Cooking support system

Abstract

To provide a cooking support system that enables easy confirmation of information on handing of a cooking apparatus in accordance with progress of a recipe corresponding to the cooking device and that can guide a smooth cooking operation to a cook.SOLUTION: A cooking support system includes a cooking apparatus 1 and an information terminal 2 capable of displaying information on the cooking apparatus 1. The information terminal 2 includes a display control section 204 controlling display of handling information on a plurality of heating sections 11a, 11b, 11c provided in the cooking apparatus 1. The display control section 204 displays information in the information terminal 2 corresponding to a cooking progress situation using the cooking apparatus 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking assistance system, and more particularly to a cooking assistance system that supports the operation of a cooking device as cooking progresses by allowing the user to refer to information displayed on an information terminal when cooking using the cooking device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a technology has been proposed as cooking assistance for cooking devices that informs the cook of the timing of adding seasonings and other information via an information terminal such as a smartphone in accordance with the progress of a recipe that uses multiple heating units (see Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] In addition, cooking support technology has been proposed that prevents cooks from making mistakes by providing guidance on the heating units to be used in cooking and cooking procedures via an information terminal such as a smartphone, or by displaying only the parts of the information terminal screen that correspond to the recipe (see Patent Document 2 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-219251 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-163537 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, when a gas stove is taken as an example of a cooking device, there are gas stoves that have two or three burners, which are heating parts, on the top plate.

[0006] Furthermore, in gas stoves equipped with a grill, there are some in which the grill burner, which is the heating part, is installed only on the ceiling of the grill compartment, and some in which it is installed both on the ceiling of the grill compartment and below the grill grate.

[0007] In this way, cooking appliances equipped with multiple heating units have numerous operating units, such as operating knobs and operating switches, corresponding to each heating unit. The operating units, such as operating knobs and operating switches, are distributed on the front and top surfaces of the cooking appliance, and in some cases, are provided on the inside of an outer lid that opens and closes to prevent the adhesion of broth and other liquids.

[0008] In the above-mentioned conventional cooking assistance technology, the cook is guided to the heating unit to be used as the cooking progresses, and at this time, the position of the heating unit to be used is displayed on the screen of the information terminal.

[0009] However, in the above-mentioned conventional cooking assistance technology, the location and operation method of the control knobs and control switches for operating the heating unit to be used are not indicated, which results in delays in operating the heating unit and makes it difficult to perform cooking operations smoothly.

[0010] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a cooking assistance system that allows a cook to easily check information regarding the operation of a cooking device in accordance with the progress of a recipe corresponding to the cooking device, and that can guide the cook through smooth cooking operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve this objective, the present invention provides a cooking assistance system comprising a cooking device and an information terminal capable of displaying information relating to the cooking device, wherein the information terminal comprises a display control unit that controls the display of handling information relating to multiple heating units provided in the cooking device, and the display control unit displays the handling information on the information terminal in accordance with the progress of cooking using the cooking device.

[0012] A specific example of the cooking device is a gas stove, and specific examples of the heating part thereof include a plurality of stove burners provided on a top plate and a grill.

[0013] According to the present invention, the display control unit of the information terminal displays handling information for each heating unit of the cooking device in accordance with the progress of cooking using the cooking device, allowing the cook to accurately handle each heating unit of the cooking device without hesitation and guiding the cook through a smooth cooking operation.

[0014] In the present invention, the cooking device is equipped with a plurality of operation units for operating each of the heating units, the handling information includes operation guide information that provides information regarding the operation of the operation units, and the display control unit displays the operation guide information on the information terminal in accordance with the progress of cooking using the cooking device.

[0015] This allows the operator to instantly check how to operate the operation units (operation knobs, operation switches, etc.) from the display on the information terminal, which allows the operator to accurately operate the operation units required for the current cooking operation without hesitation, and provides guidance to the operator in smoothly carrying out the cooking operation.

[0016] In the present invention, the operation guide information includes information indicating the position of the operation unit.

