Heating cooker

Abstract

To provide a heating cooker that does not adversely affect cooking results and does not impair safety by not accepting setting information for controlling the heating cooker from an external communication device after heating has started.SOLUTION: A heating cooker is equipped with a heating unit, an operation unit that sets the heating unit, a communication unit that communicates with an external communication device, and a control unit that controls the heating unit on the basis of settings of the communication unit and the operation unit. The operation unit is provided with a standby button that allows settings to be input, and a heating start button that starts heating. When the standby button is operated, the control unit transmits, to an external communication device, a message that it is now possible to input settings for the heating unit, allows the communication unit to receive the heating settings transmitted by the external communication device. After the communication unit has received the heating settings transmitted from the external communication device, when the heating start button is operated, the state in which the heating unit can accept setting input from the external communication device is released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking appliance capable of accepting heating settings from an external communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a cooking system in which information for controlling a cooking appliance is transmitted from a communication terminal to the cooking appliance equipped with a communication means (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-53950 A (Page 3, Figure 1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the cooking system described in Patent Document 1, when the communication terminal and the cooker are within a communication range, the communication state is automatically connected. Therefore, if the communication terminal transmits setting information for controlling the cooker with a heating setting different from the user's intention after the cooker starts heating with the heat power set according to the cooking menu, the heating setting may be changed, which may have a negative effect on the cooking result.

[0005] Also, if a higher heating setting than intended is unintentionally transmitted, this could pose a safety risk.

[0006] The cooking device disclosed herein is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a cooking device that does not adversely affect the cooking results and does not compromise safety by not accepting setting information for controlling the cooking device from an external communication device after heating has begun. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The cooking device according to the present disclosure includes: The heating device includes a heating unit for heating an object to be heated, an operation unit provided with a standby button that allows input of settings for the heating unit and a heating start button that starts heating for the heating unit, a communication unit for communicating with an external communication device, a timing means for measuring the time from start of operation of the standby button to when the next setting is input, or the time from start of operation of the standby button to when operation of the heating start button is started, or the time from when setting input is started, the communication unit, and a control unit for controlling the heating unit according to settings of the operation unit, and when no setting input is made from the external communication device even if a first set time has elapsed since operation of the standby button, the control unit transmits to the external communication device a message indicating that input of settings for the heating unit is no longer possible, and controls the heating unit to operate in a manner that the heating unit is in a non-operable state. This cancels the state in which setting input from an external communication device can be accepted. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, when the standby button is operated, the control unit transmits to the external communication device a message indicating that settings for the heating unit can be input, allowing the communication unit to receive the heating settings transmitted by the external communication device, and when the heating start button is operated after the communication unit has received the heating settings transmitted from the external communication device, the state in which the heating unit can accept setting input from the external communication device is cancelled.As such, unintended communications from the external communication device will not be accepted after heating has started, and therefore a heating cooker can be provided that does not adversely affect the cooking results and does not compromise safety. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a cooking device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of kitchen furniture (system kitchen) in which a cooking device according to a first embodiment is incorporated. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a cooking device according to a first embodiment is incorporated into kitchen furniture (system kitchen). [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a kitchen furniture (system kitchen) cut in the front-rear direction with a cooking device according to a first embodiment incorporated in the kitchen furniture (system kitchen). [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing another example of the cooking device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a state in which another example of the cooking device according to the first embodiment is incorporated into kitchen furniture (system kitchen). [Figure 7] 1 is an external plan view showing a state in which a cooking device according to a first embodiment is viewed from above. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a cooking device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram showing a top plate of the cooking device according to the first embodiment and a state in which a cover for an operation and display board is removed, as viewed from above. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cooking device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram in which a portion related to a control unit is extracted from a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cooking device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of the cooking device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of a power consumption setting on a display unit of the cooking device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit of the cooking device according to the first embodiment when a setting input acceptance state is entered. FIG. [Figure 15] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration and operation of the cooking device according to the first embodiment when receiving a setting input. FIG. [Figure 16] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit of the cooking device according to the first embodiment when accepting a setting input. FIG. [Figure 17] (a) is a diagram showing an example of setting input from an external communication device, (b) is a diagram showing an example of selecting a heating section when inputting settings from an external communication device, (c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input, and (d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input. [Figure 18] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the operation of the cooking device according to the first embodiment when receiving a setting input from an external communication device. FIG. [Figure 19] 6 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a display on the display unit of the cooking device according to the first embodiment when accepting a setting input. FIG. [Figure 20] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the cooking device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 21] 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration and operation of the cooking device according to the first embodiment when receiving a setting input from an external communication device. FIG. [Figure 22] 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration and operation of the cooking device according to the first embodiment when receiving a setting input from an external communication device. FIG. [Diagram 23] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a voice notification when the cooking device according to the first embodiment is in a setting input accepting state. [Figure 24] 4 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the operation section and the display section of the cooking device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 25] (a) A figure showing an example of an alert made by an audio output section of a heating cooker according to embodiment 1 when it is close to the time to stop accepting setting inputs, (b) A figure showing an example of an alert made by a display of a heating cooker according to embodiment 1 when it is close to the time to stop accepting setting inputs, (c) A figure showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when it is close to the time to stop accepting setting inputs, and (d) A figure showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when it is close to the time to stop accepting setting inputs. [Figure 26] (a) A figure showing an example of a notification made by the audio output section of the heating cooker of embodiment 1 when acceptance of setting input is canceled, (b) A figure showing an example of a notification made by the display of the heating cooker of embodiment 1 when acceptance of setting input is canceled, (c) A figure showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input is canceled, and (d) A figure showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input is canceled. [Figure 27](a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 1 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 1 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 28] FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display when the heat is increased, and FIG. 13B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display when the heat is decreased. [Figure 29] (a) A figure showing an example of a notification made by the audio output section of the heating cooker of embodiment 1 when acceptance of setting input is canceled, (b) A figure showing an example of a notification made by the display of the heating cooker of embodiment 1 when acceptance of setting input is canceled, (c) A figure showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input is canceled, and (d) A figure showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input is canceled. [Diagram 30] (a) A figure showing an example of a notification made by the audio output section of the heating cooker of embodiment 1 when the acceptance of setting input is stopped; (b) A figure showing an example of a notification made by the display of the heating cooker of embodiment 1 when the acceptance of setting input is stopped; (c) A figure showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input is stopped; (d) A figure showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input is stopped. [Diagram 31] 11 is a first flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 32] 13 is a second flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 33] 11 is a third flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 34]11 is a fourth flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 35] 5 is a fifth flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 36] 6 is a sixth flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 37] 7 is a seventh flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 38] 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 39] 9 is a ninth flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 40] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 41] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 42] 12 is a twelfth flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 43] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 44] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration and operation of a cooking device according to a second embodiment when receiving a setting input. [Diagram 45] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 46] (a) is a diagram showing an example of setting input from an external communication device, (b) is a diagram showing an example of selecting a heating section when inputting settings from an external communication device, (c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input, and (d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input. [Figure 47] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 48]FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a voice notification when the cooking device according to the second embodiment enters a setting input acceptance state. [Figure 49] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of setting input from an external communication device; FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of selecting heating power when inputting settings from an external communication device; FIG. 13C is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input; and FIG. 13D is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input. [Figure 50] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration and operation of a cooking device according to a second embodiment when receiving a setting input. [Figure 51] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when a setting input cannot be accepted, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when a setting input cannot be accepted. [Figure 52] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 53] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 54] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration and operation of a cooking device according to a second embodiment when receiving a setting input. [Figure 55] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 56] FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display when the heat is increased, and FIG. 13B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display when the heat is decreased. [Figure 57](a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 58] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 59] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a voice notification when the cooking device according to the second embodiment enters a setting input acceptance state. [Figure 60] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of when heating power is selected in setting input from an external communication device; FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input; and FIG. 13C is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input. [Figure 61] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration and operation of a cooking device according to a second embodiment when receiving a setting input. [Figure 62] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 63] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 64]FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and a display unit when the heat of a cooking device according to the second embodiment is reduced. [Figure 65] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 66] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 67] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 68] (a) is a diagram showing an example of setting input from an external communication device, (b) is a diagram showing an example of selecting a heating section when inputting settings from an external communication device, (c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input, and (d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input. [Figure 69] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 70] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration and operation of a cooking device according to a second embodiment when receiving a setting input. [Figure 71](a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 72] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 73] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 74] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of setting input from an external communication device; FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of selecting heating power when inputting settings from an external communication device; FIG. 13C is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input; and FIG. 13D is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input. [Figure 75] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration and operation of a cooking device according to a second embodiment when receiving a setting input. [Figure 76] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when a setting input cannot be accepted, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when a setting input cannot be accepted. [Figure 77]FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration and operation of a cooking device according to a second embodiment when receiving a setting input. [Figure 78] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 79] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 80] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 81] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 82](a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 83] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 84] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of when heating power is selected in setting input from an external communication device; FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input; and FIG. 13C is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input. [Figure 85] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 86] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 87] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and a display unit when the heat of a cooking device according to the second embodiment is reduced. [Figure 88] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 89]FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of when heating power is selected in setting input from an external communication device; FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input; and FIG. 13C is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input. [Figure 90] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 91] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 92] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 93] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and a display unit when the heat of a cooking device according to the second embodiment is reduced. [Figure 94] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 95]FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of when heating power is selected in setting input from an external communication device; FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input; and FIG. 13C is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input. [Figure 96] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 97] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 98] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 99] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and a display unit when the heat of a cooking device according to the second embodiment is reduced. [Figure 100] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 101]FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of when heating power is selected in setting input from an external communication device; FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input; and FIG. 13C is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input. [Figure 102] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration and operation of a cooking device according to a second embodiment when receiving a setting input. [Figure 103] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 104] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 105] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Fig. 106] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and a display unit when the heat of a cooking device according to the second embodiment is reduced. [Figure 107](a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Figure 108] (a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. [Fig. 109] (a) A figure showing an example of a notification made by an audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input is stopped; (b) A figure showing an example of a notification made on a display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input is stopped; (c) A figure showing an example of a notification made on an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input is stopped; (d) A figure showing another example of a notification made on an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input is stopped. [Figure 110] (a) A figure showing an example of a notification made by an audio output section of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input is stopped; (b) A figure showing an example of a notification made on a display of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input is stopped; (c) A figure showing an example of a notification made on an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input is stopped; (d) A figure showing another example of a notification made on an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input is stopped. [Figure 111]13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation of a cooking device according to a third embodiment, the diagram being extracted from a part of a flowchart. [Figure 112] (a) A figure showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a cooking device of embodiment 3 when an abnormality occurs in the left heating section; (b) A figure showing an example of an alert made by the display of a cooking device of embodiment 3 when an abnormality occurs in the left heating section; (c) A figure showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when an abnormality occurs in the left heating section; (d) A figure showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when an abnormality occurs in the left heating section. [Figure 113] (a) A figure showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a cooking device of embodiment 3 when an abnormality occurs in the right heating section; (b) A figure showing an example of an alert made by the display of a cooking device of embodiment 3 when an abnormality occurs in the right heating section; (c) A figure showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when an abnormality occurs in the right heating section; (d) A figure showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when an abnormality occurs in the right heating section. [Fig. 114] (a) A figure showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a cooking device of embodiment 3 when an abnormality occurs in the central heating section; (b) A figure showing an example of an alert made by the display of a cooking device of embodiment 3 when an abnormality occurs in the central heating section; (c) A figure showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when an abnormality occurs in the central heating section; (d) A figure showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when an abnormality occurs in the central heating section. [Figure 115] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation of a cooking device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; [Fig. 116] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 117] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation of a cooking device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; [Fig. 118](a) A figure showing an example of an alert made by an audio output section of a cooking device according to embodiment 5 when a communication abnormality occurs; (b) A figure showing an example of an alert made by a display of a cooking device according to embodiment 5 when a communication abnormality occurs; (c) A figure showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when a communication abnormality occurs; (d) A figure showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when a communication abnormality occurs. [Figure 119] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of inputting settings other than heating settings by voice from an external communication device, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of inputting settings other than heating settings by operation from an external communication device. [Figure 120] (a) A figure showing an example of a notification that a setting input other than a heating setting made by an audio output section of a cooking appliance has been made; (b) A figure showing an example of a notification that a setting input other than a heating setting made by the display of a cooking appliance has been made; (c) A figure showing an example of a notification that a setting input other than a heating setting made by voice from an external communication device has been made; (d) A figure showing another example of a notification that a setting input other than a heating setting made by displaying on an external communication device has been made. [Figure 121] 13 is a partly extracted flowchart showing an example of the operation of a cooking device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 122] 13 is a diagram showing another part of the flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the cooking device according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 123](a) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the audio output section of a cooking device according to embodiment 6 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device for the left heating section is stopped and acceptance of setting input from an external communication device for the right heating section becomes possible; (b) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by the display of a cooking device according to embodiment 6 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device for the left heating section is stopped and acceptance of setting input from an external communication device for the right heating section becomes possible; (c) A diagram showing an example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device for the left heating section is stopped and acceptance of setting input from an external communication device for the right heating section becomes possible; (d) A diagram showing another example of an alert made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device for the left heating section is stopped and acceptance of setting input from an external communication device for the right heating section becomes possible. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the cooking device of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The present disclosure includes all combinations of possible configurations among the configurations shown in the following embodiments. The cooking device shown in the drawings shows an example of an appliance to which the cooking device of the present disclosure is applied, and the appliance to which the present disclosure is applied is not limited by the cooking device shown in the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating directions (e.g., "up", "down", "right", "left", "front", "rear", etc.) are used as appropriate to facilitate understanding, but these are for explanation and do not limit the present disclosure. In the embodiment described below, "up", "down", "right", "left", "front", "rear", etc. are used when the cooking device is viewed from the front. In addition, in each drawing, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or equivalent objects, and this is common throughout the entire specification.

[0011] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a cooking device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing an example of a kitchen furniture (system kitchen) in which the cooking device according to the first embodiment is incorporated. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the cooking device according to the first embodiment is incorporated in the kitchen furniture (system kitchen). FIG. 4 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the kitchen furniture (system kitchen) cut in the front-rear direction in a state in which the cooking device according to the first embodiment is incorporated in the kitchen furniture (system kitchen). FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing another example of the cooking device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a built-in induction cooking device, which is another example of the cooking device according to the first embodiment, is incorporated in the kitchen furniture (system kitchen). FIG. 7 is an external plan view showing a state in which the cooking device according to the first embodiment is viewed from above. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the cooking device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a view of the cooking device according to the first embodiment from above in a state in which the top plate and the cover of the operation display board are removed.

[0012] Cooking device 1 according to embodiment 1 includes box-shaped main body 101 and flat top plate 102 as shown in Fig. 1. Main body 101 includes main body case 101A with an open top as shown in Fig. 8, which accommodates power supply board 111, first inverter board (drive control board) 112, second inverter board 113, filter board 114, operation display board unit 101B, left induction heating coil unit 101C, right induction heating coil unit 101D, central induction heating coil unit 101E, cooling fan 121, and the like, which will be described later, and flat top plate 102 is provided to cover the top opening of main body case 101A.

[0013] Body case 101A is made by bending a flat metal plate such as an aluminum-plated steel plate, and top panel 102 is made of top plate 102A made of a nonmetallic material such as heat-resistant glass or ceramic, and frame 102B made of metal and surrounding the outer periphery of top plate 102A.

[0014] Furthermore, a heating port indicator is displayed by printing or other means on top plate 102A of baking tray 102, which serves as a guide when placing a cooking container such as a pot on the heating port. Since the cooking device according to embodiment 1 has been described as having three heating ports, three heating port indicators are provided, namely left heating port indicator 102C, right heating port indicator 102D, and center heating port indicator 102E, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, cooking appliance 1 is used by being incorporated into kitchen furniture (system kitchen) 2. Cooking appliance 1 is inserted by dropping main body 101 into installation opening 2B formed in counter top 2A on the upper surface of kitchen furniture (system kitchen) 2 as shown in Figure 2, and is supported by top plate 102 on counter top 2A.

[0016] The built-in opening 2B formed in the countertop 2A has a width dimension W, a depth dimension D, and four corner dimensions R. For the kitchen furniture (system kitchen) 2, the dimensions of the built-in opening 2B of the countertop 2A are specified in the standard for long-term use components for IH cooking heaters (the cooking device of the present disclosure) (built-in) by the Council for the Promotion of Standardization of Long-Term Use Housing Components (abbreviated as Nagajukyo), which aims to standardize and standardize components related to the housing industry and related industries such as building materials and housing equipment, and according to the regulations, the width dimension is 560 to 564 mm, the depth dimension is 460 to 464 mm, and the four corner dimensions are R25 or less. The width dimension W, the depth dimension D, and the four corner dimensions R may be within the range of the aforementioned regulations.

[0017] In addition, the Standards for Long-Term Use Components also prescribe the thickness dimension of the countertop 2A, and according to the standards, the thickness dimension T of the front end portion 2Aa of the countertop 2A shown in Figure 4 (called the front downward portion according to the Standards for Long-Term Use Components) may be 40 mm or less.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 4, the thickness of main body 101 is set to fall within the range of the dimension T in the thickness direction of front end portion 2Aa of countertop 2A. In other words, the thickness of main body 101 is set to fall within 40 mm. By setting the dimension in the thickness direction of main body 101 to fall within 40 mm, it becomes possible to effectively utilize the internal space 2D formed by rear panel 2G, bottom panel 2H, and side panels.

[0019] For example, as shown in Fig. 2, storage compartments 2E are provided on both ends of front opening 2C. By setting the dimension in the thickness direction of main body 101 to be 40 mm or less, as shown in Fig. 3, by providing storage compartment 2F larger than storage compartment 2E in internal space 2D shown in Fig. 4, it is possible to expand the storage space and improve user convenience.

