Cooking appliances and cooking systems

Abstract

To provide a heating cooker capable of executing cooking based on a preset coordinated cooking mode even if setting is performed from an external apparatus by a user, and a heating cooking system.SOLUTION: A communication section receives from an external apparatus an instruction of heating by any one of a first heating section, a second heating section, and a third heating section. An operation section receives setting of a coordinated cooking mode for causing the first heating section and the third heating section to execute heating in an order based on a predetermined cooking menu. The instruction from the external apparatus includes a single setting instruction which instructs heating by the first heating section. In a case where the communication section receives the single setting instruction before the setting of the coordinated cooking mode is fixed, the control section changes a heating entity in the coordinated cooking mode from the first heating section to the second heating section and defines the heating entity based on the single setting instruction as the first heating section. In a case where the communication section receives the single setting instruction after the setting of the coordinated cooking mode is fixed, the control section defines the heating entity in the coordinated cooking mode as the first heating section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 28

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking appliance having a plurality of heating sources and a cooking system including the cooking appliance.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a cooking appliance having a plurality of heating sources and operating the plurality of heating sources in a predetermined sequence is known. The cooking appliance described in Patent Document 1 operates a plurality of heating sources in cooking by setting a cooperative cooking mode.

[0003] On the other hand, a cooking appliance that communicates with an external device and receives settings from the external device, including the cooking appliance described in Patent Document 1, is also known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, in a cooking appliance that receives settings from an external device and also receives the setting of the above-described cooperative cooking mode, the following problems may occur. First, after the cooperative cooking mode is set in the cooking appliance, for a heating source that performs heating based on the cooperative cooking mode, settings regarding, for example, the heat intensity may be made from the external device. Then, the setting content such as the heat intensity defined in the cooperative cooking mode may be overwritten by the setting content from the external device. As a result, there is a risk that the cooking by the cooperative cooking mode will not be achieved.

[0006] This disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a heating appliance that can perform cooking based on a set cooperative cooking mode even when the settings are made from an external device, and a heating appliance and cooking system including said heating appliance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The heating appliance according to this disclosure comprises: a plurality of heating units for heating an object to be heated; a communication unit that communicates with an external device and receives instructions from the external device to heat by any of the plurality of heating units; an operation unit that receives settings for all or some of the plurality of heating units to perform heating; and a control unit that controls all or some of the plurality of heating units based on both or either the instructions received by the communication unit and the settings received by the operation unit, wherein the plurality of heating units include a first heating unit, a second heating unit and a third heating unit, the heating methods of the first heating unit and the second heating unit are the same, and the heating method of the third heating unit differs from the heating methods of the first heating unit and the second heating unit, and the settings received by the operation unit The setting of a coordinated cooking mode includes causing the first heating unit and the third heating unit to perform heating in an order based on a predetermined cooking menu, the instruction from the external device includes a standalone setting instruction that instructs heating by the first heating unit, and the control unit, when the communication unit receives the standalone setting instruction while the setting of the coordinated cooking mode has not been finalized, changes the heating unit in the coordinated cooking mode from the first heating unit to the second heating unit and sets the first heating unit as the heating unit that performs heating based on the standalone setting instruction, and when the communication unit receives the standalone setting instruction while the setting of the coordinated cooking mode has been finalized, sets the first heating unit as the heating unit in the coordinated cooking mode.

[0008] The heating cooking system according to this disclosure is a heating cooking system comprising a heating cooker that performs heating cooking and an external device that communicates with the heating cooker, wherein the heating cooker comprises a plurality of heating units that heat a food to be heated, a communication unit that receives instructions from the external device to heat by any of the plurality of heating units, an operation unit that receives settings for all or some of the plurality of heating units to perform heating, and a control unit that controls all or some of the plurality of heating units based on both or either the instructions received by the communication unit and the settings received by the operation unit, wherein the plurality of heating units include a first heating unit, a second heating unit and a third heating unit, the heating methods of the first heating unit and the second heating unit are the same, and the heating method of the third heating unit is the same as that of the first heating unit and the second heating unit Unlike the heating method, the settings received by the operation unit include the setting of a coordinated cooking mode in which the first heating unit and the third heating unit perform heating in a predetermined order based on a cooking menu, and the instructions from the external device include a single setting instruction that instructs heating by the first heating unit, and the control unit, when the communication unit receives the single setting instruction while the coordinated cooking mode setting is not yet finalized, changes the primary heating unit in the coordinated cooking mode from the first heating unit to the second heating unit and sets the first heating unit as the primary heating unit that performs heating based on the single setting instruction, and when the communication unit receives the single setting instruction while the coordinated cooking mode setting is finalized, sets the primary heating unit in the coordinated cooking mode to the first heating unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the heating appliance and heating system described herein, if the communication unit receives a standalone setting instruction before the linked cooking mode setting is finalized, the control unit changes the primary heating unit in linked cooking mode from the first heating unit to the second heating unit. The control unit then sets the primary heating unit based on the standalone setting instruction to the first heating unit. On the other hand, if the communication unit receives a standalone setting instruction after the linked cooking mode setting has been finalized, the control unit sets the primary heating unit in linked cooking mode to the first heating unit. Therefore, a conflict between the standalone setting instruction received by the communication unit and the linked cooking mode setting received by the operation unit is avoided. Thus, even if the settings are made by an external device, the heating appliance can perform cooking based on the set linked cooking mode. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of the heating and cooking system 100 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the installation of the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section of the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1, in the direction along the XX direction in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the upper surface of the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the central operation notification area in Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the left operation notification area in Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the right operation notification area in Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the heating cooker 1 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] This figure shows a first example of the setting screen for the heating appliance 1 displayed by the first external device 4 in Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] This figure illustrates the heat output setting screen in Embodiment 1. [Figure 11]It is a diagram illustrating the timer setting screen in Embodiment 1. [Figure 12] It is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the control unit 32 in Embodiment 1. [Figure 13] It is a plan view schematically showing an example of changes in the display content of the central display unit 24C before and after an operation on the power operation unit 23 in Embodiment 1. [Figure 14] It is a plan view schematically showing the state change of the left operation notification area before and after an operation for causing the left heating coil 13L to perform heating in Embodiment 1. [Figure 15] It is a plan view schematically showing the state changes of the central display unit 24C and the left operation notification area before and after an operation for causing the left heating coil 13L to perform heating based on the single cooking mode in Embodiment 1. [Figure 16] It is a plan view schematically showing a first example of the screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting the microwave oscillator 19 to perform heating based on the single cooking mode in Embodiment 1. [Figure 17] It is a plan view schematically showing a second example of the screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting the microwave oscillator 19 to perform heating based on the single cooking mode in Embodiment 1. [Figure 18] It is a plan view schematically showing a third example of the screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting the microwave oscillator 19 to perform heating based on the single cooking mode in Embodiment 1. [Figure 19] It is a plan view schematically showing an example of the screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 to perform heating based on the single cooking mode in Embodiment 1. [Figure 20] It is a schematic diagram for explaining a first example of the operations of the central display unit 24C and the central operation light emitting unit 26C based on an operation on the central operation unit 22C in Embodiment 1. [Figure 21] It is a plan view schematically exemplifying the state change of the central display area in the cooperative cooking mode in Embodiment 1. [Figure 22] It is a flowchart exemplifying the processing flow in each of the cooperative cooking mode and the single cooking mode of the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 23] It is a time chart exemplifying the processing flow until the start of heating based on the cooperative cooking mode by the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 24] It is a time chart showing a first example of the processing flow in the cooperative cooking mode of the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 25] It is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the cooking system 100 when remotely setting the heating power of the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 26] It is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the cooking system 100 when remotely setting the heating time of the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 27] It is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the cooking system 100 when remotely setting the extension of the heating time of the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 28] It is a time chart exemplifying the processing flow when the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 receives a single setting instruction before the confirmation of the cooperative cooking mode. [Figure 29] It is a time chart exemplifying the processing flow when the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 receives a single setting instruction after the confirmation of the cooperative cooking mode. [Figure 30] It is a time chart exemplifying the processing flow when the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 receives a cooperation cancellation instruction before the confirmation of the cooperative cooking mode. [Figure 31] It is a time chart exemplifying the processing flow when the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 2 receives a single setting instruction before the confirmation of the cooperative cooking mode. [Figure 32] It is a time chart showing a first example of the processing flow when the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 2 receives a single setting instruction and a cooperation cancellation instruction after the confirmation of the cooperative cooking mode. [Figure 33]This is a time chart showing a second example of the processing flow when the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 2 receives a standalone setting instruction and a linkage cancellation instruction after the linked cooking mode has been determined. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following description details a heating appliance according to an embodiment, with reference to the drawings. Note that the relative sizes of the components in the following drawings may differ from those of the actual components.

[0012] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of a heating and cooking system 100 according to Embodiment 1. The heating and cooking system 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a heating and cooking appliance 1, a first external device 4, and a second external device 5. The first external device 4 and the second external device 5 are examples of external devices.

[0013] The heating appliance 1 heats the object to be heated. The first external device 4 is a device capable of wired or wireless communication and capable of inputting and outputting information. Information output refers to the display of information on a screen or the output of information by sound. Examples of the first external device 4 include terminal devices such as smart speakers, smartphones, or tablet devices. The second external device 5 is an example such as a cloud server.

[0014] Each of the heating appliance 1 and the first external device 4 communicates with the second external device 5 by wire or wireless connection. Either or both of the heating appliance 1 and the first external device 4 may communicate with the second external device 5 via a relay device such as a router. The heating appliance 1 and the first external device 4 communicate with each other via the second external device 5.

[0015] The second external device 5 converts the information received from the cooking appliance 1 into a format that the first external device 4 can output. The second external device 5 also converts the information received from the first external device 4 into a format that the cooking appliance 1 can process. More specifically, the second external device 5 converts the text or audio information received from the first external device 4 into control information for controlling the cooking appliance 1.

[0016] The first external device 4 may also be capable of converting the information transmitted by the cooking appliance 1 into an outputtable format and transmitting various information to the cooking appliance 1 in a format that the cooking appliance 1 can process. Alternatively, the cooking appliance 1 may convert the information transmitted by the first external device 4 into a format that it can process and transmit various information to the first external device 4 in a format that the first external device 4 can process. In either of these cases, the first external device 4 may communicate with the cooking appliance 1 without going through the second external device 5, and the cooking system 100 may not include the second external device 5.

[0017] Figure 2 shows an example of the installation of the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section of the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 in the direction along the XX direction in Figure 2. The cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 is a built-in IH (Induction Heating) cooking heater used by being incorporated into kitchen furniture 6 equipped with a cooking counter on top. The cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 has a main body 10 and a top plate 11 installed on the main body 10. The top plate 11 is exposed along the upper surface of the kitchen furniture 6 when the cooking appliance 1 is installed.

[0018] The top plate 11 is composed of, for example, a heat-resistant glass plate and a metal frame attached around the glass plate. Three heating regions 12 are provided on the upper surface of the top plate 11: a left heating region 12L, a right heating region 12R, and a central heating region 12C.

[0019] The left heating area 12L, the right heating area 12R, and the central heating area 12C are areas on which metal cooking containers such as pots or frying pans are placed. In the following, the cooking container, the food to be cooked, and the heat-resistant containers used during cooking may be collectively referred to as the heating targets. Guide marks are printed or otherwise provided on the upper surface of the top plate 11 at the positions corresponding to the left heating area 12L, the right heating area 12R, and the central heating area 12C to guide the placement of the heating targets.

[0020] Below the left heating region 12L, the left heating coil 13L shown in Figure 3 is provided. Similarly, below the right heating region 12R, the right heating coil 13R is provided, and below the central heating region 12C, the central heating coil 13C is provided. Hereafter, the left heating coil 13L, the right heating coil 13R, and the central heating coil 13C may each be referred to as heating coil 13.

[0021] Examples of heating coils 13 include those obtained by twisting together multiple bundles of copper or aluminum wires with a diameter and length of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm and winding them in a spiral shape. Alternatively, examples include those obtained by winding around 1000 to 1500 strands of copper or aluminum wires with a diameter and length of approximately 0.05 mm. In addition, heating coils 13 may also include those containing a conductor obtained by forming a ring shape from a flat conductive material.

[0022] The heating coil 13 generates a high-frequency magnetic field when a high-frequency current is supplied to it by a high-frequency power supply circuit, such as an inverter circuit. As a result, the left heating coil 13L heats the left heating region 12L, the right heating coil 13R heats the right heating region 12R, and the central heating coil 13C heats the central heating region 12C. Therefore, the objects to be heated placed in the left heating region 12L, the right heating region 12R, and the central heating region 12C are heated. The heating coil 13 is an example of a heating unit 27, which will be described later.

[0023] The cooking appliance 1 is equipped with one or more first temperature sensors 14A at a predetermined distance from the heating coil 13 to measure the temperature of the top plate 11 or the object to be heated on the top plate 11.

[0024] Inside the main body 10 of the cooking appliance 1, there is a heating chamber 15, which is a space for accommodating and heating the object to be heated. The heating chamber 15 is surrounded by a metal wall, such as stainless steel.

[0025] An opening is formed on the front of the main body 10, connecting the outside with the inside of the heating chamber 15, and a door 16 is provided to cover this opening. The door 16 is provided with a handle 17 for opening and closing. The user can open and close the door 16 using the handle 17.

[0026] In Embodiment 1, the door 16 is rotatably supported on the main body 10 via hinges and arms, etc. The door 16 opens horizontally forward, with its lower end as the pivot point. The door 16 may also be integrated with a support member that supports the object to be heated from below, and may open by being pulled forward together with the support member by a slide rail or the like.

[0027] Door 16 is provided with an open / close detection unit 18 for detecting the opening and closing of door 16. The open / close detection unit 18 includes, for example, a microswitch or an infrared sensor. Behind the heating chamber 15 is a microwave oscillator 19 for heating the object to be heated housed in the heating chamber 15. This microwave oscillator 19 is composed of, for example, a magnetron, and heats the object to be heated in the heating chamber 15 by irradiating microwaves into the heating chamber 15. Note that the microwave oscillator 19 is not limited to a magnetron, and there are no restrictions on the principle and method of microwave oscillation. The microwave oscillator 19 is an example of a heating unit 27, which will be described later.

