed at the beginning before preheating starts, there is no need to operate left operation unit 15L at the start of cooking step 2. In other words, when ingredients (fried chicken ingredients) are moved into an object to be heated that has been preheated to, for example, 180°C, heating of the ingredients begins at the temperature of the object to be heated (this point is the start point of cooking step 2).
[0244] As described above, the user does not need to operate the input operation unit 15 in particular to start cooking process 2 (#5). The point at which the food to be cooked is placed on top of the food to be heated is the start of cooking process 2, but the temperature sensor group 30 (see Figure 11) may detect a temporary drop in the temperature of the food to be cooked when the food is placed on top of the food to be cooked, and then the start of cooking process 2 may be determined electrically. The cooking process 2 can be ended at any timing by the user operating the left operating unit 15L.
[0245] The user then moves the food again. First, the door 7 is opened, the food to be cooked is placed in the heating chamber 6, and the door 7 is closed (#6). Then, the input key 151M of the central operation unit 15M is pressed to start cooking step 3 of the range grill control menu (RG control menu).
[0246] When a predetermined time (TN5) has elapsed from the time when cooking process 3 by the range grill driving unit in heating chamber 6 is started by the user's operational input A26, reference information 5 is notified.
[0247] The reference information 5 includes information including guidance such as "Heating will finish in 30 seconds. If you wish to extend the time further, please set the time." Since the user knows that the final cooking process is about to end, the user can start preparing to remove the fried chicken from the heating chamber 6 from the point in time when the reference information 5 is notified. In synchronization with this, the reference information 5 is displayed in text or the like by the central display unit 16M. The reference information 5 is displayed at a specific position on the first specific screen 16M1, like the operation support information 170.
[0248] Thereafter, the microwave heating operation is stopped, and cooking process 3 ends (#7). Note that cooking process 3 can be stopped immediately if the user opens door 7. Then, the user moves the food that has been heated in the heating chamber 6 into the object to be heated that is being preheated on the top plate 3 (#8). In this case, if the object to be heated is maintained in a heated state by induction heating until the end of cooking step 3, it may be further subjected to induction heating (cooking step 4) (#9).
[0249] Induction heating cooking can be ended by operating the left 15L. That is, the user's operation A28 is to press the input key 153L of the left operation unit 15L corresponding to the left IH coil 9L.
[0250] The cooking sequence shown in FIG. 19 can shorten the time required from the start of the induction heating operation (start of the preheating step) to the end of cooking step 1. That is, cooking step 1 is started by placing ingredients (food to be cooked) in heating chamber 6 before the completion of preheating by induction heating or notification of the completion of preheating.
[0251] Since preheating by the induction heating source (first heating means HM1) is completed before cooking process 1 is completed, the food to be cooked can be immediately transferred to the food to be heated on top plate 3 after cooking process 1 is completed, and cooking process 2 can be started.
[0252] In the example of "fried chicken" in Fig. 19, cooking step 3 is included, but cooking step 3 and cooking step 4 are not necessarily required. It is sufficient to finish with the necessary cooking steps depending on the type of food to be cooked and the user's wishes.
[0253] 19 shows that the "left IH coil drive period" continues even after cooking step 2 is completed, but the drive of the left IH coil 9L may be stopped by the left operation unit 15L at any time after cooking step 2 is completed. However, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 19, if the left IH coil 9L is to be used in cooking step 4 as well, it is necessary to start the preheating operation again before cooking step 4.
[0254] Next, FIG. 20 will be described. FIG. 20 shows the operation steps when "fried chicken" is selected as a cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, similar to FIG. In Fig. 20, #1 to #9 indicate user operations and state changes of the cooking appliance 1, as explained in Fig. 19. The other symbols correspond to those in Fig. 19.
[0255] The difference between FIG. 20 and FIG. 19 will now be described. FIG. 20 shows a case where cooking step 1 is started in heating chamber 6 upon completion of preheating of the object to be heated by the induction heating source (first heating means HM1) and notification of this (#2).
[0256] When the completion of preheating of the object to be heated by the induction heating source is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 and the left and right display units 16L, 16R, and is also notified by audio notification unit 50, the user opens the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 and places the ingredients for "fried chicken" (such as seasoned chicken) into the heating chamber 6 (#1). After closing the door 7, the input key 151M of the central operation unit 15M is pressed.
[0257] At this point, cooking process 1 of microwave cooking is started. Then, reference information notification 3 is performed. After this, the process is the same as that shown in FIG.
[0258] In the cooking sequence shown in FIG. 20, the time required from the start of the heating operation (start of the preheating step) of the induction heating source (first heating means HM1) to the end of cooking step 1 is longer than that in FIG.
[0259] However, since heating of the ingredients (food to be cooked) in the heating chamber 6 starts after the preheating by the first heating means HM1 is completed or a notification of the completion of the preheating is received, there is a guarantee that upon completion of cooking step 1 in the heating chamber 6, cooking step 2 can be immediately started by the induction heating source 9 if the food to be cooked is moved. Therefore, this method is suitable for users who are not very familiar with the linked preheating cooking mode KM4.
[0260] 20 shows that the "driving period of the left IH coil 9L" continues even after cooking step 2 is completed, but if the induction heating source (first heating means HM1) is not used after cooking step 2 is completed, the driving of the left IH coil 9L may be stopped by the left operation unit 15L at any time after cooking step 2 is completed. However, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 20, if the left IH coil 9L is also used in cooking step 4, preheating must be started again before cooking step 4.
[0261] 19 and 20, the induction heating source (first heating means HM1) is energized first to start the preheating operation, while the cooking process 1 is carried out in the heating chamber 6. In FIG. The "linked preheat cooking mode" KM4 of this embodiment 1 is not limited to the cooking process 1 being performed in the heating chamber as described above.
[0262] In another linked preheating cooking mode KM4, a heating operation is started first by the first heating means HM1, an object to be heated such as a frying pan is heated to a preheat target temperature (for example, 180°C), and when the object to be cooked has reached the target temperature, the object to be cooked is placed on the object to be cooked, thus starting cooking step 1. After this preheating step, the object to be cooked may be moved into the heating chamber 6 while still placed on the object to be cooked, and the object to be cooked together with the object to be cooked may be further heated in the heating chamber 6 by the second heating means HM2 or the third heating means HM3, thereby executing cooking step 2.
[0263] Next, a description will be given of Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the heating control unit 43 until the transition to the combined cooking mode KM3.
[0264] In the combined cooking mode KM3 of the first embodiment, the induction heating source (first heating means HM1) is driven first, and then at least one of the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 is driven (first combined cooking mode). Representative examples of cooking menus suitable for cooking in this pattern include the four listed in the table of FIG. 18, such as hamburger steak and gratin.
[0265] There is also a second cooperative cooking mode in which the order is reversed. Representative examples of cooking menus suitable for cooking in this second cooperative cooking mode are the four listed in the lower half of the table in Figure 18, such as fried chicken and tempura.
[0266] The steps in FIG. 21 are common to both the first collaborative cooking mode and the second collaborative cooking mode. First, in the first step S1, the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M is operated, which starts the cooperative cooking mode KM3.
[0267] In the next step S2, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed on the central display section 16M, and various information for executing the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is displayed. In this step S2, in order to select a cooking menu for each cooperative cooking mode, the "name of the food to be cooked" (e.g., "hamburger steak") 167 is displayed as a type of identification information in the central portion in the front-rear direction of the first area 22, i.e., the display position B.
[0268] Depending on the selection of the combined cooking mode KM3, the timing at which the heating means (the first heating means HM1 to the third heating means HM3) are "occupied" may be either of the following two cases. (1) As described above, for example, after the case where the left IH coil 9L for cooking process 1 is selected (in FIG. 21, this corresponds to "start of occupied state (case 2)" after step S4). (2) Step S2 and onwards as shown in Figure 21 (in Figure 21, this corresponds to "Start of Occupancy State (Case 1)").
[0269] In the next step S3, it is determined whether at least one of the input keys 154M and 155M has been operated. As described in Fig. 9, Fig. 16, and Fig. 17, by operating the two input keys 154M and 155M, the user can select the identification information 167 indicating the name of an object to be cooked in the cooperative cooking mode (e.g., hamburger steak).
[0270] If the input keys 154M and 155M are not operated (within a certain period of time), the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, as described above, one of the two heating unit specification parts 171L and 171R displayed in the first specification screen 16M1 is selected. If the user operates the input keys 157M and 156M adjacent to each other on the left and right, one of the right IH coil 9R and the left IH coil 9L can be selected.
[0271] In addition, the left heating port 4L may be set as a default, the heating unit specification section 171L may be displayed first on the first specification screen 16M1, and the process may proceed directly to step S5. In the example described in Fig. 16, when making hamburger steak in coordinated cooking, the left heating port 4L is set as a default, and the left IH coil 9L is set to be selected preferentially.
[0272] In the next step S5, it is determined whether an input operation has been performed to cancel the selection of the coordinated cooking mode. If the input key 151M has been operated once, the determination is "Yes." Then, the process returns to step S3. If the input key 151M has been operated twice in succession within a certain short period of time (for example, five seconds), it is determined that the coordinated cooking mode KM3 has been cancelled, and the process returns to the state of the standby initial screen before step S1. Therefore, the selection of the three cooking modes KM1 to KM3 is returned to the initial stage.
[0273] On the other hand, if the input key 152M is operated while the input key 151M is not operated, the process proceeds to the next step S6, and cooking step 1 of the combined cooking mode KM3 is started.
[0274] 21, in step S7, in the operation program of the cooperative cooking mode KM3, various functional parts are activated according to the "cooking condition data" and "control condition data" of a specific cooperative cooking menu (recipe) such as "hamburger steak." In other words, the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is entered from this stage.
[0275] First, in step S7, the display unit corresponding to the heating unit selected in step 4 is activated. However, in the case of a cooking menu (such as "fried chicken" as described above) in which the microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) or the third heating means HM3 is used in cooking step 1, the central display unit 16M is already activated, so in this step S7, no new display unit is activated.
[0276] In the case of a cooking menu that uses the left IH coil 9L in cooking step 1, for example, the left display unit 16L is activated in step S7. Then, the input function of the left operation unit 15L is enabled and the system waits for user input. Then, the process proceeds to step S8.
[0277] In step S8, the operation of the input key 153L is awaited, and the cooking process of the combined cooking mode KM3 is started. The display content of the first specific screen 16M1 in step S8 includes process information 172 such as that the first cooking process 1 uses the left IH coil 9L, and the next cooking process 2 uses a microwave heating means (second heating means HM2), as described in FIG. 16.
[0278] Next, Fig. 22 and Fig. 23 will be described. Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the heating control unit 43 until the transition to the coordinated cooking mode. Fig. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing the permission conditions and the determination results before the transition to the coordinated cooking mode.
[0279] Referring now to Fig. 22, steps ST1 to ST8 are operation steps defined in the operation program (including control condition data) of the heating control unit 43 for the combined cooking mode KM3. First, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed (ST1), the next step ST2 is a step in which the heating control unit 43 determines whether or not there is an abnormality.
[0280] At step ST2, central display unit 16M is activated and displays a message that "Since there is no abnormality, cooking can be started." At this stage, heating control unit 43 also checks whether it has received a setting command from input operation unit 15 regarding the upper limit of the total power consumption.
[0281] If the setting is made in step ST2 such that start-up information is to be transmitted from the cooking appliance 1 to the information terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300, the start-up information is transmitted at this stage.
[0282] In the next step ST3, the central display unit 16M and the audio notification unit 51 also provide a notification and audio guidance to prompt the user to select the heating means. In the next step ST4, the central display section 16M displays an initial standby screen, and also displays usage precautions for the user.
[0283] Then, it is determined whether an input key other than the input key 153M (for example, 154M) has been operated (ST5). If the input key 153M has been operated, step STC becomes "No" and the process proceeds to step ST6. That is, the process proceeds to a step of using the "combined cooking mode" KM3.
[0284] In step ST6, the permission condition determination unit 54 checks whether the "permission conditions" are met. For example, the permission condition determination unit 54 checks the usage state of the heat source used in the "combined cooking mode" KM3. The permission conditions and judgment results will be explained in detail in the next Figure 23.
[0285] In step ST5, the first input operation is checked. For example, it is determined whether the left operation unit 15L or the right operation unit 15R has been operated before the input key 153M is pressed, and it is also determined whether the "combined cooking mode" KM2 has been selected by the central operation unit 15M (by the input key 154M or 155M).
[0286] If the input key 153M is operated for the first time within a certain grace period (for example, 30 seconds) from step ST3, the display for the "combined cooking mode" KM3 starts as described above.
[0287] On the other hand, if the input key 153M is not operated and another input key (for example, the input key 155M or 154M) is touched, the result of step ST4 is "Yes", and the process proceeds to step ST9 to start cooking other than the "collaborative cooking mode" KM3.
[0288] In FIG. 22, steps ST6 and ST7 are operation steps of "permission condition 1" that determine whether or not cooking in the "combined cooking mode" KM3 is permitted. Step ST6 is a stage for judging "permission condition 1".
[0289] Here, "Permission Condition 1" means: (1) The "peak cut value," which specifies the upper limit of the maximum power consumption that can be used by the heating cooker 1, is 5,000 W or more. (2) When there is a power reduction command signal received by the control device 40 via the communication unit 51 from the external cloud server 300 or the information terminal device 200, the peak cut value of the reduction command is 5000 W or more; If these two conditions are met, the result of step ST6 will be "Yes."
[0290] The "permission condition 2" in the next step ST7 is the following three. (1) In the first heating means HM1, the central heating port 4C is not in heating operation. (2) Either or both of the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are not in heating operation.
[0291] (3) In the first heating means HM1, neither the right heating port 4R nor the left heating port 4L is being used for the heating operation (or only one of them is being used for the heating operation). In other words, neither the left IH coil 9L nor the right IH coil 9R is being used for the heating operation.
[0292] If the above three conditions are met, the determination in step ST7 is "Yes." Then, the process proceeds to step ST10. That is, the process can proceed to the step of inputting a command to start cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3.
[0293] If the determinations in steps ST6 and STR7 are "No", the process proceeds to step STR12, and the central display unit 16M and / or the audio notification unit 50 notify the user that the combined cooking mode KM3 cannot be selected.
[0294] Here, the meaning of the above-mentioned "permission condition 1" being specified as "5000 W or more" will be explained. For simplicity, the following description will not specifically mention the power consumption of electrical components other than the heat source, such as an internal cooling fan (not shown) of the main body 2.
[0295] The reason why the required demand (pre-securing the amount of power demand) when implementing the "Cooperative cooking mode" KM3 is 5000W or more is because the maximum (instantaneous) power of each heating source during operation when the cooperative cooking mode is executed is as follows:
[0296] (1) When operating the microwave (second heating means HM2): 1000W (2) When the oven is operating: 2000 W (upper radiant heat heating means 12a: 1000 W, lower radiant heat heating means 12b: 1000 W) (3) When the range grill is operating: 1500 W (second heating means HM2: 500 W, upper radiant heat heating means 12a: 1000 W)
[0297] On the other hand, the maximum power for any cooking menu in "integrated cooking mode" KM3 is 1500W. Therefore, in the combined cooking mode, the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 may operate simultaneously.
