Cooking appliance and cooking system

Abstract

To provide a heating cooker to which voice input can be performed and which is also capable of acquiring cooking condition data from the outside and improves convenience for a user, and a heating cooking system.SOLUTION: A heating cooker comprises heating means, an input operation section, a notification section and a control device. The input operation section includes a touch type input key, and the input operation section transmits a voice input mode response signal to the control device in accordance with a touch state of the input key. After a display section is activated, the control device displays a standby time initial screen on the display section and in a case where the voice input mode response signal is received from the input operation section during a period in which the standby time initial screen is displayed, recipe data can be acquired via the communication section. A setting command of a control condition for the recipe data is received and in a case where the voice input mode response signal is received from the input operation section, a specific screen corresponding to one heating cooking mode is displayed in place of the standby time initial screen, thereby notifying a user of information indicating that a voice input mode is set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 38

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking device that heats an object to be heated, such as a pot placed on a top plate, and a cooking system that uses the cooking device. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, cooking appliances can be broadly divided into three types based on the environment in which they are used. One of these is the so-called "built-in type," which is installed inside kitchen furniture such as a kitchen counter. The second is the "freestanding type," which is placed in a designated location on kitchen furniture, like a gas stove (also called a "gas-fired table"). The third is the small, portable "tabletop type," which is placed in any desired location on a dining table, etc.

[0003] There are many "built-in" cooking appliances that are multi-purpose, equipped with multiple heat sources, and they are popular for their ability to handle a variety of cooking methods. However, because they are installed inside kitchen furniture, the external dimensions must be designed to conform to the standards of general kitchen furniture, meaning there is significantly less freedom in design compared to "freestanding" or "tabletop" appliances, making it difficult to create a practical product.

[0004] A typical combined heating cooker that can expand the range of cooking options has been proposed, which has a grill chamber (also called an "oven chamber" or "heating chamber," but hereinafter referred to collectively as "heating chamber") inside the main body that is heated by a heat source, and which introduces microwaves from a microwave heating source into the heating chamber (see Patent Document 1).

[0005] The combined cooking device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can cook food using different types of heating means, for example, above the top plate (first location) and in the interior space of the heating chamber (second location). This has the advantage of being able to cook a variety of foods. The convenience of this cooking device can be further improved if cooking condition data (recipe data) for the food desired by the user can be obtained externally via a network or a communication terminal.

[0006] Meanwhile, a cooking system has been proposed in the past in which communication is performed between a communication terminal such as a smartphone and a cooking appliance, and recipe data corresponding to a cooking recipe selected on the communication terminal is transmitted from the communication terminal to the cooking appliance to perform cooking (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0007] Patent Document 2 is not a combined heating cooker, but a heating cooker (gas-fired heating cooker) that has multiple heating sections (e.g., right burner, left burner, rear burner) and has a communication function, and proposes a configuration in which when a user operates a communication terminal to select a specific recipe from a cooking menu, the heating cooker acquires heating condition data for the multiple heating sections all at once.

[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 proposes a menu creation support device that efficiently supports the creation of healthy menus that contain nutrients suitable for the user and can be made using existing ingredients.

[0009] Furthermore, Patent Document 4 proposes a nutritional component display system that includes a server device and a client device (such as a personal computer) connected to a network. This system analyzes and displays the amount of nutritional components for each food ingredient as input by the user.

[0010] Furthermore, Patent Document 5 proposes a voice recognition device that enters a voice input state when one button is pressed, and ends the voice input state when the button is released. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-68598 A (Page 1, Figure 44) [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-106685 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-243326 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-139554 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-42890 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] In recent years, interest in various cooking methods and the need for dietary management have increased among households and individuals. Among cooking appliances, especially multi-function cooking appliances, the increased number of heating means makes it more complicated to set control conditions (for example, heat output and heating time). Therefore, convenience would be improved if users could select a cooking menu, obtain cooking condition data (recipe data), and use this data easily. However, the technologies described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 only describe large-scale (for professional businesses) menu information extraction systems and nutrient content search (information processing) systems, and do not take into consideration reducing the input required for cooking devices. Therefore, even the technologies described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 did not fully meet users' expectations of reducing the input operation burden. Furthermore, even with the technology described in Patent Document 5, it is necessary to keep pressing one input button for the duration of voice input, and it is not possible to reduce the amount of operation required by the user.

[0013] The main object of the present disclosure is to provide a highly convenient cooking device and cooking system that can accommodate a wide variety of cooking methods by enabling voice input and improving user operability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The cooking device according to the first disclosure includes: A heating means; an input operation unit for receiving instructions from a user; a communication unit that receives recipe data from an external device; a notification unit having a display unit; a control device; The input operation unit has touch-type input keys for selecting cooking contents, the input operation unit transmits a voice input mode corresponding signal to the control device in accordance with a touch state of the input key; the control device starts up the display unit, and then displays an initial standby screen on the display unit; The control device displays the standby initial screen. In this screen, you can switch between warning information and information prompting you to select a heating source. When the voice input mode compatible signal is received from the input operation unit during the display period, the recipe data is acquired via the communication unit, and a command to set control conditions for the recipe data is received; When the control device receives the voice input mode corresponding signal from the input operation unit, the control device displays a specific screen corresponding to one of the cooking modes instead of the standby initial screen, The specific screen displays information indicating that the voice input mode is set. and auxiliary information for the voice input mode including information indicating the range and numerical values ​​of the control conditions that can be input by voice. To notify the This is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0015] The cooking device according to the second disclosure is a first heating means; a second heating means; a first input operation unit that receives a user's command regarding the first heating means; a second input operation unit that receives a user's command regarding the second heating means; a communication unit that receives recipe data from an external device; a notification unit having a display unit; a control device; The first input operation unit has a touch-type input key A for selecting cooking contents, The second input operation unit has a touch-type input key B for selecting cooking contents, the first input operation unit instructs the control device to start a voice input mode in response to a touch state of the input key A; the dual-input operation unit instructs the control device to start a voice input mode in response to a touch state of the input key B; when receiving a command to start the voice input mode from the second input operation unit, the control device enables acquisition of recipe data related to the second heating means via the communication unit, and receives a command to set control conditions for the recipe data; When a command to start cooking using the recipe data is issued from the second input operation unit, the voice input mode setting for the second input operation unit is cancelled. This is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0016] The cooking system according to the third disclosure includes: a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; a cloud server or an information processing terminal connected to the cooking appliance by wireless communication; the information processing terminal or the cloud server has a function of transmitting recipe data to the cooking appliance, the cooking appliance has a function of acquiring the recipe data from the information processing terminal or the cloud server after the standby initial screen is displayed, the cooking device has a function of automatically switching from a touch input mode to a voice input mode according to the touch state of the touch input key; the cooking appliance 1 receives input of control conditions related to the acquired recipe data in the voice input mode; This is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0017] The cooking device according to the fourth disclosure is A heating means for heating an object to be heated; an input operation unit for receiving instructions from a user; a voice signal receiving unit that receives a command uttered by a user; a communication unit that receives recipe data from an external device; a notification unit having a display unit; a control device; The input operation unit has a plurality of touch-type input keys for selecting one of a plurality of cooking modes, the input operation unit transmits a detection signal corresponding to a touch state of the input key to the control device; the control device starts up the display unit, and then displays an initial standby screen on the display unit; After activating the display unit, the control device displays information specifying the touch-type input keys corresponding to the cooking modes on the display unit in a list form on a guide screen, When one of the cooking modes is selected by the input key, the control device determines switching of the voice input mode from the detection signal, the control device receives a voice command to set control conditions for the acquired recipe data; This is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0018] The cooking device according to the fifth disclosure is A heating means for heating an object to be heated; an input operation unit for receiving instructions from a user; a communication unit that receives recipe data from an external device; a notification unit having a display unit; a control device; The input operation unit has an input key for selecting a cooking content and a recipe acquisition key for permitting acquisition of the recipe data, When the recipe acquisition key is operated, the control device starts a voice input mode, the control device starts up the display unit, and then displays an initial standby screen on the display unit; when the recipe acquisition key is operated during a period in which the standby initial screen is displayed, the control device enables acquisition of the recipe data via the communication unit, and accepts a command to set control conditions for the recipe data in the voice input mode; This is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0019] The cooking device according to the sixth disclosure is A heating means for heating an object to be heated; an input operation unit for receiving instructions from a user; a communication unit that receives recipe data from an external device; a notification unit having a display unit; a control device; The display unit and the input operation unit constitute a touch panel input device, a guide screen is displayed by the touch panel input device, The guide screen displays touch position information at the touch key position for selecting one of a plurality of cooking modes, When the touch position information portion is touched, the display switches to a first specific screen displaying identification information of a cooking menu or a second specific screen displaying identification information of a control menu, the touch panel input device includes a touch gesture determination device that determines the form of the touch operation in a state of the first specific screen or the second specific screen, switching to a voice input mode based on a determination result of the touch gesture determination device; This is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0020] The cooking system according to the seventh disclosure is a cooking device that heats an object to be heated; a first server connected to the cooking appliance via a network; an audio input / output device connected to the first server via a network, the first server has a function of transmitting command data for setting control conditions for a cooking menu to the cooking appliance; the first server has a function of acquiring data in which the voice input / output device receives voice input from a user, the cooking device has a function of acquiring the recipe data from the first server after the standby initial screen is displayed, the cooking device has a function of automatically switching from a touch input mode to a voice input mode according to the touch state of the touch input key; the cooking appliance receives, in the voice input mode, the command data of a control condition related to the recipe data acquired from the first server; This is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0021] The cooking device according to the eighth disclosure is A heating means for heating an object to be heated; an input operation unit having touch-type input keys for receiving user commands; a communication unit that receives recipe data from an external device; a notification unit having a display unit; A transmitter; a control device; The control device, after activating the display unit, displays identification information of a cooking mode or a control menu on the display unit in a selectable manner, the input operation unit switches the input mode of the control device to a voice input mode when the cooking mode or the control menu is selected by the input key; the control device transmits a voice input mode start notification to an external device from the transmission unit; While the cooking mode or the control menu is being displayed on the display unit, the control device receives a command from a user to set control conditions for the cooking mode or the control menu; This is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0022] The cooking system according to the ninth disclosure is a cooking device having a signal transmitting unit and a communication unit and configured to heat an object to be heated; a cloud server connected to the cooking appliance via wireless communication; an audio input / output device connected to the cloud server via a network, the cloud server has a function of transmitting command data for setting control conditions for a cooking menu to the cooking appliance; the cooking appliance has a function of acquiring the recipe data from the cloud server after the standby initial screen is displayed, the cooking device has a function of automatically switching from a touch input mode to a voice input mode according to the touch state of the touch input key; the cooking appliance transmits a signal indicating a state of the voice input mode to the voice input / output device from the signal transmission unit without passing through the network; the cooking appliance receives, in the voice input mode, the command data of a control condition related to the recipe data acquired from the cloud server; This is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0023] The cooking device according to the tenth disclosure is A heating chamber; A heating means; an input operation unit for receiving instructions from a user; a communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the outside; a notification unit having a display unit; a control device; the input operation unit has a plurality of input keys, the input operation unit commands the control device to start a voice input mode by operating a specific input key among the input keys; the control device receives a recipe data acquisition command from the specific input key after the main power switch is turned on, and when the control device receives the recipe data, determines whether or not the recipe data satisfies predetermined permission conditions, and if the permission conditions are not satisfied, transmits a notification of non-permission processing from the communication unit; This is a configuration characterized by the above.

[0024] The cooking system according to the eleventh disclosure is a cooking device having a heating chamber and a heating means; an information processing terminal connected to the cooking appliance by wireless communication, the information processing terminal has a function of transmitting recipe data to the cooking appliance, the input operation unit of the cooking device has a plurality of input keys, and a voice input mode can be selected by operating a specific input key among the input keys; the cooking device has a function of acquiring the recipe data when the specific input key is operated after the standby initial screen is displayed, When the cooking device receives the recipe data, it determines whether at least one of the heating chamber and the heating means satisfies a permission condition, and when the permission condition is not satisfied, it transmits a notification of non-permission processing from the communication unit to the information processing terminal device; when receiving the notification of the denial of permission, the information processing terminal displays information indicating the denial of permission on a terminal display unit; This is a configuration characterized by the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a highly convenient cooking device that can perform cooking using recipe data acquired from outside via a network. Furthermore, according to the cooking system of the present disclosure, when selecting a cooking menu, the touch state of the touch-type input keys can be determined and the system can automatically switch to voice input mode, allowing the user to input control conditions by voice during input work, which contributes to improving the efficiency of input operations for the user and reducing the input load. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram 1 of a heating and cooking system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the cooking system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the cooking system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a communication system (information processing network) between one house according to the first embodiment and the outside. [Figure 5] Schematic longitudinal section showing the kitchen configuration of one house shown in Figure 4.1 [Figure 6] Schematic longitudinal section showing the kitchen configuration of one house shown in Figure 4.2 [Figure 7] A block diagram showing the configuration of home appliances and a home gateway in one of the houses shown in Figure 4. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view of an installed state of a cooking device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the cooking device of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the cooking device of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of a central display unit and a central operation unit of the cooking device of FIG. 8. [Figure 12] 9 is an enlarged plan view of the left display unit, left heating power display unit, and left operation unit of the cooking appliance of FIG. 8. [Figure 13] 9 is an enlarged plan view of the right display unit, right heating power display unit, and right operation unit of the cooking appliance of FIG. 8. [Figure 14] 9 is an enlarged plan view of the central display unit, central operation unit, and central heating status display unit of the cooking device of FIG. 8. [Figure 15] 9 is an enlarged plan view showing an example of operation of the central display unit of the cooking device of FIG. 8. [Figure 16] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the cooking device of FIG. 8. [Figure 17] 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device and input operation unit (central operation unit) of the cooking device of FIG. 8. [Figure 18] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing all the types of control menus that can be selected by the central operation unit of the cooking appliance of FIG. 8. [Figure 19] A classification table of the control menu for the heating cooker in Figure 8. [Figure 20]9 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage structure of various cooking control menus for the cooperative cooking mode and the combined cooking mode in the cooking device of FIG. 8 and the correspondence between the menus and input keys. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the central display unit in the cooking device of FIG. 8 in a combined cooking mode. [Figure 22] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the operation of the input operation unit and the central display unit in the cooking device of FIG. 8 in a combined cooking mode. [Figure 23] 9 is an explanatory diagram 2 showing the operation of the input operation unit and the central display unit in the cooking device of FIG. 8 in a combined cooking mode. [Figure 24] 9 is an explanatory diagram 3 showing the display contents of the input operation section and the central display section in the cooking device of FIG. 8 when in the combined cooking mode. FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the display contents of the input operation section and the central display section in the cooperative cooking mode of the cooking appliance of FIG. 8. [Figure 26] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram 2 showing the display contents of the input operation section and the central display section in the cooperative cooking mode of the cooking appliance of FIG. 8; [Figure 27] 9 is an explanatory diagram 3 showing the display contents of the input operation section and the central display section in the cooperative cooking mode of the cooking device of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram 1 of a modified example showing the display contents of the input operation section and the central display section in the cooperative cooking mode of the cooking appliance of FIG. 8. [Figure 29] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display contents of the input operation unit and the central display unit and the display of the associated cooking menu in the associated cooking mode of the cooking appliance of FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 30] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the display content of the central display unit in the cooking device of FIG. 8 in the cooperative cooking mode. FIG. [Figure 31] 9 is a table showing various cooperative cooking menus in the cooperative cooking mode of the cooking appliance of FIG. 8; [Figure 32] 32 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of operation of the cooperative preheating cooking mode among the cooperative cooking modes shown in FIG. 31. FIG. [Figure 33] 32 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of operation of the cooperative preheating cooking mode among the cooperative cooking modes shown in FIG. 31. FIG. [Figure 34] FIG. 32 is a step explanatory diagram showing the operation of the cooperative cooking mode shown in FIG. 31 . [Figure 35] 32 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of the cooperative cooking mode shown in FIG. 31. [Figure 36] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing permission conditions and determination results before transitioning to the cooperative cooking mode in the cooking device shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 37] 9 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of acquiring recipe data from an external source in the cooking device shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 38] 9 is a flowchart showing the main input steps for the three cooking modes after the main power is turned on in the cooking device shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 39] 9 is a flowchart 1 showing an input process after the main power is turned on in the cooking device shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 40] 40 is a flowchart 1 showing an input process in the case of the cooperative cooking mode in the cooking device shown in FIG. 39. [Figure 41] 40 is a flowchart 1 showing an input process in the case of a combined cooking mode in the cooking device shown in FIG. 39. [Figure 42] 40 is a flowchart 1 showing an input process in the case of a single cooking mode in the cooking device shown in FIG. 39. [Figure 43] 9 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of acquiring recipe data from an external source in the cooking device shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 44] 9 is a flowchart 2 showing the operation of acquiring recipe data from an external source in the cooking device shown in FIG. 8; [Figure 45] 9 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the control device in a voice input mode in the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 46] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the initial standby screen of the central display unit at the time of start-up in the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 47] 9 is an explanatory diagram of the central display section of the cooking device shown in FIG. 8, showing the state before cooking by the first heating means is started. FIG. [Figure 48]9 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation before transitioning to the cooperative cooking mode in the cooking device shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 49] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the central display unit and the central operation unit in the cooking device shown in FIG. 8 before acquiring recipe data from an external device and transitioning to a cooperative cooking mode. FIG. [Figure 50] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the relationship between the cooking steps of the cooperative cooking menu and the operation of the input operation unit in chronological order in the cooking device shown in FIG. 8; [Figure 51] 9 is a time chart 1 for explaining the entire period during which recipe data can be acquired and the control operations in the cooperative cooking mode in the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 52] 9 is a time chart 1 for explaining the entire period during which recipe data can be acquired and the control operations in the combined cooking mode in the cooking device shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 53] 52 is a time chart showing a first modification of the time chart shown in FIG. 51. [Figure 54] 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the display contents of the input operation unit and the central display unit when recipe data for the cooperative cooking mode is acquired in the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 55] 52 is a time chart showing a second modification of the time chart shown in FIG. 51. [Figure 56] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of displaying food ingredients and nutritional components before transitioning to heat cooking operation in the linked cooking mode using recipe data acquired from an external source. [Figure 57] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a heating and cooking system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 58] FIG. 58 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the cooking device shown in FIG. 57. [Figure 59] FIG. 58 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control device and an input operation unit (central operation unit) of the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 57. [Figure 60] FIG. 58 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of a communication terminal (information processing terminal) used in the cooking system shown in FIG. 57. [Figure 61] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the operation when cooking in the linked cooking mode in the heating cooker shown in FIG. 57. [Figure 62] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation when cooking in the linked cooking mode in the heating cooker shown in FIG. 57. [Figure 63] 58 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the operation of the central operating section and the central display section in the cooking appliance shown in FIG. 57. [Figure 64] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the central operating unit and central display unit in the heating cooker shown in FIG. [Figure 65] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the central operating unit and central display unit in the heating cooker shown in FIG. [Figure 66] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the central operating unit and central display unit in the heating cooker shown in FIG. [Figure 67] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the central operating unit and central display unit in the heating cooker shown in FIG. [Figure 68] FIG. 58 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the relationship between the cooking steps of the cooperative cooking menu and the operation of the input operation unit in the cooking device shown in FIG. 57. [Figure 69] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the heating and cooking system of FIG. [Figure 70] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the heating and cooking system of FIG. [Figure 71] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 72] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 73] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram 5 showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the heating and cooking system of FIG. [Figure 74] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 75] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 76] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 77]FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 78] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 79] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. [Figure 80] 58 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication terminal used in the cooking system of FIG. 57. [Figure 81] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a display form of a central display part of a cooking device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 82] FIG. 82 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the display operation of the central display unit of the cooking device shown in FIG. 81 after startup. [Figure 83] FIG. 82 is an explanatory diagram 2 showing the display operation of the central display unit of the cooking device shown in FIG. 81 after startup. [Figure 84] 10 is a diagram illustrating a cooking device according to a fourth embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram illustrating operation steps of a control device from when the cooking device 1 is started until immediately before cooking begins. FIG. [Figure 85] 85 is a flowchart showing the operation before transitioning to the cooperative cooking mode in the cooking device shown in FIG. 84. [Figure 86] FIG. 85 is a plan view showing the operation of the central operating unit and central display unit of the cooking device shown in FIG. 84. [Figure 87] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a communication terminal used in the cooking system of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 88] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a heating and cooking system according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 89] FIG. 89 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the cooking device shown in FIG. 88. [Figure 90] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an operation showing the central display section and its surrounding area of ​​a cooking device that constitutes the cooking system shown in FIG. [Figure 91] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the central display section of the cooking device shown in FIG. 88. [Figure 92]FIG. 89 is an explanatory diagram showing input operation steps and display steps for the cooking device shown in FIG. 88. [Figure 93] FIG. 89 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the display operation of the central display unit in the modified example of the cooking device shown in FIG. 88. [Figure 94] FIG. 94 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing the display operation of the central display unit of the modified example shown in FIG. 93. [Figure 95] FIG. 94 is an explanatory diagram 2 showing the display operation of the central display unit of the modified example shown in FIG. 93. [Figure 96] FIG. 94 is a block diagram showing a part of the input operation unit and the control device in the modified example of FIG. 93. [Figure 97] FIG. 89 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing a second modification of the display operation of the central display unit of the cooking device shown in FIG. 88. [Figure 98] FIG. 98 is an explanatory diagram 1 showing yet another display state of the modified example shown in FIG. 97. [Figure 99] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an operation showing a central display section of a cooking device according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 100] Diagram 2 explaining the operation of the central display and central operating parts of the heating cooker shown in Figure 99. [Figure 101] FIG. 100 is an explanatory diagram showing input operation steps and display steps for the cooking device shown in FIG. 99. [Figure 102] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a heating and cooking system according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 103] FIG. 103 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the cooking device shown in FIG. [Figure 104] An explanatory diagram showing the main operational steps of the control device of the cooking device shown in Figure 102 and the operational steps on the external information processing network side in chronological order. [Figure 105] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a heating and cooking system according to an eighth embodiment. [Figure 106] An explanatory diagram showing the main operational steps of the control device of the cooking device shown in Figure 105 and the operational steps on the external information processing network side in chronological order. [Figure 107] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing, in chronological order, the main operational steps of a cooking device and the operational steps on the external information processing network side in a cooking system according to a ninth embodiment. [Figure 108] An explanatory diagram showing the terminal display screen of a communication terminal used in the heating and cooking system shown in Figure 107. [Figure 109] An operational explanatory diagram showing the recipe data reception process of the central operation unit and central display unit of the cooking device used in the cooking system shown in Figure 107. [Figure 110] FIG. 108 is an explanatory diagram 2 showing the operation steps of the cooking appliance and the external information processing network in chronological order in the cooking system shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The cooking device and cooking system according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating directions (e.g., "up," "down," "right," "left," "front," "rear," etc.) are used to facilitate understanding, but these are for explanatory purposes only. In addition, in each drawing, items with the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and this applies throughout the entire specification.

[0028] Furthermore, in the following description, a composite cooking device equipped with a plurality of types of heating means will also be simply referred to as a "cooking device."

[0029] In the following explanation, when we say "a heated object placed on the top plate," it means both cases where a heated object such as a pot is placed directly on the top surface of the top plate 3 described below and heated, and cases where a heated object is placed on a support member such as a trivet arranged above the top plate, such as a gas burner, and heated.

[0030] In the first embodiment, the "second heating means" HM2 refers to a heat source for heating food placed inside the heating chamber 6, which will be described later. It may also be one that uses radiant heat or steam.

[0031] In the first embodiment, a magnetron is used as the microwave heating source, but there is no limitation on the microwave oscillation principle or method, such as a microwave oscillator, etc. Also, a plurality of heating sources may be provided.

[0032] In this first embodiment, the "third heating means" HM3 is called "third" to indicate the difference from the second heating means HM2, but does not imply a superiority or inferiority relationship. In addition, in embodiment 1, a heat source using a radiant electric heat source (sheath 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.

[0033] The third heating means HM3 is capable of cooking in one heating chamber 6. It may be configured to use a combination of multiple heating sources with different heating principles, such as a heating source made up of an electric heater and a gas combustor (burner). An induction heating source may also be used as the heating source for heating the heating chamber 6. It may also be a steam generator 550 (boiler) (not shown) that supplies high-temperature steam (such as superheated steam).

[0034] Furthermore, the third heating means may be either a heat source that heats the wall surface of the heating chamber 6 from the outside, or a heat source that is installed in the internal space of the heating chamber 6 and heats the atmosphere in the internal space to a high temperature. In addition, a heat-generating element that becomes hot by induction heating may be placed in the heating chamber, and this heat-generating element may heat the wall surface of the heating chamber 6 from the outside, or may heat the air inside the heating chamber 6.

[0035] A typical example of the induction heating coil (IH coil) referred to in this first embodiment is one made by bundling about 30 thin copper or aluminum wires of about 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, twisting several of these bundles together, and winding them into a spiral. Another example is one made by winding about 1,000 to 1,500 wires of about 0.05 mm. Another proposal is to use a ring-shaped conductor made of a flat conductive material. All of these forms correspond to the "IH coil," which is the main part of the induction heating source.

[0036] In this embodiment 1, "coordinated cooking" refers to cooking using two or more heating sources that heat one item (including food, meat, vegetables, etc.) in different locations and whose heating operation conditions can be set independently.

[0037] The "coordinated cooking" mentioned above refers to the use of multiple heating means with a time lag. For example, in the process of completing a single cooking step, after preheating with a microwave heating source, the food to be cooked is moved to another location, and then heated with an induction coil at the new location to complete the cooking, which is a type of "coordinated cooking" as defined here.

[0038] Another type of "cooperative cooking" is to heat the food inside the heating chamber 6 using a gas burner (burner), and then move the food onto the top plate 3 and heat it again using a gas burner (burner) or an induction heating source to improve the cooking quality.

[0039] The "voice input mode" refers to a control mode in which the user US inputs by speaking, without touching or pressing the buttons or operation surfaces of the input switches (input keys). There are two types of "voice input mode": "voice input mode 1" and "voice input mode 2".

[0040] The "voice input mode 1" is selected by operating an input key (hereinafter referred to as a "dual-purpose key") that supports both voice input and touch (including pressure) input. The "voice input mode 2" is selected by operating an input key 180 dedicated to voice input (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "voice input dedicated key").

[0041] In a single input operation unit having multiple input keys, including the "dual-purpose key," when the mode is changed to "voice input mode 1" by the dual-purpose key, there are two cases: one in which the input functions of (some of) the input keys (e.g., 156M) other than the dual-purpose key are temporarily disabled (this control pattern is called "voice input mode 1A"), and one in which they are not disabled (this control pattern is called "voice input mode 1B"). Both cases fall under the "voice input mode 1" mentioned here.

