Heating cooker

Abstract

To provide a cooker and a cooking system high in user convenience capable of acquiring recipe data from a communication terminal appropriately.SOLUTION: A cooker includes: an input operation part; heating means driven in at least one of a cooking process 1 and a cooking process 2; a communication part for wirelessly communicating with the outside; notification means; and a control device for acquiring setting information A in the cooking process 1 and setting information B in the cooking process 2 through the communication part. The control device sequentially acquires the setting information A and the setting information B. The control device can acquire the setting information A when a specific input key A of the input operation part is operated, and proceeds to a process in which the setting information B can be acquired when a specific input key B of the input operation part is operated. Further, when the cooking process 1 is started after the setting information A is received, the control device ends a process for receiving the setting information A. The communication terminal can execute transmission of the setting information A and B after confirming that there has been a response by the specific input keys A and B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 67

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to cooking for heating an object to be heated, such as a pot, placed on a top plate. to the device

Background Art

[0002] Cooking heaters can be roughly classified into three types in terms of the environment in which they are used. One of them is the so-called "built-in type" installed in kitchen furniture such as a kitchen counter. The second is the "stationary type" placed and used at a predetermined position of kitchen furniture, such as a gas stove (also referred to as a "gas combustion table"). The third is the small and portable "tabletop type" placed and used at an arbitrary position on a dining table or the like.

[0003] Many "built-in type" cooking heaters have a type equipped with a plurality of types of heating sources and are popular as those capable of handling various cookings. However, since it is installed in kitchen furniture, the external dimensions must be designed according to the specifications of general kitchen furniture, and the degree of freedom in design is much less compared to "stationary type" and "tabletop type" ones, and the difficulty in making a practical product is high.

[0004] As a typical built-in cooking heater, a plurality of heating ports are arranged at the upper part of the main body, induction heating is performed at the heating ports, and a grill compartment (also referred to as an "oven chamber" or a "heating chamber", hereinafter uniformly referred to as a "heating chamber") is provided inside the main body, and microwaves from a microwave heating source are introduced into the heating chamber for cooking (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Those equipped with a plurality of heating sources having different heating principles are called composite cooking heaters.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] As proposed in the above Patent Document 1, in the case of a combined cooking appliance, the number of heating means and input operation units increases, and the operation of a user individually setting one cooking menu becomes more complicated. Therefore, as shown in Patent Document 2, it has been proposed to transmit recipe data from a smartphone (communication terminal) to each heating source of the cooking appliance and cook with the recipe data. However, in order to set recipe data in the cooking appliance via the communication terminal, the user needs to consider and execute the timing of communication between the cooking appliance and the communication terminal and the selection of the heating source to be used each time. In addition, in the case of a cooking menu that uses two or more heating means in combination to perform one cooking, since it is assumed that the number of cooking steps may be plural, there is also a concern that the user may be confused about the operation of the input operation unit. However, in the above Patent Documents 1 and 2, the countermeasures against these problems are not yet sufficient. For this reason, it may cause confusion to the user and also cause a failure in data communication for the cooking menu. That is, it is necessary to give the user timely notification according to the cooperation state between the cooking appliance side and the communication terminal.

[0007] In addition, in the cooking system described in Patent Document 3, the communication state is automatically connected when the communication terminal and the cooking appliance are within the communicable range. Therefore, even if there is no intention to use the cooking appliance, when a person with a communication terminal capable of transmitting information for controlling the cooking appliance enters the communicable range, there is a risk that the control information of the cooking appliance may be unintentionally transmitted to the cooking appliance. Furthermore, in Patent Document 4, for two of the cooking procedures (steps), configuration is proposed to display, on the display unit of the communication terminal (information terminal), that it is the timing for transmission, in order to transmit setting information from the communication terminal (information terminal) side to the heating device at each stage. However, also in this Patent Document 4, the cooperation relationship between the heating cooker and the communication terminal is not sufficiently considered, and there is still room for improvement in terms of the configuration on the heating cooker side and the method of providing setting information and the like.

[0008] A first object of the present disclosure is to obtain a highly convenient heating cooker and heating cooking system that can set various cooking menus from a communication terminal to the heating cooker by improving the operability of the user. Also, a second object of the present disclosure is to provide a heating cooker that does not impair safety and usability by enabling a user to intentionally receive setting information for heating cooking control from an external communication device (terminal device, etc.).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The heating cooker according to the first disclosure is an input operation unit, heating means driven in at least one of cooking step 1 and cooking step 2, a communication unit that performs wireless communication with the outside, notification means, a control device that acquires setting information A for the cooking step 1 and setting information B for the cooking step 2 via the communication unit, respectively, and has the control device sequentially acquires the setting information A and the setting information B, when the specific input key A of the input operation unit is operated, the control device proceeds to a step where the setting information A can be acquired, when the specific input key B of the input operation unit is operated, the control device proceeds to a step where the setting information B can be acquired, and is characterized by such a configuration.

[0010] The cooking appliance related to the second disclosure includes a plurality of input operation units, notification means, a communication unit that acquires recipe data related to one cooking item from the outside, a control device that controls the cooking process according to the recipe data acquired via the communication unit, and has when the recipe data includes setting information for a plurality of cooking steps, the control device sequentially acquires the recipe data divided for each cooking step for each cooking step, when acquiring the recipe data for each cooking step, the control device operates the specific input keys arranged for each input operation unit in the order determined by the recipe data, and is characterized by such a configuration.

[0011] The cooking system related to the third disclosure includes a cooking appliance having a plurality of input operation units and a communication function, and a communication terminal wirelessly connected to the cooking appliance, wherein the communication terminal (1) sequentially displays a first screen and a second screen on a terminal-side display unit, (2) on the first screen, displays recipe data related to the selected cooking item in the order of a first display portion related to cooking step 1 and a second display portion related to cooking step 2, (3) when the first display portion displayed on the first screen is selected, switches the display to the second screen that displays preview information 1 for specifying the input operation unit used in cooking step 1, (4) on the second screen, displays an input key capable of transmitting the setting information A of cooking step 1 of the recipe data, (5) when the input key is operated, transmits the setting information A selected on the first screen to the cooking appliance, after receiving the setting information A, when the cooking appliance receives a command to start cooking step 1, the cooking appliance starts cooking step 1 and ends the reception process of the setting information A, It is a configuration characterized by

[0012] The cooking appliance according to the fourth disclosure includes a first unit incorporating heating means, and a second unit that can be heated by the heating means while being placed on the first unit. The first unit is provided with a main control device for controlling the heating means, a communication unit for performing wireless communication with the outside, and a first operation unit that enables input operations while the second unit is placed thereon. The second unit is provided with a second operation unit that enables input operations in a first state where it is placed on the first unit, and a sub-control device that receives the input of the second operation unit. The main control device has a function of acquiring, via the communication unit, setting information A related to cooking step 1 of a specific cooking menu and setting information B related to cooking step 2, respectively. The main control device (1) When a specific input key A of the first operation unit is operated, it proceeds to a step of acquiring the setting information A for using the first unit alone. (2) After finishing cooking step 1, when a specific input key B of the second operation unit is operated in the first state, it proceeds to a step of acquiring the setting information B for using the second unit. It is a configuration characterized by

[0013] The cooking appliance according to the fifth disclosure includes a first unit incorporating heating means, and a second unit that can be heated by the heating means while being placed on the first unit. The first unit is provided with a main control device for controlling the heating means, a communication unit 526 for performing wireless communication with the outside, and a first operation unit that enables input operations while the second unit is not placed thereon. The second unit is provided with a second operation unit that enables input operations while being placed on the first unit and a sub-control device. The main control device has a function of acquiring, via the communication unit, setting information A related to cooking step 1 of a specific cooking menu and setting information B related to cooking step 2, respectively. The main control device (1) When the specific input key B of the second operation unit is operated in a state where the second unit is placed on the first unit, the process proceeds to a step of acquiring the setting information A for using the second unit in cooking step 1. (2) After finishing cooking step 1, when the specific input key A of the first operation unit is operated, the process proceeds to a step of acquiring the setting information B for using the first unit in cooking step 2. It is a configuration characterized by the above.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a cooking heater that can widely support various heating cookings in cooperation with a communication terminal and contributes to the efficiency of user input operations and the reduction of input load, and a heating cooking system using the cooking heater.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, the cooking system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating directions (for example, "up", "down", "right", "left", "front", "rear", etc.) are used for ease of understanding, but these are merely for the purpose of explanation. Also, in each figure, those with the same reference numerals are the same or corresponding ones, which is common throughout the entire specification.

[0017] Furthermore, in the following description, a composite cooking heater equipped with multiple types of heating means is also simply referred to as a "cooking heater". Also, a cooker equipped with a cooking space such as an inner pot, like a rice cooker equipped with one heating means (for example, an induction heating coil or a sheathed heater), is also called a cooking heater. For example, in such a rice cooker, even if there is only one heating means, it can cook multiple types of foods to be cooked such as normal white rice and congee, and may also have more than one way of cooking rice. Such a rice cooker is equipped with a plurality of input keys (such as touch keys or push button keys) that can select various foods to be cooked and cooking modes, and improving the operability for the user US is one issue.

[0018] In the following description, the case of "the object to be heated placed on the top plate" includes both the case of directly placing an object to be heated such as a pot on the upper surface of the top plate 3 described later for heating, and the case of placing the object to be heated on a support member such as a trivet arranged above the top plate and heating it, like a gas burner.

[0019] In Embodiment 1, the "second heating means" HM2 refers to a heat source for heating the object to be cooked housed inside the heating chamber 6 described later. It may use radiant heat or steam.

[0020] In Embodiment 1, the microwave heat source uses a magnetron, but there is no limitation on the microwave oscillation principle or method, such as a microwave oscillator using semiconductor elements. Also, multiple heat sources may be provided.

[0021] In this Embodiment 1, the "third heating means" HM3 is referred to as "third" to show the difference from the second heating means HM2, but it does not mean a superiority or inferiority relationship. Also, in Embodiment 1, a heat source using a radiant electric heat source (such as a sheathed heater, mica heater, carbon heater, ceramic heater, infrared heater, radiant heater, etc.) is used, but a heat source that generates heat in other forms or methods may also be used.

[0022] The third heating means HM3 refers to one that can perform cooking in one heating chamber 6. It may be in a form that combines a plurality of heating sources having different heating principles, such as a heating source composed of an electric heater or the like and a gas combustor (burner). Also, an induction heating source may be used as the heating source for heating the heating chamber 6. A steam generator (boiler) (not shown) that supplies high-temperature steam (such as superheated steam) may also be used.

[0023] Furthermore, the third heating means HM3 may be either a heating source that heats the wall surface of the heating chamber 6 from the outside thereof or a heating source installed in the internal space of the heating chamber 6 to raise the atmosphere of the internal space to a high temperature. Also, in any form where a heat-generating member that becomes high temperature by an induction heating method is arranged in the heating chamber, and the wall surface of the heating chamber 6 is heated from the outside by this heat-generating member, or the air inside the heating chamber 6 is heated, it is acceptable.

[0024] As a typical example of the induction heating coil (IH coil) in this Embodiment 1, there is one formed by bundling about 30 thin copper wires or aluminum wires of about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm and winding this bundle in a spiral shape while twisting a plurality of them. Alternatively, there is also one formed by winding about 1000 to 1500 of those of about 0.05 mm. There is also a proposal to configure it with an annular conductor formed in an annular shape with a flat conductive material. Any of these forms corresponds to the "IH coil" which is the main part of the first heating means HM1 (induction heating source).

[0025] In the following description, "cooperative cooking" refers to cooking performed using two or more heating sources where the heating locations for one object to be cooked (including foods, meats, vegetables, etc.) are different and the heating operation conditions can be set independently (see Embodiments 1 to 3).

[0026] In the following description, the "multi-heating cooking mode" refers to cooking in which the heating location or heating environment (the container or heating chamber that houses the object to be cooked) for one object to be cooked (including foods, meat, vegetables, etc.) is different, and the same heating source is used two or more times. For example, first, only vegetables and meat are placed in a pot, seasonings, etc. are added, and preliminary cooking is performed. Then, the object to be cooked containing the vegetables and meat is combined with another ingredient (e.g., rice), placed in a sealed container or an inner pot for rice cooking, and heated (in this case, the object to be cooked is also called "cooked rice").

[0027] The above-mentioned "coordinated cooking" corresponds to the case where a plurality of heating means are used with a time difference. For example, in the process of completing one cooking, after preheating with a microwave heating source, the object to be cooked is moved to another location, and at the moved location, it is heated with an IH coil to complete the cooking. This is a type of "coordinated cooking" as described here.

[0028] Also, a form in which the object to be cooked is heated inside the heating chamber 6 by a gas burner, and then the object to be cooked is moved onto the top plate 3 and heated by a gas burner or an induction heating source to improve the degree of cooking completion is also a type of "coordinated cooking".

[0029] The "voice input mode" refers to a control form in which the user US inputs by voice without touching or pressing the button of the input switch (input key) or the operation surface. The types of the "voice input mode" include the "voice input mode 1" and the "voice input mode 2".

[0030] The above-mentioned "voice input mode 1" is selected by operating an input key (hereinafter referred to as a "dual-purpose key") that corresponds to both voice input and touch (including pressing) input. The above-mentioned "voice input mode 2" is selected by operating an input key dedicated to voice input (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "voice input dedicated key") 180, which will be described later.

[0031] In one input operation unit, when there are a plurality of input keys and the "shared key" is included among them, if the "voice input mode 1" is changed by the shared key, there are two cases: one is to temporarily disable the input functions of (some of) the input keys other than this shared key (for example, 156M) (this control pattern is referred to as "voice input mode 1A"), and the other is not to disable them (this control pattern is referred to as "voice input mode 1B"). Both cases correspond to the "voice input mode 1" mentioned here.

[0032] In one input operation unit, during the process of performing touch input by an input key (for example, 153M or 153L), when the "dedicated voice input key" 180 is pressed, the "voice input mode 2" is selected. In this case, after the selection of this voice input mode 2, there are two cases: one is to temporarily disable the input functions of (some of) the input keys other than the dedicated voice input key 180 (for example, 156M) (this control pattern is referred to as "voice input mode 2A"), and the other is not to disable them (this control pattern is referred to as "voice input mode 2B"). Both cases correspond to the "voice input mode 2" mentioned here.

[0033] In Embodiment 1, the input operation unit 15 includes a total of three parts: a central operation unit 15M, a left operation unit 15L, and a right operation unit 15R. The central operation unit 15M may be referred to as a "shared operation unit". Also, the left operation unit 15L and the right operation unit 15R may be referred to as "individual operation units".

[0034] The specific input key refers to an input means (selection means) that emits a specific signal (selection information 202) described below, and corresponds to a touch-type input key, a push-button type switch, a non-contact type switch, a dial type switch, etc. The individual operation units 15L and 15R are each provided with first specific input keys 152L and 152R that form a part of the specific input keys. The shared operation unit 15M has a second specific input key 153M. In the first embodiment, the input key 154M is also set as the second specific input key. However, at least one specific input key may be provided in one input operation unit (in this case, the shared operation unit 15M).

[0035] In the following description, the "setting information" is information that is given to and set in the cooking heater 1 (400) by the recipe data CD (for the heating means) described later. The setting information for the cooking process 1 may be referred to as "setting information A". The setting information for the cooking process 2 may be referred to as "setting information B".

[0036] Among the specific input keys for acquiring the "setting information" for the cooking process 1 and the cooking process 2 in the linked cooking mode KM1, the one that is input-operated for the cooking process 1 may be referred to as the "specific input key A". Similarly, the one that is input-operated for the cooking process 2 may be referred to as the "specific input key B".

[0037] Among the specific input keys for acquiring the "setting information" for the cooking process 1 and the cooking process 2 in the multi-heating cooking mode KMM, the one that is input-operated for the cooking process 1 may be referred to as the "specific input key A". Similarly, the one that is input-operated for the cooking process 2 may be referred to as the "specific input key B". These specific input key A and specific input key B in the linked cooking mode KM1 and the multi-heating cooking mode KMM may be the same or different.

[0038] When each of the three specific input keys (152L, 152R, and 153M) described above is input-operated, individual selection information A (202A, 202B, 202C) corresponding to the specific input key is generated. That is, since different selection information A (202A, 202B, 202C) is generated, in the input key identification unit 15A of the input operation unit 15, it is possible to uniquely identify which specific input key has been operated. For example, the selection information for the specific input key 152L is 202A. The selection information for the specific input key 152R is 202B. Accordingly, also in the control device 40, it is possible to determine which specific input key (152L, 152R, and 153M) has been input-operated from the input information from the input operation unit 15. If there is no function of generating selection information A (202A, 202B, 202C) unique to the specific input key itself, the input operation unit 15 in which the specific input key is arranged may assign a unique identification number (code) to each individual specific input key and transmit the identification information of each individual specific input key to the control device 40 side. In the following description, 202 is used as a representative symbol for the selection information A. That is, the symbol 202 includes all of the selection information 202A to 202C and may also mean any one of them.

[0039] When obtaining the "recipe data" CD described later and operating the individual operation units 15L and 15R for heating cooking, by selectively operating the first specific input keys 152L and 152R, a first cooking program is selected from the storage device 42 of the control device 40 described later. This "first cooking program" drives the first heating means HM1 to perform induction heating cooking. Individual cooking menus belonging to the first cooking program are respectively displayed on the left display unit 16L and the right display unit 16R. Note that the first specific input keys 152L and 152R also serve as keys to be pressed when selecting control menus to be implemented at the left and right heating ports 4L and 4R, as will be described later. However, the first specific input keys 152L and 152R may be changed to other input keys (for example, 153R and 153L) and also serve as input keys for selecting the left and right heating ports 4L and 4R. Further, the first specific input keys 152L and 152R may also serve as input keys 154L, 154R, 155L, and 155R for instructing increases and decreases in heating time, heating power, etc.

[0040] When obtaining the recipe data CD and operating the shared operation unit 15M to perform heat cooking, by selecting and operating the second specific input key 153M (154M), a second cooking program is selected from the storage device 42 of the control device 40 described later. This "second cooking program" drives and performs heat cooking by combining two groups of a first heating means HM1, a second heating means HM2, and a third heating means HM3. Specifically, individual cooking menus belonging to the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1 described later can be executed. In this cooperative cooking mode KM1, there are two or more cooking steps. The selection of the cooking menu can be performed on the central operation unit 15M while viewing the central display unit 16M. Note that, until starting the cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM1, input keys other than the second specific input key 153M are also used for setting control conditions (such as heating power and heating time). By selecting and operating the second specific input key 153M, a second cooking program is selected from the storage device 42 of the control device 40, and identification information 167 such as the name of the cooking menu that can be executed by the second cooking program can be displayed on the display unit 16.

[0041] In addition, the "second cooking program" includes those that drive the first heating means HM1, the second heating means HM2, and the third heating means HM3 independently to perform cooking. For example, it is possible to perform induction heating at a specific heating port (central heating port 4C) or to perform only microwave heating in the heating chamber 6.

[0042] In the following description, the "recipe data" CD refers to data used for controlling the cooker 1 to heat-cook one object to be cooked. One form of the recipe data CD is an instruction that includes all of the data specifying the heating means, the data defining the heating steps and order, and the control conditions during heating (including, but not limited to, the heating power, target temperature, cooking time, etc.), and is also a computer program for realizing that instruction.

[0043] Another form of the recipe data CD does not include the data specifying the heating means and the data defining the heating steps and order, but only includes a part of the data for executing a cooking menu (for example, hamburger). For example, when performing cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 described later, it means that it does not include information specific to the heating means for executing one cooking menu (including information indicating the attributes of the heating means and information on the heating ports), information on the cooking process, information indicating the order of the heating means to be driven, etc. In this case, the data mainly consists of commands and data for determining control conditions such as heating capacity and heating time (hereinafter referred to as "commands" or "command data"). In this case, if the recipe data CD held in the cooker 1 is configured based on, for example, one person's object to be cooked, it may be possible to respond by changing the control conditions (for example, one parameter such as the heating time) by the built-in program so as to correspond to two people or four people on the cooker side by an external command.

[0044] Furthermore, in the following description, among the recipe data CD, the case where the recipe data in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 is composed of, for example, two cooking steps, cooking step 1 and cooking step 2, will be mainly described. For example, in the case where the first heating means HM1 is used in cooking process 1, the heating cooker 1 acquires recipe data in two stages: a first part M1 that sets the operation details of cooking process 1 used in cooking process 1, and a second part M2 that sets cooking process 2 using the second heating means HM2. That is, it is composed of a first part M1 that sets cooking process 1 using the first heating means HM1 and a second part M2 that sets cooking process 2 using the second heating means HM2. Even in the case where the second heating means HM1 is used in cooking process 1, the heating cooker 1 separately acquires the setting information for each of cooking process 1 and cooking process 2.

[0045] In the following embodiments, the form of the recipe data CD as described above is not particularly distinguished and explained. Also, in the case of the cooperative cooking mode KM1, two cases of cooking processes are described, but there may be three or more cooking processes.

[0046] The "display screen" referred to in the following embodiments includes a liquid crystal display screen by a liquid crystal display element (liquid crystal panel) and a display screen by other light-emitting methods (such as an organic EL panel). Also, it includes a "pop-up screen" that automatically appears on the display screen. "Pop-up" refers to another window that automatically appears (starts up and begins to be displayed) on the screen of an Internet browser (also referred to as a "Web browser"). For example, in the terminal-side display unit (display screen) 216 of the communication terminal 200 described later, the first screen 216A, the second screen 216B, etc. are described, but they may be composed of pop-up screens.

[0047] Embodiment 1. (1. Configuration of the heating cooking system) Embodiment 1 according to the present disclosure is described in FIGS. 1 to 67. An explanation will be given regarding FIG. 1. The cooking system of the first embodiment includes a cooking appliance 1, a smartphone 200 (also referred to as a high - performance communication terminal device, but hereinafter referred to as a "communication terminal" in the following description) having a function of performing wireless communication with the cooking appliance 1, and a cloud server 300. Note that the communication terminal 200 may be other than a smartphone, for example, a tablet terminal device with a communication function, a personal computer, or the like. In the first embodiment, including these devices, they are uniformly referred to as the communication terminal 200.

[0048] The communication terminal 200 performs wireless communication by a communication method such as WiFi (registered trademark) with a wireless router 340 (Fig. 2) installed in a house (not shown) where the cooking appliance 1 is used.

[0049] The cooking appliance 1 can acquire at least recipe data CD1 by wireless communication 330 with the communication terminal 200. Note that the recipe data CD2 acquired by the cooking appliance 1 via the cloud server described later will be explained later. The communication terminal 200 performs wireless communication 330 by a communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) with the cooking appliance 1.

[0050] The communication terminal 200 accesses a cloud server 330 in the external space via the wireless router 340 (Fig. 2) and a network NW such as the Internet. There is at least one recipe data providing server 301 in the cloud server 300.

[0051] The recipe data providing server 301 is provided with a recipe DB (database) 302 in which data of recipes for performing various cookings are held. The communication terminal 200 accesses a recipe providing site operated by the recipe data providing server 301 and acquires (downloads) various recipe data CD1 from the recipe DB 302.

[0052] The recipe data CD1, which will be described in detail later, contains commands (command data) that specify heating means and control conditions (including at least one of heating power, heating time, temperature, etc., but not limited thereto) so that a specific food to be cooked (e.g., "hamburger") can be cooked in the heating cooker 1. However, as described above, it may be only the unique data that identifies one recipe data CD1 for executing a specific cooking menu.

[0053] In the following description, the recipe data may sometimes be described with symbols such as CD1 and CD2, but the content of the recipe data is not necessarily different depending on these symbols, and there may be cases where they are the same. These symbols (CD1, CD2) are attached based on the transmission entity of the recipe data for ease of understanding. When using a unified reference symbol for the recipe data, "CD" is used.

[0054] The heating cooker 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first heating means HM1 disposed below a top plate 3 (described in FIGS. 2 and later) that covers the upper surface of the heating cooker 1, a second heating means HM2 that supplies microwaves inside a heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 3) formed inside the heating cooker 1, and a third heating means HM3 that is inside or outside the heating chamber 6 and heats by raising the temperature of the internal space of the heating chamber 6.

[0055] If the upper surface of the top plate 3 is defined as the "first place", the first heating means HM1 uses induction heating means to heat the object to be heated (magnetic metal pot) placed at this first place. Alternatively, a gas combustion device equipped with a gas burner for heating a magnetic or non-magnetic metal pot corresponds to the first heating means HM1.

[0056] If a closed space at a location away from the first place is defined as the "second place", the inside of the heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 3) becomes the second place.

[0057] The cooking appliance 1 has an execution function of a "single cooking mode" KM3 that drives the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 independently (separately).

[0058] As a method of cooking one object to be cooked, the cooking appliance 1 has an execution function of a "composite cooking mode" KM2 that drives the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 simultaneously, or operates one of them first and automatically starts driving the other later. Even when the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are operating simultaneously, both cases where their heating end times are the same and different are one operation pattern belonging to the "composite cooking mode" KM2.

[0059] In the "composite cooking mode" KM2, there are at least a pattern (RG control mode 1) of driving the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 simultaneously from the beginning, a pattern (RG control mode 2) of starting the drive of the third heating means HM3 after the second heating means HM2, and a pattern (RG control mode 3) of driving the third heating means HM3 first and then automatically switching to the drive of the second heating means HM3. In these RG control modes 1 to RG control mode 3, when cooking starts in the heating chamber 6 (see Figure 3), the switching of each heating means is automatically performed.

[0060] Unlike the cooperative cooking mode KM1 described later, the "composite cooking mode" KM2 does not have a "cooking menu" corresponding to a specific object to be cooked (e.g., hamburger). That is, a "control menu" is prepared according to the pattern of driving the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3. One control pattern can handle a plurality of objects to be cooked (for example, thawing meat, boiling vegetables, etc.).

[0061] For example, one of the "control menus" is the aforementioned "RG control mode 1". In the RG control mode (RG combined cooking mode), various cooked foods can be cooked. One of the "control menus", for example, the aforementioned "RG control mode 1", is controlled by recipe data that defines the control mode, but is not set for each specific food to be cooked.

[0062] That is, the operation pattern in which two or more heat sources (the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3) operate in a predetermined sequence is the combined cooking mode KM2 having a plurality of "control menus".

[0063] On the other hand, the recipe data (corresponding to a specific food to be cooked) for heating and cooking the foods to be cooked placed at respective locations inside the heating chamber 6 and above the top plate 3 in a predetermined order is applied in the coordinated cooking mode KM1 having a coordinated cooking menu. That is, in the combined cooking mode KM2 and the coordinated cooking mode KM1, the contents of the recipe data are different.

[0064] In the following description, when indicating the type of control form such as the drive (energization) pattern of the heat source, it is called a "control menu". For example, "thawing" is one of the control menus. On the other hand, when specifying the food to be cooked that can be heated and cooked, the cooking name, etc., it is called a "cooking menu". For example, "hamburger" is one of the cooking menus.