[0298] In other words, the maximum power is 3500W in total, which is the sum of the "1000W" of the second heating means HM2, the "1000W" of the third heating means HM3 (2000W is achieved by alternating current of 1000W each time), and the "1500W" of the first heating means HM1 which performs induction heating.
[0299] When the demand (pre-securing power demand) is 5000W: When the right IH coil 9R is heating at 3000W (normal heating), the remaining demand is 2000W. If you implement the "linked cooking mode" KM3 from this state, the remaining demand is 1500W short of the 3500W of power required for linked cooking, so the heat output of the right IH coil 9R is reduced to 1500W (from 3000W) and linked cooking can be started.
[0300] If the demand (pre-securing power demand) is 4000W: When frying food using right heating outlet 4R (requiring a maximum of 1500W), the remaining demand will be 2500W. If you start coordinated cooking from this state, the remaining demand is 1000W short of the 3500W of power required for coordinated cooking, so you need to turn down the heat of the right IH coil. However, if you turn down the heat while the automatic control menu is running, cooking will not go well, so you cannot turn down the heat in the automatic control menu. In the end, 4000W is not enough to provide the required heat for the automatic control menu.
[0301] As is clear from the above explanation, before starting the "coordinated cooking mode" KM3, it is necessary to determine (confirm) whether there is a demand (pre-securing of power demand) of 5000 W, which is the sum of the power required for coordinated cooking (3500 W) and the power required for the cooking menu of the right heating port 4R or the left heating port 4L (1500 W).
[0302] Next, we will explain Figure 23. Fig. 23 shows the determination processes in steps ST6 and ST7 in Fig. 22. These determinations are executed by the permission condition determination unit 54. Step ST5 is the stage where the input key 153M is operated. In the next step STX1, the permission condition determination unit 54 of the control device 40 compares the latest state of the cooking appliance 1 with the permission conditions 1 and 2 described above, and determines whether the permission conditions 1 and 2 are satisfied.
[0303] 23, voice (notification) 1 to voice (notification) 4 indicate the contents notified to the user by the voice notification unit 50. That is, this is a specific example of the contents of step ST8 in FIG.
[0304] Display 1 to Display 4 in Fig. 23 show the contents displayed on the central display section 16M. Note that Display 1 to Display 4 are not displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 that is displayed from step S2 in Fig. 21 onwards, but are displayed on the central display section 16M where the first specific screen is not displayed.
[0305] The first specific screen 16M1 is not displayed unless the prerequisites for transitioning to the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 (permission conditions 1 and 2) are met. Therefore, after the user sets (selects) various conditions for the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 (e.g., identification information 167), it is not determined that permission condition 1 or permission condition 2 is not met, and the display does not return to the initial standby screen (step ST4 in FIG. 22). Therefore, the user is not forced to perform unnecessary input operations.
[0306] FIG. 24 illustrates an operation from when the cooking appliance 1 is started up until when recipe information (cooking condition data) for cooking for the cooking appliance 1 is acquired from the information terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300. In FIG.
[0307] In this embodiment 1, the cooking condition data for the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 includes, but is not limited to, the number (identification information) of the cooperative cooking menu, the order of multiple heating means used, the heating means used in cooking step 1, the heating means used in cooking step 2, and if there are cooking steps 3 and beyond, the heating means used for each of those cooking steps, and if there are default (standard settings) control conditions (heat, heating time, target heating temperature, etc.) for each cooking step, the setting value or setting value range.
[0308] In FIG. 24, steps SS1 to SS8 are operation steps defined in the integrated control program of the control device 40, and basically coincide with the contents defined in the operation program of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 described in FIG.
[0309] First, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed (SS1), the next step SS2 is a step in which the heating control unit 43 determines whether or not there is an abnormality.
[0310] Steps SS1 to SS4 are the same as steps ST1 to ST4 described with reference to FIG. 22, and therefore a duplicated description will be omitted.
[0311] In step SS5, the cooking appliance 1 displays a confirmation screen on the central display unit 16M and also notifies the user via the audio notification unit 50 to ask whether or not to send a signal to the information terminal device 200 or cloud server 300 that has been registered in advance to request the provision of cooking recipe information (cooking condition data).
[0312] This external connection in step SS5 is automatically performed at a specified timing if the user sets it in advance using the input operation unit 15. In other words, the next step SS6, in which communication with an external device (the information terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300) is automatically performed after step SS4, is omitted.
[0313] If the external connection is not set to be automatically performed, in step SS6, a predetermined icon or the like is displayed on the central display unit 16M to ask the user to confirm whether or not it is OK to request the provision of recipe information (cooking condition data).
[0314] If the user does not consent to the connection to the external device in step SS6, a non-reception message such as "receipt of recipe information (cooking condition data) is not currently being received" is sent to the registered external device (the information terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300) as shown in step SS9. In this way, the user can set the device to refuse reception.
[0315] On the other hand, when the connection to the external device is agreed upon in step SS6, the data acquisition unit 53 of the cooking appliance 1 acquires recipe information (cooking condition data) from the external device via the communication unit 51. The acquired recipe information is stored in a predetermined "temporary storage unit" (not shown) in the cooking condition data storage unit 42.
[0316] In the next step SS7, the contents of the recipe information acquired from the external device, particularly the information of the identification information 167, are displayed on the central display unit 16M. Also, the audio notification unit 50 notifies the fact of reception, for example, by saying "A hamburger recipe has been received."
[0317] Next, we will explain Figure 25. FIG. 25 shows the display contents of the central display section 16M corresponding to each operation step explained in FIG.
[0318] Referring now to Figure 25, when the main power switch 20 is turned off, the central display unit 16M is not activated and does not display any information. When the main power switch 20 is turned on, the control device 40 performs a self-diagnosis to check for abnormalities, etc., as described above, and then displays the display screen 1 of FIG. 25 on the central display unit 16M.
[0319] In the display screen 1 in Fig. 25, 60A is a display message notifying that the power is on. 60B is two-dimensional information (two-dimensional code) for guiding to the recipe information providing server 301, which is a dedicated recipe posting site, via the networks (Internet) 203, 204. 60C is a message explaining the meaning of the two-dimensional code.
[0320] When the two-dimensional code 60B is optically read by the communication terminal 200, it is possible to connect to the recipe information providing server 301 that holds information on various cooking recipes. This two-dimensional information 60C and the display text 60A are a type of "standby common information" 60N.
[0321] After the display screen 1 in FIG. 25 is displayed, the display screen 2A or 2B may be displayed automatically. Furthermore, after the display screen 2A or 2B of FIG. 25 is displayed, the display screen 2C may be automatically displayed. In this display screen 2C, a recommendation 60H is displayed to prompt the user to perform an input operation to select a heating source.
[0322] On the display screen 2A, the text display "Caution: Bumping" is one of the warning displays 60E. This "bumping" refers to the phenomenon in which, when a viscous food (liquid) such as curry or stew is heated, the inside of the food becomes overheated above the boiling point, causing sudden and violent boiling. As steam escapes from the heated liquid, hot droplets may fly off, which can be dangerous. The timing and cause of bumping are said to be the introduction of foreign matter or impact from the outside. For this reason, when a metal pot or the like containing food is placed on the top plate 3 and induction heated, caution is displayed when stirring the food. The information displayed in this warning is one type of "common information during standby" 60N.
[0323] The four display screens, ie, the display screen 1 and the display screens 2A to 2C shown in Fig. 25, are called a "common screen" or an "initial screen during standby" 16MH. Note that the common screen 16MH may include forms other than these four.
[0324] In the display screen 2B, 60E is a caution display that warns that the inside of the heating chamber 6 is at a high temperature and to avoid careless contact. If the control device 40 detects that the heating chamber 6 has not yet cooled down sufficiently after oven cooking has been performed in the heating chamber 6, the display screen 2 automatically switches to this state. Note that the display screens 2A and 2B cannot be displayed simultaneously, but they may be displayed alternately at intervals of several seconds to alert the user to both the bumping indication and the high temperature indication. Also, the audio notification unit 50 may simultaneously output the alerts on the display screens 2A and 2B by audio.
[0325] As is clear from display screen 1 to display screen 2A to 2C in Fig. 25, these displays are performed using the entire display screen. In other words, rather than displaying partially in any of the first areas 22 to 24 described above, in order to secure as large a display area as possible, the first area 22 to the third area 24 are displayed as an integrated display so that they cannot be distinguished from one another, and the user sees them as if they are displayed in the entire central display portion 16M.
[0326] Next, FIG. 26 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the operation of the left display part 16L of the cooking appliance 1. As shown in FIG. At step SS4 in Fig. 24, when input key 153L and input key 152L are operated, control menus to be implemented in left heating port 4L are displayed one by one on left display unit 16L. In other words, each time input key 152L is pressed, one can be selected from a plurality of control menus.
[0327] The control menus that can be selected for the left heating port 4L (in the induction heating single cooking mode KM1) are, for example, "keep warm," "boil water," "stewing," "deep frying (automatic cooking)," "preheating," etc., as shown in Fig. 26. The operating time, heat, or operating pattern of the left IH coil 9L differs for each control menu.
[0328] Display screen 3A in Fig. 26 shows the case where the "Keep Warm" control menu is selected. Display screen 3B shows the case where the "Deep Fry" control menu is selected. Display screen 3C shows the case where the "Preheat" control menu is selected.
[0329] When the control menu (for the induction heating only cooking mode KM1) is selected on the central display unit 16M using the central IH coil 9M that is responsible for the central heating port 4C, a display screen like the display screen 3A shown in Fig. 26 is displayed. In this case, the display screen of the central display unit 16M has a display form like the display screen 3A, and this screen is called the "third specific screen" 16M3.
[0330] FIG. 27 illustrates the operation steps of the control device 40 of the cooking appliance 1 from when the cooking appliance 1 is started up until just before cooking starts.
[0331] In FIG. 27, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed and the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed on the central display unit 16M, it is determined whether recipe information (cooking condition data) has been obtained from an external device (the information terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300) (step SU2).
[0332] In step SU3, the control device 40 compares the latest state of the cooking appliance 1 with the latest state, and determines whether or not the state satisfies the permission conditions 1 and 2.
[0333] When it is determined that permission conditions 1 and 2 are simultaneously satisfied (SU6), the identification information included in the recipe information (cooking condition data) acquired from the external device (the information terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300) is displayed on the central display unit 16M. In this case, the identification information 167 (for example, "Name: Hamburger") is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SU7).
[0334] The identification information 167 (for example, "Name: Hamburger") is displayed as shown in FIG. 28. An operation recommendation display section 170 is also displayed. This prompts the user to press the input key 151M to start cooking. The audio notification section 50 also notifies the user, for example, "Press the start key to start cooking" (step SU8).
[0335] At the stage of step SU8, the user may operate an input key (for example, 156M or 155M) for selecting a control condition (for example, heating power value) to appropriately set heating power, heating time, etc.
[0336] On the other hand, a case where, at the stage of step SU3, the control device 40 compares the latest state of the cooking appliance 1 and determines that the state does not satisfy the permission conditions 1 and 2 (step SU4) will be described.
[0337] The contents of the standby initial screen 16HM in the central display section 16M are partially changed to display in text a message that the recipe information (cooking condition data) acquired from the external device cannot be executed with the current cooking device 1. The same message is also notified by voice from the voice notification section 50 (step SU5). Then, the process returns to step SU1.
[0338] Next, FIG. 28 will be described. FIG. 28 is an enlarged plan view showing the central operation unit 15M and the central display unit 16M, which are the same as those described in FIG.
[0339] 28, 173 is an external recipe identification section indicating that the recipe information (cooking condition data) is obtained from an external device (the information terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300). The words "Received recipe" are displayed in text, and it is easy to see that the cooking menu displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 is obtained from an external device.
[0340] In Fig. 28, the light-emitting unit 21M corresponding to the input key 151M is in a standby state in which the heating operation can be started at any time, and is flashing to prompt the user to operate the input key 151M. The dashed circle indicates that the light-emitting unit 21M is flashing.
[0341] In Fig. 28, a star-shaped figure is drawn at the position of light-emitting unit 21M. This figure means that the input functions of the input keys (e.g., 156M, 157M) arranged on the front side of light-emitting unit 21M are valid, and that the heat, heating time, etc. can be adjusted by touching them at this point.
[0342] 28, light-emitting unit 21M corresponding to input keys 157M and 156M is emitting light. In other words, the user can select either heating unit specification unit 171L for selecting cooking using left heating port 4L or heating unit specification unit 171R for selecting cooking using right heating port 4R.
[0343] Recipe information (cooking condition data) acquired from an external device is preferentially displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 by displaying the external recipe identification section 173. That is, the display screen displays the identification information 167 of the received recipe information (cooking condition data) on the "display position B" of the first specific screen 16M1. Therefore, by immediately pressing the input key 151M as shown in FIG. 28, cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 can be started.
[0344] As described above, there are two types of recipe information (cooking condition data) acquired from an external device (the information terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300): cooking is limited to specific heating parts (right heating port 4R, center heating port 4C, left heating port 4L), and cooking can be performed by specifying the range of heating parts that can be used according to the user's wishes. Therefore, even when a user uses recipe information acquired from an external device, usability is not impaired.
[0345] Summary of embodiment 1. As is clear from the above description, in the first embodiment, the cooking device 1 according to the first disclosure is disclosed as follows. That is, the cooking device 1 according to the first disclosure is A first heating means (induction heating source 9) for heating an object to be heated above the top plate 3; A second heating means HM2 for heating the food to be cooked in a second location (heating chamber 6) separate from the first location; An input operation unit 15 for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit 51 that receives cooking condition data from an external device via wireless communication; A control device 40 that controls the first heating means, the second heating means, and the communication unit 51, The control device 40 has a function of executing an integrated cooking mode KM3 in which the first heating means and the second heating means are driven with a time lag, The control device 40 has a data acquisition unit 53 that acquires the heating setting data CD2, CD4, and CD6 via the communication unit 51 in order to execute the cooperative cooking mode KM3 for a specific food (e.g., hamburger steak), The data acquisition unit 53 acquires information for identifying the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 to be driven in the cooperative cooking mode, and data indicating an order in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven. The present invention discloses a cooking device 1 characterized by the above features.
[0346] Due to this configuration, according to the present disclosure, when performing cooking in which the first heating means (induction heating source 9) and the second heating means HM2 are coordinated (coordinated cooking mode KM3), a highly convenient cooking device can be provided that can handle a wide range of cooking methods by linking them using cooking condition data acquired from outside.
[0347] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the cooking device 1 according to the second disclosure is disclosed as follows. That is, A first heating means HM1 for heating an object to be heated placed on the top plate 3; A second heating means HM2 for heating the food to be cooked inside the heating chamber 6; a third heating means HM3 for heating the heating chamber 6 and having a heating principle different from that of the second heating means HM2; an input operation unit 15 for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit 51 that receives cooking condition data from an external device via wireless communication; A control device 40 that controls the first heating means, the second heating means, the third heating means, and the communication unit 51, The control device 40 has a function of executing an integrated cooking mode KM3 in which the first heating means HM1 and at least one of the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are driven with a time lag; The control device 40 has a data acquisition unit 53 that acquires the cooking condition data via the communication unit 51 in order to execute the cooperative cooking mode KM3 for a specific food (e.g., "hamburger steak"); The heating cooker 1 is characterized in that the data acquisition unit 53 acquires data including information identifying the first heating means HM1, the second heating means HM2, and the third heating means HM3 to be driven in the coordinated cooking mode KM3, the order in which the first heating means HM1 and at least one of the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are driven, control conditions for driving the first heating means HM1, and control conditions for driving at least one of the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3.