[0020] The internal space 2D below the cooker 1 is not only effectively used as storage space, but also the main body 101 of the cooker 1 can be used as an upper unit, and a lower body unit 103 containing a cooking chamber (not shown) can be connected below it as shown in Fig. 5, so that the lower body unit 103 can be stored in the internal space 2D to form a cooker 1A having a cooking chamber. By keeping the thickness dimension of the main body 101 at 40 mm or less, the storage space for the lower body unit 103 can be made larger.

[0021] The lower body unit 103 includes a cooking chamber (not shown) as described above. The cooking chamber door 3 at the front can be opened to place food in the cooking chamber and cook it. When the lower body unit 103 is connected and incorporated into the kitchen furniture (system kitchen) 2 as a cooking appliance 1A having a cooking chamber, the cooking chamber door 3 fits in the position of the storage chamber 2F shown in FIG. 3, that is, the front opening 2C (see FIG. 2), as shown in FIG. 6. Hereinafter, the cooking appliance 1A having a cooking chamber will be described as the cooking appliance 1. The cooking appliance 1 includes a communication unit 150 that receives a signal containing various information transmitted from an external communication device or transmits a signal containing various information of the cooking appliance 1 to an external communication device, as will be described later, as shown in FIG. 15. A communication anomaly detection means 170 is also provided to monitor whether the communication of the communication unit 150 is normal. In addition, an audio output unit 160 is included that outputs various information of the cooking appliance 1 or various information transmitted from an external communication device by voice.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 8, the inside of main body case 101A accommodates power supply board 111, first inverter board (drive control board) 112, second inverter board 113, filter board 114, operation display board unit 101B, left induction heating coil unit (left heating unit) 101C which is the heating unit of the present disclosure, right induction heating coil unit (right heating unit) 101D which is the heating unit of the present disclosure, and central induction heating coil unit (central heating unit) 101E which is the heating unit of the present disclosure, and also accommodates cooling fan 121 for cooling them.

[0023] The cooling air generated by the operation of the cooling fan 121 cools the first inverter board (drive control board) 112, the left induction heating coil unit 101C, etc., and then passes through exhaust paths 101F and 101G provided at the rear of the main body 101, and is discharged outside the main body 101 from exhaust ports 102N and 102P provided at the rear of the top plate 102, in the frame body 102B.

[0024] 7 and 8, an exhaust port cover 104 is provided to cover exhaust port 102N and exhaust port 102P. Exhaust port cover 104 is formed with an opening that allows ventilation, allowing the exhausted air to pass through with little resistance. By providing exhaust port cover 104, intrusion of foreign matter into main body 101 from exhaust port 102N and exhaust port 102P located below exhaust port cover 104 is suppressed.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 7, three heating port indicators, specifically, left heating port indicator 102C, right heating port indicator 102D, and center heating port indicator 102E, which indicate the positions where the object to be heated is placed, are displayed on top plate 102A of top board 102 by a method such as printing. Heating units corresponding to each heating port indicator are disposed below left heating port indicator 102C, right heating port indicator 102D, and center heating port indicator 102E inside main body case 101A. Note that, although an example of the cooking device 1 of the present disclosure having three heating ports is described, the number of heating ports may be two, and can be selected according to specifications.

[0026] Below the left heating port display 102C, the left induction heating coil unit 101C, which is the heating part of the present disclosure, is arranged, below the right heating port display 102D, the right induction heating coil unit 101D, which is the heating part of the present disclosure, is arranged, below the center heating port display 102E, the center induction heating coil unit 101E, which is the heating part of the present disclosure. Note that in the heating cooker 1 of the present disclosure, all three heating ports are described as induction heating type heating parts, but all three do not need to be induction heating type heat source parts, and among the three heating parts, for example, the center heating part may be a radiant heating type heating part, and can be selected according to specifications.

[0027] The left induction heating coil unit 101C includes a left induction heating coil 101Ca and a left magnetic shielding ring 101Cb. The right induction heating coil unit 101D includes a right induction heating coil 101Da and a right magnetic shielding ring 101Db. The central induction heating coil unit 101E includes a central induction heating coil 101Ea and a central magnetic shielding ring 101Eb.

[0028] The left induction heating coil 101Ca, the right induction heating coil 101Da, and the center induction heating coil 101Ea are each made by bundling about 30 thin copper wires or aluminum wires of about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, twisting a number of these bundles, and winding them into a ring shape, and heat the object to be heated by induction heating. Note that the winding shape of the coils shown in the figure is an example, and is not limited to this shape.

[0029] The left induction heating coil unit 101C and the right induction heating coil unit 101D are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the front side of the top plate 102. The central induction heating coil unit 101E is arranged at the rear side of the left induction heating coil unit 101C and the right induction heating coil unit 101D, and at a substantially central position in the left-right direction of the top plate 102. The heating cooker 1 is provided with a heating unit abnormality detection means 180 (see Figs. 10 and 11) that detects abnormalities before and during operation of the left induction heating coil unit 101C, the right induction heating coil unit 101D, and the central induction heating coil unit 101E. The heating unit abnormality referred to here does not refer to a single phenomenon, but includes abnormal states that affect the heating of the heating unit, such as an overcurrent that is outside the allowable range of the current flowing through the heating coil, a temperature rise in the heating coil that is outside the allowable range, and an abnormality in a temperature detection means (not shown) that detects the temperature of the heating coil.

[0030] The output of the left induction heating coil 101Ca of the left induction heating coil unit 101C and the right induction heating coil 101Da of the right induction heating coil unit 101D is, for example, 3.2 kW, and the output of the central induction heating coil 101Ea of the central induction heating coil unit 101E is, for example, 1.5 kW, and the output of the central induction heating coil 101Ea is set lower than the output of the left induction heating coil 101Ca and the right induction heating coil 101Da. Note that this output is just an example, and all three heating coils may be different or all the same, and the output combination can be appropriately selected according to the specifications.

[0031] On the front side of the top plate 102, more specifically the left heating port display 102C and the right heating port display 102D of the top plate 102A, there are provided operation units, more specifically the left operation unit 102G, the center operation unit 102H, and the right operation unit 102J, as shown in FIG. 7. The left operation unit 102G is an operation unit for inputting operations to the left induction heating coil unit 101C, the center operation unit 102H is an operation unit for inputting operations to the center induction heating coil unit 101E, and the right operation unit 102J is an operation unit for inputting operations to the right induction heating coil unit 101D, and has operation units corresponding to the heating ports. Furthermore, the right end of the operation unit is provided with a main power switch 102F, which turns the power of the entire cooking device 1 on and off. In addition, in the cooking device 1 of the present disclosure, the operation unit is assumed to be a touch switch type operation unit that detects input by a change in electrostatic capacitance, and the explanation and the figure are related to the touch switch type operation unit. However, it is not limited to the touch switch type operation unit, and may be an operation unit using a mechanical switch.

[0032] In addition, between the heating port and the operation unit, there are a left display unit 102K, a central display unit (main display unit) 102L, and a right display unit 102M. The central display unit (main display unit) 102L is an integrated display unit for the three heating sources, and displays the input results of cooking with the left operation unit 102G, the central operation unit 102H, and the right operation unit 102J for each of the three heating sources, the heat setting, the menu setting, etc., and further displays the progress of cooking with each heating source.

[0033] The left display unit 102K displays the timer time set when timer cooking using the left induction heating coil unit 101C, and displays the cooking time and remaining time remaining from the start of the set timer cooking. Similarly, the right display unit 102M displays the timer time set when timer cooking using the right induction heating coil unit 101D, and displays the cooking time and remaining time remaining from the start of the set timer cooking.

[0034] 9, when the tabletop 102 is removed, operation switch boards 131A and 131B are disposed under the top plate 102A at positions corresponding to the left operation unit 102G, the central operation unit 102H, and the right operation unit 102J. Operation switch boards 131A and 131B have a plurality of electrodes 132 that detect changes in capacitance.

[0035] When any of the operation keys (not shown) of the operation section on the top plate 102A of the tabletop 102 is touched, a change in capacitance is detected by the electrode 132 corresponding to the operation key of the operation switch board 131A or the operation switch board 131B under the top plate 102A, and the fact that the operation key has been input is input as a signal to the operation display control microcomputer 115D mounted on the operation display board 115 described later, and the operation content is displayed on the central display device (main display device) 115B.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 9, operation and display board 115 is housed near the front of main body case 101A. Normally, operation and display board 115 is combined with operation and display board cover 116 as shown in Fig. 8 and housed in main body case 101A as operation and display board unit 101B, but for ease of explanation, Fig. 9 shows the operation and display board with operation and display board cover 116 removed.

[0037] The operation display board 115, the operation switch board 131A, and the operation switch board 131B are connected by an operation switch board connection line (not shown), such as a flat cable. On the operation display board 115, a left display device 115A, a center display device (main display device) 115B, and a right display device 115C are mounted, which correspond to the left display section 102K, the center display section (main display section) 102L, and the right display section 102M of the top plate 102A, respectively. The left display device 115A, the center display device (main display device) 115B, and the right display device 115C are LCDs (Liquid Crystal Devices), and the center display device (main display device) 115B is a full-dot LCD because it has a large amount of information to display.

[0038] Setting information and the like displayed on the left display device 115A, the central display device (main display device) 115B, and the right display device 115C can be visually observed by the user through the top plate 102A at the left display unit 102K, the central display unit (main display unit) 102L, and the right display unit 102M, which are transparent portions of the top plate 102A.

[0039] The main body case 101A houses various boards, and specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the aforementioned operation display board 115, it houses a power supply board 111, a first inverter board (drive control board) 112, a second inverter board 113, and a filter board 114.

[0040] Filter board 114 is provided with a filter circuit (not shown) for removing noise from a commercial AC voltage of 200 V input from an external power source. Power supply board 111 is provided with a constant voltage circuit (not shown) for generating a constant voltage of 24 V or less to be supplied to operation display board 115 and the like. Note that, in the cooking device 1 of the present disclosure, an example in which filter board 113 and power supply board 114 are configured separately has been described, but they may be configured as one unit.

[0041] The second inverter board 113 is a drive control board equipped with a circuit for high-frequency driving the central induction heating coil 101Ea of the central induction heating coil unit 101E. Note that, in the heating cooker 1 of the present disclosure, although the heating cooker 1 has been described as having three heating ports, the number of heating ports may be two. In the case of two heating ports, the central induction heating coil 101Ea is eliminated, and therefore the second inverter board 113 for high-frequency driving the central induction heating coil 101Ea is not required.

[0042] The first inverter board (drive control board) 112 is a drive control board equipped with a circuit for high-frequency driving the left induction heating coil 101Ca of the left induction heating coil unit 101C and the right induction heating coil 101Da of the right induction heating coil unit 101D, which are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, a circuit generally referred to as an inverter circuit.

[0043] Next, the reception of settings from an external communication device to the cooking appliance of the present disclosure and the operation of the cooking appliance of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 30, 119 and 120. FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cooking device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 11 is a detailed diagram of a portion related to a control unit extracted from the schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cooking device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and a display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display of a power consumption setting on a display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display when a setting input is accepted on a display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration and operation of a cooking device according to embodiment 1 when accepting a setting input. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display on a display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 1 when accepting a setting input. FIG. 17(a) is a diagram showing an example of a setting input from an external communication device. FIG. 17(b) is a diagram showing an example of a setting input from an external communication device when a heating unit is selected. FIG. 17(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification performed by an external communication device when it becomes possible to accept a setting input. 21 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration and operation of the cooker according to embodiment 1 when receiving setting input from an external communication device. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the configuration and operation of the cooker according to embodiment 1 when receiving setting input from an external communication device. FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an example of audio notification when the cooker according to embodiment 1 is in a setting input acceptance state. FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the operation unit and display unit of the cooker according to embodiment 1. FIG. 25(a) is a diagram showing an example of notification performed by the audio output unit of the cooker according to embodiment 1 when it is close to the time of canceling the setting input acceptance. FIG. 25(b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration and operation of the cooker according to embodiment 1 when receiving setting input from an external communication device.FIG. 25(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when it is close to the time to cancel the acceptance of setting input. FIG. 25(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when it is close to the time to cancel the acceptance of setting input. FIG. 26(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 1 when the acceptance of setting input is canceled. FIG. 26(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 1 when the acceptance of setting input is canceled. FIG. 26(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input is canceled; FIG. 26(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input is canceled; FIG. 27(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 1 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 27(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 1 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 27(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 27(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 28(a) is a schematic diagram of a display showing an example when the heat is increased. FIG. 28(b) is a schematic diagram of a display showing an example when the heat is decreased. FIG. 29(a) is a schematic diagram of a display showing an example when the acceptance of setting input is canceled according to embodiment 1. FIG. 29(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the display of a cooking device in accordance with embodiment 1 when the acceptance of setting input is cancelled; FIG. 29(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input is cancelled; FIG. 29(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input is cancelled; FIG. 30(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the audio output unit of a cooking device in accordance with embodiment 1 when the acceptance of setting input is cancelled; FIG. 30(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the audio output unit of a cooking device in accordance with embodiment 1 when the acceptance of setting input is cancelled;FIG. 30(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on the display of the cooking device according to embodiment 1 when the reception of the setting input is stopped; FIG. 30(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made on the external communication device when the reception of the setting input is stopped; FIG. 119(a) is a diagram showing an example of inputting a setting input other than the heating setting by voice from the external communication device; FIG. 119(b) is a diagram showing an example of inputting a setting input other than the heating setting by operation from the external communication device; FIG. 120(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification that a setting input other than the heating setting has been made by the voice output unit of the cooking device; FIG. 120(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification that a setting input other than the heating setting has been made by the display of the cooking device; FIG. 120(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification that a setting input other than the heating setting has been made by voice from the external communication device; and FIG. 120(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification that a setting input other than the heating setting has been made by displaying on the external communication device.

[0044] The above-mentioned first inverter board (drive control board) 112 is equipped with a control unit 190 that is responsible for controlling the cooking appliance 1 shown in Figures 10 and 11. The control unit 190 has a power setting means 191 that sets the power consumption of the cooking appliance 1. The control unit 190 also has a timer means 192 that measures cooking time and measures the elapsed time from an operational input to the next operational input.

[0045] The control unit 190 drives and controls the left induction heating coil unit 101C, which is the left heating unit, the right induction heating coil unit 101D, which is the right heating unit, and the central induction heating coil unit 101E, which is the central heating unit, based on settings input from the corresponding left operation unit 102G, right operation unit 102J, and central operation unit 102H, respectively.

[0046] 11 and 12, the left operation unit 102G has a left standby button 102Ga, a left heating start / stop button 102Gb, a left up button 102Gc, a left down button 102Gd, and a left menu button 102Ge.

[0047] The left standby button 102Ga is a button for putting the control unit 190 into a state in which it can accept input of the heating settings of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit). At this time, input of the heating settings can be accepted in two ways: one is a method of setting from the operation button of the operation unit, and the other is a method of setting from an external communication device, which will be described in detail later.

[0048] The left heating start / stop button 102Gb is a button for supplying power from the left heating unit inverter circuit to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) to start heating. When the left heating start / stop button 102Gb is operated while the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) is heating, the supply of power from the left heating unit inverter circuit is stopped and heating is stopped.

[0049] The left up button 102Gc and the left down button 102Gd are buttons for increasing or decreasing the heat power of the heating setting for cooking performed by the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) when input is made from the left operation unit 120G, and for increasing or decreasing the set temperature when a deep-fried food menu is selected, rather than inputting heating settings from an external communication device described later.

[0050] The left menu button 102Ge is a button for selecting a cooking menu for cooking performed by the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section). If the left standby button 102Ga is operated without selecting a particular menu, and then the left heating start / stop button 102Gb is operated, heating by general induction heating will start in the left induction heating coil unit 101C, but if the left standby button 102Ga is operated and then the left menu button 102Ge is operated, the cooking performed by the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) can be changed to, for example, deep-frying or grilling using a frying pan.

[0051] The right operation section 102J has a right standby button 102Ja, a right heating start / stop button 102Jb, a right up button 102Jc, a right down button 102Jd, and a right menu button 102Je.

[0052] The right standby button 102Ja is a button for putting the control unit 190 into a state in which it can accept input of the heating settings of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit). The input of the heating settings at this time can also be accepted in two ways: one is to set the settings from the operation buttons of the operation unit, and the other is to set the settings from an external communication device.

[0053] The right heating start / stop button 102Jb is a button for supplying power from the right heating unit inverter circuit to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) to start heating. When the right heating start / stop button 102Jb is operated while the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) is heating, the supply of power from the right heating unit inverter circuit is stopped and heating is stopped.

[0054] The right up button 102Jc and the right down button 102Jd are buttons for increasing or decreasing the heat of the heating setting for cooking performed by the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) when input is made from the right operation unit 120J, and for increasing or decreasing the set temperature when a deep-fried food menu is selected, rather than inputting heating settings from an external communication device described later.

[0055] The right menu button 102Je is a button for selecting a cooking menu for cooking performed by the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section). If the right standby button 102Ja is operated without selecting a particular menu, and then the right heating start / stop button 102Jb is operated, heating by general induction heating will start in the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section), but if the right menu button 102Je is operated after operating the right standby button 102Ja, the cooking performed by the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) can be changed to, for example, deep-frying or grilling using a frying pan.

[0056] The central operation unit 102H has a central standby button 102Ha, a central heating start / stop button 102Hb, a central up button 102Hc, a central down button 102Hd, and a central menu button Je.

[0057] The central standby button 102Ha is a button for putting the control unit 190 into a state in which it can accept input of the heating settings of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit). The input of the heating settings at this time can also be accepted in two ways: one is to set the settings from the operation buttons of the operation unit, and the other is to set the settings from an external communication device.

