Cooking device and method for controlling cooking device

Abstract

To provide a heating cooker that can be communicatively connected with a communication terminal device in at least some time during heating cooking.SOLUTION: An oven range according to the present invention comprises a body having a cooking chamber therein, a door for opening and closing an opening in the body, microwave heating means 12 using a magnetron 13, a plurality of grill heaters 19 not using the magnetron 13, a hot wind unit 25 and a steam supply device 27, a wireless communication device 6 which can wirelessly communicate with a communication terminal, and communication control means 72 for controlling the radio communication device 6. The microwave heating means 12 is arranged below the cooking chamber. The grill heaters 19, the hot wind unit 25 and the steam supply device 27 are arranged in some or all of an upper part, a depth side and a lateral side of the cooking chamber. The wireless communication device 6 is arranged inside the door, and is capable of performing wireless communication in part or all of a time of heating by the grill heater 19, the hot wind unit 25 and the steam supply device 27.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking device capable of wireless communication with other communication devices. and a control method for the cooking device Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a cooking appliance that is equipped with a wireless communication device and is capable of wireless communication with a communication terminal device such as a smartphone via a server device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Among cooking appliances, there is one that has a range heating function that heats and cooks food by irradiating it with microwaves oscillated by a magnetron.

[0003] However, the frequency of the microwaves generated by the magnetron (2.4 GHz) is the same as the frequency band of wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), so there is a risk that radio wave interference will occur, making wireless communication by the wireless communication device unstable or even making communication impossible.

[0004] If this radio wave interference makes wireless communication by the cooking appliance unstable or impossible, and the user remotely operating the cooking appliance via a communication terminal device is not aware of the cause, there is a risk that the cooking appliance or the communication terminal device may mistakenly believe that it has malfunctioned.

[0005] Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a network home appliance system that notifies a communication terminal device that requests access to a cooking appliance while the cooking appliance is cooking that access is not possible because the cooking appliance is in the middle of cooking. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-134806 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, even when the cooking appliance is cooking, wireless communication with other communication devices is possible by enabling a communication connection by the communication terminal device at least part of the time.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cooking appliance that allows communication connection via a communication terminal device at least part of the time even when the cooking appliance is cooking. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The cooking device of the present invention is a cooking device in a cooking device system including a cooking device and a communication terminal capable of wireless communication with the cooking device, the cooking device including a first heating means using a magnetron, a second heating means not using the magnetron, a wireless communication device capable of wireless communication with the communication terminal, and a communication control means for controlling the wireless communication device. a current detection means for detecting an increase or change in current value accompanying the operation of the first heating means; wherein, in the case of heating by the first heating means, when a heating start operation is performed, the communication control means transmits a communication disconnection signal to a display unit of the communication terminal to display that communication has been disconnected because heating is being performed by the first heating means, When the current detection means detects an increase in the current value, The communication by the wireless communication device is disconnected, and when heating is completed, the communication by the wireless communication device is reconnected, and in the case of heating by the second heating means, during heating, an end advance notification signal is transmitted to the display unit of the communication terminal to display the remaining time of heating by the second heating means, and when heating by the second heating means is completed, an end notification signal is transmitted to the display unit of the communication terminal to display the completion of heating by the second heating means.

[0010] The control method for a cooking device of the present invention is a control method for a cooking device in a cooking device system including a cooking device and a communication terminal capable of wireless communication with the cooking device, wherein the cooking device includes a first heating means using a magnetron, a second heating means not using the magnetron, a wireless communication device capable of wireless communication with the communication terminal, and a communication control means for controlling the wireless communication device. a current detection means for detecting an increase or change in current value accompanying the operation of the first heating means; In the case of heating by the first heating means, when a heating start operation is performed, a communication disconnection signal is transmitted to a display unit of the communication terminal to display that communication has been disconnected because heating is being performed by the first heating means, When the current detection means detects an increase in the current value, The communication by the wireless communication device is disconnected, and when heating is completed, the communication by the wireless communication device is reconnected, and in the case of heating by the second heating means, during heating, an end advance notification signal is transmitted to the display unit of the communication terminal to display the remaining time of heating by the second heating means, and when heating by the second heating means is completed, an end notification signal is transmitted to the display unit of the communication terminal to display the completion of heating by the second heating means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] Cooking device of the present invention and control method for cooking appliance According to this, even when the cooking appliance is cooking, communication connection by the communication terminal device can be made at least part of the time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upper side of a microwave oven according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of the microwave oven with the door open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the cooking device system. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the microwave oven. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the communication terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing the flow of communication between the microwave oven, the server, and the communication terminal. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing (a) display element 1, (b) display element 2, (c) display element 3, (d) display element 4, and (e) display element 5 displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a communication terminal displaying communication connection information and a communication terminal displaying communication disconnection information, respectively, of a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of communication between the microwave oven, the server, and the communication terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the cooking device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the content of the present invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential requirements of the present invention.