[0028] The heating chamber 15 is provided with an upper heater 20A and a lower heater 20B. The upper heater 20A and the lower heater 20B are radiant electric heat sources such as sheathed heaters, mica heaters, carbon heaters, ceramic heaters, infrared heaters, or radiant heaters.

[0029] The upper heater 20A is installed on the ceiling wall of the heating chamber 15 and heats the object to be heated from above by radiant heat. The lower heater 20B is located on the bottom of the heating chamber 15 and heats the object to be heated from below by radiant heat. Hereafter, the upper heater 20A and the lower heater 20B may each be referred to as the radiant heater 20. The radiant heater 20 is an example of the heating unit 27 described later.

[0030] The heating chamber 15 is provided with a second temperature sensor 14B for non-contact measurement of the temperature of the object to be heated inside the heating chamber 15. In Embodiment 1, this non-contact second temperature sensor 14B is an infrared sensor. In Embodiment 1, the second temperature sensor 14B is set to measure temperatures in the range of -20°C to 100°C, and measures the degree of heating of the object to be heated in real time, for example in increments of 1°C.

[0031] The heating chamber 15 is provided with one or more third temperature sensors 14C for measuring the ambient temperature inside the heating chamber 15, or the temperature of the walls of the heating chamber 15, etc. One or more third temperature sensors 14C are installed, for example, on both or one of the bottom and ceiling surfaces of the heating chamber 15. In Embodiment 1, the third temperature sensor 14C is a contact type and is a thermistor sensor. The third temperature sensor 14C measures temperature by electrical resistance and measures temperatures up to, for example, 250°C.

[0032] An exhaust port is formed in the rear portion of the top plate 11, and an exhaust port cover 21 is provided to cover the exhaust port. The exhaust port cover 21 is made of perforated metal with multiple through holes, or a lattice-shaped metal member, etc. The exhaust port cover 21 is configured to have low airflow resistance, and the air inside the cooking appliance 1 flows out of the cooking appliance 1 through the exhaust port cover 21. This allows the heat generated inside the cooking appliance 1 by the heating coil 13, microwave oscillator 19, and radiant heater 20 to be transferred to the outside.

[0033] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the upper surface of the heating cooker 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 4, a heating operation unit 22 is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the top plate 11 of the heating cooker 1. The heating operation unit 22 is an example of an operation unit. The heating operation unit 22 includes a left operation unit 22L, a right operation unit 22R, and a central operation unit 22C. The left operation unit 22L receives instructions to heat the left heating area 12L. The right operation unit 22R receives instructions to heat the right heating area 12R. The central operation unit 22C receives instructions to heat the heating chamber 15 and the central heating area 12C.

[0034] A power control unit 23 is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the top plate 11. The power control unit 23 is an example of an operating unit. In Embodiment 1, the power control unit 23 is provided on the top plate 11 adjacent to the right operating unit 22R. The power control unit 23 receives the operation to switch the power of the cooking appliance 1 on and off.

[0035] On the upper surface of the top plate 11, behind the heating operation unit 22 and the power operation unit 23, a display unit 24 and a heat level notification unit 25 are provided. The display unit 24 includes a left display unit 24L, a right display unit 24R, and a center display unit 24C. The left display unit 24L, the right display unit 24R, and the center display unit 24C each have a liquid crystal screen. The heat level notification unit 25 includes a left heat level notification unit 25L and a right heat level notification unit 25R. The left heat level notification unit 25L and the right heat level notification unit 25R will be described later. Hereafter, the area on the top plate 11 including the left operation unit 22L, the left display unit 24L, and the left heat level notification unit 25L may be referred to as the left operation notification area. Also, the area on the top plate 11 including the right operation unit 22R, the right display unit 24R, and the right heat level notification unit 25R may be referred to as the right operation notification area. Furthermore, the area on the top plate 11 that includes the central operation unit 22C and the central display unit 24C may also be referred to as the central operation notification area.

[0036] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the central operation notification area in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 5, the central operation unit 22C in Embodiment 1 includes a function setting key 220C, a first central temperature decrease key 221C, a first central temperature increase key 222C, a second central temperature decrease key 223C, a second central temperature increase key 224C, a third central temperature decrease key 225C, a third central temperature increase key 226C, a central start key 227C, and a central cancel key 228C on the top plate 11. Hereafter, each of these keys in the central operation notification area may be referred to as a central key. In Embodiment 1, the central keys are assumed to be capacitive touch sensors, but they may also be push buttons including mechanical switches.

[0037] The function setting key 220C accepts settings for the heating appliance 1 from the user. The settings via the function setting key 220C will be described later. The first central heat reduction key 221C accepts instructions to reduce the degree of heating by the central heating coil 13C. The first central heat increase key 222C accepts instructions to increase the degree of heating by the central heating coil 13C. Hereafter, the degree of heating will be referred to as heat output.

[0038] The second central heat reduction key 223C receives an instruction to reduce the heat output of the microwave oscillator 19. The second central heat increase key 224C receives an instruction to increase the heat output of the microwave oscillator 19. The third central heat reduction key 225C receives an instruction to reduce the heat output of the radiant heater 20. The third central heat increase key 226C receives an instruction to increase the heat output of the radiant heater 20. The central start key 227C receives an instruction to start heating by at least one of the central heating coil 13C, microwave oscillator 19, and radiant heater 20. The central cancel key 228C receives an instruction to stop heating from the central heating coil 13C, microwave oscillator 19, and radiant heater 20 that was performing the heating.

[0039] The central operation unit 22C is provided with a central operation light-emitting unit 26C. The central operation light-emitting unit 26C is located in the central operation notification area on the top plate 11. The central operation light-emitting unit 26C includes a first central operation light-emitting unit 260C, a second central operation light-emitting unit 261C, a third central operation light-emitting unit 262C, a fourth central operation light-emitting unit 263C, and a fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C. Each of the first to fifth central operation light-emitting units 260C to 264C has a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

[0040] The first central operation light-emitting unit 260C is provided in association with the function setting key 220C and lights up in response to input operations on the function setting key 220C. The second central operation light-emitting unit 261C is provided in association with the first central temperature decrease key 221C and the first central temperature increase key 222C and lights up in response to input operations on the first central temperature decrease key 221C and the first central temperature increase key 222C. The third central operation light-emitting unit 262C is provided in association with the second central temperature decrease key 223C and the second central temperature increase key 224C and lights up in response to input operations on the second central temperature decrease key 223C and the second central temperature increase key 224C.

[0041] The fourth central operation light-emitting unit 263C is provided in association with the third central temperature decrease key 225C and the third central temperature increase key 226C, and lights up in response to input operations on the third central temperature decrease key 225C and the third central temperature increase key 226C. The fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C is provided in association with the central start key 227C and the central cancel key 228C, and lights up in response to input operations on the central start key 227C and the central cancel key 228C.

[0042] The central display unit 24C displays information indicating the operating status of the cooking appliance 1, as well as alarms indicating abnormalities in the cooking appliance 1. More specifically, the central display unit 24C displays information on the screen indicating one of the multiple heating units 27 selected by the user via the heating operation unit 22. The central display unit 24C also displays the operating status of each of the multiple heating units 27, as well as warning information related to heating by each of the multiple heating units 27, on the screen.

[0043] The central display unit 24C may display different content in each of the multiple areas on the screen, or it may display one content across two or more of the multiple areas. The central display unit 24C illustrated in Figure 5 has a first central display area 240C, a second central display area 241C, and a third central display area 242C on the screen. The central display unit 24C may display different content in each of the first central display area 240C, the second central display area 241C, and the third central display area 242C. The central display unit 24C may display one content in two or more of the first central display area 240C, the second central display area 241C, and the third central display area 242C.

[0044] Touching or pressing the function setting key 220C causes the central display unit 24C to display a function setting menu as follows. The function setting menu includes options such as a child lock setting to disable input to the heating operation unit 22, a ventilation fan linkage setting to link the ventilation fan, an automatic cleaning notification function setting for the heating chamber 15 and exhaust cover 21, a maximum power consumption setting, a voice setting for the voice guidance, a volume setting for the voice guidance, a notification setting to prevent forgetting to remove the heating object from the heating chamber 15, and settings related to HEMS (Home Energy Management System). The above various settings are made by operating the central operation unit 22C.

[0045] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the left operation notification area in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 6, the left operation unit 22L in Embodiment 1 includes a left cooking selection key 220L, a left heat reduction key 221L, a left heat increase key 222L, a left timer key 223L, and a left start key 224L on the top plate 11. Hereafter, each of these keys in the left operation notification area may be referred to as a left key. In Embodiment 1, the left keys are assumed to be capacitive touch sensors, but they may be push buttons including mechanical switches.

[0046] The left cooking selection key 220L is used to select one of several cooking processes performed in the left heating area 12L. Each time the left cooking selection key 220L is touched or pressed, one of several cooking processes can be selected. The cooking process menu includes options such as boiling, simmering, preheating, and deep-frying. Depending on the item in the cooking process menu, the heating time of the left heating coil 13L or the heat output of the left heating coil 13L may change. Note that heating time refers to the time during which the heating unit 27 performs the heating process.

[0047] The left heat reduction key 221L receives a command to reduce the heat output of the left heating coil 13L. Each time the left heat reduction key 221L is touched or pressed, the heat output decreases by one step. The left heat increase key 222L receives a command to increase the heat output of the left heating coil 13L. Each time the left heat increase key 222L is touched or pressed, the heat output increases by one step. The heat output of the left heating coil 13L has nine levels, ranging from a minimum rated heat output of, for example, 150[W] to a maximum rated heat output of, for example, 3200[W].

[0048] The left timer key 223L accepts the timer setting for cooking in the left heating area 12L. The user can set the heating time for the left heating coil 13L by touching or pressing the left timer key 223L.

[0049] The left start key 224L is used to start or stop heating in the left heating area 12L. When the heating process by the left heating coil 13L is stopped, contact with the left start key 224L or pressing the left start key 224L starts the heating process by the left heating coil 13L and heats the left heating area 12L. When the left heating coil 13L is performing the heating process, contact with the left start key 224L or pressing the left start key 224L stops the heating of the left heating area 12L by the left heating coil 13L.

[0050] In Embodiment 1, if the left start key 224L is operated when the left heating coil 13L is not performing a heating process and the heat output of the left heating coil 13L has not been set, the cooking appliance 1 will stand by for heating by the left heating coil 13L. In this case, if the heat output of the left heating coil 13L is set and the left start key 224L is operated again, the left heating coil 13L will perform heating at the set heat output. In addition, the cooking appliance 1 may be provided with a key that accepts an instruction to stand by for heating by the left heating coil 13L, separate from the left start key 224L.

[0051] The left operation unit 22L is provided with a left operation light-emitting unit 26L. The left operation light-emitting unit 26L is located in the left operation notification area on the top plate 11. The left operation light-emitting unit 26L includes a first left operation light-emitting unit 260L, a second left operation light-emitting unit 261L, a third left operation light-emitting unit 262L, and a fourth left operation light-emitting unit 263L. Each of the first to fourth left operation light-emitting units 260L to 263L has a light-emitting element such as an LED.

[0052] The first left operation light-emitting unit 260L is provided in correspondence with the left start key 224L and lights up in response to input operation on the left start key 224L. The second left operation light-emitting unit 261L is provided in correspondence with the left cooking selection key 220L and lights up in response to input operation on the left cooking selection key 220L. The third left operation light-emitting unit 262L is provided in correspondence with the left heat decrease key 221L and the left heat increase key 222L and lights up in response to input operation on the left heat decrease key 221L and the left heat increase key 222L. The fourth left operation light-emitting unit 263L is provided in correspondence with the left timer key 223L and lights up in response to input operation on the left timer key 223L.

[0053] The left display unit 24L displays information related to cooking in the left heating area 12L. Specifically, the left display unit 24L displays the timer setting time for the cooking of the item to be heated placed on the left heating area 12L, the elapsed time since the start of heating in the left heating area 12L, or the remaining time until the timer setting time is completed. If, for example, preheating is selected in the left heating area 12L, the left display unit 24L displays the default temperature or the current temperature of the left heating area 12L. The default temperature is a preset temperature and refers to the target temperature of the bottom surface of the item to be heated in the left heating area 12L. The default temperature can be changed by the user within a predetermined range.

[0054] The left heat output notification unit 25L has multiple left heat output light-emitting units 250L, which indicate the heat output from the left heating coil 13L in stages. Each left heat output light-emitting unit 250L includes a light-emitting element such as an LED. The cooking appliance 1 indicates the heat output from the left heating coil 13L in stages by switching the lighting state of each left heat output light-emitting unit 250L or by switching the lighting color of each left heat output light-emitting unit 250L. The cooking appliance 1 lights up a number of left heat output light-emitting units 250L corresponding to the heat output from the left heating coil 13L, such as lighting up more left heat output light-emitting units 250L the greater the heat output from the left heating coil 13L. When the left heating area 12L is in a warming state due to the left heating coil 13L, the cooking appliance 1 lights up one left heat output light-emitting unit 250L.

[0055] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the right operation notification area in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 7, the right operation unit 22R in Embodiment 1 includes a right cooking selection key 220R, a right heat reduction key 221R, a right heat increase key 222R, a right timer key 223R, and a right start key 224R on the top plate 11. Hereafter, each of these keys in the right operation notification area may be referred to as a right key. In Embodiment 1, the right keys are assumed to be capacitive touch sensors, but they may be push buttons including mechanical switches.

[0056] The right cooking selection key 220R is a key used to select one of several cooking processes to be performed in the right heating area 12R. Each time the right cooking selection key 220R is touched or pressed, one of several cooking processes can be selected. The cooking process menu includes options such as boiling water, simmering, preheating, and deep-frying. Depending on the item in the cooking process menu, the heating time of the right heating coil 13R or the heat output of the right heating coil 13R may change.

