Heating cooker, method for controlling heating cooker

Abstract

To provide a cooker capable of starting heating more quickly.SOLUTION: A cooker comprises: an operation panel (10) comprising a plurality of keys each having an original function; a heating control unit (24) that controls heating operation with a heating unit (21); and a function addition / change unit (25) that adds or changes the function of at least one predetermined key out of the plurality of keys. The function addition / change unit (25) adds a function to start heating to the functions of a plurality of heating time setting keys on the operation panel (10) in addition to the original functions until the heating starts, and returns the same to the original functions when the heating starts. The heating control unit (24) accepts the setting of the heating time using the plurality of heating time setting keys even after the heating is started.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking heater for heating food placed inside a heating cabinet and a control method therefor.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in convenience stores, a service is provided in which food such as boxed lunches sold is heated using a cooking heater such as a microwave oven and handed over to the purchaser. In order to shorten the waiting time of the purchaser and efficiently use a limited number of cooking heaters, it is important how quickly heating can be performed. Therefore, in convenience stores and the like, for example, commercial cooking heaters having a higher output than household ones are used (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the manual mode of conventional cooking heaters including the cooking heater described in Patent Document 1, after at least setting the heating time by operating a key or the like, the heating start key is operated. That is, before starting heating, it is necessary to at least set the heating time, and heating can be started by finishing setting the heating time.

[0005] Therefore, there is room for improvement in conventional cooking heaters in terms of starting heating more quickly. By starting heating more quickly, the time until a product is provided can be shortened, and the efficiency of using the cooking heater can also be improved.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of these problems and aims to provide a cooking appliance that can start heating more quickly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, a heating cooker according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a heating chamber, a heating unit for heating an object to be heated inside the heating chamber, a plurality of operating units each having their own original function, a heating control unit for controlling the heating operation by the heating unit in accordance with input from the operating units, and a function addition / modification unit for adding or changing the function of at least one of the plurality of operating units so that it has another function that can reduce the number of operations performed on the plurality of operating units before heating starts.

[0008] To solve the above problems, a control method for a cooking appliance according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for a cooking appliance comprising a heating chamber, a heating unit for heating an object to be heated in the heating chamber, and a plurality of operating units, each having its own original function, the method comprising: a function addition / modification step of adding or changing the function of at least one predetermined operating unit among the plurality of operating units so that it has another function that can reduce the number of operations performed on the plurality of operating units before heating starts; and a heating control step of controlling the heating operation by the heating unit in response to input from the operating units. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cooking appliance that can start heating more quickly can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the heating appliance in an embodiment of the present invention, with the front door closed, as seen from diagonally above the front. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a front view of the cooking appliance with the front door open. [Figure 3]Figure 1 is a front view of the control panel of the cooking appliance shown. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device included in the cooking appliance shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows an example of the display on the control panel of the cooking appliance shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure for the heating operation of the cooking appliance shown. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure for the heating operation of a cooking appliance in another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] [Embodiment 1] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the heating appliance 1 in this embodiment, with the front door 2 closed, as seen from diagonally above the front. Figure 2 is a front view of the heating appliance 1 with the front door 2 open.

[0012] (1. Overview of Cooking Appliance 1) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the heating appliance 1 in this embodiment is a commercial heating appliance used in convenience stores and the like, and has an operation panel 10 at the top of the front (front) of a rectangular parallelepiped cabinet 6, and a front door 2 below the operation panel 10.

[0013] The front door 2 is a door that opens and closes the heating chamber 3 located behind the front door 2, and when closed, it covers the front opening 3a of the heating chamber 3. In this embodiment, the front door 2 is a side-opening type that rotates around its left end and has a handle 4 near its right end.

[0014] The control panel 10 is located on the front of the control frame (circuit board housing) 5, and in the front-to-back direction of the cooking appliance 1, the front position of the control panel 10 is approximately the same as the front position of the front door 2.

[0015] Inside the control frame 5, a control board (not shown) is provided to control the display of the operation panel 10 and receive user operations on input keys and the like.

[0016] The heating cooker 1 heats a heated object (food, food material) by microwaves generated by, for example, a magnetron. The heating structure of the heated object by the above-mentioned microwaves is the same as that of a conventional microwave heating cooker. That is, for example, microwaves generated by a magnetron arranged at the lower part of the heating chamber 3 are guided to the center of the lower part of the heating chamber 3 by a waveguide, and are radiated upward in the heating chamber 3 while being rotated by a rotary antenna driven by a motor.