[0348] With this configuration, three heating means can be selected to perform cooking in the single cooking mode KM1, the combined cooking mode KM2, and the coordinated cooking mode KM3. This makes it possible to provide a heating cooker that can handle a wide range of cooking.
[0349] Furthermore, in the heating cooker 1 of embodiment 1, the input operation unit 15 is disclosed to be separately provided with input keys 153L, 153R for selecting the single cooking mode KM1, input keys 154M, 155M for selecting the combined cooking mode KM2, and input key 153M for selecting the linked cooking mode KM3.
[0350] With this configuration, the three cooking modes can be selected by the respective input keys (input means), so that the user's operability can be improved even in the case of a cooking device 1 with an increased number of heating sources.
[0351] Embodiment 2 29 to 46 show a cooking device and a cooking system according to the second embodiment. Fig. 29 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the (built-in type combined) cooking device 1 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 30 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the information terminal device, Fig. 31 is an operation explanatory diagram when cooking in the linked cooking mode is performed with the cooking device of Fig. 29, Fig. 32 is an enlarged plan view explaining the operation of the central operation unit and the central display unit in the cooking device of Fig. 29, Fig. 33 is an explanatory diagram 1 explaining the operation of the central operation unit and the central display unit in the cooking device of Fig. 29, Fig. 34 is an explanatory diagram 2 explaining the operation of the central operation unit and the central display unit in the cooking device of Fig. 29, Fig. 35 is an explanatory diagram 3 explaining the operation of the central operation unit and the central display unit in the cooking device of Fig. 29. Note that the same or corresponding parts as those in the configuration of the first embodiment explained in Figs. 1 to 28 are given the same reference numerals.
[0352] In the second embodiment, the configuration of the cooking device 1 is changed, and the acquisition of cooking condition data is partially restricted, which is different from the first embodiment.
[0353] Referring now to Fig. 29, reference numeral 43 denotes a heating control section which performs integrated control of the entire cooking device 1, and is mainly composed of a microcomputer. Reference numeral 55 denotes a restriction unit that restricts some of the input functions and display functions of the cooking cooker 1 when cooking condition data (including the above-mentioned "display condition data") is acquired from an external communication terminal device 200 or the like, and issues various control commands in response to the operation of the data acquisition unit 53 acquiring cooking condition data from the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51.
[0354] Next, the communication terminal device 200 shown in FIG. 30 will be described. A communication terminal device 200 such as a smartphone has a transmission unit and a reception unit 210, a communication control unit 211, a central processing unit (CPU) 212, a ROM and a RAM 213, a speaker 214, a touch-type operation unit 215, a terminal side display unit 216 having a display screen, a cooking appliance database (storage unit) 217, a posture detection unit 218, a remote operation information generation unit 219, and a storage unit 220. The transmission unit and reception unit 210 has an NFC input / output unit 221 for short-distance wireless communication.
[0355] Reference numeral 222 denotes a voice input unit that converts the voice of a user or the like into an input signal. The touch-type operation unit 215, the terminal side display unit 216, and the voice input unit 222 are integrated in hardware to form a display operation unit 225. Note that a search unit that analyzes the voice signal from the voice input unit 222 and performs term search, information search, etc. is not shown. The search unit may be provided inside the communication terminal device 200, or may be provided in an external cloud server 300, so that the search function is provided outside the communication terminal device 200.
[0356] The attitude detection unit 218 is equipped with various sensors such as a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a gravity sensor, and can detect the inclination and direction of the communication terminal 200. As a result, a signal detecting the up-down direction of the communication terminal 200 is output to the central processing unit 212.
[0357] The central processing unit 212 receives a detection signal from the attitude detection unit 218 and controls the display direction of the terminal side display unit 216 . The central processing unit 212 inputs a signal received from the communication unit 51 of the cooking appliance 1 to the remote operation information generating unit 219 .
[0358] The central processing unit 212 has a cooking condition data acquiring unit 230, a cooking condition data transmitting unit 231, and a terminal-side recipe selecting unit 232. The cooking condition data acquiring unit 230, the cooking condition data transmitting unit 231, and the terminal-side recipe selecting unit 232 may be functionally realized as a whole by one computer program, or may be configured by separate control circuits.
[0359] The cooking appliance database 217 holds “notification data” 223 of the cooking appliance 1 in order to generate notification information (including image information) for the central display unit 16M and the audio notification unit 50 of the cooking appliance 1. The cooker database 217 also holds “remote control data” 224 for the control device 40 of the cooker 1 .
[0360] The notification data 223 and the remote control data 224 may be stored in the information terminal device 200 from the beginning, or may be acquired by connecting to a cloud server 300, which is an information providing means, via the network 201 (202) and downloading the data from the cloud server 300. In other words, the cooking device database 217 does not need to be constructed by storing the data in a fixed manner, and may be in a form in which information is acquired as needed and temporarily stored in a volatile memory.
[0361] The cooking appliance database 217 may obtain cooking condition data for various cooking methods performed by the cooking appliance 1, particularly cooking menus (e.g., "Ratatouille") that can be used in the collaborative cooking mode KM3, from the cloud server 300 or from other communication terminal devices 200 via the NFC input / output unit 221 (see Figure 30).
[0362] The remote operation information generating unit 224 processes a signal acquired from the cooking appliance 1 via the central processing unit 212 and an input signal from the display operation unit 225, and generates remote operation information for the cooking appliance 1.
[0363] The "remote operation information" here includes information on input operations of the cooking appliance 1 corresponding to all cooking modes including the linked cooking mode KM3 and the combined cooking mode KM2, display information of the center display unit 16M in the linked cooking mode, combined cooking mode, etc., and further display information on the right heating power display unit 16R and the left heating power display unit 16L. However, in all cooking modes including the linked cooking mode KM3, information that serves as a command to start a heating operation is not included. Therefore, the cooking appliance 1 does not receive a command to start a heating operation by this remote operation information.
[0364] The "remote control information" may not include the display information of the center display unit 16M and the display information of the right heating power display unit 16R and the left heating power display unit 16L. In addition, command information of the functions that can be set by the function setting key 151KP cannot be transmitted from the communication terminal device 200, and cannot be generated by the communication terminal device 200.
[0365] The central processing unit 212 executes the overall processing of the communication terminal device 200 according to a control program stored in the ROM / RAM, reads data required in the process of executing the processing from the ROM / RAM, and stores data generated in the process of executing the processing in the ROM / RAM. The storage unit 220 is a non-volatile memory made of semiconductor, and can store information on the cooking appliance 1 read from the transmitting unit and the receiving unit 210. For example, it is used to temporarily store the cooking condition data (also called "recipe data") of a specific cooking menu downloaded (read) from the cloud server 300.
[0366] When a user touches a specific portion of the terminal display unit 216 of the communication terminal 200, the remote operation information generating unit 219 generates remote operation information based on the touch signal. The remote operation information is transmitted from the transmitting unit and the receiving unit 210 to the cooking appliance 1.
[0367] If the cooking appliance 1 has already been powered and started, the control device 40 of the cooking appliance 1 handles the received remote operation information as input operation information for a cooking mode. For example, when a remote operation signal related to the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is received, the standby initial screen 16MH of the central display unit 16M transitions to a selection screen (first specific screen 16M1) for one cooking menu (e.g., hamburger) in the cooperative cooking mode KM3. However, the cooking appliance 1 does not unconditionally operate according to the remote operation information of the communication terminal device 200. This will be described with reference to FIG. 31.
[0368] On the other hand, on the communication terminal device 200 side that transmitted the remote operation information, the display on the terminal side display unit 216 changes based on the remote operation information. In other words, the contents of the display screen of the terminal side display unit 216 on the display operation unit 225 of the communication terminal device 200 and the display contents on the central display unit 16M of the cooking appliance 1 change according to similar operation procedures, but the state of the change is not transmitted to the cooking appliance 1 one by one in real time.
[0369] Even if remote operation information is generated in communication terminal device 200, it is only after a cooking mode confirmation signal is transmitted that the remote operation information is recognized as a regular remote operation signal by cooking appliance 1. In other words, the remote operation information from communication terminal device 200 is transmitted all at once when a predetermined confirmation key is pressed on communication terminal device 200 to confirm the cooking mode.
[0370] Therefore, the cooking condition data (recipe data) for a cooking menu (e.g., hamburger) in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 includes data specifying the heating means from cooking step 1 to the final cooking step, and data on the default control conditions (e.g., heat level, heat value, heating time, etc., but not limited to these) transmitted all at once. In other words, the data also includes data on detailed control conditions that the user can set at will on the first specified screen 16M1.
[0371] Next, a description will be given of Fig. 31. Fig. 31 is an explanatory diagram of operations when cooking in the coordinated cooking mode. In FIG. 31, the operation procedures, related input keys, display screens, and characteristic points regarding the operations are described in three vertical columns.
[0372] First, when the operation button (key) 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed, main power is supplied to the control device 40, and if the control device 40 detects no abnormality as a result of self-diagnosis, the central display unit 16M and the input operation unit 15 are activated. The heating power display units 17 (left heating power display unit 17L, central heating power display unit 17M, right heating power display unit 17R) are also activated.
[0373] A standby initial screen 16MH is displayed on the central display section 16M. A two-dimensional code 60B is displayed on the standby initial screen 16MH. When the communication terminal 200 optically reads the two-dimensional code 60B, it can connect to the recipe information providing server 301 that holds various cooking recipe information, i.e., various cooking condition data. Therefore, the communication terminal 200 can obtain the cooking condition data for the desired cooking.
[0374] In the second embodiment, the communication terminal device 20 can directly wirelessly communicate with the cooking appliance 1. The cooking appliance 1 and the communication terminal device 200 are configured to be automatically connected to each other when they are within a communication range.
[0375] The communication method between the communication terminal 200 and the cooking appliance 1 uses Bluetooth (registered trademark), which is one of the short-distance wireless communication standards. A wireless router (not shown) is installed between the communication terminal 200 and the cloud server 300. A wireless LAN communication method such as WiFi (registered trademark) is used between the wireless router (not shown) and the communication terminal 200.
[0376] Since mutual authentication has been performed between the communication terminal device 200 and the cooking appliance 1 at first, when the cooking appliance 1 is started up, if the cooking appliance 1 transmits a signal for automatic connection (also called a "scan signal"), mutual communication for automatic connection is performed between the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile information terminal device 418. The scan signal may be transmitted from the communication terminal device 200.
[0377] Once the connection between the cooking appliance 1 and the communication terminal device 200 is established, the cooking appliance 1 and the communication terminal device 200 continue to be able to directly communicate wirelessly with each other. If the communication terminal device 200 moves with the user and becomes distant from the cooking appliance 1, communication may become temporarily unavailable, but the connection will automatically be restored when the communication range (distance) returns.
[0378] During the period from when the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed until the input key 153M is pressed (to select the cooperative cooking mode KM3), the cooking condition data CD2, CD4, and CD6 are not received from the communication terminal 200.
[0379] As shown in FIG. 33, when the input key 153M is pressed, information (identification information 167) of each cooking menu in the coordinated cooking mode is displayed on the display section 16M.
[0380] 33, light emitting units 21M corresponding to input keys 154 to 157 emit light as indicated by a star shape. That is, the cooking menu and control conditions can be changed by the user using these input keys 154 to 157.
[0381] However, a case will be described where, for example, the cooking method desired by the user, "Ratatouille," is not available in the cooking menu database held by the cooking appliance 1. "Ratatouille" is a dish that originated in southern France, in which several kinds of vegetables, such as zucchini, onions, and bell peppers, are sliced and sautéed in olive oil with tomatoes and herbs.
[0382] Acquisition of the cooking condition data for the above-mentioned "Ratatouille" by the communication terminal 200 will be described. Using the voice input unit 222 or the touch-type operation unit 215, the above-mentioned "Ratatouille" is specified in the terminal side recipe selection unit 232, and the cloud server 300 is accessed to obtain cooking condition data for "Ratatouille" by the cooking condition data acquisition unit 230.
[0383] The acquired cooking condition data for "Ratatouille" is temporarily stored in the storage unit 220. The display unit 216 on the terminal side displays a message indicating that the cooking condition data for "Ratatouille" has been successfully downloaded, and prompts the user to decide whether or not to send the data.
[0384] When the user operates the display operation unit 225 (or inputs voice via the voice input unit 222) to instruct the cooking condition data transmission unit 231 to transmit, the central processing unit 212 transmits the cooking condition data for "Ratatouille" to the cooker 1. Note that, together with transmitting this cooking condition data, "notification data" 223 for the cooker 1 and "remote control data" 224 for the control device 40 of the cooker 1 are also transmitted.
[0385] As shown in FIG. 31, after the input key 153M is pressed, the control device 40 permits the cooking appliance 1 to receive cooking condition data for each cooking menu in the coordinated cooking mode.
[0386] Specifically, the restriction unit 55 shown in Fig. 29 enables the function of receiving cooking condition data via the communication unit 51 from the time when the input key 153M is pressed. Then, if there is cooking condition data received, it is temporarily stored in a predetermined storage area of the cooking condition data storage unit 42. Note that reception of the notification data 223 and remote control data 224 is also permitted, and they are linked to the cooking condition data of "Ratatouille" and temporarily stored in the storage unit 42.
[0387] Fig. 34 shows an example of displaying that the cooking condition data for "Ratatouille" is being received from the communication terminal 200. As shown in Fig. 34(B), the initial standby screen 16MH is switched to a receiving operation display screen 16MM indicating that a recipe is being received from an external device.
[0388] FIG. 34(A) is an enlarged schematic diagram showing the reception operation display screen 16MM. In FIG. 34(A), 16F denotes a plurality of progress marks that appear on a receiving operation display screen 16MM according to the progress of the receiving operation.
[0389] There are two types of progress mark 16F: a black square mark and a white square mark. As shown in FIG. 34, immediately after the start of the reception operation, there is one black square mark, but as the reception operation progresses, the number gradually increases, and finally there are five black square marks lined up. As the number of black square marks increases, the same number of white square marks will disappear.
[0390] Instead of the receiving operation display screen 16MM, a plurality of light-emitting elements (LEDs) may be provided, as in the left heating power display unit 16L of the first embodiment, and the progress of the receiving operation may be displayed in a plurality of stages by the light emitted by the light. For example, at the beginning of the receiving operation, only one LED may be lit, and as the receiving operation progresses, the number of lit LEDs may be increased. Alternatively, the progress may be expressed by switching the blinking or color of the LED. This may allow the user to be informed of the completion of the receiving operation in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.
[0391] Next, the operation of the limiting unit 55 shown in FIG. 29 will be described. As shown in FIG. 34, during an operation in which cooking condition data is being received via communication unit 51, the receiving operation cannot be stopped midway by input operation unit 15 on the cooking appliance 1 side. For example, the operation of the data acquisition unit 53 cannot be interrupted even if the input keys 152M and 153M are pressed.
[0392] The cooking condition data stored in the cooking condition data storage unit 42 of the cooking device 1 is displayed in the form of a first specific screen 16M1 as shown in FIG.
[0393] In Fig. 35, 173 is an external recipe identification unit as described in the first embodiment. This makes it easy to know that the linked cooking menu currently displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 has been obtained from an external source.