[0057] The right heat reduction key 221R receives a command to reduce the heat output of the right heating coil 13R. Each time the right heat reduction key 221R is touched or pressed, the heat output decreases by one step. The right heat increase key 222R receives a command to increase the heat output of the right heating coil 13R. Each time the right heat increase key 222R is touched or pressed, the heat output increases by one step. The heat output of the right heating coil 13R has nine levels, ranging from a minimum rated heat output of, for example, 150[W] to a maximum rated heat output of, for example, 3200[W].

[0058] The right timer key 223R accepts the timer setting for cooking in the right heating area 12R. The user can set the heating time of the right heating coil 13R by touching or pressing the right timer key 223R.

[0059] The right start key 224R is used to start or stop heating in the right heating region 12R. When the heating process by the right heating coil 13R is stopped, contact with the right start key 224R or pressing the right start key 224R starts the heating process by the right heating coil 13R and heats the right heating region 12R. When the right heating coil 13R is performing the heating process, contact with the right start key 224R or pressing the right start key 224R stops the heating of the right heating region 12R by the right heating coil 13R.

[0060] In Embodiment 1, if the right start key 224R is operated when the right heating coil 13R is not performing a heating process and the heat output of the right heating coil 13R has not been set, the cooking appliance 1 will stand by for heating using the right heating coil 13R. In this case, if the heat output of the right heating coil 13R is set and the right start key 224R is operated again, the right heating coil 13R will perform heating at the set heat output. In addition, the cooking appliance 1 may be provided with a key that accepts an instruction to stand by for heating using the right heating coil 13R, separate from the right start key 224R.

[0061] The right operation unit 22R is provided with a right operation light-emitting unit 26R. The right operation light-emitting unit 26R is located in the right operation notification area on the top plate 11. The right operation light-emitting unit 26R includes a first right operation light-emitting unit 260R, a second right operation light-emitting unit 261R, a third right operation light-emitting unit 262R, and a fourth right operation light-emitting unit 263R. Each of the first to fourth right operation light-emitting units 260R to 263R has a light-emitting element such as an LED.

[0062] The first right operation light-emitting unit 260R is provided in correspondence with the right start key 224R and lights up in response to input operations on the right start key 224R. The second right operation light-emitting unit 261R is provided in correspondence with the right cooking selection key 220R and lights up in response to input operations on the right cooking selection key 220R. The third right operation light-emitting unit 262R is provided in correspondence with the right heat decrease key 221R and the right heat increase key 222R and lights up in response to input operations on the right heat decrease key 221R and the right heat increase key 222R. The fourth right operation light-emitting unit 263R is provided in correspondence with the right timer key 223R and lights up in response to input operations on the right timer key 223R.

[0063] The right display unit 24R displays information related to cooking in the right heating area 12R. Specifically, the right display unit 24R displays the timer setting time for the food to be heated on the right heating area 12R, the elapsed time since the start of heating in the right heating area 12R, or the remaining time until the timer setting time is completed.

[0064] The right heat output notification unit 25R has multiple right heat output light-emitting units 250R, which indicate the heat output from the right heating coil 13R in stages. Each right heat output light-emitting unit 250R includes a light-emitting element such as an LED. The cooking appliance 1 indicates the heat output from the right heating coil 13R in stages by switching the lighting state of each right heat output light-emitting unit 250R or by switching the lighting color of each right heat output light-emitting unit 250R. The cooking appliance 1 lights up a number of right heat output light-emitting units 250R corresponding to the heat output from the right heating coil 13R, such as lighting up more right heat output light-emitting units 250R the greater the heat output from the right heating coil 13R. When the right heating area 12R is in a warming state due to the right heating coil 13R, the cooking appliance 1 lights up one right heat output light-emitting unit 250R.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, in Embodiment 1, a power control unit 23 is provided in the right display notification area on the top plate 11. The power control unit 23 includes a power button 230 located on the top plate 11 adjacent to the right operation unit 22R. The power button 230 in Embodiment 1 is a mechanical button that accepts operation when pressed.

[0066] The heating appliance 1 is turned on by pressing the power button 230 while it is in the off state. Conversely, the heating appliance 1 is turned off by pressing the power button 230 while it is in the on state. One way to switch the power on and off is to press and hold the power button 230 for several seconds.

[0067] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a heating cooker 1 according to Embodiment 1. The heating cooker 1 includes an open / close detection unit 18, a heating operation unit 22, a temperature sensor group 14, a power operation unit 23, a notification unit 30, a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, and a plurality of heating units 27.

[0068] The configuration and function of the heating unit 27 are as described above. Note that the multiple heating units 27 may include a steam generator that supplies high-temperature superheated steam or the like to the heating chamber 15. This steam generator may be included in the multiple heating units 27 in place of either or both of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 described above. The multiple heating units 27 may also include a gas combustor that heats the inside of the heating chamber 15. This gas combustor may be included in the multiple heating units 27 in place of either or both of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20. The multiple heating units 27 may also include a heating element that is located inside or outside the heating chamber 15 and heats the inside of the heating chamber 15 by heating elements that become high-temperature through induction heating or the like.

[0069] The configuration and functions of the opening / closing detection unit 18 and the heating operation unit 22 are as described above. The temperature sensor group 14 includes one or more first temperature sensors 14A, a second temperature sensor 14B, and one or more third temperature sensors 14C as described above.

[0070] The power control unit 23 includes the power button 230 and other components as described above, as well as a power switch 232. The power switch 232 is used to switch the power on and off. When the power to the cooking appliance 1 is off, pressing the power button 230 switches the power switch 232 so that power is supplied from the power circuit 233 to the control unit 32. When the power to the cooking appliance 1 is on, pressing the power button 230 switches the power switch 232 so that the power supply from the power circuit 233 to the control unit 32 is cut off.

[0071] The notification unit 30 includes the display unit 24 and the heat level notification unit 25 described above, and an audio output unit 33. The audio output unit 33 outputs audio information indicating the operating status of the heating cooker 1, and information related to heating and cooking. The communication unit 31 is configured using a communication interface circuit and communicates with the second external device 5, and communicates with the first external device 4 via the second external device 5. The communication unit 31 may also communicate with the first external device 4 without going through the second external device 5.

[0072] The control unit 32 controls the notification unit 30, the communication unit 31, and the multiple heating units 27. The control unit 32 is an electronic circuit board on which electronic components such as control circuits that control each of these units are mounted. Based on the measurement results from the temperature sensor group 14, the detection results from the open / close detection unit 18, the instructions input to the heating operation unit 22, or the information received by the communication unit 31, the control unit 32 controls one of the notification unit 30, the communication unit 31, or the multiple heating units 27.

[0073] Specifically, the control unit 32 controls the high-frequency power supply circuit that supplies power to the left heating coil 13L based on the operation of the left operation unit 22L and the temperature of the left heating region 12L measured by the first temperature sensor 14A. Similarly, the control unit 32 controls the high-frequency power supply circuit that supplies power to the right heating coil 13R based on the operation of the right operation unit 22R and the measurement results of the first temperature sensor 14A. Furthermore, the control unit 32 controls the high-frequency power supply circuit that supplies power to the central heating coil 13C based on the operation of the central operation unit 22C and the measurement results of the first temperature sensor 14A. The control unit 32 controls both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 based on the operation of the central operation unit 22C and the measurement results of the second temperature sensor 14B and the third temperature sensor 14C. The control unit 32 controls the left display unit 24L and the left heating power notification unit 25L based on the operation of the left operation unit 22L. Similarly, the control unit 32 controls the right display unit 24R and the right firepower notification unit 25R based on the operation of the right operation unit 22R. Furthermore, the control unit 32 controls the central display unit 24C based on the detection result of the opening / closing detection unit 18. In addition, the control unit 32 controls the central display unit 24C based on the operation of at least one of the left operation unit 22L, the right operation unit 22R, and the central operation unit 22C.

[0074] The control unit 32 stores control data such as various programs and parameters for controlling the communication unit 31, the notification unit 30, and the multiple heating units 27. The control unit 32 also stores data indicated by the notification unit 30. The control unit 32 has a timing function and measures the remaining time when a timer is set for heating by the left heating coil 13L or the right heating coil 13R, that is, when the heating time is set by the timer. When the remaining time becomes 0, the control unit 32 stops heating by the left heating coil 13L or the right heating coil 13R for which the timer was set. When a timer is set for heating by the left heating coil 13L, the control unit 32 displays the remaining time on the left display unit 24L. The control unit 32 also displays the set heating time on the left display unit 24L at the time the timer for heating by the left heating coil 13L is set. Similarly, when a timer is set for heating by the right heating coil 13R, the control unit 32 displays the remaining time on the right display unit 24R. The control unit 32 displays the set heating time on the right display unit 24R at the time the timer for heating by the right heating coil 13R is set.

[0075] In Embodiment 1, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to transmit timer information to the first external device 4 when the timer is set. Here, timer information refers to information corresponding to the remaining time of the heating time set by the timer. In Embodiment 1, the timer information indicates the remaining time before the heating time expires, and indicates the expiration of the heating time when the heating time has expired. The timer information may also be information that warns of the expiration of the heating time when the remaining heating time is a predetermined warning time, such as 10 seconds to 1 minute.

[0076] In Embodiment 1, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to transmit timer information to the first external device 4 if the communication unit 31 receives a transmission instruction for timer information from the first external device 4 before the heating time set by the timer expires. In Embodiment 1, the control unit 32 also controls the communication unit 31 to transmit timer information to the first external device 4 when the heating time has expired. The control unit 32 may also control the communication unit 31 to transmit timer information to the first external device 4 if the remaining time is the warning time. In addition, the control unit 32 may control the communication unit 31 to periodically transmit timer information to the first external device 4. In Embodiment 1, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to transmit timer information to the first external device 4 via the second external device 5.

[0077] In Embodiment 1, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to transmit timer information, as well as information indicating the heating status of both or one of the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R, to the first external device 4. Hereinafter, the information indicating the heating status of the heating coil 13 may also be referred to as heating information. Heating information is, for example, information indicating the heating power of the heating coil 13 or the temperature of the object to be heated. The temperature of the object to be heated is obtained by the first temperature sensor 14A. In Embodiment 1, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to transmit heating information to the first external device 4 when the communication unit 31 receives a transmission instruction for heating information from the first external device 4. The control unit 32 may also control the communication unit 31 to periodically transmit heating information to the first external device 4. In Embodiment 1, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to transmit heating information to the first external device 4 via the second external device 5.

[0078] The first external device 4 according to Embodiment 1 outputs timer information when it receives it. This allows the user of the cooking appliance 1 to recognize the status of the timer set on the cooking appliance 1, even when they are away from the cooking appliance 1. In other words, when the heating time has expired, the user can recognize the expiration of the heating time by the timer information output by the first external device 4. If the heating time has not yet expired, the user can recognize the remaining time by the timer information output by the first external device 4. In this case, if the remaining time is the estimated time, the user can predict the expiration of the heating time by the timer information output by the first external device 4.

[0079] The first external device 4 according to Embodiment 1 outputs heating information when it receives such information. This allows the user of the cooking appliance 1 to remotely recognize the heating state of the heating coil 13 that performs the heating process. Specifically, when the left heating coil 13L is performing the heating process, the user can recognize the heat output from the left heating coil 13L or the temperature of the object to be heated in the left heating area 12L based on the heating information output by the first external device 4. Similarly, when the right heating coil 13R is performing the heating process, the user can recognize the heat output from the right heating coil 13R or the temperature of the object to be heated in the right heating area 12R based on the heating information output by the first external device 4. In this case, the user may want to remotely make further settings for the cooking appliance 1 based on the information output by the first external device 4.

[0080] The heating and cooking system 100 according to Embodiment 1 allows for the remote setting of the heating time and heat output of the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R. However, the heating and cooking system 100 may also allow for the remote setting of only one of the heating time and heat output. The heating and cooking system 100 may also allow for the remote setting of both or one of the heating time and heat output of at least one of the heating units 27 among the central heating coil 13C, microwave oscillator 19, and radiant heater 20. In this case, the central start key 227C may receive an instruction to standby heating by at least one of the heating units 27 among the central heating coil 13C, microwave oscillator 19, and radiant heater 20. Alternatively, the central operation unit 22C may have a central standby key that receives an instruction to standby heating by at least one of the heating units 27 among the central heating coil 13C, microwave oscillator 19, and radiant heater 20. The cooking appliance 1 may be provided with a central timer key on the central control unit 22C that receives timer instructions for heating using one of the heating units 27, which is a central heating coil 13C, a microwave oscillator 19, or a radiant heater 20.

[0081] The following explanation will refer to Figure 7 and use the case where the heating time and heat output of the right heating coil 13R are set remotely as an example. In the following explanation, the case in which a smart speaker is used as the first external device 4 will be used as an example. The smart speaker has application software installed for setting the heating cooker 1.

[0082] After pressing the power button 230, contact with or pressing the right start key 224R causes the control unit 32 to enter a state where it can accept remote settings for either or both of the heating time and / or heat output of the right heating coil 13R. The control unit 32 may also control the communication unit 31 to transmit information to the first external device 4 indicating that the cooking appliance 1 has entered a state where it can accept remote settings for either or both of the heating time and / or heat output of the right heating coil 13R, in response to the operation of the right start key 224R. Hereinafter, the state in which the cooking appliance 1 can accept remote settings for either or both of the heating time and / or heat output of the heating unit 27 may be referred to as the remote standby state.

[0083] When the heating cooker 1 enters a remote standby state where it can accept remote settings for either or both of the heating time and / or heating power of the right heating coil 13R, the heating cooking system 100 performs the following processing: The control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to transmit a request for instructions regarding either the heating power or heating time of the right heating coil 13R to the first external device 4. The control unit 32 also controls the communication unit 31 to transmit the request to the first external device 4 via the second external device 5.