[0065] The heating cooker 1 has an execution function of the "coordinated cooking mode" KM1 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven with a time difference determined depending on the operation of the user (user) US.

[0066] In the "coordinated cooking mode" KM1, it has a pattern of performing cooking step 1 with the first heating means HM1 and a pattern of performing cooking step 1 with the second heating means HM2. For example, in order to move from the cooking process 1 by the first heating means HM1 to the cooking process 2, the object to be cooked is moved to the heating chamber 6, and then, in order to start driving the second heating means HM2, there is a "heating pause period P3" (transition period TR) during which no heating operation is performed between this cooking process 1 and the cooking process 2. This heating pause period P3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 47 and 48.

[0067] In this "coordinated cooking mode" KM1, the recipe data CD is prepared for each specific object to be cooked (e.g., hamburger, roast beef, gratin). The recipe data CD specifies the heating means to be used, the order in which the heating means are driven, and the control conditions of the heating means (including at least any one of the heat intensity, heating time, temperature, etc.) separately for the cooking process 1 (the first part M1) and the cooking process 2 (the second part M2). That is, the setting information for the cooking process 1 and the setting information for the cooking process 2 are each transmitted to the cooking heater 1.

[0068] The recipe data CD is stored in both the cooking heater 1 and the recipe DB 302. The types of recipe data CD in the recipe DB do not necessarily have to be the same as the types of recipe data CD held by the cooking heater 1. For example, new recipe data CD for the coordinated cooking mode KM1 may be sequentially added to the recipe DB 302, and the recipe data CD for the combined cooking menu may be sequentially accumulated.

[0069] When the cooking heater 1 acquires the recipe data CD for executing the coordinated cooking mode KM1 from the communication terminal 200, the data is in units of one cooking menu selected by the user US on the communication terminal 200. In other words, it is one type of cooking unit. This is common not only to the "coordinated cooking mode" KM1 but also to the "combined cooking mode" KM2 and the "single cooking mode" KM3.

[0070] That is, in the cooking appliance 1, for example, in the composite cooking mode KM2, a control menu such as "Warm" can be selected, but the recipe data CD provided from the communication terminal 200 to the cooking appliance 1 is not in such control menu units but in cooking menu units. Therefore, among the control menus such as microwave heating, there are various control menus such as "Warm", "Range Manual", "Boil Leafy Vegetables", "Boil Root Vegetables", "Meat Thawing", etc. to be described later. However, the communication terminal 200 does not provide the recipe data CD in such control menu units. For example, in the case of thawing, it is provided from the communication terminal 200 with recipe data (including identification information) such as "Thawing of XX" that specifies the object to be heated.

[0071] As described above, the communication terminal 200 requests the recipe data providing server 301 to provide a recipe data CD of the desired object to be cooked, and downloads the recipe data CD1 corresponding to the desired recipe (see Fig. 1).

[0072] The communication terminal 200 can transmit the recipe data CD2 corresponding to one recipe, which is generated by the recipe data providing server 301 and obtained from the server 301, to the cooking appliance 1 (see Fig. 1). To use such a recipe data acquisition function, the user US of the cooking appliance 1 accesses the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) and installs an application for recipe selection (hereinafter referred to as "recipe selection app") on the communication terminal 200.

[0073] When the user US installs the recipe selection app, as an initial setting, the user US performs an operation of registering identification information such as the model name of the cooking appliance. By this registration, a recipe data CD corresponding to the rated specifications of the cooking appliance 1 (such as the heating capabilities of each heating means HM1 to HM3) can be obtained from the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301).

[0074] In addition, the user US pairs the communication terminal 200 with the cooking appliance 1 via the recipe selection app to establish direct wireless communication 330BT between the communication terminal 200 and the cooking appliance 1. Note that this wireless communication 330BT may use the near-field wireless communication (NFC) method.

[0075] 330WF shown in FIG. 2 indicates wireless communication between the communication terminal 200 and the wireless router 340. The communication method of the wireless communication 330T between the communication terminal 200 and the cooking appliance 1 uses Bluetooth (registered trademark), which is one of the short-range wireless communication standards. In addition, the wireless communication 330WF between the communication terminal 200 and the wireless router 340 uses a communication method via a wireless LAN such as WiFi (registered trademark).

[0076] Although not shown in FIG. 1, in the cooking system of the first embodiment, the recipe data CD (corresponding to one recipe) created by the user US on the communication terminal 200 may be transmitted to the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301), temporarily stored in the recipe DB 302, and then provided to the cooking appliance 1. That is, even when the communication terminal 200 exists at a location far from the house where the cooking appliance 1 is installed (for example, when out), it is convenient because the recipe data CD of the communication terminal 200 can be stored in the recipe data providing server 301.

[0077] Note that a wireless router 340 (see FIG. 2) may be interposed between the cooking appliance 1 and the cloud server 300.

[0078] In the first embodiment, there may be an explanation of "acquiring" or "restricting the acquisition" of the recipe data CD, and this point will be explained. When the description "restricted acquisition" is given, it does not mean that no recipe data CD (specific information constituting part or all of it) enters the interior of the cooking appliance 1 from the outside via the communication unit 51 described later. In the cooking appliance 1, the communication unit 51 once receives recipe data CD from the outside and temporarily stores it in an appropriate storage area in the storage device 41 (described in FIG. 10). At that time, the content of the data (attributes, presence or absence of identification information 167, etc.) is analyzed. However, if the data is data transmitted from the outside during the "period in which acquisition is restricted" as described above, it will not be used in the process of executing subsequent cooking menus (that is, the cooking process), and will be automatically deleted within a short time (at least when the main power switch 20 is turned off).

[0079] In the following description, when explaining the network such as the Internet line described above, "NW" is used as a unified code.

[0080] The "equipment identification information" of the cooking appliance 1 is unique information for identifying the cooking appliance 1. Specifically, it is important information required when performing information communication, such as the MAC address, the manufacturer name of the cooking appliance 1, the model name (model number), the model number, and the manufacturing number.

[0081] The cloud server 300 has a function of acquiring information regarding the current status of the cooking appliance 1, such as operation, stop, and standby state, via the network NW. The cloud server 300 is connected to the target cooking appliance 1 using the equipment identification information.

[0082] Inside the cloud server 300, in addition to the recipe database 302, there is an information providing server (not shown), which transmits useful information to the heating cooker 1 and the communication terminal 200. The heating cooker 1 executes a process of performing wireless communication periodically (for example, repeatedly at intervals of 5 minutes or 10 minutes) with the cloud server 300 separately from the wireless communication with the communication terminal 200. Then, if it is discovered and determined that there is any abnormality in the "status information" (described later) on the heating cooker 1 side during the periodic communication, it is used as a trigger to notify and inquire the cloud server 300 each time, and perform a process of obtaining information for maintaining appropriate operation. If there is no abnormality, it automatically returns to the process of repeatedly executing the above periodic communication, and continues this until the main power switch 20 is turned off.

[0083] The information providing server (not shown) may be, for example, a server installed by an external organization such as an earthquake information providing organization or a power company in a specific area, or a server prepared by the manufacturer that manufactures the heating cooker 1.

[0084] The cloud server 300 stores and stores control application software that enables the heating cooker 1 to be remotely controlled. From the communication terminal 200, which will be described in detail later, by accessing the cloud server 300 and downloading (loading) the control application software, the above-described remote control can be realized.

[0085] The communication terminal 200 in the first embodiment of the present invention has a function of transmitting and receiving signals by short-range communication in a state where it is close (or may be in contact) with the input / output unit of the heating cooker 1 by about several centimeters. This short-range communication is the international standard technology of wireless communication known as Near Field Communication (abbreviation: NFC).

[0086] In this NFC communication, a so-called wireless tag (NFC tag) is embedded in the induction heating cooker 1 side. On the other hand, control data can also be sent from the communication terminal 200 side to the NFC memory unit of the cooking heater 1, and the cooking heater 1 can be controlled according to the control data.

[0087] Next, FIG. 2 will be described. 600 is a kitchen furniture on which the cooking heater 1 and the like are installed. 600D is a water supply port of a water supply installed in the kitchen furniture 600. 340 is a wireless router capable of wireless communication with the cooking heater 1. This wireless router 340 is also an access point of a network NW such as the Internet.

[0088] The cooking heater 1 places an object to be heated (such as a pan made of magnetic metal) on the top plate 3 covering its upper surface, and induction-heats it by an IH coil 9 (reference numerals 9C, 9L, 9R shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). That is, the top plate 3 has a left heating port 4L, a right heating port 4R, and a central heating port 4C.

[0089] An exhaust port cover 5 is provided on the back side (rear side) of the top plate 3. The exhaust port cover 5 is composed of a perforated metal or a lattice-shaped metal member having innumerable small through holes, has air permeability throughout, and has low air flow resistance. The exhaust discharged from the inside of the cooking heater 1 passes through the exhaust port cover 5 and exits the cooking heater 1.

[0090] On the front surface of the main body 2 of the cooking heater 1, a door (heating door) 7 for opening and closing the front opening of the heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 3) disposed inside the main body 2 is provided. The door 7 is provided with a handle 8 for opening and closing it.

[0091] (2. Detailed Configuration of Cooking Heater) Next, the specific configuration of the cooking heater 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 11. FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the cooking heater 1 according to Embodiment 1 as viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 3, an induction heating coil 9L (hereinafter referred to as "left IH coil") as left induction heating means is provided below the left heating port 4L.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 3, the cooking heater 1 is an in-built type IH cooking heater that is used by being incorporated into a kitchen furniture 600 having a cooking table at the upper part. The cooking heater 1 has a main body 2 and a top plate 3 installed on the main body 2. The top plate 3 is exposed on the kitchen top plate that constitutes the top surface of the kitchen furniture 600.

[0093] The top plate 3 is composed of, for example, a heat-resistant glass plate and a metal frame attached around the glass plate. On the upper surface of the top plate 3, three heating ports 4, namely, a left heating port 4L, a right heating port 4R, and a central heating port 4C, are provided.

[0094] The left heating port 4L, the right heating port 4R, and the central heating port 4C indicate areas where a metal cooking container (also referred to as the "object to be heated" N regarding the first heating means HM1), such as a pot or a frying pan, is placed. Guide marks (not shown) serving as a guide for the position where the object to be heated is placed are drawn by printing on the upper surface of the top plate 3 for each of the left heating port 4L, the right heating port 4R, and the central heating port 4C.

[0095] The cooking heater 1 places an object to be heated N (not shown), such as a pot made of magnetic metal, on the top plate 3 that covers its upper surface, and inductively heats it by the IH coil 9. 32 is a bottom wall surface that divides the inside of the cooking heater 1 into two independent upper and lower spaces. 33 is an installation space above the bottom wall surface 32 inside the cooking heater 1, and the IH coils 9 (9C, 9L, 9R) are accommodated at positions corresponding to the three heating ports 4L, 4R, 4C (directly below).

[0096] That is, a right IH coil 9R as a right induction heating means is provided below the right heating port 4R, and a central IH coil 9C as a central induction heating means is provided below the central heating port 4C, respectively.

[0097] These IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R are circular heating coils formed by winding thin conducting wires such as copper wires or aluminum wires. When a high-frequency current is supplied, a high-frequency magnetic field is generated. As a result, the metal cooking container (object to be heated N) placed on the left heating port 4L, right heating port 4R, and central heating port 4C is inductively heated.

[0098] The heating means including the IH coils 9C, 9L, 9R and their drive circuits (referring to high-frequency power supply circuits such as inverter circuits, not shown in the figure) may be referred to as an induction heating source or a first heating means HM1. In the following description, unless otherwise contradictory, the "first heating means" HM1 will be uniformly used.

[0099] In the vicinity of the IH coils 9C, 9L, 9R, a temperature sensor group 30 (see FIG. 10) composed of a plurality of temperature sensors (not shown) is mounted to detect the temperature of the top plate 3 and the cooking container (object to be heated N). One temperature sensor 30A (not shown) constitutes one sensor among the temperature sensor group 30. The temperature sensor referred to here may be either a contact type temperature sensor such as a thermistor or a non-contact temperature sensor such as an infrared sensor, or both.

[0100] Inside the main body 2, below the IH coils 9C, 9L, 9R, the heating chamber 6 is provided. The heating chamber 6 is surrounded by a metal wall such as stainless steel and is a space for heating the object to be cooked (food, ingredients) accommodated therein.

[0101] The object to be cooked may be placed on a heat-resistant plastic container, a porcelain dish, or a heat-resistant glass dish, or placed in a container and then placed in the heating chamber 6. In that case, those dishes or containers may be referred to as "heated containers". However, since those containers are not inductively heated by the IH coils 9C, 9L, 9R, even if placed on the heating port 4 of the top plate 3, they are not called the "object to be heated" N of the IH coils 9C, 9L, 9R.

[0102] On the front surface of the heating chamber 6, a horizontally long rectangular opening (not shown) for taking in and out the object to be cooked is formed. The opening on the front surface of the heating chamber 6 is covered by a door 7 so as to be openable and closable. The door 7 is rotatably supported by the main body 2 via a hinge and an arm (not shown). Thus, the door 7 is configured to open forward to the horizontal position with its lower end as a fulcrum (rotation center). Note that the door 7 may be pulled forward integrally with a support member (referring to a structure such as a shelf that supports the container to be heated from below) by a slide rail (not shown).

[0103] An opening / closing detection unit 10 for detecting the opening and closing of the door 7 is provided on the door 7. The opening / closing detection unit 10 is, for example, a microswitch or an infrared sensor. Behind the heating chamber 6, a microwave oscillator 11 for heating the object to be cooked accommodated in the heating chamber 6 is provided. This microwave oscillator 11 is composed of, for example, a magnetron, and performs so-called range heating by irradiating microwaves into the heating chamber 6 to heat the object to be cooked placed in the heating chamber.

[0104] The heating means including the microwave oscillator 11 and its drive circuit (referring to a high-frequency power supply circuit such as an inverter circuit, not shown) may be referred to as the second heating means HM2.

[0105] In addition, in the heating chamber 6, an upper radiant heat heating means 12a for heating the object to be cooked from above and below with a so-called heater, and a lower radiant heat heating means 12b are provided. Note that the upper radiant heat heating means 12a is arranged on the outer or inner ceiling wall surface of the heating chamber 6, and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b is arranged on the inner or outer wall surface of the heating chamber 6, and both are sheathed heaters.

[0106] Other types of radiant heat heating means (for example, mica heaters, carbon heaters, etc.) may be installed outside the heating chamber 6. FIG. 3 shows an example in which both the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b are installed in close contact with the outer wall surface of the heating chamber 6.

[0107] The heating means including the upper radiant heat heating means 12a, the lower radiant heat heating means 12b, and their drive circuits (not shown) may be referred to as the third heating means HM3. In addition, the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b may be collectively referred to as "radiant heat heating means", and in that case, the symbol "12" is used.

[0108] Further, in the heating chamber 6, an infrared sensor 13 is provided as a non-contact temperature sensor in order to non-contact detect the temperature of the object to be cooked in the heating chamber 6. The temperature range detected by this infrared sensor 13 is set to, for example, -20°C to 100°C. Thereby, the degree of heating of the object to be cooked can be accurately detected in real time, for example, in 1°C increments. This infrared sensor 13 also constitutes one of the temperature sensor group 30 (see FIG. 16).

[0109] In addition, a contact temperature sensor (for example, a thermistor sensor) 14, which is an indoor temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature inside the heating chamber 6 or the wall surface temperature of the heating chamber 6, is also provided in the heating chamber 6.

[0110] Since the thermistor sensor 14 captures the change in temperature as a change in electrical resistance to detect the temperature, the upper limit value of the detectable temperature is about 250°C. This thermistor sensor 14 also constitutes one of the temperature sensor group 30. Incidentally, this thermistor sensor 14 may be installed at two locations near the bottom surface and near the ceiling surface of the heating chamber 6 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0111] Next, FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 4 is a top view of the cooking heater 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, a left operation unit 15L, a central operation unit 15M, and a right operation unit 15R are provided on the front side of the upper surface of the top plate 3 of the cooking heater 1. These three operation units may be collectively referred to as an "input operation unit", and in that case, the symbol 15 is used.

[0112] On the back (rear) side of the left operation unit 15L, the central operation unit 15M, and the right operation unit 15R, there are provided a left heating power display unit 17L, a central display unit 16M, and a right heating power display unit 17R, a left display unit 16L and a right display unit 16R, and a central heating status display unit 17M.

[0113] When collectively referring to the three units of the left display unit 16L, the central display unit 16M, and the right display unit 16R as the "display unit", the symbol 16 is used in that case. Note that the central display unit 16M has a horizontally long liquid crystal display screen.

[0114] The left heating power display unit 17L and the right heating power display unit 17R display the heating power level by light emitting elements (such as LEDs) and do not have a display screen.

[0115] When collectively referring to the three units of the left heating power display unit 17L, the right heating power display unit 17R, and the central heating status display unit 17M as the "heating power display unit", the symbol 17 is used in that case.

[0116] Also, adjacent to the right operation unit 15R, there is provided an operation button (key) 20A for the main power switch 20 (see FIG. 10). The main power switch 20 turns on or off the main power of the cooking heater 1. The button (key) pressed during the ON-OFF operation is the operation button 20A.

[0117] When the operation button 20A is pressed for, for example, several seconds with the main power of the cooking heater 1 in the OFF state, the main power turns on. Also, when the operation button 20A is pressed for, for example, several seconds with the main power of the cooking heater 1 in the ON state, the main power turns off.

[0118] Next, FIG. 5 will be described. In FIG. 5, an input key 180 for selecting the voice input mode is arranged at the right end of the central operation unit 15M. This input key 180 may be a mechanical switch or may be an input key of a touch type input switch like the input keys 153M to 159M described later.

[0119] The input key 180 for selecting this voice input can be used for subsequent inputs by voice once it is pressed. Pressing this input key 180 switches to the state of "voice input mode 2". However, this input key 180 cannot be used to select the heating means or the heating port (the first heating means HM1) by voice. Pressing the input key 180 one more time releases the "voice input mode 2".

[0120] Therefore, after touching (a "short press") the input key 153L for selecting, for example, the heating port 4L, the input key 180 needs to be subsequently operated. That is, if the input key 153L is "long pressed", it switches to the voice input mode 2. However, if it is "short pressed" without a "long press" and then the input key 180 is pressed, it can be switched to the voice input mode 2 from that point.

[0121] In the central operation unit 15M, when any one of the input keys 153M, 154M, or 155M is touched and then the input key 180 is subsequently operated, it switches to the "voice input mode 2", and the input processing unit (input restriction unit) 70 in the control device 40 puts the voice signal analysis unit 58 (see FIG. 10) into the input standby state. Note that even if this input key 180 is touched, the input functions of the five input keys, namely the input key 153M, the input key 151M for starting the heating operation, the stop input key 152M, and the input keys 153L and 153R of the left and right operation units 15L and 15R, are not affected at all. Also, when these five input keys are touched, the "voice input mode 2" by the input key 180 is released.

[0122] As described above, the "voice input mode 2" by the input of this input key 180 is different from the "voice input mode 1" set according to the touch form of specific (touch-type) input keys such as various touch-type input keys 153M, 154M, 155M, etc. as described later.

[0123] When the input key 180 is pressed, "voice input mode 2" is activated immediately. That is, it becomes "voice input mode 2". Then, as described with reference to FIG. 10, when a voice signal is received from the voice signal receiving unit 56, the voice signal analysis unit 58 analyzes the content of the voice one by one and outputs the analysis result to the heating control unit 43.

[0124] Note that the input key 180 for selecting voice input may limit the "range where touch input is disabled" only to the central operation unit 15M. In this case, when the input key 180 is pressed, specific (touch-type) input keys such as various touch-type input keys 154M to 159M arranged on the central operation unit 15M, as described later, will have their input functions disabled. And it shifts to an input waiting state for receiving commands by voice from the user US. Note that after the start of the heating operation, touch input cannot be disabled by this input key 180, so during the heating operation, input of various input keys (for example, a stop command by 152M) is not restricted at all.

[0125] 21(21M) is the (central) light-emitting part that constitutes a part of the light-emitting unit 21. When the input functions of the input key 180 and other input keys 153M, 154M, 151M, 152M, etc. are valid, the respective light-emitting parts 21M emit light. And it continues to emit light until the input function becomes invalid. Note that one or more light-emitting elements 27 (see FIG. 10) such as LEDs are arranged in each of these light-emitting parts 21M and are driven by the light-emitting control unit 26 (see FIG. 10).

[0126] The light-emitting unit 21 includes, in addition to the (central) light-emitting part 21M, which will be described in detail later, a (right) light-emitting part 21R corresponding to the right operation unit 15R and a (left) light-emitting part 21L corresponding to the left operation unit 15L. These light-emitting units 21 indicate that the input function of the input key is valid and have the function of prompting the operation of one input key. This light-emitting unit 21 also serves as a "key identification unit". That is, in order to perform a cooperative operation with the communication terminal 200 described later, the light-emitting unit 21 has a function of displaying, by light emission, an input key (for example, 152L in FIG. 6) to be operated immediately after receiving "advance notice information" 201 (described in FIGS. 64 to 66) from the communication terminal 200. In the following description, when there are two or more cooking steps, the advance notice information is also transmitted multiple times, so it may be described with symbols such as "advance notice information 1" and "advance notice information 2".

[0127] At the central operation unit 15M, an input key 151KP for function setting is arranged at a position adjacent to the left side of the input key 153M. The function of this input key 151KP will be described later.

[0128] In this Embodiment 1, an input form for controlling the cooking appliance 1 by an operation (including a light touch) where the user US presses with a fingertip or the like is called a "touch input mode". Therefore, the various input keys 151M to 159M, 151R to 155R, and 151L to 155L described later may be referred to as a "touch input mode selection unit".

[0129] Next, FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the left display unit 16L, the left heating power display unit 17L, and the left operation unit 15L according to Embodiment 1. The left display unit 16L displays information related to cooking in the left heating port 4L and is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display.

[0130] The left display unit 16L displays the set time of "timer cooking" for the object to be heated placed on the left heating port 4L, the elapsed time since the start of the heating operation at the left heating port 4L, or the remaining time until the timer set time ends.

[0131] The "timer cooking" is a cooking in which the heating operation is performed for a time (set time) set (input) by the user US (for example, with the input key 151L or the like), and the heating operation is automatically stopped when the set time has elapsed. Therefore, it is one of the convenient functions for the user US.

[0132] When the left display unit 16L selects preheating cooking at the left heating port 4L, it displays the automatically set temperature (default temperature), the current temperature, etc. The automatically set temperature (default temperature) refers to the target temperature of the bottom surface of the object to be heated (for example, a metal pot) when heating the object to be heated at the left heating port 4L. The default temperature can be arbitrarily changed within a certain range by the user US. Also, for example, the target temperature can be set to an arbitrary temperature by touching the input keys 155L and 154L (however, a temperature exceeding a predetermined allowable range is such that the setting input is rejected by the heating control unit 43 shown in FIG. 10).

[0133] The left heating power display unit 17L is composed of a plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs) arranged in a horizontal straight line, and displays the heating power of the left heating port 4L in multiple steps. The left heating power display unit 17L expresses the heating power by switching the lighting states (lighting, extinguishing, blinking, etc.) of the plurality of LEDs or by switching the lighting color. Thereby, it is possible to provide an intuitive and easy-to-understand notification of the heating power to the user US.

[0134] The left operation unit 15L inputs operations related to cooking with the left heating port 4L. As shown in FIG. 6, the left operation unit 15L includes five input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L. These input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L are touch keys. For example, they are capacitance type touch sensors (touch switches) that can be input by using the change in capacitance when the user US lightly touches them with a finger or the like.

[0135] Corresponding to the input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L, a light emitting unit 21L is provided. The light emitting unit 21L is composed of a plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs) and emits light according to the operations of the input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L. Note that the two adjacent input keys 154L and 155L share one light emitting unit 21L because they perform the same type of function of increasing and decreasing the heating power.

[0136] The input key 151L is a key that is touch-operated when selecting "timer cooking" at the left heating port 4L. As described above, this timer cooking is a cooking method in which the user US sets the time of the heating operation and executes the heating operation only for the set time.

[0137] The input key 152L is a key that is pressed when selecting the "control menu" to be performed at the left heating port 4L. Each time the input key 152L is pressed, one of a plurality of control menus can be selected. The "control menu" mentioned here is, for example, boiling water, stewing, frying (automatic cooking), etc. For each control menu, the driving time, heating power, or driving pattern of the left heating port 4L is different.

[0138] The control menus for using the left heating port 4L and the right heating port 4R by operating the left operation unit 15L or the right operation unit 15R without operating the central operation unit 15M are all control menus of the "single cooking mode" KM3 that performs induction heating. The "single cooking mode" KM3 will be described later.

[0139] The input key 153L is a key that is pressed to select the heating cooking at the left heating port 4L. That is, when the input key 153L is pressed, cooking using the left IH coil 9L arranged below the left heating port 4L (in the single cooking mode KM3) is selected. When the input key 153L is pressed again while the left IH coil 9L is being driven, the driving of the left IH coil 9L is stopped and the induction heating operation is immediately stopped.

[0140] The input keys 154L and 155L are keys that are pressed when specifying the heating power during cooking at the left heating port 4L. By pressing the input key 154L on the left, the heating power is decreased step by step. Conversely, by pressing the input key 155L on the right, the heating power is increased step by step. Note that the induction heating power during cooking at the left heating port 4L has nine levels from the rated minimum power (heating power level 1: 150W) to the rated maximum power (heating power level 9: 3200W).

[0141] One of the input keys 152L of this left operation unit 15L is set as the input key to be operated immediately after receiving the "advance notice information 1" 201 from the communication terminal 200 in order to perform a cooperative operation with the communication terminal 200 described later. Therefore, when this is operated at a predetermined timing, it functions as the "specific input key" for which the "confirmation signal" (selection information A) 202 described later is transmitted in the confirmation step SP3 (described in FIGS. 64 and 66). The input key 152L can be operated at an arbitrary timing even before receiving the advance notice information 1. However, when this is operated (turned on), the reception deadline period (TZ1: see FIG. 48) starts from that point.

[0142] Next, FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the right display unit 16R, the right heating power display unit 17R, and the right operation unit 15R according to Embodiment 1. The right display unit 16R displays information related to cooking at the right heating port 4R and is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display. The information related to cooking at the right heating port 4R displayed on the right display unit 16R is the same as the information related to cooking at the left heating port 4L.

[0143] The right heating power display unit 17R is composed of a plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs) and displays the heating power of the right heating port 4R in multiple stages. The right heating power display unit 17R expresses the heating power by switching the lighting state (lighting, extinguishing, blinking, etc.) or the lighting color of the plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs) in the same manner as the left heating power display unit 17L.

[0144] The right operation unit 15R is for inputting operations related to cooking by heating at the right heating port 4R. As shown in FIG. 7, the right operation unit 15R includes five input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R, and 155R.