[0017] This allows the user to instantly check the location of the operation unit that needs to be operated from the display on the information terminal, thereby enabling the user to quickly operate the operation unit according to the progress of cooking without hesitation.

[0018] In addition, in the present invention, the handling information includes container handling information, which is information regarding the handling of cooking containers used when cooking with the cooking device, and the display control unit displays the container handling information on the information terminal in accordance with the progress of cooking using the cooking device.

[0019] The container handling information may include tips and precautions for handling containers during cooking. For example, when a cooking container such as a pot or frying pan becomes hot during cooking, a display may be displayed encouraging the cook to wear mittens to avoid touching the cooking container. This allows the cook to be informed of how to handle hot cooking containers, allowing the cooking to proceed smoothly.

[0020] In one aspect of the present invention, the cooking device is provided with a transmitting unit that transmits information indicating the progress of cooking in the cooking device along with identification information of the cooking device, the information terminal is provided with a receiving unit that receives the information transmitted from the transmitting unit of the cooking device, and the display control unit preferably controls the display on the information terminal based on the information received by the receiving unit.

[0021] Information about the heating unit of the cooking device and its operation can be easily obtained by receiving identification information transmitted from the cooking device with an information terminal. This eliminates the need for the cook to pre-register cooking device information in the information terminal. Furthermore, the information terminal can obtain information about cooking that is actually in progress from the cooking device, allowing cooking assistance on the information terminal to be provided without delay in relation to the progress of cooking. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a cooking assistance system of the present invention. [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram of the controls of a gas stove. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a gas stove and a smartphone. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing examples of displays on a smartphone according to the progress of cooking. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display of container handling information. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of operation guide information. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of displaying container handling information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] An embodiment of a cooking assistance system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the cooking assistance system of this embodiment includes a gas stove 1, which is a cooking device, and a smartphone 2, which is an information terminal. The gas stove 1 is capable of wireless communication with the smartphone 2 using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like.

[0024] The gas stove 1 and the smartphone 2 are each capable of wireless communication with a wireless router 3 using Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like, and can be connected to a network 4 such as the Internet via the wireless router 3. A server 5 that operates a website providing information about cooking is connected to the network 4.

[0025] The server 5 has multiple databases, such as a recipe database 5a that stores various cooking recipe information (including the cooking devices and cooking utensils to be used), and a cooking device database 5b that stores handling information corresponding to multiple cooking devices with different equipment.

[0026] The handling information for the cooking device stored in the cooking device database 5b includes handling information regarding the heating section of the gas stove 1, which will be described later, operation guide information indicating the operation method and location of the operating section of the gas stove 1, which will be described later, and container handling information, which is a description of the container to be used.

[0027] The smartphone 2 accesses an information providing site operated by the server 5 and acquires (downloads) necessary information from the recipe database 5a and the cooking device database 5b.

[0028] 2, the gas stove 1 is equipped with heating sections including a left burner 11a, a right burner 11b, a rear burner 11c, and a grill 12. Each burner 11a, 11b, 11c is provided with a temperature sensor 14a, 14b, 14c that detects the temperature of the bottom of a cooking vessel placed on a mounting section (trivet) 13a, 13b, 13c, respectively.

[0029] On the front of the gas stove 1, there are provided a left burner operation button 15a for igniting / extinguishing the left burner 11a and changing the flame power, a right burner operation button 15b for igniting / extinguishing the right burner 11b and changing the flame power, a rear burner operation button 15c for igniting / extinguishing the rear burner 11c and changing the flame power, and a grill operation button 16 for igniting / extinguishing the grill 12 and changing the flame power.

[0030] Furthermore, a push-open stove operation unit 17 and a grill operation unit 18 are provided on the front of the gas stove 1. When the cook presses the stove operation unit 17, the stove operation unit 17 opens, revealing stove operation panel 17a. Similarly, when the cook presses the grill operation unit 18, the grill operation unit 18 opens, revealing grill operation panel 18a.