[0084] The first external device 4, in response to the received request, outputs a message via screen display or voice output asking about either the heat level or heating time of the right heating coil 13R. The first external device 4 receives voice instructions from the user regarding either the heat level or heating time of the right heating coil 13R. For example, if the request is for instructions regarding the heat level, the first external device 4 outputs a voice message such as, "What heat level would you like?" The first external device 4 then receives a voice instruction from the user, such as "Heat level 7". The first external device 4 transmits the received instruction to the cooking appliance 1 via the second external device 5. The control unit 32 makes settings according to the received instruction.

[0085] The control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to send a request to the first external device 4 for instructions regarding the other of the heating power and heating time of the right heating coil 13R. The control unit 32 also controls the communication unit 31 to send the request to the first external device 4 via the second external device 5.

[0086] The first external device 4, in response to the received request, outputs a message asking about the other of the heat output and heating time of the right heating coil 13R. For example, if the request is for instructions regarding the heating time, the first external device 4 outputs a voice message such as "Do you want to set the timer?". The first external device 4 then receives a voice instruction from the user, such as "Set". The first external device 4 transmits the received instruction to the cooking appliance 1 via the second external device 5. When the communication unit 31 receives an instruction to set the timer, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to send a request for instructions regarding the heating time to the first external device 4. The control unit 32 also controls the communication unit 31 to send this request to the first external device 4 via the second external device 5.

[0087] When the first external device 4 receives a request from the cooking appliance 1 for instructions on heating time, it outputs a voice message such as, "How long would you like it to heat?" The first external device 4 then receives a voice instruction from the user, for example, "7 minutes." The first external device 4 transmits the received instruction to the cooking appliance 1 via the second external device 5. The control unit 32 makes settings according to the received instruction.

[0088] Alternatively, instead of the control unit 32 sending a request for instructions regarding the necessity of a timer, and the communication unit 31 receiving the instruction to set the timer and then sending a request for instructions regarding the heating time to the communication unit 31, the operation of the right timer key 223R may be used as a trigger to send a request for instructions regarding the heating time to the communication unit 31.

[0089] As described above, the ability to remotely configure the cooking appliance 1 eliminates the need for the user to be in front of the appliance to configure it. Therefore, the user can configure the cooking appliance 1 with minimal interruption to their current work. Furthermore, since the user does not need to perform configuration work in front of the cooking appliance 1, the time required for work in front of the appliance can be reduced.

[0090] In Embodiment 1, when the communication unit 31 receives an instruction regarding the heating power, the control unit 32 uses the operation of the right start key 224R as a trigger to control the high-frequency power supply circuit so that the right heating coil 13R heats at the heating power indicated by the instruction. As a result, the right heating coil 13R starts heating. Also in Embodiment 1, when the communication unit 31 receives an instruction regarding the heating time, the control unit 32 uses the operation of the right timer key 223R as a trigger to start counting down the heating time indicated by the instruction. In this way, since the cooking appliance 1 starts heating in response to an operation of the heating operation unit 22, the user needs to be in front of the cooking appliance 1 in order to start heating. This allows the user to check whether the object to be heated is properly placed in the cooking appliance 1, or whether anything other than the object to be heated is placed in the cooking appliance 1, when starting heating in the cooking appliance 1. Thus, safety is ensured when the cooking appliance 1 is heating.

[0091] In Embodiment 1, the control unit 32 invalidates an instruction if the heating time in the instruction received by the communication unit 31 is longer than the upper limit of the heating time accepted by the right operation unit 22R. In other words, the control unit 32 does not perform any control in response to the instruction. Similarly, the control unit 32 invalidates an instruction if the heating time in the instruction received by the communication unit 31 is shorter than the lower limit of the heating time accepted by the right operation unit 22R.

[0092] In Embodiment 1, the control unit 32 invalidates an instruction if the firepower value in the instruction received by the communication unit 31 is greater than the upper limit of the firepower value accepted by the right operation unit 22R. Similarly, the control unit 32 invalidates an instruction if the firepower value in the instruction received by the communication unit 31 is less than the lower limit of the firepower value accepted by the right operation unit 22R.

[0093] If the control unit 32 invalidates the instruction regarding heating time received by the communication unit 31, it may control the communication unit 31 to resend a request for an instruction regarding heating time to the first external device 4. If the control unit 32 invalidates the instruction regarding heat level received by the communication unit 31, it may control the communication unit 31 to resend a request for an instruction regarding heat level to the first external device 4. The first external device 4 outputs the content of the re-received request. Furthermore, the control unit 32 may control the communication unit 31 to send information to the first external device 4, either along with or prior to the request, indicating that the content of the instruction received by the cooking appliance 1 was inappropriate and therefore invalidated. In this case, the first external device 4 outputs information indicating that the content of the instruction was inappropriate and therefore invalidated.

[0094] Alternatively, instead of the control unit 32, the first external device 4 may, through installed application software or the like, disable heating time instructions that are outside the range of both the lower and upper limits. If the first external device 4 disables heating time instructions, it may output information asking the user again for heating time. The first external device 4 may, through installed application software or the like, disable heat output instructions that are outside the range of both the lower and upper limits. If the first external device 4 disables heat output instructions, it may output information asking the user again for heating time.

[0095] The heating cooker 1 according to Embodiment 1 can perform heating for a heating time with a heating time increment less than or equal to the heating time increment received by the right operating unit 22R, by receiving instructions from the first external device 4 for a heating time increment less than or equal to the heating time increment received by the right operating unit 22R.

[0096] In Embodiment 1, when the heating time set by the timer expires, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to send a request for instructions on whether or not to extend the heating time to the first external device 4 via the second external device 5. The control unit 32 may also send timer information indicating the expiration of the heating time along with the request for instructions on whether or not to extend the heating time.

[0097] When the first external device 4 receives a request for instructions on whether or not to extend the heating time, it outputs a voice message, for example, "The timer has finished. Do you want to extend it?". The first external device 4 receives a voice instruction from the user, for example, "Extend." The first external device 4 transmits the received instruction to the cooking appliance 1 via the second external device 5. When the control unit 31 receives an instruction to extend the heating time, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to transmit a request for instructions on the extended heating time to the first external device 4 via the second external device 5.

[0098] When the first external device 4 receives a request for instructions regarding the extended heating time, it outputs a voice message such as, "How long would you like it heated?" The first external device 4 then receives a voice instruction from the user, for example, "3 minutes." The first external device 4 transmits the received instruction to the cooking appliance 1 via the second external device 5. The control unit 32 makes settings according to the received instruction.

[0099] In Embodiment 1, when the control unit 32 receives an instruction to extend the heating time, it restarts heating by the right heating coil 13R, triggered by an operation on the right timer key 223R or the right start key 224R. In other words, the extension of the heating time is confirmed by an operation on the right timer key 223R or the right start key 224R. An operation on the right timer key 223R or the right start key 224R is an example of an operation that indicates the confirmation of the extension of the heating time. When the extension of the heating time is confirmed, the control unit 32 may control the communication unit 31 to transmit information indicating the confirmation of the extension of the heating time to the first external device 4 via the second external device 5.

[0100] After an operation on the right timer key 223R or the right start key 224R, the control unit 32 starts counting down the heating time indicated by the received instruction and causes the right heating coil 13R to perform the heating process for that heating time. In this way, even if a user sends instructions about the settings to the cooking appliance 1 remotely, the user must operate the cooking appliance 1 in order for the cooking appliance 1 to start processing based on the instructions. This helps to maintain safety. In addition, the user can check the condition of the food to be heated placed in the cooking appliance 1 before having the cooking appliance 1 perform processing according to the settings, thus reducing unnecessary heating that may cause the food to break down or be overcooked.

[0101] In Embodiment 1, the right operation unit 22R can receive a change instruction regarding the extension of the heating time before receiving an operation indicating confirmation of the extension of the heating time. When the right operation unit 22R receives such a change instruction, the control unit 32 controls the high-frequency power supply circuit of the right heating coil 13R based on the change instruction. This allows the user to check the state of the object to be heated placed in the right heating area 12R and readjust the heating time according to the state of the object to be heated.

[0102] When the communication unit 31 receives an instruction to extend the heating time, the control unit 32 may control the communication unit 31 to send a request for an instruction regarding the heat level, in addition to the extended heating time, to the first external device 4 via the second external device 5. In this case, the first external device 4 outputs a voice message such as "What heat level would you like?" and receives an instruction regarding the heat level from the user, and transmits the instruction to the cooking appliance 1. The control unit 32 then triggers the operation of the right timer key 223R or the right start key 224R to restart heating at the heat level based on the instruction using the right heating coil 13R.

[0103] The cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 accepts a request to extend the heating time when the set heating time has expired. This reduces the possibility of the user misinterpreting the total heating time. However, the cooking appliance 1 may also accept a request to extend the heating time before the heating time has expired.

[0104] If the communication unit 31 does not receive an instruction to extend the heating time after the heating time has expired and during a predetermined instruction waiting period, the control unit 32 terminates its acceptance of instructions to extend the heating time from the first external device 4. Also, if the communication unit 31 receives an instruction from the first external device 4 that the heating time will not be extended, the control unit 32 terminates its acceptance of instructions to extend the heating time from the first external device 4. As a result, heating by the right heating coil 13R remains stopped after the heating time has expired until an operation to instruct heating is performed on the right operation unit 22R or the like. When the control unit 32 has terminated its acceptance of instructions to extend the heating time from the first external device 4, it controls the communication unit 31 to transmit information to the first external device 4 via the second external device 5 indicating that it has terminated its acceptance of instructions to extend the heating time.

[0105] The above describes how to remotely set the heating time and heat output for the right heating coil 13R, but the same applies to remotely setting the heating time and heat output for the left heating coil 13L. Furthermore, if it is possible to remotely set the heating time and heat output for any of the heating units 27 among the central heating coil 13C, microwave oscillator 19, and radiant heater 20, the remote setting of the heating time and heat output for that heating unit 27 is the same as in the case of the right heating coil 13R.

[0106] The above explanation described the remote setup of the cooking appliance 1, using the case where the first external device 4 is a smart speaker as an example. Below, we will explain the remote setup of the cooking appliance 1 when the first external device 4 is, for example, a smartphone or tablet device. Note that the application software for setting up the cooking appliance 1 is installed on the smartphone or tablet device.

[0107] Figure 9 shows a first example of the setting screen for the heating cooker 1 displayed by the first external device 4 in Embodiment 1. The first external device 4 accepts operations such as tapping on the areas 40 that indicate "Left," "Center," "Right," "Heat Level Setting," and "Timer Setting" as shown in Figure 9. Here, "Left" in Figure 9 refers to the left heating coil 13L, and when an operation such as tapping is performed on the left setting area 40L, which is the area 40 that indicates "Left," the first external device 4 accepts an instruction for setting heating by the left heating coil 13L. "Right" in Figure 9 refers to the right heating coil 13R, and when an operation is performed on the right setting area 40R, which is the area 40 that indicates "Right," the first external device 4 accepts an instruction for setting heating by the right heating coil 13R. Similarly, in Figure 9, "center" refers to the central heating coil 13C, and when an operation is performed on the central setting area 40C, which is the area 40 indicated as "center," the first external device 4 receives instructions for settings related to heating by the central heating coil 13C. Note that in Figure 9, "center" may refer to any of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, in addition to the central heating coil 13C. In this case, when an operation is performed on the central setting area 40C, the first external device 4 receives instructions for settings related to heating by any of the central heating coil 13C, microwave oscillator 19, and radiant heater 20. Note that if remote settings cannot be made for heating by the central heating coil 13C, microwave oscillator 19, and radiant heater 20, the central setting area 40C does not need to be included in the setting screen.

[0108] If remote setting is possible for heating by two or more heating units 27 among the central heating coil 13C, microwave oscillator 19, and radiant heater 20, the first external device 4 may enable the selection of any of the two or more heating units 27 that can be remotely set by operating on the heating unit selection area 40S, which is the area 40 indicated as "heating unit selection". In this case, the first external device 4 may, triggered by the operation on the heating unit selection area 40S, display areas containing information indicating each of the two or more heating units 27 as options. The first external device 4 may accept instructions regarding the heating unit 27 to be set by operating on any of the areas containing information indicating each of the two or more heating units 27. In addition, the first external device 4 may accept instructions to set the left heating coil 13L or the right heating coil 13R, etc., by operating on the heating unit selection area 40S. In this case, the left setting area 40L, the central setting area 40C, and the right setting area 40R on the setting screen may be displayed by operating the heating unit selection area 40S. Alternatively, separate from the left setting area 40L, the central setting area 40C, and the right setting area 40R on the setting screen, multiple areas for selecting the left heating coil 13L or the right heating coil 13R, etc., may be displayed on the screen of the first external device 4 by operating the heating unit selection area 40S.

[0109] When an operation is performed on the heat setting area 40F, which is the area 40 labeled "heat setting" as shown in Figure 9, the first external device 4 displays a setting screen to accept the heat setting from the heating unit 27, which performs heating by remote setting. Hereafter, the setting screen for accepting the heat setting may also be referred to as the heat setting screen.

[0110] When an operation is performed on the timer setting area 40T, which is the area 40 labeled "Timer Setting" as shown in Figure 9, the first external device 4 displays a setting screen to accept the setting of the heating time by the heating unit 27, which performs heating via remote setting. Hereafter, the setting screen for accepting the setting of the heating time may also be referred to as the timer setting screen.