[0014] Figures 1 to 11 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Figures 1 and 2 show an oven range 1 as a cooking appliance in this embodiment. The oven range 1 is configured to have a rectangular box-shaped main body 2 with an open front, and a door 4 that opens and closes the opening 3 on the front of the main body 2.

[0015] The oven range 1 of this embodiment has a cooking function using oven heating to heat the food S to be cooked using hot air supplied into the cooking chamber 5, a cooking function using grill heating to heat the food S to be cooked using heat from a heater, a cooking function using range heating to heat and cook the food S to be cooked by irradiating the food S with microwaves, and a cooking function using steam heating to heat the food S to be heated using superheated steam.

[0016] A microwave oven 1 installed in a user's home or the like is equipped with a wireless communication device 6 (see Figures 6 and 7), and is capable of wireless communication with an externally installed server 7. As shown in Figure 3, the user can perform two-way wireless communication with the microwave oven 1 by accessing the server 7 using a communication terminal 8 such as a smartphone, tablet, or PC. The microwave oven 1 is connected to a wireless LAN router 9. The wireless LAN router 9 functions as a means for accessing a network (not shown), and is configured to exchange various types of data between the cooker 1 and a server 7 connected to the network via the wireless LAN router 9. The communication terminal 8 exchanges various types of data between the communication terminal 8 and the server 7 via an access point 10. The wireless LAN router 9 and the access point 10 may be the same device.

[0017] Next, the configuration of the microwave oven 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 4 to 6. Inside the main body 2, there is provided a cooking chamber 5 in which food S to be cooked is stored and heated.

[0018] Microwave heating means 12 (see FIG. 7) is disposed below bottom wall 11 of cooking chamber 5. It supplies microwaves, which are radio waves, into cooking chamber 5 and irradiates the food S with the microwaves to heat it in the microwave oven. Microwave heating means 12 is composed of a magnetron 13 that generates microwaves, a waveguide 14 that guides the microwaves from magnetron 13 into the cooking chamber, an antenna 15 that radiates the microwaves from waveguide 14 into cooking chamber 5, an antenna motor 16 such as an AC motor that rotates antenna 15 horizontally around an upright axis, and an inverter 17 that serves as a drive power source for magnetron 13. Microwave heating means 12 is a first heating means that uses magnetron 13.

[0019] A grill heater 19 is disposed on the ceiling wall 18 of the cooking chamber 5. The grill heater 19 is configured to perform grill heating by radiating heat to the food S to be cooked in the cooking chamber 5. The grill heater 19 is a second heating means that does not use the magnetron 13.

[0020] A back wall 20 of cooking chamber 5 is provided with multiple supply holes 21 that supply hot air into cooking chamber 5, and a hot air unit 25 (see FIG. 7) is disposed behind back wall 20 and includes a hot air heater 22 for heating air, a hot air fan 23 that sends and circulates the air heated by hot air heater 22 into cooking chamber 5, and a hot air motor 24 that rotates and drives hot air fan 23. By rotating hot air fan 23 and supplying air heated by hot air heater 22 into cooking chamber 5, food S to be cooked in cooking chamber 5 is heated by hot air convection (oven heating). Hot air unit 25 is a second heating means that does not use magnetron 13.

[0021] A steam outlet 28 communicating with a steam supply device 27 (see FIG. 7) is provided on the left side wall 26 of the cooking chamber 5. Steam can be heated by the steam emitted from this steam outlet 28 into the cooking chamber 5. The steam supply device 27 mainly comprises a water supply pump 30 that directs water from a water supply cassette 29 into an evaporation container (not shown), and an evaporation heater 31 such as a sheath heater that is attached to the metal evaporation container. The evaporation heater 31 vaporizes water, and saturated steam or superheated steam is supplied to the inside of the cooking chamber 5, thereby steam-heating the food S to be cooked in the cooking chamber 5. The steam supply device 27 is a second heating means that does not use the magnetron 13.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a water supply cassette 29 and a water receiver 31 are disposed at the bottom of the main body 2 and can be attached and detached from the front of the main body 2. The water supply cassette 29 is a bottomed container that contains liquid water and serves as a supply source for steam generated by the steam supply device 27. The water receiver 31 is a bottomed container that receives food debris, water droplets, steam water, etc. from the main body 2. The water supply cassette 29 and the water receiver 31 can be removed by pulling them out towards you, and can be attached by pushing them in towards you.