[0031] The left burner operation button 15a, the right burner operation button 15b, the rear burner operation button 15c, the grill operation button 16, the burner operation unit 17, and the grill operation unit 18 correspond to the operation unit of the present invention.

[0032] Further, the top plate of the gas stove 1 is provided with a display screen 19 for displaying notifications regarding the heating and cooking operation by the gas stove 1, instructions regarding cooking, and the like.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, gas stove 1 has a function of receiving cooking condition data corresponding to a recipe selected by smartphone 2 from smartphone 2, and performing automatic heating and cooking based on the cooking condition data.

[0034] To use this function, the cook accesses the recipe selection site and installs an application for recipe selection (hereinafter referred to as the recipe selection app) on the smartphone 2.

[0035] When the cook installs the recipe selection app on the gas stove 1, the cook registers the model name (or product number, etc.) of the gas stove 1 as an initial setting. This registration makes it possible to obtain cooking condition data corresponding to the specifications of the gas stove 1 (such as the heating capacity of each burner 11a, 11b, 11c, and grill 12) from the recipe selection site.

[0036] In addition, the cook uses the recipe selection app to pair the smartphone 2 with the gas stove 1, thereby establishing wireless communication between the smartphone 2 and the gas stove 1.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the gas stove 1 is provided with a stove controller 100 that controls the overall operation of the gas stove 1, a speaker 60, and a communication circuit 61.

[0038] The stove controller 100 is an electronic circuit unit composed of a CPU, memory, various interface circuits, etc., and functions as a cooking condition data storage unit 101, a stove selection unit 102, and a heating control unit 103 by the CPU executing a control program for the gas stove 1 stored in the memory.

[0039] The burner controller 100 receives detection signals from the temperature sensors 14a, 14b, and 14c, operation signals from the operation buttons (left burner operation button 15a, right burner operation button 15b, rear burner operation button 15c, and grill operation button 16), operation signals from the operation panels (burner operation panel 17a and grill operation panel 18a), and signals received by the communication circuit 61.

[0040] Furthermore, control signals output from the burner controller 100 control the displays of the left burner 11a, right burner 11b, rear burner 11c, grill 12, and operation panels (burner operation panel 17a, grill operation panel 18a), sound (audio guidance, buzzer sound, etc.) output from the speaker 60, and the display on the display screen 19, and furthermore, the control signals are transmitted by the communication circuit 61. The communication circuit 61 transmits and receives information, and thereby functions as a transmitter of the cooking device of the present invention.

[0041] The smartphone 2 is equipped with a smartphone controller 200 that controls the overall operation of the smartphone 2. The smartphone controller 200 is an electronic circuit unit composed of a CPU, memory, various interface circuits, etc., and functions as a cooking condition data acquisition unit 201, a recipe selection unit 202, a cooking condition data transmission unit 203, and a display control unit 204 by the CPU executing a control program for the smartphone 2 stored in the memory.

[0042] The smartphone 2 also has a touch panel 21 that is touched by the cook and displays various screens, a speaker 22 that outputs audio, etc., and a communication circuit 23 that communicates with the gas stove 1 and the server 5.

[0043] Touch operation signals on the touch panel 21 and signals received by the communication circuit 23 are input to the smartphone controller 200. In addition, the display control unit 204 controls the screen display of the touch panel 21. The communication circuit 23 transmits and receives information, thereby functioning as a receiving unit of the information terminal of the present invention.

[0044] Next, cooking support in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. First, a cooking recipe and a stove to be used for cooking are selected using the smartphone 2.

[0045] Here, we will explain an example where cooking task P selects a recipe for beef stew. In cooking beef stew, three different types of cooking are performed: the first stage is stir-frying, the second stage is grilling and stewing, and the third stage is stovetop stewing.