[0042] When the "dedicated voice input key" 180 is pressed during touch input using an input key (e.g., 153M or 153L) on one input operation unit, "voice input mode 2" is selected. In this case, after the selection of voice input mode 2, there are two cases: one in which the input functions of (some of) the input keys (e.g., 156M) other than the dedicated voice input key 180 are temporarily disabled (this control pattern is called "voice input mode 2A"), and one in which they are not disabled (this control pattern is called "voice input mode 2B"). Either case corresponds to "voice input mode 2" as defined here.

[0043] "Recipe data" CD refers to data used to control the cooker 1 in order to heat and cook one food item. One form of recipe data CD includes data specifying the heating means, data specifying the heating process and order, and control conditions during heating (including, but not limited to, heat power, target temperature, heating and cooking time, etc.).

[0044] Another form of the recipe data CD does not include data specifying the heating means or data specifying the heating process or order, but only includes some of the data required to execute a cooking menu (e.g., hamburger steak). For example, when cooking in the linked cooking mode described later, one cooking menu is executed. This does not include information specific to the heating means (including information indicating the attributes of the heating means and information on the heating port), information on the cooking process, information indicating the order in which the heating means are driven, etc. In this case, the data mainly consists of instructions and data (hereinafter referred to as "commands" or "command data") that determine control conditions such as heating capacity, heating time, etc. In this case, if the recipe data CD held in the cooking appliance 1 is configured on the assumption that one serving of food is to be cooked, for example, the cooking appliance may be adapted to two or four servings, etc., by changing the control conditions (for example, one parameter, the heating time) using a built-in program in response to an external command.

[0045] In the following embodiments, the above-mentioned recipe data formats will not be particularly distinguished from one another.

[0046] Embodiment 1 (1. Configuration of the cooking system) The first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. Referring to FIG. The cooking system of the present embodiment 1 is configured to include a cooking appliance 1, a smartphone 200 (also referred to as a "communication terminal") having a function for wireless communication with the cooking appliance 1, and a cloud server 300. Note that instead of the smartphone 200, a tablet terminal or a personal computer with a communication function may also be used. These devices and the smartphone 200 are collectively referred to as an "information processing terminal" 200.

[0047] The smartphone 200 performs wireless communication using a communication method such as WiFi (registered trademark) with a wireless router 340 (not shown) installed in a house (not shown) in which the cooking appliance 1 is used.

[0048] The cooking appliance 1 can acquire at least the recipe data CD2 through wireless communication 400 with the smartphone 200. The recipe data CD2 will be described later. The smartphone 200 performs wireless communication 400 with the cooking appliance 1 using a communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0049] The smartphone 200 accesses the cloud server 300 in an external space via the wireless router 340 (not shown) and a network 201 such as the Internet. The cloud server 300 includes at least one recipe data providing server 301.

[0050] The recipe data providing server 301 is equipped with a recipe DB (database) 302 that stores data on recipes for performing various cooking methods, and the smartphone 200 accesses a recipe providing site operated by the recipe data providing server 301 and obtains (downloads) various recipe data CD1 from the recipe DB 302.

[0051] As will be explained in detail later, the recipe data CD1 and CD2 contain commands (command data) that specify heating means and control conditions (including at least one of heat, heating time, temperature, etc., but not limited to these) so that a specific food item can be cooked in the cooking appliance 1. However, as mentioned above, the recipe data CD1 and CD2 may contain only unique data that identifies them.

[0052] In the following explanation, recipe data (cooking condition data) may be described with reference symbols such as CD1, CD2, etc. However, the contents of the recipe data do not necessarily differ depending on the symbol, and may even be the same. These symbols (CD1, CD2) are used based on the sender of the recipe data to make it easier to understand. When using a unified reference symbol for recipe data, "CD" is used. Also, the name "recipe data" will be used for the explanation.

[0053] The cooking device 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a first heating means HM1 arranged below a top plate 3 (described in Figure 8 and subsequent figures) covering the upper surface of the cooking device 1, a second heating means HM2 that supplies microwaves to a heating chamber 6 (see Figure 9) formed inside the cooking device 1, and a third heating means HM3 that is located inside or outside the heating chamber 6 and raises the temperature of the internal space of the heating chamber 6 to heat it.

[0054] If the upper surface of the top plate 3 is defined as the "first location," then induction heating means is used as the first heating means HM1 to heat an object to be heated (a magnetic metal pot) placed in this first location. Alternatively, a gas combustion device equipped with a gas burner for heating a pot made of magnetic or non-magnetic metal can be used as the first heating means HM1.

[0055] If a closed space located away from the first place is defined as a "second place," then the inside of the heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 5) is the second place.

[0056] The cooking device 1 has a function of executing an "independent cooking mode" KM1 in which the first heating means HM1 and the second heating means HM2 are driven independently (independently).

[0057] The cooking appliance 1 has a function of executing a "combined cooking mode" KM2, which is a method of cooking one food item by simultaneously driving the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3, or by driving one of them first and then automatically driving the other. Even when the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are driven simultaneously, whether the heating ends at the same time or at different times is one operation pattern belonging to the "combined cooking mode" KM2.

[0058] The "combined cooking mode" KM2 has at least the following patterns: a pattern in which the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are driven simultaneously from the beginning (RG control mode 1), a pattern in which the third heating means HM3 starts to be driven after the second heating means HM2 (RG control mode 2), and a pattern in which the third heating means HM3 is driven first and then automatically switched to the second heating means HM3 (RG control mode 3). In these RG control modes 1 to 3, switching between the heating means is automatically performed when cooking begins in the heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 9).

[0059] Unlike the linked cooking mode KM3, the "combined cooking mode" KM2 does not have a "cooking menu" corresponding to a specific food to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak). In other words, it provides a "control menu" for each pattern for driving the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3.

[0060] For example, one of the "control menus" is the "RG control mode 1." In the RG control mode (RG combined cooking mode), various foods can be cooked. One of the "control menus," for example, the "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.

[0061] In other words, the operation pattern in which two or more heating sources (the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3) are operated in a predetermined sequence is the composite cooking mode KM2 having multiple "control menus."

[0062] In contrast to this, the cooperative cooking mode KM3 with a cooperative cooking menu applies recipe data (corresponding to specific foods) to heat and cook foods placed inside the heating chamber 6 and above the top plate 3 in a predetermined order. That is, the contents of the recipe data differ between the combined cooking mode KM2 and the cooperative cooking mode KM3.

[0063] In the following description, when a type of control mode, such as a drive pattern of a heat source, is indicated, 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, the name of the dish, etc., it is called a "cooking menu." For example, "hamburger steak" is one of the cooking menus.

[0064] The cooking appliance 1 has the function of executing a "coordinated cooking mode" KM3 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 US (user).

[0065] The "combined cooking mode" KM3 has a pattern in which cooking step 1 is performed by the first heating means HM1, and a pattern in which cooking step 1 is performed by the second heating means HM2. For example, to move from cooking step 1 by the first heating means HM1 to cooking step 2, the food to be cooked is moved into the heating chamber 6, and then the second heating means HM2 starts to be driven, so there is a "heating pause period" (transition period TR) during which no heating operation is performed between cooking step 1 and cooking step 2. This heating pause period will be explained in Figure 49.

[0066] In this "cooperative cooking mode" KM3, the recipe data CD is prepared for each specific food to be cooked (for example, hamburger steak, roast beef, or 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 for the heating means (including at least one of heating power, heating time, temperature, etc.).

[0067] The recipe data CD is stored in both the cooking appliance 1 and the recipe DB 302. The type of recipe data CD in the recipe DB does not have to be the same as the type of recipe data CD stored in the cooking appliance 1. For example, the recipe DB 302 may be configured such that recipe data CD for a new cooperative cooking mode KM3 is sequentially added, and the recipe data CD for a composite cooking menu is sequentially accumulated.

[0068] When the cooking appliance 1 acquires the recipe data CD for executing the cooperative cooking mode KM3 from the smartphone 200, the data is one cooking menu unit selected by the user US on the smartphone 200. This is not limited to the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3, but is also common to the "combined cooking mode" KM2 and the "single cooking mode" KM1.

[0069] As described above, the smartphone 200 requests the recipe data providing server 301 to provide the recipe data CD for the desired food to be cooked, and downloads the recipe data CD1 corresponding to the desired recipe.

[0070] The smartphone 200 can transmit recipe data CD2 corresponding to one recipe acquired from the recipe data providing server 301 to the cooker 1. To use this 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 selecting recipes (hereinafter referred to as the "recipe selection app") on the smartphone 200.

[0071] When the user US installs the recipe selection app, the user US performs an operation to register identification information such as the model name of the cooking appliance as an initial setting. This registration enables the user US to obtain recipe data CD corresponding to the rated specifications of the cooking appliance 1 (such as the heating capacity of each of the heating means HM1 to HM3) from the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301).

[0072] Furthermore, the user US uses the recipe selection app to pair the smartphone 200 with the cooking appliance 1, and establishes wireless communication 400 between the smartphone 200 and the cooking appliance 1. Note that this wireless communication may use a near field communication (NFC) method.

[0073] Next, we will explain Figure 2. The cooking system in Figure 2 differs from that shown in Figure 1 in the role of smartphone 200. Another difference is that it is cooker 1, not smartphone 200, that accesses the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) and obtains an application for selecting a recipe (referred to as a "recipe selection app").

[0074] The smartphone 200 and the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) are connected via a network 202 such as the Internet. The recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) and the cooker 1 are connected via a network 203 such as an internet line. A wireless router (not shown) may be interposed between the smartphone 200 and the cloud server 300. Similarly, a wireless router 340 (not shown) may be interposed between the cooker 1 and the cloud server 300.

[0075] As described above, in the cooking system shown in Fig. 2, recipe data CD3 (corresponding to one recipe) created by user US can be sent to the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) using smartphone 200, temporarily stored in the recipe DB 302, and provided to cooker 1. In other words, if smartphone 200 is located far away from the house in which cooker 1 is installed (for example, while out and about), recipe data CD3 of smartphone 200 can be conveniently stored in recipe data providing server 301.

[0076] The cooking appliance 1 downloads recipe data CD4 corresponding to a specific recipe stored in the recipe data providing server 301 via the network 203 between the cooking appliance 1 and the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301). In this case, the recipe data CD4 may be the recipe data CD2 provided by the smartphone 200.

[0077] In order to use the recipe data CD acquisition function, the user US of the cooking appliance 1 accesses the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) and installs in advance an application for selecting recipes (hereinafter referred to as the "recipe selection application") on the cooking appliance 1. It is convenient if this installation can be easily performed on the cooking appliance 1 as one menu in the "function setting mode" described below.

[0078] When the user US installs the recipe selection app, the user US performs an operation to register identification information such as the model name of the cooking appliance as an initial setting. This registration enables the user US to obtain recipe data CD corresponding to the specifications of the cooking appliance 1 (such as the heating capacity of each of the heating means HM1 to HM3) from the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301).

[0079] In the heating and cooking system of Figure 2, the user US acquires recipe data CD1 (corresponding to the recipe) as described in Figure 1, displays and checks the contents of the recipe data CD1 on the display screen of the smartphone 200, and may then modify a portion of the recipe data CD1 and store it as recipe data CD3 on the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) as described in Figure 2.

[0080] In the cooking system shown in Figure 1, when the smartphone 200 and the cooking appliance 1 are located close to each other, the smartphone 200 can provide recipe data CD2 to the cooking appliance 1. However, when the smartphone 200 is taken to a remote outdoor location, for example, the cooking appliance 1 cannot directly acquire the recipe data CD2. In contrast, in the cooking system shown in Figure 2, regardless of the location of the smartphone 200, as long as the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) can be accessed, the recipe data CD4 can be downloaded and used for cooking.

[0081] Next, FIG. 3 will be described. The cooking system shown in FIG. 3 differs from that shown in FIG. 1 in the role of the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301). In the cooking system of FIG. 3, the cooker 1 accesses the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) and downloads recipe data CD6.

[0082] In addition, in the cooking system of FIG. 3, the cooker 1 can access a recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) and provide recipe data CD7. For example, if cooking is actually performed and the cooking is satisfactory, after the cooking, the recipe data remaining in the storage unit of the cooking appliance 1 can be provided as improved recipe data CD7 to the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301). Such favorite recipes of the user US can be registered (stored) in the recipe data providing server 301 as "favorite recipes." Note that this system differs from the cooking system in FIG. 1 in that it is the cooking appliance 1 that acquires the "recipe selection app."

[0083] The cooking appliance 1 and the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) are connected via networks 204 and 205 such as the Internet. A wireless router 340 (not shown) may be interposed between the cooking appliance 1 and the cloud server 300. Similarly, a wireless router 340 (not shown) may be interposed between the networks 204, 205 between the cooking appliance 1 and the cloud server 300. A wireless router (not shown) may also be interposed between the smartphone 200 and the cloud server 300.

[0084] 3, the user US can obtain recipe data CD6 directly from the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) using the cooking appliance 1. Therefore, even if the user does not own the smartphone 200, the user can obtain the desired recipe data CD6 from the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) each time cooking is performed.

[0085] Furthermore, as described above, if cooking is actually performed and the cooking is satisfactory, the improved recipe data CD7 can be provided to the recipe providing site (recipe data providing server 301) after the cooking is performed. Therefore, from the next time onwards, the recipe data CD7 can be called up from the cooking appliance 1 and used for cooking, which is convenient.

[0086] In the first embodiment, there are cases where the recipe data CD is described as being "acquired" or "restricted from being acquired," so this point will be explained. When we say "restricting acquisition," it does not mean that recipe data CD (specific information constituting all or part of it) cannot enter the cooking appliance 1 from outside via the communication unit 51, which will be described later. In the cooking appliance 1, the communication unit 51 first receives the recipe data CD from outside and temporarily stores it in an appropriate storage area in the storage device 41 (which will be described in FIG. 16). At that time, the contents of the data (attributes, presence or absence of identification information 167, etc.) are analyzed. However, if the data was sent from outside during the "period during which acquisition is restricted" as described above, it will not be used in the subsequent execution of the cooking menu (i.e., cooking process), and will be automatically deleted within a short period of time (at least when the main power switch 20 is turned off).

[0087] In the following description, the networks 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 such as the Internet lines will be referred to as "NW" as a unified symbol.

[0088] (2. Configuration of various electrical devices and home gateway) "Home appliance" 402 refers to an electrical appliance designed primarily for use in the home. Home appliance 402 includes a cooking appliance 1, refrigerator 403, television 404, air conditioner 405, air purifier 406, ventilation device 407, electric rice cooker (electric rice cooker) 408, microwave oven 409, lighting fixture 410, and air purifier 413, which will be described later. In the following explanation, "refrigerator" 403 includes both a refrigerator-freezer with a built-in freezer (freezer compartment) and a freezer with only a freezing function, unless otherwise specified.

[0089] The "device identification information" of home appliance 402 is unique information for identifying home appliance 402. Specifically, it is important information required for information communication, such as the MAC address, manufacturer name, model name, type number, and serial number of home appliance 402.

[0090] The "home gateway" 411 refers to an information collection device or information processing device that relays information between two or more home appliances 402 in one home and enables them to operate in cooperation with each other. In addition, the home gateway 411 also performs the operation of giving a command signal to one home appliance 402 or acquiring information (also called "data") from one home appliance 402. In the following description, it is assumed that the 'home gateway' 411 is one form of information processing device 411.

[0091] The home gateway 411 may have a power control function such as a peak cut function to manage the total power consumption of a household for all or some of the home appliances 402, in which case it may be called a "power control device" or "integrated management device."

[0092] The home gateway 411 has a function of acquiring information about the current status of the home appliance 402, such as whether the home appliance 402 is running, stopped, or in standby mode, from the home appliance 402 via wired or wireless signals. When wireless communication is used, the home gateway 411 connects to the target home appliance 402 using the appliance identification information.

[0093] Even if home gateway 411 functions as an "integrated management device" or a "power command device" for one home appliance (e.g., cooking appliance 1) 402, if it does not limit the power consumption of other home appliances (e.g., lighting fixture 410), it does not qualify as an "integrated management device" or a "power command device." For example, home gateway 411 may acquire operation information about lighting fixture 410 but not have the function to regulate the power consumption of lighting fixture 410 itself so that the total power consumption, including the power consumption of other home appliances 402, does not exceed a specified upper limit for total power consumption. In such a case, home gateway 411 does not qualify as an integrated management device or a power command device from the perspective of lighting fixture 410.

[0094] In Figure 4, HA indicates one house. Although not actually shown, the inside of the house HA is divided into multiple living spaces by walls and doors, and one of these living spaces, the kitchen 601, is equipped with home appliances 402 such as the refrigerator 403, the cooking appliance 1, the microwave oven 409, and the electric rice cooker 408, as well as kitchen furniture (kitchen furniture) 600. Note that the living space also includes other rooms such as a "living room" and a "bathroom," as well as rooms with toilets, although these are not shown in Fig. 4. The living space may include other rooms.

[0095] All living spaces are supplied with power of, for example, 200 V from a commercial power supply EP of an electric power company located outside the house. The power is drawn into the house HA via a watt-hour meter 414.

[0096] Reference numeral 415 denotes a power line (main line) connected to a 200V commercial power supply EP via a breaker BK. A television receiver (hereinafter referred to as "TV receiver") 404 capable of receiving various broadcasts, an air conditioner 405, a lighting fixture 410, a cooking appliance 1, a microwave oven 409, an electric rice cooker 408, a home gateway 411, and an environment detection unit 416 are connected to this power line 415.

[0097] Next, FIG. 4 will be explained. 419 is a wide area communications network (sometimes called a "communications network" or "Internet"). This wide area communication network 419 is connected to the home gateway 411 via a router (not shown). This wide area communication network 419 is the network NW described above.

[0098] 417 is an external server, which is one component of the cloud server 300 . This external server 417 transmits useful information to the home gateway 411 and the communication terminal device (information processing terminal device) 200 .

[0099] The external server 417 may be, for example, a server installed by an external organization such as an earthquake information provider or an electric power company in a specific region, or may be a server provided by the manufacturer of the cooking appliance 1. This external server 417 may be a distributed processing server known as a "cloud server." It is known that there are three types of "cloud computing" that uses cloud servers: "IaaS," "PaaS," and "SaaS."

[0100] The home gateway 411 can receive various content distribution services from an external server 417. This content includes CDs containing various cooking recipe data (text and images).

[0101] Although not shown, the environment sensor of the environment detection unit 416 may be provided with an additional temperature sensor and humidity sensor for detecting the temperature and humidity outside the house.

[0102] Furthermore, external server 417 functions as an information providing means for home appliance 402. In other words, external server 417 may be installed by an organization such as a manufacturer, distributor, repairer, or information service provider of home appliance 402, either alone or jointly by two or more organizations, and provides various services related to home appliance 402 to user US via wide area communication network 419.

[0103] The external server 417 may also be what is generally called a "Web server" (hereinafter referred to as "Web server"). A Web server refers to a service program that provides HTML and object (image, etc.) display information to a Web browser on the information processing device (client) side software on the "information receiving side," such as various communication terminals (information processing terminals) 200 and home gateways 411, in accordance with HTTP (a protocol used to exchange data such as HTML documents and images between Web servers and Web browsers), and a server computer on which the service operates.

[0104] The external server 417 stores and memorizes control application software that enables remote control of the home gateway 411 from the house HA or a remote location. The remote control can be realized by accessing the cloud server 300 from a communication terminal 200, which will be described in detail later, such as a device called a smartphone, and downloading (reading) the control application software.

[0105] The communication terminal 200 can be easily carried by the user US and can be used for making calls and communicating data (including e-mail information) indoors, outdoors, or anywhere on the go. It is a device that can download information from an outdoor information provider site via wide area communication network 419, send and receive e-mail, and transmit remote control signals, but it can also be a device that cannot make calls, and such portable communication terminal devices are collectively called communication terminal 200. A small portable personal computer is also a type of communication terminal 200.

[0106] The communication terminal device 200 in the first embodiment has a function of transmitting and receiving signals through short-range communication while being in proximity to (or in contact with) an input / output unit of each home electric appliance 402 within a few centimeters. Note that this short-range communication is an international standard technology for wireless communication known as Near Field Communication (abbreviated as NFC).

[0107] In this NFC communication, a so-called wireless tag (NFC tag) is embedded in the home appliance 402 including the induction cooking appliance 1 and the refrigerator 403. On the other hand, it is also possible to send control data (also called "control commands") from the communication terminal device 200 to the NFC storage unit of the home appliance 402, and control the home appliance 402 in accordance with the control commands.

[0108] In this embodiment 1, direct remote control of the home appliances 402 from the communication terminal device 200 is not possible. Some of the home appliances 402, such as the cooking appliance 1, generate high heat, so remote control via the Internet, which is used by many people outside the house HA, is not adopted. Instead, all of the home appliances 400 can be controlled via the home gateway 411 as an integrated information processing device.

[0109] As is clear from the above description, the home gateway 411 in this first embodiment refers to an information processing device that relays information between two or more home appliances 400 in one home and causes them to operate in cooperation with each other. In addition to this, the home gateway 411 also performs an operation of giving a command signal to one home appliance 400 or acquiring information (also called data) from one home appliance 400.

[0110] Although not shown in FIG. 4, a range hood 407, which is a type of ventilation device described later, and a ceiling-mounted air cleaner 413 are installed in the kitchen 601 in the house HA.

[0111] Reference numerals 416A and 416B denote sensor units of the environment detection unit 416 of the home gateway 411. As shown in FIG. 7, one sensor unit 416A is a human presence sensor that detects the presence of a person (using infrared rays or ultrasonic waves) and is placed inside the kitchen 601. The other sensor unit 416B is similarly installed in a different location from the sensor unit 416B. The sensor unit 416B is used to acquire "environmental information." The environment detection unit 416 will be described in detail later.

[0112] The "environmental information" refers to three types of information: atmospheric temperature information in the space (kitchen 601) where the cooker 1 and refrigerator 403 are used, dust scattering amount information, and light intensity information. The dust scattering amount information is the result of measuring the amount of dust (including pollen) present in the air.

[0113] Examples of "use of environmental information" include the following: (1) If the temperature is high, the keep-warm function of the electric rice cooker 408 is operated continuously after the rice cooking process is completed. Also, the target refrigeration temperature and target freezing temperature of the refrigerator 403 are increased above the standard values. (2) When the humidity is high, the air conditioner 405 is operated in "dehumidification mode" or "cooling mode," or the ventilation device 407 is started. Alternatively, if the air conditioner 405 is in operation, its operating conditions (such as the target room temperature) are changed. (3) If fine dust particles are floating in the air, operate the air cleaner 413 or start the operation of the ventilation device 407. (4) When the amount of pollen in the air is high, the air purifier 413 starts operating. (5) When the amount of light (amount of visible light) is low, the lighting device 410 is turned on.

[0114] A "resident" refers to a person who resides in one house HA shown in FIG. 4. Residents include blood relatives such as parents and children, brothers and sisters. When using a home appliance 402, a resident is called a "user US."

[0115] "Home" means a single house HA managed by a specific manager, and may also include an apartment complex with multiple rooms and occupied by multiple families. In other words, even in such an apartment complex, if the commercial power upper limit is centrally managed by a single power cut-off device (such as a single breaker BK or multiple power cut-off devices), just like in the case of a single house HA, it is considered to be a home in this context.

[0116] "Power limit information on the home appliance side" refers to information about some signal related to power consumption that the home appliance 402 receives from the home gateway 411. This "power limit information on the home appliance side" includes information about transmission commands such as the power reduction request signal AS1 and the power reduction command signal AS2, which will be described later. This information includes information indicating the time when the signal was received (year, month, and time in seconds) and the meaning of the signal. For example, information about a power reduction command signal AS2 for the cooking appliance 1 at a certain point in time such as "Reception time: August 1, 2021, 17:00, reduce the instantaneous maximum power consumption by 2%."

[0117] The power limit information on the home appliance side, for example in the case of the cooking appliance 1, is stored in chronological order in the storage device 41 of the control device 40 (described later) and is not erased even when the main power switch 20 is turned on or off. Turning the main power switch 20 on and off is considered to be one cooking session, and at least several sessions are stored and maintained. Any sessions exceeding this number are automatically erased in sequence.

[0118] Next, FIG. 5 will be described. 5 shows an example of the configuration of hardware to which the cooking appliance 1 and the home appliance operation management system of the present embodiment 1 are applied. The following description will be given taking a kitchen 601 as an example of one living space.

[0119] Kitchen 601 to which this embodiment 1 is applied is equipped with air purifier 413 installed on ceiling surface (horizontal wall surface) 420, refrigerator 403 equipped with multiple freezer compartments 403A and refrigerating compartment 403B with different freezing temperatures, and microwave oven 409.

[0120] Furthermore, the kitchen 601 is equipped with a built-in (induction) cooking appliance 1 placed on kitchen furniture 600, a range hood (ventilation device) 407 placed directly above the cooking appliance 1, and a home gateway 411. Note that in Fig. 5, the electric rice cooker 408, air conditioner 405, and lighting fixture 410 described in Fig. 4 are all omitted from the illustration.

[0121] The refrigerator 403 has a "storage compartment" 403H for storing ingredients (hereinafter referred to as "ingredients") for food (including natural foods, processed foods, etc.). The storage compartment 403H includes the freezer compartment 403A and the refrigerator compartment 403B, and may be divided into specific compartments such as a "vegetable compartment" and a "compartment dedicated to meat and fish" depending on the type of ingredients.

[0122] In the following description of this embodiment 1, it is assumed that storage compartment 403H is provided with at least two types of compartments: freezer compartment 403A and refrigerator compartment 403B, which is a space independent of freezer compartment 403A. The temperatures (freezer temperature and refrigerator temperature) of the internal spaces of storage compartment 403H may hereinafter be collectively referred to as "internal temperature."

[0123] The multiple freezer compartments 403A in the refrigerator 403 are configured so that a freezer compartment with a freezing temperature (temperature range) appropriate for frozen foods (including processed foods) and fresh ingredients (meat, fish, etc.) can be selected, for example, -18°C±2°C, -10°C, or -2°C.

[0124] In addition, the freezing temperature and freezing temperature range affect the maturation of fresh food ingredients (e.g., beef) when stored for a long period of time, so even in the same freezer compartment, the freezing temperature and freezing temperature range can be changed as appropriate depending on the type of food ingredient.

[0125] As mentioned above, there are a plurality of types of temperature inside the storage compartment. For example, a compartment set to a temperature close to the freezing point (freezing temperature) is called a "chilled compartment." The volumes and shapes of the multiple storage compartments 403H are different, with the largest being refrigeration compartment 403B. In addition, to further divide the inside of storage compartment 403H into multiple compartments, partitions and lids (or doors) may be provided to increase the independent storage space.