[0394] As shown in FIG. 35, a specific collaborative cooking menu (in this case, "Ratatouille") is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1, and cooking operation can be started directly by touching the input key 151M.
[0395] Moreover, by operating input key 156M or 157M, it is possible to select either heating with the right heating portion (right heating port 4R) or heating with the left heating portion.
[0396] Furthermore, by operating the input key 152M, the cooking using the specific linked cooking menu (in this case, "Ratatouille") obtained from the outside can be canceled. Once a cancellation operation is performed in this way, the screen returns to the initial standby screen 16MH, and in this state, it is necessary to touch the input key 153M again.
[0397] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 35, a specific linked cooking menu acquired from outside (in this case, "Ratatouille") cannot be changed to another linked cooking menu (for example, "Hamburger steak"). To change it, it is necessary to operate the input key 152M to return to the initial standby screen 16MH.
[0398] In FIG. 35, the light-emitting portions 21R of the input keys 156M and 157M are lit up. After selecting either the left heating unit specifying portion 171L or the right heating unit specifying portion 171R with the input keys 156M and 157M, the user can manually set the control conditions such as the heat level using the input keys 156M and 157M.
[0399] The following Figure 36 shows that when cooking in the collaborative cooking mode KM3 based on cooking condition data obtained from outside, the microwave heating output level can be adjusted when proceeding to cooking process 2.
[0400] 36(B), the microwave heating output level is displayed in a total of five stages, from "strong" to "weak," in the second area 23. The user can select such microwave output level by operating input keys 156M and 157M. Therefore, in the final step (cooking step 2), the user can adjust the heating intensity of the microwaves depending on the finished state of the food to be cooked.
[0401] 37 to 46 show the display contents of the terminal side display screen (also used as an input operation screen) 216 of the communication terminal device 200, and will be described below in order. Note that the "terminal side display screen" 216 will be referred to as the "display screen" 216 hereinafter.
[0402] 37(A) and (B) are enlarged views of the display screen 216 of the communication terminal device 200. FIG. The display screen 216 is formed by covering the surface of a liquid crystal display screen or an organic EL display screen with a glass plate. Although they do not appear as physical structures on the upper surface (front surface) of the glass plate, various icons (input keys) 488, 489, 491L, 491M, 491R, 492 to 496, etc., which will be described later, can be visually recognized by the display on the display screen 216. Although specific parts of the glass plate itself do not emit light or generate images, in the following explanation, the expression "displayed on the display screen" is used from the standpoint of a user who sees the display of characters, figures, and other information.
[0403] The "icons" allow desired input. In other words, capacitive sensing keys are arranged on each icon. When the icon is touched, a command signal is generated in the touch operation unit 215 (see FIG. 30) for the central processing unit 212.
[0404] To indicate the presence and function of an icon, a specific function is displayed in text or graphics (at least when it is in a state where it can accept input). For example, as in the example of Fig. 37(A), text information such as "Left IH operation unit" is displayed at the position of icon 491L.
[0405] Reference numeral 481 denotes a menu display section in the initial screen shown in Fig. 37(A). This menu display section 481 changes to a menu selection display section 482 for the left heating section in Fig. 37(B). Also, in Fig. 38(A), it changes to a heating source selection display section 483, which reads "Select heating source."
[0406] Furthermore, menu display section 481 changes to range grill control menu selection display section 484, "RG control menu selection" in FIG. 38(B). Furthermore, the menu display section 481 is changed to a cooperative cooking menu display section 485, labeled "Select cooperative cooking menu" in FIG. 44(A).
[0407] In Fig. 44(B), the menu display section 481 changes to a preparation information display section 486 titled "Next Preparation Guide." In Fig. 45(A) and (B), the menu display section 481 changes to a coordinated cooking menu name display section 487 showing "fried chicken," one of the coordinated cooking menus.
[0408] In Fig. 37(A), 490 is a warning information display section as an initial screen during standby. Before starting operation, the heating chamber 6 may already be hot due to heat from the previous cooking, and Fig. 37(A) is an example that calls attention to this fact. It also indicates that the power is already on.
[0409] 491M is a selection section (icon) of central operation section 15M. By operating central operation section 15M, cooking can be performed using heating sections other than left and right heating ports 4L and 4R as described in the first embodiment.
[0410] 491L is a selection portion (icon) of the left operation unit 15L. 491R is a selection portion (icon) of the right operation unit 15R. An advice display selection section (icon) 492 is displayed. When this is touched, the audio notification section 50 notifies, in the central display section 16M, reference information for an operation corresponding to the touched scene.
[0411] FG indicates the user's fingertips. In FIGS. 37(A) and (B) and other figures, triangular marks (icons) 501 and 502 are screen switching marks.
[0412] The next Fig. 38(B) also has a screen switching mark 503. When these marks are touched, the display screen 216 can be switched in a certain order with each touch. Incidentally, when the screen switching mark 502 is touched in Fig. 37(B), the display screen 216 moves to the right, and the next display screen 480 is switched to appear from the left side.
[0413] In addition, the screen switching marks 501 to 503 may be omitted by providing a scroll function in which the fingertip FG is moved while touching the display screen 216, and the display screen is moved accordingly to switch the screen.
[0414] In FIG. 37(A), when the left operation section selection section (icon) 491L is touched, the display screen is switched to the display screen 216 shown in FIG. 37(B) even if the screen switching marks 501 to 504 are not touched.
[0415] In FIG. 37(B), 493 is a control menu display section (icon) for the IH only cooking mode. There are a total of seven control menus for the IH only cooking mode. Four of them are displayed in the right half of the display screen 216 in Fig. 37(B). These control menu display areas (icons) 493 are "Boil water", "Boil", "Cook rice", and "Boil water + keep warm".
[0416] The remaining three control menus are displayed in the left half of the display screen 216: a "keep warm" control menu display section (icon) 488, a "frying" control menu display section (icon) 494, and a "preheat" control menu display section (icon) 489.
[0417] In FIG. 37(B), reference numeral 495 denotes a menu screen display portion (icon) for selecting to return to the initial menu display screen. 496 is a confirmation display section (icon) that is displayed when one of the control menus (for example, "boil water") in Fig. 37(B) is selected. When this is pressed, for example, in the case of the above-mentioned "boil water", the screen automatically switches to a control condition setting screen for boiling water.
[0418] Next, FIG. 38(A) will be described. 497A and 497B are induction heating source selection units (icons) for selecting the left IH coil 9L or the right IH coil 9R. 497C is a heating source selection unit (icon) for selecting the microwave heating source (second heating means HM2).
[0419] In FIG. 38(A), reference numeral 498 denotes a range grill heat source selection section (icon), and 499 denotes a combined cooking mode selection section (icon). In FIG. 38(A), when the range grill heat source selection section (icon) 498 is touched, the display screen changes to that of the display screen 216 in FIG. 38(B).
[0420] Next, FIG. 38(B) will be described. Numeral 500 denotes an RG control menu selection section (icon) showing a range grill (RG) control menu. The range grill (RG) control menu has a total of 10 items such as "warming", "manual range" and "meat defrosting".
[0421] In Fig. 38(A), 497A is an induction heating source selection section (icon) for selecting the left IH coil 9L, and 497B is a selection section (icon) for the right IH coil 9R.
[0422] 497C is a selection section (icon) for selecting the microwave induction heating source 189. When the screen change mark (icon) 503 is touched in FIG. 38(B), the display screen 216 in FIG. 38(B) changes to that in FIG. 39(B).
[0423] Next, we will explain Figures 39(A) and (B). Figures 39(A) and (B) show the state in which all (10) of the Range Grill (RG) control menus are displayed. Figure 39(A) shows five control menus 500, and Figure 39(B) shows the remaining five control menus 500.
[0424] The large arrows shown in Figures 39(A) and (B) respectively indicate the rear and front when the display screen 216 is held horizontally. The display screen 216 can be operated without any problems whether it is held horizontally, vertically, or at an angle.
[0425] Next, Figures 40(A) and (B) will be described. FIG. 40(A) shows a state in which the "warm" control menu 500 has been selected from the range grill (RG) control menu in the state shown in FIG. 39(A).
[0426] When the fingertip FG touches the RG control menu selection section (icon) 500, the selection section 500 detects the touch and changes the display color, for example, reversing to white characters. When the input confirmation key display section (icon) 496 is touched in this state of Fig. 40(A), the display screen changes to 216 in Fig. 40(B).
[0427] Figure 40(B) is the default screen for the Range Grill (RG) control menu. Reference numeral 504 denotes a name display section (icon) of the RG control menu. The display form and design of the control menu in Fig. 40(B) are similar to those shown in Fig. 15 of the embodiment 1. Such a display is possible because of the presence of the cooking device database 217 and the remote operation information generating unit 219 (see Fig. 30).
[0428] In Fig. 40(B), 505 is a temperature display section (icon) of the RG control menu. In the example of Fig. 40(B), the default value is 80°C, but since the next selectable options are 75°C and 85°C, these are also displayed at the same time.
[0429] As shown in FIG. 40(B), the name display section (icon) 504 of the RG control menu displays the next display candidates, "Oven" and "Parboil leafy vegetables", adjacent to it in slightly smaller size.
[0430] If the user wishes to change the microwave temperature setting to 75° C. in the state shown in Figure 39(B), he or she can simply place fingertip FG on the portion showing 75° C. This will be explained in the next Figure 40. Similarly, when changing the control menu's "warm" to "oven" or "pre-boil leafy vegetables," the user simply touches the candidate switching marks (icons) 519, 520 near "oven" or "pre-boil leafy vegetables."
[0431] 40B, reference numeral 506 denotes a reference image display section. The reference image may be something other than a photograph, and may be an illustration showing an image of the "warm" control menu.
[0432] Next, Figures 41(A) and (B) will be described. When the orientation of the communication terminal device 200 is changed to the vertical direction, the display screen 216 changes to a portrait orientation as shown in Fig. 41 (A) (B). The display screen 216 may be set to be fixed in a portrait orientation as shown in Fig. 41 (A) (B).
[0433] Switching between FIG. 41(A) and FIG. 41(B) can be done simply by touching the screen switching mark (icon) 503. Next, Fig. 42 (A) and (B) will be described. When the fingertip FG touches the control menu selection section 500 to select the "warm" control menu 500 shown in Fig. 41 (A), the display color changes, for example, to reverse to white characters, as shown in Fig. 42 (A). When the input confirmation key display section (icon) 496 is touched in this state of Fig. 42 (A), the display screen changes to the display screen 216 of Fig. 42 (B).
[0434] Next, in the state shown in Fig. 42(B), if one wishes to change the (upper heating limit) temperature setting of the "warm" range (microwave heating) to 75°C, one should place one's fingertip FG on the 75°C display area (temperature display area 505 of the RG control menu). Then, the display screen 216 changes to the state shown in Fig. 43(A).
[0435] In Fig. 42(B), 507A is an auxiliary information display section, which is displayed near the reference image display section 506. In Fig. 42(B), the user is advised to select a set temperature.
[0436] Next, FIG. 43(A) will be described. As shown in Figure 43(A), the set temperature is displayed as having been changed to 75°C. Note that, because this is still a stage before the control conditions have been finalized, the other set temperature of "85°C" remains displayed.
[0437] In the state shown in FIG. 43(A), the remote control signal transmission key display section (icon) 521 is displayed for the first time. In this Figure 43 (A), when the transmission key display section 521 is selected, the setting information (cooking condition data) of the control menu "Warm" of the "Microwave only cooking mode KM1" displayed in this Figure 43 (A) is transmitted all at once to the heating cooker 1 as remote control information.
[0438] The state in Figure 43 (B) is the stage where all conditions for executing ``Warm'' in the RG control menu have been selected, so the heating temperature condition of ``75°C'' displayed on the temperature display unit 505 is sent to the cooking appliance 1.
[0439] In Fig. 43(A), 507B is an auxiliary information display section, which is displayed near the reference image display section 506. Fig. 43(A) shows that the input operation is completed by pressing the transmission key display section 521.
[0440] At the stage of Fig. 43(B) after the transmission of the remote control signal (including cooking condition data) has been completed, the stop key display section (icon) 522 for stopping the heating operation by remote control is displayed for the first time. Pressing this stops the heating operation at the stage of Fig. 43(B). Pressing this stop key display section 522 once returns to the first stage, and all remote control conditions must be input again.
[0441] The communication terminal device 200 is provided with a stop key display section (icon) 522 that can immediately transmit command information for commanding stopping heating. This provides a function for ensuring the safety of the cooking appliance 1.
[0442] Next, FIG. 44(A) will be described. Fig. 44(A) shows the display screen 216 that is displayed when the selection section 499 of the collaborative cooking mode KM3 shown in Fig. 38(A) is touched. The display screen 216 of Fig. 44(A) may also be displayed by touching the central operation section selection section 491M in Fig. 37(A). However, when the central operation section selection section 491M is touched, it is also used as the selection screen for the range grill cooking mode (combined cooking mode KM2), so there are a few more touch operations required to select the collaborative cooking mode KM3.
[0443] FIG. 44(A) shows an example in which "fried chicken" is selected as one of the cooking menus in the cooperative cooking mode KM3. When the user wishes to cook "fried chicken" and touches the linked cooking menu display section (selection section) 500C, the display color changes, for example, to white characters, as shown in FIG. 44(A).
[0444] When the input key display section (icon) 496 is touched in the state of Fig. 44(A), the display screen 216 (not shown) for cooking "fried chicken" is displayed. The display screen 216 of Fig. 44(A) is a display screen showing the selection stage of "fried chicken".
[0445] Note that Figure 44(A) only shows the collaborative cooking menu and omits the subsequent illustration of selecting the heating unit and control conditions, but if you select (touch) the collaborative cooking menu selection section (icon) 500C on the display screen 216 of Figure 44(A), you will proceed to the display screen 216 for setting the selected cooking menu (e.g., "fried chicken").
[0446] Between Fig. 44 and Fig. 45, there is actually a setting display screen 216 for "fried chicken". The display screen 216 may display an icon (not shown) for selecting the left or right heating unit (IH coils 9L, 9R) as shown in the first embodiment (Fig. 16). Alternatively, the left or right heating unit may not be specified, and the heating ports 4L, 4R may be selected on the heating cooker 1 side that receives the cooking condition data. Also, the setting display screen 216 displays a transmission key display section (icon) 521 as shown in Fig. 43. This allows the cooking condition data for "fried chicken" to be transmitted.
[0447] Figure 44 (B) shows an example of a notification corresponding to "Reference Information 1" FA1 that is automatically notified by the heating cooker 1 when the heating control unit 43 detects the progress of the cooking process in the middle of cooking process 1 when cooking "fried chicken" using the cooking menu of the collaborative cooking mode KM3.
[0448] In this embodiment 1, the "Reference Information 1" FA1 notified by the heating cooker 1 notifies two things: to open the door 7 of the heating chamber 6, and then to remove the heated ingredients from the heating chamber 6, as shown in Figure 44 (B).
[0449] The display screen 216 of the communication terminal 200 also displays, as shown in FIG. 44(B), a preparation work reference image 509 indicating opening the door 7 and a preparation work reference image 510 indicating removing the food to be cooked together with the tray, as contents corresponding to the above-mentioned reference information 1FA1. Reference numeral 511 denotes attention-calling information, and 512 denotes auxiliary information that explains the user's operation.