[0023] The lower portion of the door 4 is rotatably connected to the main body 2, allowing the opening 3 of the main body 2 to be opened and closed vertically. The door 4 has a rectangular window 32 through which the interior of the cooking chamber 5 can be seen, and a frame 33 surrounding the window 32. The window 32 is located approximately in the center of the door 4. The frame 33 has a plate-shaped front portion 33A, a plate-shaped back portion 33B (see FIG. 5), a plate-shaped outer peripheral surface 33C, and an inner peripheral surface 33D (see FIG. 6) that abuts the window 32. The frame 33 also has an upper edge 34 located above the window 32, a lower edge 35 located below the window 32, a left edge 36 located to the left of the window 32, and a right edge 37 located to the right of the window 32. The upper left corner 38 of the frame 33 is where the top side 34 and the left side 36 overlap, and is part of both the top side 34 and the left side 36. Similarly, the lower left corner 39 of the frame 33 is part of both the bottom side 35 and the left side 36, the upper right corner 40 of the frame 33 is part of both the top side 34 and the right side 37, and the lower right corner 41 of the frame 33 is part of both the bottom side 35 and the right side 37.

[0024] 1, 4, and 5, a handle 42 for opening and closing operations, which a user places his / her hand on when opening or closing the vertically opening door 4, is provided on a front surface 34A of the upper side 34 of the front surface 33A of the frame 33. The handle 42 is configured to have a gripping portion 43 extending in the horizontal direction, and fixing portions 44A, 44B which are provided on both the left and right ends of the gripping portion 43 and fixed to the door 4.

[0025] An operation panel 45 for display, notification, and operation is provided on the front surface 37A of the right side 37 of the front surface 33A of the frame 33. The operation panel 45 is provided with a display means 46 that displays the cooking settings and progress status, and an operation means 47 that enables various operation inputs related to cooking. The display means 46 is equipped with an electrostatic touch panel 48 that enables touch operation on the screen.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4 , a first air intake port 50 serving as an air intake port consisting of a plurality of through-holes, a first air exhaust port 51 serving as an air exhaust port consisting of a plurality of through-holes, a second air intake port 52 serving as an air intake port consisting of a plurality of through-holes, and a second air exhaust port 53 serving as an air exhaust port consisting of a plurality of through-holes are formed on the bottom surface 49 of the frame portion 33 of the door 4. From the right side, the first air intake port 50, the second air intake port 52, the second air exhaust port 53, and the first air exhaust port 51 are arranged in this order, with the second air intake port 52 and the second air exhaust port 53 being disposed between the first air intake port 50 and the first air exhaust port 51. Outside air is taken into the interior 33E of the frame portion 42 through the first air intake port 50 and the second air intake port 52, and air in the interior 33E of the frame portion 42 is discharged to the outside through the first air exhaust port 51 and the second air exhaust port 53. In this embodiment, the first intake port 50, the first exhaust port 51, the second intake port 52, and the second exhaust port 53 are respectively composed of four through holes, four through holes, five through holes, and four through holes, but as long as intake and exhaust can be performed reliably, the number, shape, and position of the through holes can be any desired number, shape, and position.

[0027] The first air intake 50, the first air exhaust 51, the second air intake 52, and the second air exhaust 53 are located forward of the front surface 28A of the water supply cassette 29 and the front surface 31A of the water receptacle 31 when they are attached. Therefore, when the water supply cassette 29 and the water receptacle 31 are attached to the main body 2, the first air intake 50, the first air exhaust 51, the second air intake 52, and the second air exhaust 53 are not blocked by the water supply cassette 29 and the water receptacle 31, and the intake and exhaust are not obstructed by the water supply cassette 29 and the water receptacle 31.

[0028] The interior 33E of the frame 33 is an area surrounded by the front surface 33A, the back surface 33B, the outer peripheral surface 33C, and the inner peripheral surface 33D. As shown in FIG. 5 , the interior 33E of the frame 33 is partitioned by a first wall 54 and a second wall 55, forming two spaces, a first flow path 56 and a second flow path 57, which are flow paths for the flow of cooling gas. The first wall 54 and the second wall 55 are disposed in the interior 35B of the lower side 35. The space between the first wall 54 and the second wall 55 is the second flow path 57, and the other space is the first flow path 56. The first intake port 50 and the first exhaust port 51 communicate the first flow path 56 with the outside, and the second intake port 52 and the second exhaust port 53 communicate the second flow path 57 with the outside.

[0029] 6, a first blower fan 58 serving as a blower device is disposed in the first flow path 56 near the first air intake port 50. By driving the first blower fan 58, outside air (cooling gas) is taken in through the first air intake port 50, and as shown by the outline arrow, the air flows leftward (counterclockwise) through the first flow path 56 and is discharged from the first exhaust port 51.

[0030] A printed circuit board (PCB) 58 is disposed in the upper portion of the interior 37B of the right side 37 (the portion behind the operation panel 45) as control means for controlling the display means 46, operation means 47, etc. This printed circuit board 59 is an object to be cooled, and is disposed in the first flow path 56. It is cooled by contact with the air taken in from the first air intake 50, and a rise in temperature is suppressed. In addition, the air flowing through the first flow path 56 cools the right side 37 itself, and a rise in temperature of the front surface 37A of the right side 37 is also suppressed.