[0017] In the heating cooker 1, the structure of the heating part is not particularly specified. Instead of heating by microwaves, a structure of a heating part that heats a heated object by a heating heater, superheated steam, or the like may be used.

[0018] The heating cooker 1 is for commercial use and can perform heating with a heating output greater than 1000W. In the present embodiment, for example, it can be heated with a high output such as a maximum output of 1900W, and can perform heating in a shorter time compared to a general heating cooker used in a household where the maximum output is 1000W or less.

[0019] (2. Operation panel 10) FIG. 3 is a front view of the operation panel 10 of the heating cooker 1. The operation panel 10 is formed as a horizontally long rod-shaped body with a plurality of keys (operation parts) arranged in the horizontal direction. In the example of FIG. 3, from the right end toward the front, a heating start key 11, a stop / cancel key 12, a plurality of heating time setting keys 13, an output UP key 14, an output DOWN key 15, a setting key 16, etc. are arranged in order. A display unit 17 is arranged at the left end of the operation panel 10.

[0020] The heating start key 11 is a key that restarts heating if it is stopped midway. The stop / cancel key 12 is a key that stops heating if it is operated during heating. The stop / cancel key 12 is also a key that cancels the heating conditions set before heating started. The heating conditions include heating time and heating output.

[0021] The multiple heating time setting keys 13 are keys for setting the heating time. Each of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 is assigned a different heating time, and the heating time is set by the combination of the number of times it is operated and the assigned time. In the example in Figure 3, there are 12 heating time setting keys 13a to 13l.

[0022] The heating time setting key 13a is assigned a time of "10 seconds". When the heating time setting key 13a is operated once, "10 seconds" is added to the heating time, and when the heating time setting key 13a is operated twice, "20 seconds" is added to the heating time. In other words, "10 seconds" is added to the heating time each time the heating time setting key 13a is operated.

[0023] The heating time setting key 13b is assigned a time of "20 seconds". Similar to the heating time setting key 13a, when the heating time setting key 13b is operated once, "20 seconds" is added to the heating time, and "20 seconds" is added to the heating time each time it is operated.

[0024] The heating time setting key 13c is assigned "30 seconds", heating time setting key 13d is assigned "40 seconds", heating time setting key 13e is assigned "50 seconds", and heating time setting key 13f is assigned "5 seconds". Heating time setting key 13g is assigned "1 minute", heating time setting key 13h is assigned "1 minute 10 seconds", and heating time setting key 13i is assigned "1 minute 20 seconds". Heating time setting key 13j is assigned "1 minute 30 seconds", heating time setting key 1k is assigned "1 minute 40 seconds", and heating time setting key 13l is assigned "1 minute 50 seconds". Similarly, for these heating time setting keys 13c to 13l, the assigned time is added to the heating time each time it is operated.

[0025] For convenience, in the following, the multiple heating time setting keys 13 may be referred to using the time assigned to them, such as heating time setting key 13a being called 10-second key 13a, and heating time setting key 13g being called 1-minute key 13g.

[0026] The Output UP key (output increase key) 14 and Output DOWN key (output decrease key) 15 are output change keys that gradually change the heating output each time it is operated. The Output UP key 14 changes the heating output in a gradual direction to increase it each time it is operated. The Output DOWN key 15 changes the heating output in a gradual direction to decrease it each time it is operated.

[0027] In this embodiment, the heating appliance 1 has, for example, 10 levels of heating output. Specifically, the maximum output is set to 1900W, 1700W, 1500W, 1300W, 1000W, 800W, 600W, 500W, 300W, and the minimum output is set to 200W.

[0028] For example, if the default heating output is 1900W, pressing the output DOWN key 15 once will change the heating output down one level to 1700W, and pressing the output DOWN key 15 twice will change it down two levels to 1500W. In other words, each time the output DOWN key 15 is pressed, the heating output is changed in increments down to the minimum output of 200W.