[0450] Next, FIG. 45(A) will be described. The display screen 216 in FIG. 45(A) displays the first cooking step of "fried chicken." 513 is a process information display section. In this Fig. 45(A), it is displayed that the microwave heating is still continuing. 514 is a display section for the next cooking process information. In the example of this figure, it is displayed that induction heating will be performed next at the right heating port 4R.
[0451] A recommended menu display section 515 may include a recommended cooking menu (another cooking) searched for from inventory information previously acquired from a refrigerator (not shown).
[0452] In the example of Fig. 44(A), it is suggested that there is another recommended menu that can be cooked in the heating chamber 6 that is currently being used for "fried chicken" after that heating chamber is no longer in use. Note that the heating cooker 1 has a function that can obtain refrigerator inventory information by wireless communication with the refrigerator.
[0453] At the stage of Fig. 45(A), the recommended menu is not automatically displayed in detail. If the user touches the detailed display instruction section (icon) 523 that is displayed for the first time at this stage, the details are displayed as shown in Fig. 45(B).
[0454] It should be noted that a selection section equivalent to the detailed display instruction section (icon) 523 as shown in Fig. 45(B) is not displayed in the central display section 16M of the cooking appliance 1. After a certain period of time, the screen of Fig. 45(A) automatically returns to the display screen 216 of Fig. 44(A).
[0455] Even at the stage of FIG. 45(B) after the transmission of this remote control signal has been completed, the stop key display section (icon) 522 for stopping the heating operation by remote control is displayed.
[0456] In FIG. 45(B), 487 is a display area for the name of the cooperative cooking menu. In this case, the name of the food to be cooked, “fried chicken”, is displayed. A recommended menu is displayed in a display area 516. Specific contents of the recommended menu are displayed in a display area 515 for the recommended menu. It is recommended that the food be defrosted and heated before cooking.
[0457] In FIG. 45(B), 517 is auxiliary information for the recommended menu, and indicates that cooking can be done using the "warm" control menu that utilizes microwave heating. 518 is a cooking reference image of the recommended menu. It may be an illustration (image) instead of a photograph. At this stage in FIG. 45(B), the stop key display section (icon) 522 for stopping the heating operation by remote control is also displayed.
[0458] Next, FIG. 46(A) will be described. The display screen 216 in FIG. 46(A) shows a state in which cooking step 1 of "fried chicken" has ended and the cooking step has entered a heating pause period, that is, a transition period TR, before moving to cooking step 2.
[0459] The transition period TR does not end unless the user who is actually cooking in front of the cooking appliance 1 presses the input key 151M of the cooking appliance 1. In other words, the length of time for the transition period is up to the user.
[0460] Therefore, the communication terminal device 200 does not have a function to remotely (by wireless communication) command the transition period TR and resume the cooking process from a remote location, regardless of the operation performed. This is to improve the safety of the cooking device 1.
[0461] 513 is a process information display section. In Fig. 46(A), it is displayed that the microwave heating has ended. 514 is a display section for the next cooking process information. In the example of this figure, it is displayed that the next step is induction heating at the right heating port 4R.
[0462] A recommended menu is displayed in 515. When there is a recommended cooking menu (another cooking) searched from inventory information previously obtained from a refrigerator (not shown), this display 515 shows that there is a recommended cooking menu, as shown in Fig. 46(A).
[0463] When the detailed display instruction section (icon) 523 displayed on the display screen 216 in Figure 46 (A) is touched, details of candidate cooking menus that can be performed in parallel with cooking process 2 in the heating chamber 6 are displayed, as shown in Figure 46 (B).
[0464] A selection section equivalent to the detailed display instruction section (icon) 523 as shown in Fig. 46(A) may also be displayed on the central display section 16M of the cooking device 1. However, if the display screen of the central display section 16M is not of a touch input type, it is necessary to display that an appropriate input key should be pressed.
[0465] When the input confirmation key display section (icon) 496 in Fig. 46(B) is pressed, information on a recommended cooking menu (another cooking) that uses the heating chamber 6 is transmitted to the cooking appliance 1. In other words, the intention of "agreeing with the recommended menu" is conveyed to the user who is cooking in front of the cooking appliance 1.
[0466] When information on the recommended cooking menu (another cooking) is transmitted to the cooking appliance 1, the owner of the communication terminal device 200 may be notified of the recommended cooking menu (another cooking) without being in the kitchen. In other words, at that moment, it is also possible that another user is in front of the cooking appliance 1. In any case, the user can know that cooking can be performed simultaneously in parallel by effectively using the heating chamber 6.
[0467] In the above description, the communication terminal device 200 such as a smartphone performs wireless communication 400 by Bluetooth (registered trademark) with the cooking appliance 1. As another method, since the communication terminal device 200 has an NFC input / output unit 221 (see FIG. 30) for short-distance wireless communication, the communication terminal device 200 may be brought into direct proximity with or into contact with an NFC input / output unit (not shown) on the cooking appliance 1 side for input.
[0468] Summary of embodiment 2. As is clear from the above description, in the second embodiment, the cooking device according to the third disclosure is disclosed in the following form. That is, A first heating means (induction heating source 9) HM1 for heating an object to be heated at a first location (above and near the top plate 3); A second heating means (microwave heating means) HM2 for heating the food to be cooked in a second place (heating chamber 6) separate from the first place; An input operation unit 15 for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit 51 for receiving cooking condition data 2 from an external device; A control device 40 that controls the first heating means, the second heating means, and the communication unit 51, The control device 40 includes a heating control unit 43 that executes a cooperative cooking mode KM3 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven with a time lag based on cooking condition data 1, a data acquisition unit 53 that acquires the cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit 51 in order to execute the cooperative cooking mode KM3 for a specific food (e.g., hamburger steak), and a restriction unit 55 that prohibits the data acquisition unit 53 from acquiring the cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit 51 during a standby period before starting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 in accordance with an input from the input operation unit 15. The configuration is characterized by the above.
[0469] According to this configuration, the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 1 held by the heating cooker 1 and the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from outside do not interfere with each other, which is expected to prevent confusion for the user and improve usability.
[0470] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the cooking device according to the fourth disclosure is disclosed in the following form. That is, A first heating means (induction heating source 9) HM1 for heating an object to be heated at a first location (above and near the top plate 3); A second heating means (microwave heating means) HM2 and a third heating means (radiant heat heating means 12) HM3 for heating the food to be cooked in a second place (heating chamber 6) separate from the first place; An input operation unit 15 for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit 51 for receiving cooking condition data 2 from an external device; A control device 40 that controls the first heating means, the second heating means, and the communication unit 51, The control device 40 includes a heating control unit 43 that executes an integrated cooking mode KM3 in which a group of the first heating means HM1, the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are driven with a time lag based on cooking condition data 1, a data acquisition unit 53 that acquires the cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit 51 in order to execute the integrated cooking mode KM3 for a specific food (e.g., hamburger steak), and a restriction unit 55 that prohibits the data acquisition unit 53 from acquiring the cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit 51 during a waiting period before starting cooking in the integrated cooking mode KM3 in accordance with an input from the input operation unit 15. The configuration is characterized by the above.
[0471] According to this configuration, the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 1 held by the heating cooker 1 and the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from outside do not interfere with each other, which is expected to prevent confusion for the user and improve usability.
[0472] In addition, since the cooker is equipped with a second heating means (microwave heating means) HM2 that heats the food to be cooked in a second location (heating chamber 6), and a third heating means (radiant heat heating means 12) HM3 that can heat the heating chamber 6 and heat the food to be cooked in the same second location (heating chamber 6), the number and types of heating means (those with different heating principles) increase, and a cooking appliance 1 that can handle a wide variety of cooking methods can be realized.
[0473] In the second embodiment, the cooking device according to the fifth disclosure is disclosed in the following form. That is, A first heating means (induction heating source 9) HM1 for heating an object to be heated at a first location (above and near the top plate 3); A second heating means (microwave heating means) HM2 or a third heating means (radiant heat heating means 12) HM3 for heating the food to be cooked in a second place (heating chamber 6) separated from the first place and isolated from the first place; an input operation unit 15 for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit 51 for receiving cooking condition data 2 from an external device; A control device 40 that controls the first heating means, the second heating means, and the communication unit 51, The control device 40 includes a heating control unit 43 that executes an integrated cooking mode KM3 in which the first heating means HM1 and one or both of the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are driven with a time lag based on cooking condition data 1, a data acquisition unit 53 that acquires the cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit 51 in order to execute the integrated cooking mode KM3 for a specific food (e.g., hamburger steak), and a restriction unit 55 that prohibits the data acquisition unit 53 from acquiring the cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit 51 during a standby period before starting cooking in the integrated cooking mode KM3 in accordance with an input from the input operation unit 15. The input operation unit 15 includes a selection means (input key 153M) for selecting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, When the cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is selected by the selection means (input key 153M), the restriction unit 55 does not restrict acquisition of the cooking condition data 2. The configuration is characterized by the above.
[0474] According to this configuration, the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 1 held by the heating cooker 1 and the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from outside do not interfere with each other, which is expected to prevent confusion for the user and improve usability.
[0475] In the second embodiment, the heat cooking system according to the sixth disclosure is disclosed in the following form. That is, A cooking system including a cooking device 1 having a plurality of heating means HM1, HM2, and HM3 with different heating capacities or heating principles, and a function of a linked cooking mode KM3 in which the heating means heats food in at least two locations in sequence, and a communication terminal 200 for communicating with the cooking device 1, The cooking device 1 has cooking condition data 1 for executing the cooking operation of the combined cooking mode KM3, The communication terminal 200 includes a terminal side data acquisition unit (cooking condition data acquisition unit) 230 that acquires cooking condition data 2 for performing the cooking operation of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 from an external source other than the cooking device 1; A recipe selection unit 232 for selecting a specific recipe (cooking menu) in response to a recipe selection operation by a user; a cooking condition data transmission unit 231 that, when a specific recipe is selected by the recipe selection unit 232, acquires the cooking condition data 2 by the terminal side data acquisition unit 230 and transmits the cooking condition data 2 to the heating cooker 1; The heating cooker 1 was characterized by comprising a memory unit 42 that stores the cooking condition data 2 received from the communication terminal device 200 in correspondence with identification information 167, and a heating control unit 1 that reads out the cooking condition data 2 from the memory unit 42 in response to a user's selection operation of the collaborative cooking mode KM2 or the selection operation of the identification information 167, and uses the data for cooking in the collaborative cooking mode KM3.
[0476] According to the cooking appliance 1 of the sixth disclosure, when cooking is performed by coordinating the first heating means (induction heating source 9) and the second heating means HM2 (coordination cooking mode KM3), a highly convenient cooking appliance can be provided that can handle a wide variety of cooking methods by coordinating them using cooking condition data acquired from outside.
[0477] In this second embodiment, the heat cooking system according to the seventh disclosure is disclosed in the following form. That is, A cooking system including a cooking device 1 having a plurality of heating means HM1, HM2, and HM3 with different heating capacities or heating principles, and a function of a linked cooking mode KM3 in which the heating means heats food in at least two locations in sequence, and a communication terminal 200 for communicating with the cooking device 1, The cooking device 1 has cooking condition data 1 for executing the cooking operation of the combined cooking mode KM3, The communication terminal device 200 includes a cooking device database 217 that generates cooking condition data 2 for performing the cooking operation of the cooperative cooking mode KM3, and a cooking condition data transmission unit 231 that transmits the cooking condition data 2 to the cooking device 1, The cooking device 1 includes a storage unit 42 that stores the cooking condition data 2 received from the communication terminal device 200 in association with identification information 167, and a heating control unit 43 that reads out the cooking condition data 2 from the storage unit 42 in response to a user's selection operation of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 or the identification information 167, and uses the cooking condition data 2 for cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3. The cooking device 1 is characterized by having a specific input key that allows the start of reception of the cooking condition data 2 from the communication terminal device 200.
[0478] According to this configuration, the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 1 held by the heating cooker 1 and the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from outside do not interfere with each other, which is expected to prevent confusion for the user and improve usability.
[0479] Embodiment 3 Figs. 47 to 49 show a cooking device according to embodiment 3. Fig. 47 is explanatory diagram 1 showing the display operation of the central display unit immediately after start-up of cooking device 1. Fig. 48 is explanatory diagram 2 showing the display operation of the central display unit after start-up of cooking device 1. Fig. 49 is explanatory diagram 3 showing the display operation of the central display unit after start-up of cooking device 1. Note that parts that are the same as or equivalent to the configurations of embodiments 1 and 2 described in Figs. 1 to 46 are given the same reference numerals.
[0480] In this third embodiment, the configuration of the cooking device 1 shown in the second embodiment is modified, and the display content of the central display section and the procedure for selecting the cooking mode are partially modified.
[0481] Referring now to Figure 47, when the main power switch 20 is turned "OFF", the central display unit 16M is not activated and therefore does not display any information. When the main power switch 20 is turned "ON", the control device 40 performs a self-diagnosis to check for abnormalities, etc., as described above, and then displays the display screen 1A (initial standby screen 16MH) of FIG. 47.
[0482] In the display screen 16MH of Fig. 47, 60A is a display message notifying that the power is on. 60B is two-dimensional information (two-dimensional code) for guiding to a dedicated recipe posting site (cloud server 300) via a wide area network such as the Internet. 60C is a message explaining the meaning of the two-dimensional code.
[0483] When the communication terminal 200 is started and the two-dimensional code 60B is optically read, it can be connected to an external recipe information providing server 301 (not shown) that holds information on various cooking recipes. As explained in the first embodiment, the recipe information providing server 301 is provided with a recipe DB (database) 302 (not shown) that holds data on various cooking recipes (cooking condition data).
[0484] After the display screen 1A is displayed, the display screen B is automatically displayed. After the display screen 1A is displayed as shown in Fig. 48, the display screens B1 to B3 may be displayed for a certain time (for example, for 3 seconds or 5 seconds) at certain time intervals (for example, for 3 seconds or 5 seconds each) as shown in Fig. 49. Then, the display screen 1A is displayed again.
[0485] On the other hand, the audio notification unit 50 may, when the display screen B shown in FIG. 47 is displayed, or when the display screens B1 to B3 are displayed as shown in FIG. 49, notify the user of the display contents (displayed information) of the display screen by audio and guide the user which input keys to operate.
[0486] For example, at the time of display screen B1, it is good to display a guide such as "When using both the heating chamber and the IH for coordinated cooking, please select the number 1 key." In this case, the "number 1 key" is the input key 153M. The "number 1 key" refers to the input key 153M. The "number 2 key" refers to the input keys 154M and 155M.
[0487] It is preferable to display the number 1 on the upper surface of the central operation unit 15M by printing or engraving it on the operation surface of the input keys 153M. Alternatively, the operation surface of the input keys 153M itself may be illuminated so that the number can be easily identified by the user. A similar configuration can be adopted for the other numbers 2 and 3.
[0488] When the input key 153M is pressed for the first time through the above process, the central display unit 16M switches from the display screen B to the first specific screen 16M1 as shown in Fig. 49. However, as described in the embodiment, if "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are not met, a display or audio notification is made to the effect that the collaborative cooking mode KM3 cannot be selected, and the display returns to the display screen A.