[0031] A mounting plate 61 is disposed within a first flow passage 56 formed in the interior 34B of the top side portion 34 as a mounting member to which the fixed portions 44A, 44B of the handle 42 are attached using fixing members 60 such as screws. The mounting plate 61, which is an object to be cooled, is cooled by contact with the air flowing through the first flow passage 56, thereby suppressing a temperature rise. This makes it difficult for high-temperature heat to be conducted to the handle 42, suppressing a temperature rise in the handle 42. The mounting plate 61 extends into the interior 34B of the top side portion 34 and the interior 36B of the left side portion 36. The mounting plate 61 comes into contact with the air flowing through the first flow passage 56, thereby cooling the top side portion 34 and the left side portion 36 themselves, suppressing a temperature rise in the front surface 34A of the top side portion 34 and the front surface 36A of the left side portion 36.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6 , a rib 62 is provided in the first flow path 56 near the first exhaust port 51 as a path extension for increasing the length of the first flow path 56. As the air taken in through the first air intake port 50 flows through the first flow path 56, it absorbs heat from the printed circuit board 59 and the mounting plate 61, as well as from objects it comes into contact with, such as the back surface 22B of the frame 33 disposed on the cooking chamber 5 side. Therefore, the temperature of the air has increased by the time it reaches the vicinity of the first exhaust port 51. Therefore, by providing the rib 62 and increasing the length of the first flow path 56, the time that the air contacts the frame 33 near the first exhaust port 51 is increased, increasing the amount of heat absorbed by the air and improving the cooling effect.

[0033] The ribs 62 in this embodiment are formed of linear plate members, but may have other shapes as long as they increase the length of the first flow passage 56. Furthermore, the positions at which the ribs 62 are arranged and the number of ribs 62 provided may be changed as appropriate.

[0034] A second blower fan 63 serving as a blower device is disposed in the second flow path 57 near the second air intake port 52. By driving the second blower fan 63, outside air (cooling gas) is taken in through the second air intake port 52, and the air flows through the second flow path 57.

[0035] The wireless communication device 6 is disposed in the second flow path 57, and the wireless communication device 6 is located inside the door 4, in the lower center portion. The air taken in from the second air intake port 52 comes into contact with the wireless communication device 6, which is the object to be cooled, while flowing through the second flow path 57, absorbs heat from the wireless communication device 6, and is discharged to the outside through the second exhaust port 53. In this embodiment, the air flowing through the second flow path 57 cools the wireless communication device 6 and also cools the lower side portion 35 itself, thereby suppressing a temperature rise in the front portion 35A of the lower side portion 35. The lower side portion 35 is also cooled by the air flowing through the first flow path 56.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first air intake port 50 and the second air intake port 52 are located away from the first exhaust port 51 and the second exhaust port 53, making it difficult for the heated air discharged from the first exhaust port 51 and the second exhaust port 53 to be taken into the interior 33E of the frame portion 33 through the first air intake port 50 and the second air intake port 52.

[0037] In this embodiment, the window portion 32 is connected to the frame portion 33, and therefore the temperature of the inner surface portion 33D of the frame portion 33 is lowered by the air flowing through the first flow path 56 and the second flow path 57, and heat is conducted from the window portion 32 to the frame portion 33, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the window portion 32.

[0038] The wireless communication device 6 is switched between a communication connected state and a communication disconnected state based on a switching signal output from the communication control means 72. When the current detection means 74, which measures the current value of the input power supplied to the microwave oven range 1, detects an increase in the current value due to the operation of the microwave heating means 12, it outputs a detection signal, and upon receiving this detection signal, the communication control means 72 determines by the determination section 75 that the microwave heating means 12 has operated, and transmits a communication disconnection signal to the wireless communication device 6. Upon receiving the communication disconnection signal, the wireless communication device 6 disconnects communication and enters the communication disconnection state.

[0039] On the other hand, if the current detection means 74 does not detect an increase in the current value associated with the operation of the microwave heating means 12, no detection signal is output, and therefore the determination unit 75 of the communication control means 72 determines that the microwave heating means 12 is not operating, and transmits a communication connection signal to the wireless communication device 6. Upon receiving the communication connection signal, the wireless communication device 6 enters a communication connection state.

[0040] In this embodiment, during cooking using the grill heater 19, hot air unit 25, and steam supply device 27, which are the second heating means, the magnetron 13 is not used, and therefore the wireless communication device 6 is in a communication connection state.

[0041] The microwave oven 1 has a function to transmit heating status information of the microwave oven 1. The heating status information is the completion of various cooking processes and a notice of completion, and a cooking completion notice is transmitted when various cooking processes are completed, and a notice of completion is transmitted a predetermined time before the cooking process. The completion notice and notice of completion are transmitted from the wireless communication device 6 to the user's communication terminal 8 via the server 7. Therefore, when transmitting the completion notice and notice of completion, the wireless communication device 6 must be in a communication connected state.