[0058] The central heating start / stop button 102Hb is a button for supplying power from the central heating unit inverter circuit to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) to start heating. When the central heating start / stop button 102Hb is operated while the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) is heating, the supply of power from the central heating unit inverter circuit is stopped and heating is stopped.

[0059] The center up button 102Hc and center down button 102Hd are buttons for increasing or decreasing the heat of the heating setting for cooking performed by the center induction heating coil unit 101E (center heating section). Note that the center induction heating coil unit 101E (center heating section) has a smaller heat than the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) and the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section), so it is not provided for deep-frying and is not designed to increase or decrease the set temperature.

[0060] The central menu button 102He is a button for selecting a cooking menu for cooking performed by the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section). If no menu is selected and the central standby button 102Ha is operated and then the central heating start / stop button 102Hb is operated, heating by general induction heating will start in the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section), but if the central standby button 102Ha is operated and then the central menu button 102He is operated, the cooking performed by the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) can be changed.

[0061] As mentioned above, since the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) has a smaller heating power than the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) and the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section), the same cooking menus as those for the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) and right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) are not set, and cooking menus suited to low heating power such as keeping food warm are prepared.

[0062] The cooking appliance 1 is capable of changing the available power consumption. A power setting button 102Q shown in FIG.

[0063] In the cooking appliance 1, the default power consumption is set to a maximum value of 5700 W. When it is desired to keep the power consumption of the cooking appliance 1 low in consideration of the power consumption of other electric devices, by operating the power setting button 102Q, an instruction is sent from the control unit 190 to the central (main) display unit 102L, and a power selection screen is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG.

[0064] A marker indicating the current setting is displayed next to the default power consumption of 5700 W. By operating the center up button 102Hc or center down button 102Hd located below the center (main) display section 102L, the maximum power consumption can be changed to 4800 W or 4000 W displayed on the center (main) display section 102L, and the marker moves up or down according to the selected power consumption, and a marker is displayed next to the display of the selected power consumption.

[0065] For example, when 4800 W is selected, a marker is displayed next to the display of 4800 W. When the power setting button 102Q is operated in a state in which a marker is displayed next to the display of 4800 W, the change to 4800 W is confirmed by the power setting means 191, and the maximum power consumption is changed to 4800 W.

[0066] When the maximum power consumption is changed to 4800W, for example, it is assumed that the left induction heating coil unit 101C and the right induction heating coil unit 101D are each capable of heating at 3000W individually.

[0067] When the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) is heating at 2500 W, the right induction heating coil unit 101D cannot be set to heat at more than 2500 W. In other words, since the maximum power consumption is 4800 W, it is not possible to set the heating at a total power that exceeds that value, and therefore such a setting will not be accepted.

[0068] If the power setting is not performed, the cooking appliance 1 can be used with the preset power consumption of 5700 W. If the power setting is performed and the maximum power consumption is changed to 4800 W, the cooking appliance 1 can be used with the maximum power consumption of 4800 W by operating the main power switch 102F from this use onwards.

[0069] FIG. 20 explains the flow from receiving the heating setting to starting and stopping heating. When the main power switch 102F is operated (S1), an LED mounted on a board (not shown) below the top plate 102A emits light, causing the power indicator 102Fa to light up as shown in FIG. 13, notifying the user that the cooking appliance 1 is turned on, and the appliance enters an operation standby state (S2) in which operation input is accepted.

[0070] After entering the operation standby state (S2), by operating the standby button of any of the left, right, or center heating units, it becomes possible to accept input of heating settings for the heating unit whose standby button was operated. For example, in the case of cooking using the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit), when the left standby button 102Ga corresponding to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) is operated (S3), the state enters a state where input of heating settings is accepted (S4), and the state where input of settings is accepted is transmitted to an external communication device, and a notification is given to notify the user that input of settings is accepted and to prompt the user to make settings (S5).

[0071] The notification referred to here may be a method of displaying in text that the left standby button 102Ga has been pressed, for example by an LED illuminating display 102Gg to indicate that the device is in a state where it can accept setting input, that the central (main) display unit 102L is in a state where it can accept setting input, and that prompts the user to set the device, or a method of outputting a voice message from audio output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 23 to indicate that the device is in a state where it can accept setting input and that prompts the user to set the device.

[0072] In addition, since operation input is also possible from the left up button 102Gc and left down button 102Gd of the left operation unit 102G, as shown in FIG. 14, the heat setting display 102Gh flashes, and after operating the left standby button 102Ga, a display is displayed guiding the user to the next button to be operated, making the operation procedure easy to understand and convenient for the user.

[0073] As described above, any method of notification can be used as long as it can be recognized by the user, and this improves usability for the user. Also, providing multiple means of notification to the user by both display and audio is also effective in improving usability for the user.

[0074] As described above, an example of the notification by voice from the cooking appliance 1 and the display on the display unit has been described, but the notification by voice and the display on the display unit may be made by an external communication device capable of outputting voice, and as shown in Fig. 17(c), a voice may be issued from the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting, or as shown in Fig. 17(d), text may be displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting. Also, voice may be issued from both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200, or the information may be displayed on both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200.

[0075] After the setting input acceptance state is entered, as an example, the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) is set to 5. When the heating setting input is entered in S6, the audio output unit 160 notifies by voice (S7) that the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) has been set to 5 and that the user is prompted to operate the heating start button, as shown in Fig. 15. Also, as shown in Fig. 16, the left display unit 102K displays the set heating power of 5, and the central (main) display unit 102L displays the set heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C to 5 and that the user is prompted to operate the heating start button (S8). Operation input from the left operation unit 102G is possible even before the heating start button is operated. For example, the heating power set to 5 can be increased to 6 (power consumption 1500 W) by operating the left up button 102Gc once, and the heating power set to 5 can be decreased to 3 (power consumption 500 W) by operating the left down button 102Gd twice.

[0076] Also, the display 102Gi blinks to guide the user to the left heating start / stop button 102Gb, which is the heating start button, so that the user can easily see which button to operate next.

[0077] Figures 18 and 19 show an example of the case where another cooking menu is selected, which will be described in detail later as an example of a method of inputting, but when inputting by voice into mobile communication terminal 200, which is an example of an external communication device, as shown in Figure 18, a voice output unit 160 notifies the user by voice that left induction heating coil unit 101C has been set to 180 degrees for frying and that the user is prompted to operate left heating start / stop button 102Gb, and further, as shown in Figure 19, a display is displayed on left display unit 102K indicating that 180 degrees for frying has been set, and a display is displayed on central (main) display unit 102L indicating that cooking to be performed by left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) has been set to 180 degrees for frying and that the user is prompted to operate the heating start button.

[0078] In this example, the notification is given both by voice and by displaying on the display unit, but as long as it is made recognizable to the user, notification may be given by any one of the methods.

[0079] There are multiple methods for inputting settings. For example, when setting the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section), there is a method of inputting from the operation button of the left operation section 102G and a method of inputting from an external communication device. As a method of inputting from an external communication device, there is a method of inputting by voice into a mobile communication terminal 200, which is an example of an external communication device, as shown in Fig. 15, and a method of inputting by using an application for inputting heating settings contained in the mobile communication terminal 200, as shown in Fig. 17(a). Note that the following description will be given as an example of a case in which the mobile communication terminal 200 is capable of voice input and voice output.

[0080] When a voice is input to the mobile communication terminal 200, the mobile communication terminal 200 converts the voice into a control signal and transmits the control signal to the communication unit 150 of the cooking appliance 1. The control signal received by the communication unit 150 is transmitted to the control unit 190 shown in Fig. 10, and the control unit 190 determines whether or not there is a setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) (S6), and if there is a setting input, issues a voice notification from the voice output unit 160 (S7) that the heat power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C has been set to 5 and that the user is prompted to operate the left heating start / stop button 102Gb, displays on the central (main) display unit 102L that the heat power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) has been set to 5 and that the user is prompted to operate the left heating start / stop button 102Gb, and also displays the set heat power of 5 on the left display unit 102K (S8).

[0081] As an example of an input method other than voice input, there is a method of inputting from an application for inputting heating settings on mobile communication terminal 200. When the application is started on mobile communication terminal 200 shown in Fig. 17(a), operation buttons for inputting heating settings are displayed on operation display unit 201. Reference numeral 202 denotes a heating unit selection button, and when this operation button is operated, a left heating unit selection button 203a, a center heating unit selection button 203b, and a right heating unit selection button 203c are displayed.

[0082] When the left heating unit selection button 203a is operated to select, for example, the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) from among the displayed heating unit selection buttons, the display is inverted and changes to a display indicating that the left induction heating coil unit 101C has been selected, as shown in FIG. 17(b).

[0083] In this explanation, the use of inverted display to indicate selection is just one example, and any other display that makes it clear that a selection has been made may be used, such as changing the size or color of the button.

[0084] After selecting the heating unit, when the heat setting button 204 is operated, an up button 205a for increasing the heat setting and a down button 205b for decreasing the heat setting are displayed, and when either the up button 205a or the down button 205b is operated, the heat is displayed on the operation display unit 201. Fig. 17(b) shows an example of the display when the heat is set to 5.

[0085] After entering the heating setting input acceptance state (S4), the control unit 190 judges whether or not there is a setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) (S6). When the left standby button 102Ga corresponding to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) is operated (S3), the timer means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring the time from the operation of the left standby button 102Ga, and if a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed without any setting input from the start of measurement, the state before the operation of the left standby button 102Ga is returned to, but before t1 (fourth set time) (S15) when the set time T1 (first set time) is reached, an alert is issued (S16). The time T1 may be 10 minutes or 15 minutes, and can be set appropriately based on the operability.

[0086] For example, if t1 (fourth set time) is set to 3 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 3 minutes" as shown in Fig. 25(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Fig. 25(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 3 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(d). By issuing such a message, the user can be prompted to enter settings even in a situation where the user may have forgotten to enter settings.

[0087] If a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without any setting input (S17), the state in which setting input is accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the left operation unit 102G is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 26(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 26(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 26(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 26(d), or an alert is given by such means (S18), and the state returns to the state before the left standby button 102Ga was operated.

[0088] When the left heating start / stop button 102Gb is operated (S19) in a state where there is no setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) and the preset time T1 (first set time) has not elapsed, the state of accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by voice from the voice output section 160 as shown in FIG. 27(a), or is displayed in text on the central (main) display section 102L as shown in FIG. 27(b), or is displayed by the control section 19 27(c) or by displaying text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 27(d), and then heating is started (S11) with the default cooking menu and heat power. Here, as an example, the explanation will be given with an example where the default cooking menu and heat power are set to IH heating and heat power 4 (power consumption 750 W), but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0089] After heating has started, the setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but the setting input change during heating is accepted from the operation button of the left operation section 102G. For example, as shown in Fig. 28(a), by operating the left up button 102Gc twice, the heating power can be increased to 6 (power consumption 1500 W), and as shown in Fig. 28(b), by operating the left down button 102Gd once, the heating power can be decreased to 3 (power consumption 500 W). The changed heating power is then displayed on the left display section 102K.

[0090] When setting input is made to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) from the left operation section 102G of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S6, the timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the time when the setting input was made to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section), and measures the time that the setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) continues (S9). When the preset time T3 (third preset time) has elapsed since the start of measurement in S9 while the setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) continues, the control unit 190 determines that the setting input is not in a normal state, stops the setting input, and issues a voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in Fig. 30(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Fig. 30(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information that the reception of the setting input has been stopped from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), issues a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 30(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 30(d), thereby notifying (S25). T3 is, for example, 15 minutes, and it means that it is determined that the setting input is not in a normal input state (it is an abnormal input state) if the setting input continues for 15 minutes. Note that T3 of 15 minutes is merely an example and is not limited to this, and the time period for determining that the state is not normal (that the state is abnormal) can be set appropriately in the specification settings.

[0091] Thereafter, the state in which setting input can be accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the left operation unit 102G is cancelled, and the fact that the state has been cancelled is issued by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in Figure 26(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Figure 26(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is issued by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 26(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 26(d). In this manner, an alert is issued (S26), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0092] After the setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) from the left operation unit 102G of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S6, if the left heating start / stop button 102Gb of the left operation unit 102G is operated (S10) before the preset time T3 (third set time) has elapsed, the state of accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 27(a), or a message is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 27(b). A notification is given (S11) by such means as displaying the heating power of 5 (1000 W) set as described above, or by transmitting information from communication unit 150 to mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) that the state in which setting input from mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) can be accepted being released by control unit 190, and outputting the information by voice from mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 27(c) or displaying the information by text on operation display unit 201 of mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 27(d), and then IH heating is started (S12) at the heating power of 5 (1000 W) set as described above. In S8, the set heating power of 5 is displayed on left display unit 102K, and in S12, heating power of 5 is displayed on left display unit 102K as the heating heating power.

[0093] Since the state of accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled in S11, setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but changes to setting input during heating from the operation buttons of the left operation unit 102G are accepted. For example, as shown in Fig. 28(a), operating the left up button 102Gc once can increase the heating power to 6 (power consumption 1500 W), and as shown in Fig. 28(b), operating the left down button 102Gd twice can decrease the heating power to 3 (power consumption 500 W). The changed heating power is then displayed on the left display unit 102K.

[0094] The timer 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the time when the setting input is made to the left induction heating coil unit 101C from the left operation unit 102G of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S6, and if a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed since the start of measurement without the left heating start / stop button 102Gb of the left operation unit 102G being operated, the state before the left standby button 102Ga is operated is restored, but before t2, which is the set time T2 (second set time) is reached (S21), a notification is given (S22). The time T2 may be 15 minutes or 20 minutes, and can be set appropriately based on operability.

[0095] For example, if t2 is set to 5 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 5 minutes" as shown in Fig. 29(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Fig. 29(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 5 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 29(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 29(d). By issuing such a message, the user can be prompted to operate the device in a situation where the user may have forgotten to operate the device. In the description of this disclosure, t1 (the fourth set time) and t2 are described as different times, but t1 (the fourth set time) and t2 may be the same time, t1=t2, and t1 and t2 can be set as appropriate.

[0096] In addition, the operations that can be performed by inputting settings from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) include operations other than setting and changing the heat, such as starting the operation of the ventilation fan and changing the fan's wind power (rotation speed), and after operating either the left, right, or center standby button, operations other than setting and changing the heat can be performed.

[0097] In the explanation here, an example is given in which the left standby button 102Ga of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) is operated. For example, in the case of an equipment configuration and setting in which the ventilation fan operates in conjunction with the start of heating of the cooking appliance 1 (not shown), after operating the left standby button 102Ga, the ventilation fan's wind power setting is input by voice into the mobile communication terminal 200, which is an example of an external communication device, as shown in Figure 119(a), or the ventilation fan's wind power setting is input using an application for inputting settings stored in the mobile communication terminal 200, as shown in Figure 119(b).

[0098] 119(b), when an application is started on mobile communication terminal 200, operation buttons for inputting settings are displayed on operation display section 201. Reference numeral 210 denotes a ventilation fan operation button, and when this operation button is operated, low wind power selection button 211a, medium wind power selection button 211b, and high wind power selection button 211c are displayed, so that, for example, when medium wind power selection button 211b is selected and setting button 212 is operated, the medium wind power of the ventilation fan is set and input.

[0099] When the ventilation fan's wind power setting is input, the fact that the ventilation fan's wind power setting has been changed is notified by means of a voice output from the audio output unit 160 as shown in Figure 120(a), or a text display on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Figure 120(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the ventilation fan's wind power setting has been changed from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and the information is notified by means of a voice output from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 120(c), or a text display on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 120(d).

[0100] When settings other than the heating settings, such as setting the fan power, are made, the control unit 190 stops measuring the time T1 (first set time) by the timer 192 (see FIG. 11), which measures the elapsed time since the left standby button 102Ga was operated, and after the settings other than the heating settings are completed, the timer 192 (see FIG. 11) restarts measuring the time T1 (first set time) from the beginning. This is to prevent a situation in which the state of accepting setting input is canceled before the user completes the heating settings when it takes time to make settings other than the heating settings, and to prevent a loss of usability for the user.

[0101] If a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without operation of the left heating start / stop button 102Gb of the left operation unit 102G (S23), the state in which setting input can be accepted from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the operation buttons of the left operation unit 102G is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 26(a) or by a text display on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 26(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and the information is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 26(c) or by a text display on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 26(d), thereby notifying the user of the cancellation (S24), and the state is returned to the state before the operation of the left standby button 102Ga.

[0102] After heating of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) has started, when the left heating start / stop button 102Gb is operated (S13), heating of the left heating section is stopped (S14) and the state is returned to before the standby button was operated.

[0103] As described above, the heating cooker 1 of the present disclosure is configured to stop accepting setting input from an external communication device after heating has begun, so that unintended setting input is not made from an external communication device after heating has begun, allowing cooking to be performed as intended by the user and preventing any adverse effects on the cooking results.

[0104] Furthermore, the cooking appliance 1 of the present disclosure is configured to stop accepting setting inputs from an external communication device after heating has begun, so that unintentional setting inputs for high heat power are not made from an external communication device after heating has begun, and safety is not compromised.

[0105] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, an example has been described in which a mobile communication terminal 200 is used as an external communication device and communication is exchanged between the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200. However, as shown in FIG. 21, settings may be input by voice into the mobile communication terminal 200, and the voice data may be transmitted to a cloud server 300, which is a type of external communication device, where the cloud server 300 may convert the voice data into a control signal, and the control signal may be transmitted to the communication unit 150 of the cooking appliance 1 to input settings.

[0106] 22, voice input may be performed using a smart (AI) speaker 250, which is a type of external communication device, instead of the external communication device being a mobile communication terminal 200. Settings may be input by voice into the smart (AI) speaker 250, and the voice data may be transmitted to the cloud server 300, which may convert the voice data into a control signal, and the control signal may be transmitted to the communication unit 150 of the cooking appliance 1 to input settings, and the route and method of communication between the external communication device and the cooking appliance 1 are not particularly limited.