[0145] The input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R, and 155R are configured in the same manner as the left operation unit 15L. For example, they are composed of capacitive touch keys that can be input by utilizing the change in capacitance when the user US lightly touches them with a finger or the like.

[0146] Corresponding to the input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R, and 155R, light emitting units 21R are respectively provided. The light emitting unit 21R is a light emitting element (LED), and according to the operations of the input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R, and 155R, the light emitting units 21R corresponding to the respective input keys emit light. However, the two adjacent input keys 154R and 155R share one light emitting unit 21R because they perform the same type of function of increasing or decreasing the heating power.

[0147] The input key 151R is a key to be pressed when selecting timer cooking at the right heating port 4R. The input key 152R is a key to be pressed when selecting the control menu to be executed at the right heating port 4R.

[0148] The input key 153R is a key to be pressed for selecting cooking by heating at the right heating port 4R. That is, when the input key 153R is pressed, cooking (in the single cooking mode KM3) using the right IH coil 9R disposed below the left heating port 4R is selected. When the right IH coil 9R is being driven and the input key 153R is pressed again, the driving of the right IH coil 9R is stopped and the induction heating operation is immediately stopped.

[0149] The input keys 154R and 154R are keys that are pressed when specifying the heating power during cooking at the right heating port 4R. By pressing the left input key 154R, the heating power is decreased step by step. Conversely, by pressing the right input key 155R, the heating power is increased step by step. Note that the heating power during induction cooking at the right heating port 4R has nine levels, from the rated minimum heating power (heating power level 1) of 150W to the rated maximum heating power (heating power level 9) of 3200W.

[0150] One input key 152R of this right operation unit 15R is a "specific input key" that transmits a "confirmation signal" (selection information A) 202, which will be described later, in order to perform a cooperation operation with the communication terminal 200, similar to the input key 152L of the left operation unit 15L.

[0151] Next, FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the central display unit 16M, the central operation unit 15M, and the central heating status display unit 17M according to Embodiment 1.

[0152] The central display unit 16M displays information and warnings about the entire cooking heater 1 and is composed of a liquid crystal display. On the display screen of the central display unit 16M, the selection results of the induction heating means (first heating means) HM1, the microwave heating means (second heating means) HM2, and the radiant heat heating means (third heating means) HM3, the operating states of each heating means, caution information or warning information regarding cooking by each heating means are displayed.

[0153] The central display unit 16M is a single liquid crystal display in terms of hardware, but as shown in FIG. 8, it has three display areas: the first display area 22 on the left, the second display area 23 in the center left and right, and the third display area 24 on the right, and different displays can be made for each display area.

[0154] In addition, the three display areas 22 to 24 are appropriately coordinated according to the display scene to form one (large-area) display area, and may perform display for one or more purposes. In the following, the first display area 22 is referred to as the first area 22. The second display area 23 is referred to as the second area 23. The third display area 24 is referred to as the third area 24.

[0155] The central heating status display unit 17M is divided into two stages in the front-rear direction. In the lower stage (front side), there are a range light-emitting element (LED) 310 behind the character display part of "range", a grill light-emitting element (LED) 311 behind the character display part of "grill", an oven light-emitting element (LED) 312 behind the character display part of "oven", and a central IH light-emitting element (LED) 313 behind the character display part of "central IH".

[0156] In the upper stage (rear side), there are a warning character of "High Temperature Caution" and a group of high-temperature caution light-emitting elements (LEDs) 314 arranged respectively below the front position of the figure schematically representing the heating chamber 6 and the three heating ports 4L, 4C, and 4R. Note that those LEDs 311 to 313 and the LED group 314 are arranged in the installation space 33 below the top plate 3.

[0157] The group of high-temperature caution light-emitting elements (LEDs) 314 is composed of a heating chamber high-temperature caution light-emitting element (LED) 314a arranged side by side left and right and an IH high-temperature caution light-emitting element (LED) 314b.

[0158] The heating chamber high-temperature caution light-emitting element (LED) 314a lights up when the temperature in the heating chamber 6 is high, for example, 50°C or higher. The IH high-temperature caution light-emitting element (LED) 314b lights up when any of the left IH coil 9L, right IH coil 9R, and central IH coil 9C is being driven or when the temperature of the top plate 3 is high, for example, 50°C or higher.

[0159] The central operation unit 15M is mainly used to input operations related to cooking in the heating chamber 6 and cooking by the central heating port 4C. As shown in FIG. 8, the central operation unit 15M includes nine input keys 151M, 152M, 153M, 154M, 155M, 156M, 157M, 158M, 159M and a function setting key 151KP (see FIG. 5).

[0160] The nine input keys 151M to 159M described above are capacitive touch keys that generate an input command signal each time a touch operation is performed. In addition, a light emitting unit 21M is provided near each of these input keys 151M to 159M.

[0161] The function setting key 151KP (see FIG. 5) is arranged on the leftmost side of the central operation unit 15M. This function setting key 151KP is for enabling the user US to set various operations and displays of the entire heating cooker 1 as desired.

[0162] When the function setting key 151KP is pressed, the control device 40 described later switches to the "function setting mode" and displays the following "function setting menu" on the display screen of the central display unit 16M. (1) Child lock setting (setting to disable operation of various input keys). (2) Interlocking mode setting of the ventilation device (ventilation device operation in conjunction with the operation of the heating cooker 1). (3) Cleaning guide setting (setting of automatic notification function for cleaning time of the heating chamber 6 and the exhaust port cover 5). (4) Peak cut setting (select one from four levels of maximum power consumption: 5700W, 5000W, 4800W, and 4000W). (5) Voice setting of the voice guide. (6) Volume setting of the voice guide. (7) Setting to prevent forgetting to take out the object to be cooked, cooking utensils, etc. from the heating chamber 6 (necessity of alarm on the voice notification unit 50 and the central display unit 16M). (8) HEMS registration setting (setting related to the power usage restriction function by the home power control device). (9) Time unit setting for timer cooking (changing the 1-minute unit setting to 5-minute or 30-minute units). (10) Switching between beginner mode and normal (skilled user) mode. (11) Setting the type (range) of food inventory information acquired from an external device (such as a refrigerator). (12) Setting the display priority (specific cooking menu to be set as default display, identification information 167) for each cooking menu (e.g., "Hamburger") in the cooperative cooking mode KM1. (13) Setting the display priority (specific control menu to be set as default display) for each control menu (e.g., "Range Grill", "Boiling Leafy Vegetables") in the composite cooking mode KM2. (14) When the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened after the main power switch 20 is turned "ON", setting the cooking mode to be automatically displayed on the central display unit 16M (such as the display priority between the cooperative cooking mode KM1 and the composite cooking mode KM2). (15) Setting not to automatically display the additional information 165, 166 (see FIG. 15) described later, and setting not to announce the additional information 165, 166 by voice using the voice notification unit 50. (16) When an individual cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 is displayed on the central display unit 16M, setting to display the components of the target cooking item (food) and the nutritional components individually each time. Note that either the food components or the nutrients alone may be displayed, or both may be displayed. In this Embodiment 1, the input key 158M is set as the display command key for food components, and the input key 159M is set as the display command key for nutritional components. When either the input key 158M or 159M is operated within a predetermined period, or when the voice input mode 1 is set and a command is given by voice, the food components or nutritional components are displayed. That is, they are not always displayed simultaneously as a set with the identification information 167 (described later) of the cooking menu, but are displayed according to the operation (including voice) of the user US. Details will be described in FIG. 24. (17) When selecting an individual cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM1, setting to search for candidates for the cooking menu from the components of the food and the nutritional components and display them on the central display unit 16M. In this case, the input key 180 is pressed to set the "voice input mode 2" so that the user US can search by voice. Details will be described in FIG. 24. (18) Setting the display priority for each cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM1. Although it relates to the setting of specific cooking menus to be set to the default display, it is possible to set either the food component or the nutritional component as the top priority item for display. When this is set, for example, among the nutritional components, as shown in FIG. 24, the cooking menus can be displayed in ascending order of the amount of energy (calorie value). Or, the cooking menus can be displayed in descending order of the amount of "iron" as a nutritional component.

[0163] As described above, when the function setting key 151KP is pressed to select the "function setting mode", it is possible to add the display of food components or nutritional components, and it is also possible to set to cancel the setting that has been set to be displayed once later in the function setting mode. Therefore, there is an advantage that the information, range, and display method to be set according to the wishes of the user US can be selected.

[0164] The "beginner mode" is an optional function for a person (user US) who is not used to using the cooking appliance 1. When this beginner mode is set, the content of the voice guidance in the voice notification unit 50 (see FIG. 10) becomes more detailed and polite. Also, for the input operation at the input operation unit 15, the voice guidance increases, or the display information on the display screen of the central display unit 16M increases.

[0165] When the beginner mode is set, particularly in the case of cooking in the composite cooking mode KM2 and the linked cooking mode KM1, in cooking steps 1 and 2, the amount of reference information (for example, including additional information 165 and 166 described later) displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M increases, or the content of the voice guidance in the voice notification unit 50 increases. For this reason, the function of assisting the input operation of the user US is strengthened.

[0166] Note that in conjunction with switching from the "beginner mode" to the "normal (skilled user) mode", a setting may be automatically performed so that the content of the voice guidance of the voice notification unit 50 is not changed.

[0167] After the "ON" of the main power switch 20 described later, when the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened, the setting of the cooking mode automatically displayed on the central display unit 16M means setting either the linked cooking mode KM1 or the combined cooking mode KM2. Since both the linked cooking mode KM1 and the combined cooking mode KM2 use one central display unit 16M, the user US can set to prioritize the display of either one. This will be explained in detail later.

[0168] In Embodiment 1, the "combined cooking mode" KM2 exceptionally includes several control menus of the single cooking mode KM3 by the central IH coil 9M (for example, the cooking operation of "cooking rice").

[0169] After the "ON" of the main power switch 20, when the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened, the control device 40 detects the opening of this door 7. It is presumed that the user US will perform cooking using the heating chamber 6, and there is a function to automatically display either the first specific screen 16M1 for the linked cooking mode KM1 or the second specific screen 16M2 for the combined cooking mode KM2 on the central display unit 16M. Note that on the central display unit 16M, immediately after the main power switch 20 is turned "ON", the standby initial screen 16MH described later is displayed. Immediately after the door 7 is opened thereafter, the second specific screen 16M2 is automatically displayed.

[0170] After the "function setting menu" is displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M, when a specific one input key (for example, 153M) other than the function setting key 151KP is "pressed for a long time" (hereinafter referred to as "long-pressed") for a certain period of time or more, one setting menu in the above-mentioned "function setting menu" can be selected, and then, it is possible to proceed to the desired individual setting levels.

[0171] Alternatively, when two specific input keys other than the function setting key 151KP are "long-pressed" simultaneously, one setting menu in the above-mentioned "function setting menu" can be called and changed to the desired setting content.

[0172] The "long press" refers to a state where, for example, it is continuously pressed for 5 seconds or more. Whether it is in the state of "long press" is determined by the control device 40 comparing the timing from ON to OFF of the touch input at the central operation unit 15M with a reference value. Alternatively, an input mode determination unit 15C (see FIG. 11) inside the central operation unit 15 determines it. In this Embodiment 1, an example of determining whether it is in the state of "long press" by the central operation unit 15M will be described (later with reference to FIG. 11).

[0173] Also, at the central operation unit 15M, the timing when the two input keys (for example, 154M and 155M) are pressed simultaneously can be discriminated by the "ON" (when touched) signal transmitted from the input operation unit 15M to the control device 40.

[0174] In the following description, an embodiment of discriminating whether it is a "long press" by the input operation unit 15M will be described. However, although not adopted in Embodiment 1, at the input operation unit 15M, there is also a method of measuring the time from the "ON" signal point to the point when it changes to the "OFF" signal, transmitting the data to the control device 40, and discriminating whether it is a "long press" in the control device 40.

[0175] In this Embodiment 1, for specific input keys (153M, 154M, 153L, 153R), there is a function of discriminating the above-described "long press" and switching to the "voice input mode 1". Note that, in order to be used in combination with the specific input keys described later, the input keys 152L and 152R in the left and right operation units 15L and 15R may also be changed to switch to the voice input mode 1 by a "long press" operation. These will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. Note that a touch operation that is not a "long press", that is, for example, a touch state that lasts for less than 5 seconds continuously may be called a "short press". Since it is also related to the detection capabilities of the input operation units 15M, 15L, and 15R, for example, when the touch time is in the range of 0.1 second to 4.9 seconds, the control device 40 determines that it is a "short press".

[0176] The "type (range) of inventory information" obtained from the refrigerator 331 (not shown) is, for example, limited to only frozen foods, or limited to only foods that can be heated by a microwave heating source (second heating means HM2).

[0177] In the central display unit 16M, when selecting the control modes and control conditions (temperature, heating power, time, etc.) of the first heating means HM1, the second heating means HM2, and the third heating means HM3, the input function of the function setting key 151KP is disabled so as not to switch the function setting mode.

[0178] Next, the setting of the peak cut value of the cooking heater 1 will be described. Even if the default value at the time of shipment from the manufacturer is, for example, 5400W, when installed in the user US's home, it can be set to any of 5000W, 4800W, or 4000W.

[0179] In this way, the function of the cooking heater 1 can be changed with the function setting key 151KP according to the user US's wishes and usage environment (power situation of the installation home), etc. Note that when such a peak cut value is set, this setting result is stored in the control device 40, so when the user US selects the linked cooking mode KM1 as described later, it is used for the determination of whether to permit the use of the linked cooking mode KM1 (determination of permission conditions). Therefore, during the period when the recipe data CD (at least one of cooking step 1 and cooking step 2) described later is received from the communication terminal 200, the peak cut value cannot be changed by the function setting key 151KP (see FIG. 5).

[0180] In FIG. 8, each of the light emitting units 21M is composed of an LED and emits light in response to the operation of the input keys 151M to 159M. That is, when the input function is valid, the corresponding light emitting unit 21M continues to emit light. Since the two adjacent input keys 155M and 154M are common in changing the display content of the first area 22, they share one light emitting unit 21M.

[0181] Since the two adjacent input keys 157M and 156M are common in changing the display content of the second area 23, they share one light emitting unit 21M. Since the two adjacent input keys 159M and 158M are common in changing the display content of the third area 24, they share one light emitting unit 21M.

[0182] The input key 151M is a start key that is pressed (touched) to start the cooking, and the input key 152M is a cancel key that is pressed (touched) to stop or end the cooking.

[0183] When the input key 153M is operated after turning on the main power switch 20, it is an input key for selecting the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1, and may be hereinafter referred to as the "first input key".

[0184] When the input keys 154M and 155M are operated after turning on the main power switch 20 (without pressing the input key 153M), they are input keys for selecting the "composite cooking mode" KM2, and may be hereinafter referred to as the "second input keys".

[0185] When the input keys 153R and 153L described in FIG. 7 are operated after turning on the main power switch 20 (without pressing the input keys 153M, 154M, and 155M), they are input keys for selecting the "single cooking mode" KM1, and may be hereinafter referred to as the "third input keys".

[0186] The above-mentioned input key 151M has a function of determining the start of cooking for two types of cooking, namely, the "composite cooking mode" KM2 and the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1, and may hereinafter be referred to as the "start key". In the "single cooking mode" KM3, the input keys 153L and 153R have the function of determining the start of cooking.

[0187] The above-mentioned input key 152M has a function of ending (including temporarily stopping) the cooking for two types of cooking, namely, the "composite cooking mode" KM2 and the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1, and may hereinafter be referred to as the "stop key". In the "single cooking mode" KM3, the input keys 153L and 153R have the function of determining the end of cooking.

[0188] The four input keys 156M to 159M have a function that allows the user US to adjust (within a certain range) control conditions such as microwave output and heating cooking time, and may hereinafter be referred to as the "condition input key" or the "fourth input key".

[0189] The four input keys 153M, 154M, 153L, and 153R are also referred to as "voice input switching keys" that can be respectively switched to the "voice input mode 1". However, the four input keys exhibit the function of the "voice input switching key" only when the touch operation is a "long press". This point will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0190] When any one of the single cooking mode KM3, the composite cooking mode KM2, and the cooperative cooking mode KM1 is selected, the selection result is displayed on the central display unit 16M. Also, when switching to the "voice input mode 1", it is also displayed (see FIGS. 21 and 22). The details of the single cooking mode KM3, the composite cooking mode KM2, and the cooperative cooking mode KM1 will be described in detail later.

[0191] As shown in FIG. 8, the input keys 154M and 155M are arranged adjacent to and in the vicinity of the front of the first area 22 of the central display unit 16M, and are keys for switching the display content of the screen displayed in the first area 22 of the central display unit 16M.

[0192] Next, FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of the central display unit 16M. When the input key 154M is pressed down, that is, when it is operated by the user US, the display information 25A of one control menu (\"range manual\") belonging to the \"composite cooking mode\" KM2, for example, which is displayed in the first area 22, moves backward. At the same time, the display information 25B of \"boiling leafy vegetables\" that is displayed on the front side is displayed in the center. Note that the input key 154M in this case is the case of the \"short press\" described above. In the case of a \"long press\", it functions as the \"voice input switching key\", which will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

[0193] Also, when the input key 155M is pressed down, the display information 25A of \"range manual\" displayed in the first area 22 moves forward. Along with this, the display information 25C of \"warming\" that is displayed on the rear side is displayed in the center. Note that the input key 155M in this case is different from the input key 154M and is not the \"voice input switching key\". Therefore, in the case of a \"long press\", switching to the voice input mode is not possible and it is not recognized as a valid input operation.

[0194] In this way, the user US can select a specific control menu (for example, \"range manual\") in the \"control menu\" by operating the input keys 154M and 155M.

[0195] The control menu for "Range Manual" originally belongs to the "Single Cooking Mode KM3" that only uses the second heating means HM2. However, in addition to this, the control menus belonging to the "Compound Cooking Mode KM2" and the "Cooperative Cooking Mode KM1" (for compound cooking), as well as the control menus belonging to the cooperative cooking menus (such as "Hamburger", etc.) are also displayed in the first area 22.

[0196] When the input key (start key) 151M is pressed, that is, when it is operated by the user US, the start of cooking in "Range Manual" of the control menu displayed in the center is determined (see Fig. 9), and the heating operation is started. That is, the heating means (in this case, the microwave oscillator 11) is driven. Therefore, the input keys 154M and 155M correspond to the selection keys of the control menu operated by the user US. Similarly, they correspond to the selection keys of the control menu (for compound cooking). Furthermore, they also correspond to the selection keys of the cooperative cooking menu.

[0197] As shown in Fig. 8, the input keys 156M and 157M are arranged adjacent to the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M, in the vicinity of its front, and are keys for switching the display content of the screen displayed in the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M.

[0198] Referring to Fig. 9 again for explanation, when the input key 156M is pressed, the wattage (microwave output value) displayed in the second area 23 (in Fig. 9, "500W") is increased by one step (for example, to "600W"). Conversely, when the input key 157M is pressed, the wattage displayed in the second area 23 is decreased by one step (for example, down to "200W").

[0199] The user US can select the wattage (microwave output value) in the range cooking (a type of "Single Cooking Mode M1" using the microwave oscillator 11) performed in the heating chamber 6 by operating the input keys 156M and 157M.

[0200] As shown in FIG. 8, the input keys 158M and 159M are arranged adjacent to and in the vicinity in front of the third area 24 of the central display unit 16M, and are keys for switching the display content displayed in the third area 24.

[0201] As shown in FIG. 8, when the input key 158M is pressed, the heating operation time (set time) displayed in the third area 24 is increased by one step. Conversely, when the input key 159M is pressed, the heating operation time displayed in the third area 24 is decreased by one step.

[0202] In FIG. 9, the user US can select the set time for the range cooking performed in the heating chamber 6 by operating the input keys 158M and 159M, and 34M is the set time information. Note that the set time information 34W is heating intensity information indicating the magnitude of the power consumption during heating, the magnitude of the microwave output, etc. In this FIG. 9, it is displayed as "500W".

[0203] Next, FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 10 is a control block diagram showing the main functions of the heating cooker 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the heating cooker 1 includes a control device 40 that integrally controls the entire heating cooker 1.

[0204] The control device 40 is an electronic circuit board on which electronic components such as a control circuit for controlling the operations of each part constituting the heating cooker 1 are mounted. The control device 40 individually controls the driving conditions of the left IH coil 9L, the right IH coil 9R, and the central IH coil 9C based on the operations of the left operation unit 15L and the right operation unit 15R, and the temperature of the object to be heated on the top plate 3.

[0205] The control device 40 individually controls the driving conditions of the central IH coil 9C, the microwave heating means 11, the upper radiant heat heating means 12a, and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b based on the operation of the central operation unit 15M, the temperature of the object to be heated on the top plate 3, and the detection results of the infrared sensor 13 and the thermistor sensor 14.

[0206] Further, based on the operations of the left operation unit 15L and the right operation unit 15R, the control device 40 individually controls the displays of the left display unit 16L, the right display unit 16R, the left heating power display unit 17L, and the right heating power display unit 17R.

[0207] Furthermore, based on the open signal from the open / close detection unit 10 and the operations of the left operation unit 15L, the right operation unit 15R, and the center operation unit 15M, the control device 40 controls the displays of the center display unit 16M and the center heating status display unit 17M.

[0208] The control device 40 has a storage device 41 that stores data such as various programs and parameters (hereinafter collectively referred to as "control data") used for controlling the heating cooker 1, and display control data (hereinafter referred to as "display condition data") displayed on each of the display units 16L, 16R, 16M, 17L, 17R. Further, the control device 40 activates the voice notification unit 50 as necessary and conveys the operation status of the heating cooker 1 to the user US by voice.

[0209] The control device 40 stores data obtained by organizing information such as various programs and parameters used for the cooking control of the heating control unit 43 in a certain format in the recipe data storage unit 42 of the storage device 41. This data is the above-mentioned recipe data CD. As will be described later, in the heating cooker 1, recipe data CDs corresponding to each of a total of eight cooking menus are prepared in advance for executing the cooperative cooking mode KM1.

[0210] The recipe data CD and the "display condition data" can be obtained by the heating cooker 1 from an external device such as the communication terminal 200 for each individual cooking menu, and for each cooking step when there are multiple cooking steps.

[0211] 42 is a storage unit that stores the recipe data CD and the display condition data. Note that the storage unit 42 may constitute one section (area) in the storage device 41, or may be configured separately from the storage device 41 in terms of hardware.

[0212] 43 is a heating control unit that integrally controls the heating operation of the entire cooking appliance 1, and is mainly configured by a microcomputer. 53 is a data acquisition unit, and can acquire the recipe data CD from the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51. Also, the display condition data may be acquired from the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51.

[0213] 51 is a communication unit that performs wireless communication with the outside, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has a function of performing wireless communication 330 (330BT) with the communication terminal 200. Alternatively, it has a function of performing wireless communication with the cloud server 300 via the network NW. The communication unit 51 has at least a first communication unit 51B (not shown) and a second communication unit 51W (not shown) corresponding to two communication methods as described later. Since the communication method between the first communication unit 51B and the communication terminal 200 is Bluetooth (registered trademark), it corresponds to this communication method. Also, the second communication unit 51W (not shown) uses a communication method based on a wireless LAN such as WiFi (registered trademark) as the communication method with the wireless router 340, and thus has a function corresponding to this communication method.

[0214] 54 is a permission condition determination unit that performs determination processing on whether to permit cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 or the composite cooking mode KM2. 57 is a power supply circuit that supplies power of a certain voltage to the control device 40. 20 is a main power switch inserted into this power supply circuit 57, and is opened and closed by the user US. Regarding the recipe data CD related to the linked cooking mode KM1, at the stage of receiving the first part M1 for setting the cooking step 1 as described later, the permission condition determination unit 54 determines the permission for cooking. If it is not permitted at that stage, the process does not proceed to the acquisition process of the second part M2 of the cooking step 2.

[0215] 55 is a restriction unit that restricts the acquisition of the recipe data CD. During the standby period before starting the cooking in the linked cooking mode KM1 (that is, before the "cooking step 1" described later), the restriction unit 55 has a function of restricting the acquisition of the recipe data CD by the data acquisition unit 53 via the communication unit 51. For example, from the time when the specific input key 153M is touched, the reception deadline period TZ1 is started (see FIG. 47).

[0216] Furthermore, the restriction unit 55 has a function of restricting the acquisition of a new recipe data CD from the communication unit 51 until the cooking process of one cooking menu is completed based on the recipe data CD acquired from the outside. Note that the restriction unit 55 may be realized by one control program of a computer (not shown) constituting the control device 40, and it is not necessarily required to be separately configured from the control device 40 in terms of hardware.

[0217] As shown in FIG. 10, the input operation unit 15 has an audio signal receiving unit 56 that receives the voice emitted by the user US with a microphone (not shown) and converts it into a predetermined audio signal.

[0218] On the other hand, the control device 40 is provided with an audio signal analysis unit 58 that receives the audio signal from the audio signal receiving unit 56 and analyzes the content of the audio. The audio signal analysis unit 58 compares with the information in the audio database of the storage device 41, analyzes the content of the audio received by the audio signal receiving unit 56, and transmits the analysis result to the heating control unit 43.

[0219] 70 is an input processing unit. This input processing unit 70 receives an input signal from the input operation unit 15, switches its input reception mode to "voice input mode 1", controls the input signal analysis unit 52, and further receives the analysis result from the voice signal analysis unit 58 and transmits control data to the heating control unit 43.

[0220] In FIG. 10, 59 is a human sensor. It also has a receiving unit (not shown) that radiates ultrasonic waves or infrared rays in front of the cooking heater 1 and receives the reflected input. Note that there is no dedicated circuit for processing the signal received by the receiving unit, and the control device 40 analyzes the received signal to determine whether a person is present.

[0221] As shown by the dashed frame in FIG. 10, the voice notification unit 50, the display unit 16, etc. may be collectively referred to as the "notification unit", and in this case, 90 is used as the reference numeral. 26 is a light emission control unit. This light emission control unit controls the light emission of a large number of light emitting elements. The light emitting elements 27A composed of LEDs etc. arranged in the light emitting unit 21 (21M, 21L, 21R) and the light emitting element 27B arranged in the input key 154M are controlled to emit light by this light emission control unit 26. When two or more light emitting elements 27 with different emission colors are arranged in one place, there is a visual effect in which the emission color appears to change for the user US depending on the light emission states of these multiple light emitting elements.

[0222] In FIG. 10, 52 is an input signal analysis unit that analyzes the input signal from the input operation unit 15. This input signal analysis unit 52 individually analyzes the respective input signals transmitted from the right operation unit 15R, the left operation unit 15L, and the central operation unit 15M. In particular, this input signal analysis unit 52 has a discrimination function for determining whether it has received the input mode switching command (voice input mode corresponding signal) MC1. When it is determined that the input mode switching command (voice input mode corresponding signal) MC1 has been received, it issues a switching command to switch the input mode from the "touch input mode" to the "voice input mode 1".