[0029] If the heating output is set to, for example, 800W, pressing the Output UP key 14 once will change the heating output to 1000W (one level up), and pressing the Output UP key 14 twice will change it to 1300W (two levels up). In other words, each time the Output UP key 14 is pressed, the heating output will be changed in stages up to the maximum output of 1900W. Note that if the default setting is the maximum output, pressing the Output UP key 14 before pressing the Output DOWN key 15 will have no effect.

[0030] Additionally, if the default heating output is 1500W, pressing the output DOWN key 15 once will change the heating output to 1300W (one level down), and pressing the output DOWN key 15 twice will change it to 1000W (two levels down). If the default heating output is 1500W, pressing the output UP key 14 once will change the heating output to 1700W (one level up), and pressing the output UP key 14 twice will change it to 1900W (two levels down).

[0031] The setting key 16 is used for various settings in the cooking appliance 1. For example, it can be used to change the default setting of the heating output.

[0032] The display unit 17 displays information corresponding to the operation of the keys on the control panel 10. For example, the heating output and heating time of the heating conditions are displayed on the display unit 17.

[0033] A key feature of the heating cooker 1 in this embodiment is that the multiple heating time setting keys 13 (13a to 13l) have a function to initiate heating in addition to the function to set the assigned time as the heating time. The function to initiate heating of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 is activated when they are operated while heating has not been started. In other words, heating is initiated when any of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 are operated while heating has not been started. The control unit 20 determines whether this heating initiation function is enabled or disabled.

[0034] (3. Control device) Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device provided by the cooking appliance 1. The control device includes a control unit 20 that controls the operation of the cooking appliance 1. The control unit 20 consists of, for example, a microcomputer and has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 20 is connected to the operation panel 10, the heating unit 21, and the front door opening / closing detection unit 22. The front door opening / closing detection unit 22 consists of a switch that turns on, for example, when the front door 2 is closed, and detects the open and closed states of the front door 2. The detection signal from the front door opening / closing detection unit 22 is input to the control unit 20. Based on the detection signal from the front door opening / closing detection unit 22, the control unit 20 determines that the front door 2 has been opened or closed and that food (item to be heated) has been placed inside the heating chamber 3.

[0036] The heating unit 21 is an operating unit that heats the food stored in the heating chamber 3, and in this embodiment, it is a magnetron drive unit that drives the magnetron. The control unit 20 controls the heating operation by the heating unit 21 in accordance with input from a plurality of keys (operating units) provided on the operation panel 10. In other words, the control unit 20 is configured with a heating control unit 24 that controls the heating operation by the heating unit 21 in accordance with input from the keys.

[0037] When a key on the operation panel 10 is operated, the control unit 20 executes the original function set for each key, as described above. For example, if the stop / cancel key 12 is operated during heating, the control unit 20 stops the heating unit 21 and interrupts heating. Also, if the heating start key 11 is operated while heating is interrupted, the control unit 20 operates the heating unit 21 and resumes heating. If the stop / cancel key 12 is operated while setting heating conditions (before heating starts), the control unit 20 cancels the heating conditions that were being set. If it is the heating time, it returns to zero; if it is the heating output, it returns to the default.

[0038] Furthermore, as described above, the control unit 20 adds a function to start heating in addition to its original function of setting the assigned time as the heating time for the multiple heating time setting keys 13. In other words, the control unit 20 is configured with a function addition / modification unit 25 that adds or modifies the function of at least one of the multiple keys so that it has another function that can reduce the number of operations performed on the multiple keys before heating starts.

[0039] The control unit 20 adds a function to start heating in addition to the original function of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 during the period before heating starts, and reverts to the original function once heating has started. Furthermore, even after heating has started, the control unit 20 accepts heating time settings from the multiple heating time setting keys 13 (function of the function addition / modification unit 25).

[0040] In other words, when any of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 is operated, the control unit 20 operates the heating unit 21 and starts heating, using the time assigned to the operated heating time setting key 13 as the heating time. After heating has started, if any of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 are operated again, the number of times the key has been operated and the time assigned to the operated heating time setting key 13 are added to the heating time set at the start of heating (function of the heating control unit 24).