[0107] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 12, each operation unit has a heating start / stop button, which is an operation button for starting heating for each heating unit, but even if each operation unit does not have a heating start / stop button, as shown in FIG. 24, it is possible to input settings and start and stop heating.

[0108] 24, for example, in the case of the left operation unit 102G, when the left standby button 102Ga is operated to enter a setting input accepting state, and after accepting setting input from an external communication device, or from the default setting state, either the left up button 102Gc or the left down button 102Gd is operated, heating of the left induction heating coil unit 101C starts. After heating starts, the left up button 102Gc can be used to increase the heating power, and the left down button 102Gd can be used to decrease the heating power, and the left standby button 102Ga can be operated again during heating to stop the heating.

[0109] Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, an example using one heating unit has been described, but the difference is that multiple heating units are used. The operation of the example using multiple heating units will be described with reference to Figs. 31 to 110, 119, and 120. The following description is based on the assumption that the maximum power consumption has been changed to 4800W. Note that the main body configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, so the description of the main body configuration here will basically be omitted, but may be described using the figures used in the first embodiment as necessary.

[0110] Figures 31 to 42 are flowcharts showing an example of a series of operations of a cooking device according to embodiment 2, Figure 43 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2, Figure 44 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration and operation of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when receiving setting input, Figure 45 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2, Figure 46(a) is a diagram showing an example of when settings are input from an external communication device, Figure 46(b) is a diagram showing an example of when a heating unit is selected in setting input from an external communication device, and Figure 46(c) is a diagram showing when setting input is received. FIG. 46(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when setting input acceptance is possible; FIG. 47 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and a display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2; FIG. 48 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an audio notification when a setting input acceptance state is reached for a cooking device according to embodiment 2; FIG. 49(a) is a diagram showing an example of setting input from an external communication device; FIG. 49(b) is a diagram showing an example of heat power selection in setting input from an external communication device; and FIG. 49(c) is a diagram showing a setting FIG. 49(d) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when input acceptance is possible; FIG. 49(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when setting input acceptance is possible; FIG. 50 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration and operation of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when accepting setting input; FIG. 51(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when setting input acceptance is not possible; FIG. 51(b) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when setting input acceptance is not possible; FIG. 52 shows an example of an operation unit and display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 53 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation section and a display section of a cooking device according to embodiment 2; FIG. 54 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration and operation of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when accepting setting input; FIG. 55(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the audio output section of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 55(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the display of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 55(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the display of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started;FIG. 55(d) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 56(a) is a schematic diagram of a display showing an example when the heat is increased. FIG. 56(b) is a schematic diagram of a display showing an example when the heat is decreased. FIG. 57(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. 57(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on the display of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started, FIG. 57(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started, FIG. 57(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made on an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started, FIG. 58 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and a display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2, and FIG. 59 is a diagram showing an example of an implementation FIG. 60(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of an audio notification when a setting input acceptance state of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 is reached; FIG. 60(a) is a diagram showing an example of a setting input when heat power is selected from an external communication device; FIG. 60(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when setting input acceptance is enabled; FIG. 60(c) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when setting input acceptance is enabled; FIG. 61 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration and operation of a heating cooker of embodiment 2 when accepting setting input; and FIG. 62 is a diagram showing an example of an operation of a heating cooker of embodiment 2. FIG. 63(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notification made by the audio output section of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 63(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the display of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 63(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 63(d) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started;FIG. 65(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 65(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 65(d) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by a display of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 65(d) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. FIG. 65(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. FIG. 66(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. FIG. 66(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started, FIG. 66(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started, FIG. 67 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation unit and display unit of a heating cooker of embodiment 2, FIG. 68(a) is a diagram showing an example of setting input from an external communication device, and FIG. 68(b) is an example of when a heating unit is selected in setting input from an external communication device. FIG. 68(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input; FIG. 68(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input; FIG. 69 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and display unit of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2; FIG. 70 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration and operation of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2 when accepting setting input; FIG. 71(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started;FIG. 71(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on the display of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after the start of heating. FIG. 71(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after the start of heating. FIG. 71(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made on an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after the start of heating. FIG. 72(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after the start of heating. FIG. 72(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on the display of a cooking device of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 72(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 72(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made on an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 73 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and a display unit of a cooking device of embodiment 2. 74(a) is a diagram showing an example of when settings are input from an external communication device, FIG. 74(b) is a diagram showing an example of when heat power is selected in setting input from an external communication device, FIG. 74(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input, FIG. 74(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input, FIG. 75 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration and operation of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2 when accepting setting input, FIG. 76(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes impossible to accept setting input, FIG. 76(b) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when setting input cannot be accepted; FIG. 77 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration and operation of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2 when accepting setting input; FIG. 78 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and display unit of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2; FIG. 79 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and display unit of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2; FIG. 80(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 80(b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started;FIG. 80(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 80(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 81(a) is an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 81(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on the display of a cooking device in accordance with embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started, FIG. 81(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started, FIG. 81(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made on an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started, FIG. 82(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on the display of a cooking device in accordance with embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started, FIG. 82(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the display of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 82(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 82(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; FIG. 83 is a diagram showing one of the operation unit and display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2; FIG. 84(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example when heat power is selected in the setting input from an external communication device, FIG. 84(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input, FIG. 84(c) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input, FIG. 85 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and a display unit of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2, FIG. 86(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the audio output unit of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started,FIG. 86(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on the display of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started, FIG. 86(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started, FIG. 86(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made on an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started, FIG. 87 is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on an external communication device according to embodiment 2, FIG. 89(c) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation unit and display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when the heat power is reduced, FIG. 88 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation unit and display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2, FIG. 89(a) is a diagram showing an example of when heat power is selected in setting input from an external communication device, FIG. 89(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input, FIG. 89(c) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input, FIG. 90 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation unit and display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2, FIG. 91(a) is a diagram showing when heating power is selected in setting input from an external communication device, FIG. 91(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on the display of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. FIG. 91(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. FIG. 91(d) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is stopped after heating has started. FIG. 92(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the audio output unit of the cooking appliance of embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 92(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the display of the cooking appliance of embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 92(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 92(d) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 93 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation unit and display unit when the heat of a cooking device in accordance with embodiment 2 is lowered; FIG. 94 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation unit and display unit of a cooking device in accordance with embodiment 2; FIG. 95(a) is a diagram showing an example of when heat is selected in the setting input from an external communication device; FIG. 95(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when setting input acceptance becomes possible; FIG. 95(c) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when setting input acceptance becomes possible;FIG. 96 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and a display unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 97(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 97(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by a display of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 97(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 97(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 98(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 98(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on a display of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 98(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 98(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 99 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and display unit when the heat power of a heating cooker in accordance with embodiment 2 is reduced. FIG. 100 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation unit and display unit of a heating cooker in accordance with embodiment 2. FIG. 101(a) is a diagram showing an example when heat power is selected in setting input from an external communication device. FIG. 101(b) is a diagram showing an example when acceptance of setting input is enabled. FIG. 101(c) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when it becomes possible to accept setting input. FIG. 102 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration and operation of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2 when accepting setting input. FIG. 103 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation unit and display unit of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2. FIG. 104(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 104(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a heating cooker according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started.FIG. 104(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 104(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by the external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 105(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the audio output unit of the cooking device of embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 105(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on the display of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 105(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 105(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made on an external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 106 is a diagram showing the display of an operation unit and a display unit when the heat of a cooking device according to embodiment 2 is reduced. FIG. 107(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notification made by the audio output unit of the cooking device according to embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 107(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the display of the cooking device according to embodiment 2 when the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 107(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started. FIG. 107(d) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by the external communication device when the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started. A figure showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of fixed input is canceled; Figure 108(a) is a figure showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking appliance of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; Figure 108(b) is a figure showing an example of a notification made by a display of a cooking appliance of embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started; Figure 108(c) is a figure showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from an external communication device is canceled after heating has started;Figure 108(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input from the external communication device is canceled after heating has started, Figure 109(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input is stopped, Figure 109(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on a display of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 2 when acceptance of setting input is stopped, Figure 109(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input is stopped, Figure 109(d) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when acceptance of setting input is stopped FIG. 110(a) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an audio output unit of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 2 when reception of setting input is stopped; FIG. 110(b) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made on a display of a cooking appliance according to embodiment 2 when reception of setting input is stopped; FIG. 110(c) is a diagram showing an example of a notification made by an external communication device when reception of setting input is stopped; and FIG. 110(d) is a diagram showing another example of a notification made by an external communication device when reception of setting input is stopped.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 31, when the main power switch 102F is operated (S31), an LED mounted on a board (not shown) below the top plate 102A emits light, causing the power indicator 102Fa to light up as shown in FIG. 43, notifying the user that the cooking appliance 1 is turned on, and the appliance enters an operation standby state (S32) in which operation input is accepted.

[0112] After entering the operation standby state (S32), by operating the standby button of any of the left, right, or center heating units, it becomes possible to accept input of heating settings for the heating unit whose standby button was operated. For example, when the left standby button 102Ga corresponding to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) is operated (S33), the heating setting input acceptance state (S36) is entered as shown in Fig. 32, and the fact that the setting input acceptance state has been entered is transmitted to an external communication device, and a notification is given that the setting input acceptance state has been entered and a notification is given to encourage the user to make settings (S37). When one heating unit is in a setting input acceptance state from the mobile communication terminal 200, which is an external communication device, the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device for the other heating units is prohibited so as not to confuse it with the setting input for the other heating units. In this case, the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) is in a state where it is accepting setting input, so operation of the right standby button or central standby button is not accepted at this time, and acceptance of setting input from an external communication device to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) or central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) is prohibited.

[0113] As in the first embodiment, the notification referred to here may include a method of displaying in text that the left standby button 102Ga has been pressed, as shown in FIG. 14, that the setting input is being accepted by display 102Gg which is lit by, for example, an LED, that the central (main) display unit 102L is in a state where setting input is being accepted, and a prompt for setting, or a method of outputting a sound from audio output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 23, that the setting input is being accepted, and a prompt for setting, etc.

[0114] In addition, since operation input is also possible from the left up button 102Gc and left down button 102Gd of the left operation unit 102G, the heat setting display 102Gh flashes as shown in FIG. 14, and after operating the left standby button 102Ga, a display is displayed guiding the user to the next button to be operated.

[0115] As described above, any method of notification can be used as long as it can be recognized by the user, and this improves usability for the user. Also, providing multiple means of notification to the user by both display and audio is also effective in improving usability for the user.

[0116] Although an example of the voice notification by the cooking appliance 1 and the display on the display unit has been described above, the external communication device may notify the user by voice and display the display unit, and as shown in Fig. 46(c), a voice may be issued from the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting, or as shown in Fig. 46(d), text may be displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting. Also, a voice may be issued from both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200, or the voice may be displayed on both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200.

[0117] As an example, after the setting input acceptance state has been entered, taking the case where the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) is set to 8 (2500 W) as an example, when a heating setting input is made in S38, as shown in FIG. 44, the audio output section 160 notifies by voice that the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) has been set to 8 and prompts the user to press the heating start button (S39), and further, as shown in FIG. 45, the left display section 102K displays the set heating power of 8 (2500 W) and the central (main) display section 102L displays the fact that the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) has been set to 8 and prompts the user to press the heating start button (S40). Operation input from the left operation unit 102G is possible even before operating the heating start button. For example, by operating the left down button 102Gd twice, the heat level set to 8 can be reduced to 6 (power consumption 1,500 W), and by operating the left down button 102Gd five times, the heat level set to 8 can be reduced to 3 (power consumption 500 W).

[0118] Also, the display 102Gi blinks to guide the user to the left heating start / stop button 102Gb, which is the heating start button, so that the user can easily see which button to operate next.

[0119] In this example, the notification is given both by voice and by displaying on the display unit, but as long as it is made recognizable to the user, notification may be given by any one of the methods.

[0120] As in the first embodiment, there are multiple methods for inputting settings, for example, when setting the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit), there is a method of inputting from the operation button of the left operation unit 102G and a method of inputting from an external communication device. As a method of inputting from an external communication device, there is a method of inputting by voice into a mobile communication terminal 200, which is an example of an external communication device, as shown in Fig. 44, and a method of inputting using an application for inputting heating settings stored in the mobile communication terminal 200, as shown in Fig. 46(a).

[0121] When a voice is input to the mobile communication terminal 200, the mobile communication terminal 200 converts the voice into a control signal and transmits the control signal to the communication unit 150 of the cooking appliance 1. The control signal received by the communication unit 150 is transmitted to the control unit 190 shown in Fig. 10, and the control unit 190 determines whether or not there is a setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) (S38), and if there is a setting input, issues a voice notification from the voice output unit 160 (S39) that the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C has been set to 8 and that the user is prompted to operate the left heating start / stop button 102Gb, displays on the central (main) display unit 102L that the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) has been set to 8 and that the user is prompted to operate the left heating start / stop button 102Gb, and also displays the set heating power of 8 on the left display unit 102K (S40).

[0122] As an example of an input method other than voice input, there is a method of inputting from an application for inputting heating settings on mobile communication terminal 200. When the application is started on mobile communication terminal 200 shown in Fig. 46(a), operation buttons for inputting heating settings are displayed on operation display unit 201. Reference numeral 202 denotes a heating unit selection button, and when this operation button is operated, a left heating unit selection button 203a, a center heating unit selection button 203b, and a right heating unit selection button 203c are displayed.

[0123] When the left heating unit selection button 203a is operated to select, for example, the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) from among the displayed heating unit selection buttons, the display is inverted as shown in Figure 46(b) to indicate that the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) has been selected.

[0124] In this explanation, the use of inverted display to indicate selection is just one example, and any other display that makes it clear that a selection has been made may be used, such as changing the size or color of the button.

[0125] After selecting the heating unit, when the heat setting button 204 is operated, an up button 205a for increasing the heat setting and a down button 205b for decreasing the heat setting are displayed, and when either the up button 205a or the down button 205b is operated, the heat is displayed on the operation display unit 201. Figure 46(b) shows an example of the display when the heat is set to 8.

[0126] After entering the heating setting input acceptance state (S36), the control unit 190 judges whether or not there is a setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) (S38). When the left standby button 102Ga corresponding to the left induction heating coil unit 101C is operated (S33), the timer 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring the time from when the left standby button 102Ga is operated, and if a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed without any setting input from the start of measurement, the state before the left standby button 102Ga was operated is returned to, but before t1 (fourth set time) (S49) when the set time T1 (first set time) is reached, an alert is issued (S50).

[0127] For example, if t1 (fourth set time) is set to 3 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 3 minutes" as shown in Fig. 25(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Fig. 25(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 3 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(d). By issuing such a message, the user can be prompted to enter settings even in a situation where the user may have forgotten to enter settings.

[0128] If a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without any setting input (S51), the state in which setting input can be accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the left operation unit 102G is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 26(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 26(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 26(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 26(d), or an alert is given by such means (S52), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0129] When the left heating start / stop button 102Gb is operated (S57) in a state where there is no setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) and the preset time T1 (first set time) has not elapsed, the state of accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by voice from the voice output section 160 as shown in FIG. 27(a), or is displayed in text on the central (main) display section 102L as shown in FIG. 27(b), or is displayed by the control section 19 27(c) or by displaying text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 27(d), and then heating is started with the default cooking menu and heat power (S44). Here, as an example, a case will be described in which the default cooking menu and heat power are set to IH heating and heat power 4 (power consumption 750 W), but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0130] After heating has started, the setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but the setting input change during heating is accepted from the operation button of the left operation section 102G. For example, as shown in Fig. 28(a), by operating the left up button 102Gc twice, the heating power can be increased to 6 (power consumption 1500 W), and as shown in Fig. 28(b), by operating the left down button 102Gd once, the heating power can be decreased to 3 (power consumption 500 W). The changed heating power is then displayed on the left display section 102K.

[0131] When setting input is made to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) from the left operation section 102G of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S38, the timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the time when the setting input was made to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section), and measures the time that the setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) continues (S41). When the preset time T3 (third preset time) has elapsed since the start of measurement in S41 while the setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) continues, the control unit 190 determines that the setting input is not in a normal state, stops the setting input, and issues a voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in Fig. 30(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Fig. 30(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information that the reception of the setting input has been stopped from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), issues a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 30(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 30(d), thereby notifying the user (S59). T3 is, for example, 15 minutes, and if the setting input continues for 15 minutes, it is determined that the input is not in a normal input state (it is an abnormal input state). Note that T3 of 15 minutes is merely an example and is not limited to this, and the time period for determining that the state is not normal (that the state is abnormal) can be set appropriately in the specification settings.

[0132] Thereafter, the state in which setting input can be accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the left operation unit 102G is cancelled, and the fact that the state has been cancelled is issued by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in Figure 26(a), or is displayed in text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Figure 26(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is issued by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 26(c), or is displayed in text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 26(d). In this manner, an alert is issued (S60), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0133] After the setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) from the left operation unit 102G of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S38, if the left heating start / stop button 102Gb of the left operation unit 102G is operated (S42) before the preset time T3 (third set time) has elapsed, the state of accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 27(a), or the central (main) display unit 102L is displayed as shown in FIG. 27(b). A notification is given (S43) by such means as displaying the information in text on the left display unit 102K, or by the control unit 190 transmitting information from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) that a state in which setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) can be accepted being released, and the information is output by voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 27(c), or displaying the information in text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 27(d), and IH heating is started (S44) at the set heating power of 8 (2500 W) as explained above. In S40, the set heating power of 8 is displayed on the left display unit 102K, and in S44, heating power of 8 is displayed on the left display unit 102K as the heating heating power.