[0223] In the following description, the "input mode switching command MC1" is referred to as the "voice input mode corresponding signal MC1". When the input processing unit 70 receives this voice input mode corresponding signal MC1, it sends a control signal to the voice signal analysis unit 52 to shift to the standby state for voice input (for example, starting a dedicated voice analysis program).

[0224] As described with reference to FIG. 7, the right operation unit 15R has various input keys (153R, 154R, 151R, etc.), and the touch input results of these input keys are sent to the input signal analysis unit 52. In particular, when the input key 152R, which is one of the "voice input switching keys", is touched, the right operation unit 15R determines whether the touch state is a "long press" or a "short press", and the determination result (command signal for voice input mode 1) is input to the control device 40.

[0225] Similarly, the left operation unit 15R has various input keys (153L, 154L, 151L, etc.), and the touch input results of these input keys are sent to the input signal analysis unit 52. In particular, when the input key 152L, which is one of the "voice input switching keys", is touched, the left operation unit 15L determines whether the touch state is a "long press" or a "short press", and the determination result (command signal for voice input mode 1) is input to the control device 40. Note that the "voice input switching keys" may include the input keys 153R and 153L.

[0226] Furthermore, the central operation unit 15M has various input keys (153M, 154M, 155M, 156M, etc.), and the touch input results of these input keys are sent to the input signal analysis unit 52. In particular, when the input keys 153M and 154M, which are one of the "voice input switching keys", are touched, the central operation unit 15M determines whether the touch state is a "long press" or a "short press", and the determination result (command signal for voice input mode 1) is input to the control device 40.

[0227] Next, FIG. 11 will be described. FIG. 11 is a block configuration diagram for explaining the relationship between the control device 40 and the central operation unit 15M. Note that the voice signal receiving unit 56 described in FIG. 10 is omitted from the description. Note that the right operation unit 15R and the left operation unit 15L are basically the same as the configuration of this central operation unit 15M.

[0228] In FIG. 11, 15A is an input key identification unit. This input key identification unit 15A identifies the input key that has been touched. For example, when the input key 153M is touched, it emits a unique identification signal of the input key. Also, when the input key 154M is touched, it emits a unique identification signal of the input key.

[0229] 15B is a touch detection unit. When the fingertip FG of the user US or the like approaches the touch electrode unit, the detection circuit emits an "ON" signal, and when it moves away, it emits an "OFF" signal. 15T is a time measurement unit. This time measurement unit 15T measures the elapsed time from the time point of the "ON" signal of the touch detection unit 15B to the time point when it changes to the "OFF" signal, and transmits measurement time data.

[0230] 15C is an input mode determination unit. This input mode determination unit 15C receives the measurement time data from the time measurement unit 15T, and as described above, with a threshold of 5 seconds as a boundary, if it is 5 seconds or more, it determines that it is in the "voice input mode 1". If it is less than this threshold, it determines that it is a normal "short press" operation.

[0231] From the input mode determination unit 15C, a signal (voice input mode corresponding signal MC1) indicating whether it is in the "voice input mode 1" is transmitted to the control device 40.

[0232] 15D is a storage unit. This storage unit 15D stores various control parameters such as the touch detection unit 15A, the time measurement unit 15T, and the input mode determination unit 15C described above, thresholds, program information of determination processing, and the like.

[0233] 15E is a central processing unit (CPU) that performs various information processing operations as an input operation unit (central operation unit 15M). 15F is an input signal transmitting unit. This input signal transmitting unit 15F transmits the unique identification signal of the input key as described above and the voice input mode corresponding signal MC1, which is the result of determining whether it is the "voice input mode 1", to the input signal analysis unit 58 of the control device 40.

[0234] In this Figure 11, the touch detection unit 15A, the time measurement unit 15T, the input mode determination unit 15C, etc. are depicted as individual independent blocks, but they may be implemented by the software of, for example, a single microcomputer without being configured separately in hardware.

[0235] Also, in this Figure 11, an example of the central operation unit 15M is described, but for the right operation unit 15R and the left operation unit 15L as well, it is identified by the control device 40 that they are inputs of their respective operation units. Therefore, in the input key identification unit 15A in the right operation unit 15R, data for specifying that it is an input key existing in the right operation unit 15R is included in the signal transmitted from the right operation unit 15R to the input key identification unit 15A. The same applies to the left operation unit 15L.

[0236] As is clear from the above description, the cooking heater 1 described in Figures 10 and 11 has a first heating means HM1 for inductively heating an object to be heated on the top plate 3, a heating chamber 6 with a metal wall surface, a second heating means HM2 for supplying microwaves to the heating chamber 6, a third heating means HM3 for heating the heating chamber 6 with radiant heat, a notification unit 90, a communication unit 51, a display unit 16, and a control device 40.

[0237] , After the control device 40 displays the standby initial screen 16MH (described in FIG. 41) on the display unit 16, it displays dedicated display screens (first specific screen 16M1 to third specific screen 16M3) for each cooking mode. The first specific screen 16M1 to the third specific screen 16M3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 22 and FIG. 42.

[0238] There are three types of cooking modes. That is, the single cooking mode KM3, the combined cooking mode KM2, and the coordinated cooking mode KM1.

[0239] The single cooking mode KM3 includes the following three types. (1) The IH single mode in which the first heating means HM1 operates alone (2) The range single cooking mode in which the second heating means HM2 operates alone (3) The oven single cooking mode in which the third heating means HM3 operates alone

[0240] The combined cooking mode KM2 is a heating pattern in which both the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are simultaneously heated, or the operating times are automatically made different, and cooking is performed in the heating chamber 6.

[0241] The coordinated cooking mode KM1 is a heating pattern in which both or either one of the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 and the first heating means HM1 are sequentially operated through a transition period TR whose length is determined by a command from the user US.

[0242] The control device 40 has an operation program for executing the three cooking modes KM1 to KM3 described above. The data acquisition unit 53 of the control device 40 can acquire the recipe data CD from the communication terminal 200 via the communication unit 51.

[0243] In the input operation unit 15, "voice input mode 2" can be selected by the input key 180 provided on the central operation unit 15M. Furthermore, among the input keys arranged on the central operation unit 15M, the right operation unit 15R, and the left operation unit 15L, specific input keys (152L, 152R, 153M, 154M) can select "voice input mode 1" according to the "long press" state, which is one of the touch forms.

[0244] (3. Configuration of the control menu of the central operation unit) Next, the control menu that is displayed on the central display unit 16M and can be selected by the central operation unit 15M will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0245] FIG. 12 shows the entire control menu that can be selected by the central operation unit 15M. The control menu that can be selected by the central operation unit 15M is divided into a microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) and an RG (range grill) menu group that uses one or both of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b, and an IH menu group that uses the central IH coil 9C corresponding to the central heating port 4C.

[0246] FIG. 13 classifies the control menu shown in FIG. 12 from four viewpoints (classification 1 to 4). As is clear from FIG. 13, the control menu is roughly classified into a single cooking mode KM3 and a composite cooking mode KM2. Although the cooperative cooking mode KM1 is not described in FIGS. 12 and 13, the central operation unit 15M can execute a cooperative cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode.

[0247] When the main power switch 20 is turned "ON" and the input key 154M or 155R is pressed without operating the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M, it means that the composite cooking mode KM2 has been selected.

[0248] Therefore, the display screen of the central display unit 16M switches to the second specific screen 16M2 (see FIG. 15). In the first area 22 of the second specific screen 16M2, the control menu "Warm" described in the "Left Display Area" of FIG. 12 is always displayed first. This is because the control menu "Warm" is set as the default setting.

[0249] The "Left Display Area" of FIG. 12 is a display area corresponding to the first area 22 described in FIG. 8. That is, various control menus described in the "Left Display Area" of FIG. 12 are sequentially displayed within the first area 22.

[0250] As described in the "Left Display Area" of FIG. 12, in addition to "Warm", there are a total of 13 control menus: "Range Manual", "Boil Leafy Vegetables", "Boil Root Vegetables", "Meat Thawing", "Range Grill (RG) Cooking", "Range Grill (RG) Reheating", "Range Grill (RG) Manual", "Grill", "Oven", "IH Keep Warm", "IH Rice Cooking", "IH Heating".

[0251] The control menus "Warm", "Range Manual", "Boil Leafy Vegetables", "Boil Root Vegetables", "Meat Thawing", "Range Grill (RG) Cooking", "Range Grill (RG) Reheating", "Range Grill (RG) Manual", "Grill", "Oven" are included in the RG menu group. Also, "IH Keep Warm", "IH Rice Cooking", "IH Heating" are included in the "IH menu group" that uses the first heating means HM1.

[0252] The content described in the "Central Display Area" of FIG. 12 is the content displayed in the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M, and is related to the adjustment of the heating status during cooking, such as temperature, time, heating power, "Strong" and "Weak". In other words, various control conditions are described in the "Central Display Area". The default setting content of this "Central Display Area" is listed in the "Default" column in the right column of that "Central Display Area".

[0253] The content described in the "Right Display Area" of FIG. 12 shows the content displayed in the third area 24 of the central display unit 16M. The content of the default setting of the "Right Display Area" is listed in the "Default" column in the right column of the "Right Display Area". The blank part does not mean a controllable condition that can be changed, but means that no information is displayed, or appropriate explanatory texts that cannot be selected or changed by the user US are displayed in the third area 24.

[0254] Next, a total of 13 types of control menus displayed in the "Left Display Area" of FIG. 12 will be described. (1) Warm: It means heating the food in the heating chamber 6 using the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2). This "Warm" is also applicable to the reheating of the food. Since the default setting is "80 °C", the microwave heating automatically stops when the food is heated to 80 °C. Note that "80 °C" is the target temperature, and this temperature can be adjusted by the user US before the start of heating. As shown in the central display area of FIG. 12, for example, it can be set in 5-degree increments within the range of 0 °C to 90 °C.

[0255] (2) Range Manual: It means heating the food in the heating chamber 6 using the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2). The heating time is set by the user US to a specific time between 10 seconds and 60 minutes.

[0256] (3) Boil Leafy Vegetables: It is suitable for boiling the food in the heating chamber 6 using the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2), especially vegetables with leaves for consumption, such as spinach and Chinese cabbage. The infrared sensor 13 measures the temperature rise of the food in real time and automatically stops.

[0257] (4) Boil Root Vegetables: It is suitable for boiling the food in the heating chamber 6 using the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2), especially root vegetables such as roots, rhizomes, and potatoes.

[0258] (5) Meat thawing: This is suitable for thawing various frozen meats in the heating chamber 6. (6) Range grill (RG) cooking: This combines microwave heating using microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) and oven heating using upper radiant heat heating means 12a and lower radiant heat heating means 12b to heat and cook the object to be cooked in the heating chamber 6.

[0259] (7) Range grill (RG) reheating: This is suitable for reheating the cooked object to be cooked in the heating chamber 6. (8) Range grill (RG) manual: The user US can appropriately select microwave heating and oven heating to heat and cook the object to be cooked in the heating chamber 6.

[0260] (9) Grill: This uses one or both of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b to heat the food in the heating chamber 6. That is, it is a control menu using the third heating means HM3.

[0261] In the "Grill" of the control menu, the temperature of the heating chamber 6 is not controlled, and the control to detect the temperature rise of the object to be cooked and stop the heating operation is not performed either. The heating operation is performed for the time specified by the user US within the range of 10 seconds to 30 minutes.

[0262] (10) Oven: This uses one or both of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b to heat the object to be cooked in the heating chamber 6. The temperature of the heating chamber 6 is measured in real time by the thermistor sensor 14, and the energization control of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b is performed so as to reach the set target temperature.

[0263] (11) IH Keep Warm: It heats the object to be heated, such as a pot above the central heating port 4C, to maintain the temperature set by the user US. The induction heating power used is from low power of 200W to medium power of 750W. A temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C detects the temperature of the object to be heated in real time, and based on the detected temperature, the heating control unit 43 of the control device 40 controls the power. The default temperature is 80°C as shown in Fig. 12. It is suitable for keeping warm soups, etc.

[0264] (12) IH Rice Cooking: It heats according to the quantity (rice cooking amount) set by the user US. The induction heating power used is from low power of 200W to high power of 1500W. A temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C is used to detect abnormal heating (also called overheating state, overheat. The same applies hereinafter) of the object to be heated. When an abnormal temperature is detected, the control device 40 reduces the power or stops the heating operation.

[0265] (13) IH Heating: It heats according to the induction heating power set by the user US. There are 5 levels of power that can be set, with Power 1: 200W, Power 2: 500W, Power 3: 750W, Power 4: 1000W, and Power 5: 1500W. A temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C is used to detect abnormal heating of the object to be heated. When an abnormal temperature is detected, the control device 40 reduces the power or stops the heating operation. The default power is 500W.

[0266] Next, Fig. 13 will be described. Fig. 13 is a classification table of the RG control menu (the "RG menu group" in Fig. 12) and the IH control menu (the "IH menu group" in Fig. 12) of the single cooking mode KM3 by the first heating means HM1.

[0267] The "left display area" of the first area in FIG. 12 means the first area 22 (see FIG. 8). As is clear from classification 2 in FIG. 13, the name of the control menu is also displayed in characters in the first area 22 of the central display unit 16M and is used for the user US to select the control menu.

[0268] Next, FIG. 14 will be described. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage structure of various cooking control menus in the linked cooking mode and the composite cooking mode and the correspondence relationship of the input keys. The "information indicating the main points of each control menu" shown in classification 2 of FIG. 13 is stored as the data of the third layer of the recipe data storage unit 42 as shown in FIG. 14.

[0269] Therefore, if the input keys 154M and 155M are operated to select a desired control menu, the user US can automatically or optionally display the information indicating the main points of each control menu shown in classification 2 of FIG. 13, which is in one-to-one correspondence (linked) with the control menu. An example of this automatic display is shown in FIG. 15.

[0270] Next, FIG. 15 will be described. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram explaining the display operation on the central display unit 16M when the central operation unit 15M is operated. First, when the user US presses the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 (see FIG. 10) to turn on the main power, the input functions of the left operation unit 15L, the central operation unit 15M, and the right operation unit 15R become effective. That is, the control device 40 is in a state of receiving operation signals from these operation units 15L, 15M, and 15R, and although not shown in the central display unit 16M, a predetermined screen (hereinafter referred to as the "initial standby screen" 16MH) (see FIG. 41) is displayed.

[0271] In this state, when the user US presses the input key 154M or 155M, the display screen 15ST is displayed as shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 15 shows the second specific screen 16M2. As is apparent from the display screen 15ST, in the center of the first area 22 in the front-rear direction, the name (identification information) 160 of the control menu "Warm" is displayed large.

[0272] Behind the identification information 160 of the control menu "Warm" displayed in the center of the first area 22, the characters (identification information of the control menu) 161 of "IH Heating" are displayed slightly smaller, and conversely, in front, the characters (identification information of the control menu) 162 of "Range Manual" are displayed slightly smaller.

[0273] Thus, when the user US selects a control menu, it can be seen that the next candidates are "IH Heating" and "Range Manual". If at this stage the input key 154M is pressed once, the identification information 162 of the control menu "Range Manual" is displayed large as if it has moved (to the rear) to the position of the characters (control menu identification information) 160 of "Warm". Note that the characters of the identification information 162 of the control menu have not actually moved, but only the display information has been switched.

[0274] Also, if the input key 155M is pressed once, the characters (identification information of the control menu) 161 of "IH Heating" are displayed large as if they have moved (to the front) to the position of the characters (control menu identification information) 160 of "Warm". Note that in this case as well, the identification information 162 of the control menu has not actually moved, but only the display information has been switched.

[0275] As shown in FIG. 15, on the display screen 15ST, the target temperature of "80 °C" is displayed in the second area 23. When the temperature of the object to be cooked is detected by the infrared sensor 13 to be 80 °C when heated by microwave at this target temperature, the microwave heating is automatically stopped.

[0276] If you want to change the temperature displayed in this second area 23 and change the automatic stop temperature, you can operate the input keys 156M or 157M. When you press the input key 156M once, the temperature rises by 5°C to 85°C as shown on the display screen 15UP1. When you press the input key 157M once, the temperature drops by 5°C to 75°C as shown on the display screen 15DN1.

[0277] In addition, in the second area 23, a heat source display unit 163 that displays in characters that the heat source is a microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) is displayed.

[0278] As described above, 164 is reference information that automatically displays that it is a recommended control menu for warming side dishes and the like. The content of this reference information may be another additional information 165, and two or more types of information may be alternately or sequentially displayed on the display screen (for example, the third area 24) of the central display unit 16M for several seconds.

[0279] Furthermore, as shown in Classification 2 of FIG. 13, information (reference information) 164 indicating the main points of each control menu may be displayed at any time in response to the operation of the input keys 158 or 159. That is, in this Embodiment 1, in order for the user US not to be confused about whether to select each control menu (for example, "warm"), the reference information 164 corresponding one-to-one to the control menu (for example, "warm") is displayed.

[0280] Furthermore, when the reference information 164 is being displayed as shown in FIG. 15, if you perform a touch operation on any one of the (two) input keys 158M or 159M located in front of the reference information 164, instead of the reference information 164, more detailed additional information 166 may be displayed in the third area 24.

[0281] As shown in FIG. 15, a mode in which a plurality of heating means having different heating principles, such as the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3, are driven simultaneously or automatically switched and driven with a time difference to heat-cook a common object to be cooked is the above-described "composite cooking mode" KM2.

[0282] In FIG. 15, the display screen shown on the central display unit 16M is a dedicated display screen for the "composite cooking mode" KM2 and is called the "second specific screen" 16M2.

[0283] Next, FIGS. 16 to 22 will be described. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the relationship between the display operation of the central display unit 16M and the central operation unit 15M in the composite cooking mode KM2. It shows the operation procedure before the start of the heating operation.

[0284] In FIG. 16, FG indicates the fingertip of the user US. When the main power switch 20 is turned "ON" to activate the control device 40 and the input key 154M or 155M of the central operation unit 15M is pressed, the standby initial screen 16MH (see FIG. 41) switches to the second specific screen 16M2 as shown in FIG. 16. That is, it becomes a setting operation screen for a single cooking mode such as range heating or a "composite cooking mode" KM2 such as range grill (RG) cooking.

[0285] If the input key 153M is pressed before the input key 154M or 155M, the input process for the linked cooking mode KM1 is changed. That is, from that stage, the standby initial screen 16MH (see FIG. 41) switches to the first specific screen 16M1 (see FIGS. 19 to 22).

[0286] When either the input key 154M or 155M is pressed with the fingertip FG as described above, a plurality of control menu candidates for the composite cooking mode KM2 are displayed in the first area 22 of the display screen of the central display unit 16M, that is, the "second specific screen" 16M2. That is, three pieces of identification information (including graphic marks and names of cooked foods) 160, 161, and 162 for identifying three control menus one-to-one are displayed. Among them, the position where the identification information 160 of one control menu is displayed may be hereinafter referred to as "display position A".

[0287] In this FIG. 16, there are three control menus displayed on the central display unit 16M. That is, "warm", "IH heating", and "range manual". The number of such control menus is hereinafter referred to as "the number of control menus for combined cooking".

[0288] In this Embodiment 1, the positions where the identification information 161 and 162 are displayed may be hereinafter referred to as "display position B" and "display position C", respectively.

[0289] In this Embodiment 1, the control menu ( "warm" in FIG. 16) displayed at "display position A" has the highest priority of being selected. That is, in the state of this FIG. 16, when the input key 151M is pressed, the heating operation starts with "warm".

[0290] In FIG. 16, when a touch operation (normal "short press" operation) is performed on the input key 154M adjacent to the right of the input key 155M, "range manual" is displayed at the display position A.

[0291] Also, to change the target temperature of 85°C in "warm", it is only necessary to touch the input key 156M or 157M. In this case, even if it is a "long press" instead of the normal "short press" operation, only normal temperature change input can be performed. That is, the change to the voice input mode 1 cannot be performed with the input keys 156M and 157M.

[0292] In FIG. 16, one light-emitting unit 21M corresponding to the input key 153M has a star-shaped graphic attached, which indicates that the light-emitting unit 21M blinks (or emits light in a color different from other light-emitting units) and is operable.

[0293] As is apparent from FIG. 16, when the control menu is displayed in the first area 22, one light-emitting unit 21M corresponding to the input keys 156M and 157M does not blink (or emits light in a color different from other light-emitting units). That is, it indicates that input operations are not possible.

[0294] Next, FIG. 17 will be described. As is apparent from FIG. 17, after the control menu is displayed in the first area 22, one light-emitting unit 21M corresponding to the input keys 156M and 157M blinks (or emits light in a color different from other light-emitting units), indicating that input operations for control conditions such as heating time and temperature are possible.

[0295] Also, in FIG. 17, one light-emitting unit 21M corresponding to the input key 151M is surrounded by a dashed circle, indicating that the light-emitting unit 21M blinks (or emits light in a color different from other light-emitting units) and is waiting for a cooking start command.

[0296] Incidentally, in FIG. 17, when the input key 154M, which is one of the "voice input switching keys", is touched and the touch state is "long press", a mark 154V indicating that the input key 154M has switched to the "voice input mode 1" is displayed by the light-emitting element 27B (see FIG. 10). That is, the light-emitting element 27B such as an LED arranged below the top plate 3 (see FIG. 10) lights up according to a signal from the light-emitting control unit 26, and a frame as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed at the portion of the input key 154M. Alternatively, the entire touch portion of the input key 154M is illuminated from below so that it can be clearly distinguished from other input keys.

[0297] When the mark 154V is displayed, the control unit 55 of the control device 40 is already in a state of accepting input of "control conditions" (temperature, heating time, etc.), which are lower-level commands of the control menu (e.g., "heat"), via the voice signal receiving unit 56 (see FIG. 10) (hereinafter also referred to as the "control condition input waiting state").

[0298] Therefore, instead of inputting control conditions by touching the input keys 156M or 157M, the user US can input control conditions by voice.

[0299] Next, FIG. 18 will be described. As is clear from FIG. 18, after the mark 154V is displayed, one light-emitting part 21M corresponding to the input keys 156M and 157M is not blinking (or emitting light in a color different from other light-emitting parts). That is, these input keys indicate that input operations of control conditions such as heating time and temperature are not recommended. However, when switched to the "voice input mode 1", since the input functions of the input keys that are not necessary for voice input are restricted, after the mark 154V is displayed, (if set to the voice input mode 1A), the input keys 156M and 157M cannot be input by touch operation. Note that, in this way, in order to maintain the touch input function of a specific input key (such as 156M, etc.) for inputting control conditions even after switching to the voice input mode, it is necessary to set it to the "voice input mode 1B".

[0300] As is clear from FIG. 18, after the mark 154V is displayed, auxiliary information 179 of the voice input mode 1 is displayed in a wide display area combining the second area 23 and the third area 24.

[0301] The auxiliary information 179 includes three types: voice input mode display information 179A indicating that voice input is accepted because it is the voice input mode, information 179B and 179C indicating the range and numerical values of the control conditions that can be input.

[0302] The information 179B is the condition shown in the "area 2" described in FIG. 12. That is, it indicates that the user US can only select within the range of 0°C to 90°C. The information 179C is also the condition shown in the "area 2" described in FIG. 12. That is, it indicates that in the "heat" control menu for microwave heating of frozen foods, the user US can only select within the range of -10°C to 0°C.

[0303] With the auxiliary information 179 (179A to 179C) shown in FIG. 18, the user US can input by voice and can be shown in advance the range of control conditions under which voice input is possible, thereby avoiding wasteful voice input and inappropriate vocalizations and the like, and as a result improving the operability of the user US.

[0304] As is clear from FIG. 18, after the mark 154V is displayed, in the wide display area combining the second area 23 and the third area 24, the state in which the auxiliary information 179 of the voice input mode 1 remains displayed does not satisfy the conditions for starting the heating operation. That is, the state of FIG. 18 does not recommend depressing (touch operation) the input key (start key) 151M as in FIG. 17. Therefore, the light emitting unit 21M is not in a state of emitting light (flashing).

[0305] That is, in the first embodiment, after switching to the voice input mode, in a state where predetermined control conditions are not input (the state of FIG. 18), the heating operation cannot be started.

[0306] Next, FIG. 19 will be described. FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the relationship between the display operation of the central display unit 16M and the central operation unit 15M in the cooperative cooking mode KM1. It shows the stage before the start of the heating operation.

[0307] In FIG. 19, when the main power switch 20 is turned “ON” to activate the control device 40 and the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M is pressed, the standby initial screen 16MH (see FIG. 40) switches to the first specific screen 16M1 shown in this FIG. 19.

[0308] If the input key 154M or 155M is pressed before the input key 153M, as shown in FIG. 16, the input process for the composite cooking mode KM2 is changed, and the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed.

[0309] Also, even if the input keys 155M or 156M have been pressed previously and the setting operation for a single cooking mode such as range heating or a "compound cooking mode" KM2 such as range grill (RG) cooking has been partially performed, if it is before the stage of pressing the input key 151M, it will change to the input process for the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 from the stage of pressing the input key 153M. That is, only the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed on the central display unit 16M from this stage.

[0310] Figure 19 shows the state immediately after the input key 153M is pressed, and the identification information 167 of a specific cooking menu (e.g., hamburger) set by default is displayed in the first area 22.

[0311] Subsequent to the input key 153M, if the input key 154M or 155M is then touched, in the first area 22 of the display screen (first specific screen) 16M1 of the central display unit 16M, another identification information (including a graphic mark, name of the food to be cooked) 168 or 169 for specifying the food to be cooked (which is a cooperative cooking menu) targeted by the plurality of cooperative cooking modes KM1 is displayed.

[0312] In this Figure 19, the number of "foods to be cooked" that can be executed in the cooperative cooking mode displayed on the central display unit 16M is three. That is, hamburger, gratin, and roast beef, and the number of such foods to be cooked is thus called the "number of cooperative cooking menus".

[0313] In this Embodiment 1, there are a total of eight cooperative cooking menus. Details will be described in Figure 25. However, it is possible to obtain recipe data CD from a smartphone (communication terminal) 200 to be described later and further increase the "number of cooperative cooking menus".

[0314] In Figure 19, 167, 168, and 169 are identification information, and in this Embodiment 1, they are information for specifying the names of the foods to be cooked (e.g., hamburger, gratin, roast beef) in a one-to-one relationship. When explaining all the identification information of the cooperative cooking menu KM1, the reference sign 167 is used.

[0315] The position where the identification information 160 of the control menu described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18 was displayed was called "display position A". On the other hand, in the linked cooking mode KM1, the position where the identification information 167 is displayed is also the display position A.

[0316] In the first embodiment, the positions where the identification information 160 and the identification information 167 are displayed are the same "display position A", but they may be set at different positions. However, within the linked cooking mode KM1, in order not to cause confusion to the user US, for the eight linked cooking menus, they should always be at the same position (display position A). Also, in the combined cooking mode KM2, it is advisable to unify them to always be at the same (one) "display position A" for each control menu.