[0041] For example, after detecting the opening and closing of the front door 2, if the 40-second key 13d among the multiple heating time setting keys 13 is operated, the control unit 20 sets the heating time to 40 seconds and operates the heating unit 21 to start heating. Subsequently, if the 40-second key 13d is operated again, the heating time is set to 1 minute and 20 seconds (additional setting) by adding 40 seconds to the already entered 40 seconds. At this point, if the 1 minute and 40-second key 13k is operated instead of the 40-second key 13d, the heating time is set to 2 minutes and 20 seconds by adding 1 minute and 40 seconds to the already entered 40 seconds. Subsequently, if the 30-second key 13c is operated again, the heating time is set to 1 minute and 50 seconds or 2 minutes and 50 seconds by adding 30 seconds to the already entered 1 minute and 20 seconds or 2 minutes and 20 seconds.

[0042] Such additional heating time settings may be configured to be possible only for a predetermined period from the time heating is started by operating any of the heating time setting keys 13. In this embodiment, the control unit 20 accepts additional heating time settings for, for example, 5 seconds after heating has started (function of the heating control unit 24).

[0043] Furthermore, considering the durability of the cooking appliance 1, it is preferable that the total heating time accepted in the additional settings has an upper limit set according to the heating output. In this embodiment, the control unit 20 can be set to a maximum of 15 minutes, for example, when the heating output is 1300W or more, and to a maximum of 60 minutes, for example, when the heating output is less than 1300W.

[0044] Furthermore, the control unit 20 controls the display unit 17 on the operation panel 10, and when a key on the operation panel 10 is operated, it displays the content corresponding to the key operation on the display unit 17. For example, the display unit 17 displays the heating output and the time until heating is completed as heating conditions. If the output UP key 14 or output DOWN key 15 is not operated, the default time is displayed for the heating output; if it is operated, the changed heating output is displayed.

[0045] The heating time is displayed as the time set at the start of heating, and a countdown display is shown where the number decreases every second. If additional heating time is set while the countdown display is running, the remaining time is increased by the additional heating time, and the countdown display starts from that time.

[0046] In other words, when the 40-second key 13d is pressed, the heating time is initially set to "40 seconds" and a countdown display is shown. Then, after 2 seconds have passed, if the 40-second key 13d is pressed again, "38 seconds + 40 seconds" equals "1 minute and 18 seconds" and the countdown display starts from "1 minute and 18 seconds".

[0047] Furthermore, in addition to displaying the time until heating is complete, the total heating time set by operating the heating time setting key 13 may also be displayed separately, as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display on the display unit 17 of the operation panel 10 of the cooking appliance 1. This allows the already entered heating time to be recognized at a glance. Therefore, when additional time is entered after heating has been started by operating one of the heating time setting keys 13, the total heating time can be easily grasped.

[0048] (4. Operation of Cooking Appliance 1) Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure for the heating operation of the cooking appliance 1. The control unit 20 repeatedly determines whether the opening or closing of the front door 2 has been detected by the front door opening / closing detection unit 22 (S1). When the control unit 20 determines that the opening or closing of the front door 2 has been detected (S1: YES), it then determines whether the output UP key 14 or the output DOWN key 15 has been operated (S2). When the control unit 20 determines that the output UP key 14 or the output DOWN key 15 has been operated (S2: YES), it proceeds to S3 to change the heating output from the default, and then returns to S2.

[0049] On the other hand, if the control unit 20 determines in S2 that the output UP key 14 or the output DOWN key 15 has not been operated (S2:NO), it then determines whether any of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 have been operated (S4). If the control unit 20 determines in S4 that none of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 have been operated (S4:NO), it returns to S2. The determination processes in S2 and S4 are repeated until it is determined in S4 that any of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 have been operated.

[0050] If the control unit 20 determines in S4 that any of the heating time setting keys 13 has been operated (S4: YES), it then determines the heating output and heating time (S5, S6), and controls the heating unit 21 to start heating with the determined heating output and heating time (S7).

[0051] If the heating output is changed in S3, the changed heating output will be set in S5. If the process does not proceed to S3, the default heating output will be set in S5. In addition, in S6, the time assigned to the heating time setting key 13, which was operated in S4, will be set. For example, if the 1-minute key 13g is operated, the heating time will be set to "1 minute". Note that in the flowchart in Figure 6, the heating output is confirmed before the heating time is confirmed, but the order may also be to confirm the heating time before confirming the heating output.