[0042] Figure 7 shows the main electrical configuration of the microwave oven 1. In the figure, reference numeral 64 denotes control means constituted by a microcomputer, which, as is well known, includes a CPU as a processing means, memory as a storage means, a timer as a timekeeping means, input / output devices, etc. The control means 64 includes heating control means 65 that controls the microwave heating means 12, grill heater 19, hot air unit 25, and steam supply device 27, fan control means 67 that controls first blower fan 58, second blower fan 63, and interior cooling fan 66 that sends air into cooking chamber 5 to cool it, display control means 71 that controls display means 46, and communication control means 72 that controls the wireless communication device 6.

[0043] The heating control means 65 mainly controls the operation of each part related to the heating and cooking of the food S. When the heating control means 65 receives an operation signal accompanying the operation of the operating means 47, it sends a control signal to operate any one of the microwave heating means 12, the grill heater 19, the hot air unit 25, or the steam supply device 27 in accordance with the operation signal, thereby controlling the heating and cooking of the food S in the cooking chamber 5.

[0044] Fan control means 67 controls first fan motor 68, second fan motor 69, and cooling fan motor 70, which respectively rotate first blower fan 58, second blower fan 63, and interior cooling fan 66. First blower fan 58 and second blower fan 63 circulate outside air through first flow path 56 and second flow path 57, which are the interior spaces of door 4, to cool door 4 and handle 42. They are driven during cooking using microwave heating, grill heating, oven heating, and steam heating, and for a certain period of time after cooking. Interior cooling fan 66 is configured to operate in response to a fan control signal from control means 64 when, for example, a detection signal from interior temperature detection means 73 indicates that the temperature inside cooking chamber 5 is above a predetermined temperature, and to forcibly exhaust hot air inside cooking chamber 5 to the outside.

[0045] The display control means 71 works in cooperation with the heating control means 65 and the communication control means 72 to control the operation related to the display of the display means 46, and has the function of receiving an operation signal from the operation means 47, selecting image information corresponding to the image to be displayed on the display means 46 from all the image information stored in the memory of the control means 64, and sending the image information to the display means 46 as a control signal for display.

[0046] As will be described later, the communication control means 72 controls the transmission of various signals (communication connection signal, communication disconnection signal, reception completion notification signal, termination advance notification signal, and termination notification signal) from the wireless communication device 6 to the server 7. It also controls the switching between connection and disconnection of communication of the wireless communication device 6.

[0047] The input port of the control means 64 is electrically connected to an operation panel 45 equipped with an operation means 47 and a touch panel 48, an internal temperature detection means 73 equipped with a thermistor (not shown) that detects the temperature inside the cooking chamber 5, and a current detection means 74 that measures the input current to the oven range 1 and detects an increase or decrease in the current value due to the operation of the microwave heating means 12.

[0048] The output port of the control means 64 is electrically connected to the microwave heating means 12, the grill heater 19, the hot air unit 25, the steam supply device 27, the operation panel 45 equipped with the display means 46, the first blower fan 58, the second blower fan 63, the in-cabinet cooling fan 66, etc.

[0049] 8 shows the main electrical configuration of the server 7 in this embodiment. The server 7 is configured as a web server that provides various services related to the microwave oven 1 to the user's communication terminal 8 via the network, and mainly includes communication means 81 that connects to the network and exchanges information with the microwave oven 1 and the communication terminal 8 via a wireless LAN router 9 or access point 10, a server control unit 82 that has a memory and a CPU, server storage means 83 that stores and accumulates various information related to the microwave oven 1 and the communication terminal 8, and timing means 84 as a counter that keeps track of the current time.

[0050] In this embodiment of Figure 1, the configuration of a heating cooker system is shown in which one communication terminal 8 and one oven range 1 owned by a user are connected to a server control unit 82 via a network, but it is also possible to connect a communication terminal 8 and an oven range 1 owned by another user to the server control unit 82 via a network.

[0051] 9 shows the main electrical configuration of the communication terminal 8 in this embodiment. The communication terminal 8 includes at least an operation unit 91, a display unit 92, a communication means 93, an output unit 94, a terminal control unit 95, and a terminal storage means 96. The operation unit 91 is configured with a touch panel or the like that can be operated by a user's touch, and is disposed in front of the display unit 92. Note that, together with or instead of such a touch panel, push buttons that can be operated by a user may also serve as the operation unit 91. The display unit 92 is configured with a color liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like.

[0052] The communication means 93 is installed as a transmitting / receiving unit that enables mutual communication between the communication terminal 8 and the server 7 over a network via the access point 10. Note that the network here is the Internet, but a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a dedicated line, etc. may also be used. The output unit 94 is configured by a built-in speaker or the like that is pre-installed in the communication terminal 8.