[0317] As shown in FIG. 19, the heating unit specifying units 171L and 171R are displayed. By touching the input keys 156M and 157M, at this stage, one of the right IH coil 9R and the left IH coil 9L can be selected. In the combined cooking mode KM2, the control conditions such as the heating power could be input by operating the input keys 156M and 157M, but in this central operation unit 15M, such control condition input cannot be performed for either the right IH coil 9R or the left IH coil 9L. The input of the control conditions is performed by the input keys 154R, 154L, etc. of the right operation unit 15R or the left operation unit 15L. Note that such input of the control conditions can be performed by the corresponding left and right operation units 15L and 15R after the cooking process has started. If the input keys 154M and 155M are not operated (within a certain period of time), it automatically advances to the next step and switches to the display screen of FIG. 20.

[0318] FIG. 20 will be described. In FIG. 20, the heating unit specifying units 171L and 171R are displayed within the first specific screen 16M1. Therefore, if the user US operates the input keys 157M and 156M adjacent to each other on the left and right, one of the right IH coil 9R and the left IH coil 9L can be selected. In the first embodiment, the left heating unit 4L is set as the default, and the operation of the input keys 157M and 156M is not essential.

[0319] In FIG. 20, as the operation support information 170, “Press the start button to start heating with the left IH” is displayed. This means that if the input key 151M of the central operation unit 15M is pressed, induction heating (cooking step 1 in the linked cooking mode KM1) can be started with the left IH coil 9L. However, in the first embodiment, after the input key 151M, it is necessary to press the input key 153L in the left operation unit 15L.

[0320] As shown in FIG. 20, above the identification information 167 shown on the first specific screen 16M1 (at the rear position in plan view), identification information 168 indicating the name of another cooked food (for example, gratin) is displayed.

[0321] Also, below the identification information 167, identification information 169 indicating the name of another cooked food (for example, roast beef) is displayed. In FIG. 20, one light-emitting unit 21M corresponding to the input key 151M is surrounded by a dashed circle, which indicates that the light-emitting unit 21M is blinking (or emitting light in a color different from other light-emitting units) and waiting for a cooking start command.

[0322] Each time either one of the input keys 154M and 155M is operated once, the identification information 167 indicating the name of the food to be cooked (for example, hamburger) changes its display in a form that sequentially moves one step upward or downward. That is, the identification information 167 can be sequentially displayed at a predetermined position (front-rear center position) in the first area 22, in other words, at the display position B, by forward and reverse feeding.

[0323] In the first embodiment, there are a total of eight types of objects to be cooked in the coordinated cooking mode KM1 (see Fig. 25). Therefore, for example, if the left input key 155M is operated eight times, the identification information 167 of one object to be cooked (e.g., hamburger) will cycle through. Conversely, if the right input key 154M is operated eight times, the identification information 167 of one object to be cooked (e.g., hamburger) will cycle through.

[0324] By the way, after selecting a cooking menu (e.g., hamburger), as described above, after finishing the selection of the left and right heating units 4L and 4R or the input of control conditions (e.g., preheating temperature), it is necessary to give a start command for the heating operation with the input key 151M.

[0325] For the input of the left and right heating units 4L and 4R and control conditions (e.g., preheating temperature) as described above, since it is necessary to press either the input key 154M or 155M multiple times individually, the user US will be required to perform touch operations multiple times. This is the same in the case of the composite cooking mode KM2 described above. For example, as described with reference to Fig. 12, for example, the temperature setting in the case of "warming" can be selected in the range of 0 to 90 °C, but with either the input key 156M or 157M, only 5 degrees can be increased (or decreased) with one touch operation. Therefore, for example, to input 15 degrees, it is necessary to perform the touch operation three times ("short press").

[0326] Therefore, in the first embodiment, in order to reduce the cumbersome input operation, in this coordinated cooking mode KM1, with the identification information 167 of one cooking menu displayed at the predetermined position B in the first area 22 as shown in Figs. 19 and 20, it can be changed to the voice input mode by the input key 154M.

[0327] When the touch operation of the input key 154M, which is one of the voice input switching keys, is a "long press" as described above, as shown in Fig. 20, a mark 154V indicating that the mode has been switched to the voice input mode is displayed so as to surround the touch part of the input key 154M.

[0328] An explanation will be given of Fig. 21. When the mark 154V indicating the switch to the voice input mode is displayed, as shown in FIG. 21, as auxiliary information 179, voice input mode display information 179A indicating that voice input is being accepted may be displayed on the first specific screen 16M1.

[0329] The state of FIG. 21 is a state where the left and right heating units 4L and 4R have not been selected yet. In the state of FIG. 21, if the user US inputs setting information such as "left IH" by voice, for example, the fact that the left heating port 4L has been selected is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1. The following FIG. 22 is an example when the function is set to automatically select the left heating unit 4L. As shown in FIG. 22, the automatic selection result of the left heating port 4L is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1.

[0330] Also, in the state of FIG. 22, one light emitting unit 21M corresponding to the input key 151M blinks (or emits light in a color different from other light emitting units) as surrounded by a dashed circle, waits for a cooking start command, and proceeds to the next state. Therefore, if the input key 151M is pressed, the heating and cooking operation is started.

[0331] Next, FIG. 23 will be described. In FIG. 23(A), FG indicates the fingertip of the user US. Each time the input key 155M is pressed once, as shown in FIG. 23(B), the display content of the first specific screen 16M1 changes as shown in the display screens 23A to 23D.

[0332] As described above, the user US previously sets the function setting mode (using the function setting key 151KP) with the input operation unit 15, and during the period of the function setting mode, a plurality of input keys of the input operation unit 15 are operated to display individual cooking menus of the linked cooking mode KM1 on the central display unit 16M. In this case, a setting can be made to prioritize and display either the food components or the nutritional components.

[0333] For example, as described above, when the function setting key 151KP is pressed, a dedicated display screen for the "function setting menu" is displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M. Therefore, it is advisable to pre-set so that a specific one input key (for example, 156M) other than the function setting key 151KP can be "long-pressed" to automatically select the food ingredient display mode. For example, for one setting menu (for example, hamburger) in the above-mentioned "function setting menu", set it to a display screen that automatically displays "food ingredient display" or "nutritional ingredient display".

[0334] Furthermore, when in the state of the display screen for setting such "food ingredient display" and "nutritional ingredient display", if a specific one input key (for example, any one of 156M, 157M, etc.) other than the function setting key 151KP is operated, it may also be possible to set the conditions for setting "food ingredient display" and "nutritional ingredient display", or to cancel the setting. For example, as a specific range, it may be possible to set so that only "iron content" among nutrients and "energy (calorie conversion value)" of the ingredient are displayed.

[0335] For this reason, when the function setting key 151KP is set to prioritize either the food ingredients or the nutritional ingredients and display them preferentially based on that, "hamburger" is not necessarily displayed first as shown in Fig. 23(A).

[0336] On the other hand, as described above, when the input key 180 is pressed, the user US can search for cooking menus by voice. Therefore, for example, if a voice input such as "menu with a small calorie value" is made at this stage of Fig. 23, the cooking menu with the smallest calorie value (energy amount) among the eight cooking menus is displayed at a predetermined position (front and rear center position, that is, the "display position A") in the first area 22 on the first specific screen 16M1.

[0337] For example, in FIG. 23, three types of cooking menus, gratin, hamburger, and roast beef, are displayed. Therefore, when the input key 180 is pressed at this point, the voice input mode 2 is entered. After that, the user US may give a voice input of "a menu with few calories". Incidentally, the amount of energy per 100 g (unit: kcal) is approximately 152 for gratin (macaroni gratin), 223 for hamburger, and 196 for roast beef. Therefore, among these three, macaroni is extracted as the "menu with the lowest calorie value".

[0338] On the other hand, in the state of FIG. 23, the input key 154M may be "long-pressed" to switch to the voice input mode 1, and a menu with a low calorie value may be extracted by voice input.

[0339] Next, FIG. 24 will be described. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing the display content of the central display unit 16M in the case of the linked cooking mode KM1, and is an example in which the standard components and nutritional components of "hamburger", which is one of the cooking menus, are displayed.

[0340] At the stage of FIGS. 20 to 23, when the user US issues a command to display either food components or nutritional components by voice input, or when the input key 158M or 159M is touched during the stage when the operation support information 170 is displayed (see FIG. 20), the first specific screen 16M1 temporarily switches to the display screens of FIGS. 24(A) and 24(B). When the input key 158M is pressed, it means that a command to display food components has been issued.

[0341] In the following description, the display screen of FIG. 24(A) is referred to as the "food component display screen" 16M1A, and the display screen of FIG. 24(B) is referred to as the "nutritional component display screen" 16M1B.

[0342] The food component display screen 16M1A and the nutritional component display screen 16M1B automatically return to the state of the original first specific screen 16M1 after a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since they were displayed. Alternatively, when the user US gives some command by voice input, or when either of the input keys 158M or 159M is operated one more time within the said fixed time (10 seconds), the display program of the control device 40 is defined to return to the state of the original first specific screen 16M1.

[0343] Explanation will be given about Fig. 25. Fig. 25 is a list showing the correspondence between the cooking menu in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1 and the said operation support information 170 (refer to Fig. 20).

[0344] As can be seen from Fig. 25, there are at least two types of the said operation support information 170. That is, there are two types: operation support information A (170A) and operation support information B (170B). The first operation support information A (170A) is "It is determined by the start button". This "start button" refers to the input key 151M. The second operation support information B (170B) is the information "The IH to be used can be changed". The data of the list shown in this Fig. 25 is stored in the storage device 41 of the control device 40.

[0345] As shown in Fig. 25, for each cooking object (cooking menu), when the user US performs cooking using the recipe data CD, the "specific input key" that requires an operation is determined in advance, and this information is also stored in the said storage device 41. As described above, the recipe data CD for implementing one cooking is obtained in two stages: a first part M1 that sets a cooking process 1 using one or two heating means, and a second part M2 that sets a cooking process 2 using the other said heating means.

[0346] For example, in the case of "hamburger", the specific input key for obtaining the data of the first part (the first part M1) of the cooking process 1 is either one of the two, 152L and 152R. That is, among the two input keys, 152R of the right heating unit 15R and 152L of the left operation unit 15L, the user US can select and input either one according to their judgment. Note that both cannot be selected, and when either one is selected, the selection process of the specific input key is completed.

[0347] Furthermore, when obtaining the data of the second part M2 for setting the cooking process 2, it is necessary to input and operate another specific input key. For example, in the case of the above-mentioned "hamburger", the specific input key for obtaining the data of the second part (the second part M2) of the cooking process 2 is 153M. That is, it is only necessary to operate the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M. Note that in this way, when obtaining the recipe data CD, the specific input key to be input and operated is determined in advance as described in the "Specific Input Key" column of FIG. 25, and this information is stored in the storage device 41.

[0348] The above two types of operation support information A (170A) and operation support information B (170B) are automatically switched before the start of the cooking process in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3. For example, they are alternately displayed every few seconds.

[0349] Next, FIG. 26 will be described. In this first embodiment, as one type of the cooperative cooking mode KM1, a "cooperative preheating cooking mode" KM4 is provided. There are two types of the cooperative preheating cooking mode KM4.

[0350] For example, "hamburger" is a cooking menu that uses the cooperative preheating cooking mode KM4. In the case of this "hamburger", its preheating process is performed by the first heating means HM1.

[0351] When the cooking process 1 is started during the execution of the preheating process, at the start time of the cooking process 1, the heating operation of the preheating process is not stopped. Therefore, the energization of the first heating means HM1 and the energization of the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) and the third heating means HM3 responsible for cooking step 1 are carried out in parallel in the same time period.

[0352] In other words, in the coordinated preheating cooking mode KM4, the heating source (the first heating means HM1 in the above description) that has started operating before cooking step 1 is not necessarily stopped at the start time of cooking step 1, and during the period of cooking step 1, it may be energized together with one or both of the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) and the third heating means HM3.

[0353] Unless there is a particular contradiction, the following explanation is based on the premise that the coordinated cooking mode KM1 includes the coordinated preheating cooking mode KM4.

[0354] At the stage of selecting the coordinated cooking mode KM1 (KM4), when the identification information 167 indicating the name of the object to be cooked is displayed on the central display unit 16M, the left operation unit 15L of the left IH coil 9L becomes unusable for other cooking menus (also referred to as "occupied state").

[0355] Specifically, among the various input keys of the left operation unit 15L, at least the input key 153L is invalidated by the heating control unit 43. This "invalidated" means that no valid command signal is transmitted from the input key 153L to the heating control unit 43, and even if a valid command signal is transmitted, the heating control unit 43 does not process the command signal as a valid command signal. In any case, heating by the left IH coil 9L cannot be selected.

[0356] At the same time, when the identification information 167 is displayed, the right operation unit 15R of the right heating port 4R may be disabled (by "invalidating" the input key 153R). However, if the user US has previously made a function setting (using the function setting key 151KP) on the input operation unit 15 so as not to perform this "invalidating", and if the right IH coil 9R is already being used for another control menu (while the heating operation is in progress), then the right IH coil 9R can still be used as it is. On the other hand, in the coordinated cooking mode KM1, if there is such a fact that it has been previously used (for other cooking), it is determined that it cannot be used (by the heating control unit 43).

[0357] Therefore, only the left IH coil 9L is in the "occupied" state by the selection of the coordinated cooking mode KM1 (KM4). Also, from the perspective of the entire first heating source HM1, only a part of the three heating ports 4L, 4C, 4R (the left IH coil 9L) has its use "restricted". If the right IH coil 9R is not in use for other cooking, this right IH coil 9R may also be put in the occupied state in the same way.

[0358] Continue to explain with reference to FIG. 26. This FIG. 26 shows the operation steps when performing "karaage" in the coordinated cooking mode KM1 (coordinated preheating cooking mode KM4). In FIG. 26, #1 to #9 indicate the operations of the user US and the state changes of the heating cooker 1.

[0359] The "karaage" shown in FIG. 26 is different from the case of the "hamburger" described above. The cooking step 1 is performed in the heating chamber 6, and the cooking step 2 is performed by the first heating means HM1.

[0360] In FIG. 26, in order for the user US to cook "karaage", before starting the cooking step 1, first select the left IH coil 9L and press the input key 151L. Then, start preheating the object to be heated N placed on the top plate 3 (step Y21). The object to be heated N in this case is a metal pot, frying pan, etc., and a certain amount or more of cooking oil is put in.

[0361] On one hand, user US opens the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 and puts the "karaage" ingredients (such as seasoned chicken) into the heating chamber 6 (#1). After closing the door 7, an operation called "press the start button" (step Y22) is performed. This is to press the input key 151M of the central operation unit 15M.

[0362] At this point, the microwave heating source (the second heating means HM2) operates and the cooking process 1 of microwave heating cooking starts. Then, the notification 1 of reference information is performed.

[0363] The said notification 1 is, for example, to inform the time until the end of heating, such as "Microwave heating has started. The heating time is 〇 minutes". Or, when performing control to detect the temperature of the object to be cooked and determine the end time of heating, for example, it may be a notification of information indicating the target temperature, such as "Heat to 〇〇 °C".

[0364] Also, during this cooking process 1, the preheating of the left IH coil 9L is completed (for example, the object to be heated is in a state of being heated to the standard preheating temperature of 180 °C) (step Y23A). The completion of this preheating is notified to the user US by voice and characters by the voice notification unit 51 and the central display unit 16M (the first specific screen 16M1) (step Y23B).

[0365] User US can stop the microwave heating at any timing during the cooking process 1. To stop, just open the door 7. Note that pressing the input key 152M of the central operation unit 15M once can temporarily stop the microwave heating. However, if the input key 152M is pressed twice continuously in a short time, the cooking mode is cancelled and the selection of "karaage" in the coordinated cooking mode is cancelled. The stop of the microwave heating is notified immediately before or after (step Y24)

[0366] The microwave heating operation is immediately stopped by opening the door 7, and the cooking process 1 ends (#3). Next, user US moves the food heated in the heating chamber 6 into the object to be heated (such as a frying pan) that is preheated on the top plate 3 (#4).

[0367] Then, start cooking process 2 at the left heating port 4L (#5). In cooking process 2, before starting preheating, first the input key 153L (see Fig. 6) of the left operation unit 15L is pressed. So, at the start of this cooking process 2, there is no need to operate the left operation unit 15L. That is, for example, when the food (the material for deep-frying) is moved into the object to be heated that has been preheated to 180°C, the heating of the food starts at the temperature of the object to be heated (this point is the start point of cooking process 2).

[0368] As described above, for the start of cooking process 2 (#5), user US does not particularly need to operate the input operation unit 15. The point when the object to be cooked is placed on the object to be heated and starts to be heated is the start point of cooking process 2. However, when the object to be cooked is placed, the temperature sensor group 30 (see Fig. 10) detects that the temperature of the object to be heated temporarily drops, and the start point of cooking process 2 may be determined electrically. The end of cooking process 2 can be ended at any timing if user US operates the left operation unit 15L.

[0369] Next, user US moves the object to be cooked again. First, open the door 7, put the object to be cooked into the heating chamber 6, and close the door 7 (#6). Then, press the input key 151M of the central operation unit 15M to start cooking process 3 of the range grill control menu (RG control menu) (step Y26).

[0370] In this case, in order to prevent microwave heating or the like (so-called "dry heating") without putting the object to be cooked into the heating chamber 6, after the cooking process 1 is completed, the door 7 is opened once, and then, only when it is detected (by the door opening / closing detection unit 10 of the door 7) that the door 7 is closed again, the heating operation can be started by pressing the input key 151M. Also, the timing of operating this input key 151M is restricted to a certain time (for example, 3 minutes) from the end point of the cooking process 1, or restricted to a certain time (for example, 2 minutes) from the time when the door 7 is opened and then closed again, thereby improving safety.

[0371] When a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the cooking process 3 by the range grill drive unit in the heating chamber 6 due to the operation input of the user US, the operation support information 170 is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1. Also, it is notified by voice (step Y27).

[0372] The voice notification is information including guidance such as "Heating will end in 30 seconds. If you want to extend the time, please set the time", etc. Also, since it can be understood that the final cooking process is completed, the user US can start preparations for taking out the "karaage" from the heating chamber 6 from the time of the notification of this operation support information 170. Also, in synchronization with this, the content of the operation support information 170 is displayed in characters or the like by the central display unit 16M. Note that the operation support information 170 is displayed at a specific position on the first specific screen 16M1 as in the example shown in FIG. 20.

[0373] Thereafter, the microwave heating operation is stopped and the cooking process 3 ends (#7). Note that this cooking process 3 can be immediately stopped if the user US opens the door 7. Then, afterwards, the user US moves the foodstuff heated in the heating chamber 6 into the object to be heated that is being preheated on the top plate 3 this time (#8). Note that in this case, if the object to be heated is maintained in a heated state by induction heating until after the end of the cooking process 3, the object to be cooked may be placed on the object to be heated and induction heating (cooking process 4) may be started (#9).

[0374] Induction heating cooking can be ended by operating the left operation unit 15L. That is, the cooking end operation (step Y28) of the user US at this time is to press the input key 153L of the left operation unit 15L corresponding to the left IH coil 9L.

[0375] The cooking sequence shown in this Figure 26 can shorten the time required from the start of the induction heating operation (start of the preheating process) to the end of Cooking Step 1. That is, without waiting for the completion of preheating by induction heating or the notification of such preheating completion, the food material (object to be cooked) is put into the heating chamber 6 at an earlier time point, and Cooking Step 1 is started.

[0376] Before Cooking Step 1 is completed, since the preheating by the first heating means HM1 is completed, after the end of Cooking Step 1, the object to be cooked can be immediately transferred into the object to be heated on the top plate 3, and Cooking Step 2 can be started.

[0377] In the example of "karaage" in this Figure 26, there is Cooking Step 3, but it is not always necessary to have Cooking Step 3 or Cooking Step 4 like this. It may be ended with the necessary cooking steps according to the type of the object to be cooked and the wishes of the user US, etc.

[0378] Also, in Figure 26, it is a figure where the "left IH coil driving period" continues even after Cooking Step 2 is completed, but after Cooking Step 2 is completed, the driving of the left IH coil 9L can be stopped at any time by the left operation unit 15L. However, as shown by the dashed-line frame in Figure 26, when the left IH coil 9L is also used in Cooking Step 4, it is necessary to start the preheating operation again before Cooking Step 4.

[0379] Next, Figure 27 will be described. This Figure 27 shows the operation steps when "karaage" is performed as the cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 similar to Figure 26. In FIG. 27, #1 to #9 indicate the operations of the user US and the state changes of the cooking appliance 1 as described in FIG. 26. Other reference numerals correspond to those in FIG. 26.

[0380] The differences between this FIG. 27 and FIG. 26 will be described. FIG. 27 shows a case where, after waiting for the preheating of the object to be heated by the first heating means HM1 to be completed (step Y23A) and the notification thereof (step Y23B), the cooking process 1 is started in the heating chamber 6.

[0381] Step Y21 indicates the start of driving of the first heating means HM1. When the user US sees the completion of the preheating of the object to be heated by the first heating means HM1 (step Y23A) displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 or the left and right display units 16L and 16R (step Y23B), and also hears an audio notification from the audio notification unit 50, the user US opens the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 and puts the "karaage" ingredients (seasoned chicken, etc.) into the heating chamber 6 (#1). After closing the door 7, the user US presses the input key 151M of the central operation unit 15M.

[0382] At this time, the cooking process 1 of microwave cooking starts (step Y22). Then, the above-mentioned notification 1 of the reference information is made. After this, the process is the same as that shown in FIG. 26.

[0383] The required time from the start of the heating operation of the first heating means HM1 (start of the preheating process) to the end of the cooking process 1 shown in this FIG. 27 is longer than that in FIG. 26.

[0384] However, since the heating of the food (object to be cooked) starts in the heating chamber 6 after waiting for the completion of the preheating by the first heating means HM1 or the notification of the completion of the preheating (step Y23B), when the cooking process 1 in this heating chamber 6 ends, if the object to be cooked is moved, there is a guarantee that the cooking process 2 can be immediately started by the first heating means HM1. Therefore, this method is suitable for a user US who is not very familiar with the coordinated preheating cooking mode KM4.

[0385] Note that in FIG. 27, the figure shows that the "driving period of the left IH coil 9L" continues even after the cooking process 2 is completed. However, if the first heating means HM1 is not used after the cooking process 2 is completed, the driving of the left IH coil 9L can be stopped at any time by the left operation unit 15L after the cooking process 2 is completed. However, as described by the dashed frame in FIG. 27, if the left IH coil 9L is also used in the cooking process 4, it is necessary to start preheating again before the cooking process 4.

[0386] In FIGS. 26 and 27, the first heating means HM1 is energized first to start the preheating operation, while the cooking process 1 is performed in the heating chamber 6. The "cooperative preheating cooking mode" KM4 of this Embodiment 1 is not limited to the case where the cooking process 1 is performed in the heating chamber in this way.

[0387] In other cooperative preheating cooking modes KM4, first, the heating operation by the first heating means HM1 is started, and the object to be heated such as a frying pan is heated to the preheating target temperature (for example, 180°C). When the target temperature is reached, the object to be cooked is placed on the object to be heated, and the cooking process 1 is started in this way. Note that after this preheating process, with the object to be cooked placed on the object to be heated, it is moved into the heating chamber 6, and the object to be cooked and the object to be heated are placed together in the heating chamber 6. In order to further heat with the third heating means HM3, the cooking process 2 may be executed. However, in that case, if the object to be heated is a metal pot or a frying pan, it will interfere with heating by the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating source), so it is necessary to place it in a heat-resistant glass or porcelain container and place it in the heating chamber 6.

[0388] Next, FIG. 28 will be described. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the heating control unit 43 until the transition to the cooperative cooking mode KM1.

[0389] In the cooperative cooking mode KM1 of the first embodiment, there is a pattern (first cooperative cooking mode) in which first, the first heating means HM1 is driven, and then at least one of the second heating means HM2 or the third heating means HM3 is driven. As shown in the list in FIG. 25, there are four representative examples of cooking menus suitable for cooking in this pattern, ranging from "hamburger" to "gratin".

[0390] There is also a second cooperative cooking mode in the reverse order. As shown in the lower half of the list in FIG. 25, there are four representative examples of cooking menus suitable for cooking in this second cooperative cooking mode, ranging from "karaage" to "tempura".

[0391] The steps in FIG. 28 are common to both the first cooperative cooking mode and the second cooperative cooking mode. First, in the first step SB1, it is the time when the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M is operated. Thereby, the cooperative cooking mode KM1 is started.

[0392] The next step SB2 is to display the first specific screen 16M1 on the central display unit 16M and display various information for executing the cooperative cooking mode KM1. In this step SB2, in order to select the cooking menu of each individual cooperative cooking mode, as one type of identification information 167, the "name of the object to be cooked" (for example, "hamburger") 167 is displayed at the center in the front-rear direction of the first area 22, that is, at the display position A.

[0393] Depending on the selection of the cooperative cooking mode KM1, the timing when the heating means (the first heating means HM1 to the third heating means HM3) becomes in the "occupied" state can be either of the following two. (1) As described above, for example, after the case when the left IH coil 9L for cooking process 1 is selected (in FIG. 28, "start of occupied state (case 2)" after step SB4 is applicable). (2) After step SB2 as shown in FIG. 28 (in FIG. 28, "start of occupied state (case 1)" is applicable).

[0394] In the next step SB3, it is determined whether at least one of the input keys 154M and 155M has been operated. As described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 19 to 22, by operating the two input keys 154M and 155M, it is possible to select identification information 167 indicating the name of the food to be cooked (for example, hamburger) that can be cooked in the coordinated cooking mode.

[0395] If the input keys 154M and 155M are not operated (within a certain period of time), the process proceeds to step SB4. Step SB4 is a step of selecting one of the heating unit specifying units 171L and 171R displayed in the first specific screen 16M1 as described above. If the user US operates the input keys 157M and 156M adjacent to each other on the left and right, it is possible to select either the right IH coil 9R or the left IH coil 9L.

[0396] Note that the left heating port 4L may be set as the default, and the heating unit specifying unit 171L may be first displayed on the first specific screen 16M1, and the process may proceed directly to step SB5. In the example described with reference to FIG. 22, when cooking a hamburger in the coordinated cooking mode, the left heating port 4L is set as the default, and the left IH coil 9L is preferentially selected.

[0397] In the next step SB5, it is determined whether an input operation for canceling the selection of the coordinated cooking mode has been performed. If the input key 152M is operated once, it is determined as "Yes", and the process returns to step SB3. If the input key 152M is continuously operated twice within a certain short period of time (for example, 5 seconds), it is determined that the coordinated cooking mode KM1 is canceled, and the process returns to the standby initial screen state before step SB1. Therefore, the selection of the three cooking modes KM1 to KM3 returns to the state where it is at the first stage.