[0111] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the heat output setting screen in Embodiment 1. The heat output setting screen shown in Figure 10 includes a heat output decrease mark 41D and a heat output increase mark 41U. The first external device 4 receives an instruction to decrease the heat output by an operation such as tapping the heat output decrease mark 41D. The first external device 4 receives an instruction to increase the heat output by an operation on the heat output increase mark 41U. The heat output display area 42 on the heat output setting screen shows the heat output to be set for the heating unit 27. In Figure 10, "5" is shown as the heat output to be set for the heating unit 27. By operating the heat output decrease mark 41D, the value of the heat output displayed in the heat output display area 42 decreases. Conversely, by operating the heat output increase mark 41U, the value of the heat output displayed in the heat output display area 42 increases. In Embodiment 1, the heat output displayed in the heat output display area 42 has an upper limit and a lower limit, the upper limit being equal to the upper limit of the heat output accepted by the heating operation unit 22, and the lower limit being equal to the lower limit of the heat output accepted by the heating operation unit 22. The first external device 4 receives an instruction to set the heat output to the value displayed in the heat output display area 42 at the time of operation on the heat output display area 42. When an operation such as tapping is performed on the heat output display area 42 in the state shown in Figure 10, the first external device 4 receives an instruction to set the heat output to 5.

[0112] Figure 11 is an example of the timer setting screen in Embodiment 1. The timer setting screen shown in Figure 11 includes a heating time reduction mark 43D and a heating time increase mark 43U. The first external device 4 receives an instruction to shorten the heating time by an operation such as tapping the heating time reduction mark 43D. The first external device 4 receives an instruction to lengthen the heating time by an operation on the heating time increase mark 43U. In Embodiment 1, the heating time can be changed in increments of 10 seconds to 1 minute up to 15 minutes, in increments of 5 minutes to 10 minutes from 15 minutes to 30 minutes, and in increments of 10 minutes to 15 minutes from 30 minutes to 90 minutes by an operation on the heating time reduction mark 43D and the heating time increase mark 43U. However, the units for changing the heating time are not limited to those described above. Also, the time range in which the units for changing the heating time change is not limited to those described above.

[0113] The heating time display area 44 on the timer setting screen shows the heating time to be set for the cooking appliance 1. In Figure 11, "10 minutes" is shown as the heating time to be set for the cooking appliance 1. By operating the heating time reduction mark 43D, the heating time displayed in the heating time display area 44 is shortened by the amount specified above. Conversely, by operating the heating time increase mark 43U, the heating time displayed in the heating time display area 44 is lengthened by the amount specified above. In Embodiment 1, the heating time displayed in the heating time display area 44 has an upper and lower limit, with the upper limit being equal to the upper limit of the heating time accepted by the heating operation unit 22, and the lower limit being equal to the lower limit of the heating time accepted by the heating operation unit 22. The first external device 4 receives an instruction to set the time displayed in the heating time display area 44 at the time of operation to the heating time display area 44 as the heating time for the selected heating unit 27. If an operation such as tapping is performed on the heating time display area 44 in the state shown in Figure 11, the first external device 4 receives an instruction to set the heating time to 10 minutes.

[0114] In addition to input via the setting screens shown in Figures 9 to 11, the first external device 4 may also accept numerical input. Furthermore, the first external device 4 may accept instructions regarding heat output and heating time by accepting numerical inputs indicating the respective heat output and heating time. In this case, if the heat output indicated by the input numerical value is outside the range of heat output accepted by the heating operation unit 22, the first external device 4 will invalidate the instruction regarding the heat output. Also, if the input heating time is longer than the upper limit of heating time accepted by the heating operation unit 22, the first external device 4 will invalidate the instruction regarding the heating time.

[0115] The above describes how to configure the cooking appliance 1 via the settings screen displayed on the first external device 4, when the first external device 4 is a smartphone or tablet device. However, the first external device 4, which is a smartphone or tablet device, may also function as a smart speaker as described above, and the settings for the cooking appliance 1 may be made by voice as described above.

[0116] The hardware configuration of the control unit 32 in Embodiment 1 will now be described with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the control unit 32 in Embodiment 1. The control unit 32 can be configured, for example, with a processor 35, memory 36, input interface circuit 37, and output interface circuit 38, which are connected to each other by a bus 34. The processor 35 can be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The memory 36 can be, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory). The functions of the control unit 32 can be realized by the processor 35 reading and executing various programs and data stored in the memory 36. The following functions of the control unit 32 can be realized by the processor 35 via the input interface circuit 37. These functions are the function of acquiring measurement results from the temperature sensor group 14, the function of acquiring detection results from the open / close detection unit 18, the function of acquiring instructions from the communication unit 31, and the function of acquiring instructions via the heating operation unit 22. The control function of the control unit 32, which controls the notification unit 30, the communication unit 31, and the multiple heating units 27, can be realized by the processor 35 via the output interface circuit 38.

[0117] The functions of the control unit 32 may be obtained not only through the cooperation of software and hardware as described above, but also through dedicated hardware. For example, all or part of the control unit 32 may be composed of hardware such as a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0118] The heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 has a coordinated cooking mode and a single cooking mode. The coordinated cooking mode refers to a mode in which two or more heating units 27 heat a single cooking menu, such as hamburgers or fried chicken, based on a predetermined sequence. The heating units 27 that are the main heating units in the coordinated cooking mode are two or more heating units 27 from among the heating coil 13, microwave oscillator 19, and radiant heater 20. In the coordinated cooking mode of Embodiment 1, the food to be heated is heated on the top plate 11 and in the heating chamber 15. Therefore, the two or more heating units 27 that are the main heating units in the coordinated cooking mode include one of the left heating coil 13L, the right heating coil 13R, and the central heating coil 13C, and both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and radiant heater 20.

[0119] The single-cook mode refers to a mode in which one or more heating units 27 heat the food to be heated, without following a predetermined sequence for a single cooking menu. Specifically, the single-cook mode is a mode for executing a single heating step in cooking. Therefore, the main heating element in the single-cook mode is one of the following: the left heating coil 13L, the right heating coil 13R, the central heating coil 13C, the microwave oscillator 19, and the radiant heater 20. However, depending on the heating step within the heating chamber 15, heating by both the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 may be required, so the main heating element in the single-cook mode includes a combination of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20.

[0120] In both the coordinated cooking mode and the individual cooking mode, the values ​​of control parameters for controlling each heating unit 27, such as the heat output, can be set. In both the coordinated cooking mode and the individual cooking mode, the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 may heat simultaneously or at different times.

[0121] The heating appliance 1 has multiple linked cooking modes corresponding to the number of cooking menus. The heating appliance 1 also has multiple individual cooking modes corresponding to multiple steps in cooking. Hereinafter, linked cooking modes and individual cooking modes may also be referred to as control modes. Each control mode is set by the user operating the heating operation unit 22 or the first external device 4. In Embodiment 1, as described later, each control mode is set by operating the first central heat decrease key 221C or the first central heat increase key 222C, etc. In Embodiment 1, the linked cooking mode is set by operating the first central heat decrease key 221C or the first central heat increase key 222C after operating the function setting key 220C.

[0122] The display contents of the central display unit 24C and other components in each control mode will be described below with reference to Figures 13 to 19. Figure 13 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the change in the display contents of the central display unit 24C before and after operation on the power operation unit 23 in Embodiment 1. Figure 14 is a schematic plan view showing the change in the state of the left operation notification area before and after operation to cause the left heating coil 13L to perform heating in Embodiment 1. Figure 15 is a schematic plan view showing the change in the state of the central display unit 24C and the left operation notification area before and after operation to cause the left heating coil 13L to perform heating based on the single cooking mode in Embodiment 1. Figure 16 is a schematic plan view showing a first example of the screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting the microwave oscillator 19 to perform heating based on the single cooking mode in Embodiment 1. Figure 17 is a schematic plan view showing a second example of the screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting the microwave oscillator 19 to perform heating based on the single cooking mode in Embodiment 1. Figure 18 is a schematic plan view showing a third example of the screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting up the microwave oscillator 19 in Embodiment 1 to perform heating based on the single-cook mode. Figure 19 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting up the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 in Embodiment 1 to perform heating based on the single-cook mode.

[0123] In Figure 13, white arrows indicate the change over time, and the screen of the central display unit 24C changes in the direction indicated by the white arrows when operated on the control unit. In Figure 13, when the power is off, no information is displayed on the central display unit 24C, as shown in (a1). When the power is turned on, as shown in (a2), the central display unit 24C displays a power-on screen 50 indicating that the power is on, based on instructions from the control unit 32. The power-on screen 50 includes a power status explanation text 50A indicating that the power is on, such as "Power is on". The power-on screen 50 in Embodiment 1 includes two-dimensional information 50B, such as a two-dimensional code for transitioning to a dedicated recipe posting site via the internet. The power-on screen 50 in Embodiment 1 also includes a two-dimensional information explanation text 50C, which is an explanation of the two-dimensional information 50B.

[0124] As shown in (a3) ​​of Figure 13, after the power-on screen 50 is displayed, the central display unit 24C may display either the first warning screen 51 or the second warning screen 52. The first warning screen 51 and the second warning screen 52 display a first warning message 51A that alerts the user, such as "Caution: Sudden boiling." Although the first warning screen 51 and the second warning screen 52 shown in Figure 13 include a power status explanation message 50A, the first warning screen 51 and the second warning screen 52 do not necessarily have to include the power status explanation message 50A. Here, "sudden boiling" refers to the phenomenon in which, when heating a viscous liquid object such as curry or stew, the inside of the object becomes superheated above its boiling point, causing sudden and violent boiling. In this case, hot droplets may scatter as heated steam is ejected, posing a risk of burns to the user. Sudden boiling can occur, for example, due to the intrusion of foreign matter from the outside into the object being heated, or due to impact to the object being heated. Therefore, the first warning screen 51 displays a second warning message 51B, such as "Stir before heating," which serves as a warning about stirring the food to be heated.

[0125] The second warning screen 52 displays a third warning message 52A in addition to the first warning message 51A, such as "Grill High Temperature Warning." The third warning message 52A warns against inadvertently touching the heated object or walls inside the heating chamber 15, which are at a high temperature. If the control unit 32 detects that the temperature inside the heating chamber 15 has not fallen below a predetermined temperature, for example after oven cooking in the heating chamber 15, the control unit 32 displays the second warning screen 52 on the central display unit 24C.

[0126] The central display unit 24C may, in accordance with instructions from the control unit 32, alternately display the first warning screen 51 and the second warning screen 52, for example, at intervals of a few seconds. This makes it possible to provide warnings using both the second warning message 51B and the third warning message 52A. The audio output unit 33 may output the content of the warnings from the first warning screen 51 and the second warning screen 52 as audio.

[0127] As shown in Figure 13, the central display unit 24C in Embodiment 1 displays the power-on screen 50, the first warning screen 51, and the second warning screen 52 across the entire screen for displaying information. That is, the central display unit 24C displays the power-on screen 50, the first warning screen 51, and the second warning screen 52 across the first central display area 240C, the second central display area 241C, and the third central display area 242C. This clarifies the content of the notifications.

[0128] Next, referring to Figure 14, the changes in the state of the left operation notification area before and after the setting of the heating of the left heating coil 13L will be explained. In Figure 14, the change over time is indicated by white arrows, and the state of the left operation notification area changes in the direction indicated by the white arrows due to the operation of the left operation unit 22L. In Figure 14, the left operation notification area before the start of heating by the left heating coil 13L, that is, before operation to the left start key 224L, is shown on the side of the white arrow's starting point. Then, the left operation notification area after the start of heating by the left heating coil 13L, that is, after operation to the left start key 224L, is shown on the side of the white arrow's ending point.

[0129] When the left start key 224L is pressed, the control unit 32 detects that the left heating coil 13L has been selected as the heating unit 27 to be used by the user during cooking. The control unit 32 then illuminates the first left operation light-emitting unit 260L, as shown at the end of the white arrow, to notify that the operation has been received. In Figure 14, the star mark indicates that the left operation light-emitting unit 26L is lit or blinking. In subsequent figures, the star mark also means lit or blinking.

[0130] The control unit 32 flashes the fourth left operation light-emitting unit 263L, which is associated with the left timer key 223, to ask the user whether or not timer cooking is necessary. Timer cooking refers to cooking for which the heating time is set by a timer.

[0131] The control unit 32 illuminates a number of left-side flame light emitters 250L corresponding to the default flame level. At this time, the control unit 32 illuminates the left-side flame light emitters 250L sequentially from the left or right side using the left-side flame notification unit 25L. Alternatively, instead of changing the illumination status of the number of left-side flame light emitters 250L corresponding to the default flame level from the extinguished state to the illuminated state, the control unit 32 may change the illumination color of the number of left-side flame light emitters 250L corresponding to the default flame level. For example, the control unit 32 may change the illumination color of the number of left-side flame light emitters 250L corresponding to the default flame level from blue to red. In Figure 14, the default flame level is "3" and the state in which three left-side flame light emitters 250L are lit is shown. The user can change the flame level by operating the left-side heat reduction key 221L or the left-side heat increase key 222L. The number of left-side flame light emitters 250L that illuminate changes according to the change in flame level. Alternatively, the number of left-side flame indicator lights 250L, which emit light in red or another color to indicate the flame level, changes. Each time the left-side heat-down key 221L is pressed, the flame level decreases by one step, and one of the one or more left-side flame indicator lights 250L that were lit turns off. Alternatively, for example, one of the one or more left-side flame indicator lights 250L that were lit red changes color to blue. Each time the left-side heat-up key 222L is pressed, the flame level increases by one step, and one of the one or more left-side flame indicator lights 250L that were off lights up. Alternatively, for example, one of the one or more left-side flame indicator lights 250L that were lit blue changes color to red. This allows the user to easily recognize the flame level.

[0132] Next, referring to Figure 15, the state changes of the left operation notification area and the central display unit 24C before and after the instruction to activate the single-mode cooking mode on the heating appliance 1 will be explained. In Figure 15, the area enclosed by a solid rectangle labeled (b1) shows the left operation notification area before the instruction. The area enclosed by a solid rectangle labeled (b2) shows the left operation notification area after it has changed from the state shown in (b1) or (b3). The area enclosed by a solid rectangle labeled (b3) shows the left operation notification area after it has changed from the state shown in (b1) or (b3). When the left start key 224L is pressed in the state shown in (b1), the first left operation light-emitting unit 260L lights up as shown in (b2) or (b3).