[0126] Refrigerator 403 includes, as a cooling device (not shown), an electric compressor 403C, refrigerant piping (not shown), a cool air circulation fan (not shown), a damper (shutter) (not shown) for controlling the inflow of cool air into storage compartment 403H, and the like, in order to configure a refrigeration cycle. The temperature inside the refrigerator can be controlled by changing the operating frequency of the electric compressor or by changing the air volume of the cool air circulation fan.

[0127] Refrigerator 403 has a display unit (display screen) 403D at the top center of the front face (front surface) of its door (not shown). Inside the housing of refrigerator 403 are a storage device 403M such as a semiconductor memory and a control device 403U mainly consisting of a microcomputer. The control device 403U issues command signals to a drive circuit (inverter circuit, not shown) for electric compressor 403C, the cool air circulation fan (not shown), the damper (not shown), etc. The control device 403U has a control program (not shown) for controlling the operation of refrigerator 403 as a whole.

[0128] 403T is a wireless communication unit installed inside the casing of refrigerator 403 or on the ceiling outside the casing, and is controlled by the control device 403U. Wireless communication unit 403T can wirelessly communicate with communication unit 425 (see FIG. 7) of home gateway 411.

[0129] Due to the above configuration, refrigerator 403 can communicate wirelessly with cooking appliance 1 via home gateway 411 and can also connect to network NW, so that it can obtain various information and data (including "recipe data CD" described later) about cooking appliance 1. Furthermore, refrigerator 403 can also exchange data with communication terminal 200 via wireless communication.

[0130] When a Peltier element is used as the cooling device of storage room 403H, the temperature inside the refrigerator can be adjusted by adjusting the power supplied to the Peltier element. Refrigerator 403 may also use both electric compressor 403C and a Peltier element.

[0131] Furthermore, a weight sensor (not shown) may be placed in storage compartment 403H to store specific ingredients (e.g., eggs, milk, butter, etc.) and measure their weight. The weight sensor measures the weight periodically, and the data is preferably collected by control device 403U of refrigerator 403. Such weight data can be part of the inventory data of refrigerator 403, and is used when home gateway 411, which is a type of information processing device, queries the inventory data.

[0132] The management database held by memory unit 403M of control device 403U of refrigerator 403 contains the internal temperature (standard value, adjustable temperature range, and minimum adjustable temperature range) of each storage compartment 403H, its volume, and identification information such as the type and name of the main food ingredient. For example, information such as the standard internal temperature of freezer compartment 403A being -10°C, the ability to adjust the temperature in 20 steps from -5°C to -15°C, and its volume being 30 liters may be stored. In addition, data on the maximum internal dimensions of storage compartment 403H may be stored. This is used to determine whether solid items such as pots can be stored in the compartment. Refrigerator 403 can provide all of this data to the outside when responding to an inventory data inquiry from home gateway 411. In other words, home gateway 411 can also obtain various data about storage compartment 403H as needed.

[0133] The range hood 407 has an exhaust port 427 penetrating the ceiling surface 420, and one end of a duct 428 communicating with the outdoors is connected to the exhaust port 427. Range hood 430 is a box-shaped hood whose entire underside is open as intake port 430A, and an exhaust electric fan 429 is installed inside this hood. Range hood 430 is fixed to ceiling surface 420, but a detailed description of its configuration will be omitted.

[0134] The operating status of range hood 407 is transmitted as needed to central control unit 423 via communication unit 425 of home gateway 411. For this reason, range hood 407 is provided with communication unit 431, which functions as both a transmitter and a receiver and transmits various types of operating information, such as the start and stop of exhaust operation and the intensity of operation (exhaust capacity), between home gateway 411 and range hood 407. In other words, the transmitter and receiver are integrated in hardware and provided as communication unit 431. This communication unit 431 transmits and receives information to and from home gateway 411 via wireless or infrared communication.

[0135] When electric fan 429 is driven to rotate, it draws in air from intake port 430A of range hood 407, sucking in cooking odors and smoke, and exhausts the air to the outside of house HA through duct 428. Range hood 407 receives an operation signal such as an infrared signal from cooker 1 and starts exhaust operation. This will be explained later.

[0136] 5, arrow FF1 indicates an airflow rising from cooking appliance 1. FF2 indicates an exhaust airflow from duct 427. FF3 indicates an airflow moving sideways near ceiling surface 420. FF4 indicates a (purified) airflow blown out from air purifier 413.

[0137] A heat sensor (thermoelectromotive element) may be arranged in range hood 407 facing the direction of cooker 1. According to this configuration, range hood 407 itself detects the start of cooker 1 operation and controls the operation of electric fan 429.

[0138] The ceiling-embedded air purifier 413 is installed in a manner that it is embedded in the ceiling surface 420. A box-shaped main body 435 of the air purifier 407 is provided with a blower fan 436 and a filter 437 inside.

[0139] Reference numeral 440 denotes an air guide plate, which covers the entire lower part of air purifier 413. Reference numeral 432 denotes an air inlet formed at one end (the side closer to range hood 407) by air guide plate 431. Reference numeral 433 denotes an air outlet formed at the end opposite to air inlet 432 by air guide plate 440.

[0140] The blower fan 436 sucks dirty air from inside the kitchen 601 through the intake port 432, passes the purified air through the filter 437, and discharges the purified air from the outlet 433 toward the bottom of the kitchen 601. In this way, dust and odors in the air are removed, and the air in the room is purified.

[0141] Reference numeral 434 denotes an odor sensor for air purifier 404, and is arranged so as to face the entrance of air inlet 432. This detects odors in the air taken into air purifier 413 during operation, and determines the degree of air pollution. Note that the position of odor sensor 434 does not make a significant difference in its effectiveness regardless of where it is arranged, as long as it is in the air path on the air inlet 432 side and before filter 437.

[0142] The detection results of the odor sensor 434 are used by an odor sensing unit (not shown) located inside the main body 435 of the air purifier 413 to determine the odor intensity, and the results are transmitted as needed to the environment detection unit 416 of the home gateway 411. For this reason, the air purifier 413 is provided with a transmitter (not shown) and a receiver (not shown) inside that transmit various information, such as the start and stop of air purifying operation and the odor intensity determination results, to and from the home gateway 411. For example, the transmitter and receiver are integrated in hardware and provided as a communication unit 438. The communication unit 438 transmits and receives information to and from the home gateway 411 via wireless or infrared communication.

[0143] Air purifier 413 can detect odors when air purifier 413 is operating and when an odor generated somewhere in kitchen 601 reaches air purifier 413 from that location.

[0144] This air purifier 413 is generally configured to include one or more (multiple layers) filters 437 with fine air passages to capture dust, pollen, etc. in the air. Therefore, when cooking appliance 1 filters oily smoke generated during cooking with cooking oil, oil particles adhere to the surface of filter 437 and combine to form an oil film. This oil film reduces the filtering performance of filter 437. In other words, the amount of air passing through filter 437 decreases, leading to a situation in which the air purification ability of air purifier 413 decreases. Therefore, an idea has already been proposed to avoid operating air purifier 413 as much as possible when the exhaust gas generated by cooking contains oily smoke generated by cooking with oil (for example, Patent Document JP 2016-95126 A).

[0145] In Fig. 5, the refrigerator 403 is depicted as being installed near the right side of the kitchen furniture 600, but in an actual situation, it may be installed in a location different from that shown in Fig. 5. Also, instead of using one refrigerator 403, multiple refrigerators 403 may be used.

[0146] Reference numeral 441 denotes a main body case that forms the outer shell of the home gateway 411. This main body case 441 is fixed to a vertical wall surface 439 of the kitchen at a height that allows the resident to check input operations and displays.

[0147] Reference numeral 445 denotes an alarm device fixed to the vertical wall surface 439 near the main body case 441, which will be described in detail later. Reference numeral 600D denotes a water inlet for a water supply provided in the kitchen furniture 600.

[0148] Next, a description will be given of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the cooking appliance 1 and the range hood 407. In Fig. 6, 442 is a temperature monitoring device for the cooking appliance 1. In this first embodiment, this temperature monitoring device is configured as one component of the range hood 407 in terms of hardware. However, it may also be configured as one component of the home gateway 411 in terms of hardware.

[0149] The temperature monitoring device 442 includes a temperature detection unit 443 and a communication unit 446. The temperature detection unit 443 includes an infrared sensor (not shown), a thermal imaging camera (not shown), and a temperature determination circuit 444.

[0150] 6, temperature monitoring device 442 is a hardware component of range hood 407, but is always powered regardless of the exhaust operation of range hood 407. In other words, temperature monitoring device 442 is always monitoring the temperature even when range hood 407 is not in exhaust operation. Temperature monitoring device 442 may be configured as an independent device that is attached to the outside or underside of range hood 407.

[0151] The temperature detection unit 443, for example, divides the entire area (plane) of the top plate 3 described later into at least 64 areas (8 vertical x 8 horizontal) (hereinafter referred to as "detection areas") and detects the temperature of each area.

[0152] The detection area includes three heating parts (left heating port 4L, right heating port 4R, and center heating port 4C) of the cooking appliance 1, which will be described later. The temperature monitoring device 442 repeatedly measures the temperature of the detection area monitored by the temperature detection unit 443 at predetermined time intervals not only while the range hood 407 is in operation but also while it is not in operation.

[0153] The temperature monitoring device 442 transmits the monitored temperature information from the communication unit 446 to the home gateway 411. In addition to transmitting to the home gateway 411, a configuration may be adopted in which the monitored temperature information is transmitted directly to the cooking appliance 1. Furthermore, the temperature measurement interval for obtaining the temperature monitoring information is not a fixed time (for example, every 5 seconds), but is shortened in areas where the temperature is high.

[0154] The temperature monitoring device 442 detects that the light receiving unit 447 of the range hood 407 has received an infrared signal from the infrared transmitting unit 31 of the cooking appliance 1, and begins acquiring temperature information when the range hood 407 starts operating.

[0155] The temperature monitoring device 442 continues the temperature acquisition operation even after the range hood 407 receives an infrared signal (from the infrared transmitter 31) indicating the end of operation of the cooking appliance 1. Then, acquisition of temperature information continues at a predetermined time interval until the estimated temperature of the entire area of ​​the top plate 3 falls below a predetermined temperature (for example, 40°C). Note that once the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature, the interval of the temperature measurement operation slows down. Note that when the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature, the above-mentioned monitoring operation may be temporarily terminated, but the temperature monitoring operation is restarted at least at the start of operation of the cooking appliance 1.

[0156] Cooking appliance 1 is installed in kitchen furniture 600, which will be described in detail later. Reference numeral 6 denotes a heating chamber formed inside cooking appliance 1, and reference numeral 7 denotes a door that can be opened and closed to cover the front opening of heating chamber 113.

[0157] Cooking device 1 has top plate 3 that covers the top surface, on which an object to be heated N (such as a pot made of magnetic metal) is placed, and induction heating is performed by IH coils 9 (9C, 9L, 9R). 32 is a bottom wall surface that divides the interior of cooking device 1 into two independent spaces, upper and lower. Reference numeral 33 denotes an installation space located above the bottom wall surface 32 inside the cooking appliance 1, in which the IH coil 9 is housed.

[0158] Next, Fig. 7 will be described. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the relationship between home gateway 411, home appliance 402, and temperature monitoring device 422. Among home appliance 402, cooking appliance 1 and microwave oven 409 are subject to power consumption control from home gateway 411.

[0159] For this reason, home gateway 411 also functions as a power command device for cooker 1 and microwave oven 409, but this has been explained previously and will not be explained in detail here. Although not shown in Fig. 7, air conditioner 405 is also a device subject to power consumption (upper limit) control.

[0160] The power control unit 424 constantly acquires information on the amount of power used by the target home appliances (e.g., the cooking appliance 1 and the microwave oven 409) and has the function of limiting the power consumption of the home appliances 402 so that it does not exceed a preset total amount of power, and is already known as a HEMS (home energy management system).

[0161] When the power consumption control unit 448 receives information indicating a power reduction request or a power reduction instruction from the outside via the communication unit 425, it performs an operation to reduce the power consumption of the target home appliances (e.g., the cooking appliance 1, the microwave oven 409, and the air conditioner 405) in accordance with a predetermined priority order.

[0162] 7, home gateway 411 includes environment detection unit 416, which includes human detection unit 416H. Environment detection unit 416 also receives detection results in a predetermined format from a pollen sensor (not shown) and sensor unit 416B, which detects the temperature and humidity in the kitchen. As mentioned above, sensor unit 416A measures the temperature, humidity, etc. in kitchen 601.

[0163] The human detection unit 416H detects the presence of people in the kitchen 601, particularly in the area in front of the cooking appliance 1 and the door of the refrigerator 403 (not shown), and therefore the sensor unit 416A uses one or more infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, etc.

[0164] For example, if the distance between the front of the cooking appliance 1 and the door of the refrigerator 403 is short, the sensor unit 416A is installed on the ceiling surface 420 of the kitchen 601, etc., facing the space between the front of the cooking appliance 1 and the refrigerator 403.

[0165] Furthermore, when there is a small distance between the front of cooking appliance 1 and the door of refrigerator 403, one sensor unit 416A is installed on ceiling surface 420 or the like of kitchen 601, facing the space in front of cooking appliance 1. Furthermore, another sensor unit 416A for human detection unit 416H may be installed on ceiling surface 420 or the like, facing the space in front of the door of refrigerator 403. In other words, the number of sensor units 416A for human detection unit 416H is not limited to one, and any number necessary may be used.

[0166] A single sensor unit 416A may be attached to the lower end of the hood 430 of the range hood 407 to sense the presence of a user US in front of the cooking appliance 1. As described above, the location of sensor unit 416A of human detection unit 416H may be determined appropriately taking into consideration the relative positions of refrigerator 403 and cooker 1 and the detection capability (detection range) of the human detection unit.

[0167] The human detection unit 416H functions as one sensor of the environment detection unit 416, but it may also function as an independent integrated detection device that constitutes one part of an in-home detection device (not shown) for detecting the presence of a person inside the house HA, i.e., in the kitchen 601, etc. In that case, information from an unlocking sensor that detects the unlocking of the front door (entrance) of the house HA may also be used by the in-home detection device. This can improve the accuracy of the process of determining whether the person is at home or away.

[0168] The input unit 421 can set various functions of the home gateway 411 by operating touch input keys formed on the liquid crystal display screen. One of the functions is to identify the home appliance 402 for which an upper limit on power consumption is to be set, and then to set the upper limit on power consumption, the time period during which the appliance can be used, etc. For example, the user US can input the maximum power consumption of the cooking appliance 1 as, for example, 4800W or 5400W.

[0169] The input unit 421 has the function of inputting data by operating the touch input keys formed on the LCD display screen, as well as the function of inputting data by voice, and various desired functions can be input by resident's voice being directed into a microphone unit (not shown).

[0170] Numeral 445 denotes the alarm device that issues an alarm to the occupants by means of sound or light. The central control unit 423 receives measurement data from the environment detection unit 416 and monitoring data from the temperature monitoring device 422, and the alarm device 445 transmits an alarm instruction signal. Note that this alarm device 445 is not subject to control by the power amount control unit 424, and therefore the power supply to the alarm device 445 itself is not restricted or cut off due to changes in the amount of power consumed by the home appliance 402.

[0171] As shown in FIG. 7, home gateway 411 includes a communication unit (receiving unit / transmitting unit) 425, a central control unit 423, and a storage device 426. The communication unit 425 is a communication unit that can individually communicate with the home electric appliances 402 such as the cooking appliance 1 and the refrigerator 403 by wireless or infrared communication.

[0172] 7, storage device 426 is a device that records a relatively large amount of information, such as operation history information of home gateway 411, history information of daily power control of home appliance 402, and daily "environment information" acquired by environment detection unit 416. Storage device 426 is, for example, various types of semiconductor memory or a HDD.

[0173] The central control unit 423 has a microcomputer that is the core of information processing. It also has built-in ROM and RAM for the CPU of the microcomputer to read and write (store) data. The ROM stores computer programs that define various operations.

[0174] 7, 419 is a wide area communication network (Internet) that performs wireless communication with communication unit (receiver / transmitter) 425. Although only one communication unit 425 is shown in FIG. 7, a communication unit (receiver / transmitter) for home appliance 402 and a communication unit for wide area communication network (Internet) 419 may be provided separately. Also, a separate NFC (near field wireless communication) communication unit may be provided so that information can be directly exchanged via wireless communication with NFC provided in communication terminal 200.

[0175] A schedule management unit 427 has a calendar function and can store event schedule information for at least one month (maximum 31 days).

[0176] The schedule management function itself has already been proposed in many patent documents. In this embodiment 1, the input unit 421 can register the scheduled date and scheduled start time (or time period) of an event (e.g., shopping, going out, etc.) for each resident.

[0177] If event information is stored in the schedule management unit 427, a notification will be issued from the schedule management unit 427 at the stored date and time. The notification may be displayed on the liquid crystal display screen of the input unit 421 or notified by a voice synthesizer (not shown). Alternatively, a method of issuing a notification to the communication terminal 200 carried by the resident (also called "push-type notification") may be used.

[0178] When the home electric appliance 402 such as the cooking appliance 1 is activated, a notification may be sent to the cooking appliance 1 or the refrigerator 403 based on the event information registered by the schedule management unit 427.

[0179] (3. Configuration of the cooking device) Next, the configuration of the cooking device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, cooking appliance 1 is a built-in IH cooking heater that is incorporated into kitchen furniture 600 that has a cooking table on top. Cooking appliance 1 has a main body 2 and a top plate 3 that is installed on main body 2. Top plate 3 is exposed above a kitchen countertop that forms the top surface of kitchen furniture 600.

[0180] The top plate 3 is composed of, for example, a heat-resistant glass plate and a metal frame attached around the periphery of the glass plate. Three heating ports 4, namely, a left heating port 4L, a right heating port 4R, and a center heating port 4C, are provided on the upper surface of the top plate 3.

[0181] The left heating port 4L, the right heating port 4R, and the central heating port 4C indicate the areas where a metal cooking container such as a pot or a frying pan (also referred to as the "heated object" N related to the first heating means HM1) is placed. Guide marks (not shown) that serve as guides for placing the heated object on the left heating port 4L, the right heating port 4R, and the central heating port 4C are printed on the upper surface of the top plate 3.

[0182] An exhaust port cover 5 is provided on the far side (rear side) of the top plate 3. The exhaust port cover 5 is made of a punched metal or lattice-shaped metal member with numerous small through-holes, and is breathable throughout with little air resistance. Exhaust air released from inside the cooking appliance 1 passes through the exhaust port cover 5 and exits to the outside of the cooking appliance 1.

[0183] A door (heating door) 7 is provided on the front of the main body 2 of the cooking appliance 1 to open and close the front opening of the heating chamber 6 (see FIG. 9) located inside the main body 2. The door 7 is provided with a handle 8 for opening and closing the door.

[0184] Fig. 9 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the cooking device 1 according to embodiment 1 as seen from the side. As shown in Fig. 9, an induction heating coil 9L (hereinafter referred to as "left IH coil") serving as left induction heating means is provided below the left heating port 4L.

[0185] Similarly, an induction heating coil 9R (hereinafter referred to as the "right IH coil") serving as a right induction heating means is provided below the right heating port 4R, and an induction heating coil 9C (hereinafter referred to as the "central IH coil") serving as a central induction heating means is provided below the central heating port 4C.

[0186] These IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R are circular heating coils made of wound thin conductors such as copper or aluminum wire, and generate a high-frequency magnetic field when a high-frequency current is supplied to them, which inductively heats the cooking vessel (object to be heated N) placed over the left heating port 4L, right heating port 4R, and center heating port 4C.

[0187] The heating means including the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R and their drive circuits (high-frequency power supply circuits such as inverter circuits, not shown) may be referred to as the induction heating source or first heating means HM1. In the following description, the term "first heating means" HM1 will be used unless there is a particular contradiction.

[0188] A temperature sensor group 30 (see FIG. 16) consisting of multiple temperature sensors (not shown) is mounted near the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R to detect the temperatures of the top plate 3 and cooking vessel (heated object). One temperature sensor 30A (not shown) constitutes one sensor in the temperature sensor group 30. The temperature sensor referred to here may be either or both of a contact-type temperature sensor such as a thermistor and a non-contact temperature sensor such as an infrared sensor.

[0189] The heating chamber 6 is provided inside the main body 2 and below the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R. The heating chamber 6 is surrounded by a metal wall such as stainless steel, and is a space for heating the food (foodstuffs, ingredients) contained within the heating chamber 6.

[0190] The food to be cooked may be placed on a heat-resistant plastic container, a porcelain or heat-resistant glass dish, or may be placed inside a container and placed in the heating chamber 6. In such cases, the dish or container may be called the "heated container." However, since these containers are not induction-heated by the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R, even if they are placed on the heating port 4 of the top plate 3, they are not called the "heated object" N of the IH coils 9C, 9L, and 9R.

[0191] A horizontally long rectangular opening (not shown) is formed in the front of the heating chamber 6 for putting in and taking out the food to be cooked. The opening in the front of the heating chamber 6 is covered by a door 7 that can be opened and closed freely. The door 7 is supported by the main body 2 so that it can rotate freely via a hinge and an arm (not shown). This allows the door 7 to open forward to a horizontal position with its lower end as a fulcrum (center of rotation). The door 7 may also be pulled forward integrally with a support member (a structure such as a shelf, not shown) that supports the container to be heated from below, by a slide rail (not shown).

[0192] Door 7 is provided with an open / close detector 10 for detecting whether door 7 is open or closed. Open / close detector 10 is, for example, a microswitch or an infrared sensor. A microwave oscillator 11 is provided behind heating chamber 6 to heat the food placed in heating chamber 6. Microwave oscillator 11 is, for example, made up of a magnetron, and irradiates microwaves into heating chamber 6 to heat the food placed in the heating chamber, i.e., perform so-called range heating.

[0193] The heating means including the microwave oscillator 11 and its drive circuit (which refers to a high frequency power supply circuit such as an inverter circuit, not shown) may be called second heating means HM2.

[0194] Additionally, upper radiant heat heating means 12a and lower radiant heat heating means 12b, which heat the food from above and below using so-called heaters, are provided in heating chamber 6. Upper radiant heat heating means 12a is located on the ceiling wall surface on the outside or inside of heating chamber 6, and lower radiant heat heating means 12b is located on the inside or outside wall surface of heating chamber 6, and both are sheath heaters.

[0195] Other types of radiant heat heating means (for example, a mica heater or a carbon heater) may be installed outside the heating chamber 6. Figure 5 shows an example in which the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b are both installed in close contact with the outer wall surface of the heating chamber 6.

[0196] The heating means including the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b and their drive circuits (not shown) may be referred to as the third heating means HM3. The upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b may be collectively referred to as the "radiant heat heating means," in which case the reference numeral "12" is used.

[0197] Additionally, an infrared sensor 13 is provided in the heating chamber 6 as a non-contact temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the food inside the heating chamber 6 without contact. The temperature range detected by this infrared sensor 13 is set to, for example, -20°C to 100°C. This allows the degree of heating of the food to be detected accurately in real time, for example, in 1°C increments. This infrared sensor 13 also constitutes one sensor in the temperature sensor group 30 (see FIG. 16).

[0198] The heating chamber 6 is also provided with a contact temperature sensor (for example, a thermistor sensor) 14, which is an interior temperature sensor that detects the atmospheric temperature inside the heating chamber 6 or the wall temperature of the heating chamber 6.

[0199] The thermistor sensor 14 detects temperature by detecting changes in electrical resistance, and therefore the upper limit of the temperature that can be detected is approximately 250°C. This thermistor sensor 14 also constitutes one sensor in the temperature sensor group 30. Note that this thermistor sensor 14 may be installed in two locations, near the bottom and near the ceiling of the heating chamber 6, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0200] Next, FIG. 10 will be described. Fig. 10 is a top view of the cooking appliance 1 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 10, a left operating unit 15L, a central operating unit 15M, and a right operating unit 15R are provided on the front side of the upper surface of the top plate 3 of the cooking appliance 1. These three operating units may be collectively referred to as "input operating units," in which case the reference numeral 15 is used.

[0201] At the rear (rear side) of the left operating unit 15L, the central operating unit 15M and the right operating 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.

[0202] The left display unit 16L, the center display unit 16M, and the right display unit 16R may be collectively referred to as the "display unit," in which case the reference numeral 16 is used. The center display unit 16M has a horizontally long liquid crystal display screen.

[0203] The left heating power display unit 17L and the right heating power display unit 17R display the heating power level using light-emitting elements (LEDs, etc.), and do not have a display screen.

[0204] The left heating power display unit 17L, the right heating power display unit 17R, and the center heating status display unit 17M may be collectively referred to as the "heat power display units," in which case the reference numeral 17 is used.

[0205] Also, adjacent to the right operation unit 15R, there is provided an operation button (key) 20A for a main power switch 20 (see FIG. 16). The main power switch 20 turns on or off the main power supply of the cooking appliance 1. The button (key) that is pressed to turn the power on or off is the operation button 20A.

[0206] When the main power supply of the cooking appliance 1 is OFF, pressing the operation button 20A for a few seconds, for example, turns the main power supply ON. When the main power supply of the cooking appliance 1 is ON, pressing the operation button 20A for a few seconds, for example, turns the main power supply OFF.

[0207] Next, FIG. 11 will be described. 11, an input key 180 for selecting a voice input mode is arranged in a central operation section 15M of the input operation section 15. This input key 180 may be a mechanical switch, or may be an input key of a touch-type input switch like input keys 153M to 159M described later.

[0208] The input key 180 for selecting this voice input is such that, when pressed once, the next input can be made by voice. When this input key 180 is pressed, the state switches to "voice input mode 2." However, this input key 180 cannot be used to select the heating means or heating port (first heating means HM1) by voice.

[0209] Therefore, input key 180 must be operated immediately after touching input key 153L ("short press") to select heating outlet 4L, for example. In other words, if input key 153L is "long pressed," it can be switched to voice input mode 2, but if input key 153L is "short pressed" instead of "long pressed," it can be switched to voice input mode 2 from that point on by pressing input key 180 afterwards. In the central operation unit 15M, if one of the input keys 153M, 154M, or 155M is touched and then the input key 180 is operated, the mode is switched to the "voice input mode 2," and the input processing unit (input limiting unit) 70 in the control device 40 sets the voice signal analysis unit 58 (see FIG. 16) to an input standby state. Note that touching the input key 180 does not affect the input functions of the five input keys: the input key 153M, the input key 151M for starting the heating operation, the input key 152M for stopping the heating operation, and the input keys 153L and 153R of the left and right operation units 15L and 15R. Furthermore, when these five input keys are touched, the "voice input mode 2" set by the input key 180 is canceled.