[0053] Next, the flow of communication between the microwave oven 1, the server 7, and the communication terminal 8 will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Here, as an example, a case where steam cooking is performed after microwave cooking using the microwave oven 1 will be described. (A-1) First, place the food S in the cooking chamber 5, close the door 4, operate the operating means 47 to set microwave heating, and then start microwave heating. (B-1) At this time, the wireless communication device 6 transmits to the server 7 a notification signal (hereinafter referred to as a "communication disconnection signal") notifying that communication has been disconnected due to microwave heating, and (B-2) The communication of the wireless communication device 6 is disconnected. (C-1) The server 7 that has received the communication disconnection signal (C-2) Communication disconnection information (communication status information) of the microwave oven 1 is stored in the server storage means 83. (D-1) While the microwave oven 1 is heating in the microwave oven, the user transmits setting information such as heating conditions for steam cooking to the server 7 via the communication terminal 8. (C-3) The server 7 that has received the setting information (C-4) Determine whether communication with the microwave oven 1 is possible or not based on the communication status information of the microwave oven 1 stored in the server storage means 83. At this point, since communication disconnection information is stored in the server storage means 83, it is determined that communication is not possible, (C-5) The server 7 transmits a communication disconnection signal to the communication terminal 8. (D-2) Upon receiving the communication disconnection signal, the communication terminal 8 (D-3) A display element T1 (see FIG. 11(a)) such as "Transmission failed because the microwave is in use. Please wait until it is completed" pops up on the display unit 92. (A-2) When the microwave heating is finished, (B-3) The wireless communication device 6 establishes communication, (B-4) A notification signal indicating that communication with the wireless communication device 6 is connected (hereinafter referred to as a "communication connection signal") and a microwave heating end notification signal are transmitted to the server 7. (C-6) The server that receives the communication connection signal and the microwave heating end notification signal (C-7) The communication connection information (communication status information) of the wireless communication device 6 is stored in the server storage means 83, (C-8) A microwave heating end notification signal is transmitted to the communication terminal 8. (D-4) Upon receiving the microwave heating end notification signal, the communication terminal 8 (D-5) A display element T2 (see FIG. 11(b)) such as "Cooking by microwave heating has finished. Please remove the cooked food" pops up on the display unit 92. (D-6) Next, the communication terminal 8 transmits setting information such as heating conditions for steam cooking to the server 7. (C-9) The server 7 that received the setting information (C-10) Determine whether communication with the wireless communication device 6 is possible based on the communication status information of the wireless communication device 6 stored in the server storage means 83. At this time, since communication connection information is stored in the server storage means 83, it is determined that communication is possible. (C-11) The server 7 transmits the setting information to the wireless communication device 6. (B-5) When the wireless communication device 6 receives the setting information. (A-3) Oven Range 1 becomes ready for steam cooking. (A-4) At this time, the display means 46 of the microwave oven 1 displays the setting information. (B-6) The wireless communication device 6 transmits to the server 7 a reception completion notification signal indicating that the setting information has been received. (C-12) The server 7, having received the reception completion notification signal, (C-13) A reception completion notification signal is transmitted to the communication terminal 8. (D-7) Upon receiving the reception completion notification signal, the communication terminal 8 (D-8) A display element T3 (see FIG. 11(c)) such as "Sent. Please press the start key on the main unit to start heating" pops up on the display unit 92. (A-5) The user places the food S to be cooked in the cooking chamber 5 and operates the operating means 47 of the microwave oven 1 to start steam heating, thereby starting steam heating. (B-7) When the cooking time remaining reaches, for example, 30 seconds, the wireless communication device 6 transmits an advance notice of completion to the server 7. (C-14) The server 7 that has received the termination notice signal (C-15) A termination advance notice signal is transmitted to the communication terminal 8. (D-9) The communication terminal 8 that has received the termination advance notice signal (D-10) A display element T4 (see FIG. 11(d)) such as "Steam cooking will end in 30 seconds remaining" pops up on the display unit 92. (A-6) When steam heating is completed, (B-8) The wireless communication device 6 transmits a signal notifying completion of steam heating to the server 7. (C-16) The server 7 that has received the termination notification signal (C-17) An end notification signal is transmitted to the communication terminal 8. (D-11) Upon receiving the end notification signal, the communication terminal 8 (D-12) A display element T5 (see FIG. 11(e)) such as "Steam cooking has finished. Please remove the cooked food" pops up on the display unit 92.

[0054] In this way, when microwave heating is performed using magnetron 13, only an end notice is sent without an end notice. However, when microwave heating is not performed using magnetron 13, the wireless communication device 6 is connected to the server 7 and the communication terminal 8, so an end notice can be sent. The end notice is not limited to 30 seconds remaining in cooking time, but can be set to any desired time, such as 1 minute remaining or 15 seconds remaining. It may also be set to send end notices multiple times, such as 1 minute remaining and 30 seconds remaining. It may also be set not to send an end notice at all.

[0055] Furthermore, if the communication between the wireless communication device 6 and the server 7 and the communication terminal 8 during cooking is only for the completion notice, the communication of the wireless communication device 6 may be disconnected at the start of cooking for any of microwave heating, oven heating, grill heating, and steam heating, and the communication of the wireless communication device 6 may be connected when the completion notice signal for oven heating, grill heating, and steam heating is transmitted. Additionally, during cooking using a second heating means that does not use the magnetron 13, the communication of the wireless communication device 6 may be switched between connection and disconnection as appropriate.