[0052] The control unit 20 determines whether any of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 have been operated after heating has started (S8). If the control unit 20 determines in S8 that any of the heating time setting keys 13 have been operated (S8:YES), it then determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since heating started (S9). If the control unit 20 determines in S9 that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S9:NO), it adds the time assigned to the heating time setting key 13 operated in S8 to the heating time set up to that point (S10).

[0053] For example, if the previously set heating time is "1 minute," and the 40-second key 13d is pressed in S8, the total heating time will be set to "1 minute 40 seconds." The display on the display unit 17 will switch from "1 minute" to "1 minute 40 seconds" for the total heating time, and if 10 seconds have passed since the start of cooking, the remaining time will switch from "50 seconds" to "1 minute 30 seconds."

[0054] In S10, the control unit 20 adds up the heating time, and then determines in S11 whether the total heating time has elapsed since the start of heating. Similarly, in S8, the control unit 20 determines that none of the heating time setting keys 13 have been operated (S10: NO), and in S9, it determines that a predetermined time has elapsed (S9: YES), and proceeds to S11.

[0055] If the control unit 20 determines in S11 that the total heating time has elapsed since heating started (S11:YES), it controls the heating unit 21 to end heating (S12) and returns to S1. On the other hand, if the control unit 20 determines in S11 that the total heating time has not elapsed (S11:NO), it returns to S8. The determination processes in S8, S9, and S11 are repeated until it is determined in S11 that the total heating time has elapsed.

[0056] (5. Advantages of Cooking Appliance 1) In this embodiment of the cooking appliance, the multiple heating time setting keys 13 (13a to 13l) have an additional function to initiate heating, in addition to their original functions. Therefore, if heating is performed at the default heating output, heating can be started by opening and closing the front door 2 and placing the object to be heated inside the heating chamber 3, and then operating any of the heating time setting keys 13. After heating has started, additional heating time can be set by operating the multiple heating time setting keys 13.

[0057] In other words, it is possible to start heating by first operating one of the heating time setting keys 13, and then set the heating time to suit the food (product). This makes it possible to start heating as quickly as possible. In convenience stores and the like, using such a heating device 1 can shorten the waiting time for customers and allow for efficient use of a limited number of heating devices 1.

[0058] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0059] In this embodiment, the functions of the output change keys, the output UP key 14 and the output DOWN key 15, are modified so that they have another function that can reduce the number of operations performed on multiple keys (operating parts) before heating starts. This differs from the heating appliance 1 of Embodiment 1 in that, in addition to the multiple heating time setting keys 13, the functions of the output UP key 14 and the output DOWN key 15 are also modified.

[0060] The heating appliance 1A has a configuration that reduces the number of steps required to start heating, allowing heating to begin as quickly as possible, even when heating products intended for heating in a typical household heating appliance (for example, retort products that can be used in a microwave oven).

[0061] As mentioned above, in the heating cooker 1 of Embodiment 1, if the default is 1900W, each time the output DOWN key 15 is operated, the output can be reduced in stages from 1900W to 1700W, from 1700 to 1500W, from 1500W to 1300W, down to a minimum output of 200W. Similarly, with the output UP key 14, for example, if the output has been reduced to a minimum of 200W, each time the output UP key 14 is operated, the output can be increased in stages from 200W to 300W, from 300 to 500W, from 500W to 600W, up to a maximum output of 1900W.

[0062] Therefore, to reduce the output from the default high-power setting to a level suitable for products intended for use with typical household cooking appliances, such as 600W or 500W, it is necessary to press the output DOWN key 15 multiple times, which will delay the start of heating.

[0063] In view of these challenges, in the heating cooker 1A of this embodiment, the control unit 20 changes the function of the output change keys, the output UP key 14 and the output DOWN key 15, from the default function which requires multiple operations to reach a predetermined heating output in a single operation. After reaching the predetermined heating output, the control unit 20 returns the function of the output UP key 14 and the output DOWN key 15 to its original function (function of the function addition / modification unit 25).

[0064] Specifically, the function of the output UP key 14 is changed from its original function of gradually increasing the heating output with each operation to a function that allows the user to reach a first predetermined heating output, which is normally achieved through multiple operations, in a single operation from the default setting. The function of the output DOWN key 15 is changed from its original function of gradually decreasing the heating output with each operation to a function that allows the user to reach a second heating output, which is smaller than the first predetermined output, in a single operation from the default setting. Here, the first predetermined heating output is, for example, 600W, and the second predetermined heating output is, for example, 500W.