[0134] Since the state of accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled in S43, setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but changes to setting input during heating from the operation buttons of the left operation unit 102G are accepted. For example, as shown in Fig. 28(a), operating the left down button 102Gd twice can reduce the heating power to 6 (power consumption 1500 W), and as shown in Fig. 28(b), operating the left down button 102Gd five times can reduce the heating power to 3 (power consumption 500 W). The changed heating power is then displayed on the left display unit 102K.

[0135] In addition, the operations that can be performed by inputting settings from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) include operations other than setting and changing the heat, such as starting the operation of the ventilation fan and changing the fan's wind power (rotation speed), and after operating either the left, right, or center standby button, operations other than setting and changing the heat can be performed.

[0136] In the explanation here, an example is given in which the left standby button 102Ga of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) is operated. For example, in the case of an equipment configuration and setting in which the ventilation fan operates in conjunction with the start of heating of the cooking appliance 1 (not shown), after operating the left standby button 102Ga, the ventilation fan's wind power setting is input by voice into the mobile communication terminal 200, which is an example of an external communication device, as shown in Figure 119(a), or the ventilation fan's wind power setting is input using an application for inputting settings stored in the mobile communication terminal 200, as shown in Figure 119(b).

[0137] 119(b), when an application is started on mobile communication terminal 200, operation buttons for inputting settings are displayed on operation display section 201. Reference numeral 210 denotes a ventilation fan operation button, and when this operation button is operated, low wind power selection button 211a, medium wind power selection button 211b, and high wind power selection button 211c are displayed, so that, for example, when medium wind power selection button 211b is selected and setting button 212 is operated, the medium wind power of the ventilation fan is set and input.

[0138] When the ventilation fan's wind power setting is input, the fact that the ventilation fan's wind power setting has been changed is notified by means of a voice output from the audio output unit 160 as shown in Figure 120(a), or a text display on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Figure 120(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the ventilation fan's wind power setting has been changed from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and the information is notified by means of a voice output from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 120(c), or a text display on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 120(d).

[0139] When settings other than the heating settings, such as setting the fan power, are made, the control unit 190 stops measuring the time T1 (first set time) by the timer 192 (see FIG. 11), which measures the elapsed time since the left standby button 102Ga was operated, and after the settings other than the heating settings are completed, the timer 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring the time T1 (first set time) from the beginning again. This is to prevent a situation in which the state of accepting setting input is canceled before the user completes the heating settings when it takes time to make settings other than the heating settings, and to prevent a loss of usability for the user.

[0140] The timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the point in time when a setting input is made to the left induction heating coil unit 101C from the left operation unit 102G of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S38, and if a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed since the start of measurement without operation of the left heating start / stop button 102Gb of the left operation unit 102G, the state will return to the state before operation of the left standby button 102Ga, but before t2, which is the time when the set time T2 (second set time) is reached (S53), an alert is issued (S54).

[0141] For example, if t2 is set to 5 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 5 minutes" as shown in FIG. 29(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 29(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 5 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 29(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 29(d). By notifying the user in this manner, it is possible to prompt the user to perform an operation in a situation where the user may have forgotten to perform the operation. Note that in the explanation of this disclosure, t1 and t2 are described as different times, but t1 and t2 may be the same time t1=t2, and t1 and t2 can be set appropriately.

[0142] If a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without operation of the left heating start / stop button 102Gb of the left operation unit 102G (S55), the state in which setting input can be accepted from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the operation buttons of the left operation unit 102G is cancelled, and the cancellation is issued by voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 26(a), or displayed in text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 26(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is issued by voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 26(c), or displayed in text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 26(d), or other such means are used to notify the user and return to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0143] When heating is started at IH heating power 8 in S44, the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) or the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit), which was prohibited in S37, is permitted to accept setting input from an external communication device. In other words, when heating is started for the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit), it becomes possible to accept setting input from an external communication device for the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) or the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit).

[0144] Thereafter, the control unit 190 calculates the remaining usable power consumption (S45) by subtracting the power consumption of 2500 W of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) at heating power 8 from the maximum power consumption set to 4800 W by the power setting means 191. In this example, since 2500 W is subtracted from 4800 W, the remaining usable power consumption is 2300 W or less.

[0145] After heating of the left induction heating coil unit 101C, which is the left heating unit, has begun, setting of the right induction heating coil unit 101D, which is the right heating unit, or the central induction heating coil unit 101E, which is the central heating unit, can be performed.

[0146] After heating of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) has begun, if the standby button of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) or the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) is not operated in S46 and the left heating start / stop button 102Gb is operated (S47), heating of the left heating section is stopped (S48) and the state before the standby button was operated is restored.

[0147] In S46, if either the right standby button 102Ja for putting the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) into a setting input accepting state or the central standby button 102Ha for putting the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) into a setting input accepting state is operated, then if the right standby button 102Ja is operated (S61), the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) enters a heating setting input accepting state (S62) as shown in FIG. 33, and a notification is issued to notify the user that the setting input has been accepted and to encourage them to make settings (S63).

[0148] The notification referred to here may be, for example, a method of displaying in text that the right standby button 102Ja has been pressed, as shown in FIG. 47, that the setting input is being accepted by display 102Jg which is lit by an LED, that the central (main) display unit 102L is in a state where setting input is being accepted, and a prompt for setting, or, as shown in FIG. 48, that the setting input is being accepted from audio output unit 160, and a prompt for setting is being issued by audio.

[0149] In addition, since operation input is also possible from the right up button 102Jc and right down button 102Jd of the right operation unit 102J, as shown in FIG. 47, the heat setting display 102Jh flashes, and after operating the right standby button 102Ja, a display is displayed guiding the user to the next button to be operated, making the operation procedure easy to understand and convenient for the user.

[0150] As described above, any method of notification can be used as long as it can be recognized by the user, and this improves usability for the user. Also, providing multiple means of notification to the user by both display and audio is also effective in improving usability for the user.

[0151] Although an example of the voice notification by the cooking appliance 1 and the display on the display unit has been described above, the external communication device may notify the user by voice and display the display unit, and as shown in Fig. 49(c), a voice may be issued from the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting, or as shown in Fig. 49(d), text may be displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting. Also, a voice may be issued from both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200, or the voice may be displayed on both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200.

[0152] After the state becomes one in which setting input can be accepted, heating settings are input (S64). Settings can be input by voice from mobile communication terminal 200 as shown in Fig. 50, or from an application for inputting heating settings on mobile communication terminal 200 as shown in Fig. 49(a).

[0153] It is determined whether the power consumption due to the setting input is equal to or less than the available power (S65). Since the remaining available power consumption calculated in S45 is equal to or less than 2300 W, for example, if the setting input is heating power 8 (2500 W) which exceeds 2300 W as shown in FIG. 49(a), the setting input is not reflected, and in S85 of FIG. 34, a notice is given that the heating power to be set in the right heating unit exceeds the remaining available power consumption and therefore cannot be set to heating power 8, and advice is given to change to a lower heating power so that the available power consumption does not exceed 2300 W.

[0154] For example, the notification and advice are given by any of the following methods: a voice from the cooking appliance 1 as shown in Fig. 50, or a text display on the central (main) display unit 102L of the cooking appliance 1 as shown in Fig. 52, or a voice display with a flashing display of heat power 8 on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 as shown in Fig. 51(a), or a text display on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 as shown in Fig. 51(b). Note that, as shown in Fig. 52, in the central (main) display unit 102L of the cooking appliance 1, if there is a heating part in progress, reference information of the heating part in progress, in this example, reference information such as the heating power and power consumption of the left heating part during heating, is displayed.

[0155] If the power consumption due to the setting input in S65 is equal to or less than the available power consumption, as shown in Fig. 54, the voice output unit 160 notifies by voice that the heating power of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) has been set to heating power 7 (2000 W), which is equal to or less than the remaining available power consumption, and prompts the user to operate the right heating start / stop button 102Jb, which is the heating start button (S66). Also, as shown in Fig. 53, the right display unit 102M displays the set heating power of 7, and the central (main) display unit 102L displays the set heating power of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) to 7, and prompts the user to operate the heating start button (S67). Operation input from the right operation unit 102J is possible even before operating the heating start button. For example, by operating the right down button 102Jd once, the heating power set to 7 can be reduced to 6 (power consumption 1500 W), and by operating the right down button 102Jd four times, the heating power set to 7 can be reduced to 3 (power consumption 500 W).

[0156] Also, the display 102Ji blinks to guide the user to the right heating start / stop button 102Jb, which is the heating start button, so that the user can easily see which button to operate next.

[0157] In this example, the notification is given both by voice and by displaying on the display unit, but as long as it is made recognizable to the user, notification may be given by any one of the methods.

[0158] There are several methods for inputting settings, for example, when setting the heat power of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section), there is a method of inputting from the operation button of the right operation section 102J and a method of inputting from an external communication device. As a method of inputting from an external communication device, there is a method of inputting by voice into a mobile communication terminal 200, which is an example of an external communication device, as shown in Fig. 54, and a method of inputting using an application for inputting heating settings stored in the mobile communication terminal 200, as shown in Fig. 49(b).

[0159] When a voice is input to the mobile communication terminal 200, the mobile communication terminal 200 converts the voice into a control signal and transmits the control signal to the communication unit 150 of the cooking appliance 1. The control signal received by the communication unit 150 is transmitted to the control unit 190 shown in Fig. 10, and the control unit 190 judges whether or not there is a setting input to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) (S64), and if there is a setting input, the voice output unit 160 issues a voice notification (S66) that the heat power of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) has been set to 7 and that the user is prompted to operate the right heating start / stop button 102Jb, and displays on the central (main) display unit 102L that the heat power of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) has been set to 7 and that the user is prompted to operate the right heating start / stop button 102Jb, and also displays the set heat power of 7 on the right display unit 102M (S67).

[0160] As an example of an input method other than voice input, there is a method of inputting from an application for inputting heating settings on mobile communication terminal 200. When the application is started on mobile communication terminal 200 shown in Fig. 49(b), operation buttons for inputting heating settings are displayed on operation display unit 201. Reference numeral 202 denotes a heating unit selection button, and when this operation button is operated, a left heating unit selection button 203a, a center heating unit selection button 203b, and a right heating unit selection button 203c are displayed.

[0161] Here, since the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) is already in operation, the left heating unit selection button 203a is grayed out and cannot be selected, as shown in FIG. 49(b).

[0162] When the right heating unit selection button 203c is operated to select the right induction heating coil unit 101C, the display changes from black text on a white background to white text on a black background, indicating that the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) has been selected.

[0163] In this explanation, the use of inverted display to indicate selection is just one example, and any other display that makes it clear that a selection has been made may be used, such as changing the size or color of the button.

[0164] After selecting the heating unit, when the heat setting button 204 is operated, an up button 205a for increasing the heat setting and a down button 205b for decreasing the heat setting are displayed, and when either the up button 205a or the down button 205b is operated, the heat is displayed on the operation display unit 201. Figure 49(b) shows an example of the display when the heat is set to 7.

[0165] When the right standby button 102Ja corresponding to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) is operated (S61), the timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring the time from when the right standby button 102Ja was operated, and if a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without any setting input, the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated, but an alert is issued (S75) before t1 (fourth set time) when the set time T1 (first set time) is reached (S74).

[0166] For example, if t1 (fourth set time) is set to 3 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 3 minutes" as shown in Fig. 25(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Fig. 25(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 3 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(d). By issuing such a message, the user can be prompted to enter settings even in a situation where the user may have forgotten to enter settings.

[0167] If a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without any setting input (S76), the state in which setting input is accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the right operation unit 102J is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 55(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 55(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 55(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 55(d), or an alert is given by such means (S77), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0168] When the right heating start / stop button 102Jb is operated (S82) without any setting input to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) and the preset time T1 (first set time) has not elapsed, for example, if the default cooking menu is set to IH heating and the default heat is set to heat 4 (power consumption 750 W), a determination is made as to whether the power consumption of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) is equal to or less than the usable power consumption (S83).

[0169] As described above, the remaining available power consumption is 2300 W or less, and the power consumption of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) is 750 W at heating power 4, which is within the range of available power consumption, and therefore heating is possible. Note that, as an example, the default cooking menu and heating power have been described as being set to, for example, IH heating and heating power 4 (power consumption 750 W), but this is not limiting.

[0170] When it is determined that the condition is suitable for heating, the state in which acceptance of setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 57(a), or a text message is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 57(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which acceptance of setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 57(c), or a text message is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 57(d). In this manner, an alert is given (S84), and heating is started (S71).

[0171] After heating has started, the setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but the setting input change during heating is accepted from the operation button of the right operation unit 102J. For example, as shown in Fig. 56(a), by operating the right up button 102Jc once, the heating power can be increased to 5 (power consumption 1000 W), and as shown in Fig. 56(b), by operating the right down button 102Jd once, the heating power can be decreased to 3 (power consumption 500 W). The changed heating power is then displayed on the right display unit 102M.

[0172] However, when increasing the heat setting, if the maximum power consumption is set to 4800W, the remaining available power consumption cannot be set to more than 2300W, so it cannot be set to heat level 8, which would result in a power consumption of 2500W. In other words, when the maximum power consumption is set to 4800W, the heat can be changed within the remaining available power consumption of 2300W.

[0173] When setting input is made to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) from the right operation section 102J of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S64, the timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the time when the setting input was made to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section), and measures the time that the setting input to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) continues (S68). If the setting input to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) continues from the start of measurement in S68 and a preset time T3 (third preset time) has elapsed, the control section 190 determines that the setting input is not in a normal state and cancels the setting input, and issues a voice from the audio output section 160 to that effect, as shown in FIG. 109(a), or displays text on the central (main) display section 102L as shown in FIG. 109(b). Alternatively, the control section 190 sends information that acceptance of the setting input has been canceled from the communication section 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), which issues a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 109(c), or displays text on the operation display section 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 109(d), thereby notifying the user of the above (S87).

[0174] Thereafter, the state in which setting input can be accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the right operation unit 102J is cancelled, and the fact that the state has been cancelled is issued by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in Figure 55(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Figure 55(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is issued by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 55(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 55(d). In this manner, an alert is issued (S88), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0175] In S64, a setting input is made to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) from the right operation unit 102J of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200, and it is determined (S65) whether the power consumption is below the available power consumption and it is determined that heating is possible. If the right heating start / stop button 102Jb of the right operation unit 102J is operated (S69) before the preset time T3 (third set time) has elapsed, the state of accepting setting inputs from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and a voice output unit 160 is generated to the effect that the state has been cancelled, as shown in FIG. 57(a), or as shown in FIG. 57(b). 57(c) or by displaying the information in text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 57(d), or by the control unit 190 transmitting information from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) that the state in which setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is released, as shown in FIG. 57(c), or by displaying the information in text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), as shown in FIG. 57(d), a notification is given (S70), and IH heating is started (S67) at the set heating power 7 (2000 W) as described above. In S67, the set heating power 7 is displayed on the right display unit 102M, and in S71, heating power 7 is displayed on the right display unit 102M as the heating heating power.

[0176] Since the state for accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is canceled in S70, setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but changes to the setting input during heating from the operation button of the right operation unit 102J are accepted.

[0177] However, as mentioned above, when increasing the heat setting, when the maximum power consumption is set to 4800W, it is not possible to set it above the remaining usable power consumption of 2300W. Therefore, when the maximum power consumption is set to 4800W, changes to the heat power will be made within the range of the remaining usable power consumption of 2300W.

[0178] The timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the point in time when the setting input is made to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) from the right operation section 102J of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S64, and if the right heating start / stop button 102Jb of the right operation section 102J is not operated after the start of measurement and a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed, the state will return to the state before the standby button was operated, but before t2, which is the time when the set time T2 (second set time) is reached (S78), an alert is issued (S79).

[0179] For example, if t2 is set to 5 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 5 minutes" as shown in FIG. 29(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 29(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 5 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 29(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 29(d). By notifying the user in this manner, it is possible to prompt the user to perform an operation in a situation where the user may have forgotten to perform the operation. Note that in the explanation of this disclosure, t1 and t2 are described as different times, but t1 and t2 may be the same time t1=t2, and t1 and t2 can be set appropriately.

[0180] If a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without the right heating start / stop button 102Jb of the right operation unit 102J being operated (S80), the state in which setting input can be accepted from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the operation buttons of the right operation unit 102J is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 55(a), or by a text display on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 55(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and the information is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 55(c), or by a text display on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 55(d), or by any of the above means (S81), and the state is returned to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0181] After heating of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) has started, when the right heating start / stop button 102Jb is operated (S72), heating of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) is stopped (S73) and the state before the standby button was operated is restored.

[0182] When the right heating start / stop button 102Jb is operated in S82, for example, if the default cooking menu is set to IH heating and the default heat is set to heat 8 (power consumption 2500 W), it is determined in S79 that this setting exceeds the remaining available power consumption of 2300 W, and a notification is issued that the heat cannot be set to heat 8, which would result in a power consumption of 2500 W, and advice is given to set the available power consumption by entering the settings (S85).

[0183] In S46, if either the right standby button 102Ja for putting the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) into a setting input accepting state or the central standby button 102Ha for putting the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) into a setting input accepting state is operated, then if the central standby button 102Ha is operated (S89), the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) enters a setting input accepting state (S90) as shown in FIG. 35, and a notification is issued to notify the user that the setting input has been accepted and to encourage them to make settings (S91).

[0184] The notification referred to here may be, for example, a method of displaying in text that central standby button 102Ha has been pressed, as shown in FIG. 58, that the device is in a state where setting input is being accepted by display 102Hg which is lit by an LED, that the device is in a state where setting input is being accepted on central (main) display unit 102L, and that a prompt for setting is issued, or, as shown in FIG. 59, that the device is in a state where setting input is being accepted from audio output unit 160, and that a prompt for setting is issued by audio.