[0056] In this embodiment, in (A-1), microwave heating is set by operating the operating means 47, but microwave heating may be set by the communication terminal 8, and only the operation to start cooking may be performed by the operating means 47.

[0057] In this embodiment, the communication frequency of the wireless communication device 6 is in the 2.4 GHz band, but by using the 5 GHz band, which is more than twice this frequency, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of radio wave interference with the microwaves generated by the magnetron 13. In this case, even during microwave heating using the magnetron 13, it is possible to freely select whether to connect or disconnect communication with the wireless communication device 6. Therefore, it is preferable that the wireless communication device 6 be capable of using either the 2.4 GHz band or the 5 GHz band.

[0058] As described above, the microwave oven 1 of this embodiment includes a first heating means using magnetron 13, a second heating means that does not use magnetron 13, a wireless communication device 6 that enables wireless communication with communication terminal 8, and communication control means 72 that controls wireless communication device 6. By enabling wireless communication for part or all of the time during heating by the second heating means, communication connection by communication terminal 8 is possible for at least part of the time even when the microwave oven 1 is cooking. Furthermore, communication is performed by wireless communication device 6 when magnetron 13 is not in use, preventing radio wave interference with microwaves emitted by magnetron 13. This prevents wireless communication by wireless communication device 6 from becoming unstable or becoming unable to communicate.

[0059] Furthermore, in the oven range 1 of this embodiment, the wireless communication device 6 is capable of wireless communication in a frequency band that is at least twice the frequency of the microwaves oscillated by the magnetron 13, so communication by the wireless communication device 6 is possible even during microwave heating using the magnetron 13.

[0060] Furthermore, the microwave oven 1 of this embodiment includes a main body 2 having a cooking chamber 5 therein, and a door 4 that opens and closes an opening 3 of the main body 2, and the wireless communication device 6 is disposed inside the door 4, in the center of the lower side, so that the first air intake vent 50 is disposed to the right of the position of the wireless communication device 6 and the first air exhaust vent 51 is disposed to the left of the position of the wireless communication device 6, thereby making it possible to separate the first air intake vent 50 from the first air exhaust vent 51. This makes it difficult for the high-temperature air discharged from the first air exhaust vent 51 to be taken into the inside of the door 4 (into the first flow path 56) through the first air intake vent 50.

[0061] In addition, the oven range 1 of this embodiment has a first flow path 56 and a second flow path 57 formed inside the door 4 for circulating cooling gas, thereby preventing the temperature of the door 4 and handle 42 from rising due to cooking using the oven range 1.

[0062] In addition, in the heating cooker system of this embodiment, the oven range 1 is equipped with a current detection means 74 that detects the current value when the magnetron 13 is operating, and by determining whether to disconnect communication by the wireless communication device 6 based on the current value detected by the current detection means 74, it is possible to disconnect communication by the wireless communication device 6 when the magnetron 13 is in use.

[0063] In addition, in the cooking system of this embodiment, by transmitting heating status information of the microwave oven 1 from the wireless communication device 6 to the communication terminal 8 during the time when wireless communication is possible, the user can receive a notice of completion of cooking by the microwave oven 1 and can know that cooking is complete without visually checking the microwave oven 1.

[0064] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that common parts to the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations of the common parts will be omitted as much as possible.

[0065] In this embodiment, communication status information (communication connection information, communication disconnection information) of the wireless communication device 6 is stored in the terminal storage means of the communication terminal 8. Furthermore, the communication status information of the wireless communication device 6 is displayed on the display unit 92 of the communication terminal 8. Fig. 12(a) shows a state in which the communication connection information of the wireless communication device 6 is displayed, with the icons for the microwave oven 1 and radio waves 97 lit. Fig. 12(b) shows a state in which communication disconnection information of the wireless communication device 6 is displayed, with the icons for the microwave oven 1 and radio waves 97 unlit.

[0066] The flow of communication between the microwave oven 1, the server 7, and the communication terminal 8 when microwave heating cooking is performed using the microwave oven 1 will be described with reference to FIG. (a-1) First, place the food S in the cooking chamber 5, close the door 4, operate the operating means 47 to set microwave heating, and then start microwave heating. (b-1) At this time, the wireless communication device 6 transmits to the server 7 a notification signal (hereinafter referred to as a "communication disconnection signal") notifying that communication has been disconnected due to microwave heating, and (b-2) The communication of the wireless communication device 6 is disconnected. (c-1) The server 7 that has received the communication disconnection signal (c-2) A communication disconnection signal is transmitted to the communication terminal 8. (d-1) Upon receiving the communication disconnection signal, the communication terminal 8 (d-2) storing communication disconnection information in the terminal storage means 96; (d-3) The microwave oven 1 and radio wave icon 97 displayed on the display unit 92 are turned off. (a-2) When microwave heating is finished, (b-3) The wireless communication device 6 establishes communication; (b-4) A notification signal indicating that communication with the wireless communication device 6 is connected (hereinafter referred to as a "communication connection signal") and a microwave heating end notification signal are transmitted to the server 7. (c-3) The server that receives the communication connection signal and the microwave heating end notification signal (c-4) A communication connection signal and a microwave heating end notification signal are transmitted to the communication terminal 8. (d-4) The communication terminal 8 that has received the communication connection signal and the microwave heating end notification signal (d-5) storing the communication connection information in the terminal storage means 96; (d-6) The microwave oven 1 and radio wave icon 97 displayed on the display unit 92 are turned on.