[0210] As described above, the "voice input mode 2" set by inputting the input key 180 is different from the "voice input mode 1" set according to the touch pattern of specific (touch-type) input keys such as various touch-type input keys 153M, 154M, 155M, etc., as will be described later.

[0211] When the input key 180 is pressed, the "voice input mode 2" is activated from that moment. That is, the mode is set to "voice input mode 2." Then, as will be described with reference to FIG. 16, when a voice signal is received from the voice signal receiving unit 56, the voice signal analyzing unit 58 analyzes the content of the voice one by one and outputs the analysis results to the heating control unit 43.

[0212] The input key 180 for selecting voice input may limit the "range in which touch input is disabled" to only the central operation unit 15M. In this way, when the input key 180 is pressed, the input function of specific (touch-type) input keys such as the various touch-type input keys 154M to 159M arranged on the central operation unit 15M is disabled, as will be described later. Then, the device transitions to an input standby state in which it accepts voice commands from the user US. Note that, since touch input cannot be disabled by this input key 180 after the heating operation has started, there is no restriction whatsoever on input of various input keys (for example, a stop command by 152M) during the heating operation.

[0213] 21M is a light emitting unit that emits light when the input function of the input key 180 is enabled and continues to emit light until the input function is disabled. Each of the light emitting units 21M is provided with one or more light emitting elements 27 (see FIG. 16) such as LEDs, which are driven by a light emission control unit 26 (see FIG. 16).

[0214] In the central operation section 15M, an input key 151KP for setting functions is arranged adjacent to the left side of the input key 153M.

[0215] In this first embodiment, an input mode in which the user US controls the cooking appliance 1 by pressing with a fingertip or the like (including light contact) is called a "touch input mode." Therefore, various input keys 151M to 159M, 151R to 155R, and 151L to 155L, which will be described later, may be called a "touch input mode selection unit."

[0216] Next, FIG. 12 will be described. 12 is an enlarged view of left display unit 16L, left heating power display unit 17L, and left operation unit 15L according to embodiment 1. Left display unit 16L displays information related to cooking using left heating port 4L, and is implemented, for example, by a liquid crystal display.

[0217] The left display unit 16L displays the set time for "timer cooking" for the heated object N placed on the left heating port 4L, the elapsed time since the heating operation at the left heating port 4L began, or the remaining time until the timer set time ends.

[0218] The "timer cooking" is a cooking function that heats the food for the time (set time) set (input) by the user US (using input key 151L), and since the heating operation automatically stops once the set time has elapsed, it is a convenient function for the user US.

[0219] When preheat cooking is selected for the left heating port 4L, the left display unit 16L displays the automatically set temperature (default temperature) or the current temperature. The automatically set temperature (default temperature) refers to the target temperature of the bottom of an object (e.g., a metal pot) N when the object is heated using the left heating port 4L. The default temperature can be changed by the user US within a certain range. The target temperature can also be set to any desired temperature by touching the input keys 155R and 154R, for example (however, the heating control unit 43 will reject any temperature setting that exceeds a predetermined allowable range).

[0220] The left heating power display unit 17L is composed of multiple light-emitting elements (LEDs) arranged in a horizontal line and displays the heating power of the left heating port 4L in multiple stages. The left heating power display unit 17L indicates the heating power by switching the lighting state (on, off, flashing, etc.) of the multiple LEDs or by switching the lighting color. This allows the user US to be informed of the heating power in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0221] The left operation section 15L is used to input operations related to cooking using the left heating port 4L. 12, the left operation unit 15L has 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 input using a change in capacitance when a user US lightly touches them with a finger or the like.

[0222] Light-emitting units 21L are provided corresponding to the input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L. The light-emitting units 21L are composed of a plurality of light-emitting elements (LEDs), and emit light in response to the operation of the input keys 151L, 152L, 153L, 154L, and 155L. Note that two adjacent input keys 154L and 155L share one light-emitting unit 21L because they perform the same function of increasing or decreasing the flame power.

[0223] The input key 151L is a key that is touched to select "timer cooking" for the left heating port 4L. As described above, this timer cooking is a cooking method in which the user US sets the time for the heating operation and the heating operation is performed only for the set time.

[0224] The input key 152L is a key that is pressed when selecting a "control menu" to be implemented by the left heating port 4L. Each time the input key 152L is pressed, one of multiple control menus can be selected. The "control menu" referred to here is, for example, boiling water, stewing, frying (automatic cooking), etc. The operating time, heat power, operating pattern, etc. of the left heating port 4L differs for each control menu.

[0225] The control menu 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 is the control menu for the "single cooking mode" KM1, which uses induction heating only. The "single cooking mode" KM1 will be explained later.

[0226] The input key 153L is a key that is pressed to select cooking using the left heating port 4L. That is, pressing the input key 153L selects cooking (in the single cooking mode KM1) using the left IH coil 9L located below the left heating port 4L. If 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.

[0227] The input keys 154L and 155L are keys that are pressed to specify the heat level during heating cooking at the left heating port 4L. Pressing the input key 154L on the left decreases the heat level by one level. Conversely, pressing the input key 155L on the right increases the heat level by one level. The heat level during induction heating cooking at the left heating port 4L has nine levels, ranging from the minimum rated heat level (heat level 1: 150W) to the maximum rated heat level (heat level 9: 3200W).

[0228] Next, FIG. 13 will be described. 13 is an enlarged view of right display unit 16R, right heating power display unit 17R, and right operation unit 15R according to embodiment 1. Right display unit 16R displays information related to cooking using right heating port 4R and is implemented, for example, by a liquid crystal display. The information related to cooking using right heating port 4R displayed on right display unit 16R is the same as the information related to cooking using left heating port 4L.

[0229] The right heating power display unit 17R is composed of multiple light-emitting elements (LEDs) and displays the heating power of the right heating port 4R in multiple stages. Like the left heating power display unit 17L, the right heating power display unit 17R indicates the heating power by switching the lighting state (on, off, blinking, etc.) of the multiple light-emitting elements (LEDs) or by switching the lighting color.

[0230] The right operation unit 15R is used to input operations related to cooking using the right heating port 4R. As shown in Fig. 13, the right operation unit 15R includes five input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R and 155R.

[0231] The input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R, and 155R are configured in the same manner as the left operation unit 15L, and are configured as, for example, capacitance-type touch keys that allow input by utilizing a change in capacitance when the user US lightly touches them with a finger or the like.

[0232] A light emitting unit 21R is provided corresponding to each of the input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R, and 155R. The light emitting unit 21R is a light emitting element (LED), and the light emitting unit 21R corresponding to each of the input keys 151R, 152R, 153R, 154R, and 155R lights up in response to the operation of the input keys. However, two adjacent input keys 154R and 155R share one light emitting unit 21R because they perform the same function of increasing or decreasing the flame power.

[0233] The input key 151R is a key that is pressed when selecting timer cooking for the right heating port 4R. The input key 152R is a key that is pressed when selecting a control menu to be performed for the right heating port 4R.

[0234] The input key 153R is a key that is pressed to select cooking using the right heating port 4R. That is, pressing the input key 153R selects cooking (in the single cooking mode KM1) using the right IH coil 9R located below the left heating port 4R. If the input key 153R is pressed again while the right IH coil 9R is being driven, the drive of the right IH coil 9R is stopped, and the induction heating operation is immediately stopped.

[0235] Input keys 154R and 154R are keys that are pressed to specify the heat level during heating cooking at right heating port 4R. Pressing left input key 154R decreases the heat level by one level. Conversely, pressing right input key 155R increases the heat level by one level. The heat level during induction heating cooking at right heating port 4R has nine levels, ranging from the minimum rated heat level (heat level 1) of 150W to the maximum rated heat level (heat level 9) of 3200W.

[0236] Next, FIG. 14 will be described. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of central display unit 16M, central operation unit 15M, and central heating status display unit 17M according to the first embodiment.

[0237] The central display unit 16M is configured as a liquid crystal display and displays information and warnings about the entire cooking appliance 1. The display screen of the central display unit 16M displays the selection result 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 status of each heating means, and caution or warning information regarding cooking using each heating means.

[0238] The central display unit 16M is a single LCD display in terms of hardware, but as shown in Figure 14, it has three display areas: a first display area 22 on the left, a second display area 23 in the center of the left and right, and a third display area 24 on the right, and it is possible to display different things in each display area.

[0239] Furthermore, the three display areas 22 to 24 may be linked together as needed to form a single (large-area) display area depending on the display situation, and may display one or more purposes. Note that, hereinafter, the first display area 22 will be referred to as the first area 22, the second display area 23 will be referred to as the second area 23, and the third display area 24 will be referred to as the third area 24.

[0240] The central heating status display unit 17M is divided into two levels in the front-to-back direction, and the lower level (front side) is equipped with a microwave light-emitting element (LED) 310 behind the character display unit that reads "Microwave", a grill light-emitting element (LED) 311 behind the character display unit that reads "Grill", an oven light-emitting element (LED) 312 behind the character display unit that reads "Oven", and a central IH light-emitting element (LED) 313 behind the character display unit that reads "Central IH".

[0241] On the upper row (rear side) are warning letters saying "Caution: High temperature" and a group of high temperature warning light emitting diodes (LEDs) 314 arranged in front and below a diagram that schematically represents the heating chamber 6 and the three heating outlets 4L, 4C, and 4R.

[0242] The high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) group 314 is made up of a heating chamber high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) 314a and an IH high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) 314b arranged side by side.

[0243] The heating chamber high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) 314a lights up when the temperature inside the heating chamber 6 is high, for example, 50° C. or higher. The IH high temperature warning light emitting element (LED) 314b lights up when any of the left IH coil 9L, right IH coil 9R, and center IH coil 9C is in operation or when the temperature of the top plate 3 is high, for example, 50° C. or higher.

[0244] Central operation unit 15M is used to input operations mainly related to cooking in heating chamber 6 and cooking using central heating port 4C. As shown in FIG. 14, the central operation unit 15M includes nine input keys 151M, 152M, 153M, 154M, 155M, 156M, 157M, 158M, and 159M, and a function setting key 151KP (see FIG. 11).

[0245] The nine input keys 151M to 159M are capacitive touch keys that emit an input command signal each time they are touched. Furthermore, light emitting units 21M are provided near each of the input keys 151M to 159M.

[0246] The function setting key 151KP (see FIG. 11) is located on the leftmost side of the central operation unit 15M. The function setting key 151KP is used to set various operations, displays, etc. of the entire cooking appliance 1 as desired by the user US.

[0247] When the function setting key 151KP is pressed, the control device 40, which will be described later, switches to a "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) Set the ventilation device 407 to linked mode. (3) Cleaning guide setting (setting the automatic notification function for when to clean the heating chamber 6 and exhaust vent cover 5). (4) Peak cut setting (maximum power consumption can be selected from one of four levels: 5700W, 5000W, 4800W, and 4000W). (5) Audio guide audio settings. (6) Audio guide volume setting. (7) Settings to prevent forgetting to remove food, cooking utensils, etc. from the heating chamber 6 (whether or not to issue an alarm on the audio notification unit 50 and central display unit 16M). (8) HEMS registration settings (settings related to the power usage restriction function of the home power control device). (9) Time unit setting for timer cooking (change from 1 minute to 5 or 30 minutes). (10) Switching between beginner mode and normal (expert) mode. (11) Setting the type (range) of inventory information to be acquired from the external device (refrigerator 403). (12) Setting the display priority (specific cooking menu to be displayed as default, identification information 167) of each cooking menu (for example, "hamburger steak") in the collaborative cooking mode KM3. (13) Setting the display priority (the specific control menu to be displayed by default) of each control menu of the combined cooking mode KM2 (for example, "Grill in the microwave" or "Pre-boil leafy vegetables"). (14) Setting of the cooking mode to be automatically displayed on the central display unit 16M when the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened after the main power switch 20 is turned “ON” (such as the display priority between the linked cooking mode KM3 and the combined cooking mode KM2). (15) A setting for preventing the automatic display of additional information 165 and 166 (see FIG. 21) described later and a setting for preventing the audio notification unit 50 from notifying the additional information 165 and 166 by audio. (16) When individual cooking menus in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 are displayed on the central display unit 16M, the ingredients and nutritional components of the target food item (food) are displayed individually each time. Note that either the food ingredients or the nutrients or both may be displayed, but in this embodiment 1, input key 158M is used as a display command key for food ingredients, and input key 159M is used as a display command key for nutritional components. When either input key 158M or 159M is operated within a predetermined period, or when voice input mode 1 is set and a command is given by voice, food ingredients or nutritional ingredients are displayed. In other words, they are not always displayed together with cooking menu identification information 167 (described later) but are displayed in response to operations (including voice) by user US. Details will be explained in Figure 30. (17) When selecting individual cooking menus in the collaborative cooking mode KM3, cooking menu candidates are searched for based on the ingredients and nutritional information of the food and displayed on the central display unit 16M. In this case, the user US can search by voice by pressing the input key 180 to select "voice input mode 2." Details will be explained in Figure 30. (18) Setting the display priority of each cooking menu in the collaborative cooking mode KM3. In relation to the setting of specific cooking menus to be displayed by default, either the food ingredients or the nutritional components can be set as the top priority item for display. By setting this, for example, cooking menus can be displayed in ascending order of energy content (calorie value) among nutritional components, as shown in Figure 30. Alternatively, cooking menus can be displayed in descending order of the amount of "iron" as a nutritional component.

[0248] As explained above, when the function setting key 151KP is pressed to select the "function setting mode," it is possible to add the display of food ingredients or nutritional ingredients, and it is also possible to cancel the setting to display once it has been made in the function setting mode. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the information, range, and display method to be set can be selected according to the user US's wishes.

[0249] The "beginner mode" is an optional function for people (users US) who are unfamiliar with using the cooking appliance 1. When the beginner mode is set, the voice guidance in the voice notification unit 50 (see FIG. 16) becomes more detailed and thorough. Also, more voice guidance is provided for input operations in the input operation unit 15, and more information is displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M.

[0250] When the beginner mode is set, particularly in the case of cooking in the combined cooking mode KM2 and the linked cooking mode KM3, the amount of reference information (including, for example, additional information 165 and 166 described later) displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M increases in cooking step 1 and cooking step 2, or the content of the audio guidance in the audio notification unit 50 increases. This enhances the function of supporting the input operation of the user US.

[0251] In addition, in conjunction with switching from the "beginner mode" to the "normal (expert) mode", the content of the voice guidance from the voice notification unit 50 may be automatically set to not change.

[0252] When the main power switch 20 (described later) is turned "ON" and the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened, the cooking mode setting automatically displayed on the central display 16M is either the linked cooking mode KM3 or the combined cooking mode KM2. Because both the linked cooking mode KM3 and the combined cooking mode KM2 use the same central display 16M, the user US can set which of the two modes to prioritize. This will be explained in detail later.

[0253] In the first embodiment, the "combined cooking mode" KM2 exceptionally includes several control menus (for example, the food to be cooked, "cooked rice") of the single cooking mode KM1 using the central IH coil 9M.

[0254] When the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 is opened after the main power switch 20 is turned "ON", the control device 40 detects that the door 7 has been opened. There is a function that assumes that the user US will be cooking using the heating chamber 6, and automatically displays either the first specific screen 16M1 for the linked cooking mode KM3 or the second specific screen 16M2 for the combined cooking mode KM2 on the central display unit 16M. The central display section 16M displays a standby initial screen 16MH (described later) immediately after the main power switch 20 is turned "ON." After that, the second specific screen 16M2 is automatically displayed immediately after the door 7 is opened.

[0255] After the "Function Setting Menu" is displayed on the display screen of the central display unit 16M, by "long pressing" (hereinafter referred to as "long pressing") a specific input key (e.g., 154M) other than the function setting key 151KP for a certain period of time or more, one setting menu from the "Function Setting Menu" can be selected and subsequently changed to the desired setting content.

[0256] Alternatively, if two specific input keys other than the function setting key 151KP are simultaneously "pressed and held," one of the setting menus from the "function setting menu" described above can be called up and the desired setting can be changed.

[0257] The "long press" refers to a state where the button is pressed continuously for 5 seconds or more, for example. The control device 40 determines whether the state is the "long press" by comparing the timing from ON to OFF of the touch input on the central operation unit 15M with a reference value. Alternatively, the input mode determination unit 15C (see FIG. 17) inside the central operation unit 15 determines whether the state is the "long press." In this first embodiment, an example will be described (later with reference to FIG. 17) in which the central operation unit 15M determines whether or not the state is the "long press."

[0258] In addition, in the central operation unit 15M, the timing when the two input keys (for example, 154M and 155M) are pressed simultaneously can be determined by the "ON" (touched) signal sent from the input operation unit 15M to the control device 40.

[0259] In the following description, an embodiment will be described in which whether or not a "long press" has occurred is determined by the input operation unit 15M. However, although not adopted in the first embodiment, there is also a method in which the input operation unit 15M measures the time from the time of the "ON" signal to the time of the change to the "OFF" signal, transmits that data to the control device 40, and determines whether or not a "long press" has occurred in the control device 40.

[0260] In this first embodiment, there is a function to determine the "long press" as described above for specific input keys (for example, 154M, 153R) and switch to the "voice input mode 1" as described above. This is explained in more detail in Figures 16 and 17. Note that a touch operation that is not a "long press," i.e., a touch state that lasts for less than five seconds, may be called a "short press." Since this is related to the detection capabilities of the input operation units 15M, 15L, and 15R, for example, if the touch time is within the range of 0.1 to 4.9 seconds, the control device 40 determines that it is a "short press."

[0261] The type (range) of the inventory information acquired from the refrigerator 403 may be limited to only frozen foods, or to only food ingredients that can be heated by a microwave heating source (second heating means HM2), for example.

[0262] In the central display section 16M, when the control mode and control conditions (temperature, heat, time, etc.) of the first heating means HM1, the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 are being selected, the input function of the function setting key 151KP is disabled so as not to switch the function setting mode.

[0263] Next, the setting of the peak cut value of the cooking appliance 1 will be described. Even if the default value at the time of shipment from the manufacturer is 5400W, it can be set to any of 5000W, 4800W, or 4000W when installed in the user US's home.

[0264] In this way, the functions of the cooking appliance 1 can be changed using the function setting key 151KP described above in accordance with the wishes of the user US and the environment in which the appliance is used (the power situation in the home where the appliance is installed). When the peak cut value is set in this way, the setting result is stored in the control device 40, and is used to determine whether or not to permit use of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 (determining the permission conditions) when the user US selects the cooperative cooking mode KM3, as described below. Therefore, the peak cut value cannot be changed using the function setting key 151KP (see FIG. 11) while recipe data CD, described below, is being received from the communication terminal device 200.

[0265] 14, light emitting section 21M is made up of an LED, and emits light in response to the operation of input keys 151M to 159M. That is, when the input function is enabled, the corresponding light emitting section 21M continues to emit light. The two adjacent input keys 155M and 154M have in common the function of changing the display content of the first area 22, and therefore share one light emitting section 21M.

[0266] The two adjacent input keys 157M and 156M have in common the function of changing the display content of the second area 23, and therefore share one light emitting section 21M. The two adjacent input keys 159M and 158M have in common the function of changing the display content of the third area 24, and therefore share one light emitting section 21M.

[0267] Input key 151M is a start key that is pressed (touched) to start cooking, and input key 152M is a cancel key that is pressed (touched) to stop or end cooking.

[0268] The input key 153M is an input key (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "first input key") that selects the "combined cooking mode" KM3 when operated after the main power switch 20 is turned on.

[0269] When input keys 154M and 155M are operated after turning on the main power switch 20 (without pressing input key 153M), they are input keys (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "second input keys") that select the "combined cooking mode" KM2.

[0270] The input keys 153R and 153L described in FIG. 13 are input keys (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "third input key") that select the "single cooking mode" KM1 when operated after the main power switch 20 is turned on (without pressing the input keys 153M, 154M, and 155M).

[0271] The input key 151M has a function to decide the start of cooking in two cooking modes, the "combined cooking mode" KM2 and the "linked cooking mode" KM3, and may be referred to as the "start key" hereinafter. In the "single cooking mode" KM1, the input keys 153L and 153R have a function to decide the start of cooking.

[0272] The input key 152M has a function to end (including pausing) cooking in the two cooking modes, the "combined cooking mode" KM2 and the "linked cooking mode" KM3, and may be referred to as the "stop key" hereinafter. In the "single cooking mode" KM1, the input keys 153L and 153R have a function to determine the end of cooking.

[0273] The input keys 154M and 155M shown in FIG. 14 are input keys (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "second input keys") that select the "combined cooking mode" KM2 when operated after turning on the main power switch 20 (without pressing the input key 153M).

[0274] The four input keys 156M to 159M have the function of allowing the user US to adjust (within a certain range) control conditions such as microwave output and cooking time, and may be referred to as the "condition input keys" or "fourth input keys" hereinafter.

[0275] The four input keys 153M, 154M, 153L, and 153R are also called "voice input switching keys" that can switch to the "voice input mode 1." However, these four input keys function as "voice input switching keys" only when the touch operation is a "long press." This point will be explained in detail later with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0276] When any one of the "single cooking mode" KM1, "combined cooking mode" KM2, and "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 is selected, the selection result is displayed on the central display unit 16M. Also, when switching to the "voice input mode 1," a message to that effect is displayed (see Figures 27 and 28). The "single cooking mode," "combined cooking mode," and "cooperative cooking mode" will be explained in detail later.

[0277] As shown in FIG. 14, the input keys 154M and 155M are located adjacent to and in 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.

[0278] Next, FIG. 15 will be described. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the central display section 16M. When the input key 154M is pressed, that is, operated by the user US, the content displayed in the first area 22, for example, the display information 25A for "Microwave Manual" in one control menu belonging to the "Composite Cooking Mode" KM2, moves backward. At the same time, the display information 25B for "Pre-boil Leafy Vegetables" displayed in the front is displayed in the center. Note that in this case, the input key 154M 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 in FIG. 17.

[0279] Furthermore, when input key 155M is pressed, that is, operated by user US, display information 25A of "Microwave Manual" displayed in first area 22 moves forward, and display information 25C of "Warm" displayed at the rear is displayed in the center. Note that input key 155M in this case differs from input key 154M described above and is not the "voice input switching key," so the input function does not change between a "short press" and a "long press" (for example, a long press is not recognized as a valid input operation).

[0280] In this way, the user US can select a particular control menu (for example, "manual range") from among the "control menus" by operating the input keys 154M and 155M.

[0281] The control menu for "manual range" originally belongs to the "single cooking mode KM1" which uses only the second heating means HM2, but in addition to this, control menus (for composite cooking) belonging to the "composite cooking mode M2" and the "linked cooking mode KM3" respectively, as well as control menus and linked cooking menus belonging to linked cooking menus (for example, "hamburger steak"), are also displayed in the first area 22.

[0282] Then, by pressing input key (start key) 151M, i.e., by operation by user US, in the case of FIG. 14, "Microwave Manual" is selected from the control menu displayed in the center. The corresponding heating starts, i.e., the heating means (in this case, microwave oscillation source 11) is driven. Thus, input keys 154M and 155M correspond to selection keys for the control menu operated by user US. Similarly, they correspond to selection keys for the control menu (for combined cooking). Furthermore, they also correspond to selection keys for the linked cooking menu.

[0283] As shown in FIG. 14, input keys 156M and 157M are located adjacent to and in front of the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M, and are used to switch the display content of the screen displayed in the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M.

[0284] Explaining again using the example of Fig. 15, pressing input key 156M increases the wattage (microwave output value) displayed in second area 23 ("500W" in Fig. 15) by one step (for example, to "600W"). Conversely, pressing input key 157M decreases the wattage displayed in second area 23 by one step (for example, to "200W").

[0285] By operating input keys 156M and 157M, user US can select the wattage (microwave output value) for microwave cooking performed in heating chamber 6 (a type of "single cooking mode M3" using microwave oscillator 11).

[0286] As shown in FIG. 14, input keys 158M and 159M are located adjacent to and 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.

[0287] 15, when input key 158M is pressed, the heating operation time (set time) displayed in third area 24 is increased by one step. Conversely, when input key 159M is pressed, the heating operation time displayed in third area 24 is decreased by one step.

[0288] The user US can select the set time for microwave cooking to be performed in the heating chamber 6 by operating the input keys 158M and 159M, and 34M is the set time information. Note that 34W is heating intensity information that indicates the amount of power consumed during heating and the microwave output, etc.

[0289] Next, FIG. 16 will be described. FIG. 16 is a control block diagram showing main functions of the cooking appliance 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the cooking appliance 1 includes a control device 40 that performs integrated control of the cooking appliance 1 as a whole.

[0290] The control device 40 is an electronic circuit board mounted with electronic components such as a control circuit that controls the operation of each component of the cooking appliance 1. The control device 40 controls the driving of the left IH coil 9L, the right IH coil 9R, and the center IH coil 9C (not shown) based on the operation of the left operating unit 15L and the right operating unit 15R and the temperature of the object to be heated on the top plate 3.

[0291] The control device 40 controls the operation of the central IH coil 9C, microwave heating means 11, upper radiant heat heating means 12a, and lower radiant heat heating means 12b based on the operation of the central operation unit 15M, the temperature of the heated object N on the top plate 3, and the detection results of the infrared sensor 13 and the thermistor sensor 14.

[0292] Furthermore, the control device 40 controls the displays on 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 based on the operations of the left operation unit 15L and the right operation unit 15R.

[0293] Furthermore, the control device 40 controls the display of the central display unit 16M and the central heating status display unit 17M 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 central operation unit 15M.

[0294] The control device 40 has a storage device 41 that stores data such as various programs and parameters used to control the cooking appliance 1 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "control data"), and data for the display screens displayed on the display units 16L, 16R, 16M, 17L, and 17R (hereinafter referred to as "display condition data"). The control device 40 also activates the audio notification unit 50 as necessary, and notifies the user US of the operating status of the cooking appliance 1 by audio.

[0295] The control device 40 stores data in a specific format, which is information such as various programs and parameters used for cooking control by the heating control section 43, in the recipe data storage section 42 of the storage device 41. This data is the recipe data CD mentioned above. As will be explained later, the cooking appliance 1 is initially provided with recipe data CD corresponding to each of the eight cooking menus in the combined cooking mode KM3.

[0296] The "recipe data" CD and "display condition data" can be acquired by the cooking appliance 1 for each individual cooking menu from an external device such as a smartphone 200, which is a type of communication terminal device.

[0297] A storage unit 42 stores the recipe data CD and the display condition data. The storage unit 42 may be configured as one section (area) in the storage device 41, or may be configured as a separate unit from the storage device 41 in terms of hardware.