[0065] In this way, by changing the function of the output UP key 14, it becomes possible to change the heating output to 600W with just one operation of the output UP key 14. Similarly, by changing the function of the output DOWN key 15, it becomes possible to change the heating output to 500W with just one operation of the output DOWN key 15.

[0066] This allows products designed for use with standard household cooking appliances to start heating quickly, even when the default heating output is set to high power.

[0067] After the heating output is changed to 600W or 500W, the control unit 20 restores the functions of the output UP key 14 and output DOWN key 15 to their original functions (functions of the function addition / modification unit 25). Therefore, after operating the output UP key 14 once to set it to 600W, operating the output UP key 14 again will change the heating output to 800W, one level higher. The same applies to the output DOWN key 15; after operating it once to set it to 500W, operating the output DOWN key 15 again will change the heating output to 300W, one level lower.

[0068] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure for the heating operation of the cooking appliance 1A in Embodiment 2. The control unit 20 repeatedly determines whether the opening or closing of the front door 2 has been detected by the front door opening / closing detection unit 22 (S1). When the control unit 20 determines that the opening or closing of the front door 2 has been detected (S1:YES), it then determines whether the output UP key 14 has been operated (S21). When the control unit 20 determines that the output UP key has been operated (S21:YES), it proceeds to S22 to change the heating output from the default to the first predetermined output of 600W, and then proceeds to S25.

[0069] On the other hand, if the control unit 20 determines that the output UP key 14 has not been operated (S21: NO), it then determines whether the output DOWN key 15 has been operated (S23). If the control unit 20 determines that the output DOWN key has been operated (S23: YES), it proceeds to S24 to change the heating output from the default to a second predetermined output of 500W, and then proceeds to S25. Also, if the control unit 20 determines that the output DOWN key 15 has not been operated (S23: NO), it proceeds to S25 without going through S24.

[0070] In S25, it is determined whether an additional operation of the output UP key 14 or output DOWN key 15 has been performed. If the output UP key 14 or output DOWN key 15 has been operated after going through S22 or S24, the control unit 20 determines that an additional operation has been performed. If the control unit 20 determines that an additional operation has been performed (S25: YES), it proceeds to S26 to gradually change the heating output from the default to 600W or 500W (the original function) in S22 or S24, and then returns to S25.

[0071] In S25, if the control unit 20 determines that no additional operations have been performed (S25:NO), it then determines whether any of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 have been operated (S4). In S4, if the control unit 20 determines that none of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 have been operated (S4:NO), it then determines whether at least one of the output UP key 14 or the output DOWN key 15 has been operated (S26). If the control unit 20 determines that at least one of them has been operated (S26:YES), it returns to S25. On the other hand, if the control unit 20 determines that neither the output UP key 14 nor the output DOWN key 15 have been operated (S26:NO), it returns to S21.

[0072] The processes from S5 to S12, after determining in S4 that one of the multiple heating time setting keys 13 has been operated, are the same as the flowchart in Figure 6, so the explanation is omitted. Also, in the flowchart in Figure 7, the order is to determine whether or not the output UP key 14 has been operated first, and then whether or not the output DOWN key 15 has been operated, but the determination of whether or not the output DOWN key 15 has been operated may be performed first.

[0073] [Embodiment 3] Other embodiments of the present invention are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0074] The cooking appliance 1B of this embodiment has two switchable usage modes: a commercial use mode and a general use mode in which the functions of the cooking appliance 1B are more limited than those of the commercial use mode. The commercial use mode is the mode that is normally used by employees in convenience stores and the like. The cooking appliance 1B set to commercial use mode is the same as the cooking appliances 1 and 1A described above, and the default heating output is set higher than that of a household cooking appliance.

[0075] On the other hand, the general use mode is set when the cooking appliance is installed next to the cash register or in a booth where food and drinks can be consumed, and the purchaser operates the cooking appliance themselves to heat the purchased items. In general use mode, some functions of the cooking appliance are locked to prevent the settings of the cooking appliance from being changed without permission, and to allow purchasers who are unfamiliar with operating high-power commercial cooking appliances to use them safely. The cooking appliance 1B in this embodiment 3 differs from the cooking appliance 1 in embodiment 1 and the cooking appliance 1A in embodiment 2 in that it has a general use mode.