[0185] In addition, since operation input is also possible from the central up button 102Hc and central down button 102Hd of the central operation unit 102H, as shown in FIG. 58, the heat setting display 102Hh flashes, and after operating the central standby button 102Ha, a display is displayed guiding the user to the next button to be operated, making the operation procedure easy for the user to understand and convenient to use.

[0186] As described above, any method of notification can be used as long as it can be recognized by the user, and this improves usability for the user. Also, providing multiple means of notification to the user by both display and audio is also effective in improving usability for the user.

[0187] Although an example of the voice notification by the cooking appliance 1 and the display on the display unit has been described above, the external communication device may notify the user by voice and display the display unit, and as shown in Fig. 60(b), a voice may be issued from the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting, or as shown in Fig. 60(c), text may be displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting. Also, a voice may be issued from both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200, or the voice may be displayed on both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200.

[0188] After the setting input acceptance state is entered, the heating setting is input (S92). The setting can be input by voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 as shown in Fig. 61, or from an application for inputting heating settings on the mobile communication terminal 200 as shown in Fig. 60(a).

[0189] When the maximum power consumption is 4800W, the maximum settable power consumption of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) is in the range of 4800W even if it is added to the power consumption of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) when it is used at the maximum set heating power. Therefore, when a setting input is made in S92, the total power consumption is calculated (S93), and as shown in FIG. 61, the voice output unit 160 notifies by voice that the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) has been set to 4, and that the user is prompted to operate the heating start button (S94). As shown in FIG. 62, the central (main) display unit 102L displays that the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) has been set to 4, and that the user is prompted to operate the heating start button (S95). Operation input from the central operation unit 102H is possible even before the heating start button is operated. For example, the heating power set to 4 can be reduced to 3 (power consumption 500W) by operating the central down button 102Hd once.

[0190] Also, the display 102Hi blinks to guide the user to the central heating start / stop button 102Hb, which is the heating start button, so that the user can easily see which button to operate next.

[0191] In this example, the notification is given both by voice and by displaying on the display unit, but as long as it is made recognizable to the user, notification may be given by any one of the methods.

[0192] There are several methods for inputting settings, for example, when setting the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section), there is a method of inputting from the operation button of the central operation section 102H and a method of inputting from an external communication device. As a method of inputting from an external communication device, there is a method of inputting by voice into a mobile communication terminal 200, which is an example of an external communication device, as shown in Fig. 61, and a method of inputting using an application for inputting heating settings stored in the mobile communication terminal 200, as shown in Fig. 60(a).

[0193] When a voice is input to the mobile communication terminal 200, the mobile communication terminal 200 converts the voice into a control signal and transmits the control signal to the communication unit 150 of the cooking appliance 1. The control signal received by the communication unit 150 is transmitted to the control unit 190 shown in Fig. 10, and the control unit 190 determines whether or not there is a setting input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) (S92), and if there is a setting input, calculates the total power consumption (S93), notifies by voice from the voice output unit 160 that the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E has been set to 4 and that the user is prompted to operate the central heating start / stop button 102Hb (S94), and displays on the central (main) display unit 102L that the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) has been set to 4 and that the user is prompted to operate the central heating start / stop button 102Hb (S95).

[0194] As an example of an input method other than voice input, there is a method of inputting from an application for inputting heating settings on mobile communication terminal 200. When the application is started on mobile communication terminal 200 shown in Fig. 60(a), operation buttons for inputting heating settings are displayed on operation display unit 201. Reference numeral 202 denotes a heating unit selection button, and when this operation button is operated, a left heating unit selection button 203a, a center heating unit selection button 203b, and a right heating unit selection button 203c are displayed.

[0195] Here, since the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) is already in operation, as shown in FIG. 60(a), the left heating unit selection button 203a is grayed out and cannot be selected.

[0196] When the central heating unit selection button 203b is operated to select the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit), the display changes from black letters on a white background to white letters on a black background, indicating that the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) has been selected.

[0197] In this explanation, the use of inverted display to indicate selection is just one example, and any other display that makes it clear that a selection has been made may be used, such as changing the size or color of the button.

[0198] After selecting the heating unit, when the heat setting button 204 is operated, an up button 205a for increasing the heat setting and a down button 205b for decreasing the heat setting are displayed, and when either the up button 205a or the down button 205b is operated, the heat is displayed on the operation display unit 201. Figure 60(a) shows an example of the display when the heat is set to 4.

[0199] When the central standby button 102Ha corresponding to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) is operated (S89), the timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring the time from when the central standby button 102Ha is operated, and if a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without any setting input, the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated, but an alert is issued (S103) before t1 (fourth set time) when the set time T1 (first set time) is reached (S102).

[0200] For example, if t1 (fourth set time) is set to 3 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 3 minutes" as shown in Fig. 25(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Fig. 25(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 3 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(d). By issuing such a message, the user can be prompted to enter settings even in a situation where the user may have forgotten to enter settings.

[0201] If a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without any setting input (S104), the state in which setting input is accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the central operation unit 102H is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 63(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 63(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 63(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 63(d), or an alert is given by such means (S105), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0202] When the central heating start / stop button 102Hb is operated (S110) without any setting input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) and the preset time T1 (first set time) has not elapsed, for example, if the default cooking menu is set to IH heating and the default heat is set to heat 4 (power consumption 750 W), the total power consumption is calculated (S111), the state of accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and a voice output unit 160 is issued to inform the user of the cancellation, as shown in FIG. 65(a). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 65(b), text is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L, or the control unit 190 sends information from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) that the state in which setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is no longer available for acceptance, and this is output as a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 65(c), or text is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 65(d), and an alert is given (S112), and heating is started (S99).

[0203] After heating has started, the setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but the setting input change during heating is accepted from the operation buttons of the central operation unit 102H. For example, as shown in Figure 64, by operating the central down button 102Hd once, the heating power can be reduced to 3 (power consumption 500W).

[0204] When settings are input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) from the central operation section 102H of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S92, the timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the time when the settings are input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section), and measures the time that the settings are input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) (S96). If the setting input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) continues from the start of measurement in S96 and a preset time T3 (third set time) has elapsed, the control unit 190 determines that the setting input is not in a normal state and cancels the setting input, and issues a voice message from the audio output unit 160 to inform the user of the cancellation, as shown in FIG. 110(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 110(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information that acceptance of the setting input has been canceled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), which issues a voice message from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 110(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 110(d), thereby notifying the user (S113).

[0205] Thereafter, the state in which setting inputs can be accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the central operation unit 102H is cancelled, and the fact that the state has been cancelled is issued by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in Figure 63(a), or is displayed in text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Figure 63(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting inputs can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is issued by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 63(c), or is displayed in text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 63(d). In this manner, an alert is given (S114), and the state is returned to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0206] In S92, settings are input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) from the central operation unit 102H of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200, and the total power consumption is calculated (S93). If the central heating start / stop button 102Hb of the central operation unit 102H is operated (S97) before the preset time T3 (third set time) has elapsed, the state of accepting setting inputs from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and a voice output unit 160 outputs a voice indicating that the state has been cancelled, as shown in FIG. 65(a), or a voice output unit 160 outputs a voice indicating that the state has been cancelled, as shown in FIG. 65(b). An alert is given (S98) by displaying the alert in text on the (main) display unit 102L, or by the control unit 190 transmitting information from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) that the state in which setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is no longer available for acceptance, and the alert is given by voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 65(c), or by displaying text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 65(d), and IH heating is started (S99) at the heat level 4 (750 W) set as described above.

[0207] Since the state for accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled in S98, setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but changes to the setting input during heating from the operation buttons of the central operation unit 102H are accepted.

[0208] The timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the point in time when settings are input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) from the central operation section 102H of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S92, and if a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed since the start of measurement without operation of the central heating start / stop button 102Hb of the central operation section 102H, the state before operation of the standby button is returned to, but just before t2, which is when the set time T2 is reached (S106), an alert is given (S107).

[0209] For example, if t2 is set to 5 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 5 minutes" as shown in FIG. 29(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 29(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 5 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 29(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 29(d). By notifying the user in this manner, it is possible to prompt the user to perform an operation in a situation where the user may have forgotten to perform the operation. Note that in the explanation of this disclosure, t1 and t2 are described as different times, but t1 and t2 may be the same time t1=t2, and t1 and t2 can be set appropriately.

[0210] If a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without operation of the central heating start / stop button 102Hb of the central operation unit 102H (S108), the state in which setting input can be accepted from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the operation buttons of the central operation unit 102H is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 63(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 63(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and the information is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 63(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 63(d), or an alert is given by such means (S109), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0211] After heating of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) has begun, when the central heating start / stop button 102Hb is operated (S100), heating of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) is stopped (S101) and the state is returned to that before the standby button was operated.

[0212] When the central heating start / stop button 102Hb is operated (S110) without any setting input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) and the preset time T1 (first set time) has not elapsed, the total power consumption is calculated (S111), the state of accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 65(a), or is displayed in text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 65(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 transmits information from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) that the state in which setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) can be accepted is released by voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 65(c) or is displayed by text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 65(d), thereby notifying the user (S112), and heating is started with the default cooking menu and heat power (S99). Here, as an example, a description will be given of a case in which the default cooking menu and heat power are set to, for example, IH heating and heat power 4 (power consumption 750 W), but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0213] After heating has started, the setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but the setting input change during heating is accepted from the operation buttons of the central operation unit 102H. For example, as shown in Figure 64, by operating the central down button 102Hd once, the heating power can be reduced to 3 (power consumption 500W).

[0214] After entering the operation standby state (S32), by operating the standby button of any of the left, right, or center heating units, it becomes possible to accept input of heating settings for the heating unit whose standby button was operated. For example, when the right standby button 102Ja corresponding to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) is operated (S34), the heating setting input acceptance state (S115) is entered as shown in FIG. 36, and the fact that the setting input acceptance state has been entered is transmitted to an external communication device, and a notification is given that the setting input acceptance state has been entered and a notification is given to encourage the user to make settings (S116). When one heating unit is in a setting input acceptance state from the mobile communication terminal 200, which is an external communication device, the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device for the other heating units is prohibited to avoid confusion with setting input for the other heating units. In this case, the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) is in a state where it is accepting setting input, so operation of the left standby button 102Ga or the central standby button 102Ha is not accepted at this time, and acceptance of setting input from an external communication device to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) or the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) is prohibited.

[0215] The notification referred to here may be, for example, a method of displaying in text that the right standby button 102Ja has been pressed, as shown in FIG. 67, that the setting input is being accepted by display 102Jg which is lit by an LED, that the central (main) display unit 102L is in a state where setting input is being accepted, and that a prompt for setting is being issued, or, as shown in FIG. 48, a method of outputting a sound from audio output unit 160, that the setting input is being accepted, and that a prompt for setting is being issued.

[0216] In addition, since operation input is also possible from the right up button 102Jc and right down button 102Jd of the right operation unit 102J, as shown in FIG. 67, the heat setting display 102Jh flashes, and after operating the right standby button 102Ja, a display is displayed guiding the user to the next button to be operated, making the operation procedure easy to understand and convenient for the user.

[0217] As described above, any method of notification can be used as long as it can be recognized by the user, and this improves usability for the user. Also, providing multiple means of notification to the user by both display and audio is also effective in improving usability for the user.

[0218] Although an example of the voice notification by the cooking appliance 1 and the display on the display unit has been described above, the external communication device may notify the user by voice and display the display unit, and as shown in Fig. 68(c), a voice may be issued from the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting, or as shown in Fig. 68(d), text may be displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting. Also, a voice may be issued from both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200, or the voice may be displayed on both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200.

[0219] As an example, after the setting input acceptance state has been entered, taking the case where the heating power of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) is set to 8 (2500 W), when a heating setting input is made in S117, as shown in FIG. 70, the audio output unit 160 notifies by voice that the heating power of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) has been set to 8 and prompts the user to operate the heating start button (S118), and further, as shown in FIG. 69, the right display unit 102M displays the set heating power of 8 (2500 W) and the central (main) display unit 102L displays the setting of the heating power of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) to 8 and prompts the user to operate the heating start button (S119). It is possible to input operations from the right operating unit 102J even before operating the heating start button. For example, by operating the right down button 102Jd twice, the heat level set to 8 can be reduced to 6 (power consumption 1,500 W), and by operating the right down button 102Jd five times, the heat level set to 8 can be reduced to 3 (power consumption 500 W).

[0220] Also, the display 102Ji blinks to guide the user to the right heating start / stop button 102Jb, which is the heating start button, so that the user can easily see which button to operate next.

[0221] In this example, the notification is given both by voice and by displaying on the display unit, but as long as it is made recognizable to the user, notification may be given by any one of the methods.

[0222] There are several methods for inputting settings, and when setting the heat power of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section), there is a method of inputting from the operation button of the right operation section 102J and a method of inputting from an external communication device. As a method of inputting from an external communication device, there is a method of inputting by voice into a mobile communication terminal 200, which is an example of an external communication device, as shown in Fig. 70, and a method of inputting using an application for inputting heating settings stored in the mobile communication terminal 200, as shown in Fig. 68(a).

[0223] When a voice is input to the mobile communication terminal 200, the mobile communication terminal 200 converts the voice into a control signal and transmits the control signal to the communication unit 150 of the cooking appliance 1. The control signal received by the communication unit 150 is transmitted to the control unit 190 shown in Fig. 10, and the control unit 190 judges whether or not there is a setting input to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) (S117), and if there is a setting input, the voice output unit 160 issues a voice notification (S118) that the heat power of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) has been set to 8 and that the user is prompted to operate the right heating start / stop button 102Jb, and displays on the central (main) display unit 102L that the heat power of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) has been set to 8 and that the user is prompted to operate the right heating start / stop button 102Jb, and also displays the set heat power of 8 on the right display unit 102M (S119).

[0224] As an example of an input method other than voice input, there is a method of inputting from an application for inputting heating settings on mobile communication terminal 200. When the application is started on mobile communication terminal 200 shown in Fig. 68(a), operation buttons for inputting heating settings are displayed on operation display unit 201. Reference numeral 202 denotes a heating unit selection button, and when this operation button is operated, a left heating unit selection button 203a, a center heating unit selection button 203b, and a right heating unit selection button 203c are displayed.

[0225] When the right heating unit selection button 203c is operated to select, for example, the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) from among the displayed heating unit selection buttons, the display is inverted as shown in Figure 68(b) to indicate that the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) has been selected.

[0226] In this explanation, the use of inverted display to indicate selection is just one example, and any other display that makes it clear that a selection has been made may be used, such as changing the size or color of the button.

[0227] After selecting the heating unit, when the heat setting button 204 is operated, an up button 205a for increasing the heat setting and a down button 205b for decreasing the heat setting are displayed, and when either the up button 205a or the down button 205b is operated, the heat is displayed on the operation display unit 201. Figure 68(b) shows an example of the display when the heat is set to 8.

[0228] After entering the heating setting input acceptance state (S115), the control unit 190 judges whether or not there is a setting input to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) (S117). When the right standby button 102Ja corresponding to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) is operated (S34), the timer 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring the time from when the right standby button 102Ja is operated, and if a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed without any setting input from the start of measurement, the state before the standby button was operated is returned to, but before t1 (fourth set time) (S128) when the set time T1 (first set time) is reached, an alert is issued (S129).

[0229] For example, if t1 (fourth set time) is set to 3 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 3 minutes" as shown in Fig. 25(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Fig. 25(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 3 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(d). By issuing such a message, the user can be prompted to enter settings even in a situation where the user may have forgotten to enter settings.

[0230] If a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without any setting input (S130), the state in which setting input is accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the right operation unit 102J is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 72(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 72(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 72(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 72(d), or an alert is given by such means (S131), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0231] When the right heating start / stop button 102Jb is operated (S136) in a state where there is no setting input to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) and the preset time T1 (first setting time) has not elapsed, the state of accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by voice from the voice output section 160 as shown in FIG. 71(a), or is displayed in text on the central (main) display section 102L as shown in FIG. 71(b), or the control section 19 71(c) from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) or by displaying text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 71(d), or by other means (S137), and heating is started with the default cooking menu and heat power (S123). Here, as an example, a description will be given of a case where the default cooking menu and heat power are set to, for example, IH heating and heat power 4 (power consumption 750 W), but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0232] After heating has started, the setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but the setting input change during heating is accepted from the operation button of the right operation unit 102J. For example, as shown in Fig. 56(a), by operating the right up button 102Jc once, the heating power can be increased to 5 (power consumption 1000 W), and as shown in Fig. 56(b), by operating the right down button 102Jd once, the heating power can be decreased to 3 (power consumption 500 W). The changed heating power is then displayed on the left display unit 102M.

[0233] When setting input is made to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) from the right operation section 102J of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S117, the timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the time when the setting input was made to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section), and measures the time that the setting input to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) continues (S120). If the setting input to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) continues from the start of measurement in S120 and a preset time T3 (third preset time) has elapsed, the control section 190 determines that the setting input is not in a normal state and cancels the setting input, and issues a voice from the audio output section 160 to the effect that the setting input has been cancelled, as shown in FIG. 109(a), or displays text on the central (main) display section 102L, as shown in FIG. 109(b). Alternatively, the control section 190 sends information that acceptance of the setting input has been cancelled from the communication section 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), which issues a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 109(c), or displays text on the operation display section 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 109(d), thereby notifying the user (S138).