[0398] On the other hand, if the input key 151M is operated while the input key 152M is not being operated, the process proceeds to the next step SB6, and the cooking step 1 of the coordinated cooking mode KM1 is started.

[0399] In FIG. 28, in the operation program of the coordinated cooking mode KM1, for example, in a specific coordinated cooking menu (recipe) such as "hamburger", according to the "cooking conditions" (including "control conditions" such as heat power and heating time), various functional parts are activated. That is, the coordinated cooking mode KM1 is entered from this stage.

[0400] First, in step SB7, the display unit corresponding to the heating unit selected in step SB4 is activated. However, in the case of a cooking menu that uses the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2) or the third heating means HM3 in cooking step 1 (for example, "karaage" as described above), since the central display unit 16M has already been activated, no new display unit is activated in this step SB7.

[0401] In cooking step 1, for example, in the case of a cooking menu that uses the left IH coil 9L, in step SB7, the left display unit 16L is activated. Then, the input function of the left operation unit 15L becomes effective, and it waits for the input of the user US. Then, it proceeds to step SB8.

[0402] In step SB8, waiting for the operation of the input key 153L, the cooking process of the coordinated cooking mode KM1 is started. Note that as the display content of the first specific screen 16M1 in step SB8, process information 172 such as that in the first cooking step 1, the left IH coil 9L is used, and in the next cooking step 2, the microwave heating means (the second heating means HM2) is used, is displayed as described with reference to FIG. 19.

[0403] Next, FIGS. 29 and 30 will be described. FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the heating control unit 43 until it shifts to the coordinated cooking mode. FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing the permission conditions and determination results before shifting to the coordinated cooking mode.

[0404] Referring to FIG. 29. Steps ST1 to ST8 are operation steps defined in the basic operation program of the heating control unit 43. First, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed (ST1), in the next step ST2, the heating control unit 43 determines whether there is an abnormality.

[0405] At the stage of step ST2, the central display unit 16M is activated and displays a message indicating that "since there is no abnormality, cooking can be started". At this stage, the heating control unit 43 also checks whether it has received a setting command from the input operation unit 15 regarding the upper limit value of the total power consumption.

[0406] If, at the stage of step ST2, the heating cooker 1 is set to transmit startup information to the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300, the communication unit 51 wirelessly transmits the startup information (operation state data OS) at this stage.

[0407] At the stage of the next step ST3, the central display unit 16M and the voice notification unit 51 also provide notifications and voice guidance for prompting the selection of the heating means. At the next step ST4, the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed on the central display unit 16M, and usage caution information for the user US is also displayed.

[0408] Then, it is determined whether an input key other than the input key 153M (for example, 154M) has been operated (ST5). If the input key 153M has been operated, step ST5 becomes "No" and proceeds to step ST6. That is, it proceeds to the step of using the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3.

[0409] In step ST6, the permission condition determination unit 54 checks whether the "permission conditions" are met. For example, it checks the usage status of the heat source used in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1. The permission conditions and the determination results will be described in detail in FIG. 30 below.

[0410] In step ST5, the first input operation is checked. For example, before the input key 153M is pressed, it is determined whether the left operation unit 15L or the right operation unit 15R has been operated, and it is also determined whether the "combination cooking mode" KM2 has been selected by the central operation unit 15M (by the input keys 154M or 155M).

[0411] If the operation of the input key 153M is first performed within a certain grace period (for example, 30 seconds) from step ST3, the display for the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1 starts as described above.

[0412] On the other hand, if the operation of the input key 153M is not performed and a touch operation of another input key (for example, the input key 155M or 154M) is performed, step ST5 determines "Yes" and proceeds to step ST9 for starting cooking other than the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1. Note that the details of step ST9 are omitted here.

[0413] In FIG. 29, steps ST6 and ST7 are operation steps for determining whether to permit cooking in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1. Step ST6 is the stage of determining the "permission condition 1".

[0414] Here, the "permission condition 1" is (1) The "peak cut value" that defines the upper limit of the maximum power consumption that can be used by the heating cooker 1 is 5000 W or more. (2) When there is a power reduction command signal received by the control device 40 via the communication unit 51 from the external cloud server 300 or the communication terminal 200, the peak cut value of the reduction command is 5000 W or more. These are the two conditions, and if both are satisfied, step ST6 determines "Yes".

[0415] The "permission condition 2" in the next step ST7 consists of the following four conditions. (1) In the first heating means HM1, the central heating port 4C is not in the heating operation. (2) Either the second heating means HM2 or the third heating means HM3, or both, are not in the heating operation.

[0416] (3) In the first heating means HM1, neither the right heating port 4R nor the left heating port 4L is being used for the heating operation (or only one of them is being used for the heating operation). That is, neither the left IH coil 9L nor the right IH coil 9R is being used for the heating operation. (4) Satisfying the "permission condition 4" described later. That is, the latest temperature of the top plate 3 is not a high temperature exceeding the limit value (for example, 100 °C).

[0417] If the above four conditions are met, step ST7 will be judged as "Yes". Then, it proceeds to step ST10. That is, it can proceed to the step of inputting the start of cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM1. That is, in step ST10, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed.

[0418] If the judgment in steps ST6 and ST7 is "No", it proceeds to step ST8, and the central display unit 16M and the voice notification unit 50 notify the user US that the cooperative cooking mode KM1 cannot be selected.

[0419] Here, the meaning of stipulating that the "permission condition 1" is "5000 W or more" will be explained. For the sake of simplicity in the following explanation, the power consumption of electrical components other than the heating source, such as the internal cooling fan (not shown) of the main body 2, etc., will not be particularly mentioned.

[0420] The reason why a demand of 5000 W or more is required when implementing the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1 (pre-ensuring the power demand) is that the maximum (instantaneous) power during the operation of each heating source when the cooperative cooking mode is executed is as follows.

[0421] (1) During range heating cooking (the second heating means HM2): 1000 W (2) During oven heating and cooking: 2000W (upper radiant heat heating means 12a: 1000W, lower radiant heat heating means 12b: 1000W) (3) During range grill heating and cooking: 1500W (second heating means HM2: 500W, upper radiant heat heating means 12a: 1000W)

[0422] On the other hand, the maximum power of the cooking menu in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1 is 1500W. Therefore, in the cooperative cooking mode, the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 may operate simultaneously.

[0423] That is, the sum of "1000W" of the second heating means HM2, "1000W (2000W is alternately energized in 1000W increments)" of the third heating means HM3, and "1500W" of the first heating means HM1 that performs induction heating results in a maximum power of 3500W.

[0424] When the demand (pre-securing of power demand) is 5000W: When heating at 3000W (normal heating) with the right IH coil 9R, the remaining demand is 2000W. When the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1 is implemented from this state, since the remaining demand is less than 1500W for the 3500W of power required for cooperative cooking, the heating power of the right IH coil 9R can be reduced from (3000W) to 1500W to start cooperative cooking.

[0425] When the demand (pre-securing of power demand) is 4000W: When frying (requiring a maximum of 1500W) at the right heating port 4R, the remaining demand is 2500W. When performing cooperative cooking from this state, since the remaining demand is less than 1000W for the 3500W of power required for cooperative cooking, it is necessary to reduce the heating power of the right IH coil. However, if the heating power is reduced while the automatic control menu is being executed, the cooking will not proceed smoothly, so the heating power of the automatic control menu cannot be reduced. Ultimately, with 4000W, it will not be possible to ensure the required heating power in the automatic control menu.

[0426] As is clear from the above description, before starting the "coordinated cooking mode" KM1, it is necessary to determine (confirm) whether there is a demand of 5000W, which is the total value of the power required for coordinated cooking (3500W) and the power required for the cooking menu of the right heating port 4R or the left heating port 4L (1500W) (pre-securing the power demand).

[0427] Next, FIG. 30 will be described. This FIG. 30 shows the determination processes of steps ST6 and ST7 in FIG. 29. These determinations are executed by the permission condition determination unit 54. Step ST5 is the stage when the input key 153M is operated. In the next step STX1, for the above-described permission condition 1 and permission condition 2, the permission condition determination unit 54 of the control device 40 compares with the latest state of the heating cooker 1 and determines whether the permission condition 1 and the permission condition 2 are satisfied.

[0428] In step STX1 of this FIG. 30, voices (notifications) 1 to 4 indicate the content notified to the user US by the voice notification unit 50. That is, it specifically shows the content of step ST8 in FIG. 29.

[0429] Displays 1 to 4 in this FIG. 30 indicate the content displayed on the central display unit 16M. Note that these displays 1 to 4 are not displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 that is displayed from the time of step SB2 in FIG. 28, but are displayed on the central display unit 16M in a state where the first specific screen is not displayed. That is, it explains the display content performed at the stage of step ST8 in FIG. 29 (voice notification is also performed).

[0430] The first specific screen 16M1 is not displayed unless the prerequisites (permission conditions 1 and 2) for transitioning to the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1 are met. Therefore, after the user US sets (selects) various conditions (e.g., identification information 167) for the "cooperative cooking mode" KM1, if it is determined that permission condition 1 or permission condition 2 is not satisfied, after the display and voice notification in step ST8, it returns to the initial waiting screen at the first stage (step ST4 in FIG. 29). Therefore, it does not mean that the user US is not permitted for the first time after setting all the control conditions of the cooperative cooking mode KM1 and giving a heating operation command, and it does not force unnecessary input operations.

[0431] Next, FIG. 31 will be described. FIG. 31 illustrates the operation from starting the cooking heater 1 until acquiring the cooking recipe data CD for the cooking heater 1 from the communication terminal 200 or an external server (cloud server 300).

[0432] In this Embodiment 1, the recipe data CD in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 includes, but is not limited to, information such as the number of the cooperative cooking menu (identification information 167), the order of a plurality of heating means to be used, the heating means used in cooking step 1, the heating means used in cooking step 2, and if there are cooking steps 3 and later, the heating means used for each of those cooking steps, and the set value or range of set values of the default (standard setting) control conditions (heating power, heating time, heating target temperature, etc.) in each cooking step.

[0433] Furthermore, in this Embodiment 1, for each cooking step of the recipe data CD, a specific input key (such as 153M) to be input first is associated. That is, if the cooking step is composed of two steps, the control device 40 has determined specific input keys to be input in two stages: the first part M1 (of the recipe data CD) for setting cooking step 1 and the second part M2 for setting cooking step 2.

[0434] In FIG. 31, steps SS1 to SS8 are operation steps defined in the integrated control program of the control device 40, and basically match the content defined in the basic operation program described in FIG. 29.

[0435] First, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed (SS1), in the next step SS2, the heating control unit 43 determines whether there is an abnormality.

[0436] Since steps SS1 to SS4 are the same as the steps ST1 to ST4 described in FIG. 29, duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0437] In step SS5, the heating cooker 1 performs an operation for the purpose of asking the user US for prior confirmation as to whether to send a signal requesting the provision of the cooking recipe data CD to the pre-registered communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300. A "confirmation screen" is displayed on the central display unit 16M, and the voice notification unit 50 also gives a notification. This "confirmation screen" is a type of standby initial screen 16MH described later.

[0438] If the user US has previously set the external connection of this step SS5 to be automatically executed by the function setting key 151KP of the input operation unit 15, it will be automatically performed at a specified timing.

[0439] That is, as described in FIG. 1, the pairing between the smartphone 200 and the heating cooker 1 can be automatically performed, and the wireless communication 330 between the smartphone 200 and the heating cooker 1 can be established.

[0440] The external connection in step SS5 repeatedly performs transmission and reception several times alternately between the heating cooker 1 and an external communication device (such as the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300). For example, when the heating cooker 1 first transmits signal 1, the communication terminal 200 receives the signal 1 and then transmits signal 2. In response to this, the heating cooker 1 checks its internal state (for example, the set value of the total power consumption, etc.). If there is no problem, it transmits a standby signal 2 to proceed to the next stage. This is the process described above.

[0441] Finally, the reception of the necessary "setting information" (including the recipe data CD) from the external communication device (such as the communication terminal 200, etc.) is completed. That is, on the side of the heating cooker 1, after receiving a signal once, several rounds of interactive communication, such as immediately replying with another signal, are carried out, and finally the reception of the necessary "setting information" is completed. In such a series of processes, there is a step of asking the user US to determine whether to receive the recipe data CD. That is, in this heating cooker 1, there is a step that allows the user US to clearly and in advance recognize the reception of the recipe data CD, thus preventing the system from proceeding to the execution stage of the recipe data CD without the user US knowing. These details will be explained later.

[0442] On the other hand, as part of facilitating the above external connection, in step SS6, the central display unit 16M displays a predetermined icon, information, etc. to inform the user US that the recipe data CD can be obtained. An example of this is shown in the display screen 2C of FIG. 41. The display for informing the user US is briefly displayed in text, for example, as shown by the acquisition operation support information 60P on the display screen 2C of FIG. 41.

[0443] In this step SS6, if the user does not agree to connect to the external device (such as the communication terminal 200, etc.), as shown in step SS9, a non-reception message such as "Currently, the reception of the recipe data CD is not being performed" is transmitted to the registered external device (the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300). In this way, the user US can also set to reject the reception.

[0444] This FIG. 31 shows the process of obtaining only a part of one cooking process in the recipe data CD. When there are two or more cooking steps, as in the linked cooking mode KM1, it is necessary to perform the processes of steps SS5 to SS8 described above in the same manner for each of cooking step 1 and cooking step 2.

[0445] That is, in the case of recipe data CD with two cooking steps, in the first part M1 (of the recipe data CD) for setting cooking step 1, an input operation of a specific input key is required to consent to the acquisition of the first part M1. Incidentally, as described above, when the cooking menu in the linked cooking mode KM1 is "hamburger", the specific input key to be operated for the acquisition of the first part M1 is 152R of the right operation unit 15R or 152L of the left operation unit 15L.

[0446] On the other hand, in step SS6, when consenting to the connection to the external device and instructing data acquisition, the heating cooker 1 acquires the recipe data CD from the external device via the communication unit 51 by the data acquisition unit 53. The acquired recipe data CD is stored in a predetermined "temporary storage unit" (not shown) in the recipe data storage unit 42 (step SS7).

[0447] In the next step SS8, the content of the recipe data CD acquired from the external device, particularly the identification information 167, is displayed on the central display unit 16M. Also, the voice notification unit 50 notifies the fact of reception, for example, as "The recipe for hamburger has been received".

[0448] By the way, in this Embodiment 1, when the input key 180, which is the selection unit of the voice input mode 2, is operated during the standby period in which the control device 40 waits for a command to start the heating operation after the main power switch 20 is turned ON and the power supply is started, it is a program that permits the data acquisition unit 53 to acquire the recipe data CD.

[0449] That is, at the stage of step SS6, if the user US presses the input key 180, this step is determined as "Yes" and the acquisition of the recipe data CD is permitted. However, several conditions need to be satisfied before the recipe data CD is actually acquired by the control device 40. This will be described in detail later. In addition, when there are two or more cooking steps, it returns to step SS5 after step SS8. And in order to agree to the acquisition of the second part M2 (of the recipe data CD) for setting the cooking step 2, an input operation of a specific input key is required in step SS6. For example, when the cooking menu in the linked cooking mode KM1 is "hamburger" as described above, only one of the 153Ms is the specific input key to be operated for the acquisition of the second part M2.

[0450] Next, FIGS. 32 to 38 will be described. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the main input steps for three cooking modes after the main power is turned on in the heating cooker 1. FIG. 33 is a flowchart 1 showing the input steps after the main power is turned on in the heating cooker 1. FIG. 34 is a flowchart 1 showing the input steps in the case of the linked cooking mode in the heating cooker 1. FIG. 35 is a flowchart 1 showing the input steps in the case of the composite cooking mode in the heating cooker 1. FIG. 36 is a flowchart 1 showing the input steps in the case of the single cooking mode in the heating cooker 1. FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the main input steps when cooking by acquiring recipe data for three cooking modes after the main power is turned on in the heating cooker. FIG. 38 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of acquiring the recipe data CD from the outside in the heating cooker 1. FIG. 39 is a flowchart 2 showing the operation of acquiring the recipe data CD from the outside in the heating cooker 1.

[0451] FIGS. 32 to 36 are the cases of the aforementioned "voice input mode 1A". That is, it is the case where an input key 154M as the "dual-purpose key" is provided among a plurality of input keys in one input operation unit 15 (for example, the central operation unit 15M). Therefore, when the "voice input mode 1A" is changed by the input key 154M, the input functions of the input keys (156M, 158M, etc.) other than the input key (combined key) 154M are disabled from that point on. The voice input mode can also be set by the input key 153M in the same way as the input key 154M.

[0452] 32 to 36 illustrate a case where a user US operates the input operation unit 15 of the cooking appliance 1 to perform cooking, rather than a case where recipe data CD is acquired from outside (such as communication terminal 200) and cooking is performed.

[0453] Referring to FIG. 32, In FIG. 32, outlined reference characters (such as 153M) indicate input keys 153M and the like to be operated in the following steps S2 to S15. In FIG. 32, the main input keys are also displayed in white letters. The range enclosed by the dashed line indicates the range that can be input by voice in "voice input mode 1" which is switched to by "long pressing" the input keys (combined keys) 153M, 154M, etc.

[0454] Steps S2 to S6 show the operation steps in the coordinated cooking mode KM1. Steps S7 to S11 show the operation steps in the combined cooking mode KM2. Steps S12 to S15 show operation steps in the single cooking mode KM3 using the first heating means HM1.

[0455] When the main power switch 20 is turned on, the standby initial screen 16MH is first displayed on the central display section 16M (step S1). Next, when the input key 153M is touched, the collaborative cooking mode KM1 is selected (step S2), and the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed (step S3).

[0456] On the first specific screen 16M1 at this stage, as described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 22, at least three cooking menus are simultaneously displayed on one screen. Therefore, every time the input key 154M or 155M is touched, a different cooking menu can be successively displayed (step S4).

[0457] In step S5, the control conditions of one coordinated cooking menu can be selected with the input keys 156M and 157M. If input of control conditions is not required, the input key 151M may be pressed. In this way, it is possible to shift to the cooking process 1 of the coordinated cooking mode KM1 (step S6).

[0458] As is apparent from FIG. 32, when the input key (shared key) 154M is "long pressed" at the stage of step S4, the control device 40 switches to the "input standby state" by voice, so the conditions within the range up to steps S4 to S5 can be input by voice. For example, the cooking menu and control conditions can be set and input by the voice of the user US, such as "Hamburger preheat 180°C". Note that only the control conditions other than the object to be cooked, such as "Heat 7 hours 10 minutes", may be input by voice. Note that even if the input key 153M is long pressed at the stage of step S2, the voice input mode can be set.

[0459] Next, FIG. 32 will be described. In step S2, when the input key 154M or 155M is touched without touching the input key 153M, the composite cooking mode KM2 is selected (step S7), and the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed (step S8). Every time the input key 154M or 155M is touched, a different control menu (see FIG. 16) can be successively displayed (step S9).

[0460] In step S9, if one control menu (for example, "warm") displayed on the second specific screen 16M2 is acceptable, then by pressing the input key 156M or 157M next, the control conditions (such as microwave output and heating time) can be selected (step S10).

[0461] In step S10, if the control conditions of one composite cooking mode are acceptable, pressing the input key 151M enables transition to the cooking process 1 of the composite cooking mode KM2 (step S11).

[0462] As is clear from FIG. 32, when the input key (dual-purpose key) 154M is "long-pressed" at the stage of step S7, the control device 40 switches to the "input standby state" by voice, so the conditions within the range up to steps S9 - S10 can be input by voice. For example, like "heat 500W", the control menu (in this case, "heat") and the control conditions can be set and input by the user US's voice. Note that only the control conditions, like "500W time 10 minutes", can also be input by voice.

[0463] Continuing, FIG. 32 will be described. In step S2, without touching the input key 153M and without touching either of the input keys 154M and 155M in step S7, touching either the input key 153L or 153R of the right operation unit 15R or the left operation unit 15L selects the single cooking mode KM3 by the first heating means HM1 (step S12), and the third specific screen 16M3 is displayed on the right display unit 16R or the left display unit 16L (step S13).

[0464] Each time the input key 152L or 152R is touched, different control menus (see FIG. 42) can be successively displayed on the left display unit 16L or the right display unit 16R (step S14).

[0465] In step S14, if one of the control menus (see FIG. 41) displayed on the third specific screen 16M3 is acceptable, then pressing the input key 154L or 155L (in the case of the left operation unit 15L), or the input key 154R or 155R (in the case of the right operation unit 15R) enables selection of the control conditions (such as the induction heating power and the heating time, etc.) (step S15).

[0466] In step S15, if the control conditions of one single cooking mode KM3 are acceptable, induction heating may be automatically started without pressing the input key within a certain period (10 seconds). However, in this embodiment, in fact, induction heating (step S16) will not start unless one of the input keys (for example, input key 153L) of the left operation unit 15L or the right operation unit 15R is touched.

[0467] As is clear from FIG. 32, when the input key (dual-purpose key) 153L or 153R is "long-pressed" at the stage of step S12, the control device 40 switches to the "input waiting state" by voice, so the conditions within the range up to steps S14 - S15 can be input by voice. For example, like "boiling water, heating level 6", the control menu (in this case, "boiling water") and the control conditions can be set and input by the user US's voice. Note that only the control conditions may be input by voice.

[0468] Also, by operating the input keys 154L, 155L, etc. (at the stage of step S15), the control conditions can be set. Furthermore, the time of the timer setting may be set with the input keys 151R or 151L. These can also be input by voice after switching to the voice input mode 1. For example, it is sufficient to speak like "heating level 6, timer, 10 minutes".

[0469] As is clear from FIG. 32, the cooking heater 1 of Embodiment 1 The input operation unit 15 has a first input operation unit (right operation unit 15R and left operation unit 15L) for the first heating means HM1 and a second input operation unit (central operation unit 15M) for the second heating means. It has input keys A (153L, 153R) arranged on the first input operation units 15L, 15R and input keys B (153M, 154M) arranged on the second input operation unit 15M, respectively. The control device 40 enables the earlier touch input of either the input key A (153L, 153R) or the input key B (153M, 154M), and until the input of the control conditions (such as heating power and heating time) for the cooking mode (cooperative cooking mode KM1, composite cooking mode KM2, single cooking mode KM3) or the control mode (such as "warming") is completed and cooking is started, the input process by the other input key is not started. This is the characteristic configuration.

[0470] That is, for the three cooking modes (cooperative cooking mode KM1, composite cooking mode KM2, single cooking mode KM3), only one of the input keys 153M, 154M, 153L, 153R that is touched first is accepted by the control device 40, and the other input keys are in a state where input commands are not accepted.

[0471] Therefore, for example, when the input key 154M is touched and switched to the voice input mode by long pressing, the input of other input keys becomes impossible (however, the input functions of the input keys 151M and 152M are maintained).

[0472] Therefore, when the voice input mode is started by either one of the input key A (153L, 153R) or the input key B (153M, 154M), it becomes impossible to select other cooking modes or control modes, and it is not possible to accidentally input set conditions by voice input.

[0473] Also, when the input for the cooperative cooking mode KM1 is performed using the voice input mode by one input key (for example, 154M), when the heating cooking is started by pressing the input key 151M, the voice input mode until then is canceled. Therefore, when the user US touches the screen later to select other cooking operations, no confusion occurs. Also, an operation to cancel the voice input mode is not necessary.

[0474] Next, FIG. 33 will be described. In FIG. 33, the white-outlined reference numerals (e.g., 153M) indicate each input key (such as 153M) that is operated in steps SM3, SM4, and SM8. In FIG. 33, step SM1 performs processes corresponding to the processes of steps ST2 and ST3 in FIG. 29. That is, the central display unit 16M is activated, and the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed. An abnormality determination is executed, and if there is no abnormality, a message indicating that "since there is no abnormality, cooking can be started" is displayed. Then, in the standby initial screen 16MH and the voice notification unit 51, notifications for prompting the selection of the heating means and voice guidance are performed.

[0475] In the next step SM2, the input functions of all the input operation units 15M, 15L, and 15R are enabled to prepare for touch input operations of each input key (such as 153M, 154M, 153L, and 154R). Also, the elapsed time measurement is started by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 11) held by the input operation unit 15. Although FIG. 11 shows an example of the central operation unit 15M, the right operation unit 15R and the left operation unit 15L have the same configuration as the central operation unit 15M. Therefore, they have a configuration corresponding to the time measurement unit 15T.

[0476] In the next step SM3, the cooperative cooking mode KM1 is selected. In step SM4, the combined cooking mode KM2 is selected. In step SM8, the single cooking mode KM3 by the first heating means HM1 is selected.

[0477] First, in step SM3, it is determined whether the input key 153M has been touched. If it has been touched, the process proceeds to route A1 shown in FIGS. 33 and 34. In step SM3, if there is no touch operation, the determination is "No", and the process proceeds to step SM4. In step SM4, if either the input key 154M or 155M has been touched, the determination is "Yes", and the process proceeds to route B1 shown in FIGS. 33 and 35.

[0478] In step SM4, if there is no touch operation, the determination is "No", and the process proceeds to step SM8. In step SM8, if either input key 153L or 153R is touched, the determination is "Yes", and the process proceeds to route C1 shown in FIGS. 33 and 36.

[0479] In step SM8 shown in FIG. 33, if there is no touch operation, the determination is "No", and the process proceeds to step SM5. In this step SM5, the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 11) determines whether or not a preset limit time TX has been exceeded. If the limit time TX has not been exceeded, the process returns to step SM3.

[0480] On the other hand, if it is determined in step SM5 that the preset limit time TX has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SM6. Then, a process of automatically shutting off the main power supply (hereinafter referred to as "automatic shut-off process 1") is performed. Then, a series of operations are terminated (SM7). In this way, when no input operation is performed, if the limit time (for example, 30 minutes) is exceeded, the main power switch 20 is automatically turned off.

[0481] Next, FIG. 34 will be described. FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the operations after input key 153M is touched in step SM3 shown in FIG. 33. When input key 153M is touched, if the touch operation is a "long press", it is discriminated by the input mode determination unit 15C (see FIG. 11) of the central operation unit 15M.

[0482] Then, the determination in step SM40 becomes "Yes", and the process proceeds to step SM41. On the other hand, if it is a "short press", the determination becomes "No", and the process proceeds to step SM50. Step SM41 is a determination step as to whether or not the above-described "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are satisfied. If these permission conditions are not satisfied, non-permission processing is performed at this stage (step SM47). Note that the non-permission processing is the processing of step ST8 described in FIG. 29.

[0483] As described above, for example, when receiving the first part M1 of cooking step 1 of the recipe data CD of one cooking menu (e.g., hamburger), the heating cooker 1 can identify the identification information 167 included in the first part M1, so that the heating means used in cooking step 1 and cooking step 2, and the levels such as the magnitude of the required maximum power consumption can be known. Thereby, it is possible to accurately determine whether the above-described "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are satisfied.