[0133] As shown in (b2) and (b3), the third left operation light-emitting unit 262L lights up after the left start key 224L is operated in state (b1). The control unit 32 guides the user to input to the left heat decrease key 221L and the left heat increase key 222L by lighting up the third left operation light-emitting unit 262L. The heat output of the left heating coil 13L changes depending on whether the left heat decrease key 221L or the left heat increase key 222L is operated. The heat output of the left heating coil 13L is shown in the left heat output notification unit 25L. Here, the transition from the state shown in (b2) to the state shown in (b3) is caused by operating the left heat increase key 222L. Also, the transition from the state shown in (b3) to the state shown in (b2) is caused by operating the left heat decrease key 221L.

[0134] Here, when the left heat reduction key 221L is operated while the heat output is at 1, the control unit 32 determines that the "keep warm" control mode has been selected. The control unit 32 then displays a control mode screen indicating the selected control mode on the central display unit 24C. In Figure 15, the area marked (c1) at the end of the arrow extending from the rectangle marked (b2) shows the display states of the central display unit 24C and the left display unit 24L when the heat output becomes 1 from the state shown in (b2) and then keeps warm using the left heating coil 13L is selected. The central display unit 24C shown in (c1) displays a control mode screen indicating that keeps warm using the left heating coil 13L is selected. Hereafter, the control mode screen displayed by the central display unit 24C indicating that keeps warm using the left heating coil 13L is selected may also be referred to as the first control mode screen.

[0135] The first control mode screen in Figure 15 includes a mark indicating a pot or similar item in the first central display area 240C. The first control mode screen also includes information indicating warming by the left heating coil 13L, such as "Keep warm (left IH)". The first control mode screen also includes information indicating warming at 80°C, such as "The temperature will be kept warm at 80°C." The information indicating warming at 80°C by the left heating coil 13L, such as "Keep warm (left IH)" and "The temperature will be kept warm at 80°C," is displayed across the second central display area 241C and the third central display area 242C. The first control mode screen also includes information indicating what kind of cooking the warm mode is suitable for, such as "Recommended for soups, etc." The information indicating what kind of cooking the warm mode is suitable for is displayed across the second central display area 241C and the third central display area 242C.

[0136] When the central display unit 24C displays the first control mode screen, the left display unit 24L may display the heating temperature of the left heating coil 13L that maintains temperature, such as "80°C," as shown in Figure 15.

[0137] In Figure 15, the area labeled (c2) at the end of the arrows extending from the rectangles labeled (b2) or (b3) shows the display states of the central display unit 24C and the left display unit 24L when the left cooking selection key 220L is operated in the state shown in (b2) or (b3). When the left cooking selection key 220L is operated in the state shown in (b2) or (b3), the control unit 32 determines that one cooking process menu has been selected from among multiple cooking process menus. Note that the selected cooking process menu switches with each operation of the left cooking selection key 220L. The control unit 32 displays a control mode screen on the central display unit 24C that shows the control mode for the selected cooking process. In (c2), "deep-fried food" is selected as the cooking process menu, and the control unit 32 displays a second control mode screen on the central display unit 24C, which is a control mode screen showing the control mode for the selected "deep-fried food". The second control mode screen includes information indicating the cooking of deep-fried food using the left heating coil 13L, such as "Deep-frying (left IH)". The second control mode screen also displays warnings during cooking, such as "Preheating of oil will begin. Do not leave the area unattended." These warnings are displayed across the second central display area 241C and the third central display area 242C. The second control mode screen also includes a mark indicating deep-frying in the first central display area 240C.

[0138] If a predetermined time has elapsed while the second control mode screen is displayed, the cooking process performed by the left heating coil 13L is determined to be the one indicated by the cooking process menu shown on the second control mode screen. The control unit 32 then causes the left heating coil 13L to perform the determined cooking process. If a predetermined time has elapsed while the second control mode screen is in the state shown in (c2), the left heating coil 13L performs heating for cooking fried food.

[0139] The left display unit 24L displays the default temperature set for the selected cooking process. In Embodiment 1, the default temperature for frying is set to 180°C, so as shown in (c2), the left display unit 24L displays the information "180°C". The temperature "180°C" shown by the left display unit 24L indicates that the cooking appliance 1 is heating the cooking oil and maintaining the temperature of the cooking oil at 180°C or the same. When the cooking oil temperature reaches 180°C, the control unit 32 causes the voice output unit 33 to notify that the cooking oil temperature has reached the target temperature. The control unit 32 also controls the central display unit 24C to display information to prompt the user to add ingredients, such as information indicating that the cooking oil temperature has reached the target temperature.

[0140] The default target temperature set for cooking processes such as deep-frying can be changed. Users can change this target temperature by operating the left temperature decrease key 221L and the left temperature increase key 222L.

[0141] In Figure 15, the area labeled (c3) at the end of the arrows extending from the rectangles labeled (b2) or (b3) shows the display states of the central display unit 24C and the left display unit 24L when the left cooking selection key 220L is operated in the state shown in (b2) or (b3) and the cooking process menu "Optimal Temperature" is selected. In (c3), "Optimal Temperature" is selected as the cooking process menu, and the control unit 32 displays the third control mode screen, which is a control mode screen indicating the selected "Optimal Temperature" control mode, on the central display unit 24C. Here, the "Optimal Temperature" control mode is a mode that heats the object to be heated to a set temperature such as 180 [°C], and is a mode suitable for cooking dishes such as omelets. Therefore, the third control mode screen includes information indicating which cooking dishes the "Optimal Temperature" control mode is suitable for, such as "Recommended for omelets, etc." The third control mode screen also includes information indicating preheating, such as "Heating the pot to the set temperature." The left display section, 24L, shows information indicating the target temperature of the pot during the preheating process, such as "Preheat 180℃".

[0142] The following describes a first example of the setting screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting up cooking using the microwave oscillator 19, with reference to Figure 16. In Figure 16, the single-cook mode is selected. Figures (d1), (d2), and (d3) in Figure 16 show the setting screens displayed on the central display unit 24C. Hereafter, the screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting the single-cook mode may also be referred to as the central single-cook mode screen. The white arrows in Figure 16 indicate the direction of state changes on the central single-cook mode screen displayed on the central display unit 24C. Hereafter, the central single-cook mode screen shown in (d1) will be referred to as the first central single-cook mode screen, the central single-cook mode screen shown in (d2) will be referred to as the second central single-cook mode screen, and the central single-cook mode screen shown in (d3) will be referred to as the third central single-cook mode screen. The second central single-cook mode screen is the central single-cook mode screen in its initial state.

[0143] Each of the first to third central standalone mode screens contains information indicating the cooking process, such as "Reheat," "Oven," and "Manual Microwave," and this information is displayed in the first central display area 240C. The user can select one of the cooking processes, such as "Reheat," "Oven," and "Manual Microwave," by operating the first central heat drop key 221C or the first central heat rise key 222C located in front of the first central display area 240C. The second central standalone mode screen is the initial screen when the "Reheat" control mode is selected by operating the first central heat drop key 221C or the first central heat rise key 222C. The first and third central standalone mode screens are transition screens from the second central standalone mode screen when the "Reheat" control mode is selected.

[0144] In each of the first to third central standalone mode screens, the information "Reheat" is displayed in the center of the first central display area 240C in the front-to-back direction and is displayed larger than information such as "Oven" and "Manual Range". The information "Oven" is displayed behind the information "Reheat". The information "Manual Range" is displayed in front of the information "Reheat". The user can switch the control mode from "Reheat" to "Manual Range" by operating the first central heat drop key 221C located in the position corresponding to the first central display area 240C. The user can also switch the control mode from "Reheat" to "Oven" by operating the first central heat rise key 222C located in the position corresponding to the first central display area 240C.

[0145] The second central standalone mode screen includes information indicating the target temperature, such as "80°C". The second central standalone mode screen also includes information indicating the microwave oscillator 19, which is the default control target of the control unit 32 in the "heating" control mode, such as "Range". The information indicating the target temperature, such as "80°C", and the information indicating the control target, such as "Range", are displayed in the second central display area 241C. The information "80°C" and "Range" indicates that when the microwave oscillator 19 is heating the object, if the second temperature sensor 14B measures a temperature of 80°C as the temperature of the object to be heated, the control unit 32 will stop heating by the microwave oscillator 19.

[0146] The user can raise the target temperature from 80°C to 85°C, etc., by operating the second central temperature rise key 224C located in front of the second central display area 241C. When the target temperature changes from 80°C to 85°C, the central display unit 24C displays the first central standalone mode screen (d1) instead of the second central standalone mode screen (d2).

[0147] The user can lower the target temperature from 80°C to 75°C, for example, by operating the second central temperature reduction key 223C located in front of the second central display area 241C. When the target temperature changes from 80°C to 75°C, the central display unit 24C displays the third central standalone mode screen (d3) instead of the second central standalone mode screen (d2). Information other than the target temperature is common to all three central standalone mode screens from the first to the third central standalone mode screens.

[0148] Here, a mountain-shaped mark (up mark) is shown after the target temperature, such as "75℃," "80℃," and "85℃," while a V-shaped mark (down mark) is shown in front of it.

[0149] Since the up mark is identical or similar in shape to the second central heat rise key 224C, the user will be able to recognize that the heat output can be increased by operating the second central heat rise key 224C. Since the down mark is identical or similar in shape to the second central heat drop key 223C, the user will be able to recognize that the heat output can be decreased by operating the second central heat drop key 223C.

[0150] The central standalone mode screen includes reference information for the user, such as "Recommended side dishes" or "Warm to your preferred temperature." This reference information is displayed in the third central display area 242C. The central display unit 24C may also display multiple pieces of reference information with different content, such as "Recommended side dishes" and "Warm to your preferred temperature," alternately for a few seconds at a time.

[0151] The following describes a second example of the setting screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting up cooking using the microwave oscillator 19, with reference to Figure 17. In Figure 17, the single-cook mode is specified. Figures (e1) and (e2) in Figure 17 show the central single-cook mode screen displayed on the central display unit 24C. Hereafter, the central single-cook mode screen shown in (e1) will be referred to as the fourth central single-cook mode screen, and the central single-cook mode screen shown in (e2) will be referred to as the fifth central single-cook mode screen. The fourth central single-cook mode screen is the initial screen when "Manual Range" is selected by operating the first central heat drop key 221C or the first central heat rise key 222C. The fifth central single-cook mode screen is the transition screen from the fourth central single-cook mode screen when the control mode "Manual Range" is selected.

[0152] In each of the 4th central standalone mode screen to the 5th central standalone mode screen, the information "Manual Range" is displayed in the center of the 1st central display area 240C in the front-to-back direction, and is displayed larger than information such as "Reheat" and "Pre-boil Leafy Vegetables".

[0153] The fourth central standalone mode screen to the fifth central standalone mode screen include the power value and heating time of the microwave oscillator 19 in the "manual range" control mode. The power value is displayed in the second central display area 241C, and the heating time is displayed in the third central display area 242C. Specifically, the fourth central standalone mode screen shows the control menu "manual range," the default output of the microwave oscillator 19 as "500W," and the default heating time as "1 minute 00 seconds," in association with each other.

[0154] Furthermore, in the "Manual Range" control mode, since it is clear that the microwave oscillator 19 is the target of control, the fourth central standalone mode screen to the fifth central standalone mode screen do not need to include information indicating the heating element, such as "Range," as shown in Figure 16.

[0155] The user can change the power output of the microwave oscillator 19 from "500W" by operating the second central heat decrease key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C. Specifically, the user can change the power output of the microwave oscillator 19 from "500W" to "200W" by operating the second central heat decrease key 223C. In addition, the user can change the heating time of the microwave oscillator 19 from "1 minute 00 seconds" by operating the third central heat decrease key 225C or the third central heat increase key 226C. Specifically, the user can change the heating time of the microwave oscillator 19 from "1 minute 00 seconds" to "50 seconds" by operating the third central heat decrease key 225C. The fifth central standalone mode screen in Figure 17 shows the state when the power output of the microwave oscillator 19 is 200[W] and the heating time of the microwave oscillator 19 is 50 seconds. The power output from the microwave oscillator 19 can be changed from 100[W] to 500[W]. Furthermore, the heating time of the microwave oscillator 19 can be changed between 10 seconds and 60 minutes.

[0156] In the second central display area 241C of the central standalone mode screen, when "Range Manual" is selected as the control mode, such as the fourth central standalone mode screen and the fifth central standalone mode screen, an up mark and a down mark are shown when the power from the microwave oscillator 19 is neither at the upper nor lower limit. The up mark is shown after the power value, and the down mark is shown before the power value. When the power from the microwave oscillator 19 is at the upper limit, i.e., 500[W], a down mark is shown before the power value "500W", but no up mark is shown after the power value "500W". When the power from the microwave oscillator 19 is at the lower limit, i.e., 100[W], an up mark is shown after the power value "100W", but no down mark is shown before the power value "100W". This allows the user to recognize the range of change in the power value.

[0157] In the third central display area 242C of the central standalone mode screen, when "Range Manual" is selected as the control mode, such as the fourth central standalone mode screen and the fifth central standalone mode screen, an up mark and a down mark are shown when the heating time of the microwave oscillator 19 is neither at the upper nor lower limit. The up mark is shown after the heating time, and the down mark is shown before the heating time. When the heating time of the microwave oscillator 19 is at the upper limit, i.e., 60 minutes, a down mark is shown before the heating time "60 minutes", but no up mark is shown after the heating time "60 minutes". When the heating time of the microwave oscillator 19 is at the lower limit, i.e., 10 seconds, an up mark is shown after the heating time "10 seconds", but no down mark is shown before the heating time "10 seconds". This allows the user to recognize the range of change for the heating time.