[0298] Reference numeral 43 denotes a heating control section that performs integrated control of the overall heating operation of the cooking appliance 1, and is mainly composed of a microcomputer. Reference numeral 53 denotes a data acquisition unit, which acquires the recipe data CD from the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51. There are also cases where the "display condition data" is acquired from the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300 via the communication unit 51. The external server 417 is included in the cloud server 300.

[0299] Reference numeral 51 denotes a communication unit that communicates wirelessly with the outside, and has a function of performing wireless communication 400 with the smartphone 200 as shown in Fig. 1 or 3. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, it has a function of forming a network NW (203, 204, 205) with the cloud server 300.

[0300] Reference numeral 54 denotes a permission condition determination unit that performs a process of determining whether cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 or the combined cooking mode KM2 is permitted. Reference numeral 57 denotes a power supply circuit, which supplies constant voltage power to the control device 40. Reference numeral 20 denotes a main power switch inserted into this power supply circuit 57.

[0301] A limiting unit 55 limits the acquisition of the recipe data CD. The restriction unit 55 has the function of restricting the data acquisition unit 53 from acquiring the recipe data CD via the communication unit 51 during the waiting period before starting cooking in the collaborative cooking mode KM3 (i.e., before the "cooking process 1" described below).

[0302] Furthermore, the restriction unit 55 has a function of restricting the acquisition of new recipe data CD from the communication unit 51 until the cooking process of one cooking menu is completed, based on recipe data CD acquired from the outside. The limiting unit 55 may be realized by a single control program of a computer (not shown) that constitutes the control device 40, and it is not necessarily required that the limiting unit 55 be configured separately on hardware from the control device 40.

[0303] As shown in FIG. 16, the input operation unit 15 has a voice signal receiving unit 56 that receives voice uttered by the user US with a microphone (not shown) and converts the voice into a predetermined voice signal.

[0304] On the other hand, the control device 40 is provided with an audio signal analysis unit 58 that receives an audio signal from the audio signal receiving unit 56 and analyzes the content of the audio. The audio signal analysis unit 58 compares the content of the audio received by the audio signal receiving unit 56 with information in an audio database stored in the storage device 41, analyzes the content of the audio, and transmits the analysis results to the heating control unit 43.

[0305] Reference numeral 70 denotes an input processing unit. Upon receiving an input signal from the input operation unit 15, the input processing unit 70 switches its own input reception mode to "voice input mode 1." It also controls the input signal analysis unit 52. Furthermore, upon receiving the analysis result from the voice signal analysis unit 58, it transmits control data to the heating control unit 43.

[0306] In Figure 16, 59 is a human detection sensor. It also has a receiving unit (not shown) that emits ultrasonic waves or infrared rays forward of the cooking appliance 1 and receives the reflected input. This human detection sensor 59 is installed so as to emit infrared rays in the front (forward) direction of the heating chamber 6. Note that no dedicated circuit is provided for processing the signal received by the receiving unit, and the control device 40 analyzes the received signal to determine whether or not a person is present.

[0307] As shown in the dashed frame in FIG. 16, the audio notification unit 50 and the display unit 16 may be collectively referred to as the "notification unit," and in this case the reference numeral 90 is used. Reference numeral 26 denotes a light emission control unit. This light emission control unit controls the light emission of a large number of light emitting elements. The light emission of a light emitting element 27A composed of an LED or the like arranged on the light emitting unit 21M and a light emitting element 27B arranged on the input key 154M is controlled by this light emission control unit 26. When two or more light emitting elements 27 with different light emission colors are arranged in one location, the light emission states of the multiple light emitting elements provide a visual effect to the user US as if the light emission color is changing.

[0308] In FIG. 16, reference numeral 52 denotes an input signal analysis unit that analyzes the input signal from the input operation unit 15 . The input signal analysis unit 52 individually analyzes the input signals transmitted from the right operation unit 15R, the left operation unit 15L, and the central operation unit 15M. In particular, the input signal analysis unit 52 has a determination function for determining whether the input mode switching command (voice input mode corresponding signal) MC1 has been received. When it determines that the input mode switching command (voice input mode corresponding signal) MC1 has been received, it issues a switching command for switching the input mode from the "touch input mode" to the "voice input mode 1."

[0309] In the following description, the "input mode switching command MC1" will be 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 issues a control signal to the voice signal analysis unit 52 to transition to a voice input standby state (for example, to start a dedicated voice analysis program).

[0310] As described with reference to FIG. 13, the right operation section 15R has various input keys (153R, 154R, 151R, etc.), and the touch input results of these input keys are transmitted to the input signal analysis section 52. In particular, when the input key 153R, 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 (a command signal for voice input mode 1) is input to the control device 40.

[0311] 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 153L, 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 (a command signal for voice input mode 1) is input to the control device 40.

[0312] 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 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 (a command signal for voice input mode 1) is input to the control device 40.

[0313] Next, Fig. 17 will be described. Fig. 17 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship between the control device 40 and the central operation unit 15M. Note that the audio signal receiving unit 56 described in Fig. 16 is not shown. Note that the right operation unit 15R and the left operation unit 15L also have basically the same configuration as the central operation unit 15M.

[0314] In Fig. 17, 15A is an input key identification unit. This input key identification unit 15A identifies the input key that has been touched. For example, when input key 153M is touched, an identification signal unique to that input key is generated. Also, when input key 154M is touched, an identification signal unique to that input key is generated.

[0315] Reference numeral 15B denotes a touch detection unit. When a fingertip FG of a user US or the like approaches the touch electrode unit, the detection circuit generates an "ON" signal, and when the fingertip FG moves away, it generates an "OFF" signal. A time measurement unit 15T measures the time from when the touch detection unit 15B outputs an "ON" signal to when the touch detection unit 15B changes to an "OFF" signal, and transmits measured time data.

[0316] Reference numeral 15C denotes an input mode determination unit. This input mode determination unit 15C receives measured time data from the time measurement unit 15T, and determines that the input mode is "voice input mode 1" if the measured time is 5 seconds or more, with the threshold value of 5 seconds as described above as the boundary. If the measured time is less than this threshold, the input mode determination unit 15C determines that the input mode is a normal "short press" operation.

[0317] The input mode determination unit 15C transmits to the control device 40 a signal (voice input mode corresponding signal MC1) indicating the determination result as to whether or not the mode is "voice input mode 1".

[0318] A storage unit 15D stores various control parameters and thresholds for the touch detection unit 15A, the time measurement unit 15T, the input mode determination unit 15C, and the like, as well as program information for the determination process.

[0319] 15E is a central processing unit (CPU) that performs various information processing operations as an input operation unit (central operation unit 15M). An input signal transmitting unit 15F transmits to the input signal analyzing unit 58 of the control device 40 the above-mentioned unique identification signal of the input key and a voice input mode corresponding signal MC1 as a result of determining whether or not the mode is "voice input mode 1."

[0320] In FIG. 17, the touch detection unit 15A, the time measurement unit 15T, the input mode determination unit 15C, etc. are depicted as individual independent blocks, but instead of configuring them as separate hardware, each of these functions may be realized, for example, by software on a single microcomputer.

[0321] 17 is explained using the example of the central operation unit 15M, but the control device 40 also identifies the inputs of the right operation unit 15R and the left operation unit 15L as being input to each operation unit. Therefore, in the input key identification unit 15A of the right operation unit 15R, data identifying the input key as being present in the right operation unit 15R is included in the signal from the input key. The same applies to the left operation unit 15L.

[0322] As is clear from the above description, the cooking device 1 described in FIG. a first heating means HM1 for induction heating an object to be heated on the top plate 3; a heating chamber 6 having metal walls; A second heating means HM2 that supplies 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; The configuration includes a control device 40.

[0323] , The control device 40 displays an initial standby screen 16MH on the display unit 16, and then displays a display screen (first specific screen 16M1 to third specific screen 16M3) dedicated to each cooking mode.

[0324] There are three types of cooking modes: a single cooking mode KM1, a combined cooking mode KM2, and a cooperative cooking mode KM3.

[0325] The single cooking mode KM1 has the following three types. (1) IH only mode in which the first heating means HM1 is operated alone (2) A microwave-only cooking mode in which the second heating means HM2 is operated alone (3) Oven-only cooking mode in which the third heating means HM3 is operated alone

[0326] The composite cooking mode KM2 is a heating pattern in which cooking is performed in the heating chamber 6 by simultaneously operating both the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 or by automatically operating them at different times.

[0327] The collaborative cooking mode KM3 is a heating pattern in which the second heating means HM2 and / or the third heating means HM3 and the first heating means HM1 are operated sequentially after a transition period TR whose length is determined by instructions from the user US.

[0328] The control device 40 has an operation program for executing the three cooking modes KM1 to KM3. The data acquisition unit 53 of the control device 40 can acquire the recipe data CD from the cloud server 300 or the smartphone 200 via the communication unit 51.

[0329] In the input operation unit 15, the "voice input mode 2" can be selected by using 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, certain input keys (153M, 153R, 153L, 154M) can select "voice input mode 1" depending on the "long press" state, which is one of the touch modes.

[0330] (4. Control menu configuration of the central operation unit) Next, the selectable control menu displayed on the central display unit 16M by the central operation unit 15M will be described with reference to FIG.

[0331] FIG. 18 shows the entire control menu that can be selected using the central operation unit 15M. The control menus that can be selected by the central operating unit 15M are divided into an RG (range grill) menu group that uses the microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) and 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.

[0332] The control menu shown in Fig. 18 is categorized into four perspectives (categories 1 to 4) in Fig. 19. As is clear from Fig. 19, the control menu is roughly categorized into a single cooking mode KM1 and a combined cooking mode KM2. Although Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 do not show the combined cooking mode KM3, the central operation unit 15M can execute a combined cooking menu in the combined cooking mode.

[0333] 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, the combined cooking mode KM2 is selected.

[0334] Therefore, the display screen of the central display section 16M is switched to the second specific screen 16M2. In the first area 22 of the second specific screen 16M2, the control menu "Warm" shown in the "Left Display Area" of Fig. 18 is always displayed first because this control menu "Warm" is set as the default.

[0335] The "left display area" in Fig. 18 is a display area that corresponds to the first area 22 described in Fig. 14. In other words, the various control menus shown in the "left display area" in Fig. 18 are displayed sequentially in the first area 22.

[0336] As shown in the "left display area" of Figure 18, in addition to "warm," there are a total of 13 control menus: "microwave manual," "pre-boil leafy vegetables," "pre-boil root vegetables," "defrost meat," "microwave grill (RG) cooking," "microwave grill (RG) reheat," "microwave grill (RG) manual," "grill," "oven," "IH keep warm," "IH rice cooking," and "IH heating."

[0337] The control menus "Warm," "Microwave manual," "Pre-boil leafy vegetables," "Pre-boil root vegetables," "Defrost meat," "Microwave grill (RG) cooking," "Microwave grill (RG) reheat," "Microwave grill (RG) manual," "Grill," and "Oven" are included in the RG menu group. In addition, "IH Keep Warm," "IH Cooking," and "IH Heating" are included in the IH menu group.

[0338] The content shown in the "Central Display Area" in FIG. 18 is the content displayed in the second area 23 of the central display unit 16M, and relates to adjusting the heating conditions during cooking, such as temperature, time, heat, "high," or "low." In other words, the "Central Display Area" lists various control conditions. The default settings for this "Central Display Area" are listed in the "Default" column in the right column of the "Central Display Area."

[0339] The contents written in the "right display area" in Figure 18 indicate the contents displayed in the third area 24 of the central display unit 16M. The default settings for the "right display area" are listed in the "Default" column in the right column of the "right display area." A blank space does not indicate a control condition that can be changed, but rather indicates that no information is displayed, or that an appropriate explanatory text that cannot be selected or changed (by the user US) is displayed in the third area 24.

[0340] Next, a total of 13 types of control menus displayed in the "left display area" of FIG. 18 will be described. (1) Warming: This refers to heating the food in the heating chamber 6 using the microwave heating means (second heating means HM2). This "warming" mode is also suitable for reheating food. The default setting is "80°C," so microwave heating will automatically stop once the food has heated to 80°C. Note that "80°C" is the target temperature, which can be adjusted by the user US before heating begins. As shown in the central display area of ​​Figure 18, for example, the range from 0°C to 90°C can be set in 5-degree increments.

[0341] (2) Manual microwave operation: This refers to heating the food in the heating chamber 6 using the microwave heating means (second heating means HM2). The heating time is set by the user US to a specific time between 10 seconds and 60 minutes.

[0342] (3) Parboiling leafy vegetables: This method uses microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) to boil food in the heating chamber 6, particularly vegetables whose leaves are edible, such as spinach and Chinese cabbage. The infrared sensor 13 measures the temperature rise of the food in real time and automatically stops cooking.

[0343] (4) Pre-boiling of root vegetables: This method is suitable for boiling food items in the heating chamber 6, particularly roots, rhizomes, potatoes, and other root vegetables, using microwave heating means (second heating means HM2).

[0344] (5) Meat thawing: Suitable for thawing various kinds of meat that have been frozen in the heating chamber 6. (6) Range grill (RG) cooking: The food to be cooked in the heating chamber 6 is cooked by combining microwave heating using a microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) with oven heating using upper radiant heat heating means 12a and lower radiant heat heating means 12b.

[0345] (7) Range Grill (RG) Re-cooking: Suitable for re-heating food that has already been cooked in the heating chamber 6. (8) Range Grill (RG) Manual: The user US selects between microwave heating and oven heating as appropriate to heat and cook the food in the heating chamber 6.

[0346] (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 food in the heating chamber 6. In other words, this is a control menu that uses the third heating means HM3.

[0347] In the "Grill" mode, the temperature of the heating chamber 6 is not controlled, and the heating operation is not stopped when a rise in the temperature of the food being cooked is detected. The heating operation is performed for a period of time specified by the user US, within a range of 10 seconds to 30 minutes.

[0348] (10) Oven: Either or both of the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b are used to heat the food in the heating chamber 6. The temperature of the heating chamber 6 is measured in real time by the thermistor sensor 14, and the power supply to the upper radiant heat heating means 12a and the lower radiant heat heating means 12b is controlled so that the temperature reaches the set target temperature.

[0349] (11) IH Keep Warm: Heats an object to be heated, such as a pot, placed above the central heating port 4C so as to maintain the temperature set by the user US. The induction heating power ranges from low to medium, ranging from 200W to 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 the heating control unit 43 of the control device 40 controls the heating power based on the detected temperature. The default temperature is 80°C, as shown in FIG. 18. For example, this is suitable for keeping soup warm.

[0350] (12) IH rice cooking: Heats rice according to the number of rice cookers (amount of rice cooked) set by the user US. The induction heating power ranges from low to high, from 200W to 1500W. A temperature sensor (not shown) installed near the central IH coil 9C is used to detect abnormal heating of the heated object (also called overheating; the same applies below). If an abnormal temperature is detected, the control device 40 will reduce the heating power or stop the heating operation.

[0351] (13) IH heating: Heating is performed according to the induction heating power set by the user US. There are five levels of power that can be set: 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 heated object, and if an abnormal temperature is detected, the control device 40 reduces the heating power or stops the heating operation. The default heating power is 500W.

[0352] Next, FIG. 19 will be described. FIG. 19 is a classification table of the RG control menus ("RG menu group" in FIG. 18) and the IH control menus ("IH menu group" in FIG. 18) in the single cooking mode KM1 using the first heating means HM1.

[0353] The "left display area" of the first region in Fig. 18 refers to the first area 22 (see Fig. 10). As is clear from category 2 in Fig. 19, the names of the control menus are also displayed in text in the first area 22 of the central display section 16M, and are used by the user US to select the control menu.

[0354] Next, FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage structure of various cooking control menus for the cooperative cooking mode and the combined cooking mode, and the correspondence between the input keys. The "information indicating the main points of each control menu" shown in category 2 in FIG. 19 is stored as data in the third layer of the recipe data storage unit 42 as shown in FIG.

[0355] Therefore, by operating input keys 154M and 155M to select a desired control menu, the user US can automatically or arbitrarily display information indicating the main points of each control menu shown in category 2 in Fig. 19, which corresponds one-to-one to (is linked to) that control menu. Fig. 21 shows an example of this automatic display.

[0356] Next, the display on the central display unit 16M when the central operation unit 15M is operated will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. First, when the user US turns on the main power by pressing the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 (see FIG. 16), the input functions of the left operation unit 15L, the central operation unit 15M, and the right operation unit 15R become active. That is, the control device 40 enters a state in which it can accept operation signals from these operation units 15L, 15M, and 15R, and a predetermined screen (hereinafter referred to as the "standby initial screen" 16MH) (see FIG. 46) is displayed on the central display unit 16M, although this is not shown.

[0357] In this state, when the user US presses the input key 154M or 155M, the display screen 16ST is displayed as shown in FIG. FIG. 21 shows the second specific screen 16M2. As is clear from the display screen 16ST, the name (identification information) 160 of the control menu "Warm" is displayed in large letters in the center of the first area 22 in the front-to-back direction.

[0358] Behind the control menu identification information 160 for "warm" displayed in the center of the first area 22, the words "IH heating" (control menu identification information) 161 are displayed, and conversely, in front of it, the words "microwave manual" (control menu identification information) 162 are displayed in slightly smaller size.

[0359] This allows the user US to see that when selecting a control menu, the next options are "IH heating" and "microwave manual." If, at this stage, the input key 154M is pressed once, the control menu identification information 162 for "microwave manual" is displayed large, as if it has moved (backward) to the position of the characters "warm" (control menu identification information) 160. Note that the characters of the control menu identification information 162 have not actually moved; the displayed information has simply switched.

[0360] Furthermore, when the input key 155M is pressed once, the characters "IH heating" (control menu identification information) 161 are displayed larger, as if they have moved (forward) to the position of the characters "warming" (control menu identification information) 160. Note that in this case too, the control menu identification information 162 has not actually moved, but the display information has simply been switched.

[0361] 21, the display screen 16ST displays a target temperature of "80°C" in the second area 23. When microwave heating is performed at this target temperature, microwave heating is automatically stopped when the infrared sensor 13 detects that the temperature of the food to be cooked is 80°C.

[0362] If you want to change the temperature displayed in this second area 23 and change the temperature at which the device automatically stops, simply operate input key 156M or 157M. Pressing input key 156M once will raise the temperature by 5°C to 85°C, as shown on display screen 16UP1, and pressing input key 167M once will lower the temperature by 5°C to 75°C, as shown on display screen 16DN1.

[0363] Also, in the second area 23, a heat source display section 163 is displayed which displays in text that the heat source is microwave heating means (second heating means HM2).

[0364] As described above, 164 is reference information that is automatically displayed to indicate that this is a recommended control menu for heating side dishes, etc. The content of this reference information may be other additional information 165, and two or more types of information may be displayed alternately or sequentially for several seconds each on the display screen (for example, third area 24) of central display unit 16M.

[0365] Furthermore, as shown in category 2 in FIG. 18, 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 key 158 or 159. In other words, in this embodiment 1, the reference information 164 that corresponds one-to-one with each control menu (e.g., "warming") is displayed so that the user US does not hesitate as to whether to select each control menu (e.g., "warming").

[0366] Furthermore, when reference information 164 is displayed as shown in FIG. 21, if one of the (two) input keys 158M or 159M located in front of the reference information 164 is touched, more detailed additional information 166 may be displayed in the third area 24 instead of the reference information 164.

[0367] As shown in Figure 21, the aforementioned "composite cooking mode" KM2 is a mode in which multiple heating means with different heating principles, such as the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3, are driven simultaneously or automatically switched with a time lag to heat and cook a common food item.

[0368] In FIG. 21, the display screen shown in the central display section 16M is a display screen dedicated to the "combined cooking mode" KM2, and is called a "second specific screen" 16M2.

[0369] Next, FIGS. 22 to 28 will be described. 22 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 combined cooking mode KM2, illustrating the operation procedure before the start of the heating operation.

[0370] In FIG. 22, FG indicates the fingertip of the user US. When the main power switch 20 is turned "ON" to start the control device 40 and the input key 154M or 155M on the central operation unit 15M is pressed, the standby initial screen 16MH (see Fig. 46) is switched to the second specific screen 16M2 as shown in Fig. 22. In other words, this is the setting operation screen for the "combined cooking mode" KM2 such as a single cooking mode such as microwave heating or microwave grill (RG) cooking.

[0371] If the input key 153M is pressed before the input key 154M or 155M, the input process changes to the input process for the cooperative cooking mode KM3. That is, from that stage, the standby initial screen 16MH (see FIG. 46) switches to the first specific screen 16M1.

[0372] When either input key 154M or 155M is pressed with fingertip FG as described above, three control menu candidates for multiple composite cooking modes KM3 are displayed in the first area 22 of the display screen (second specific screen) 16M2 of the central display unit 16M. That is, identification information (including a graphic mark and the name of the food item) 160, 161, 162 for one-to-one identification of the control menu is displayed. Among these, the position where the identification information 160 of one control menu is displayed may be hereinafter referred to as "display position A."

[0373] In Fig. 22, there are three control menus displayed on the central display unit 16M: "Warm," "IH Heating," and "Manual Microwave." The number of control menus is called the "number of control menus for complex cooking."

[0374] In this first embodiment, the positions where the identification information 161 and 162 are displayed may be referred to as "display position B" and "display position C," respectively, hereinafter.

[0375] In this embodiment 1, the control menu displayed at "display position A" ("warm" in Fig. 22) has the highest priority for selection. That is, when input key 151M is pressed in the state of Fig. 22, the heating operation starts with "warm".

[0376] In FIG. 22, when input key 154M located to the right of input key 155M is touched (a normal "short press" operation), "Range Manual" is displayed at display position A.

[0377] To change the target temperature of 85°C for "warming," simply touch input key 156M or 157M. In this case, even if you use a "long press" instead of the usual "short press" operation, you can only make normal temperature changes. In other words, you cannot change to voice input mode 2 using input keys 156M or 157M.

[0378] In Figure 22, one light-emitting element 21M corresponding to input key 153M has a star-shaped figure attached to it, which indicates that the light-emitting element 21M will flash (or emit light in a color different from the other light-emitting elements) and can be operated.

[0379] 22, at the stage when the control menu is displayed in the first area 22, one light emitting section 21M corresponding to the input keys 156M and 157M does not blink (or emit light in a color different from the other light emitting sections), indicating that input operation is not possible.

[0380] Next, FIG. 23 will be described. As is clear from Figure 23, after the control menu is displayed in the first area 22, one of the light-emitting elements 21M corresponding to the input keys 156M and 157M flashes (or emits light in a different color from the other light-emitting elements), indicating that it is possible to input control conditions such as heating time and temperature.

[0381] Also, in Figure 23, one light-emitting element 21M corresponding to input key 151M is surrounded by a dashed circle, which indicates that the light-emitting element 21M is flashing (or emitting light in a color different from the other light-emitting elements) and waiting for a command to start cooking.

[0382] 23, when an input key 154M, which is one of the "voice input switching keys," is touched, if the touch state is "long press," a mark 154V indicating that the mode has been switched to "voice input mode 1" is displayed by the light-emitting element 27B (see FIG. 16) so as to surround the touched portion of the input key 154M. That is, the light-emitting element 27B (see FIG. 16), such as an LED, disposed below the top plate 3 lights up in response to a signal from the light-emission control unit 26, and displays a frame as shown in FIG. 23 around the input key 154M. Alternatively, the entire touched portion of the input key 154M is illuminated from below, making it clearly distinguishable from other input keys.

[0383] At the time when the mark 154V is displayed, the control unit 55 of the control device 40 is already in a state (hereinafter also referred to as an "input standby state") in which it is ready to accept input of "control conditions" (temperature, heating time, etc.), which are lower-level commands in the control menu (e.g., "warm up"), via the audio signal receiving unit 56 (see Figure 16).

[0384] Therefore, instead of inputting the control conditions by touching the input keys 156M or 157M, the user US can input the control conditions by voice.

[0385] Next, FIG. 24 will be described. As is clear from Fig. 24, after the mark 154V is displayed, one of the light-emitting elements 21M corresponding to the input keys 156M and 157M does not blink (or emit light in a color different from the other light-emitting elements). In other words, this indicates that it is not recommended to use these input keys to input control conditions such as heating time and temperature. However, when switched to "voice input mode 1", the input functions of input keys that are not necessary for voice input are restricted, so after the mark 154V is displayed, the input keys 156M and 157M cannot be used for input by touch operation (if set to voice input mode 1A). In order to maintain the touch input function of specific input keys (such as 156M) for inputting control conditions even after switching to voice input mode, it is necessary to set the mode to the "voice input mode 1B" as described above.

[0386] As is clear from FIG. 24, after the mark 154V is displayed, auxiliary information 179 for the voice input mode 1 is displayed in the large display area formed by combining the second area 23 and the third area 24.

[0387] The auxiliary information 179 includes three types: voice input mode display information 179A, which indicates that voice input is being accepted because the mode is voice input mode, and information 179B and 179C, which indicate the range and numerical values ​​of the control conditions that can be input.

[0388] The information 179B is the condition shown in "area 2" explained in Fig. 18. That is, it indicates that the user US can only select from the range of 0°C to 90°C. The information 179C is the condition shown in "Area 2" also explained in Fig. 18. In other words, it indicates that the user US can only select a temperature range from -10°C to 0°C in the "warm" control menu for heating frozen food with microwaves.

[0389] The information 179 (179A to 179C) shown in Figure 24 allows the user US to input by voice, and by indicating in advance the range of control conditions that can be input by voice, unnecessary voice input or the utterance of inappropriate conditions can be avoided, thereby improving the operability for the user US.

[0390] As is clear from Figure 24, after the mark 154V is displayed, the auxiliary information 179 for voice input mode 1 remains displayed in the large display area combining the second area 23 and the third area 24, which does not meet the conditions for starting the heating operation. That is, in the state of Fig. 24, it is not recommended to press (touch operation) the input key (start key) 151M as in Fig. 23. Therefore, the light emitting unit 21M is not in a state of emitting light (flashing).

[0391] That is, in this first embodiment, after switching to the voice input mode, if the predetermined control conditions have not been input (the state of FIG. 24), the heating operation cannot be started.

[0392] Next, FIGS. 25 to 28 will be described. 25 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 KM3, illustrating the operation procedure before the start of the heating operation.

[0393] In Figure 25, when the main power switch 20 is turned "ON" to start up the control device 40 and the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M is pressed, the standby initial screen 16MH (see Figure 46) is switched to the first specific screen 16M1 shown in Figure 25.

[0394] If the input key 154M or 155M is pressed before the input key 153M, the input process changes to the input process for the combined cooking mode KM2, as shown in FIG. 22, and the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed.

[0395] Furthermore, even if the input key 155M or 156M is pressed first and the setting operation for the "combined cooking mode" KM2, such as a single cooking mode such as microwave heating or microwave grill (RG) cooking, is halfway through, if it is at a stage before the input key 151M is pressed, the input process will change to the "combined cooking mode" KM3 when the input key 153M is pressed. In other words, from this stage, only the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed on the central display unit 16M.