[0046] The first stage of stir-frying involves using the right burner 11b of the gas stove 1 to stir-fry predetermined ingredients (vegetables and beef) placed in the cooking container 7 placed on the placement section 13b. At this time, as shown in Figure 4, a message urging the user to turn on the right burner 11b (displaying handling information related to the heating section) is displayed on the display screen 19 of the gas stove 1.

[0047] Meanwhile, at this time, a visual explanation is displayed on the touch panel 21 of the smartphone 2, such as an image showing the state in which the cooking vessel 7 is placed on the placement section 13b of the gas stove 1, and then an explanation (operation guide information) showing the ignition operation is displayed together with the position of the right burner operation button 15b of the right burner 11b (information showing the position of the operation section). This allows the cook to start cooking smoothly and without hesitation.

[0048] In addition to the visual explanation as described above, voice guidance or the like (auditory explanation) may also be provided on the touch panel 21 of the smartphone 2. In some cases, only auditory explanation may be provided.

[0049] After the first stage of stir-frying is completed, the process moves on to the second stage of grilling and stewing. In the second stage of grilling and stewing, water is poured into the cooking vessel 7, and the cooking vessel 7 is moved from the right burner 11b to the inside of the grill 12. The ingredients in the cooking vessel 7 are then stewed by heating using a grill burner (not shown).

[0050] At this time, as shown in Figure 4, the gas stove 1 provides voice guidance to move the cooking container 7 from the right burner 11b into the inside of the grill 12, and further provides voice guidance to fully pull out the door of the grill 12. At the same time, the display screen 19 of the gas stove 1 displays a message urging the user to ignite the grill 12.

[0051] Meanwhile, the touch panel 21 of the smartphone 2 repeatedly displays an image of the grill 12 door fully pulled out (operation information for the heating unit), a guide image for moving the cooking container 7 from the right burner 11b into the grill 12, and an image showing the position of the grill operation button 16 (information indicating the position of the operation unit) and the ignition operation method (operation guide information). This allows the cook to smoothly transition from stir-frying to grilling and stewing, allowing the cooking to proceed smoothly.

[0052] At this time, instructions for using the cooking container 7 (container handling information) may also be displayed on the touch panel 21 of the smartphone 2. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the method for setting the cooking container 7 on the grill 12 and important points to note may be displayed on the touch panel 21 of the smartphone 2. This eliminates the need to refer to the instruction manual that comes with the gas stove 1, and allows the user to check the information immediately while cooking.

[0053] After the second stage of grill stewing is completed, the third stage of stovetop stewing begins, after which the cooking is completed. For the third stage of stovetop stewing, the cooking vessel 7 is moved from the grill 12 to the left stove 11a. Then, seasonings such as stew roux are added, and the ingredients are further simmered while being mixed.

[0054] At this time, as shown in Fig. 4, the gas stove 1 provides audio guidance to remove the cooking container 7 from inside the grill 12 and place it on the placement section 13a of the left burner 11a. Furthermore, the gas stove 1 provides audio guidance to slowly and fully open the door of the grill 12, followed by audio guidance on precautions to take when removing the cooking container 7 from inside the grill 12 (warning that the door of the grill 12 and the cooking container 7 are hot). At the same time, the display screen 19 of the gas stove 1 displays a message urging the user to turn on the left burner 11a.

[0055] Meanwhile, the touch panel 21 of the smartphone 2 repeatedly displays an image of the grill 12 door pulled out to its fullest extent (operation information regarding the heating unit), a guide image for moving the cooking container 7 from the grill 12 to the left burner 11a, and an image showing the position of the left burner operation button 15a (information indicating the position of the operation unit) and the ignition operation method (operation guide information).

[0056] Then, after detecting the ignition of the left burner 11a, the gas stove 1 automatically sets the timer of the left burner 11a.