[0489] The control device 40 is configured to automatically open the main power switch 20 and cut off the main power when the time that has elapsed without any of the input keys 153MC, 154M, 155M being operated exceeds a certain time limit (30 minutes) from the time that the standby initial screen 16MH (display screen A) is displayed or the content of display screen B is announced by voice by the voice notification unit 50.
[0490] As shown in FIG. 49, in an initial standby period TA after activation, the cooking appliance 1 does not acquire any data from the communication terminal device 200 (acquisition is prohibited by the limiting unit 55 described in FIG. 29).
[0491] On the other hand, from the time when the input key 153M is pressed, the obtainable period TB begins, and the cooking device 1 is therefore able to obtain cooking condition data from the communication terminal device 200.
[0492] As shown in Figs. 47 to 49, display areas 525, 526, and 527 for displaying cooking mode names are displayed in central display area 16M. The display unit 525 displays corresponding to the cooperative cooking mode KM3. The display unit 526 displays corresponding to the composite cooking mode KM2. The display unit 526 displays corresponding to the induction heating source 9 single cooking mode KM1.
[0493] As shown in FIG. 47, the display screen B shows display sections 525 to 527 in a list form, and displays guidance messages (text information) 530, 531, and 532 that specify the input key to be operated first in a one-to-one correspondence with each of the display sections.
[0494] Therefore, the user can check information common to the first heating means HM1, the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3, such as warning information (standby common information 60N), on the standby initial screen 16MH (display screen A).
[0495] Furthermore, since the guidance messages 530, 531, 532 can be seen on guidance screen B (16MA), any confusion on the part of the user before cooking can be eliminated, resulting in a cooking appliance 1 that is easy to operate and convenient to use.
[0496] As shown in FIG. 47, explanatory text 533, 534, 535 indicating the content of each cooking mode is displayed simultaneously with the display on display sections 525-527.
[0497] Furthermore, at the timing when the display screen B is displayed on the guidance screen 16MA, the voice notification unit 50 notifies by voice of the input keys to be operated.
[0498] Therefore, the user can obtain information about the input keys to be operated not only visually but also by voice, which is expected to further improve operability.
[0499] Summary of embodiment 3. As described above, the cooking device 1 according to the ninth disclosure has the following configuration in the third embodiment. That is, A first heating means HM1 (induction heating source 9) for heating an object to be heated at a first location (above the top plate 3); A second heating means HM2 for heating the food to be cooked in a second place (heating chamber 6) separated from the first place and isolated from the first place; an input operation unit 15 for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit 51 for receiving cooking condition data 2 from an external device; A display unit 16 that displays cooking information; a control device 40 that controls the first heating means, the second heating means, the communication unit 51, and the display unit 16, After starting up the display unit 16, the control device 40 displays a standby initial screen 16MH on the display unit 16, The standby initial screen 16MH displays at least one of reference information 1 (standby common information 60N) common to the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2, and reference information 2 (explanations 525-527, 533-535) showing the contents of a plurality of heating modes KM1-KM3 or the operation of the input operation unit 15 to select the heating cooking mode, When a specific input, i.e., operation of the input key 153M, is performed on the input operation unit 15 during the display period of the standby initial screen 16MH, the control device 40 acquires the cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit 51.
[0500] According to this configuration, the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 1 held by the heating cooker 1 and the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from outside do not interfere with each other, which is expected to prevent confusion for the user and improve usability.
[0501] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the input operation unit 15 has input keys 153L, 153M, and 153R for individually selecting the heating cooking modes KM1 to KM3, respectively, The initial standby screen 16MH was configured to display information (explanations 525-527, 533-535 in Fig. 47) regarding the selection of the first heating means and the second heating means for selecting the input keys 153L, 153M, 153R as the reference information 2. In other words, the guide screen 16MA shown in Fig. 47 was temporarily and automatically displayed.
[0502] This configuration is expected to prevent confusion for the user when selecting one of a plurality of cooking modes, and to improve usability.
[0503] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the input operation unit 15 has input keys 153L, 153M, and 153R corresponding to the plurality of cooking modes KM1 to KM3, respectively, for selecting the cooking modes individually, The standby initial screen 16MH displays information common to the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM3 for selecting the input keys 153L, 153M, and 153R as the reference information 1 (60N), After the reference information 1 is displayed, the restriction unit 55 of the control device 40 restricts the acquisition of the cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit 51 until the specific input key (153M) is operated.
[0504] According to this configuration, the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 1 stored on the cooking appliance 1 side and the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from the outside do not interfere with each other, which is expected to prevent confusion for the user and also to facilitate selection of the cooking mode, thereby improving usability.
[0505] Embodiment 4 Fig. 50 shows a cooking device according to embodiment 4, and explains the operation steps of the control device 40 of the cooking device 1 from when the cooking device 1 is started until just before cooking starts. Note that parts that are the same as or equivalent to the configurations of the embodiments explained in Figs. 1 to 49 are given the same reference numerals.
[0506] In the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the control device 40 of the cooking appliance 1 shown in the first embodiment is modified. In FIG. 50, steps SU1 to SU4 are the same as those explained in FIG. 27, so duplicate explanations will be omitted.
[0507] After the stage where the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed on the central display unit 16M (step SU1), in step SU1A, an automatic connection operation with an external device (the information terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300) is performed, and if the communication connection is successful, the process proceeds to step SU1B.
[0508] In step SU1B, it is determined whether or not the input key 153M of the input operation unit 15 has been operated, and if it has been operated, the process proceeds to the next step SU2.
[0509] When it is confirmed at step SU2 that recipe information (cooking condition data) has been acquired from the outside, an "input prohibition period" TC starts at step SU2.
[0510] When the "input inhibition period" TC starts, the input functions of the various input keys in the input operation unit 15 are disabled by the control device 40. However, as an exception, the operation button (input key) 20A of the main power switch 20 remains enabled, so it is possible to cut off the power at any time.
[0511] During the "input inhibition period" TC, the control device 40 compares the latest states of each component part of the cooking appliance 1 and determines whether or not the state satisfies the permission conditions 1 and 2.
[0512] When it is determined that permission conditions 1 and 2 are simultaneously satisfied (SU6), the identification information included in the recipe information (cooking condition data) acquired from the external device (the information terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300) is displayed on the central display unit 16M. In this case, the identification information (for example, "Name: Hamburger") is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SU7).
[0513] 50, the "cooking condition changeable period" TD starts from the point when the identification information (e.g., "Name: Hamburger") is displayed in the first specific screen 16M1. This cooking condition changeable period TD ends when the input key 151M for starting cooking is pressed.
[0514] Therefore, during the "cooking condition changeable period" TD, the user can use input keys 154M, 155M, etc. to adjust the control conditions (heat value, heat level, target temperature, heating time, and other conditions) for the cooking menu that the acquired cooking condition data applies to (for example, "hamburger steak"). However, there are some control conditions that cannot be changed depending on the cooking menu.
[0515] On the other hand, a case where, at the stage of step SU3, the control device 40 compares the latest state of the cooking appliance 1 and determines that the state does not satisfy the permission conditions 1 and 2 (step SU4) will be described.
[0516] The contents of the standby initial screen 16HM in the central display unit 16M are partially changed to display in text a message that the recipe information (cooking condition data) acquired from the external device cannot be executed with the current cooking device 1. The same message is also notified by voice from the voice notification unit 50 (step SU5A).
[0517] Furthermore, in step SU5A, a message that the recipe information (cooking condition data) is currently unavailable is transmitted from the communication unit 51 to the communication terminal 200 or cloud server 300 that transmitted the recipe information (cooking condition data). Then, the transmitting side is notified so that the status of the cooking appliance 1 can be known.
[0518] Summary of embodiment 4. As described above, the cooking device 1 disclosed in the fourth embodiment is similar to the cooking device 1 described in the fourth disclosure of the second embodiment, A first heating means HM1 (induction heating source 9) that heats an object to be heated by a plurality of heating parts 4L, 4C, and 4R that are horizontally separated from each other; A second heating means HM2 for cooking in a heating chamber 6 located separately from the heating unit; a third heating means HM3 that heats the heating chamber by a heating principle different from that of the second heating means; An input operation unit 15 for receiving commands from a user; A control device 40 that receives commands from the input operation unit 15, The input operation unit 15 includes a first mode selection unit (an input key 153M for selecting a cooperative cooking mode KM3) and a second mode selection unit (input keys 154M and 155M for selecting a composite cooking mode KM2), The first mode selection unit 153M selects an integrated cooking mode KM3 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven in a specified order. The second mode selection units 154M and 155 are (1) A plurality of control menus (e.g., range grill cooking) belonging to a composite cooking mode in which the second heating means and the third heating means are automatically combined and used in combination; (2) A plurality of control menus (e.g., manual range) belonging to a single cooking mode KM1 using either one of the second heating means and the third heating means; It also serves as a means to select only one of the following: The control device 40 has a function of executing the cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 based on cooking condition data 1 and a function of executing the cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from an external source, The acquisition of the cooking condition data 2 is characterized by the provision of a restriction unit 55 that prohibits the acquisition operation so that it is not performed before cooking in the collaborative cooking mode KM3 is selected in accordance with input from the input operation unit 15 (the first mode selection unit 153M).
[0519] According to this configuration, the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 1 held by the heating cooker 1 and the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from outside do not interfere with each other, which is expected to prevent confusion for the user and improve usability.
[0520] As described above, the control system for the cooking device disclosed in the fourth embodiment relates to the ninth disclosure. A cooking system including a cooking device 1 having a plurality of heating means (a first heating means HM1, a second heating means HM2) with different heating capacities or heating principles, and a function of a coordinated cooking mode KM3 in which food to be cooked is successively heated by the heating means HM1 and HM2 at at least two locations, and a communication terminal 200 for communicating with the cooking device 1, The cooking device 1 has cooking condition data 1 for executing the cooking operation of the combined cooking mode KM3, The communication terminal 200 includes a cooking condition data transmission unit 231 that transmits cooking condition data 2 to be used in the collaborative cooking mode KM3 of the cooker 1, The cooking device includes a storage unit 42 that stores the cooking condition data 2 received from the communication terminal in association with identification information, a display unit 16 (16M), and a heating control unit 43 that reads out the cooking condition data 2 from the storage unit 42 in response to a user's selection operation of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 or the selection operation of the identification information 167, and uses the read cooking condition data 2 for cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, The cooking device 1 includes a specific input key 153M that allows the start of reception of the cooking condition data 2 from the communication terminal device 200, When the collaborative cooking mode KM3 is selected by the input key 153, if a predetermined permission condition is satisfied, identification information 167 specifying the cooking to which the cooking condition data 2 is applied is displayed on the display unit 16.
[0521] According to this configuration, the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 1 held by the heating cooker 1 and the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from outside do not interfere with each other, which is expected to prevent confusion for the user and improve usability.
[0522] In addition, the input key 153M that allows the user to start receiving the cooking condition data 2 from the communication terminal device 200 also serves as a key for selecting the linked cooking mode, which eliminates the need to increase the number of input keys installed in the input operation unit 15, and thus provides the secondary effect of not impairing user operability.
[0523] Furthermore, the first specific screen 16M1 is not displayed unless the prerequisites for starting the cooperative cooking mode KM3 (permission conditions 1 and 2) are met. Therefore, after the user sets (selects) various conditions for the cooperative cooking mode KM3 (for example, heat level, target temperature, heating time, etc.), it is not determined that permission condition 1 or permission condition 2 is not met, and the steps are not forcibly returned to the first standby initial screen 16MH (step SU1 in FIG. 50). Therefore, the user is not forced to perform unnecessary input operations.
[0524] Embodiment 5. Fig. 51 is a control block diagram showing main functions of a cooking device 1 according to embodiment 5. Fig. 52 is a flow chart showing the operation of acquiring cooking condition data relating to a combined cooking mode in the cooking device 1 of Fig. 51. Fig. 53 is a diagram explaining the contents of an initial standby screen of the central display unit at the time of start-up in the cooking device shown in Fig. 51. Fig. 54 is a configuration diagram of a cooking system using the cooking device shown in Fig. 51. Note that parts that are the same as or equivalent to the configurations of the respective embodiments explained in Figs. 1 to 50 are given the same reference numerals.
[0525] In the fifth embodiment, the configuration of the control device 40 of the cooking appliance 1 shown in the first embodiment is modified so that acquisition of cooking condition data from outside is restricted even in the combined cooking mode KM2.
[0526] Referring to Figure 51, Fig. 51 is a control block diagram showing main functions of the cooking device 1 according to embodiment 1. The configuration of Fig. 51 is partially different from the configuration shown in Fig. 11 of embodiment 1. That is, the control device 40 has a permission condition determination unit 54 .
[0527] The permission condition determining unit 54 performs the process of determining whether or not cooking in the combined cooking mode KM3 is permitted, as described in the first embodiment.
[0528] Furthermore, in this embodiment 5, the permission condition determination unit 54 performs processing for determining whether or not to permit cooking in the combined cooking mode KM2 using the heating chamber 6. This point is different from the embodiment 1.
[0529] After the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed, the permission condition determination unit 54 checks the latest temperature of the heating chamber 6 using the temperature sensor group 30. If the temperature exceeds 80° C., it determines that “permission condition 3 is not satisfied.”
[0530] Next, in FIG. 52, steps ST1 to ST3 are the same as those explained in FIG. 22, so duplicate explanations will be omitted.
[0531] From the time when the main power switch 20 is turned "ON" to the stage of step ST2 or step ST3, the control device 40 switches the input function of the relevant input key (e.g., 153M, 154M) of the input operation unit 15 from "disabled" to "enabled" so that the heating cooking mode can be selected.
[0532] In step ST4, the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed on the central display unit 16M, and usage precautions for the user are also displayed. A specific display screen is shown in Fig. 53. In this step ST4, the fact that cooking condition data (recipe data) can be obtained from the outside is not displayed (not notified by the voice notification unit 50 either).
[0533] In the next step ST11, the permission condition determination unit 54 checks whether the "permission condition" is satisfied. If it is found from the measurement data from the temperature sensor group 30 that the heating chamber 6 is still hot from the previous use, for example, exceeding 100°C, it is determined that "permission condition 3 is not satisfied."
[0534] If the permission condition 3 is satisfied, in the next step ST12, the display contents of the initial standby screen 16MH are partially changed to display that cooking condition data can be obtained from an external site. An example of this will be described with reference to the next FIG.
[0535] After step ST12, the input control unit 15 checks whether any specific input key operation has been performed. For example, if the input key 154M or 155M is pressed before the input key 153M is pressed, this means that the "combined cooking mode" KM2 has been selected, and the display screen is switched to the second specific screen 16M2.
[0536] On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST12 that permission condition 3 is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step ST13. Then, in step ST13, a message is displayed indicating that the combined cooking mode KM2 using the heating chamber 6 is unavailable, and the process returns to step ST4.
[0537] Next, we will explain Figure 53. FIG. 53 shows the display contents of the central display section 16M corresponding to each operation step explained in FIG.
[0538] As shown in FIG. 53, when the main power switch 20 is turned off, the central display unit 16M is not activated and does not display any information. When the main power switch 20 is turned on, the control device 40 performs a self-diagnosis to check for abnormalities, etc., as described above, and then displays the display screen 1 of FIG. 53 on the central display unit 16M.