[0067] When the communication disconnection information of the wireless communication device 6 is displayed, that is, when the icon 97 of the microwave oven 1 and radio waves is turned off, if the user attempts to send setting information such as heating conditions for cooking to the server 7 using the communication terminal 8, the send button, which is the touch-operable operation unit 91 displayed on the display unit 92 of the communication terminal 8, turns off and becomes in an inoperable state. In contrast, when the communication connection information of the wireless communication device 6 is displayed, that is, when the icon 97 of the microwave oven 1 and radio waves is turned on, the send button turns on and becomes in an operable state.

[0068] In this way, in embodiment 1, the user can know whether the wireless communication of the wireless communication device 6 is in a connected or disconnected state after sending the setting information to the server 7, whereas in embodiment 2, the user can know whether the wireless communication of the wireless communication device 6 is in a connected or disconnected state before sending the setting information.

[0069] As described above, the cooking appliance system of this embodiment is a cooking appliance system comprising an oven range 1 and a communication terminal 8 capable of wireless communication with the oven range 1, in which the connection and disconnection of communication by the wireless communication device 6 is controlled by a communication control means 72, and the communication terminal 8 is provided with a display unit 92 that displays the connection and disconnection of communication by the wireless communication device 6, so that the user can check the connection and disconnection of communication by the wireless communication device 6 on the communication terminal 8 without having to look at the oven range 1.

[0070] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the determination of whether the microwave heating means 12 is activated is made based on the current value of the input power supply detected by the current detection means, but the determination of whether the microwave heating means 12 is activated may also be made based on the current value input to the inverter 17. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Oven range (heating cooker) 6. Wireless communication devices 8. Communication terminals 12 Microwave heating means (first heating means) 13 Magnetron 19 Grill heater (second heating means) 25 Hot air unit (second heating means) 27 Steam supply device (second heating means) 72 Communication Control Means 74 Current detection means 92 Display section

Claims

1. A cooking device in a cooking device system including a cooking device and a communication terminal capable of wireless communication with the cooking device, a first heating means using a magnetron; a second heating means that does not use the magnetron; a wireless communication device that enables wireless communication with the communication terminal; a communication control means for controlling the wireless communication device; a current detection means for detecting an increase or change in current value accompanying the operation of the first heating means, The communication control means In the case of heating by the first heating means, when an operation to start heating is performed, a communication disconnection signal is sent to a display unit of the communication terminal to display that communication is disconnected because heating is being performed by the first heating means, and when the current detection means detects an increase in the current value, communication by the wireless communication device is disconnected, and when heating is completed, communication by the wireless communication device is reconnected; In the case of heating by the second heating means, during heating, a completion advance notification signal is transmitted to a display unit of the communication terminal to display the remaining time of heating by the second heating means; A cooking device characterized in that, when heating by the second heating means is completed, an end notification signal is transmitted to a display unit of the communication terminal to display that heating by the second heating means has been completed.

2. The communication control means When heating by the first heating means is completed, Connecting communication by the wireless communication device; 2. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein an end notification signal is transmitted to the communication terminal to notify the end of heating by the first heating means.

3. A method for controlling a cooking device in a cooking device system including a cooking device and a communication terminal capable of wireless communication with the cooking device, The cooking device includes: a first heating means using a magnetron; a second heating means that does not use the magnetron; a wireless communication device that enables wireless communication with the communication terminal; a communication control means for controlling the wireless communication device; a current detection means for detecting an increase or change in current value accompanying the operation of the first heating means, In the case of heating by the first heating means, when an operation to start heating is performed, a communication disconnection signal is sent to a display unit of the communication terminal to display that communication is disconnected because heating is being performed by the first heating means, and when the current detection means detects an increase in the current value, communication by the wireless communication device is disconnected, and when heating is completed, communication by the wireless communication device is reconnected; In the case of heating by the second heating means, during heating, a completion advance notification signal is transmitted to a display unit of the communication terminal to display the remaining time of heating by the second heating means; A control method for a heating cooker, characterized in that when heating by the second heating means is completed, an end notification signal is sent to the display unit of the communication terminal to display that heating by the second heating means has been completed.

Images