[0158] The following describes a third example of the setting screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting up cooking using the microwave oscillator 19, with reference to Figure 18. Note that in Figure 18, the single cooking mode is specified. (f1), (f2), (f3), (f4), and (f5) in Figure 18 each show the central single mode screen displayed on the central display unit 24C. Hereafter, the central single mode screen shown in (f3) will be referred to as the 6th central single mode screen, the central single mode screen shown in (f2) as the 7th central single mode screen, the central single mode screen shown in (f3) as the 8th central single mode screen, the central single mode screen shown in (f4) as the 9th central single mode screen, and the central single mode screen shown in (f5) as the 10th central single mode screen. The 8th central single mode screen is the initial screen when "blanching leafy vegetables" is selected by operating the first central heat decrease key 221C or the first central heat increase key 222C. The 7th Central Standalone Mode screen and the 9th Central Standalone Mode screen are transition screens from the 8th Central Standalone Mode screen when the "blanching leafy vegetables" control mode is selected. The 6th Central Standalone Mode screen is a transition screen from the 7th Central Standalone Mode screen when the "blanching leafy vegetables" control mode is selected. Note that the 7th Central Standalone Mode screen can also be accessed from the 6th Central Standalone Mode screen. The 10th Central Standalone Mode screen is a transition screen from the 9th Central Standalone Mode screen when the "blanching leafy vegetables" control mode is selected. Note that the 9th Central Standalone Mode screen can also be accessed from the 10th Central Standalone Mode screen.

[0159] In each of the 6th central standalone mode screen to the 10th central standalone mode screen, the information "blanching leafy vegetables" is displayed in the center of the 1st central display area 240C in the front-to-back direction, and is displayed larger than information such as "manual microwave" and "blanching root vegetables."

[0160] In the 6th to 10th central standalone mode screens, the 2nd central display area 241C displays information indicating the power level output by the microwave oscillator 19. Here, in the 8th central standalone mode screen, the power level is displayed as "Standard," and if cooking is started as is, the food to be heated will be heated at the default power level for the "blanching leafy vegetables" control mode. This default power level is, for example, 500[W]. In the 6th central standalone mode screen, the information "Strong" is displayed, indicating that the power level is at its highest. This "Strong" power level is the upper limit of power. In the 7th central standalone mode screen, the information "Slightly Strong" is displayed as the power level. This "Slightly Strong" power level is higher than the default power and lower than the upper limit. In the 10th central standalone mode screen, the information "Weak" is displayed, indicating that the power level is at its lowest. This "Weak" power level is the lower limit of power. On the 9th central standalone mode screen, the power level is indicated as "slightly weak." This "slightly weak" power level is lower than the default power level, but higher than the lower limit.

[0161] When the 8th central standalone mode screen is displayed, operating the 2nd central temperature decrease key 223C transitions the screen displayed by the central display unit 24C from the 8th central standalone mode screen to the 9th central standalone mode screen. When the 9th central standalone mode screen is displayed, operating the 2nd central temperature decrease key 223C transitions the screen displayed by the central display unit 24C from the 9th central standalone mode screen to the 10th central standalone mode screen. When the 9th central standalone mode screen is displayed, operating the 2nd central temperature rise key 224C transitions the screen displayed by the central display unit 24C from the 9th central standalone mode screen to the 8th central standalone mode screen. When the 10th central standalone mode screen is displayed, operating the 2nd central temperature rise key 224C transitions the screen displayed by the central display unit 24C from the 10th central standalone mode screen to the 9th central standalone mode screen. When the 8th central standalone mode screen is displayed, operating the 2nd central heat rise key 224C transitions the screen displayed by the central display unit 24C from the 8th central standalone mode screen to the 7th central standalone mode screen. When the 7th central standalone mode screen is displayed, operating the 2nd central heat rise key 224C transitions the screen displayed by the central display unit 24C from the 7th central standalone mode screen to the 6th central standalone mode screen. When the 7th central standalone mode screen is displayed, operating the 2nd central heat drop key 223C transitions the screen displayed by the central display unit 24C from the 7th central standalone mode screen to the 8th central standalone mode screen. When the 6th central standalone mode screen is displayed, operating the 2nd central heat drop key 223C transitions the screen displayed by the central display unit 24C from the 6th central standalone mode screen to the 7th central standalone mode screen.

[0162] The 6th to 10th central standalone mode screens include information in the 2nd central display area 241C indicating the heating source in the "blanching leafy vegetables" control mode, such as "microwave." The 6th to 10th central standalone mode screens also include reference information in the 3rd central display area 242C, such as "recommended for spinach, etc." The central display unit 24C may also display multiple reference information items with different content alternately, for example, for a few seconds at a time.

[0163] The following describes the setting screen displayed on the central display unit 24C when setting up cooking using the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, with reference to Figure 19. Note that in Figure 19, the single-cook mode is specified. Figures (g1), (g2), (g3), and (g4) in Figure 19 show the central single-mode screen displayed on the central display unit 24C. Hereafter, the central single-mode screen shown in (g1) will be referred to as the 11th central single-mode screen, the central single-mode screen shown in (g2) as the 12th central single-mode screen, the central single-mode screen shown in (g3) as the 13th central single-mode screen, and the central single-mode screen shown in (g4) as the 14th central single-mode screen. The 12th central single-mode screen is the first example of the initial screen when the control mode "RG manual" is selected by operating the first central heat decrease key 221C or the first central heat rise key 222C. The 14th Central Standalone Mode screen is a second example of the initial screen when the control mode "RG Manual" is selected. The user can specify either the 12th Central Standalone Mode screen or the 14th Central Standalone Mode screen as the initial screen by operating the function setting key 220C. The 11th Central Standalone Mode screen and the 13th Central Standalone Mode screen are transition screens from the 12th Central Standalone Mode screen when the control mode "RG Manual" is selected.

[0164] Here, "RG Manual" refers to a control mode for cooking the object to be heated in the heating chamber 15 using the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20. In "RG Manual," "R" is an abbreviation for "Range," and "G" is an abbreviation for "Grill." In "RG Manual," the radiant heater 20 may perform heating after the microwave oscillator 19, or the microwave oscillator 19 may perform heating after the radiant heater 20. Alternatively, the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 may perform heating simultaneously. Note that "the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 performing heating simultaneously" refers not only to the case where the start and end times of heating by the microwave oscillator 19 coincide with the start and end times of heating by the radiant heater 20, but also to the case where a portion of the heating time of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 overlap.

[0165] The 11th to 14th central standalone mode screens include information indicating the control mode as "RG Manual" in the first central display area 240C. Note that the name of the cooking mode using the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 may be other than "RG Manual," but a shorter name for the mode is preferable.

[0166] In the 11th to 13th central standalone mode screens, the second central display area 241C contains information such as "Range Grill" indicating that the microwave oscillator 19 and radiant heater 20 are the primary heating components. Additionally, the 11th to 13th central standalone mode screens also contain information indicating a heating time of "1 minute 00 seconds" in the second central display area 241C. This "1 minute 00 seconds" represents the heating time by the microwave oscillator 19 and radiant heater 20. The heating time shown in the second central display area 241C can be changed by operating the second central heat decrease key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C. As shown in Figure 19, the heating time shown in the second central display area 241C can be changed within a range of 10 seconds to 10 minutes. Furthermore, if the heating time shown in the second central display area 241C is 1 minute or more, it can be shortened in 1-minute increments down to 1 minute. On the other hand, if the heating time is less than one minute, it can be extended in 10-second increments up to one minute.

[0167] In the 11th to 14th central standalone mode screens, the third central display area 242C contains information indicating that the radiant heater 20 is the primary heating element, such as "grill." In the 12th central standalone mode screen, the third central display area 242C contains information indicating a heating time of "5 minutes 00 seconds." This heating time of "5 minutes 00 seconds" represents the heating time of the radiant heater 20. The heating time shown in the third central display area 242C can be changed by operating the third central heat decrease key 225C or the third central heat increase key 226C. Specifically, when the 12th central standalone mode screen is displayed and the third central heat increase key 226C is operated, the central display unit 24C transitions the displayed central standalone mode screen from the 12th central standalone mode screen to, for example, the 11th central standalone mode screen. On the 11th central standalone mode screen, the third central display area 242C shows a heating time of "5 minutes and 30 seconds," which is longer than 5 minutes. When the 12th central standalone mode screen is displayed and the third central heat reduction key 225C is pressed, the central display unit 24C transitions the displayed central standalone mode screen from the 12th central standalone mode screen to, for example, the 13th central standalone mode screen. On the 13th central standalone mode screen, the third central display area 242C shows a heating time of "4 minutes and 40 seconds," which is shorter than 5 minutes.

[0168] As shown in Figure 19, the heating time shown in the third central display area 242C can be changed within a range of 10 seconds to 20 minutes. Furthermore, if the heating time shown in the third central display area 242C is 1 minute or more, it can be shortened in 1-minute increments up to 1 minute. On the other hand, if the heating time is 1 minute or less, it can be extended in 10-second increments up to 1 minute.

[0169] When the 12th central standalone mode screen is displayed and the start of heating is instructed, first the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 heat the object to be heated in the heating chamber 15 for 1 minute. After 1 minute of heating by the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, the control unit 32 stops the heating process of the microwave oscillator 19 and causes the radiant heater 20 to continue heating for 5 minutes.

[0170] When the 11th central standalone mode screen is displayed and the start of heating is instructed, the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 first heat the object to be heated in the heating chamber 15 for 1 minute. After 1 minute of heating by the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, the control unit 32 stops the heating process of the microwave oscillator 19 and causes the radiant heater 20 to continue heating for 5 minutes and 30 seconds.

[0171] When the 13th central standalone mode screen is displayed and the start of heating is instructed, the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 first heat the object to be heated in the heating chamber 15 for 1 minute. After 1 minute of heating by the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, the control unit 32 stops the heating process of the microwave oscillator 19 and causes the radiant heater 20 to continue heating for 4 minutes and 40 seconds.

[0172] The 14th central standalone mode screen shown in Figure 19 includes information exemplified as "Range 500W," indicating that the microwave oscillator 19 heats the object to be heated at 500[W]. The 14th central standalone mode screen also displays "1 minute 00 seconds" as the heating time for the microwave oscillator 19. Information such as "Range 500W" and "1 minute 00 seconds," indicating that the microwave oscillator 19 heats the object to be heated at 500[W] for 1 minute, is shown in the second central display area 241C. The heating time of "1 minute 00 seconds" shown in the second central display area 241C can be changed by operating the second central heat decrease key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C.

[0173] The 14th central standalone mode screen shown in Figure 19 includes information exemplified as "grill," indicating that the radiant heater 20 is heating the object to be heated. The 14th central standalone mode screen also displays "5 minutes 00 seconds" as the heating time for the radiant heater 20. Information such as "grill" and "5 minutes 00 seconds," indicating that the radiant heater 20 will heat the object to be heated for 5 minutes, is shown in the third central display area 242C. The heating time of "5 minutes 00 seconds" shown in the third central display area 242C can be changed by operating the third central heat decrease key 225C or the third central heat increase key 226C.

[0174] When the 14th central standalone mode screen is displayed and the start of heating is instructed, first the microwave oscillator 19 heats the object to be heated in the heating chamber 15 at 500 [W] for 1 minute. Then the radiant heater 20 heats the object to be heated for 5 minutes.

[0175] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of the operation of the central display unit 24C and the central operation light-emitting unit 26C based on an operation to the central operation unit 22C in Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 20, when an operation is performed on the power operation unit 23, each of the first central operation light-emitting units 260C to the fifth central operation light-emitting units 264C emits light in the same color.

[0176] Based on the operation of the first central temperature decrease key 221C or the first central temperature rise key 222C, the central display unit 24C displays an initial screen such as the second central standalone mode screen, the fourth central standalone mode screen, the eighth central standalone mode screen, the twelfth central standalone mode screen, or the fourteenth central standalone mode screen. In Figure 20, the eighth central standalone mode screen is shown as the central standalone mode screen displayed by the central display unit 24C. During the display stage of this initial screen, each of the first central temperature decrease key 221C, the first central temperature rise key 222C, the second central temperature decrease key 223C, and the second central temperature rise key 224C, which correspond to the first central display area 240C and the second central display area 241C, can accept input. Therefore, the second central operation light-emitting unit 261C corresponding to the first central heat-lowering key 221C and the first central heat-up key 222C, and the third central operation light-emitting unit 262C corresponding to the second central heat-lowering key 223C and the second central heat-up key 224C, maintain their light-emitting state.

[0177] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 20, after the central standalone mode screen is displayed, the fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C, which corresponds to the central start key 227C, changes from a lit state to a blinking state. In Figure 20, the star mark indicating the light from the fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C is surrounded by a dotted circle to indicate that the fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C is blinking. The blinking of the fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C prompts the user to operate the central start key 227C. When the user operates the central start key 227C, the microwave oscillator 19, the radiant heater 20, and the central heating coil 13C each begin heating based on the standalone cooking mode. On the other hand, the left heating coil 13L begins heating based on the standalone cooking mode after the left start key 224L is operated. Similarly, the right heating coil 13R begins heating based on the standalone cooking mode after the right start key 224R is operated.

[0178] In addition to the single-cook mode, in the linked cooking mode as well, operating the central start key 227C will cause the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 to start heating according to the cooking menu sequence. Also in linked cooking mode, operating the left start key 224L will transition to the heating process using the left heating coil 13L. Furthermore, in linked cooking mode, operating the right start key 224R will transition to the heating process using the right heating coil 13R. Note that the heating process using the left heating coil 13L may be triggered by operating the central start key 227C and the left start key 224L. Similarly, the heating process using the right heating coil 13R may be triggered by operating the central start key 227C and the right start key 224R.

[0179] As described above, in Embodiment 1, the control unit 32 lights up or blinks the operation light-emitting unit corresponding to the key that is in a state to accept input. In addition, the control unit 32 blinks the fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C when the central display unit 24C is displaying the central standalone mode screen. Therefore, the user can easily identify that the cooking appliance 1 is in a state waiting for a command to start heating. In Embodiment 1, the fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C also corresponds to the central cancel key 228C. Therefore, the central cancel key 228C is in a state to accept operation if the fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C is emitting light. Accordingly, after heating by the microwave oscillator 19 or radiant heater 20, etc. has started, if the fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C is emitting light, heating can be stopped by operating the central cancel key 228C.