[0396] FIG. 25 shows the state immediately after the input key 153M is pressed, and the identification information 167 of a specific cooking menu (for example, hamburger steak) that is set as default is displayed in the first area 22.

[0397] If input key 153M is touched, and then input key 154M or 155M is touched, further identification information (including a graphic mark and the name of the food item) 168 or 169 is displayed in the first area 22 of the display screen (first identification screen) 16M1 of the central display unit 16M to identify the food item that is the target of multiple collaborative cooking modes KM3 (the collaborative cooking menu).

[0398] In Figure 25, the number of "foods" that can be cooked in the cooperative cooking mode displayed in the central display section 16M is three: hamburger steak, gratin, and roast beef. In this way, the number of food items is called the "number of cooperative cooking menus."

[0399] In this first embodiment, there are a total of eight cooperative cooking menus. Details will be explained in Figure 31. However, it is possible to obtain recipe data CD from a smartphone (communication terminal device) 200 (described later) to further increase the number of cooperative cooking menus.

[0400] 25, 167, 168, and 169 are identification information, which in this first embodiment is information that indicates the names of the foods to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak, gratin, roast beef) one-to-one. Note that when describing all the identification information for the coordinated cooking menu, the reference number 167 is used.

[0401] The position where the control menu identification information 160 described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 24 is displayed is called "display position A." In contrast, in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, the position where the identification information 167 is displayed may be hereinafter referred to as "display position B."

[0402] In this embodiment 1, "display position B" and the "display position A" (see FIG. 21) are set to the same position, but they may be set to different positions. However, to avoid confusion for the user US, the eight cooperative cooking menus in the cooperative cooking mode KM3 are always set to the same position (display position B). Also, in the combined cooking mode KM2, it is preferable to always unify the eight control menus to the same (single) "display position A."

[0403] If the input keys 154M and 155M are not operated (within a certain time), the process automatically proceeds to the next step, and the display screen is switched to that of FIG. 26, heating unit specification sections 171L and 171R are displayed in the first specification screen 16M1. The user US can select either the right IH coil 9R or the left IH coil 9L by operating the input keys 157M and 156M adjacent to each other on the left and right. In this first embodiment, the left heating unit 4L is set as the default, and operation of the input keys 157M and 156M is not essential.

[0404] In Figure 26, the operation support information 170 displays "Press the start button to start heating with the left IH." This means that by pressing the input key 151M on the central operation unit 15M, induction heating (in the combined cooking mode KM3) can be started with the left IH coil 9L. However, in this first embodiment, it is necessary to press the input key 153L on the left operation unit 15L after pressing the input key 151M.

[0405] As shown in FIG. 26, above (behind in plan view) the identification information 167 shown on the first specific screen 16M1, identification information 168 indicating the name of another food item (for example, gratin) is displayed.

[0406] Also, identification information 169 indicating the name of another food item (for example, roast beef) is displayed below the identification information 167. In Fig. 26, one light emitting unit 21M corresponding to an 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 the other light emitting units) and waiting for a command to start cooking.

[0407] Each time either input key 154M or 155M is operated once, identification information 167 indicating the name of the food to be cooked (for example, hamburger steak) changes its display by moving sequentially upward or downward by one step. In other words, by moving forward and backward, identification information 167 can be sequentially displayed at a predetermined position (front-rear center position) in first area 22, in other words, at display position B.

[0408] In this first embodiment, as mentioned above, there are a total of eight types of food to be cooked in the cooperative cooking mode KM3. Therefore, for example, if the left input key 155M is operated eight times, the identification information 167 of one food to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak) will cycle through. Conversely, if the right input key 154M is operated eight times, the identification information 167 of one food to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak) will cycle through.

[0409] After selecting a cooking menu (e.g., hamburger steak), as described above, it is necessary to select the left and right heating sections 4L, 4R or input the control conditions (e.g., preheating temperature), and then issue a command to start the heating operation using input key 151M.

[0410] As described above, inputting the left and right heating elements 4L, 4R and the control conditions (e.g., preheating temperature) requires multiple touch operations by pressing either input key 154M or 155M individually. This is also true for the combined cooking mode KM2 described above. For example, as explained in FIG. 18, the temperature setting for "warming" can be selected from the range of 0 to 90°C, but each of input keys 156M and 157M can only input 5 degrees with one touch operation. Therefore, to input 15 degrees, for example, three touch operations ("short presses") are required.

[0411] Therefore, in this embodiment 1, in order to reduce the cumbersome input operations, in this collaborative cooking mode KM3, when the identification information 167 of one cooking menu is displayed at a predetermined position B in the first area 22 as shown in Figures 25 and 26, the mode can be changed to voice input mode using the input key 154M.

[0412] As described above, when touching input key 154M, which is one of the voice input switching keys, if the touch state is "long press", mark 154V indicating that the mode has been switched to voice input mode is displayed around the touched portion of input key 154M, as shown in FIG. 26.

[0413] Furthermore, at the timing when the mark 154V indicating that the mode has been switched to voice input mode is displayed, voice input mode display information 179A indicating that voice input is being accepted may be displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 as auxiliary information 179, as shown in FIG. 27.

[0414] In the state shown in Figure 27, the left and right heating units 4L and 4R have not yet been selected. However, if the user US vocally inputs setting information such as "left IH" in this state shown in Figure 27, the first specific screen 16M1 will display that the left heating unit 4L has been selected, as shown in Figure 28. In the state shown in Figure 28, one light-emitting element 21M corresponding to input key 151M flashes as shown in the dashed circle (or emits light in a color different from the other light-emitting elements), and proceeds to the state waiting for a command to start cooking, so when input key 151M is pressed, the heating and cooking operation starts.

[0415] Next, FIG. 29 will be described. In Fig. 29(A), FG indicates the fingertips of the user US. Every time the input key 155M is pressed once, the display contents of the first specific screen 16M1 change to display screens 29A to 29D as shown in Fig. 29(B).

[0416] As mentioned above, when the user US sets the input operation unit 15 to the function setting mode (using the function setting key 151KP) in advance and operates multiple input keys on the input operation unit 15 during the function setting mode to display individual cooking menus of the collaborative cooking mode KM3 on the central display unit 16M, it is possible to set the display to prioritize either food ingredients or nutritional ingredients.

[0417] For example, when the function setting key 151KP is pressed as described above, a dedicated display screen for the "function setting menu" is displayed on the display screen of the central display section 16M. Therefore, it is recommended to set up in advance so that the food ingredient display mode can be automatically selected by "long pressing" one specific input key (e.g., 156M) other than the function setting key 151KP. For example, for one setting menu (e.g., hamburger) in the "function setting menu" mentioned above, the display screen can be set to automatically display "food ingredient display" and "nutritional ingredient display."

[0418] Furthermore, when the display screen for setting such "food composition labeling" or "nutritional composition labeling" is displayed, by operating a specific input key other than the function setting key 151KP (for example, any one of 156M, 157M, etc.), it may be possible to change the conditions for setting "food composition labeling" or "nutritional composition labeling" or to cancel the setting. For example, it may be possible to set a specific range so that only "iron" among nutrients and the "energy (calorie equivalent)" of the component are displayed.

[0419] Therefore, if the function setting key 151KP is set to prioritize either food ingredients or nutritional ingredients and display them based on that, it is not necessarily the case that "hamburger" will be displayed first, as shown in Figure 29(A).

[0420] Meanwhile, as described above, the user US can search for cooking menus by voice by pressing the input key 180. For example, if a voice input such as "a menu with low calorie value" is made at the stage shown in Fig. 29, the cooking menu with the lowest calorie value (amount of energy) among the eight cooking menus will be displayed at a predetermined position (front-to-back center position) in the first area 22 on the first specific screen 16M1.

[0421] For example, in Figure 29, three cooking menu items are displayed: gratin, hamburger steak, and roast beef. If the input key 180 is pressed at this point, voice input mode 2 will be entered. After this, the user US may provide a voice input such as "a menu with fewer calories." Incidentally, the energy amount (unit: kilocalories) per 100g is 152 for gratin (macaroni gratin), 223 for hamburger steak, and approximately 196 for roast beef. Therefore, macaroni is extracted as the "menu with the lowest calorie value" of these three.

[0422] On the other hand, in the state of FIG. 29, input key 154M may be "long pressed" to switch to voice input mode 1, and menu items with low calorie values ​​may be extracted by voice input.

[0423] Next, FIG. 30 will be described. FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing the display contents of the central display unit 16M in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, and is an example in which the standard ingredients and nutritional ingredients for "hamburger steak," one of the cooking menus, are displayed.

[0424] 26 to 29, if the user US issues a command to display either the food ingredients or the nutritional ingredients by voice input, or if the user touches input key 158M or 159M while operational support information 170 is being displayed (see FIG. 26), first specific screen 16M1 temporarily switches to the display screens of FIGS. 30(A) and 30(B). Pressing input key 158M is equivalent to issuing a command to display the food ingredients.

[0425] In the following description, the display screen of FIG. 30(A) will be referred to as a "food component display screen" 16M1A, and the display screen of FIG. 30(B) will be referred to as a "nutritional component display screen" 16M1B.

[0426] The food component display screen 16M1A and the nutritional component display screen 16M1B automatically return to the original state of the first specific screen 16M1 after a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since they were displayed. Alternatively, the display program of the control device 40 stipulates that if the user US issues a command by voice input, or if either of the input keys 158M and 159M is operated once more within the specified time period (10 seconds), the display will return to the original state of the first specific screen 16M1.

[0427] Referring to FIG. FIG. 31 is a table showing the correspondence between the cooking menu in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 and the operation support information 170 (see FIG. 26).

[0428] As can be seen from Fig. 31, there are two types of operation support information 170: operation support information A and operation support information B. One is information that says "Press the start button to start heating the left IH cooker," and the other is information that says "Press the start button to confirm." This "start button" refers to input key 151M.

[0429] The two types of operation support information 170 are automatically switched before the start of the cooking process in the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3. For example, they are displayed alternately every few seconds.

[0430] Next, we will explain Figure 32. In this first embodiment, a "cooperative preheat cooking mode" KM4 is provided as one type of the cooperative cooking mode KM3. There are two types of linked preheat cooking mode KM4.

[0431] An example of a cooking menu that utilizes the linked preheat cooking mode KM4 is "hamburger steak." In the case of this "hamburger steak," the preheating step is performed by the first heating means HM1.

[0432] If the cooking step 1 is started while the preheating step is being performed, the heating operation of the preheating step has not been stopped at the time when the cooking step 1 is started. 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 in charge of cooking step 1 are carried out in parallel in the same time period.

[0433] In other words, in the linked preheating cooking mode KM4, the heating source (in the above description, the first heating means HM1) that has started operating before the cooking process 1 is not necessarily stopped at the start of the cooking process 1, and during the cooking process 1, power may be supplied to either or both of the second heating means HM2 (microwave heating means) and the third heating means HM3.

[0434] Unless otherwise specified, the following description will be given on the assumption that the cooperative cooking mode KM3 includes the cooperative preheat cooking mode KM4.

[0435] When the collaborative cooking mode KM3 is selected, once the identification information 167 indicating the name of the food to be cooked is displayed on the central display unit 16M, the left operating unit 15L of the left IH coil 9L cannot be used for other cooking menus (also called the "occupied state").

[0436] Specifically, among the various input keys on the left operation unit 15L, at least the input key 153L is disabled by the heating control unit 43. This "disabled" means that the input key 153L does not transmit a valid command signal to the heating control unit 43, and that 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 either case, heating with the left IH coil 9L cannot be selected.

[0437] At the same time, when the identification information 167 is displayed, the right operation unit 15R of the right heating port 4R may be made unavailable (by "disabling" the input key 153R). However, if the user US has previously set the function on the input operation unit 15 (using the function setting key 151KP) so that this "disabling" is not performed, and if the right IH coil 9R is already being used for another control menu (heating operation is ongoing), the right IH coil 9R can be used as is. On the other hand, in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, the fact that it has been used previously determines that it cannot be used (by the heating control unit 43).

[0438] Therefore, only the left IH coil 9L is "occupied" by the selection of the combined cooking mode KM3. Also, from the perspective of the first heating source HM1 as a whole, the use of only a portion (left IH coil 9L) of the three heating elements 4L, 4C, and 4R is "restricted." Note that if the right IH coil 9R is not being used for other cooking, the right IH coil 9R may also be placed in an occupied state.

[0439] Continuing with the explanation of FIG. This Fig. 32 shows the operation steps when "fried chicken" is made in the cooperative cooking mode KM3. In Fig. 32, #1 to #9 show the operations of the user US and the state changes of the cooking appliance 1.

[0440] The "fried chicken" shown in FIG. 32 differs from the "hamburger steak" described above in that cooking step 1 is performed in heating chamber 6 and cooking step 2 is performed by first heating means HM1.

[0441] In Figure 32, before starting cooking process 1 to cook "fried chicken," user US first selects left IH coil 9L and presses input key 151L. Then, preheating of object N placed on top plate 3 begins. In this case, object N is a metal pot or frying pan, etc., filled with a certain amount of cooking oil.

[0442] Meanwhile, the user US opens the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 and places the ingredients for "fried chicken" (such as seasoned chicken) into the heating chamber 6 (#1). Then, after closing the door 7, an operation A23 called "pressing the start button" is performed. This operation is performed by pressing the input key 151M of the central operation unit 15M.

[0443] At this point, the microwave heating source (second heating means HM2) is activated to start microwave cooking step 1. Then, notification 1 of reference information is performed.

[0444] The notification 1 is, for example, an announcement of the time remaining until the end of heating, such as "Microwave heating has started. Heating time is xx minutes." Alternatively, if the control is performed to detect the temperature of the food to be cooked and determine the time to end heating, the notification may be information indicating the target temperature, such as "Heating to xx°C."

[0445] During this cooking step 1, the preheating of the left IH coil 9L is completed (for example, the object to be heated is heated to 180°C, which is the standard preheating temperature). The user US is notified of the completion of preheating by voice and text, etc., via the audio notification unit 51 and the central display unit 16M (first specific screen 16M1) (#2).

[0446] The user US can stop microwave heating at any time during cooking process 1. To stop the microwave heating, simply open the door 7. Microwave heating can be stopped by pressing the input key 152M on the central operation unit 15M only once. However, pressing the input key 152M twice in succession within a short period of time cancels the cooking mode, and the selection of "fried chicken" in the linked cooking mode is also canceled.

[0447] By opening the door 7, the microwave heating operation is immediately stopped, and cooking step 1 ends (#3). Next, the user US moves the food material that has been heated in the heating chamber 6 into the object to be heated that is being preheated on the top plate 3 (#4).

[0448] Then, cooking process 2 begins with left heating port 4L (#5). In cooking step 2, input key 153L (see FIG. 12) of left operation unit 15L is pressed first before preheating begins, so there is no need to operate left operation unit 15L at the start of cooking step 2. In other words, when ingredients (fried chicken ingredients) are moved into an object to be heated that has been preheated to, for example, 180°C, heating of the ingredients begins at the temperature of the object to be heated (this point marks the start of cooking step 2).

[0449] As described above, the user US does not need to operate the input operation unit 15 in order to start cooking step 2 (#5). The start of cooking process 2 occurs when the food to be cooked is placed on top of the heated food and is ready to be heated. However, the temperature sensor group 30 (see Figure 16) may detect a temporary drop in the temperature of the heated food when the food is placed on top, and the start of cooking process 2 may be determined electrically. Cooking step 2 can be ended at any timing by the user US operating the left operating unit 15L.

[0450] Next, the user US moves the food to be cooked again. First, the door 7 is opened, the food to be cooked is placed in the heating chamber 6, and the door 7 is closed (#6). Then, the input key 151M on the central operation unit 15M is pressed to start cooking step 3 of the range grill control menu (RG control menu).

[0451] In this case, to prevent microwave heating or the like from being performed without placing the food to be cooked in the heating chamber 6 (so-called "empty cooking"), the door 7 is opened once after the cooking process 1 is completed, and then the heating operation can be started by pressing the input key 151M only when it is detected (by the door 7 open / close detection unit 10) that the door 7 has been closed again. Furthermore, the timing for operating the input key 151M is limited to a certain time (for example, 3 minutes) from the end of the cooking process 1, or to a certain time (for example, 2 minutes) from the time the door 7 is opened and then closed again, thereby improving safety.

[0452] A notification 2 of reference information 5 is made when a predetermined time (TN5) has elapsed since the cooking process 3 by the range grill driving unit in the heating chamber 6 was started by the operation input A26 by the user US.

[0453] The reference information notification 2 is information including guidance such as, for example, "Heating will finish in 30 seconds. If you wish to extend the time further, please set the time." Furthermore, since the user US knows that the final cooking process is about to end, he or she can start preparing to remove the "fried chicken" from the heating chamber 6 from the point of time when the reference information notification 2 is displayed. In synchronization with this, the central display unit 16M displays the content of the notification 2 in text or the like. The notification 2 is displayed at a specific position on the first specific screen 16M1, like the operation support information 170.

[0454] Thereafter, the microwave heating operation is stopped, and cooking process 3 is completed (#7). Note that cooking process 3 can be stopped immediately if the user US opens the door 7. Then, the user US moves the food heated in the heating chamber 6 into the object to be heated, which is being preheated on the top plate 3 (#8). In this case, if the object to be heated is maintained in a heated state by induction heating until the end of cooking step 3, further induction heating (cooking step 4) may be performed (#9).

[0455] Induction heating cooking can be ended by operating the left operation unit 15L. That is, the operation A28 by the user US at this point in time is to press the input key 153L of the left operation unit 15L corresponding to the left IH coil 9L.

[0456] The cooking sequence shown in FIG. 32 can shorten the time required from the start of the induction heating operation (start of the preheating step) to the end of cooking step 1. That is, cooking step 1 is started by placing ingredients (food to be cooked) in heating chamber 6 at an earlier point in time than the completion of preheating by induction heating or notification of the completion of preheating.

[0457] Since preheating by the first heating means HM1 is completed before cooking process 1 is completed, the food to be cooked can be immediately transferred into the food to be heated on top plate 3 after cooking process 1 is completed, and cooking process 2 can be started.

[0458] In the example of "fried chicken" in Fig. 32, cooking step 3 was included, but cooking step 3 and cooking step 4 are not necessarily required. Cooking steps can be completed as needed depending on the type of food to be cooked and the wishes of the user US.

[0459] 32 shows that the "left IH coil drive period" continues even after cooking step 2 is completed, but the drive of the left IH coil 9L may be stopped at any time using the left operation unit 15L after cooking step 2 is completed. However, as shown by the dashed frame in FIG. 32, if the left IH coil 9L is to be used in cooking step 4 as well, it is necessary to start the preheating operation again before cooking step 4.

[0460] Next, FIG. 33 will be described. Like FIG. 32, FIG. 33 shows the operation steps when "fried chicken" is selected as the cooking menu in the cooperative cooking mode KM3. 33, #1 to #9 indicate operations by the user US and state changes of the cooking appliance 1, as explained in FIG. 32. The other symbols correspond to those in FIG.

[0461] The difference between this FIG. 33 and the above-mentioned FIG. 32 will be explained. FIG. 33 shows a case where cooking step 1 is started in heating chamber 6 after the first heating means HM1 has completed preheating of the object to be heated and has been notified of this (#2).

[0462] When the completion of preheating of the object to be heated by the first heating means HM1 is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 and the left and right display units 16L and 16R, and is also notified by audio notification unit 50, the user US opens the door 7 of the heating chamber 6 and places the ingredients for "fried chicken" (such as seasoned chicken) into the heating chamber 6 (#1). Then, after closing the door 7, the input key 151M of the central operation unit 15M is pressed.

[0463] At this point, microwave cooking step 1 begins. Then, the reference information notification 1 is performed. After this, the process is the same as that shown in FIG.

[0464] In the cooking sequence shown in FIG. 33, the time required from the start of the heating operation of the first heating means HM1 (start of the preheating step) to the end of cooking step 1 is longer than that in FIG.

[0465] However, since heating of the ingredients (food to be cooked) in the heating chamber 6 begins after the preheating by the first heating means HM1 is completed or a notification of the completion of preheating is received, there is a guarantee that cooking process 2 can be started immediately by the first heating means HM1 if the food to be cooked is moved when cooking process 1 in the heating chamber 6 ends. Therefore, this method is suitable for users US who are not very familiar with the linked preheating cooking mode KM4.

[0466] 33 shows that the "driving period of the left IH coil 9L" continues even after cooking step 2 is completed, but if the first heating means HM1 is not used after cooking step 2 is completed, the driving of the left IH coil 9L may be stopped at any time by the left operating unit 15L after cooking step 2 is completed. However, as shown in the dashed box in FIG. 33, if the left IH coil 9L is also used in cooking step 4, preheating must be started again before cooking step 4.

[0467] 32 and 33, the first heating means HM1 is energized first to start the preheating operation, while the cooking process 1 is carried out in the heating chamber 6. In the configuration shown in FIG. The "linked preheat cooking mode" KM4 of this first embodiment is not limited to the case where cooking step 1 is performed in the heating chamber.

[0468] In another linked preheating cooking mode KM4, a heating operation is first started by the first heating means HM1, an object to be heated such as a frying pan is heated to a preheat target temperature (for example, 180°C), and when the target temperature is reached, an object to be cooked is placed on the object to be heated, thus starting cooking step 1. After this preheating step, the object to be cooked may be moved into heating chamber 6 while still on top of the object to be heated, and cooking step 2 may be performed in order to further heat the object together with the object in heating chamber 6 using second heating means HM2 or third heating means HM3.

[0469] Next, we will explain Fig. 34. Fig. 34 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the heating control unit 43 until the transition to the combined cooking mode KM3.

[0470] In the cooperative cooking mode KM3 of this first embodiment, there is a pattern (first cooperative cooking mode) in which the first heating means HM1 is driven first, and then at least one of the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 is driven. Typical examples of cooking menus suitable for cooking in this pattern include four, from "hamburger steak" to "gratin," as shown in the table in Figure 31.

[0471] There is also a second linked cooking mode in which the order is reversed. Typical examples of cooking menus suitable for this second linked cooking mode are four, ranging from "fried chicken" to "tempura," as shown in the bottom half of the table in Figure 31.

[0472] The steps in FIG. 34 are common to both the first collaborative cooking mode and the second collaborative cooking mode. First, in the first step SB1, the input key 153M of the central operation unit 15M is operated, which starts the cooperative cooking mode KM3.

[0473] In the next step SB2, the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed on the central display unit 16M, and various information for executing the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is displayed. In this step SB2, in order to select a cooking menu for each cooperative cooking mode, the "name of the food to be cooked" (e.g., "hamburger steak") 167 is displayed as one type of identification information 167 in the center of the first area 22 in the front-to-back direction, i.e., at the display position B.

[0474] Depending on the selection of the cooperative cooking mode KM3, the timing at which the heating means (the first heating means HM1 to the third heating means HM3) are "occupied" may be either of the following two cases. (1) As described above, for example, after the case where the left IH coil 9L for cooking process 1 is selected (in FIG. 34, this corresponds to "occupied state start (case 2)" after step SB4). (2) As shown in Figure 34, from step SB2 onwards (in Figure 34, this corresponds to "Start of Occupancy State (Case 1)").

[0475] In the next step SB3, it is determined whether at least one of input keys 154M, 155M has been operated. As described in Figures 14, 25 to 28, by operating two input keys 154M, 155M, it is possible to select identification information 167 indicating the name of an item to be cooked (e.g., hamburger steak) that can be cooked in the collaborative cooking mode.

[0476] If the input keys 154M and 155M are not operated (within a certain period of time), the process proceeds to step SB4. In step SB4, as described above, the user US selects one of the two heating unit specification sections 171L and 171R displayed on the first specification screen 16M1. By operating the input keys 157M and 156M adjacent to each other on the left and right, the user US can select either the right IH coil 9R or the left IH coil 9L.

[0477] Note that the left heating outlet 4L may be set as the default, the heating unit specification section 171L may be displayed first on the first specification screen 16M1, and the process may proceed directly to step S5. In the example described in Fig. 25, when cooking hamburger steak using coordinated cooking, the left heating outlet 4L is set as the default, and the left IH coil 9L is set to be selected preferentially.

[0478] In the next step SB5, it is determined whether an input operation has been performed to cancel the selection of the cooperative cooking mode. If the input key 152M has been operated once, the determination is "Yes." The process then returns to step SB3. If the input key 152M has been operated twice in succession within a certain short period of time (for example, five seconds), it is determined that the cooperative cooking mode KM3 has been canceled, and the process returns to the state of the standby initial screen before step SB1. Therefore, the selection of the three cooking modes KM1 to KM3 returns to the initial stage.

[0479] On the other hand, if the input key 151M is operated while the input key 152M is not operated, the process proceeds to the next step SB6, where cooking step 1 of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is started.

[0480] 34, in step SB7, in the operation program for the cooperative cooking mode KM3, various functional parts are activated according to the "cooking conditions" (including "control conditions" such as heat and cooking time) of a specific cooperative cooking menu (recipe) such as "hamburger steak." In other words, the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is entered from this stage.

[0481] 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 (for example, "fried chicken" as described above) that uses the microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) or the third heating means HM3 in cooking step 1, since the central display unit 16M is already activated, no new display unit is activated in step SB7.

[0482] In the case of a cooking menu that uses the left IH coil 9L in cooking step 1, for example, the left display unit 16L is activated in step SB7. The input function of the left operation unit 15L is then enabled, and the unit waits for input from the user US. Then, the process proceeds to step SB8.

[0483] In step SB8, operation of the input key 153L is awaited, and the cooking process of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is started. The display content of the first specific screen 16M1 in step SB8 includes process information 172, such as the fact that the left IH coil 9L is used in the first cooking process 1, and that a microwave heating means (second heating means HM2) is used in the next cooking process 2, as described in Figure 25.

[0484] Next, Fig. 35 and Fig. 36 will be described. Fig. 35 is a flowchart showing the control operation of heating control unit 43 until the transition to the cooperative cooking mode. Fig. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing the permission conditions and the determination results before the transition to the cooperative cooking mode.

[0485] Referring to FIG. Steps ST1 to ST8 are operation steps defined in the operation program (including recipe data CD) of the heating control unit 43 for the cooperative cooking mode KM3. First, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed (ST1), the next step ST2 is a step in which the heating control unit 43 determines whether or not there is an abnormality.

[0486] At step ST2, central display unit 16M is activated and displays a message that "There is no abnormality, so cooking can begin." At this stage, heating control unit 43 also checks whether it has received a setting command from input operation unit 15 regarding the upper limit of total power consumption.