[0076] In business use mode, the heating start key 11 (see Figure 3) on the control panel 10 is used to resume interrupted heating, similar to heating appliances 1 and 1A. In contrast, in general use mode, the heating start key 11 is used to initiate heating. In other words, in general use mode, to change the heating output from the default, the output is changed using the output UP key 14 and output DOWN key 15, then the heating time is set using one of the multiple heating time setting keys 13, and finally the heating start key 11 is operated. This initiates heating.

[0077] Switching between these usage modes is performed using the setting key 16 on the control panel 10 (see Figure 3). The currently set usage mode may also be displayed on the display unit 17.

[0078] In the embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the original functions of the keys were modified or added to provide additional functions that reduce the number of key operations required before heating begins for commercial (commercial use) heating appliances. However, the present invention can of course also be applied to general household heating appliances.

[0079] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 3 described above, 12 heating time setting keys 13a to 13l with finely allocated time intervals were exemplified as the multiple heating time setting keys 13. However, for example, there may be two types: a "1 minute" key that adds 1 minute to the heating time with each operation, and a "10 seconds" key that adds 10 seconds to the heating time with each operation. In such a case, the number of operations required to set the heating time will naturally increase, and the effects of the present invention can be obtained more significantly.

[0080] [Examples of implementation using software] The functions of the heating appliances 1, 1A, and 1B (hereinafter referred to as "appliances") can be realized by programs that cause a computer to function as the apparatus, and by programs that cause a computer to function as each control block of the apparatus (particularly each part included in the control unit 20).

[0081] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the program using this control device and storage device, the functions described in each of the embodiments are realized.

[0082] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporary ones. These recording media may or may not be provided by the above device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the above device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0083] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits functioning as each of the above control blocks are formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the above control blocks by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0084] 〔summary〕 A heating cooker 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a heating chamber 3, a heating unit 21 for heating an object to be heated in the heating chamber 3, a plurality of operating units (a plurality of keys on an operation panel 10) each having its own original function, a heating control unit (control unit 20) for controlling the heating operation by the heating unit 21 in accordance with input from the operating units, and a function addition / modification unit (control unit 20) for adding or changing the function of at least one predetermined operating unit among the plurality of operating units so that it has another function that can reduce the number of operations performed on the plurality of operating units before heating starts.

[0085] The heating cooker 1 according to embodiment 2 of the present invention is configured such that, in embodiment 1, the predetermined at least one operating unit is a plurality of heating time setting keys 13, each assigned a different time, and the heating time is set by a combination of the number of times it has been operated and the time assigned; the function addition / modification unit adds a function to start heating in addition to the original function of the plurality of heating time setting keys 13 for the period until heating is started, and returns to the original function when heating is started; and the heating control unit accepts the setting of the heating time by the plurality of heating time setting keys 13 even after heating has started.

[0086] In the third aspect of the present invention, the heating cooker 1 may be configured such that, in the second aspect, the heating control unit accepts the setting of the heating time using the plurality of heating time setting keys only for a predetermined period after heating has started.

[0087] The heating appliance 1 according to embodiment 4 of the present invention may be configured to include a display unit 17 in embodiment 2 or 3 above, wherein the display unit 17 displays the time until the end of heating and the total heating time set using the plurality of heating time setting keys 13.

[0088] In the heating cooker 1(1A) according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 4 above, the predetermined at least one operating unit is an output change key that changes the heating output of the heating unit 21 in stages each time it is operated, and the function addition / modification unit may be configured to change the original function of the output change key to a function that allows a predetermined heating output, which would normally be reached by multiple operations, to be reached in a single operation, and then return to its original function after the predetermined heating output has been reached.

[0089] The heating cooker 1(1A) according to embodiment 6 of the present invention, in embodiment 5 above, includes an output increase key (output UP key 14) that changes the heating output in a stepwise direction each time it is operated, and an output decrease key (output DOWN key 15) that changes the heating output in a stepwise direction each time it is operated, and the function addition / modification unit may be configured to change the original function of the output increase key to a function that allows the user to reach a first predetermined heating output, which is reached by multiple operations, in a single operation from the default, and to change the original function of the output decrease key to a function that allows the user to reach a predetermined second heating output, which is smaller than the first predetermined heating output, in a single operation from the default.