[0539] In the display screen 1 of FIG. 53, 60A is a display message notifying that the power is on. After display screen 1 is displayed, display screen 2A or 2B may be displayed automatically. Furthermore, after the display screen 2A or 2B is displayed, the display screen 2C may be displayed automatically.
[0540] During the period in which the display screens 1 to 2C are displayed, the permission condition determination unit 54 determines whether or not the permission condition 3 is satisfied.
[0541] If it is determined that permission condition 3 is satisfied and the process proceeds to step ST12, the display screen 1 changes to display screen 2D in Fig. 53. That is, two-dimensional information (two-dimensional code) 60B is displayed to guide the user to recipe information providing server 301, which is a dedicated recipe posting site, via external network 201. 60C is text explaining the meaning of the two-dimensional code.
[0542] The display screen 2D continues to be displayed until the user selects one of the cooking modes, but for safety reasons, the main power switch 20 automatically turns "OFF" after, for example, 30 minutes have elapsed since the display screen 2D was first displayed.
[0543] The five display screens, ie, the display screen 1 and the display screens 2A to 2D shown in FIG. 53, are called a "common screen" or an "initial screen during standby" 16MH.
[0544] On the display screen 2B, 60E is a caution display that warns the user not to touch the inside of the heating chamber 6 carelessly because the temperature inside the heating chamber 6 is high. If the control device 40 detects that the heating chamber 6 has not yet cooled down sufficiently after oven cooking has been performed in the heating chamber 6, the display screen 2 automatically switches to this state. This detection may be made by utilizing the judgment result of the permission condition judgment unit 54 described above.
[0545] When the two-dimensional code 60B is optically read by the communication terminal 200, it is possible to connect to the recipe information providing server 301 that holds information on various cooking recipes. The two-dimensional code 60B, the two-dimensional information 60C, and the display text 60A are a type of "standby common information" 60N.
[0546] Next, the operation of the limiting unit 55 shown in FIG. 51 will be described. As described in FIG. 34 in the second embodiment, when cooking condition data is received via communication unit 51, input keys 153M and 154M need to be pressed on input operation unit 15 on the cooking appliance 1 side.
[0547] When the user presses either the input key 154M or 155M at the stage of the initial standby screen 16MH, the combined cooking mode KM2 is selected.
[0548] At this stage, the restriction unit 55 of the cooking appliance 1 is in a state where it does not restrict the data acquisition unit 53 from acquiring cooking condition data via the communication unit 51. Therefore, from the point when either the input key 154M or 155M is pressed, the cooking appliance 1 can acquire cooking condition data from the outside.
[0549] As explained in Fig. 35 of the second embodiment, a specific composite cooking menu obtained from outside cannot be changed to another composite cooking menu. However, if it is not desired to erase the cooking condition data once obtained, the cooking condition data may be temporarily stored in the cooking condition data storage unit 42 by pressing the input key 152M. In this case, if a display screen different from the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed before the save command and some additional information is added and saved, it becomes easy to search for the data when it is used later.
[0550] Next, a description will be given of Fig. 54. Fig. 54 is a configuration diagram of a heat cooking system utilizing a heat cooker 1. The configuration of Fig. 51 differs partially from the configuration shown in Figs. 1 to 3 of the first embodiment.
[0551] In FIG. 54, 200A is a communication terminal (mobile terminal) such as a smartphone, which differs from the communication terminal 200 carried by the user of the cooking appliance 1 and is used by a family member living with the user.
[0552] 800 is a refrigerator equipped with a freezer. A plurality of freezer compartments (not shown) are arranged so that a freezer compartment with a suitable freezing temperature (temperature range) for frozen foods (including processed foods) and fresh ingredients (meat, fish, etc.) can be selected, for example, -18°C±2°C, -10°C, -2°C, etc.
[0553] The refrigerator 800 has a function of performing two-way wireless communication 401 with the communication terminal device 200. The communication terminal device 200 can obtain inventory information from the refrigerator. The type (range) of this inventory information can be limited to only frozen foods, or to only food ingredients that can be heated by a microwave heating source (second heating means HM2), for example. The user can freely set the range of such inventory information by using the function setting key 151KP (not shown) described in the first embodiment.
[0554] Various methods have been proposed, such as manually inputting data such as the name and attributes of food when putting food into refrigerator 800, or automatically reading information about food, etc. optically or magnetically and storing inventory information. In the fifth embodiment, since there are no restrictions on the identification of food when it is placed in refrigerator 800 or after it has been placed therein, either method may be used.
[0555] The refrigerator 800 transmits the collected inventory data SD1 to the communication terminal device 200 in response to a request from the communication terminal device 200. Furthermore, when there is a request for the inventory information from the cooking appliance 1 via the cloud server 300, the refrigerator 800 transmits the latest inventory data (foodstuff holding data) SD1 in response to the request.
[0556] The inventory data SD1 may be, for example, information that identifies the type of food (e.g., meat, vegetables, etc.) and the amount. In the case of frozen foods, it may be information that identifies the name of the food (e.g., "rice" or "gyoza") and the amount (one portion, weight 200g, etc.).
[0557] In FIG. 54, the refrigerator 800 is shown performing wireless communication 401 only with the communication terminal device 200, but the refrigerator 800 may be connected to the cloud server 300 via a network 201 capable of two-way communication via an access point such as a wireless router (not shown) or an information processing device (such as a home gateway) (not shown) installed in the kitchen or house where the refrigerator 800 is located.
[0558] If a wireless communication network 206 is established between the refrigerator 800 and the cloud server 300, the inventory data SD1 can be provided to the cloud server 300 without passing through the communication terminals 200, 200A. In this case, a relay device such as a wireless router may be used.
[0559] In the fifth embodiment, when the cooking appliance 1 finishes cooking, the cooking execution data CD9 is automatically transmitted via the network 205 immediately thereafter.
[0560] Here, "cooking execution data" refers to at least one of the following pieces of information: (1) Identification information 167 that can identify the food to be cooked. For example, the name of the food to be cooked (including abbreviations), such as "fried chicken" or "stir-fried vegetables." (2) Information regarding the weight or volume of the food being cooked (3) Information indicating the control conditions for the cooking process 1 and the cooking process 2 (for example, microwave output of 500 W, heat of 1500 W during induction heating, or "medium heat") (4) Information indicating the time required from the cooking process 1 to the end of the cooking process 2 (5) Information indicating the end time of the second cooking step (or the final cooking step) (6) Information indicating the time required from the start of the preheating process to the end of all cooking processes 2 (7) Information for identifying the heating source that performed the cooking operation (e.g., left IH coil 9L) (8) Information about restrictions that the user will be subject to when cooking the next meal (e.g., that microwave (automatic) heating cannot be performed because heating chamber 6 is too hot) (9) Information related to the safety of the user, such as the current temperature of the heating chamber 6
[0561] The "(2) information on the weight or volume of the food to be cooked" is, for example, information such as "fried chicken: 300 g." This can be estimated by the control device 40 from the rate of temperature rise of the food to be cooked (fried chicken) in cooking step 1.
[0562] The “cooking execution data” can be useful information for the refrigerator 800. For example, among the "cooking implementation data," "(4) information indicating the time required to complete cooking step 2," "(5) information indicating the completion time," and "(6) information indicating the time required to complete all cooking steps 2" can be used by a "schedule management unit" (not shown) prepared in the cloud server 300. By accumulating this data, it becomes possible to estimate the periods when cooking is concentrated in each household.
[0563] The "cooking execution data" can be useful information for refrigerator 800. For example, the "cooking execution data" can be used by the schedule management unit (not shown) to estimate a time period during which cooking is concentrated, and from that time period, it becomes possible to predict the timing at which food (such as a part of heated food) will be stored in refrigerator 800. In other words, the data can be used to control the timing of changes to the freezing and refrigeration capacity of refrigerator 800 and changes to the settings.
[0564] The “cooking execution data” including the cooking condition data CD7 is automatically transmitted to a “family shared information section” (not shown) prepared in the cloud server 300. On the other hand, the family shared information unit (not shown) automatically transmits information on the completion of cooking and its outline (at least identification information 167 that identifies the cooking) at any time, even without individual requests (inquiries) from the communication terminals 200 and 200A.
[0565] The cooking system described above is expected to enable the user and his / her family to effectively use the cooker 1 and to improve convenience.
[0566] As described above, the cooking device disclosed in the fifth embodiment relates to the tenth disclosure. A first heating means HM1 (induction heating source 9) that heats an object to be heated with a plurality of heating parts (heating ports 4L, 4M, 4R) set on a top plate 3; A second heating means HM2 for heating and cooking the food in a heating chamber 6 located separately from the heating unit; An input operation unit 15 for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit 51 for receiving cooking condition data from an external device; A display unit 16 that displays cooking information; A control device 40 that receives commands from the input operation unit 15, The input operation unit 15 has input keys 154M and 155M for selecting a combined cooking mode KM2 in which a heating operation in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are combined is automatically performed, The control device 40 has a function of executing the cooking of the composite cooking mode KM2 based on cooking condition data acquired from an external source (cloud server 300, communication terminal device 200) via the communication unit 51, The acquisition of the cooking condition data is permitted when the input keys 154M, 155M are operated at the timing when the input function of the input keys 154M, 155M is enabled and a specific display (initial screen 16MH during standby) is displayed on the display unit 15.
[0567] According to this configuration, there is no interference between the composite cooking operation based on cooking condition data 1 stored in the heating cooker 1 and the composite cooking operation based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from outside, which is expected to prevent confusion for the user and improve usability.
[0568] As described above, the cooking system disclosed in the fifth embodiment relates to the eleventh disclosure. A cooking device 1 including a first heating means HM1 for heating an object to be heated with a heating section (heating ports 4L, 4C, 4R) set on a top plate 3, and a second heating means HM2 for cooking the object to be cooked in a heating chamber 6 located at a different location from the heating section; A communication terminal 200, 200A that communicates with the cooking appliance 1; A server 300 connected to the cooking device 1 and the communication terminals 200 and 200A via networks 201, 204 and 205, respectively; A cooking system comprising: The cooking device 1 has a cooking menu corresponding to a specific food to be cooked, The cooking device 1 has cooking condition data 1 for executing the cooking menu, The communication terminals 200 and 200A each have a function of providing the cooking menu (such as an associated cooking menu) cooking condition data 2 to the cooking appliance 1, and a function of acquiring cooking execution data (cooking data) CD9 of the cooking menu from the cooking appliance 1, The cooking device 1 is characterized by having a function of determining the timing of receiving the cooking condition data 2 from the communication terminal device 200, 200A.
[0569] According to this configuration, the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 1 held by the heating cooker 1 and the coordinated cooking operation based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from outside do not interfere with each other, which is expected to prevent confusion for the user and improve usability.
[0570] In addition, the cooking execution data (cooking data) CD9 can be immediately accessed by the user or other family members via the communication terminals 200 and 200A, improving convenience by, for example, allowing them to know the state of cooking even in a place far from the kitchen. Furthermore, the cooking execution data CD9 can be used in the refrigerator 800 to efficiently manage its operation, improving the convenience of electrical appliances (refrigerator 800, cooker 1, etc.) in the kitchen by utilizing the data.
[0571] Other embodiments. In order to explain each circuit, part, and each component of the device that constitutes the cooking device 1 and the communication terminal device 200, the cooking condition data 1 and the cooking condition data 2 have been described separately, but these two may be substantially the same data. For example, one cooking condition data (e.g., hamburger steak recipe data) that is initially stored in the cooking device 1 and cooking condition data (e.g., hamburger steak recipe data) acquired from the outside via the communication unit 51 may have the same content.
[0572] In addition, the communication terminal 200, such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal (a small portable personal computer), does not necessarily need to provide the cooking condition data 2 acquired from the cloud server 300 to the heating cooker 1, and may generate and store the cooking condition data 2 by the communication terminal 200 itself.
[0573] The circuits, parts, and components of the devices illustrated in the above embodiments 1 to 5 are conceptual in function and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated. Furthermore, the functions of the control device 40, heating control section 43, first heating means HM1, second heating means HM2, third heating means HM3, and storage device 41 in particular can be distributed or integrated, and the specific form is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit depending on the function, operation status, etc.
[0574] Each function of the control device 40 and the heating control unit 43 is realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit that realizes each function may be a dedicated hardware, or may be a processor that executes a program stored in a memory.
[0575] When the processing circuit is a processor, the functions of the control device 40 and the heating control unit 43 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the storage device 41, which is a memory. The processor realizes the functions of the control device 40 and the heating control unit 43 by reading and executing the programs stored in the storage device 41.
[0576] These programs cause the microcomputer to execute the control procedures of the control device 40 and the heating control unit 43. The storage device 41 is typically a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM.
[0577] 14 may be stored in an external recording medium (such as a storage server) rather than being stored in the cooking device 1. In this case, the cooking device 1 accesses the external recording medium (storage server) to obtain necessary data and program information.
[0578] Furthermore, the operation programs of the control device 40, the first heating means HM1, the second heating means HM2, and the third heating means HM3 may be updated to appropriately modified or improved programs at the request of a user or a manufacturer of the cooking appliance 1. In this case, the modified or improved programs may be obtained through the communication unit 51, for example.
[0579] One of the heating parts (IH coils 9L, 9M, 9R) of the first heating means HM1 that cooks food on the top plate 3 may be replaced with a gas combustion burner. In this case, a gas flow valve is configured to be controlled by the control unit. Further, a part or the whole of the second heating means HM2 or the third heating means HM3 may be replaced with a gas combustion burner or an induction heating source.
[0580] In the first to fifth embodiments, the input operation unit 15 has been described as a “contact input” operation unit in which the user touches the input keys to give an input command, but it may also be a non-contact type in which input is given by detecting the movement of the user's fingers or hand in a non-contact manner.
[0581] Furthermore, the input operation unit 15 may be changed to a voice input method that recognizes and inputs the user's voice. In the case of the voice input method, a microphone and a voice receiving unit for receiving the user's voice and converting it into a voice recognition signal correspond to the input operation unit. Alternatively, a mechanical switch such as a contact type or a pressure type may be used in combination with the voice input method.
[0582] Furthermore, the input operation unit 15 may give a command to the cooking appliance 1 via an input terminal device having a voice input function, such as a smart speaker or an AI speaker. The smart speaker or AI speaker wirelessly transmits and receives information at any time between a support server having a voice translation function or a search function in a network environment, such as the cloud server 300, and acquires a voice (natural language) uttered by a user near the cooking appliance 1 as a voice signal, converts it into a command signal from the user by the support server, and finally generates a command signal for the cooking appliance 1. For this reason, even if the user is near the cooking appliance 1 and has both hands occupied preparing food or processing ingredients, and thus the frequency of directly touching the input operation unit 15 is limited, the cooking appliance 1 can be conveniently operated with natural utterances (voice).
[0583] In the first to fifth embodiments, the means for selecting various control menus and control conditions, etc., displayed on the first specific screen 16M1, the second specific screen 16M2, and the third specific screen 16M3 is the input operation unit 15, but it may also be provided within the display screen of the central display unit 16M or the left and right display units 16L and 16R, which are the display means.
[0584] For example, the aforementioned Patent Publication No. 5833699, which proposes a technique relating to composite cooking, proposes a technique in which a display screen for composite cooking is displayed, the names of the composite cooking menus are displayed on the display screen, and the user selects a menu by directly touching the menu selection section with their finger.