[0234] Thereafter, the state in which the setting input can be accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the right operation unit 102J is cancelled, and the fact that the state has been cancelled is issued by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 72(a), or is displayed in text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 72(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which the setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is issued by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 72(c), or is displayed in text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 72(d). In this manner, an alert is issued (S139), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0235] After the setting input to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) from the right operation unit 102J of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 is made in S117, if the right heating start / stop button 102Jb of the right operation unit 102J is operated (S121) before the preset time T3 (third set time) has elapsed, the state of accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 71(a), or the central (main) display unit 102L is displayed as shown in FIG. 71(b). In step S119, the right display unit 102M displays the set heating power of 8 (2500 W) as described above, or the control unit 190 transmits information from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) that the state in which setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) can be accepted has been released, and the information is output by voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 71(c), or is displayed by text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 71(d). In step S122, the right display unit 102M displays the set heating power of 8, and in step S123, the right display unit 102M displays the heating power of 8 as the heating heating power.

[0236] Since the state of accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled in S122, setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but changes to setting input during heating from the operation buttons of the right operation unit 102J are accepted. For example, as shown in Fig. 56(a), by operating the right down button 102Jd three times, the heating power can be reduced to 5 (power consumption 1000 W), and as shown in Fig. 56(b), by operating the right down button 102Jd five times, the heating power can be reduced to 3 (power consumption 500 W). The changed heating power is then displayed on the right display unit 102M.

[0237] The timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the point in time when the setting input is made to the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) from the right operation section 102J of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S117, and if the right heating start / stop button 102Jb of the right operation section 102J is not operated after the start of measurement and a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed, the state will return to the state before the standby button was operated, but before t2, which is the time when the set time T2 (second set time) is reached (S132), an alert is issued (S133).

[0238] For example, if t2 is set to 5 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 5 minutes" as shown in FIG. 29(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 29(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 5 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 29(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 29(d). By notifying the user in this manner, it is possible to prompt the user to perform an operation in a situation where the user may have forgotten to perform the operation. Note that in the explanation of this disclosure, t1 and t2 are described as different times, but t1 and t2 may be the same time t1=t2, and t1 and t2 can be set appropriately.

[0239] If a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without the right heating start / stop button 102Jb of the right operation unit 102J being operated (S134), the state in which setting input is accepted from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the operation buttons of the right operation unit 102J is cancelled, and the cancellation is issued by voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 72(a), or is displayed in text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 72(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted is cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is issued by voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 72(c), or is displayed in text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 72(d), or a notification is given by such means (S135), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0240] When heating is started at IH heating power 8 in S123, the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) or the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit), which was prohibited in S116, is permitted. In other words, when heating is started by the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit), the acceptance of setting input from an external communication device to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) or the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) becomes possible.

[0241] Thereafter, the control unit 190 calculates the remaining usable power consumption (S124) by subtracting the power consumption of 2500 W of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) at heating power 8 from the maximum power consumption set to 4800 W by the power setting means 191. In this example, since 2500 W is subtracted from 4800 W, the remaining usable power consumption is 2300 W or less.

[0242] After heating of right induction heating coil unit 101D, which is the right heating unit, has begun, setting of left induction heating coil unit 101C, which is the left heating unit, or central induction heating coil unit 101E, which is the central heating unit, can be performed.

[0243] After heating of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) has begun, if the standby button of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) or the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) is not operated in S125 and the right heating start / stop button 102Jb is operated (S126), heating of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) is stopped (S127) and the state is restored to that before the standby button was operated.

[0244] If in S125 either the left standby button 102Ga for putting the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) into a setting input accepting state or the central standby button 102Ha for putting the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) into a setting input accepting state is operated, then if the left standby button 102Ga is operated (S140), the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) enters a heating input accepting state (S141) as shown in FIG. 37, and a notification is issued to notify the user that the setting input has been accepted and to encourage them to make settings (S142).

[0245] The notification referred to here may be, for example, a method of displaying in text that the left standby button 102Ga has been pressed, as shown in FIG. 73, that the setting input is being accepted by display 102Gg which is lit by an LED, that the setting input is being accepted on central (main) display unit 102L, and that a prompt for setting is being issued, or, as shown in FIG. 23, that the setting input is being accepted from audio output unit 160, and that a prompt for setting is being issued by audio.

[0246] In addition, since operation input is also possible from the left up button 102Gc and left down button 102Gd of the left operation unit 102G, as shown in FIG. 73, the heat setting display 102Gh flashes, and after operating the left standby button 102Ga, a display is displayed guiding the user to the next button to be operated, making the operation procedure easy for the user to understand and convenient to use.

[0247] As described above, any method of notification can be used as long as it can be recognized by the user, and this improves usability for the user. Also, providing multiple means of notification to the user by both display and audio is also effective in improving usability for the user.

[0248] Although an example of the voice notification by the cooking appliance 1 and the display on the display unit has been described above, the external communication device may notify the user by voice and display the display unit, and as shown in Fig. 74(c), a voice may be issued from the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting, or as shown in Fig. 74(d), text may be displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting. Also, a voice may be issued from both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200, or the voice may be displayed on both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200.

[0249] After the setting input acceptance state is entered, the heating setting is input (S143). The setting can be input by voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 as shown in Fig. 50, or from an application for inputting heating settings on the mobile communication terminal 200 as shown in Fig. 74(a).

[0250] It is determined whether the power consumption due to the setting input is equal to or less than the available power (S144). Since the remaining available power consumption calculated in S124 is equal to or less than 2300 W, for example, if the setting input is heating power 8 (2500 W) which exceeds 2300 W as shown in FIG. 74(a), the setting input is not reflected, and in S165 of FIG. 38, a notice is given that the heating power to be set in the right heating unit exceeds the remaining available power consumption and therefore cannot be set to heating power 8, and advice is given to change to a lower heating power so that the available power consumption does not exceed 2300 W.

[0251] For example, the notification and advice are given by any of the following methods: voice from the cooking device 1 as shown in Fig. 75, or text displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L of the cooking device 1 as shown in Fig. 78, or voice with the display of heat power 8 blinking on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 as shown in Fig. 76(a), or text displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 as shown in Fig. 76(b). Note that, as shown in Fig. 78, the central (main) display unit 102L of the cooking device 1 displays reference information of the heating part during heating, in this example, reference information such as the heating power and power consumption during heating of the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating part), if there is one.

[0252] If the power consumption based on the setting input in S144 is equal to or less than the available power, as shown in FIG. 77, the audio output unit 160 issues a voice notification that the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) has been set to heating power 7 (2000 W), which is equal to or less than the remaining usable power consumption, and that the user is prompted to operate the left heating start / stop button 102Gb, which is the heating start button (S145). Also, as shown in FIG. 79, the left display unit 102K displays the fact that the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) has been set to 7, and the central (main) display unit 102L displays the fact that the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) has been set to 7, and a message urging the user to operate the heating start button (S146). Operation input from the left operation unit 102G is possible even before operating the heating start button. For example, by operating the left down button 102Gd once, the heat level set to 7 can be reduced to 6 (power consumption 1,500 W), and by operating the left down button 102Gd four times, the heat level set to 7 can be reduced to 3 (power consumption 500 W).

[0253] Also, the display 102Gi blinks to guide the user to the left heating start / stop button 102Gb, which is the heating start button, so that the user can easily see which button to operate next.

[0254] In this example, the notification is given both by voice and by displaying on the display unit, but as long as it is made recognizable to the user, notification may be given by any one of the methods.

[0255] There are several methods for inputting settings, for example, when setting the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section), there is a method of inputting from the operation button of the left operation section 102G and a method of inputting from an external communication device. As a method of inputting from an external communication device, there is a method of inputting by voice into a mobile communication terminal 200, which is an example of an external communication device, as shown in Fig. 77, and a method of inputting using an application for inputting heating settings stored in the mobile communication terminal 200, as shown in Fig. 74(b).

[0256] When a voice is input to the mobile communication terminal 200, the mobile communication terminal 200 converts the voice into a control signal and transmits the control signal to the communication unit 150 of the cooking appliance 1. The control signal received by the communication unit 150 is transmitted to the control unit 190 shown in Fig. 10, and the control unit 190 determines whether or not there is a setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) (S143), and if there is a setting input, the voice output unit 160 issues a voice notification (S145) that the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) has been set to 7 and that the user is prompted to operate the left heating start / stop button 102Gb, and displays on the central (main) display unit 102L that the heating power of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) has been set to 7 and that the user is prompted to operate the left heating start / stop button 102Gb, and also displays the set heating power of 7 on the left display unit 102K (S146).

[0257] As an example of an input method other than voice input, there is a method of inputting from an application for inputting heating settings on mobile communication terminal 200. When the application is started on mobile communication terminal 200 shown in Fig. 74(b), operation buttons for inputting heating settings are displayed on operation display unit 201. Reference numeral 202 denotes a heating unit selection button, and when this operation button is operated, a left heating unit selection button 203a, a center heating unit selection button 203b, and a right heating unit selection button 203c are displayed.

[0258] Here, since the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) is already in operation, the right heating unit selection button 203c is grayed out and cannot be selected, as shown in FIG. 74(b).

[0259] When the left heating unit selection button 203a is operated to select the left induction heating coil unit 101D (left heating unit), the display changes from black letters on a white background to white letters on a black background, indicating that the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) has been selected.

[0260] In this explanation, the use of inverted display to indicate selection is just one example, and any other display that makes it clear that a selection has been made may be used, such as changing the size or color of the button.

[0261] After selecting the heating unit, when the heat setting button 204 is operated, an up button 205a for increasing the heat setting and a down button 205b for decreasing the heat setting are displayed, and when either the up button 205a or the down button 205b is operated, the heat is displayed on the operation display unit 201. Figure 74(b) shows an example of the display when the heat is set to 7.

[0262] When the left standby button 102Ga corresponding to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) is operated (S140), the timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring the time from when the left standby button 102Ga was operated, and if a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without any setting input, the state will return to the state before the standby button was operated, but an alert is issued (S154) before t1 (fourth set time) when the set time T1 (first set time) is reached (S153).

[0263] For example, if t1 (fourth set time) is set to 3 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 3 minutes" as shown in Fig. 25(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Fig. 25(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 3 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(d). By issuing such a message, the user can be prompted to enter settings even in a situation where the user may have forgotten to enter settings.

[0264] If a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without any setting input (S155), the state in which setting input can be accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the left operation unit 102G is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 80(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 80(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 80(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 80(d), or an announcement is made by such a means (S156), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0265] When the left heating start / stop button 102Gb is operated (S161) without any setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) and the preset time T1 (first set time) has not elapsed, as shown in FIG. 38, for example, if the default cooking menu is set to IH heating and the default heat power is set to heat power 4 (power consumption 750 W), a determination is made as to whether the power consumption of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) is equal to or less than the usable power consumption (S162).

[0266] As described above, the remaining available power consumption is 2300 W or less, and the power consumption of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) is 750 W at heating power 4, which is within the range of available power consumption, and therefore heating is possible. Note that, as an example, the default cooking menu and heating power have been described as being set to, for example, IH heating and heating power 4 (power consumption 750 W), but this is not limiting.

[0267] When it is determined that the condition is suitable for heating, the state in which acceptance of setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 81(a), or a text message is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 81(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which acceptance of setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and the information is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 81(c), or a text message is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 81(d). In this manner, an alert is given (S163), and heating is started (S150).

[0268] After heating has started, the setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but the setting input change during heating is accepted from the operation button of the left operation section 102G. For example, as shown in Fig. 28(a), by operating the left up button 102Gc twice, the heating power can be increased to 6 (power consumption 1500 W), and as shown in Fig. 28(b), by operating the left down button 102Gd once, the heating power can be decreased to 3 (power consumption 500 W). The changed heating power is then displayed on the left display section 102K.

[0269] However, when increasing the heat setting, if the maximum power consumption is set to 4800W, the remaining available power consumption cannot be set to more than 2300W, so it cannot be set to heat level 8, which would result in a power consumption of 2500W. In other words, when the maximum power consumption is set to 4800W, the heat can be changed within the remaining available power consumption of 2300W.

[0270] When setting input is made to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) from the left operation section 102G of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S143, the timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the time when the setting input was made to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section), and measures the time that the setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) continues (S147). If the setting input to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) continues from the start of measurement in S147 and a preset time T3 (third preset time) has elapsed, the control unit 190 determines that the setting input is not in a normal state, stops the setting input, and issues a voice from the audio output unit 160 to that effect, as shown in FIG. 30(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 30(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information that acceptance of the setting input has been stopped from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and issues a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 30(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 30(d). In this manner, an alert is given (S166).

[0271] Thereafter, the state in which setting input can be accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the left operation unit 102G is cancelled, and the fact that the state has been cancelled is issued by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in Figure 80(a), or is displayed in text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Figure 80(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is issued by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 80(c), or is displayed in text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 80(d). In this manner, an alert is given (S167), and the state is returned to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0272] In S143, a setting input is made to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) from the left operation unit 102G of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200, and it is determined (S144) whether the power consumption is below the available power consumption and it is determined that heating is possible. If the left heating start / stop button 102Gb of the left operation unit 102G is operated (S148) before the preset time T3 (third set time) has elapsed, the state of accepting setting inputs from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and a voice output unit 160 is generated to the effect that the state has been cancelled, as shown in FIG. 81(a), or as shown in FIG. 81(b). 81(c) or by displaying the information in text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 81(d), the control unit 190 transmits information from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) that the state in which setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is released, as shown in FIG. 81(c), or by displaying the information in text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), as shown in FIG. 81(d), thereby notifying the user (S149), and IH heating is started (S150) at the set heating power 7 (2000 W) as described above. In S146, the set heating power 7 is displayed on the left display unit 102K, and in S150, the heating power 7 is displayed on the left display unit 102K as the heating heating power.

[0273] Since the state for accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled in S149, setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but changes to the setting input during heating from the operation buttons of the left operation unit 102G are accepted.

[0274] However, as mentioned above, when increasing the heat setting, when the maximum power consumption is set to 4800W, it is not possible to set it above the remaining usable power consumption of 2300W. Therefore, when the maximum power consumption is set to 4800W, changes to the heat power will be made within the range of the remaining usable power consumption of 2300W.

[0275] The timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the point in time when the setting input is made to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) from the left operation section 102G of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S143, and if a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed since the start of measurement without the left heating start / stop button 102Gb of the left operation section 102G being operated, the state before the standby button was operated is restored, but just before t2 when the set time T2 is reached (S157), an alert is issued (S158).

[0276] For example, if t2 is set to 5 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 5 minutes" as shown in FIG. 29(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 29(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 5 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 29(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 29(d). By notifying the user in this manner, it is possible to prompt the user to perform an operation in a situation where the user may have forgotten to perform the operation. Note that in the explanation of this disclosure, t1 and t2 are described as different times, but t1 and t2 may be the same time t1=t2, and t1 and t2 can be set appropriately.

[0277] If a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without operation of the left heating start / stop button 102Gb of the left operation unit 102G (S159), the state in which setting input can be accepted from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the operation buttons of the left operation unit 102G is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 82(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 82(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and the information is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 82(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 82(d). In this manner, an alert is given (S160), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0278] After heating of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) has started, when the left heating start / stop button 102Gb is operated (S151), heating of the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) is stopped (S152) and the state before the standby button was operated is restored.

[0279] When the left heating start / stop button 102Gb is operated in S161, for example, if the default cooking menu is set to IH heating and the default heat is set to heat 8 (power consumption 2500 W), it is determined in S162 that this setting exceeds the remaining available power consumption of 2300 W, and a notification is issued that the heat cannot be set to heat 8, which would result in a power consumption of 2500 W, and advice is given to set the available power consumption by entering the settings (S164).

[0280] In S125, if either the left standby button 102Ga for putting the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating unit) into a setting input accepting state or the central standby button 102Ha for putting the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) into a setting input accepting state is operated, then if the central standby button 102Ha is operated (S168), the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) enters a heating setting input accepting state (S169) as shown in FIG. 39, and a notification is issued to notify the user that the setting input has been accepted and to encourage them to make settings (S170).

[0281] The notification referred to here may be, for example, a method of displaying in text on the central (main) display unit 102L that the central standby button 102Ha has been pressed, for example, by an LED illuminating the display 102Hg to indicate that the device is in a state where it can accept setting input, and prompting the user to set the device, or, as shown in FIG. 59, a method of outputting a voice message from the audio output unit 160 to indicate that the device is in a state where it can accept setting input and prompting the user to set the device.

[0282] In addition, since operation input is also possible from the central up button 102Hc and central down button 102Hd of the central operation unit 102H, as shown in FIG. 83, the heat setting display 102Hh flashes, and after operating the central standby button 102Ha, a display is displayed guiding the user to the next button to be operated, making the operation procedure easy for the user to understand and convenient to use.

[0283] As described above, any method of notification can be used as long as it can be recognized by the user, and this improves usability for the user. Also, providing multiple means of notification to the user by both display and audio is also effective in improving usability for the user.

[0284] Although an example of the voice notification by the cooking appliance 1 and the display on the display unit has been described above, the external communication device may notify the user by voice and display the display unit, and as shown in Fig. 84(b), a voice may be issued from the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting, or as shown in Fig. 84(c), text may be displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting. Also, a voice may be issued from both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200, or the voice may be displayed on both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200.

[0285] After the setting input acceptance state is entered, the heating setting is input (S171). The setting can be input by voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 as shown in Fig. 61, or from an application for inputting heating settings on the mobile communication terminal 200 as shown in Fig. 84(a).

[0286] When the maximum power consumption is 4800 W, the settable maximum power consumption of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) will be in the range of 4800 W even when added to the power consumption when the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) is being used at the maximum set heating power, so when a setting input is made in S171, the total power consumption is calculated (S172), and an audio notification is issued from the audio output section 160 (S173) to the effect that the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) has been set to 4, as shown in FIG. 61, and a display is displayed on the central (main) display section 102L to the effect that the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) has been set to 4, and a display is displayed on the central (main) display section 102L to the effect that the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) has been set to 4, and a display is displayed to the effect that the heating start button is Operation input from the central operation unit 102H is possible even before operating the heating start button. For example, by operating the central down button 102Hd once, the heat level set to 4 can be reduced to 3 (power consumption 500 W).