[0484] If the determination in step SM41 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM42. From step SM42, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed. The state at the time when this first specific screen 16M1 is displayed is shown, for example, in FIG. 20. Thereafter, the input keys 154M or 155M are touch-operated (multiple touch operations may be performed) to select a specific cooking menu (e.g., hamburger).

[0485] In FIG. 34, in step SM43, the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 11) starts measuring the elapsed time to determine whether the preset limit time TY has been exceeded. After this step SM43, if an audio input from the user US is performed via the audio signal receiving unit 56 (see FIG. 10), step SM44 becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to the next step SM45.

[0486] Incidentally, at the stage of step SM43, the control device 40 has already switched to the "voice input mode 1A". Therefore, if the input key 155M is touch-input after this step SM43, the input of the input key 155M is not accepted by the control device 40 for the "voice input mode 1A". That is, unless voice input is performed, step SM44 will not be "Yes", so the input completion step SM46 cannot be advanced. If it is set to the "voice input mode 1B", touch input can continue as described above. Additionally, exceptionally, if the input key 154M is touch-input again (in this case, "short press"), the voice input control program may be changed so that the "voice input mode" is cancelled.

[0487] In this way, in this Embodiment 1, immediately after the input key 154M is "long pressed", it switches to the voice input mode 1A, and the voice input mode 1A continues automatically thereafter. However, this voice input mode 1A is cancelled when the heating operation starts (that is, when the input key 151M is touch-operated).

[0488] If the limit time TY has not been exceeded, it proceeds to step SM46. In step SM46, it is determined whether the input is completed. When step SM46 is determined to be "Yes", it enters a standby state waiting for the input of the input key 151M (A21).

[0489] On the other hand, if steps SM44 and SM46 are "No", it returns to step SM44 respectively and waits for the input by voice from the user US. Also, in step SM45, if it is determined that the limit time TY has been exceeded, step SM45 becomes "No" and the process proceeds to the error handling step SM48. Note that the error handling here is slightly different from the automatic shutdown process shown in step SM6 of FIG. 33. It means returning from the display of the first specific screen 16M1 to the initial standby screen 16MH and displaying that the input has not been performed properly, or giving an audio notification from the audio notification unit 50. After that, the process may proceed to step SM5 and then to step SM6 for automatic shutdown processing.

[0490] Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 34, steps SM50 and subsequent steps will be described. Step SM50 is a determination step as to whether the aforementioned "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are satisfied. If "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are not satisfied, non - permission processing is performed at this stage (step SM56). Note that the non - permission processing is the processing of step ST8 described in FIG. 29.

[0491] If the determination in step SM50 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM51. From step SM51, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed. The state at the time when this first specific screen 16M1 is displayed is shown in, for example, FIG. 20. After that, in order to select a specific cooking menu (e.g., hamburger), the input keys 154M or 155M are touch - operated (multiple touch - operations are also possible).

[0492] In FIG. 34, in step SM52, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 11) to determine whether the preset limit time TY has been exceeded. After this step SM52, if a touch input is performed by the user US via the audio signal receiving unit 56 (see FIG. 10), for example, using the input keys 156M or 157M, step SM53 becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to the next step SM54.

[0493] Incidentally, at the stage of step SM53, the control device 40 has already switched to the touch input mode. Therefore, if the input key 155M is touched and input after this step SM52, for the touch input mode, the input of the input key 155M is accepted by the control device 40. That is, as long as it is a touch input, since step SM53 becomes "Yes", the process proceeds to the input completion step SM46. Incidentally, exceptionally, if the input key 154 is touched and input again (in this case, "long pressed"), the touch input mode may be canceled and changed to return to the "voice input mode 1".

[0494] In this way, in this Embodiment 1, unless the input key 154M is "long pressed", the touch input mode is maintained, and the touch input mode continues automatically thereafter. This touch input mode is not automatically canceled even when the heating operation is started, so the touch input mode of the default setting is maintained thereafter.

[0495] If the elapsed time from step SM52 does not exceed the limit time TY, the process proceeds to step SM55. Then, it is determined whether the input is completed. When step SM55 is determined to be "Yes", it enters a standby state waiting for the input of the input key 151M (A22).

[0496] On the other hand, if steps SM53 and SM55 are "No", the process returns to step SM53 respectively, and waits for a touch input from the user US. Also, in step SM54, if it is determined that the limit time TY has been exceeded, step SM54 becomes "No", and the process proceeds to the error processing step SM57. The error processing here is slightly different from the automatic shut-off processing shown in step SM6 of FIG. 33. It means returning from the display of the first specific screen 16M1 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying that the input has not been performed properly, or making an audio notification from the audio notification unit 50. Thereafter, the process may proceed to step SM5, and may proceed to step SM6 and be automatically shut off.

[0497] Next, FIG. 35 will be described. FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the operations after either the input key 154M or 155M shown in FIG. 33 is touch-operated in step SM4. When the input key 154M is touch-operated, if the touch operation is a "long press", it is determined by the input mode determination unit 15C (see FIG. 11) of the central operation unit 15M.

[0498] Then, the determination in step SM60 becomes "Yes", and the process proceeds to step SM61. On the other hand, if it is a "short press", the determination becomes "No", and the process proceeds to step SM70. Step SM61 is a determination step as to whether or not "permission condition 3" is satisfied. The "permission condition 3" mentioned here is different from permission conditions 1 and 2 (see FIGS. 29 and 30) for the linked cooking mode. The "permission condition 3" in this combined cooking mode is defined such that the result of checking the latest temperature of the heating chamber 6 by the temperature sensor group 30 is, for example, 80°C or lower. If the result measured by the temperature sensor group 30 is, for example, 100°C, it is because it exceeds the temperature detection range (90°C or lower) of the control menu "heat".

[0499] If "permission condition 3" is not satisfied, non-permission processing is performed at this stage (step SM67). Note that the non-permission processing is to display a message such as "The heating chamber is too hot to cook" on the initial standby screen 16MH or to perform a similar notification by the voice notification unit 50. Note that when cooking is performed in the heating chamber 6 by the third heating means HM3, the heating chamber 6 may remain hot for a while due to residual heat even after the cooking is completed.

[0500] If the determination in step SM61 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM62. From the time of step SM62, the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed. The state at the time when this second specific screen 16M2 is displayed is shown in, for example, FIG. 16. After that, the input keys 154M or 155M are touch-operated (multiple touch operations are also possible) to select a specific control menu (e.g., warm up).

[0501] In FIG. 35, in step SM63, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 11) to determine whether a preset limit time TY has been exceeded. After this step SM63, if an input by voice from the user US is made via the voice signal reception unit 56 (see FIG. 10), step SM64 becomes "Yes" and proceeds to the next step SM65.

[0502] By the way, at the stage of step SM63, the control device 40 has already switched to the voice input mode 1. Therefore, if the input key 155M is touch-input after this step SM63, for the voice input mode, the input of the input key 155M is not accepted by the control device 40 (because it is set to the "voice input mode 1A"). That is, unless voice input is performed, step SM64 does not become "Yes", so the input completion step SM66 cannot be advanced. Incidentally, exceptionally, if the input key 154M is touch-input again (in this case, "short press"), the "voice input mode 1" may be changed to be released. Also, when set to the "voice input mode 1B", the touch input of the input key 155M is accepted by the control device 40.

[0503] Thus, in this Embodiment 1, immediately after the input key 154M is "long pressed", the voice input mode 1 is switched, but the voice input mode 1 is automatically released at the time when a command to start heat cooking is given (the input key 151M is touch-operated).

[0504] If the limit time TY has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SM66. In step SM65, it is determined whether the input is completed, and when step SM66 is determined to be "Yes", it enters a standby state (B21) waiting for the input of the input key 151M.

[0505] On the other hand, if steps SM64 and SM66 are "No", the process returns to step SM64 respectively and waits for the voice input from user US. Also, in step SM65, if it is determined that the time limit TY has been exceeded, step SM65 becomes "No" and the process proceeds to error handling step SM68. Note that the error handling here is slightly different from the automatic shutdown process shown in step SM6 of FIG. 33. It means returning from the display of the second specific screen 16M2 to the initial standby screen 16MH and displaying that the input has not been properly made, or making an audio notification from the audio notification unit 50. After that, the process may proceed to step SM5 and then to step SM6 for automatic shutdown processing.

[0506] Subsequently, steps SM70 and later will also be described with reference to FIG. 35. Step SM70 is a determination step as to whether the aforementioned "permission condition 3" is satisfied. If the permission condition 3 is not satisfied, non - permission processing is performed at this stage (step SM76). The "non - permission processing" in this case has the same content as the non - permission processing in step SM67.

[0507] If the determination in step SM70 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM71. In step SM71, the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed. The state at the time when this second specific screen 16M2 is displayed is shown in, for example, FIG. 16. Thereafter, the input keys 154M or 155M are touch - operated (multiple touch - operations are also possible) to select a specific control menu (e.g., warm up). At this stage, if the input key 154M is "long - pressed" by chance, the voice input mode 1 is switched and the process proceeds to step SM63. However, if the input key 154M is not "long - pressed", the input key 155M is input - operated, or the input key 154 is "short - pressed", the "touch input mode" is maintained and the process proceeds to step SM72.

[0508] As described above, in the first embodiment, in the selection of the combined cooking mode or the control menu (e.g., warming), immediately after the input key 154M is "long pressed", the voice input mode 1 is switched. However, the voice input mode 1 does not continue automatically thereafter, but is released at the start of the heating operation. In addition, when the same input key 154M is "short pressed", the voice input mode 1 may be changed to be released at this time.

[0509] In FIG. 35, in step SM72, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 11) to determine whether the preset limit time TY has been exceeded. After this step SM72, if a touch input is performed by the user US via the voice signal receiving unit 56 (see FIG. 10), for example, using the input keys 156M or 157M, step SM73 becomes "Yes" and proceeds to the next step SM74.

[0510] By the way, at the stage of step SM72, the control device 40 has already switched to the touch input mode. Therefore, if the input key 155M is touched after this step SM72, the input of the input key 155M is accepted by the control device 40 for the touch input mode. That is, as long as it is a touch input, step SM73 becomes "Yes", so it is possible to proceed to the input completion step SM75. Exceptionally, if the input key 154M is touched again (in this case, "long pressed"), the touch input mode may be released and changed to return to the "voice input mode 1".

[0511] As described above, in the first embodiment, the touch input mode is maintained as long as the input key 154M is not "long pressed", and the touch input mode continues automatically thereafter. This touch input mode is not automatically released when the heating operation is started. Therefore, the normal touch input mode is maintained thereafter.

[0512] If the limit time TY has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SM75. Then, it is determined whether the input is complete. If the determination at step SM75 is "Yes", the process enters a standby state waiting for the input of the input key 151M (B22).

[0513] On the other hand, if steps SM73 and SM75 are "No", the process returns to step SM73 respectively and waits for a touch input from the user US. Also, in step SM74, if it is determined that the limit time TY has been exceeded, step SM74 becomes "No" and the process proceeds to the error processing step SM77. Note that the error processing here is slightly different from the automatic shut-off process 1 shown in step SM6 of FIG. 33. It means returning from the display of the second specific screen 16M2 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying that the input has not been properly performed, or making an audible notification from the audio notification unit 50. After that, the process may proceed to step SM5 and then to step SM6 for automatic shut-off processing.

[0514] Next, FIG. 36 will be described. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the operations after either the input key 153L or 153R is touched in step SM8 of FIG. 33. To simplify the following description, the description will be limited to the case where the left operation unit 15L is operated.

[0515] If the touch operation on the input key 153L is a "long press", it is determined by the input mode determination unit 15C (see FIG. 11) of the left operation unit 15L. Note that FIG. 11 shows an example of the central operation unit 15M, but the left operation unit 15L has the same configuration as shown in FIG. 11.

[0516] Then, the determination at step SM80 becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to step SM81. On the other hand, if it is a "short press", the determination becomes "No" and the process proceeds to step SM90. Step SM81 is a determination step to check whether the "permission condition 4" is satisfied. The "Permission Condition 4" mentioned here is different from Permission Condition 1 and Permission Condition 2 (see FIGS. 29 and 30) in the coordinated cooking mode, and also different from the aforementioned "Permission Condition 3". The "Permission Condition 4" in this single cooking mode KM3 is, for example, when the latest temperature of the top plate 3 is checked by the temperature sensor group 30 and the result is a high temperature exceeding, for example, 100°C. This is because when detecting the temperature of the object to be heated non - contact and performing induction heating control, being at a high temperature from the start of the heating operation can interfere with accurate temperature control and induction heating control.

[0517] If the "Permission Condition 4" is not satisfied, non - permission processing is performed at this stage (step SM87). Note that the non - permission processing is to display the initial standby screen 16MH on the left display unit 16L and display a message such as "The top plate is too hot to cook", or to perform the same notification by the voice notification unit 50. Note that when performing induction heating cooking, the top plate 3 may remain at a high temperature for a while even after the cooking is completed.

[0518] If the determination in step SM81 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM82. From the point of step SM82, the third specific screen 16L3 (16R3) is displayed. An example of this third specific screen 16L3 is shown in FIG. 42, for example. The third specific screen 16R3 in FIG. 42 is an example of the case when it is displayed on the left display unit 16L. When the right operation unit 15R is operated, the third specific screen 16L3 displayed on the right display unit 16R is also basically in the same form as shown in FIG. 42. After that, in order to select a specific control menu (e.g., pre - heating), it can be input by voice input mode. Note that the single cooking mode KM3 with the central heating port 4C selected by the central operation unit 15M can be selected. In that case, a third specific screen M3 in the same form as the third specific screen 16L3 shown in FIG. 42 is also displayed on the central display unit 16M.

[0519] Incidentally, at this stage, since the "voice input mode 1" has already been switched, in the next step SM83, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 11) to determine whether the preset limit time TY has been exceeded. After this step SM83, if an input by voice from the user US is made via the voice signal receiving unit 56 (see FIG. 10), step SM84 becomes "Yes" and proceeds to the next step SM85. For example, if the user US vocalizes "Preheat to 200°C", the voice signal receiving unit 56 converts this voice input into an electrical signal and inputs it to the voice signal analysis unit 58.

[0520] In step SM85, it is determined whether the limit time TY has been exceeded. If not, the process proceeds to step SM86. In step SM86, it is determined whether the input is complete. When step SM86 results in a "Yes" determination, the induction heating operation is automatically started within a certain time (for example, 10 seconds). That is, in the first heating means HM1 (in the case of the single cooking mode HM1) using the left operation unit 16L, no special input key operation is required to start heating, and the process directly proceeds to the heating operation (C21). Note that when a different input key 152L or 152R from the input key (153L or 153R) operated in step SM8 (see FIG. 33) is touched, the actual induction heating operation may be changed so that it can be started.

[0521] On the other hand, if steps SM84 and SM86 are "No", the process returns to step SM84 respectively to wait for an input by voice from the user US. Also, in step SM85, if it is determined that the limit time TY has been exceeded, step SM85 becomes "No" and the process proceeds to the error handling step SM88. Here, the error handling is slightly different from the automatic shut-off process shown in step SM6 of FIG. 33. It means returning from the display of the third specific screen 16L3 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying that the input has not been properly made, or making an audible notification from the voice notification unit 50. After that, the process may proceed to step SM5 and then to step SM6 where automatic shut-off processing may be performed.

[0522] Subsequently, steps SM90 and later will be described with reference to FIG. 36. Step SM90 is a determination step as to whether the aforementioned "permission condition 4" is satisfied. If permission condition 4 is not satisfied, non-permission processing is performed at this stage (step SM96). The "non-permission processing" in this case is the same as the non-permission processing in step SM87.

[0523] If the determination in step SM90 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM91. From the point of step SM91, instead of the initial standby screen 16MH, the third specific screen 1616L3 (16R3) is displayed. An example of the display of this third specific screen 16L3 is shown in FIG. 42, for example. Note that FIG. 36 is an example of the display on the left display unit 16L, and the third specific screen 16L3 on the right display unit 16R is basically in the same form. After that, input keys 154L, 155L, 151L, etc. are touched (multiple touches may be performed) to select a specific control menu (e.g., preheating). Although the single cooking mode KM3 in which the central heating port 4C is selected can be selected by the central operation unit 15M, in that case, a third specific screen M3 in the same form as the third specific screen 16L3 shown in FIG. 42 is also displayed on the central display unit 16M.

[0524] In FIG. 36, in step SM92, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 11) to determine whether the preset limit time TY has been exceeded.

[0525] Incidentally, at this stage, since it is in the "touch input mode", in the next step SM93, the elapsed time is measured by the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 11) to determine whether the preset limit time TY has been exceeded.

[0526] The input keys 154L, 155L, 151L, etc. can be touched to sequentially input control conditions such as a control menu (e.g., preheating) and preheating temperature (multiple touch operations are also possible). In this way, when touch input is performed from the user US, step SM93 becomes "Yes", and if the limit time TY has not been exceeded, the process proceeds from step SM94 to the next step SM95. For example, if the user US sequentially inputs the conditions of "preheating" and "200 °C" by touch input, the left operation unit 15L converts this input into an electrical signal and inputs it to the input signal analysis unit 52 (see FIG. 10).

[0527] Incidentally, if the input keys 154L or 155R are "long-pressed", these input keys do not have a function to switch to the voice input mode 1, so voice input cannot be performed.

[0528] As described above, in this Embodiment 1, for the selection of the single cooking mode HM1 of the first heating means HM1 and the selection of the heating units (the right heating unit 4R and the left heating unit 4L) (using the input keys 153R and 153L), immediately after the input key 153R or 153L is "long-pressed" (step SM8 in FIG. 33), the voice input mode 1 is switched, but the voice input mode 1 continues automatically thereafter.

[0529] That is, once the input key 153L or 153R is "long-pressed", the voice input mode 1 is maintained regardless of the operation of the voice input key thereafter (when set to the "voice input mode 1B"). If the input key 153L (153R) is "long-pressed" again (continuously twice), the voice input mode 1 remains the same.

[0530] If the time limit TY has not been exceeded in the judgment of step SM94, the process proceeds to step SM95. Then, it is judged whether the input has been completed, and if the judgment of step SM95 is "Yes", the induction heating operation is automatically started within a certain time (for example, 10 seconds). In other words, in the first heating means HM1 using the left operation unit 16L (in the case of the single cooking mode HM1), no special input key operation is required to start heating, and the process proceeds directly to the heating operation (C22). Note that the process may be modified so that the actual induction heating operation can be started when the input key 152L or 152R different from the one operated in step SM8 (see FIG. 33) is touched.

[0531] On the other hand, if steps SM93 and SM95 are "No", the process returns to step SM93 and waits for touch input from the user US. Also, if it is determined in step SM94 that the time limit TY has been exceeded, step SM94 becomes "No" and the process proceeds to error processing step SM97. Note that the error processing referred to here is slightly different from the automatic shutoff processing shown in step SM6 of Fig. 33, and refers to returning the display of the third specific screen 16M3 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying a message that the input has not been made properly, or notifying the user by voice from the voice notification unit 50. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SM5, and may proceed to step SM6 where the automatic shutoff processing is performed.

[0532] Next, we will explain Figure 37. Fig. 37 shows the operation of the cooking appliance 1 when recipe data CD is acquired from the outside (such as the communication terminal 200) and cooking is performed. Fig. 37 shows the operation when the central operation unit 15M is operated. This is different from the explanatory diagram shown in Fig. 32, which includes the left and right operation units 15L and 15R. The range indicated by the dashed frame indicates the range that can be input by voice in "voice input mode 1" that can be set by "long pressing" input key (dual-purpose key) 153M, and in "voice input mode 2" that can be selected with input key 180.

[0533] For the same parts as those in FIG. 32, the same reference numerals may be used and duplicate explanations may be omitted. Steps S2A to S6 show the operation steps in the case of the coordinated cooking mode KM1. Steps S7A to S11 show the operation steps in the case of the combined cooking mode KM2. Steps S12A to S15 show the operation steps in the case of the single cooking mode KM3 using the first heating means HM1, i.e., the central heating port 4C. Although there are also cases where the microwave oscillation unit (magnetron) 11 and the radiant heat heating means 12 are used alone, detailed explanations are omitted.

[0534] When the main power switch 20 is turned on, first, the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed on the central display unit 16M (step S1). Step S1A generally shows a series of processes for acquiring the recipe data CD from an external communication terminal 200, a cloud server 300, etc.

[0535] Steps S2A, S7A, and S12A perform determination processes corresponding to steps S2, S7, and S12 in FIG. 32, respectively, but are slightly different from FIG. 32. In steps S2, S7, and S12 of FIG. 32, in response to the input from the input operation unit 15, determinations such as the coordinated cooking mode KM1 and the combined cooking mode KM2 were made. In contrast, in FIG. 37, in step S1A, the data acquisition unit 53 analyzes the first received "advance notice information 1" and at least identifies the identification information of the cooking menu. At this point, it is not necessary to identify one cooking mode from among the three types of cooking modes. For example, when the first part M1 of the cooking process 1 of the recipe data CD of "hamburger" in the above-mentioned cooking menu is received, the identification information 167 is recognized.

[0536] In step S1A, further, when determining the identification information, a specific input key that requires an input operation to obtain the data of cooking process 1 is specified as 153M. Then, a display prompting the operation of this specific input key 153 is performed. At the time of step S1, the initial standby screen was 16MH, but upon receiving the advance notice information 1 from the outside, it switches to a reception operation display screen 16MM (not shown) indicating that it is in the response operation for recipe reception.

[0537] Furthermore, when the operation of the specific input key 153 is performed, predetermined selection information A (202) is transmitted to the outside. In the communication terminal 200, upon receiving the reception of the selection information A, the data of the first part M1 for setting cooking process 1 is transmitted, so that the data is received in step S1A.

[0538] In steps S2A, S7A, and S12A, the data of the first part M1 received in step S1A is analyzed to determine one cooking mode from among three types of cooking modes. In this Embodiment 1, when in the cooperative cooking mode KM1 and the cooking menu is "hamburger", the specific input key is only 153M of the central operation unit 15M. In step S1A, after receiving the advance notice information 1 from an external communication terminal 200, a cloud server 300, etc., there is a process of operating the appropriate specific input key corresponding to the advance notice information 1 in advance. The details of this process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 65 and the like.

[0539] As described above, in addition to analyzing the operation of the input operation unit 15 in step S1A by the input signal analysis unit 52, by analyzing the content of the advance notice signal A of one recipe data CD by the data acquisition unit 53, for the four items of cooking process (cooking process 1, cooking process 2, etc.), cooking mode, cooked food (cooking menu), and specific input key, each determination can be surely executed. As a result of this determination (specification), the information of the specified cooking mode is sequentially used in the subsequent steps S2A, S7A, and S12A.

[0540] In step S2A, it is determined whether the cooking mode is the cooperative cooking mode KM1. If it is determined that the mode is the cooperative cooking mode KM1 here, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the display of the first specific screen 16M1 is started, and one cooking menu acquired from the outside and control conditions are displayed. Therefore, by touching the input key 154M or 155M, the control conditions (such as the heating power and the target heating temperature) for the cooking menu can be changed, and the change result can be displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (step S5).

[0541] FIG. 37 shows a case where the voice input mode has been switched before step S5. As described with reference to FIG. 32, in the case of the touch input mode, the control conditions (such as the heating power and the target heating temperature) can be changed by touching the input key 154M or 155M. In FIG. 37, when the specific input key 153M is operated at the stage of step S1A and a "long press" operation is performed, the voice input mode is switched from that point, and thus the desired control conditions can be input by voice (step S20). That is, the touch operation of the input key 154M or 155M is not required.

[0542] In step S5, if the control conditions for one cooperative cooking menu (cooking name: hamburger) are acceptable, the input key 151M may be pressed. In this way, the process can proceed to the cooking step 1 of the cooperative cooking mode KM1 (step S6).

[0543] As described above, when the input key (dual-purpose key) 153M is "long-pressed" at the stage of step S1A, the control device 40 switches to the "input standby state" by voice. Therefore, in step S20, control conditions can be input by voice within a certain range. For example, cooking menus and control conditions can be set and input by the voice of the user US, such as "Hamburger preheat 180°C". Note that only control conditions other than the object to be cooked, such as "Heat level 7 hours 10 minutes", may be input by voice. Note that at the stage of acquiring the preview information 1 or the recipe data CD, the cooking menu (for example, "Hamburger") is already known. Therefore, as described above, only control conditions other than the object to be cooked may be input by voice.

[0544] Next, FIG. 37 will be described. When it is determined in step S2A that the cooperative cooking mode KM1 is not selected, the process proceeds to step S7A. In step S7A, when it is determined that the cooking menu is the composite cooking mode KM2, the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed on the central display unit 16M (step S8). In this step S8, the display of the second specific screen 16M2 is started, and one cooking menu acquired from the outside and the control conditions are displayed. That is, on this second specific screen 16M2, only one cooking menu targeted by the recipe data CD is displayed. This is different from step S8 in FIG. 32. In the touch input mode, in step S10, each time the input key 154M or 155M is touched, the results of successively reflecting different control conditions can be displayed on the second specific screen.

[0545] However, in FIG. 37, when the specific input key (dual-purpose key) 153M is "long-pressed" at the stage of step S1A, the control device 40 switches to the "input standby state" by voice. Therefore, in step S21, control conditions can be input by the voice input mode.

[0546] In step S10, if the control conditions of one (composite cooking mode) cooking menu are acceptable, pressing the input key 151M allows transition to cooking step 1 of the composite cooking mode KM2 (step S11).

[0547] Thus, at the stage of step S1A, since it can be switched to the "input waiting state" by voice, in step S21, control conditions can be input by voice within a certain range. For example, control conditions can be input by the user US's voice, such as "500W". Note that multiple control conditions may be input by voice simultaneously, such as "500W 10 minutes".

[0548] Subsequently, FIG. 37 will be described. If it is determined in step S7A that the mode is not the composite cooking mode KM2, the process proceeds to step S12A. In step S12A, if it is determined that the recipe data CD is for the single cooking mode using the heating chamber 6 or the central heating port 4C, the third specific screen 16M3 is displayed on the central display unit 16M (step S13). That is, in step S13, the display of the third specific screen 16M1 is started, and the identification information of one cooking menu acquired from the outside and the control conditions are displayed. Since the specific input key 153M is touched in step S1A, only the cooking of the single cooking mode KM3 that can be executed by the central operation unit 15M can be selected. That is, the cooking menu selected by the left and right operation units 15L and 15R cannot be selected after step S12A.

[0549] Therefore, the control conditions (heating power, heating time, etc.) of the cooking menu displayed on the third specific screen 16M3 can be selected by pressing the input key 154M or 155M (step S22).