[0057] Assuming that the cooker wishes to manually increase or decrease the timer time for stove stewing cooking according to their preference, an image (operation guide information) showing how to open the door of the stove operation unit 17 is displayed on the touch panel 21 of the smartphone 2, as shown in Fig. 6. Also, although not shown, a method (procedure) for setting the timer time is displayed.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, when cooking is completed and the cooking container 7 is hot, a message (container handling information) is displayed on the touch panel 21 of the smartphone 2 indicating that the cooking container 7 is hot, and a message is displayed urging the user to use mittens.

[0059] In this way, the cook can smoothly transition from grill stewing to stovetop stewing, and can proceed with cooking safely and without delay.

[0060] In addition to the example of selecting the beef stew recipe, for example, when grilling fish using grill 12, as shown in Fig. 7, an image explaining how to arrange the fish on grill grate 9, which is a cooking container placed on grill pan 8, can be displayed on touch panel 21 of smartphone 2 (container handling information) to guide the user to start cooking smoothly. Furthermore, although not shown, the touch panel 21 of smartphone 2 can also display advice such as pre-heating grill grate 9 for about 1 to 2 minutes to prevent ingredients from sticking to it, as well as know-how on using cooking containers (container handling information), which can help prevent mistakes after cooking is complete.

[0061] As described above, according to the cooking assistance of this embodiment, the cooking operator is accurately guided through the cooking process by displaying information on how to use the gas stove 1 as the cooking progresses. This allows the cook to smoothly cook without having to worry about how to use the burners 11a, 11b, and 11c of the gas stove 1 and the grill 12.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the smartphone 2 accesses the server 5 to acquire information from the recipe database 5a and the cooking appliance database 5b, but the recipe database and the cooking appliance database may be stored in the memory of the smartphone 2. Alternatively, the recipe database and the cooking appliance database may be stored in the memory of the gas stove 1, and the stove controller 100 may send a command signal related to the display to the display control unit 204 of the smartphone 2.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a gas stove 1 was shown as the cooking device for the cooking assistance of the present invention, but the cooking assistance of the present invention can also be suitably applied to cooking devices such as an IH cooking heater that has multiple heating units. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1...gas stove (cooking device), 2...smartphone (information terminal), 7...cooking container, 15a...operation button for left stove (operation unit), 15b...operation button for right stove (operation unit), 15c...operation button for rear stove (operation unit), 16...grill operation button (operation unit), 17...stove operation unit (operation unit), 18...grill operation unit (operation unit), 23...communication circuit (receiving unit), 61...communication circuit (transmitting unit), 204...display control unit.

Claims

1. A cooking assistance system including a cooking appliance and an information terminal capable of displaying information about the cooking appliance, the information terminal includes a display control unit that controls display of handling information regarding a plurality of heating units provided in the cooking appliance; the control unit of the cooking device displays an ignition operation of at least one of the stove or the grill according to the cooking recipe on the display unit of the cooking device; A cooking assistance system characterized in that the display control unit communicates with the cooking device to synchronize with the display on the display unit of the cooking device, and displays the handling information on the display unit of the information terminal in accordance with the progress of cooking by the cook using the cooking device.

2. The cooking device includes a plurality of operating units for operating each of the heating units, the handling information includes operation guide information that provides information regarding the operation of the operation unit, The cooking assistance system according to claim 1, characterized in that the display control unit synchronizes the display on the display unit of the cooking device with the display of the operation guidance information on the display unit of the information terminal to match the progress of cooking by the cook using the cooking device.

3. The cooking assistance system according to claim 2, wherein the operation guide information includes information indicating the position of the operation unit.

4. The handling information includes container handling information, which is information regarding handling of cooking containers used when cooking with the cooking device, A cooking assistance system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the display control unit displays the container handling information on the display unit of the information terminal in accordance with the progress of the cook's cooking using the cooking device.

5. The cooking device includes a transmitter that transmits information indicating the progress of cooking in the cooking device together with identification information of the cooking device, the information terminal includes a receiving unit that receives information transmitted from the transmitting unit of the cooking appliance; 5. The cooking assistance system according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit controls the display on the display unit of the information terminal based on the information received by the receiving unit.

Images