[0090] In any of the embodiments 1 to 6 described above, the heating unit of the cooking appliance 1(1A) according to embodiment 7 of the present invention may be configured to be capable of heating with a heating output higher than 1000W.

[0091] The heating appliance 1B according to aspect 8 of the present invention may be configured such that, in any of the above aspects 1 to 6, it has a switchable usage mode that includes a commercial use mode and a general use mode in which the functions of the heating appliance are more restricted than those of the commercial use mode.

[0092] A control method for a cooking appliance according to aspect 9 of the present invention is a control method for a cooking appliance 1 (1A, 1B) comprising a heating chamber 3, a heating unit 21 for heating an object to be heated in the heating chamber 3, and a plurality of operating units, each having its own original function, and includes a function addition / modification step of adding or changing the function of at least one predetermined operating unit among the plurality of operating units so that it has another function that can reduce the number of operations performed on the plurality of operating units before heating starts, and a heating control step of controlling the heating operation by the heating unit in response to input from the operating unit.

[0093] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0094] 1, 1A, 1B heating cooker 2 Front door 3 Heating cabinet 3a Front opening 4. Handle 5 Control Frames 6 Cabinets 10. Control Panel 11. Heating start key (control panel) 12 Stop / Cancel Key (Operation Panel) 13. Heating time setting key (control panel) 14. Output UP key (operation unit, output change key, output increase key) 15. Output DOWN key (operation panel, output change key, output increase key) 16 setting keys 17 Display section 20 Control Unit 21 Heating section 22 Front door opening / closing detection unit 24 Heating Control Unit 25. Function Additions and Changes

Claims

1. A heating chamber and A heating unit that heats the object to be heated in the heating chamber; A plurality of operation units each having its own original function; a heating control unit that controls a heating operation by the heating unit in response to an input from the operation unit; a function addition / modification unit that adds or modifies a function of at least one predetermined operation unit among the plurality of operation units so that the operation unit has another function that can reduce the number of operations performed on the plurality of operation units before heating is started; A cooking device comprising:

2. the at least one predetermined operation unit is a plurality of heating time setting keys to which different times are assigned, and which set the heating time by a combination of the number of times the operation is performed and the assigned times; the function addition / change unit adds a function of starting heating to the original functions of the plurality of heating time setting keys during a period until heating is started, and returns the function to the original functions when heating is started; 2. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the heating control unit continues to accept settings of the heating time using the plurality of heating time setting keys even after heating has started.

3. 3. The cooking device according to claim 2, wherein the heating control unit accepts settings of the heating time using the plurality of heating time setting keys only for a predetermined period after heating has started.

4. A display unit is provided, 4. The cooking device according to claim 2, wherein the display unit displays the time remaining until the end of heating and the total heating time set using the plurality of heating time setting keys.

5. the at least one predetermined operation unit is an output change key that changes the heating output of the heating unit stepwise each time the key is operated, The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the function addition / modification unit changes the original function of the output change key to a function that allows a predetermined heating output that would normally be reached by multiple operations to be reached with a single operation, and after the predetermined heating output has been reached, returns the function to its original function.

6. As the output change key, An output increase key that gradually increases the heating output each time it is operated; an output decrease key that gradually decreases the heating output each time it is operated; The function addition and modification unit The original function of the power increase key is changed to a function of increasing the heating output from the default to a first predetermined heating output, which is reached by multiple operations, with a single operation; The heating cooker according to claim 5, characterized in that the original function of the output decrease key is changed to a function of achieving a predetermined second heating output, which is lower than the first predetermined heating output that is reached by multiple operations, from the default with a single operation.

7. The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heating unit is capable of heating with a heating output higher than 1000 W.

8. 7. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the switchable use modes include a commercial use mode and a general use mode in which the functions of the cooking device are more limited than those of the commercial use mode.

9. A heating chamber and A heating unit that heats the object to be heated in the heating chamber; A control method for a cooking device having a plurality of operation units each having an original function, a function addition / modification step of adding or modifying a function of at least one predetermined operation unit among the plurality of operation units so that the operation unit has another function that can reduce the number of operations performed on the plurality of operation units before heating is started; a heating control step of controlling a heating operation by the heating unit in accordance with an input from the operation unit; A method for controlling a cooking appliance, comprising:

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