[0585] Therefore, the first specific screen 16M1 and the second specific screen 16M2 may display the menu of cooking options available in the composite cooking mode KM2 and the collaborative cooking mode KM3, as well as the names of the foods to be cooked (a type of identification information), and the like, and the user may directly touch the display portion (also called the "icon" portion) with his / her finger to select the menu of the collaborative cooking mode, etc.
[0586] In the first embodiment, the communication unit 51 receives command signals and recipe data (cooking condition data) transmitted from outside the cooking appliance 1, and the cooking appliance 1 transmits various operation signals and command signals to the outside, but it may also transmit information indicating the progress of the cooking process 1 and cooking process 2, such as the start and end of the cooking process 1 and cooking process 2, each time (see the third and fifth embodiments). The user can know this progress information on the communication terminal device 200, etc., improving convenience.
[0587] In addition to the cooking appliance 1, a home gateway having a function of receiving search result data on the inventory of the refrigerator 800 may be arranged as an information management device, and the cooking appliance 1 and the refrigerator 800 may be connected via wireless communication (LAN) or network 206 (see Figure 54), so that the cooking appliance 1 can obtain inventory information on the refrigerator and use it for cooking.
[0588] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The substantial scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Industrial Applicability]
[0589] The cooking device according to the present disclosure can be widely used not only in kitchens of ordinary homes, but also in kitchens of public facilities, stores, etc. [Explanation of symbols]
[0590] 1 Cooker 2 Main unit 3 Top Plate 4 heating port 4L left heating port 4C central heating port 4R Right heating port 5 Exhaust vent cover 6 Heating chamber 7 Doors 8. Handle 9C central IH coil 9L Left IH coil 9R Right IH coil 10 Open / close detection unit 11 Microwave oscillator (magnetron) 12 Radiant heating means 12a Upper radiant heating means 12b Lower radiant heating means 13. Infrared Sensor 14 Thermistor Sensor 15 Input operation section 15L Left control section 15M central control unit 15R Right control section 16 Display 16 F Progress Mark 16L Left display 16M central display 16M1 1st specific screen 16M2 2nd specific screen 16M3 3rd specific screen 16MA Information screen 16MH Common screen (initial screen during standby) 16MM Reception Operation Display Screen 16R Right display 17 Firepower display section 17L left firepower display section 17M central firepower display section 17R Right firepower display section 20 Main power switch 20A Main power switch operation button (key) 21 Light emitting part 21L Light emitting part 21M Light Emitting Unit 21R Light emitting part 22 First display area 23 Second display area 24 Third display area 30 Temperature sensors 30A Temperature Sensor 40 Control device 41 Display data storage unit 42 Cooking condition data storage unit 43 Heating control section 53 Data Acquisition Section 54 Permission condition determination section 55 Restrictions 57 Power supply circuit 60A Display statement 60B Two-dimensional information (two-dimensional code) 60C Text explaining the meaning of the two-dimensional code 60E Caution display 60H Recommendation 60N Common information during standby 151L~155L Input keys 151M~159M input keys 151R~155R Input keys 160 Control menu identification information 161 Control menu identification information 162 Control menu identification information 163 Heating source display section 164 Reference information 165 Additional Information 166 Additional Information 167 Identification Information 168 Identification Information 169 Identification Information 170 Operation support information 171L Heating section identification section 171R Heating part identification part 172 Process information 173 External recipe identification unit 174 Receiving operation display unit 200 Communication terminal (smartphone) 201 Network 202 Network 203 Network 204 Network 205 Network 206 Network 210 Transmitter / Receiver 211 Communication Control Unit 212 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 213 ROM / RAM 214 Speaker 215 Touch operation unit 216 Terminal display section (terminal display screen) 217 Cooking Appliance Database 218 Attitude detection unit 219 Remote control information generation unit 220 Storage section 221 NFC input / output section 222 Audio input section 223 Notification Data 224 Remote Control Data 225 Display operation section 230 Cooking condition data acquisition unit 231 Cooking condition data transmission unit 232 Terminal side recipe selection section 300 Cloud Servers 310 Light emitting element for microwave oven (LED) 311 Grill light emitting element (LED) 312 Light emitting element for oven (LED) 313 Central IH light emitting element (LED) 314 High temperature warning light emitting diode (LED) group 314a Heating chamber high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) 314b IH High Temperature Caution Light Emitting Diode (LED) 491L Input key (icon) 491M Input key (icon) 491R Input key (icon) 492 Input Key (icon) 493 Input Key (icon) 494 Input Key (icon) 495 Input Key (icon) 496 input keys (icons) 481 Menu display section 482 Menu selection display section 483 Heat source selection display unit 484 Control menu selection display section 485 Collaborative cooking menu display section 486 Preparation information display section 487 Name display section of linked cooking menu 488 Control menu display section (icon) 489 Preheat control menu display (icon) 490 Caution information display section 491M Selection section (icon) 491L Selection section (icon) 491R Selection section (icon) 492 Advice display selection section (icon) 493 Control menu display section (icon). 494 "Fried food" control menu display (icon) 495 Menu screen display section (icon) 496 Confirmation display section (icon) 497A Induction Heating Source Selection Unit (icon) 497B Induction Heating Source Selection Unit (icon) 497C Microwave Heating Source Selection Unit (icon) 498 Range grill heat source selection section (icon) 499 Collaborative cooking mode selection section (icon) 500 RG control menu selection section (icon) 501 Mark (icon) 502 Screen switching mark 503 Screen switching mark 504 RG control menu name display section (icon) 505 RG control menu temperature display (icon) 506 Reference image display area 507A Auxiliary information display section 507B Auxiliary information display section 509 Preparation work reference image 510 Preparation work reference image 511 Alert information 512 Auxiliary Information 513 Process information display section 514 Cooking process information display unit 515 Recommended menu display 516 Recommended Menu Supplementary Information 517 Recommended Menu Supplementary Information 518 Recommended menu cooking reference images 519 Candidate Switching Mark (Icon) 520 Candidate Switching Mark (Icon) 521 Send key display section (icon) 522 Stop key display section (icon) 523 Detailed display indicator (icon) 525~527 Display section 530~532 Information 533~535 Description 600 Kitchen furniture 800 Refrigerator (freezer refrigerator) CD1~CD8 Cooking condition data CD9 Cooking Data SD1 Stock Data.
Claims
1. A first heating means for heating an object to be heated at a first location; A second heating means for heating the food to be cooked at a second location separate from the first location; an input operation unit for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit that receives cooking condition data from an external device; a control device that controls the first heating means, the second heating means, and the communication unit; The control device has a function of executing an integrated cooking mode in which the first heating means and the second heating means are driven with a time lag; The control device has a data acquisition unit that acquires the cooking condition data via the communication unit in order to execute the combined cooking mode for a specific food item, The input operation unit includes a selection unit for selecting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode, When the selection means selects cooking in the integrated cooking mode, the control device permits the data acquisition unit to acquire the cooking condition data via the communication unit, The heating cooker is characterized in that the data acquisition unit acquires information identifying the first heating means and the second heating means to be operated in the coordinated cooking mode, and data indicating the order in which the first heating means and the second heating means are to be operated.
2. A first heating means for heating an object placed on a top plate; A second heating means for heating the food to be cooked in the heating chamber; a third heating means for heating the heating chamber and having a heating principle different from that of the second heating means; an input operation unit for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit that receives cooking condition data from an external device; a control device that controls each of the first heating means, the second heating means, the third heating means, and the communication unit; The control device has a function of executing an integrated cooking mode in which the first heating means and at least one of the second heating means and the third heating means are driven with a time lag; The control device has a data acquisition unit that acquires the cooking condition data via the communication unit in order to execute the combined cooking mode for a specific food item, The input operation unit includes a selection unit for selecting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode, When the selection means selects cooking in the integrated cooking mode, the control device permits the data acquisition unit to acquire the cooking condition data via the communication unit, The heating cooker is characterized in that the data acquisition unit acquires data including information identifying the first heating means, the second heating means, and the third heating means to be operated in the collaborative cooking mode, an order in which the first heating means and at least one of the second heating means or the third heating means are operated, control conditions for operating the first heating means, and control conditions for operating at least one of the second heating means or the third heating means.
3. A first heating means for heating an object to be heated at a first location; A second heating means for heating the food to be cooked at a second location separate from the first location; an input operation unit for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit that receives cooking condition data 2 from an external device; a control device that controls the first heating means, the second heating means, and the communication unit; The control device is a heating cooker characterized in that it has a heating control unit that executes a coordinated cooking mode in which the first heating means and the second heating means are driven with a time lag based on cooking condition data 1, a data acquisition unit that acquires the cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit in order to perform heating cooking in the coordinated cooking mode for a specific food item, and a restriction unit that prohibits the data acquisition unit from acquiring the cooking condition data 2 via the communication unit during a waiting period before starting cooking in the coordinated cooking mode.
4. A first heating means for heating the object to be heated by a heating section; A second heating means for heating and cooking the food in a heating chamber located separately from the heating unit; a third heating means for heating the heating chamber by a heating principle different from that of the second heating means; an input operation unit for receiving commands from a user; a control device that receives a command from the input operation unit, the input operation unit includes a first mode selection unit and a second mode selection unit, The first mode selection unit selects an integrated cooking mode in which the first heating means and the second heating means are driven in a specified order, The second mode selection unit is (1) a means for selecting a plurality of control menus belonging to a combined cooking mode in which the second heating means and the third heating means are automatically combined and used in combination; (2) a means for selecting a plurality of control menus belonging to a single cooking mode using either the second heating means or the third heating means; It is used for both purposes. The control device has a function of executing cooking in the integrated cooking mode based on cooking condition data 1 and a function of executing cooking based on cooking condition data 2 acquired from an external source, A cooking device comprising: a limiting unit that prohibits acquisition of the cooking condition data 2 before the cooking in the combined cooking mode is selected by the first mode selecting unit.
5. A first heating means for heating an object to be heated at a first location; A second heating means for heating the food to be cooked at a second location separate from the first location; an input operation unit for receiving commands from a user; A communication unit that receives cooking condition data 2 from an external device; a control device that controls the first heating means, the second heating means, and the communication unit; The control device has a function of executing an integrated cooking mode in which the first heating means and the second heating means are driven with a time lag based on cooking condition data 1 and based on the cooking condition data 2 acquired via the communication unit, a data acquisition unit that acquires the cooking condition data 2; and a restriction unit that prohibits the data acquisition unit from acquiring the cooking condition data 2 during a standby period before starting cooking in the integrated cooking mode in accordance with an input from the input operation unit, The input operation unit includes a selection unit for selecting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode, The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the restriction unit does not restrict acquisition of the cooking condition data 2 when cooking in the collaborative cooking mode is selected by the selection unit.
6. A cooking device having a plurality of heating means with different heating capacities or heating principles and equipped with a function of a linked cooking mode in which food to be cooked is heated sequentially by the heating means at least in two locations, and a communication terminal for communicating with the cooking device; A cooking system comprising: The cooking device has cooking condition data 1 for executing the cooking operation in the combined cooking mode, The communication terminal includes a terminal-side data acquisition unit that acquires cooking condition data 2 for executing the heating and cooking operation in the cooperative cooking mode from an external device other than the heating cooker; A recipe selection unit that selects a specific recipe in response to a recipe selection operation by a user; a cooking condition data transmission unit that, when the recipe selection unit selects a specific recipe, acquires the cooking condition data 2 by the terminal side data acquisition unit and transmits the cooking condition data 2 to the heating cooker; The cooking device includes a communication unit, a control device for controlling the communication unit, an input operation unit for receiving a user's command, and a selection means for selecting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode provided in the input operation unit. When the cooking in the linked cooking mode is selected by the selection means, the control device permits the reception of the cooking condition data 2 acquired by the terminal side data acquisition unit via the communication unit, The heating cooking system is characterized in that the heating cooker is equipped with a memory unit that stores the cooking condition data 2 received from the communication terminal device in correspondence with identification information, and a heating control unit that reads the cooking condition data 2 from the memory unit in response to a user's selection operation of the collaborative cooking mode or a selection operation of the identification information, and uses the cooking condition data 2 for cooking in the collaborative cooking mode.
7. A cooking device having a plurality of heating means with different heating capacities or heating principles and equipped with a function of a linked cooking mode in which food to be cooked is successively heated by the heating means at a first location and a second location, and a communication terminal for communicating with the cooking device; A cooking system comprising: The cooking device has cooking condition data 1 for executing the cooking operation in the combined cooking mode, the communication terminal device includes a cooking device database that generates cooking condition data 2 for performing the cooking operation in the cooperative cooking mode, and a cooking condition data transmission unit that transmits the cooking condition data 2 to the cooking device; The cooking device includes a storage unit that stores the cooking condition data 2 received from the communication terminal device in association with identification information, and a heating control unit that reads out the cooking condition data 2 from the storage unit in response to a user's operation for selecting the linked cooking mode or the identification information, and uses the cooking condition data 2 for cooking in the linked cooking mode. the cooking device is provided with a specific input key for allowing the communication terminal to start receiving the cooking condition data 2, The cooking system according to claim 1, wherein the specific input key is an input key used in an operation for selecting the associated cooking mode.
8. A cooking device having a plurality of heating means with different heating capacities or heating principles and equipped with a function of a linked cooking mode in which food to be cooked is heated sequentially by the heating means at least in two locations, and a communication terminal for communicating with the cooking device; A cooking system comprising: The cooking device has cooking condition data 1 for executing the cooking operation in the combined cooking mode, the communication terminal includes a cooking condition data transmission unit that transmits cooking condition data 2 to be used in the cooperative cooking mode of the cooking appliance; The cooking device includes a storage unit that stores the cooking condition data 2 received from the communication terminal device in association with identification information, a display unit, and a heating control unit that reads out the cooking condition data 2 from the storage unit in response to a user's selection operation of the cooperative cooking mode and uses the data for cooking in the cooperative cooking mode. the cooking device is provided with a specific input key for allowing the cooking condition data 2 to be received from the communication terminal device, A heating and cooking system characterized in that when the linked cooking mode is selected by operating the input keys to permit reception of the cooking condition data 2 from the communication terminal device, and when a predetermined permission condition is satisfied, the identification information is displayed on the display unit to select cooking to which the cooking condition data 2 is applied.
9. A cooking device including a first heating means for heating an object to be heated with a heating section set on a top plate, and a second heating means for cooking the object to be cooked in a heating chamber located separately from the heating section; A communication terminal for communicating with the cooking appliance; a server connected to the cooking device and the communication terminal device via a network; A cooking system comprising: The cooking device has a cooking menu of an associated cooking mode corresponding to a specific food to be cooked, The cooking device has cooking condition data for executing a cooking menu of the cooperative cooking mode, The communication terminal device has a function of providing the cooking condition data to the cooking appliance and a function of acquiring cooking execution data of a cooking menu of the cooperative cooking mode from the cooking appliance, The cooking device includes a communication unit, a control device for controlling the communication unit, an input operation unit for receiving a user's command, and a selection means for selecting cooking in the cooperative cooking mode provided in the input operation unit. The control device has a data acquisition unit that acquires the cooking condition data via the communication unit in order to execute the combined cooking mode for a specific food item, When the selection means selects cooking in the integrated cooking mode, the control device permits the data acquisition unit to acquire the cooking condition data via the communication unit, A cooking system, wherein the cooking device has a function of determining a timing for receiving the cooking condition data from the communication terminal.
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