[0487] At step ST2, if the setting is such that startup information is sent from the cooking appliance 1 to the communication terminal device 200 or the external server 417 (cloud server 300), the startup information (operating status data OS) is sent wirelessly from the communication unit 51 at this stage.

[0488] In the next step ST3, the central display unit 16M and the audio notification unit 51 also provide notification and audio guidance to prompt the user to select the heating means. In the next step ST4, the central display section 16M displays the standby initial screen 16MH, and also displays usage precautions for the user US.

[0489] Then, it is determined whether an input key other than input key 153M (for example, 154M) has been operated (ST5). If input key 153M has been operated, step STC becomes "No" and the process proceeds to step ST6. That is, the process proceeds to the step of using the "combined cooking mode" KM3.

[0490] 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 "combined cooking mode" KM3. The permission conditions and the judgment results will be explained in detail in the next Figure 36.

[0491] In step ST5, the first input operation is checked. For example, it is determined whether the left operation unit 15L or the right operation unit 15R was operated before pressing the input key 153M, and it is also determined whether the "combined cooking mode" KM2 was selected by the central operation unit 15M (by using the input key 154M or 155M).

[0492] If the input key 153M is operated for the first time within a certain grace period (for example, 30 seconds) from step ST3, the display for the "combined cooking mode" KM3 starts as described above.

[0493] On the other hand, if the input key 153M is not operated and another input key (for example, the input key 155M or 154M) is touched, the determination in step ST5 is "Yes," and the process proceeds to step ST9 to start cooking in a mode other than the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3. A detailed description of step ST9 will be omitted here.

[0494] In FIG. 35, steps ST6 and ST7 are operation steps of "permission condition 1" that determine whether cooking in the "combined cooking mode" KM3 is permitted. Step ST6 is a stage for determining "permission condition 1."

[0495] Here, "Permission Condition 1" means: (1) The "peak cut value" that specifies the upper limit of the maximum power that can be used by the heating cooker 1 is 5000W or more. (2) When a power reduction command signal is received by the control device 40 via the communication unit 51 from the external cloud server 300 or the communication terminal device 200, the peak cut value of the reduction command is 5000 W or more; If these two conditions are met, the result of step ST6 is "Yes."

[0496] The "permission condition 2" in the next step ST7 is the following four conditions. (1) In the first heating means HM1, the central heating port 4C is not in heating operation. (2) Either the second heating means HM2 or the third heating means HM3, or both of them, are not in heating operation.

[0497] (3) In the first heating means HM1, neither the right heating port 4R nor the left heating port 4L is being used for heating (or only one of them is being used for heating). In other words, neither the left IH coil 9L nor the right IH coil 9R is being used for heating. (4) "Permission Condition 4" described below is satisfied. In other words, the latest temperature of the top plate 3 is not higher than the limit value (for example, not higher than 100°C).

[0498] If the above three conditions are met, the determination in step ST7 is "Yes," and the process proceeds to step ST10. That is, the process can proceed to the step of inputting a command to start cooking in the cooperative cooking mode KM3.

[0499] If the determinations in steps ST6 and ST7 are "No," the process proceeds to step ST8, and the central display unit 16M and the audio notification unit 50 notify the user US that the combined cooking mode KM3 cannot be selected.

[0500] Here, we will explain the meaning of the provision that "5000 W or more" in the "permission condition 1" above. For simplicity, the following explanation will not specifically mention the power consumption of electrical components other than the heat source, such as the internal cooling fan (not shown) of the main body 2.

[0501] The reason why the required demand (pre-securing of power demand) when implementing the "Cooperative Cooking Mode" KM3 is 5000W or more is because the maximum (instantaneous) power consumed by each heating source during operation in cooperative cooking mode is as follows:

[0502] (1) Microwave operation (second heating means HM2): 1000W (2) Oven operation: 2000 W (upper radiant heat heating means 12a: 1000 W, lower radiant heat heating means 12b: 1000 W) (3) Range grill operation: 1500W (second heating means HM2: 500W, upper radiant heat heating means 12a: 1000W)

[0503] On the other hand, the maximum power consumption for the cooking menu in the "Cooperative Cooking Mode" KM3 is 1500W. Therefore, in the combined cooking mode, the second heating means HM2 and the third heating means HM3 may operate simultaneously.

[0504] In other words, the maximum power is 3500W, which is the sum of the 1000W of the second heating means HM2, the 1000W of the third heating means HM3 (2000W is achieved by alternating current of 1000W each), and the 1500W of the first heating means HM1 which performs induction heating.

[0505] If the demand (pre-securing power demand) is 5000W: When the right IH coil 9R is heating at 3000W (normal heating), the remaining demand is 2000W. If "Coordinated Cooking Mode" KM3 is implemented from this state, the remaining demand is 1500W short of the 3500W of power required for coordinated cooking, so the heat output of the right IH coil 9R is reduced to 1500W (from 3000W) and coordinated cooking can be started.

[0506] If the demand (pre-determined power demand) is 4000W: When frying food using right heating outlet 4R (requiring a maximum of 1500W), the remaining demand will be 2500W. If coordinated cooking is performed from this state, the remaining demand is 1000W short of the 3500W of power required for coordinated cooking, so the heat power of the right IH coil must be reduced. However, if the heat power is reduced while the automatic control menu is running, cooking will not go well, so the heat power for the automatic control menu cannot be reduced. In the end, 4000W is not enough to provide the necessary heat output for the automatic control menu.

[0507] As is clear from the above explanation, before starting the "coordinated cooking mode" KM3, it is necessary to determine (confirm) whether there is a demand (pre-reservation of power demand) of 5000W, which is the sum 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).

[0508] Next, we will explain Figure 36. Fig. 36 shows the determination processing of steps ST6 and ST7 in Fig. 35. These determinations are made by the permission condition determination unit 54. Step ST5 is the stage where the input key 153M is operated. In the next step STX1, the permission condition determination unit 54 of the control device 40 compares the latest state of the cooking device 1 with the permission conditions 1 and 2 described above, and determines whether the state satisfies permission conditions 1 and 2.

[0509] 36, voice (notification) 1 to voice (notification) 4 indicate the contents notified to the user US by the voice notification unit 50. That is, this is a specific example of the contents of step ST8 in FIG.

[0510] Display 1 to Display 4 in Fig. 36 show the contents displayed on the central display unit 16M. Note that Display 1 to Display 4 are not displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 that is displayed from step SB2 in Fig. 34 onwards, but are displayed on the central display unit 16M where the first specific screen is not displayed.

[0511] The first specific screen 16M1 is not displayed unless the prerequisites for transitioning to the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 (permission conditions 1 and 2) are met. Therefore, after the user US sets (selects) various conditions for the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 (e.g., identification information 167), it is not determined that permission condition 1 or permission condition 2 is not met, and the display does not return to the initial standby screen (step ST4 in FIG. 35). Therefore, the user US is not forced to perform unnecessary input operations.

[0512] Next, we will explain Figure 37. FIG. 37 illustrates the operation from when the cooking appliance 1 is started up until when cooking recipe data CD for the cooking appliance 1 is acquired from the communication terminal device 200 or the external server 417 (cloud server 300).

[0513] In this embodiment 1, the recipe data CD for the "cooperative cooking mode" KM3 includes, but is not limited to, the number of the cooperative cooking menu (identification information 167), the order of the multiple heating means to be used, the heating means to be used in cooking step 1, the heating means to be used in cooking step 2, if there are cooking steps 3 and beyond, the heating means to be used for each of those cooking steps, and if there are default (standard setting) control conditions (heat power, heating time, target heating temperature, etc.) for each cooking step, the setting value or range of setting values.

[0514] In FIG. 37, 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 operation program of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 described in FIG.

[0515] First, when the operation button 20A of the main power switch 20 is pressed (SS1), the next step SS2 is a step in which the heating control unit 43 determines whether or not there is an abnormality.

[0516] Steps SS1 to SS4 are the same as steps ST1 to ST4 described with reference to FIG. 35, so a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0517] In step SS5, the cooking appliance 1 operates to ask the user US for confirmation in advance as to whether or not to transmit a signal requesting provision of cooking recipe data CD to the smartphone (communication terminal) 200 or cloud server 300 that has been registered in advance. A "confirmation screen" is displayed on the central display unit 16M, and is also notified by the audio notification unit 50. This "confirmation screen" is one type of the standby initial screen 16MH, which will be described later.

[0518] If the user US sets in advance using the function setting key 151KP (see FIG. 7) of the input operation unit 15 to automatically execute the external connection in step SS5, it will be executed automatically at a specified timing.

[0519] That is, as described with reference to FIG. 1, pairing between the smartphone 200 and the cooking appliance 1 can be automatically performed, and wireless communication 400 between the smartphone 200 and the cooking appliance 1 can be established.

[0520] The external connection in step SS5 involves repeated transmission and reception several times between the cooking appliance 1 and an external communication device (such as the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300). For example, when the cooking appliance 1 first transmits a standby signal 1, the external communication device receives the standby signal 1 and transmits a setting signal 1 including setting information. In response to this, the cooking appliance 1 checks its internal standby state (for example, the set value of the total power consumption, etc.), and if there are no problems, transmits a standby signal 2 to proceed to the next step. This is the process.

[0521] Then, finally, reception of the necessary setting information (including recipe data CD) from the external communication device is completed. In other words, the cooking appliance 1 performs alternating communication several times, such as returning a confirmation signal immediately after receiving the information once, and finally completes reception of the necessary setting information. In this series of steps, there is a step that asks the user US to decide whether or not to receive the recipe data CD. In other words, in this cooking appliance 1, there is a step that allows the user US to clearly and in advance know that the recipe data CD will be received, so that the cooking appliance 1 is prevented from proceeding to the execution stage of the recipe data CD without the user US knowing.

[0522] On the other hand, if the above-described external connection is not set to be automatically performed, in step SS6, a predetermined icon or the like is displayed on the central display unit 16M to notify the user US that recipe data CD is available. This is shown on the display screen 2C in FIG. 43. The display notifying the user US is, for example, simply displayed in text, as shown by 60P on the display screen 2C. 60P is called acquisition operation support information.

[0523] If the user does not agree to the connection to the external device (such as the smartphone 200) in step SS6, a non-reception message such as "Receipt of recipe data CD is not currently being received" is sent to the registered external device (the smartphone 200 or the cloud server 300) as shown in step SS9. In this way, the user US can also set to refuse reception.

[0524] On the other hand, if the connection to the external device is agreed upon and an instruction to acquire data is given in step SS6, the data acquisition unit 53 of the cooking appliance 1 acquires the recipe data CD from the external device via the communication unit 51. The acquired recipe data CD is stored in a predetermined "temporary storage unit" (not shown) in the recipe data storage unit 42 (step SS7).

[0525] In the next step SS8, the contents of the recipe data CD acquired from the external device, particularly the identification information 167, are displayed on the central display unit 16M. Also, the audio notification unit 50 notifies the fact of reception, for example, by saying, "A hamburger recipe has been received."

[0526] In this embodiment 1, the control device 40 is programmed to allow the data acquisition unit 53 to acquire the recipe data CD if the input key 180, which is the selection unit for 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 supply of power is started.

[0527] That is, if the user US presses the input key 180 in step SS6, the step is judged as "Yes" and acquisition of the recipe data CD is permitted. However, several conditions must be met before the recipe data CD is actually acquired by the control device 40, which will be explained in detail later.

[0528] Next, FIGS. 38 to 43 will be described. Fig. 38 is a flowchart showing the main input steps for the three cooking modes after the main power is turned on in the cooking device 1. Fig. 39 is a flowchart 1 showing the input steps after the main power is turned on in the cooking device 1. Fig. 40 is a flowchart 1 showing the input steps for the linked cooking mode in the cooking device 1. Fig. 41 is a flowchart 1 showing the input steps for the combined cooking mode in the cooking device 1. Fig. 42 is a flowchart 1 showing the input steps for the single cooking mode in the cooking device 1. Fig. 43 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of the cooking appliance 1 to acquire recipe data CD from the outside. Fig. 44 is a flowchart 2 showing the operation of the cooking appliance 1 to acquire recipe data CD from the outside.

[0529] 38 to 44 show the case of the above-mentioned "voice input mode 1A." That is, in one input operation unit 15 (for example, central operation unit 15M), the input key 154M as the "multi-purpose key" is provided among a plurality of input keys. Therefore, when the input key 154M is used to change to the "voice input mode 1A," the control pattern (state of the "voice input mode 1A") in which the input functions of the input keys (156M, 158M, etc.) other than the input key (dual-purpose key) 154M are disabled from that point on will be described with reference to Figures 38 to 44.

[0530] Now, let us consider Figure 38. In Figure 38, outlined symbols (such as 153M) indicate input keys 153M and the like to be operated in the following steps S2 to S15. In FIG. 38, the main input keys are also displayed in white letters. The range indicated by the dashed frame indicates the range that can be input by voice in "voice input mode 1" that is switched to when input key (multi-purpose key) 154M is "long pressed."

[0531] Steps S2 to S6 show the operation steps in the cooperative cooking mode KM3. Steps S7 to S11 show the operation steps in the combined cooking mode KM2. Steps S12 to S15 show the operation steps in the single cooking mode KM1 using the first heating means HM1.

[0532] 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 cooperative cooking mode KM3 is selected (step S2), and the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed (step S3).

[0533] Step S2A indicates a process of acquiring recipe data CD from an external communication terminal device 200, cloud server 300, or the like.

[0534] At this stage, at least three cooking menus are displayed on the first specific screen 16M1, as described in Figures 25 to 28, but each time input key 154M or 155M is touched, a different cooking menu can be displayed one after another (step S4).

[0535] In step S5, if the control conditions for one cooperative cooking menu are acceptable, pressing the input key 151M will allow the process to proceed to cooking step 1 of the cooperative cooking mode KM3 (step S6).

[0536] As is clear from FIG. 38, if input key (combined key) 154M is "long pressed" in step S4, control device 40 switches to a voice-activated "input standby state," allowing a range of conditions to be input by voice between steps S4 and S5. For example, a cooking menu and control conditions can be input as a set by user US's voice, such as "hamburger steak, preheat 180°C." Note that only the control conditions other than the food to be cooked can be input by voice, such as "heat level 7 hours 10 minutes."

[0537] Next, FIG. 38 will be described. In step S2, if the input key 154M or 155M is touched without touching the input key 153M, the combined cooking mode KM2 is selected (step S7), and the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed (step S8). Each time the input key 154M or 155M is touched, a different control menu (see FIG. 18) can be displayed in turn (step S9).

[0538] Step S7A indicates a process of acquiring recipe data CD from an external communication terminal device 200, cloud server 300, or the like.

[0539] In step S9, if one control menu (e.g., "warming") displayed on the second specific screen 16M2 is acceptable, the user can then press input key 156M or 157M to select the control conditions (microwave output, heating time, etc.) (step S10).

[0540] In step S10, if the control conditions for one composite cooking mode are acceptable, pressing the input key 151M will allow the process to proceed to cooking step 1 of composite cooking mode KM2 (step S11).

[0541] As is clear from FIG. 38, if the input key (combined key) 154M is "long pressed" in step S7, the control device 40 switches to a voice-based "input standby state," allowing the range of conditions to be input by voice in steps S9 to S10. For example, the user US can input a set of the control menu (in this case, "heat") and the control conditions by speaking, such as "warm 500W." Note that only the control conditions may be input by voice, such as "500W, time 10 minutes."

[0542] Next, FIG. 38 will be described. If input key 153M is not touched in step S2, and neither input key 154M nor 155M is touched in step S7, but either input key 153L or 153R of right operation unit 15R or left operation unit 15L is touched, the single cooking mode KM1 using the first heating means HM1 is selected (step S12), and the third specific screen 16M3 is displayed on the right display unit 16R or left display unit 16L (step S13).

[0543] Step S12A indicates a process of acquiring recipe data CD from an external communication terminal device 200, cloud server 300, or the like.

[0544] Each time the input key 152L or 152R is touched, a different control menu (see FIG. 46) can be displayed in turn (step S14).

[0545] In step S14, if one control menu (see FIG. 46) displayed on the third specific screen 16M3 is acceptable, then by pressing input key 155L or 156L (in the case of the left operation unit 15L) or input key 155R or 156R (in the case of the right operation unit 15R), the control conditions (induction heating power, heating time, etc.) can be selected (step S15).

[0546] In step S15, if the control conditions for the single cooking mode KM1 are acceptable, induction heating will automatically start within a certain period of time (10 seconds) without pressing an input key.

[0547] As is clear from FIG. 38, if input key (multi-purpose key) 153L or 153R is "long pressed" in step S12, control device 40 switches to a voice "input standby state," so that the range of conditions can be input by voice in steps S14 to S15. For example, the user US can input a set of the control menu (in this case, "boil water") and the control conditions by speaking, such as "boil water, heat level 6." Note that only the control conditions may be input by voice.

[0548] Alternatively, the input key 151L or 151R may be operated (step S14) and the timer set time may be set using the input keys 154L and 155L (154R and 155R). These can also be input by voice after switching to voice input mode 1. For example, you can say something like "heat level 6, timer 10 minutes."

[0549] As is clear from FIG. 38, the cooking device 1 according to the first embodiment has the following features: the input operation unit 15 has a first input operation unit (a right operation unit 15R and a left operation unit 15L) for the first heating means HM1, and a second input operation unit (a central operation unit 15M) for the second heating means, The first input operation unit 15L and the second input operation unit 15R have input keys A (153L and 153R) arranged thereon, and the second input operation unit 15M has input keys B (153M and 154M) arranged thereon, The control device 40 is characterized in that it validates the earlier touch input of either the input key A (153L, 153R) or the input key B (153M, 154M), and does not start the input process using the other input key until the input of the control conditions (heat power, heating time, etc.) for the heating cooking mode (coordinated cooking mode KM3, combined cooking mode KM2, single cooking mode KM1) or control mode (the "warming" mode, etc.) is completed and heating cooking is started.

[0550] In other words, for the three heating cooking modes (cooperative cooking mode KM3, composite cooking mode KM2, and single cooking mode KM1), only one of the input keys 153M, 154M, 153L, and 153R that is touched first will be accepted by the control device 40, and the other input keys will not accept input commands.

[0551] Therefore, for example, if the input key 154M is touched and held down to switch to the voice input mode, the other input keys will not be able to input (however, the input functions of the input keys 151M and 152M will be maintained).

[0552] Therefore, when the voice input mode is started by either 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 setting conditions will not be inadvertently input by voice input.

[0553] Furthermore, if the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is entered using one input key (for example, 154M) in the voice input mode, the voice input mode is cancelled when input key 151M is pressed to start cooking. Therefore, there will be no confusion if the user US subsequently performs a touch operation to select another cooking mode.

[0554] Next, FIG. 39 will be described. In FIG. 39, the outlined symbols (for example, 153M) indicate the input keys (153M, etc.) operated in steps SM3, SM4, and SM8. In Figure 39, step SM1 performs processing equivalent to the processing of steps ST2 and ST3 in Figure 35. That is, the central display unit 16M is activated, and the standby initial screen 16MH is displayed. An abnormality determination is performed, and if no abnormality is found, a message is displayed saying "There is no abnormality, so cooking can begin." Then, the standby initial screen 16MH and the audio notification unit 51 provide a notification and audio guidance to prompt the user to select a heating means.

[0555] Furthermore, at this step SM1, if the cooking appliance 1 is set to transmit startup information to the communication terminal device 200 or the cloud server 300, the startup information (operating status data OS) is transmitted wirelessly from the communication unit 51 at this stage. Note that the standby initial screen 16MH also displays usage precautions for the user US, as will be described in detail in Fig. 46.

[0556] In the next step SM2, the input functions of all input operation units 15M, 15L, and 15R are enabled to prepare for touch input operation of each input key (153M, 154M, 153L, 154R, etc.). Also, the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 17) included in the input operation unit 15 starts measuring elapsed time. Note that while FIG. 17 shows an example of the central operation unit 15M, the right operation unit 15R and the left operation unit 15L also have the same configuration as the central operation unit 15M. Therefore, they have a configuration equivalent to the time measurement unit 15T.

[0557] In the next step SM3, the cooperative cooking mode KM3 is selected, in step SM4 the composite cooking mode KM2 is selected, and in step SM8 the single cooking mode KM1 using the first heating means HM1 is selected.

[0558] First, in step SM3, it is determined whether or not the input key 153M has been touched, and if it has been touched, the process proceeds to the route A1 shown in FIGS. 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 input key 154M or 155M is touched, the determination is "Yes" and the process proceeds to route B1 shown in Figures 39 and 41.

[0559] 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 the route C1 shown in Figures 39 and 42.

[0560] In step SM8 shown in Figure 39, 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 Figure 17) determines whether a preset time limit TX has been exceeded. If the time limit TX has not been exceeded, the process returns to step SM3.

[0561] On the other hand, if it is determined in step SM5 that the preset time limit TX has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SM6, where a process for automatically shutting off the main power supply (hereinafter referred to as "automatic shut-off process 1") is performed. Then, the series of operations ends (SM7). In this way, if no input operation is performed, the main power switch 20 will automatically open when the time limit (for example, 30 minutes) is exceeded.

[0562] Next, we will explain Figure 40. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the operation after the input key 153M is touched in step SM3. When the input key 153M is touched, if the touch operation is a "long press", it is determined by the input mode determination unit 15C (see FIG. 17) of the central operation unit 15M.

[0563] 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 step for determining whether the above-mentioned "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are met. If these permission conditions are not met, a denial process is performed at this stage (step SM47). The denial process is the process of step ST8 described in FIG. 35.

[0564] If the determination in step SM41 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM42. In 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. 26. After that, input key 154M or 155M is further touched (or may be touched multiple times) to select a specific cooking menu (e.g., hamburger).

[0565] 40, in step SM43, the timer 15T (see FIG. 17) starts measuring the elapsed time to determine whether the preset time limit TY has been exceeded. After step SM43, if voice input is made by the user US via the voice signal receiving unit 56 (see FIG. 16), step SM44 becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to the next step SM45.

[0566] By the way, at the stage of step SM43, the control device 40 has already switched to "voice input mode 1A." Therefore, if the input key 155M is touch-input after step SM43, the input of the input key 155M will not be accepted by the control device 40 due to the "voice input mode 1A." In other words, unless a voice input is made, step SM44 will not become "Yes," and the control device 40 will not proceed to step SM46 for input completion. Note that if the "voice input mode 1B" is set, touch input can continue as described above. Also, as an exception, the voice input control program may be modified so that the "voice input mode" is canceled when the input key 154M is touch-input again (in this case, a "short press").

[0567] In this way, in this embodiment 1, immediately after "long pressing" the input key 154M, the mode switches to the voice input mode 1A, and the voice input mode 1A continues automatically thereafter. However, the voice input mode 1A is released when the heating operation starts (that is, when the input key 151M is touched).

[0568] If the time limit TY has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SM46. In step SM46, it is determined whether or not the input has been completed, and if the determination in step SM46 is "Yes," the process goes into a standby state to wait for input from the input key 151M (A21).

[0569] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in steps SM44 and SM46, the process returns to step SM44 and waits for voice input from the user US. Furthermore, if it is determined in step SM45 that the time limit TY has been exceeded, step SM45 returns "No," and the process proceeds to error processing step SM48. Note that the error processing here is slightly different from the automatic shutdown processing shown in step SM6 of Fig. 39, and refers to returning the display from the first specific screen 16M1 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying a message that the input was not made properly, or announcing this by voice from the voice notification unit 50. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SM5, and may proceed to step SM6, where automatic shutdown processing is performed.

[0570] Steps SM50 and after will be described with reference to FIG. Step SM50 is a step for determining whether the above-mentioned "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are satisfied. If "permission condition 1" and "permission condition 2" are not satisfied, a denial process is performed at this stage (step SM56). The denial process is the process of step ST8 described in FIG. 35.

[0571] If the determination in step SM50 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM51. In step SM51, 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. 26. After that, input key 154M or 155M is further touched (or may be touched multiple times) to select a specific cooking menu (e.g., hamburger).

[0572] 40, in step SM52, the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 17) starts measuring the elapsed time to determine whether or not a preset time limit TY has been exceeded. After this step SM52, if the user US performs a touch input, for example, using input keys 156M or 157M, via the voice signal receiving unit 56 (see FIG. 16), the answer in step SM53 becomes "Yes," and the process proceeds to the next step SM54.

[0573] By the way, 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 touch-inputted after step SM52, the input of the input key 155M is accepted by the control device 40 due to the touch input mode. In other words, as long as it is a touch input, step SM53 becomes "Yes," and the process proceeds to step SM46 for input completion. However, as an exception, if the input key 154 is touch-inputted again (in this case, "long press"), the touch input mode may be cancelled and the mode may be changed back to "voice input mode 1."

[0574] In this way, in this embodiment 1, the touch input mode is maintained unless the input key 154M is "long pressed," and the touch input mode continues automatically thereafter. The touch input mode is automatically canceled when the heating operation starts.

[0575] If the time limit TY has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SM55. Then, a determination is made as to whether input is complete, and if the determination in step SM55 is "Yes," the process goes into a standby state waiting for input from the input key 151M (A22).

[0576] On the other hand, if the results of steps SM53 and SM55 are "No," the process returns to step SM53 and waits for touch input from the user US. Furthermore, if it is determined in step SM54 that the time limit TY has been exceeded, step SM54 returns "No" and the process proceeds to step SM57 for error processing. Note that the error processing here is slightly different from the automatic shutdown processing shown in step SM6 of Fig. 39, and refers to returning the display from the first specific screen 16M1 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying a message that the input was not made properly, or an audio notification from the audio notification unit 50. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SM5, and may proceed to step SM6 for automatic shutdown processing.

[0577] Next, we will explain Figure 41. FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the operation after either input key 154M or 155M is touched in step SM4. When the input key 154M is touched, if the touch operation is a "long press", it is determined by the input mode determination unit 15C (see FIG. 17) of the central operation unit 15M.

[0578] 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 step for determining whether "permission condition 3" is satisfied. "Permission condition 3" here is different from permission conditions 1 and 2 in the combined cooking mode (see Figures 35 and 36). "Permission condition 3" in this combined cooking mode occurs when the latest temperature in heating chamber 6 is checked by temperature sensor group 30 and is found to be, for example, 100°C. This is because it exceeds the temperature detection range for the "warm" mode (90°C or less).

[0579] If "permission condition 3" is not met, a denial process is performed at this stage (step SM67). The denial process is a process in which a message such as "The heating chamber is too hot to cook" is displayed on the initial standby screen 16MH, or a similar notification is given by the audio notification unit 50. When cooking is performed in the heating chamber 6 using 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.

[0580] If the determination in step SM61 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM62. In step SM62, the second specific screen 16M2 is displayed. The state at the time when this second specific screen 16M2 is displayed is shown, for example, in Fig. 22. After that, the input key 154M or 155M is further touched (or may be touched multiple times) to select a specific control menu (e.g., warm).