[0287] Also, the display 102Hi blinks to guide the user to the central heating start / stop button 102Hb, which is the heating start button, so that the user can easily see which button to operate next.

[0288] In this example, the notification is given both by voice and by displaying on the display unit, but as long as it is made recognizable to the user, notification may be given by any one of the methods.

[0289] There are several methods for inputting settings, for example, when setting the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section), there is a method of inputting from the operation buttons of the central operation section 102H and a method of inputting from an external communication device. As a method of inputting from an external communication device, there is a method of inputting by voice into a mobile communication terminal 200, which is an example of an external communication device, as shown in Fig. 61, and a method of inputting using an application for inputting heating settings stored in the mobile communication terminal 200, as shown in Fig. 84(a).

[0290] When a voice is input to the mobile communication terminal 200, the mobile communication terminal 200 converts the voice into a control signal and transmits the control signal to the communication unit 150 of the cooking appliance 1. The control signal received by the communication unit 150 is transmitted to the control unit 190 shown in Fig. 10, and the control unit 190 determines whether or not there is a setting input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) (S171), and if there is a setting input, calculates the total power consumption (S172), notifies by voice from the voice output unit 160 that the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E has been set to 4 and that the user is prompted to operate the central heating start / stop button 102Hb (S173), and displays on the central (main) display unit 102L that the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) has been set to 4 and that the user is prompted to operate the central heating start / stop button 102Hb (S174).

[0291] As an example of an input method other than voice input, there is a method of inputting from an application for inputting heating settings on mobile communication terminal 200. When the application is started on mobile communication terminal 200 shown in Fig. 84(a), operation buttons for inputting heating settings are displayed on operation display unit 201. Reference numeral 202 denotes a heating unit selection button, and when this operation button is operated, a left heating unit selection button 203a, a center heating unit selection button 203b, and a right heating unit selection button 203c are displayed.

[0292] Here, since the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating unit) is already in operation, the right heating unit selection button 203c is grayed out and cannot be selected, as shown in FIG. 84(a).

[0293] When the central heating unit selection button 203b is operated to select the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit), the display changes from black letters on a white background to white letters on a black background, indicating that the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) has been selected.

[0294] In this explanation, the use of inverted display to indicate selection is just one example, and any other display that makes it clear that a selection has been made may be used, such as changing the size or color of the button.

[0295] After selecting the heating unit, when the heat setting button 204 is operated, an up button 205a for increasing the heat setting and a down button 205b for decreasing the heat setting are displayed, and when either the up button 205a or the down button 205b is operated, the heat is displayed on the operation display unit 201. Fig. 84(a) shows an example of the display when the heat is set to 4.

[0296] When the central standby button 102Ha corresponding to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) is operated (S168), the timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring the time from when the central standby button 102Ha is operated, and if a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without any setting input, the state will return to the state before the standby button was operated, but an alert is issued (S181) before t1 (fourth set time) when the set time T1 (first set time) is reached (S180).

[0297] For example, if t1 (fourth set time) is set to 3 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 3 minutes" as shown in Fig. 25(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Fig. 25(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 3 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 25(d). By issuing such a message, the user can be prompted to enter settings even in a situation where the user may have forgotten to enter settings.

[0298] If a preset time T1 (first set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without any setting input (S182), the state in which setting input is accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the central operation unit 102H is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 66(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 66(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 66(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 66(d), or an alert is given by such means (S183), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0299] When the central heating start / stop button 102Hb is operated (S188) without any setting input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) and the preset time T1 (first set time) has not elapsed, for example, if the default cooking menu is set to IH heating and the default heat is set to heat 4 (power consumption 750 W), the total power consumption is calculated (S189), the state of accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and a voice output unit 160 is issued to inform the user of the cancellation, as shown in FIG. 86(a). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) that the state in which setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is no longer available, and the information is output by voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 86(c), or displayed in text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 86(d), thereby alerting (S190), and heating begins (S177).

[0300] After heating has started, the setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but the setting input change during heating is accepted from the operation buttons of the central operation unit 102H. For example, as shown in Fig. 87, by operating the central down button 102Hd once, the heating power can be reduced to 3 (power consumption 500W).

[0301] When settings are input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) from the central operation section 102H of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S171, the timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the time when the settings are input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section), and measures the time that the settings are input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) (S174a). If the setting input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) continues from the start of measurement in S171 and a preset time T3 (third set time) has elapsed, the control unit 190 determines that the setting input is not in a normal state and cancels the setting input, and issues a voice message from the audio output unit 160 to inform the user of the cancellation, as shown in FIG. 110(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 110(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information that acceptance of the setting input has been canceled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), which issues a voice message from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 110(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 110(d), thereby notifying the user (S191).

[0302] Thereafter, the state in which setting input can be accepted from the operation buttons of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the central operation unit 102H is cancelled, and the fact that the state has been cancelled is issued by a voice from the audio output unit 160 as shown in Figure 66(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in Figure 66(b). Alternatively, the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and this is issued by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 66(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 66(d). In this manner, an alert is given (S192), and the state is returned to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0303] In S171, settings are input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) from the central operation unit 102H of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200, and the total power consumption is calculated (S172). If the central heating start / stop button 102Hb of the central operation unit 102H is operated (S175) before the preset time T3 (third set time) has elapsed, the state of accepting setting inputs from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and a voice output unit 160 is generated to the effect that the setting has been cancelled, as shown in FIG. 86(a), or a voice output unit 160 is generated to the effect that the setting has been cancelled, as shown in FIG. 86(b). An alert is given by displaying the alert in text on the (main) display unit 102L, or the control unit 190 sends information from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) that the state in which setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is no longer available for acceptance, and the alert is given by voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 86(c), or by displaying text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Figure 86(d) (S176), and IH heating is started at the heat level 4 (750 W) set as described above (S177).

[0304] Since the state for accepting setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled in S176, setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but changes to the setting input during heating from the operation buttons of the central operation unit 102H are accepted.

[0305] The timing means 192 (see FIG. 11) starts measuring time from the point in time when settings are input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) from the central operation section 102H of the cooking appliance 1 or the mobile communication terminal 200 in S171, and if a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed since the start of measurement without operation of the central heating start / stop button 102Hb of the central operation section 102H, the state before operation of the standby button is returned to, but before t2, which is the time when the set time T2 (second set time) is reached (S184), an alert is issued (S185).

[0306] For example, if t2 is set to 5 minutes, the voice output unit 160 issues a message saying "The setting input acceptance state will be released in 5 minutes" as shown in FIG. 29(a), or displays text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 29(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) from the communication unit 150 to release the setting input acceptance state in 5 minutes, and the message is issued by the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 29(c), or displays text on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 29(d). By notifying the user in this manner, it is possible to prompt the user to perform an operation in a situation where the user may have forgotten to perform the operation. Note that in the explanation of this disclosure, t1 and t2 are described as different times, but t1 and t2 may be the same time t1=t2, and t1 and t2 can be set appropriately.

[0307] If a preset time T2 (second set time) has elapsed from the start of measurement without operation of the central heating start / stop button 102Hb of the central operation unit 102H (S186), the state in which setting input can be accepted from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) and the operation buttons of the central operation unit 102H is cancelled, and the cancellation is announced by a voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 66(a), or a text display is displayed on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 66(b), or the control unit 190 sends information that the state in which setting input can be accepted has been cancelled from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device), and the information is announced by a voice from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 66(c), or a text display is displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in FIG. 66(d), or an alert is given by such means (S187), and the state returns to the state before the standby button was operated.

[0308] After heating of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) has begun, when the central heating start / stop button 102Hb is operated (S178), heating of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) is stopped (S179) and the state is returned to that before the standby button was operated.

[0309] When the central heating start / stop button 102Hb is operated (S188) without any setting input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) and the preset time T1 (first set time) has not elapsed, for example, if the default cooking menu is set to IH heating and the default heat power is set to heat power 4 (power consumption 750 W), the total power consumption is calculated (S189), the state of acceptance of setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is cancelled, and the cancellation is issued by voice from the voice output unit 160 as shown in FIG. 86(a), or is displayed in text on the central (main) display unit 102L as shown in FIG. 86(b), or the control unit 190 transmits information from the communication unit 150 to the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) that the state of acceptance of setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) has been cancelled, and A notification (S190) is given by a means such as a voice output from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 86(c) or a text display on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) as shown in Fig. 86(d), and heating is started (S201) with a default cooking menu and heat power. Here, as an example, a description will be given of a case where the default cooking menu and heat power are set to, for example, IH heating and heat power 4 (power consumption 750 W), but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0310] After heating has started, the setting input from the mobile communication terminal 200 (external communication device) is not accepted, but the setting input change during heating is accepted from the operation buttons of the central operation unit 102H. For example, as shown in Fig. 87, by operating the central down button 102Hd once, the heating power can be reduced to 3 (power consumption 500W).

[0311] After entering the operation standby state (S32), by operating the standby button of any of the left, right, or center heating units, it becomes possible to accept input for heating settings for the heating unit whose standby button was operated. For example, when the center standby button 102Ha corresponding to the center induction heating coil unit 101E (center heating unit) is operated (S35), the heating setting input acceptance state (S193) is entered as shown in Fig. 40, and the fact that the setting input acceptance state has been entered is transmitted to an external communication device, and a notification is given that the setting input acceptance state has been entered and a notification is given to encourage setting (S194). When one heating unit is in a setting input acceptance state from the mobile communication terminal 200, which is an external communication device, the acceptance of setting input from the external communication device for the other heating units is prohibited so as not to confuse it with the setting input for the other heating units. In this case, the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section) is in a state where it is accepting setting input, so operation of the left standby button 102Ga or the right standby button 102Ja is not accepted at this time, and acceptance of setting input from an external communication device to the left induction heating coil unit 101C (left heating section) or the right induction heating coil unit 101D (right heating section) is prohibited.

[0312] The notification referred to here may be, for example, a method of displaying in text on the central (main) display unit 102L that the central standby button 102Ha has been pressed, for example, by lighting up an LED to indicate that the device is in a state where it can accept setting input, and of prompting the user to set the device, or, as shown in FIG. 59, a method of outputting a voice message from the audio output unit 160, indicating that the device is in a state where it can accept setting input and of prompting the user to set the device.

[0313] In addition, since operation input is also possible from the central up button 102Hc and central down button 102Hd of the central operation unit 102H, as shown in FIG. 88, the heat setting display 102Hh flashes, and after operating the central standby button 102Ha, a display is displayed guiding the user to the next button to be operated, making the operation procedure easy to understand and convenient for the user.

[0314] As described above, any method of notification can be used as long as it can be recognized by the user, and this improves usability for the user. Also, providing multiple means of notification to the user by both display and audio is also effective in improving usability for the user.

[0315] Although an example of the voice notification by the cooking appliance 1 and the display on the display unit has been described above, the external communication device may notify the user by voice and display the display unit, and as shown in Fig. 89(b), a voice may be issued from the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting, or as shown in Fig. 89(c), text may be displayed on the operation display unit 201 of the mobile communication terminal 200 to inform the user that the setting input is ready to be received and to urge the user to make the setting. Also, a voice may be issued from both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200, or the voice may be displayed on both the cooking appliance 1 and the mobile communication terminal 200.

[0316] As an example, after the setting input acceptance state is entered, the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) is set to 4 (750W). When the heating setting input is entered in S195, the audio output unit 160 notifies by voice (S196) that the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) has been set to 4 and that the user is prompted to operate the heating start button, as shown in Fig. 61. Also, the central (main) display unit 102L displays (S197) that the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) has been set to 4 and that the user is prompted to operate the heating start button, as shown in Fig. 90. Operation input from the central operation unit 102H is possible even before the heating start button is operated. For example, the heating power set to 4 can be reduced to 3 (power consumption 500W) by operating the central down button 102Hd once.

[0317] Also, the display 102Hi blinks to guide the user to the central heating start / stop button 102Hb, which is the heating start button, so that the user can easily see which button to operate next.

[0318] In this example, the notification is given both by voice and by displaying on the display unit, but as long as it is made recognizable to the user, notification may be given by any one of the methods.

[0319] There are several methods for inputting settings, and when setting the heating power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating section), there is a method of inputting from the operation buttons of the central operation section 102H and a method of inputting from an external communication device. As a method of inputting from an external communication device, there is a method of inputting by voice into a mobile communication terminal 200, which is an example of an external communication device, as shown in Fig. 61, and a method of inputting using an application for inputting heating settings stored in the mobile communication terminal 200, as shown in Fig. 89(a).

[0320] When a voice is input to the mobile communication terminal 200, the mobile communication terminal 200 converts the voice into a control signal and transmits the control signal to the communication unit 150 of the cooking appliance 1. The control signal received by the communication unit 150 is transmitted to the control unit 190 shown in Fig. 10, and the control unit 190 determines whether or not there is a setting input to the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) (S195), and if there is a setting input, the voice output unit 160 issues a voice notification (S196) that the heat power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central heating unit) has been set to 4 and that the central heating start / stop button 102Hb is prompted to be operated, and the central (main) display unit 102L displays (S197) that the heat power of the central induction heating coil unit 101E (central hea...

Claims

1. A heating unit that heats the object to be heated; an operation unit provided with a standby button that allows input of settings for the heating unit and a heating start button that starts heating the heating unit; A communication unit for communicating with an external communication device; a timer for measuring a time from the start of operation of the standby button to the next setting input, or a time from the start of operation of the standby button to the start of operation of the heating start button, or a time from the start of setting input; The communication unit and a control unit that controls the heating unit according to settings of the operation unit, After the standby button is operated, the timing means measures the elapsed time, and if no setting input is made from the external communication device even after a first set time has elapsed since the standby button was operated, the control unit transmits a message to the external communication device indicating that it is no longer possible to input settings for the heating unit, and cancels the state in which the heating unit can accept setting input from the external communication device.

2. A heating unit that heats the object to be heated; an operation unit for setting the heating unit, the operation unit including a standby button for inputting settings of the heating unit and a heating start button for starting heating of the heating unit; A communication unit for communicating with an external communication device; a timer for measuring a time from the start of operation of the standby button to the next setting input, or a time from the start of operation of the standby button to the start of operation of the heating start button, or a time from the start of setting input; A control unit that controls the heating unit according to settings of the communication unit and the operation unit, A heating cooker in which after the standby button is operated, the timing means measures the elapsed time, and the control unit enables the communication unit to receive the heating setting transmitted by the external communication device, and if the heating start button is not operated even after a second set time has elapsed after the communication unit has received the heating setting transmitted from the external communication device, the control unit transmits to the external communication device a notice that it is no longer possible to input settings for the heating unit, and cancels the state in which the heating unit can accept setting input from the external communication device.

3. A plurality of heating units for heating the object to be heated; An operation unit for setting the plurality of heating units; A communication unit for communicating with an external communication device; The communication unit and a control unit that controls the heating unit according to settings of the operation unit, the operation unit is provided with a plurality of standby buttons corresponding to the plurality of heating units, each of which allows input of settings for the corresponding heating unit, and a plurality of heating start buttons for starting heating of each of the plurality of heating units; When a standby button corresponding to any one of the multiple heating units is operated, the control unit enables the communication unit to receive the heating setting transmitted by the external communication device for the one heating unit corresponding to the operated standby button, and when the heating start button corresponding to the one heating unit is operated after the communication unit has received the heating setting transmitted from the external communication device, the heating cooker releases the state in which the one heating unit can accept setting input from the external communication device.

4. The cooking device according to claim 3 , wherein when the standby button is operated, the control unit transmits to the external communication device a notification that a setting for the one heating unit can be input.

5. A plurality of heating units for heating the object to be heated; an operation unit for setting the heating units, the operation unit being provided with a plurality of standby buttons that allow input of settings for the heating units and a plurality of heating start buttons that start heating of each of the heating units; and A communication unit for communicating with an external communication device; a timer for measuring a time from the start of operation of each of the plurality of standby buttons to the next setting input, or a time from the start of operation of each of the plurality of standby buttons to the start of operation of each of the heating start buttons, or a time from the start of setting input; A control unit that controls the heating unit according to settings of the communication unit and the operation unit, A heating cooker in which, after a standby button corresponding to any one of the multiple heating sections is operated, the timing means measures the elapsed time, and if no setting input is made from the external communication device even after a first set time has elapsed since the standby button was operated, the control section cancels the state in which setting input from the external communication device for the one heating section can be accepted.

6. The heating cooker of claim 5, wherein when no setting input is made from the external communication device even after a first set time has elapsed since the standby button was operated, the control unit transmits to the external communication device a notification that the state in which setting input for one of the heating units is no longer being accepted.

7. A plurality of heating units for heating the object to be heated; an operation unit for setting the heating units, the operation unit being provided with a plurality of standby buttons that allow input of settings for the heating units and a plurality of heating start buttons that start heating of each of the heating units; and A communication unit for communicating with an external communication device; a timer for measuring a time from the start of operation of each of the plurality of standby buttons to the next setting input, or a time from the start of operation of each of the plurality of standby buttons to the start of operation of each of the heating start buttons, or a time from the start of setting input; A control unit that controls the heating unit according to settings of the communication unit and the operation unit, A heating cooker in which, after a standby button corresponding to any one of the multiple heating sections is operated, the timing means measures the elapsed time, and the control section enables the communication section to receive the heating setting transmitted by the external communication device, and if the heating start button is not operated even after a second set time has elapsed after the communication section receives the heating setting transmitted from the external communication device, the heating cooker cancels the state in which setting input from the external communication device for the one heating section can be accepted.

8. The heating cooker described in claim 7, wherein when the heating start button is not operated even after a second set time has elapsed after the communication unit receives the heating setting transmitted from the external communication device, the control unit transmits to the external communication device a notification that the state of accepting input of settings for the one heating unit has been released.

Images