[0550] However, in FIG. 37, when the input key 153M is "long pressed" at the stage of step S1A, the control device 40 has switched to the "input waiting state" by voice, so in step S22, control conditions can be input in the voice input mode. That is, since the control device 40 switches to the "input waiting state" by voice before step S22, in step S22, control conditions can be input by voice within a certain range. For example, control conditions can be input by the voice of the user US, such as "heating power 2 for 30 minutes". Also in this case, since the cooking name has already been determined, there is no need to voice the name of the cooking.

[0551] As is clear from FIG. 37, the cooking heater 1 of this Embodiment 1 The input operation unit 15 has a first input operation unit (right operation unit 15R and left operation unit 15L) for the first heating means HM1 and a second input operation unit (central operation unit 15M) for the second heating means. It has input keys A (153L, 153R) arranged on the first input operation units 15L, 15R and input keys B (153M, 154M) arranged on the second input operation unit 15M, respectively. The control device 40 enables the earlier touch input of either the input key A (153L, 153R) or the input key B (153M, 154M), and until the input of control conditions (heating power, heating time, etc.) for the cooking mode (cooperative cooking mode KM1, composite cooking mode KM2, single cooking mode KM3) or the control mode (the "warm" etc.) is completed and cooking starts, the input process by the other input key does not start. This is the characteristic configuration.

[0552] That is, for the three cooking modes (cooperative cooking mode KM1, composite cooking mode KM2, single cooking mode KM3), only one of the input keys 153M, 154M, 153L, 153R that is touched first is accepted by the control device 40, and the other input keys are in a state where input commands are not received.

[0553] Therefore, for example, when the input key 154M is touched and switched to the voice input mode by a long press, the input of the other input keys becomes impossible (however, the input functions of the input keys 151M, 152M are maintained).

[0554] Therefore, when the voice input mode is started by any one of the input keys A (153L, 153R) or the input keys B (153M, 154M), it is impossible to select other cooking modes or control modes, and setting conditions will not be inadvertently input by voice input.

[0555] Also, when the input of the linked cooking mode KM1 is performed using one input key (for example, 153M) by using the voice input mode, when the heating cooking is started by pressing the input key 151M, the previous voice input mode is cancelled. Therefore, when the user US performs a touch operation when selecting other heating cooking later, no confusion occurs.

[0556] Also, when "pre-warning information 1 (201)" including information indicating a specific (one) cooking menu is transmitted from an external communication terminal 200 and the specific input key indicated by the pre-warning information 1 is input in response to the reception of the pre-warning information 1 (step S1A), the process proceeds to the process of acquiring the recipe data CD of the cooking menu related to the pre-warning information 1. That is, it is not necessary to select a cooking mode, a cooking menu, a control menu, etc. by touch input of the input keys 153M or 154M.

[0557] Furthermore, in this Embodiment 1, for cooking having two or more types of heating means and two or more cooking steps like the linked cooking mode KM1, when using the recipe data CD acquired from the outside, at least at the stage of cooking step 1 and the stage of cooking step 2, after receiving the pre-warning information 1 and the pre-warning information 2 in advance respectively, the recipe data CD can be acquired only when the correct specific input key (in FIG. 37, in cooking step 1, 153M) is input.

[0558] Next, FIGS. 38 and 39 will be described. FIG. 38 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of acquiring recipe data CD from the outside in the heating cooker 1. FIG. 39 is a flowchart 2 showing the operation of acquiring recipe data CD from the outside as well.

[0559] In FIG. 38, in step SL1, a process corresponding to the process of step SM1 in FIG. 33 is performed. The next step SL2 performs a process corresponding to the process of step SM2 in FIG. 33. Step SL3 is a process corresponding to step SS5 of connection and notification to the outside described in FIG. 31. That is, it is a step for asking the user US for prior confirmation as to whether to send a signal requesting the provision of recipe data CD to the communication terminal 200 or the cloud server 300 set in advance.

[0560] As described above, it is also possible to automatically execute an external connection from this stage of step SL3 (SS5) (when preset by the function setting key 151KP described above). Since this step SL3 includes an operation of an input key by the user US, details will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 65 and the like. When the control device 40 acquires the recipe data CD, the next step SL4 becomes "Yes" and proceeds to step SL5.

[0561] The next step SL5 is a process for determining whether the received recipe data CD meets the predetermined permission conditions. As described above, for example, in the linked cooking mode KM1, those that do not satisfy "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are not permitted as cooking menus (see FIGS. 29 and 30). Also, in the combined cooking mode KM2, it is determined whether a specific "permission condition 3" is satisfied. Note that the permission condition 3 is the same as that described in step SM61 of FIG. 35. Further, for the first heating means HM1, it is necessary to satisfy the above-mentioned "permission condition 4" (see step SM81 of FIG. 36).

[0562] If it is determined in step SL5 that the permission conditions are not satisfied, and in the case of a cooking menu belonging to the cooperative cooking mode KM1, a signal (data) is transmitted from the communication unit 51 to the outside to notify that the recipe data CD cannot be received, as in the process described in step ST8 of FIG. 29 (step SL9). Note that in FIG. 29, it was the case of the cooperative cooking mode KM1, but such a "non-reception message" is also transmitted for the composite cooking mode KM2 and the single cooking mode KM3. This will be described in detail later.

[0563] If the permission conditions are satisfied, the determined recipe data CD is stored as regular data in a predetermined storage area of the recipe data storage unit 42 (step SL6). In addition, the identification information 167, 160 and control conditions (heating power, heating time, target temperature, etc.) included in the recipe data CD are displayed on the central display unit 16. For example, if it is a cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM1, it is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SL6).

[0564] In this first embodiment, for cooking belonging to the cooperative cooking mode KM1, the method of acquiring the recipe data CD by the control device 40 was a method of sequentially acquiring it for each cooking step. That is, when there are a total of two cooking steps, the "setting information" was acquired in two stages: a first part M1 for setting cooking step 1 and a second part M2 for setting the cooking step 2. Therefore, when acquiring the recipe data CD of the cooperative cooking mode KM1 in step SL5, if the permission conditions are not satisfied in the first first part M1, it does not proceed to step SL6. Therefore, the setting of cooking step 1 cannot be done, and thus the acquisition of the data of the second part M2 for cooking step 2 also cannot proceed. In other words, only the second part M2 for setting cooking step 2 cannot be acquired.

[0565] The next step SL7 is a control condition modification step. For example, in the coordinated cooking mode KM1, the control conditions (such as heating time, target heating temperature, cooking power, etc.) displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (for cooking process 1) can be appropriately changed by operating the input keys 156M to 159M of the central operation unit 15M. Note that since the acquisition of the recipe data CD is in units of cooking menus, it is already determined that it is a specific cooking menu (for example, hamburger), and this cannot be changed to another cooking menu (for example, roast beef).

[0566] When it is desired to modify the control conditions, for example, in the coordinated cooking mode KM1, the modification content can be appropriately input by the central operation unit 15M (step SL10). In this case, the "voice input mode 1" can be selected and it is also possible to input by voice.

[0567] In step SL4, if it is determined that the recipe data CD (the first part M1 for setting cooking process 1) has not been received, the process proceeds to step SL8. In this step SL8, it is determined whether the preset limit time TX has been exceeded. If the limit time TX has not been exceeded, the process returns to step SL4. However, if the limit time TX has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SL11. Step SL11 is the "automatic shutdown process 1" that automatically shuts off the main power supply, similar to step SM6 described in FIG. 33. Note that the limit time TX in this step SL8 and the limit time TX in step SM6 described in FIG. 33 may be set to different times instead of the same time.

[0568] In the case of the coordinated cooking mode KM1, in FIG. 38, only the steps from the acquisition of the first part M1 for setting cooking process 1 to the modification of the control conditions are shown. However, before starting cooking process 2 after finishing cooking process 1, as described in step SL3, it is necessary to operate the specific input key that should be input before cooking process 2 and transmit the selection information A (202) to the communication terminal 200.

[0569] Next, FIG. 39 will be described. This Figure 39 shows the operation when the input key 180 is operated to select the "voice input mode 2". In Figure 39, step SS5 is the same as step SS5 described in Figure 31, so duplicate explanations are omitted. Step SS10 is a determination step as to whether the input key 180 of the voice input mode 2 has been operated. If the input key 180 is pressed once, this becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to the next step SS11. If the input key 180 is not operated, the process proceeds to the normal touch input mode (step SS15).

[0570] If the data acquisition unit 53 can acquire the recipe data CD via the communication unit 51, step SS11 becomes "Yes". In this step SS11, if it is determined that the recipe data CD has not been received, the process proceeds to step SS16. In this step SS16, it is determined whether the preset limit time TX has been exceeded. If the limit time TX has not been exceeded, the process returns to step SS11. However, if the limit time TX has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SS17. Step SS17 is the "automatic shutdown process 1" that automatically shuts off the main power, similar to step SM6 described in Figure 33. Note that the limit time TX in this step SS17 and the limit time TX in step SM6 described in Figure 33 may be set to different times instead of the same time.

[0571] It is determined whether the content of the recipe data CD received in step SS11 satisfies the aforementioned "permission conditions" (see step SL5 in Figure 38). If it is satisfied, step SS12 becomes "Yes".

[0572] If the permission conditions are not satisfied, as described in step SL9 of Figure 38, a signal (data) is transmitted from the communication unit 51 to notify the outside that the recipe data CD cannot be received (SS18).

[0573] When the license conditions are met, the determined recipe data CD is stored as regular data in a predetermined storage area of the recipe data storage unit 42. Also, the identification information 167, 160, etc. and control conditions included in the recipe data are displayed on the central display unit 16. For example, when the recipe data CD is in the linked cooking mode KM1, it is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SS13).

[0574] The control conditions (such as heating time, target heating temperature, heating power, etc.) displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 can be appropriately changed by voice input obtained via the voice signal receiving unit 56 of the input operation unit 15 (steps SS14, SS15).

[0575] When "voice input mode 2" is selected by the input key 180, hereafter, "voice input mode 2" continues until the heating operation of one cooking menu starts. There is no switching to the "touch input mode" during the intermediate input stage. This is because switching during the input process may cause confusion in the operation of the user US.

[0576] If you want to switch to the touch input mode, you can press the input key 180 again at an intermediate stage. From the pressed stage, it returns to the touch input mode. Note that if, for example, the input key 154M is "long pressed" after returning to the touch input mode, it switches to "voice input mode 1". Therefore, in the case of voice input mode 1 (set to voice input mode 1B), for example, when the input key 156M is operated, the input function of the input key is not disabled, so input can be made.

[0577] The description so far has not detailed the case of the linked cooking mode KM1. In the linked cooking mode KM1, it is necessary to sequentially obtain the first part M1 for setting the cooking process 1 and the first part M2 for setting the cooking process 2. Therefore, if it is determined in step SS12 that the license conditions are not met after receiving the first part M1, the acquisition operation of the recipe data CD cannot continue at that point.

[0578] Next, FIG. 40 will be described. FIG. 40 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the heating control unit 43 when the control device 40 switches to the voice input mode 1 in the cooking device 1. Note that FIG. 40 shows the case of the linked cooking mode KM1, but it is basically the same in other cooking modes.

[0579] In FIG. 40, step SS20 indicates the point in time when the input mode of the control device 40 switches to the voice input mode 1. In the next step SS21, the voice notification unit 50 and the central display unit 16M notify that the reception of voice input has started. The state of the central display unit 16M at this time is, for example, as shown in FIG. 21. That is, a mark 154V indicating that the mode has switched to the voice input mode is displayed on the central operation unit 15M, and as auxiliary information 179, voice input mode display information 179A indicating that voice input is being received is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1.

[0580] In the next step SS22, the voice signal analysis unit 58 shifts to an input standby state for receiving a command by voice from the user US. Also, the measurement of the elapsed time is started by a time measurement unit (not shown) inside the control device 40.

[0581] The input information by voice uttered by the user US is acquired by the voice signal reception unit 56 via a microphone (not shown). The voice signal reception unit 56 converts the acquired voice information into a predetermined voice signal and transmits it to the voice signal analysis unit 58 (step SS23).

[0582] The voice signal analysis unit 56 analyzes the received voice signal (step SS24) and causes the input content to be displayed on the central display unit 16M (first specific screen 16M1). For example, as described with reference to FIG. 22, it is announced by voice, for example, "Hamburger, right IH, automatically selected", and it is also displayed in characters on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SS25).

[0583] In step SS25, when the input information is insufficient, the voice notification unit 50 further guides the user by voice, such as "Please specify the preheating temperature." Alternatively, the range of specific control conditions may be notified, such as "The recommended preheating temperature is 200°C. Please specify the temperature."

[0584] When the input of the control conditions necessary for starting the heating operation is insufficient, the process returns to step SS23. Before returning to step SS23, the voice notification unit 50 points out the control conditions for which the input is insufficient and prompts the input (not shown).

[0585] When the heating control unit 43 determines that the input of the control conditions necessary for starting the heating operation is complete (step SS26), the process proceeds to step SS27. In step SS27, since the voice input is complete, it is announced that the voice input mode 1 will be released, and it is recommended to perform a touch operation on the input key 151M (step SS27). Note that when the input key 151M is touched, the voice input mode 1 is immediately released.

[0586] On the other hand, if no voice command is received in step SS23, the process proceeds to step SS28. In step SS28, it is determined whether the elapsed time from step SS22 has exceeded a predetermined limit time TY1. If the limit time TY1 has not been exceeded, the process returns to step SS23. However, if the limit time TY1 (for example, 5 minutes) has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SS29. Step SS29 is the same "automatic shutdown process 2" as step SM6 in FIG. 33. This "automatic shutdown process 2" is a series of processes in which, in the state of the first specific screen 16M1, the voice notification unit 50 issues an alarm to the user US, then automatically switches to the standby initial screen 16MH, and then automatically releases the main power switch 20. This avoids the situation of being left unattended for a long time due to some reason during the input process and ensures safety. Note that the limit time TY1 may be the same as the limit time TY in step SM43 described in FIG. 34, or may be a different length of time.

[0587] Next, FIG. 41 will be described. FIG. 41 shows the display content of the central display unit 16M corresponding to each main operation step after the main power switch 20 is turned on. When the main power switch 20 is in the OFF state, the central display unit 16M is not activated and thus displays no information. When the main power switch 20 is in the ON state, after performing self-diagnosis such as checking for abnormalities as described above, the control device 40 causes the central display unit 16M to display "Display Screen 1", which is one display form of the initial standby screen 16MH in FIG. 41.

[0588] In the Display Screen 1 shown in FIG. 41, 60A is a display text indicating that the power is on. 60B is two-dimensional information (a two-dimensional code) for guiding (the communication terminal 200) to the recipe data providing server 301, which is a dedicated recipe posting site via the network NW. 60C is a text explaining the meaning of the two-dimensional code (hereinafter referred to as the "two-dimensional information explanation text").

[0589] When the communication terminal 200 optically reads the two-dimensional code 60B as described above, it can be guided to and connected to the recipe data providing server 301 that holds information on various cooking recipes. This two-dimensional information explanation text 60C and the display text 60A are one type of "common standby information" 60N.

[0590] After the Display Screen 1 in FIG. 41 is displayed, the Display Screen 2C is automatically displayed. In this Display Screen 2C, the recommendation text 60H prompts the user US to perform an input operation to select a heat source. Note that the Display Screen 2A or 2B may be displayed after the Display Screen 1.

[0591] On display screen 2A, the character display 60D of "Bumping Caution" is one of the caution displays. This "bumping" refers to a phenomenon where, when heating a viscous food item (liquid) such as curry or stew, the interior of the food item is in a superheated state above its boiling point and suddenly undergoes intense boiling. Along with the ejection of steam from the heated liquid, hot droplets may scatter, which can be dangerous. The timing and cause of bumping are said to be the entry of foreign matter or impact from the outside. Therefore, when placing a metal pot or the like containing the food item on top plate 3 for induction heating, caution is called for when stirring the food item. The information of this caution display 60E is a type of "Common Information during Standby" 60N.

[0592] The four display screens, namely display screen 1, display screens 2A, 2B, and 2C shown in FIG. 41, are called "Common Screen" or "Initial Screen during Standby" 16MH. Note that forms other than these four may also be included in common screen 16MH.

[0593] On display screen 2B, 60E is a caution display warning not to touch carelessly as the interior of heating chamber 6 is at a high temperature. When control device 40 detects that heating chamber 6 has not cooled down sufficiently after performing oven cooking in heating chamber 6, it automatically switches to the state of this display screen 2.

[0594] Display screens 2A and 2B cannot be displayed simultaneously, but they may be alternately displayed at intervals of several seconds to call attention to both the bumping display and the high - temperature display. Also, the voice notification unit 50 may simultaneously provide voice notifications of the caution contents of display screens 2A and 2B.

[0595] On display screen 2C of FIG. 41, 60P is the above - mentioned acquisition operation support information. This acquisition operation support information 60P indicates that in order to acquire the recipe data CD in the cooking heater 1, it is necessary to touch - operate a specific input key in advance. For example, in the case of the cooking menu "Hamburger" belonging to the cooperative cooking mode KM1, since the cooking process 1 is performed at the right heating port 4R or the left heating port 4L, it is displayed in the acquisition operation support information 60P to touch-operate either the input key 152L or 152R. In addition, in accordance with this display, the voice notification unit 50 may notify by voice.

[0596] As is clear from the display screens 1 to 2A to 2C in FIG. 41, the display of these various types of information, including the acquisition operation support information 60P, is performed using the entire display screen. That is, rather than partially displaying by any one of the aforementioned first area 22 to third area 24, in order to secure as wide a display area as possible, the three areas of the first area 22 to the third area 24 are integrally displayed so as not to be distinguishable, and it appears to the user US that it is displayed on the entire central display unit 16M.

[0597] Next, FIG. 42 will be described. FIG. 42 is an enlarged plan view for explaining the operation of the left display unit 16L of the cooking heater 1. FIG. 42 shows the third specific screen 16L3 for the single cooking mode KM3. This FIG. 42 is displayed when the input key 153L (see FIG. 6) is operated after the stage of step SS4 in FIG. 31.

[0598] Next, when the input key 152L is operated, the control menus to be executed at the left heating port 4L are displayed one by one on the left display unit 16L. As in the display screen 3A of FIG. 42, the user can separately set whether the initially displayed (default-set) control menu is "warming", "fried food" in the display screen 3B, or "preheating" in the display screen 3C, etc., using the function setting key 151KP.

[0599] Also, when the input key 153L is operated at the step SM8 in FIG. 33 and the input key 152L is operated at the step SM93 in FIG. 36, the control menu executed at the left heating port 4L is displayed on the left display unit 16L. Each time the input key 152L is pressed once, the display of the control menu changes one by one (such as "warming", "fried food", "preheating", etc.). That is, each time the input key 152L is pressed, one of the plurality of control menus can be selected.

[0600] The control menus selectable at the left heating port 4L (in the induction heating single cooking mode KM3) are, for example, "warming", "boiling water", "stewing", "fried food (automatic cooking)", "preheating", etc. For each control menu, the drive time, heating power, drive pattern, etc. of the left IH coil 9L are different.

[0601] The display screen 3A in FIG. 42 is the case where the "warming" control menu is selected. The display screen 3B is the case where the "fried food" control menu is selected. The display screen 3C is the case where the "preheating" control menu is selected. 179A is the auxiliary information. This auxiliary information 179A is displayed adjacent to the display portion of the name of each control menu on the third specific screen 16M3 after switching to the voice input mode. Therefore, it is not displayed at the stage when it is not in the voice input mode.

[0602] In addition, at the central display unit 16M, when selecting the "warming" (the "IH warming" shown in FIG. 12) of the control menu (in the induction heating single cooking mode KM3) using the central IH coil 9M responsible for the central heating port 4C, the input keys 154M or 155M can be touch-operated several times or more to display the display screen 3A shown in FIG. 42. In this case, the central display unit 16M has a display form like the display screen 3A, and this screen is called the "third specific screen" 16M3.

[0603] Next, FIG. 43 will be described. FIG. 43 illustrates the operation steps of the control device 40 of the cooking appliance 1 from when the recipe data CD is acquired until the cooking process ends. This is the case when the cooperative cooking mode KM1 is selected.

[0604] FIG. 43 shows the situation after acquiring the data of the first part M1 that sets the cooking process 1 from among the recipe data on a CD for one cooking menu that requires the cooking processes 1 and 2. The control device 40 determines whether the reception of the first part M1 was successful (step SU1). If it was successful, it proceeds to step SU2. In step SU2, the identification information (for example, 167) of the corresponding cooking menu, the set control conditions (such as the heating power and heating time), and the information on all the cooking processes are displayed on any one of the first specific screen 16M1 to the third specific screen 16M3. Here, the "information on the cooking process" may be the process information 172 as described in FIG. 44 below.

[0605] In the case of cooking the menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM1, in step SU2, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed. Therefore, if the content displayed on the first specific screen 16M is acceptable, the cooking can be started. However, if there is a preheating process by the first heating means HM1 before the cooking process 1, the input keys (153L, 153R) of the left operation part 15L or the right operation part 15R corresponding to the selected left heating port 4L or right heating port 4R are touched and operated.

[0606] The cooking process 1 is started (step SU3). In the case of timer cooking, the cooking process 2 ends when the set time has elapsed (step SU4). In the case of non-timer cooking, the cooking process 1 is started (step SU3) and stopped (step SU4) by the start and stop commands of the user US.

[0607] In step SU4, when the cooking process 1 ends, in the case of the cooperative cooking mode KM1, various information for proceeding to the cooking process 2 is displayed while the display of the first specific screen 16M1 (or 16L1, 16R1) of the cooking process 1 is maintained (step SU5). In step SU5, information such as the completion of cooking process 1 and the need for an input operation to obtain the second part M2 for setting cooking process 2 is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1.

[0608] Next, as a preliminary step to receiving the recipe data CD for the second part M2 from the communication terminal 200, when the notice information 2(201) is transmitted from the communication terminal 200, after receiving the notice information 2, a specific input key corresponding to the notice information 2 is operated (step SU5).

[0609] For example, in the case of cooking with a linked cooking menu, when cooking process 2 is performed in the heating chamber 6, it is necessary to operate the only specific input key 153M on the central operation unit 15M. For example, in the case of the above-mentioned "hamburger", since cooking process 2 is executed by combining the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 using the heating chamber 6, the specific input key 153M is touched and operated (step SU6).

[0610] In the next step SU7, it is determined whether the reception of the data of t...

Claims

1. An input operation unit, Heating means driven in at least one of cooking step 1 and cooking step 2, A communication unit for wireless communication with the outside, Notification means, A control device that acquires setting information A of the cooking step 1 and setting information B of the cooking step 2 via the communication unit, respectively, having, The control device sequentially acquires the setting information A and the setting information B. When the specific input key A of the input operation unit is operated, the control device proceeds to a step where the setting information A can be acquired. When the specific input key B of the input operation unit is operated, it proceeds to a step where the setting information B can be acquired. A cooking heater, characterized in that.

2. When the control device operates the specific input key A or the specific input key B, it starts an acceptance state for accepting the setting information A or the setting information B, and when starting the cooking step 1 or the cooking step 2, it cancels the acceptance state. The cooking heater according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. When the control device operates the specific input key A, it does not accept an input from the input operation unit for acquiring setting information of a cooking process related to other cooking menus. The cooking heater according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that.

4. The specific input key A and the specific input key B have a function of selecting a voice input mode. When the control device receives an acquisition command for the setting information A by the specific input key A or receives an acquisition command for the setting information B by the specific input key B, it enters a standby state for accepting an input from the outside in the state of the voice input mode. The cooking heater according to claim 1, characterized in that.

5. The specific input key A and the specific input key B have a function of setting to a voice input mode according to an operation state. The input operation unit has a start key for instructing the start of cooking and a stop key for instructing the end of cooking. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein when a start command for cooking is issued by the start key, the setting of the voice input mode is canceled.

6. When the control device receives a command to acquire the setting information A, it determines whether the permission condition is satisfied, and if the permission condition is not satisfied, it does not acquire the setting information A. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that.

7. A plurality of input operation units, Notification means, A communication unit that acquires recipe data regarding one object to be cooked from the outside, A control device that controls a cooking process according to the recipe data acquired via the communication unit, having, When the recipe data includes setting information for a plurality of cooking steps, the control device sequentially acquires the recipe data divided for each cooking step for each cooking step. When the control device acquires the recipe data for each cooking step, it operates the specific input keys arranged for each input operation unit in the order determined by the recipe data, respectively. A cooking appliance characterized by the above.

8. When one of the specific input keys is operated, the control device starts a reception state for receiving setting information of heating means used for each cooking step, and then when one of the cooking steps is started, the reception state is canceled. The cooking appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. The cooking appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that the control device transmits to the outside via the communication unit that the reception state has been started for each cooking step.

10. A first unit incorporating heating means, A second unit that can be heated by the heating means while being placed on the first unit. The first unit includes a main control device that controls the heating means, a communication unit that performs wireless communication with the outside, and a first operation unit that enables input operations while the second unit is placed thereon. The second unit includes a second operation unit that enables input operations in a first state where it is placed on the first unit, and a sub-control device that receives the input of the second operation unit. The main control device has a function of acquiring, via the communication unit, setting information A related to cooking step 1 of a specific cooking menu and setting information B related to cooking step 2, respectively. The main control device (1) When a specific input key A of the first operation unit is operated, it proceeds to a step where the setting information A for using the first unit alone can be acquired. (2) After finishing cooking step 1, when a specific input key B of the second operation unit is operated in the first state, it proceeds to a step where the setting information B for using the second unit can be acquired. A heating cooker, characterized by the above.

11. When the specific input key A or the specific input key B is operated, the main control device starts an acceptance state for receiving the setting information A and the setting information B for the heating means, and when cooking step 1 or cooking step 2 is started, the acceptance state is released. The heating cooker according to claim 10, characterized by the above.

12. A first unit incorporating heating means, A second unit that can be heated by the heating means while being placed on the first unit. The first unit includes a main control device that controls the heating means, a communication unit that performs wireless communication with the outside, and a first operation unit that enables input operations in a state where the second unit is not placed thereon. The second unit includes a second operation unit that enables input operations while being placed on the first unit and a sub-control device. The main control device has a function of acquiring, via the communication unit, setting information A related to cooking step 1 of a specific cooking menu and setting information B related to cooking step 2, respectively. The main control device is (1) When the specific input key B of the second operation unit is operated in a state where the second unit is placed on the first unit, the process proceeds to a step of acquiring the setting information A for using the second unit in cooking step 1. (2) After finishing cooking step 1, when the specific input key A of the first operation unit is operated, the process proceeds to a step of being able to acquire the setting information B for using the first unit in cooking step 2. The cooking heater is characterized by the above.

13. When the specific input key B is operated, the main control device starts a reception state of receiving the setting information A for the heating means, and when starting cooking step 1, the reception state is released. The cooking heater according to claim 12 is characterized by this.

14. When the specific input key A is operated, the main control device starts a reception state of receiving the setting information B for the heating means, and when starting cooking step 2, the reception state is released. The cooking heater according to claim 12 is characterized by this.

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