[0581] 41, in step SM63, the timer 15T (see FIG. 17) starts measuring the elapsed time to determine whether the preset time limit TY has been exceeded. After step SM63, if voice input is made by the user US via the voice signal receiving unit 56 (see FIG. 16), step SM64 becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to the next step SM65.

[0582] By the way, at the stage of step SM63, the control device 40 has already switched to voice input mode 1. Therefore, if the input key 155M is touch-input after this step SM63, the input of the input key 155M will not be accepted by the control device 40 due to the voice input mode (because it is set to the "voice input mode 1A"). In other words, unless voice input is performed, step SM64 will not become "Yes," and the process will not proceed to step SM66 for input completion. However, as an exception, the mode may be changed so that "voice input mode 1" is canceled when the input key 154M is touch-input again (in this case, a "short press"). Furthermore, if "voice input mode 1B" is set, the touch input of the input key 155M will be accepted by the control device 40.

[0583] In this way, in this embodiment 1, immediately after "long pressing" input key 154M, the mode switches to voice input mode 1, but voice input mode 1 is automatically canceled when a command to start cooking is given (by touching input key 151M).

[0584] If the time limit TY has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SM66. In step SM65, it is determined whether the input is complete, and if the determination in step SM66 is "Yes", the process goes into a standby state to wait for input from the input key 151M (B21).

[0585] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in steps SM64 and SM66, the process returns to step SM64 and waits for voice input from the user US. Furthermore, if it is determined in step SM65 that the time limit TY has been exceeded, step SM65 returns "No," and the process proceeds to error processing step SM68. Note that the error processing referred to here is slightly different from the automatic shutdown processing shown in step SM6 of Fig. 39, and refers to returning the display from the second specific screen 16M2 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying a message that the input was not made properly, or an audio notification from the audio notification unit 50. Thereafter, the process may proceed to step SM5, and then to step SM6, where the automatic shutdown processing is performed.

[0586] Next, steps SM60 and after will be explained using FIG. Step SM70 is a step for determining whether the aforementioned "permission condition 3" is met. If permission condition 3 is not met, a denial process is performed at this stage (step SM76). The "denial process" in this case is the same as the denial process of step SM67.

[0587] 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, for example, in Fig. 22. After that, the input key 154M or 155M is further touched (or may be touched multiple times) to select a specific control menu (e.g., warm). At this stage, if the input key 154M is "pressed and held," the mode switches to voice input mode 1, and the process proceeds to step SM63. However, if the input key 154M is not "pressed and held" but the input key 155M is operated for input or the input key 154 is "shortly pressed," the "touch input mode" is maintained, and the process proceeds to step SM72.

[0588] In this way, in this embodiment 1, when selecting a composite cooking mode or a control menu (e.g., warming), immediately after "long pressing" the input key 154M, the mode switches to voice input mode 1, but voice input mode 1 does not continue automatically thereafter but is canceled at the start of the heating operation. Note that if the same input key 154M is "short pressed," the voice input mode 1 may be canceled at this point.

[0589] 41, in step SM72, time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 17) starts measuring the elapsed time to determine whether a preset time limit TY has been exceeded. After step SM72, if the user US performs a touch input, for example, using input keys 156M or 157M, via voice signal receiving unit 56 (see FIG. 16), step SM73 becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to the next step SM74.

[0590] 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 touch-inputted after step SM72, the input of the input key 155M is accepted by the control device 40 due to the touch input mode. In other words, as long as it is a touch input, step SM73 becomes "Yes," and the process proceeds to step SM75 for input completion. However, as an exception, if the input key 154M is touch-inputted again (in this case, "long press"), the touch input mode may be cancelled and the mode may be changed back to "voice input mode 1."

[0591] In this way, in this embodiment 1, the touch input mode is maintained unless the input key 154M is "long pressed," and the touch input mode continues automatically thereafter. The touch input mode is automatically canceled when the heating operation starts. Therefore, the normal touch input mode is restored.

[0592] If the time limit TY has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SM75. Then, a determination is made as to whether input has been completed, and if the determination in step SM75 is "Yes," the process goes into a standby state waiting for input from the input key 151M (B22).

[0593] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in steps SM73 and SM75, the process returns to step SM73 and waits for touch input from the user US. Furthermore, if it is determined in step SM74 that the time limit TY has been exceeded, step SM74 returns "No," and the process proceeds to error processing step SM77. Note that the error processing referred to here is slightly different from the automatic shutdown processing shown in step SM6 of Fig. 39, and refers to returning the display from the second specific screen 16M2 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying a message that the input was not made properly, or an audio notification from the audio notification unit 50. Thereafter, the process may proceed to step SM5, and then to step SM6, where the automatic shutdown processing is performed.

[0594] Next, we will explain Figure 42. FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the operation after either input key 153L or 153R is touched in step SM8 of FIG. To simplify the following explanation, the following description will be limited to the case where the left operating unit 15L is operated.

[0595] If the touch operation of the input key 153L is a "long press," it is determined by the input mode determination unit 15C (see FIG. 17) of the left operation unit 15L. Note that FIG. 17 shows an example of the central operation unit 15M, but the left operation unit 15L has a similar configuration to that shown in FIG.

[0596] Then, the determination in step SM80 becomes "Yes", and the process proceeds to step SM81. On the other hand, if it was a "short press", the determination becomes "No", and the process proceeds to step SM90. Step SM81 is a step for determining whether "permission condition 4" is satisfied. "Permission condition 4" here is different from permission conditions 1 and 2 of the collaborative cooking mode (see Figures 35 and 36) and the above-mentioned "Permission condition 3." "Permission condition 4" in this single cooking mode KM1 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, such as above 100°C. This is because when induction heating control is performed by detecting the temperature of the object N to be heated non-contact, a high temperature from the start of the heating operation can hinder accurate temperature control and induction heating control.

[0597] If "permission condition 4" is not satisfied, a denial process is performed at this stage (step SM87). The denial process is a process in which a message such as "The top plate is too hot to cook" is displayed on the initial standby screen 16MH, or a similar message is issued by the audio notification unit 50. When induction heating cooking is performed, the top plate 3 may remain hot for a while even after the cooking is completed.

[0598] If the determination in step SM81 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM82. In step SM82, the third specific screen 16M3 is displayed. The state at the time when this third specific screen 16M3 is displayed is shown, for example, in Fig. 46. After that, the input key 154L or 155L may be further touched (or touched multiple times) to select a specific control menu (e.g., preheat).

[0599] At this stage, the mode has already been switched to "voice input mode 1," so in the next step SM83, the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 17) starts measuring the elapsed time to determine whether the preset time limit TY has been exceeded. After this step SM83, if voice input is made by the user US via the voice signal receiving unit 56 (see FIG. 16), the answer in step SM84 becomes "Yes," and the process proceeds to the next step SM85. For example, if the user US utters "preheat 200°C," the voice signal receiving unit 56 converts this voice input into an electrical signal and inputs it to the voice signal analyzing unit 58.

[0600] In step SM85, it is determined whether the time limit TY has been exceeded, and if not, the process proceeds to step SM86. In step SM86, it is determined whether the input has been completed, and if the determination in step SM86 is "Yes," induction heating operation will automatically start within a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds). In other words, in the first heating means HM1 using the left operation unit 16L (in the case of single cooking mode HM1), no special input key operation is required to start heating, and the process will proceed directly to heating operation (C21).

[0601] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in steps SM84 and SM86, the process returns to step SM84 and waits for voice input from the user US. Furthermore, if it is determined in step SM85 that the time limit TY has been exceeded, step SM85 returns "No," and the process proceeds to error processing step SM88. Note that the error processing referred to here is slightly different from the automatic shutdown processing shown in step SM6 of Fig. 39, and refers to returning the display from the third specific screen 16M3 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying a message that the input was not made properly, or an audio notification from the audio notification unit 50. Thereafter, the process may proceed to step SM5, and then to step SM6, where the automatic shutdown processing is performed.

[0602] Next, steps SM80 and after will be explained using FIG. Step SM90 is a step for determining whether the aforementioned "permission condition 4" is met. If permission condition 4 is not met, denial processing is performed at this stage (step SM96). The "denial processing" in this case is the same as the denial processing of step SM87.

[0603] If the determination in step SM90 is "Yes", the process proceeds to step SM91. In step SM91, the third specific screen 16M3 is displayed. The state at the time when this third specific screen 16M3 is displayed is shown, for example, in Fig. 46. After that, input keys 154L, 155L, 151L, etc. are further touched (or may be touched multiple times) to select a specific control menu (e.g., preheat).

[0604] In FIG. 41, in step SM92, the timer 15T (see FIG. 17) starts measuring the elapsed time to determine whether or not the elapsed time has exceeded a preset time limit TY.

[0605] Incidentally, since the mode is currently "touch input mode," in the next step SM93, the time measurement unit 15T (see FIG. 17) starts measuring the elapsed time to determine whether the preset time limit TY has been exceeded.

[0606] The input keys 154L, 155L, 151L, etc. can be touched to sequentially input the control menu (e.g., preheating) and control conditions such as the preheating temperature (touching can be performed multiple times). In this way, when a touch input is performed by the user US, step SM93 becomes "Yes," and if the time limit TY has not been exceeded, the process proceeds from step SM94 to the next step SM95. For example, if the user US inputs the conditions "preheat" and "200°C" sequentially 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. 16).

[0607] If the input keys 154L and 155R are "pressed and held," these input keys do not have the function of switching to the voice input mode 1, and therefore voice input is not possible.

[0608] In this manner, in this embodiment 1, to select the single cooking mode HM1 of the first heating means HM1 or to select the heating section (right heating section 4R, left heating section 4L) (using input keys 153R and 153L), immediately after "long pressing" input key 153R or 153L, the mode switches to voice input mode 1, and voice input mode 1 continues automatically thereafter.

[0609] In other words, once you "long press" the input key 153L or 153R, the voice input mode 1 will be maintained regardless of the operation of the voice input key thereafter (if it is set to the "voice input mode 1B"). Even if you "long press" the input key 153L (153R) again (twice in a row), the voice input mode 1 will remain.

[0610] If the time limit TY has not been exceeded in step SM94, the process proceeds to step SM95. Then, a determination is made as to whether input has been completed. If the determination in step SM95 is "Yes," induction heating operation will automatically begin within a certain period of time (e.g., 10 seconds). In other words, in the first heating means HM1 using the left operation unit 16L (in the case of single cooking mode HM1), no special input key operation is required to start heating, and the process proceeds directly to heating operation (C22).

[0611] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in steps SM93 and SM95, the process returns to step SM93 and waits for touch input from the user US. Furthermore, if it is determined in step SM94 that the time limit TY has been exceeded, step SM94 returns "No," and the process proceeds to error processing step SM97. Note that the error processing referred to here is slightly different from the automatic shutdown processing shown in step SM6 of Fig. 39, and refers to returning the display from the third specific screen 16M3 to the initial standby screen 16MH, displaying a message that the input was not made properly, or an audio notification from the audio notification unit 50. Thereafter, the process may proceed to step SM5, and then to step SM6, where the automatic shutdown processing is performed.

[0612] Next, we will explain Figures 43 and 44. Fig. 43 is a flowchart 1 showing the operation of acquiring recipe data CD from the outside in the cooking appliance 1. Fig. 43 is a flowchart 2 showing the operation of acquiring recipe data CD from the outside.

[0613] In Fig. 43, step SL1 performs processing equivalent to the processing of step SM1 in Fig. 38. The next step SL2 performs processing equivalent to the processing of step SM2 in Fig. 38. Step SL3 is a process equivalent to step SS5 of establishing and notifying an external connection described in Fig. 37. That is, this step is intended to ask the user US to confirm in advance whether or not to transmit a signal requesting provision of recipe data CD to the smartphone (communication terminal device) 200 or cloud server 300 that has been registered and set in advance.

[0614] As described above, it is also possible to automatically execute an external connection from the stage of this step SL3 (SS5) (if it is set in advance by the function setting key 151KP described above). If the control device 40 has acquired the recipe data CD, the next step SL4 becomes "Yes" and the process proceeds to step SL5.

[0615] 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 cooperative cooking mode KM3, a cooking menu that does not meet "Permission Condition 1" or "Permission Condition 2" is not permitted (see FIGS. 35 and 36). In the combined cooking mode KM2, a determination is also made as to whether a specific "Permission Condition 3" is met. Note that Permission Condition 3 is the same as that described in step SM61 of FIG. 41. Furthermore, the first heating means HM1 must meet the above-mentioned "Permission Condition 4" (see step SM81 of FIG. 42).

[0616] If it is determined in step SL5 that the permission conditions are not met, a signal (data) informing the outside that the recipe data CD cannot be received is transmitted from the communication unit 51 (step SL9), as explained in step ST8 of Fig. 24. Note that Fig. 24 shows the case of the cooperative cooking mode KM3, but such a "non-reception message" is also transmitted in the combined cooking mode KM2 and the single cooking mode KM1.

[0617] If the permission 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 (step SL6). Furthermore, the identification information 167, 160 and control conditions (heat power, heating time, target temperature, etc.) included in the recipe data CD are displayed on the central display unit 16. For example, in the case of the cooperative cooking mode KM3, they are displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SL6).

[0618] The next step SL7 is a step for modifying the control conditions. For example, in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, the control conditions (e.g., heating time, target heating temperature, heat power, etc.) displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 can be changed as needed by operating the input keys 156M to 159M of the central operation unit 15M. Note that since the recipe data CD is acquired on a cooking menu basis, it is already determined that the cooking menu is a specific one (e.g., hamburger steak), and this cannot be changed to another cooking menu (e.g., roast beef).

[0619] If you want to modify the control conditions, for example, in the cooperative cooking mode KM3, you can simply input the appropriate changes using the central operation unit 15M (step SL10). In this case, you can select either "voice input mode 1" or "voice input mode 2," and you can also input by voice.

[0620] If it is determined in step SL4 that the recipe data CD has not been received, the process proceeds to step SL8. In this step SL8, it is determined whether a preset time limit TX has been exceeded. If the time limit TX has not been exceeded, the process returns to step SL4. However, if the time limit TX has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SL11. Step SL11 is an "automatic shut-off process 1" that automatically shuts off the main power supply, similar to step SM6 described in FIG. 39. Note that the time limit TX of this step SL8 and the time limit TX of step SM6 described in FIG. 39 do not have to be the same time, and different times may be set.

[0621] Next, FIG. 44 will be described. In FIG. 44, step SS5 is the same as that explained in FIG. 26, so a duplicate explanation will be omitted. Step SS10 is a step for determining whether or not the input key 180 of the voice input mode 2 has been operated. If the input key 180 is pressed once, the answer here is "Yes" and the process proceeds to the next step SS11. If the input key 180 has not been operated, the process proceeds to the normal touch input mode (step SS15).

[0622] If the data acquisition unit 53 can acquire the recipe data CD via the communication unit 51, step SS11 becomes "Yes." If it is determined in step SS11 that the recipe data CD has not been received, the process proceeds to step SS16. In step SS16, it is determined whether a preset time limit TX has been exceeded. If the time limit TX has not been exceeded, the process returns to step SS11. However, if the time limit TX has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SS17. Step SS17 is an "automatic shut-off process 1" that automatically shuts off the main power supply, similar to step SM6 described in FIG. 39. Note that the time limit TX of step SS17 and the time limit TX of step SM6 described in FIG. 39 do not have to be the same time, and different times may be set.

[0623] The contents of the recipe data CD received in step SS11 are checked to see if they satisfy the "permission conditions" described above (see step SL5 in FIG. 42), and if they do, step SS12 becomes "Yes."

[0624] If the permission conditions are not met, as explained in step SL9 of FIG. 43, the communication unit 51 transmits a signal (data) to the outside to notify that the recipe data CD cannot be received (SS18).

[0625] If the permission conditions are met, the determined recipe data CD is stored in a predetermined storage area of ​​the recipe data storage unit 42 as regular data. Furthermore, the identification information 167, 160, etc. and control conditions included in the recipe data are displayed on the central display unit 16. For example, if the recipe data CD is for the cooperative cooking mode KM3, it is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SS13).

[0626] The control conditions (e.g., heating time, target heating temperature, heating power, etc.) displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 can be changed as appropriate by voice input acquired via the voice signal receiving unit 56 of the input operation unit 15 (steps SS14, SS15).

[0627] Once "voice input mode 2" is selected using input key 180, "voice input mode 2" continues until a heating operation for one cooking menu item is started. The mode does not switch to "touch input mode" during the input process. This is because switching during the input process may cause confusion in the operation of the user US.

[0628] If you want to switch to touch input mode, you can press input key 180 again at any stage. The touch input mode will be restored from the point at which you press it. After returning to touch input mode, if you "long press" input key 154M, for example, it will switch to "voice input mode 1." Therefore, in voice input mode 1 (set to voice input mode 1B), if you perform an input operation on input key 156M, for example, the input function of that input key is not disabled, so you can still enter text.

[0629] Next, FIG. 45 will be described. Fig. 45 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 appliance 1. Note that Fig. 45 shows the case of the cooperative cooking mode KM3, but the same is basically true for the other cooking modes.

[0630] In FIG. 45, step SS20 indicates the time when the input mode of the control device 40 is switched to voice input mode 1. In the next step SS21, the voice notification unit 50 and the central display unit 16M notify that voice input has started to be accepted. The state of the central display unit 16M at this point is, for example, as shown in Fig. 27. That is, a mark 154V indicating that the mode has been switched to the voice input mode is displayed on the central operation unit 15M, and voice input mode display information 179A indicating that voice input is being accepted is displayed on the first specific screen 16M1 as auxiliary information 179.

[0631] In the next step SS22, the voice signal analysis unit 58 transitions to an input standby state for receiving voice commands from the user US. Also, a time measurement unit (not shown) inside the control device 40 starts measuring elapsed time.

[0632] Speech input information uttered by the user US is acquired via a microphone (not shown) by the voice signal receiving unit 56. The voice signal receiving unit 56 converts the acquired voice information into a predetermined voice signal and transmits it to the voice signal analyzing unit 58 (step SS23).

[0633] The voice signal analysis unit 56 analyzes the received voice signal (step SS24) and displays the input content on the central display unit 16M (first specific screen 16M1). For example, as described in Fig. 28, a voice message such as "Hamburg steak, right hand IH, accepted" is displayed, and the message is also displayed in text on the first specific screen 16M1 (step SS25).

[0634] In step SS25, if the input information is insufficient, the voice notification unit 50 will further guide the user by voice, such as "Please specify the preheating temperature." Alternatively, the range of specific control conditions may be notified, such as "A preheating temperature of 200°C is recommended. Please specify the temperature."

[0635] If the input of the control conditions necessary to start the heating operation is insufficient, the process returns to step SS23. Before returning to step SS23, the audio notification unit 50 indicates the control conditions that are not input and prompts the user to input them (not shown).

[0636] When heating control unit 43 determines that input of the control conditions necessary to start the heating operation has been completed (step SS26), the process proceeds to step SS27. In step SS27, since input by voice has been completed, it notifies the user that voice input mode 1 will be cancelled and recommends touching input key 151M (step SS27). Note that voice input mode 1 is cancelled when input key 151M is touched.

[0637] 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 time elapsed since step SS22 has exceeded a predetermined time limit TZ. If the time limit TZ has not been exceeded, the process returns to step SS23. However, if the time limit TZ (e.g., 5 minutes) has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step SS29. Step SS29 is "automatic shutdown process 2," similar to step SM6 in FIG. 39. Note that this "automatic shutdown process 2" is a series of processes in which, while the first specific screen 16M1 is displayed, the voice notification unit 50 issues an alarm to the user US, and then the screen automatically switches to the standby initial screen 16MH, and then the main power switch 20 is automatically opened. This prevents the input process from being left unattended for a long period of time for some reason, ensuring safety.

[0638] Next, FIG. 46 will be described. FIG. 46 shows the display contents of the central display section 16M corresponding to each of the main operation steps after the main power switch 20 is turned on.

[0639] Referring to Figure 46, when the main power switch 20 is turned off, the central display unit 16M is not activated and therefore does not display any information. When the main power switch 20 is turned on, the control device 40 performs a self-diagnosis to check for abnormalities, etc., as described above, and then displays "Display Screen 1," which is one display form of the standby initial screen 16MH in Figure 46, on the central display unit 16M.

[0640] In the display screen 1 shown in Fig. 46, 60A is a display message notifying that the power is on. 60B is two-dimensional information (two-dimensional code) for guiding via the network NW to the recipe data providing server 301, which is a dedicated recipe posting site. 60C is text explaining the meaning of the two-dimensional code (hereinafter referred to as "two-dimensional information explanation text").

[0641] When the two-dimensional code 60B is optically read by the smartphone 200, it can be guided and connected to the recipe data providing server 301 that stores information on various cooking recipes. This two-dimensional information explanation 60C and the display text 60A are a type of "common information during standby" 60N.

[0642] After the display screen 1 in FIG. 46 is displayed, the display screen 2A or 2B may be automatically displayed. Furthermore, after the display screen 2A or 2B of Fig. 46 is displayed, the display screen 2C may be automatically displayed. On this display screen 2C, a recommendation 60H is displayed to prompt the user US to perform an input operation to select a heating source.

[0643] On the display screen 2A, the text "Caution: Bumping" is one of the warning symbols 60E. This "bumping" refers to the phenomenon where, when heating a viscous food (liquid) such as curry or stew, the inside of the food overheats above its boiling point, causing sudden, violent boiling. As steam escapes from the heated liquid, hot droplets can fly, creating a dangerous situation. The timing and cause of bumping are said to be the introduction of foreign matter or impact from outside. Therefore, when a metal pot or other food containing food is placed on the top plate 3 and induction heated, caution is advised when stirring the food. The information displayed in this warning is a type of "Standby Common Information" 60N.

[0644] The four display screens, namely, display screen 1 and display screens 2A to 2C shown in Fig. 46, are called "common screens" or "standby initial screens" 16MH. Note that forms other than these four may also be included in the common screen 16MH.

[0645] On display screen 2B, 60E is a caution display warning that the temperature inside heating chamber 6 is high and to avoid careless contact. If control device 40 detects that heating chamber 6 has not yet cooled down sufficiently after oven cooking has been performed in heating chamber 6, the display screen 2B will automatically switch to this state.

[0646] Although the display screens 2A and 2B cannot be displayed simultaneously, they may be displayed alternately at intervals of a few seconds to alert users to both the bumping boiling indication and the high temperature indication. The alerts displayed on the display screens 2A and 2B may also be issued in parallel via audio notification unit 50.

[0647] On the display screen 2C in Fig. 46, 60P is the above-mentioned acquisition operation support information. As shown in Fig. 46, the user US can recognize that the cooking appliance 1 can acquire recipe data CD from the smartphone 200 or the like and store the acquired data in the recipe data storage unit 42 (see Fig. 16) by voice by pressing the input key 180 (for selecting voice input mode 2) (the voice notification unit 50 may notify the user by voice in conjunction with this display).

[0648] As is clear from display screen 1 to display screens 2A to 2C in Fig. 46, the display of these various pieces of information, including the acquisition operation support information 60P, utilizes the entire display screen. In other words, rather than displaying the information partially in any of the first area 22 to third area 24 described above, in order to secure as large a display area as possible, the first area 22 to third area 24 are displayed as an integrated display so that they cannot be distinguished from one another, and the user US sees the information displayed on the entire central display section 16M.

[0649] Next, we will explain Figure 47. FIG. 47 is an enlarged plan view illustrating the operation of the left display part 16L of the cooking appliance 1. As shown in FIG. Fig. 47 shows the third specific screen 16M3 for the single cooking mode KM1. Fig. 47 is displayed when the input key 153L (see Fig. 12) is operated after step SS4 in Fig. 37.

[0650] Next, when input key 152L is operated, the control menus to be implemented for left heating port 4L are displayed one by one on left display unit 16L. As shown on display screen 3A in Figure 47, the user can separately set whether the control menu to be displayed first (default setting) is "Keep Warm," "Frying" on display screen 3B, or "Preheating" on display screen 3C.

[0651] Furthermore, when input key 153L is operated at step SM8 in Fig. 39, or when input key 152L is operated at step SM93 in Fig. 42, a control menu to be implemented by left heating port 4L is displayed on left display unit 16L. Each time input key 152L is pressed, the display of the control menu changes one by one (such as keep warm, deep fry, preheat, etc.). In other words, each time input key 152L is pressed, one of multiple control menus can be selected.

[0652] The control menus that can be selected for the left heating port 4L (in induction heating single cooking mode KM1) include, for example, "keep warm," "boil water," "stewing," "frying (automatic cooking)," and "preheating." The operating time, heat power, or operating pattern of the left IH coil 9L differs for each control menu.

[0653] Display screen 3A in Figure 47 shows the case where the "Keep Warm" control menu is selected. Display screen 3B shows the case where the "Deep Fry" control menu is selected. Display screen 3C shows the case where the "Preheat" control menu is selected. 179A is the auxiliary information. After switching to the voice input mode, this auxiliary information 179A is displayed adjacent to the display portion of the name of each control menu on the third specific screen 16M3. Therefore, it is not displayed when the voice input mode is not in effect.

[0654] When "Keep Warm" is selected in the control menu (in induction heating single cooking mode KM1) using the central IH coil 9M that is responsible for the central heating port 4C on the central display unit 16M, the display screen 3A shown in Fig. 47 is displayed. In this case, the central display unit 16M has a display form similar to that of the display screen 3A, and this screen is called a "third s...

Claims

1. A heating means; an input operation unit for receiving instructions from a user; a communication unit that receives recipe data from an external device; a notification unit having a display unit; a control device; The input operation unit has touch-type input keys for selecting cooking contents, the input operation unit transmits a voice input mode corresponding signal to the control device in accordance with a touch state of the input key; the control device starts up the display unit, and then displays an initial standby screen on the display unit; when the control device receives the voice input mode compatible signal from the input operation unit during a period in which warning information and information prompting selection of a heating source are alternately displayed on the standby initial screen, the control device enables acquisition of the recipe data via the communication unit and accepts a command to set control conditions for the recipe data; When the control device receives the voice input mode corresponding signal from the input operation unit, the control device displays a specific screen corresponding to one of the cooking modes instead of the standby initial screen, A cooking device characterized in that the specific screen displays information indicating that the voice input mode is set, and auxiliary information for the voice input mode, including information indicating the range of control conditions that can be input by voice and numerical values.

2. The cooking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the control device receives the voice input mode compatible signal, it does not accept input by touch operation from at least one of the first input key to the third input key on the input operation unit.

3. The cooking device according to claim 1, characterized in that, after receiving the voice input mode compatible signal, the control device cancels the voice input mode when it accepts input from a start key on the input operation unit and starts a cooking operation.

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