[0180] The control unit 32 may also blink the fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C when an operation is performed on the power operation unit 23. The control unit 32 may also light up the first central operation light-emitting units 260C to the fourth central operation light-emitting units 263C and the fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C in different colors when an operation is performed on the power operation unit 23 or when the central display unit 24C displays the central standalone mode screen.

[0181] The following describes the processing based on the linked cooking mode of the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 with reference to Figures 21 to 24. Figure 21 is a plan view schematically illustrating the state change of the central display area in the linked cooking mode in Embodiment 1. Figure 22 is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow in both the linked cooking mode and the standalone cooking mode of the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 23 is a time chart illustrating the processing flow until the start of heating based on the linked cooking mode of the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 24 is a time chart showing a first example of the processing flow in the linked cooking mode of the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0182] As shown in Figure 21, by operating the function setting key 220C, the central display unit 24C displays the central linkage mode screen CS. The central linkage mode screen CS includes menu information MI that indicates the menus to be cooked by the linked cooking mode. In Figure 21, "gratin," "hamburger," and "roast beef" are shown as menu information MI. Note that the menu information MI may be a mark indicating the menu instead of a menu name. Alternatively, the menu information MI may be a mark indicating the menu along with a menu name. In Embodiment 1, the menu information MI is displayed in the first central display area 240C. The menu information MI and the control program for cooking the menu indicated by the menu information MI are pre-stored in the control unit 32.

[0183] By operating the first central heat decrease key 221C or the first central heat increase key 222C, the user can switch the menu to be cooked. In the initial central linkage mode screen CS, "Hamburg Steak" is displayed in the center in the front-to-back direction and is displayed larger than "Gratin" and "Roast Beef". If the central start key 227C is operated in the state shown in Figure 21, the cooking appliance 1 starts the process of cooking hamburg steak. If the first central heat decrease key 221C or the first central heat increase key 222C is operated in the state shown in Figure 21, "Gratin" or "Roast Beef" is displayed in the center in the front-to-back direction of the first central display area 240C, and is displayed larger than the other menu information MI.

[0184] The central linked mode screen CS includes left specific information LS, which indicates the left heating coil 13L, and right specific information RS, which indicates the right heating coil 13R. In the central linked mode screen CS in Figure 21, left specific information LS is indicated as "left" and right specific information RS is indicated as "right," but left specific information LS may be indicated as "L" and right specific information RS as "R." Hereafter, left specific information LS and right specific information RS may each be referred to as specific information. The specific information is displayed at the front in the second central display area 241C. The user can select either left specific information LS or right specific information RS by operating the second central heat decrease key 223C and the second central heat increase key 224C, respectively. The heating unit 27 indicated by the selected specific information becomes the main heating unit in linked cooking mode. In Embodiment 1, the central display unit 24C makes the color of the selected specific information text different from the color of the unselected specific information text, and also makes the background color of the selected specific information text different from the background color of the unselected specific information text. Specifically, the central display unit 24C inverts the color of the selected specific information text and the background color of the selected text text from the text and background colors in the display area where information other than the selected specific information is displayed. This makes it easy for the user to recognize whether the left specific information LS or the right specific information RS is selected.

[0185] The central coordination mode screen CS includes the progress screen PS. The progress screen PS is displayed behind the display area that spans the second central display area 241C and the third central display area 242C. The progress screen PS is displayed from the time the coordination cooking mode is set until the end of all cooking processes in the coordination cooking mode. The progress screen PS is a screen that shows the cooking process and the progress status of the cooking. The progress screen PS shown in Figure 21 shows information indicating the cooking processes of "IH preheating," "IH heating," and "RG." "IH preheating" is information indicating the preheating process by the heating coil 13. "IH heating" is information indicating the heating process by the heating coil 13. "RG" is information indicating the heating process by the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20. Hereafter, the information indicating the cooking process may also be referred to as process information SS. During cooking, the central display unit 24C makes the color of the text in the process information SS indicating the current cooking process different from the color of the text in the display area showing information other than the process information SS indicating the current cooking process, and makes the background color of the process information SS indicating the current cooking process different from the background color in the display area showing information other than the process information SS indicating the current cooking process. Specifically, the central display unit 24C inverts the colors of the text and background of the process information SS indicating the current cooking process from the colors of the text and background of the display area showing information other than the process information SS indicating the current cooking process.

[0186] The central linkage mode screen CS includes additional information AI. The additional information AI is displayed adjacent to specific information, spanning a portion of the second central display area 241C and the third central display area 242C. The additional information AI is information presented to the user regarding cooking. Figure 21 shows an example of additional information AI that reads, "Pressing the start button will begin heating the left IH." This allows the user to understand that operation of the central start key 227C is necessary to start heating with the left heating coil 13L. The additional information AI may change according to changes in the cooking process. Furthermore, the additional information AI may also change depending on the cooking menu.

[0187] When menu information MI, such as "hamburger," is selected and the central start key 227C is pressed, an execution command for the coordinated cooking mode indicated by the menu information MI is sent to the control unit 32.

[0188] The central display unit 24C may display additional information AI recommending to the user that either the left heating coil 13L or the right heating coil 13R be the primary heating element, depending on the cooking menu, if the series of processes based on the cooperative cooking mode includes heating by the heating coil 13. In the additional information AI shown in Figure 21, the use of the left heating coil 13L is recommended when cooking hamburgers.

[0189] The operation of the heating appliance 1 in both the linked cooking mode and the standalone cooking mode will be explained below with reference to Figure 22. Prior to step S1 shown in Figure 22, the power to the heating appliance 1 is turned on by operating the power control unit 23. In step S1, the central display unit 24C displays information for selecting the control mode. Specifically, the central display unit 24C displays the central standalone mode screen mentioned above. In step S1, the control unit 32 may output voice guidance to the voice output unit 33 to allow the user to select a control mode.

[0190] In step S1, the user can select a control mode for the desired cooking via the central control unit 22C. In step S2, the control unit 32 determines whether the instructed control mode is a coordinated cooking mode or a single cooking mode. In step S, if a single cooking mode is instructed, the control unit 32 also determines whether the single cooking mode is a control mode that primarily heats both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, or a control mode that primarily heats the left heating coil 13L or the right heating coil 13R.

[0191] If the linked cooking mode is instructed (step S2: linked), in step S3, the central display unit 24C displays the central linked cooking mode screen CS. The user can specify the linked cooking mode by operating the function setting key 220C. The user can also select one of several linked cooking modes while referring to the central linked cooking mode screen CS.

[0192] Here, the cooperative cooking mode in Embodiment 1 includes first cooperative cooking and second cooperative cooking. First cooperative cooking refers to cooking in which the object to be heated is first heated by the heating coil 13, and then the object to be heated is heated by both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20. The mode that defines the sequence of first cooperative cooking is the first cooperative cooking mode among the cooperative cooking modes.

[0193] On the other hand, the second type of coordinated cooking involves first heating the object to be heated in the heating chamber 15 using either or both of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, and then heating the object using the heating coil 13. The mode that defines the sequence of the second type of coordinated cooking is the second type of coordinated cooking mode.

[0194] In the second linked cooking mode, as a default setting, the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, or either one, which perform the initial heating, are restricted from performing processing based on control modes other than linked cooking mode for a predetermined time. In other words, the control unit 32 prevents the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, or either one, from performing heating processing based on control modes other than linked cooking mode for a predetermined time.

[0195] The selection between the first and second linked cooking modes is not performed by the user, but rather by the control unit 32 based on the menu information MI specified by the user.

[0196] In Embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 21, the user can select the heating coil 13 used for coordinated cooking from the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R. Here, if the user has the left heating coil 13L perform heating in coordinated cooking, for example, the right heating coil 13R and others can be used independently of coordinated cooking during that time. However, if the total power, which is the sum of the power consumed for coordinated cooking and the power consumed for heating processes unrelated to coordinated cooking, exceeds a predetermined specified power, the control unit 32 will perform the following actions: The control unit 32 will prohibit the setting of either the coordinated cooking mode or the independent cooking mode. Alternatively, the control unit 32 will reduce the heat output of the heating unit 27.

[0197] In step S4, the central start key 227C accepts input from the user. This confirms the set control mode. In Embodiment 1, after the processing in step S4, the user can adjust the heat output of the heating coil 13. At the stage of step S4, the heat output of the heating coil 13 is set to the default heat output. The user can adjust the heat output of the left heating coil 13L to a desired level by operating the left heat decrease key 221L or the left heat increase key 222L. The user can also adjust the heat output of the right heating coil 13R to a desired level by operating the right heat decrease key 221R or the right heat increase key 222R.

[0198] The heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 may also be capable of adjusting the heat output by the microwave oscillator 19 after the processing in step S4. In this case, at step S4, the heat output by the microwave oscillator 19 is set to, for example, the default heat output. The heat output by the microwave oscillator 19 can be set, for example, by operating the third central heat decrease key 225C or the third central heat increase key 226C. Depending on the cooperative cooking mode, the power value of the microwave oscillator 19 may be a fixed value, for example, 500 [W].

[0199] The cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 may also allow adjustment of the heat output of the radiant heater 20 after the processing in step S4. In this case, at step S4, the heat output of the radiant heater 20 is set to, for example, the default heat output. The heat output of the radiant heater 20 can be set, for example, by operating the third central heat decrease key 225C or the third central heat increase key 226C. Depending on the cooperative cooking mode, the value of the heat output of the radiant heater 20 may be a fixed value.

[0200] After the processing in step S4, the heating unit 27 performs heating in step S5. If the control mode determined in step S4 is the second linked cooking mode, then in step S5, both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 perform heating as a result of the processing in step S4, or by operating the central start key 227C after the processing in step S4. If the determined control mode is the first linked cooking mode, and the heating coil 13 that performs heating based on that control mode is the left heating coil 13L, then in step S5, the left heating coil 13L performs heating as a result of operating the left start key 224L after the processing in step S4. If the determined control mode is the first linked cooking mode, and the heating coil 13 that performs heating based on that control mode is the right heating coil 13R, then in step S5, the right heating coil 13R performs heating as a result of operating the right start key 224R after the processing in step S4.

[0201] In the cooperative cooking mode of Embodiment 1, the heating times for the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R are not predetermined, and the user can set the heating times for the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R in cooperative cooking to any desired time. That is, when heating cooking by the left heating coil 13L starts in step S5, the user can stop the heating operation by the left heating coil 13L at any time by operating the left start key 224L. Alternatively, when heating cooking by the right heating coil 13R starts in step S5, the user can stop the heating operation by the right heating coil 13R at any time by operating the right start key 224R.

[0202] In the cooperative cooking mode of Embodiment 1, the user can set the heating time of both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 for a desired duration. That is, once heating by both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 begins in step S5, the user can stop the heating operation of both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 at any time by operating the central cancel key 228C. In Embodiment 1, the heating time of both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 can be set via the central operation unit 22C from step S3 onward. In addition to operating the central cancel key 228C, the user can also stop heating when the set heating time has expired.

[0203] In step S6, the heating unit 27, which was performing heating based on the cooperative cooking mode, stops heating when the left start key 224L, right start key 224R, or center cancel key 228C is pressed.

[0204] In step S7, by operating the central start key 227C, the left start key 224L, or the right start key 224R, a heating unit 27 other than the heating unit 27 that was performing heating in step S5 will start heating. Specifically, if the left heating coil 13L or the right heating coil 13R was performing heating in step S5, then in step S7, by operating the central start key 227C, both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 will start heating. If both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 were performing heating in step S5, and the left start key 224L is operated in step S7, then the left heating coil 13L will start heating. If both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 were performing heating in step S5, and the right start key 224R is operated in step S7, then the right heating coil 13R will start heating.

[0205] In step S8, the heating unit 27, which was performing the heating process in step S7, stops heating when the left start key 224L, right start key 224R, or center cancel key 228C is pressed. This completes all cooking processes in the cooperative cooking mode.

[0206] If a single cooking mode is selected in step S2 where either or both of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 are used as the primary heating element (step S2: single central), then in step S11, either or both of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 will perform heating. The user can refer to the central single mode screen and select one of several single cooking modes. In addition, either or both of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 will perform heating cooking triggered by operation of the central start key 227C.

[0207] When setting the single-cook mode in steps S1 to S2, as described above, the power value of the microwave oscillator 19 and the heating time, or one of them, can be changed by operating the second central heat decrease key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C, or by operating the third central heat decrease key 225C or the third central heat increase key 226C. After step S2, the power value of the microwave oscillator 19 and the heating time, or one of them, can also be changed by operating the second central heat decrease key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C, or by operating the third central heat decrease key 225C or the third central heat increase key 226C.

[0208] When setting the single-cook mode in steps S1 to S2, the heating time of the radiant heater 20 can be changed by operating the second central heat decrease key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C, or by operating the third central heat decrease key 225C or the third central heat increase key 226C, as described above. After step S2, the heating time of the radiant heater 20 can also be changed by operating the second central heat decrease key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C, or by operating the third central heat decrease key 225C or the third central heat increase key 226C.

[0209] In step S12, the central cancel key 228C accepts an operation from the user. Both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, which were performing heating cooking based on the single-cook mode, stop heating in step S13 upon operation of the central cancel key 228C. In addition, if a heating time has been set for both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, the heating process will stop if the set heating time has expired before the processing in step S12. As a result, all cooking processes of the single-cook mode, in which both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 are the main heating devices, are completed.

[0210] In step S2, if a standalone cooking mode is selected where the left heating coil 13L or the right heating coil 13R is the primary heating element (step S2: standalone induction), then in step S21, the left heating coil 13L or the right heating coil 13R will perform heating. The user can refer to the central standalone mode screen and select one standalone cooking mode from several options. The user can also initiate heating of the left heating coil 13L based on the selected standalone cooking mode by operating the left start key 224L. The user can also initiate heating of the right heating coil 13R based on the selected standalone cooking mode by operating the right start key 224R.

[0211] After cooking by the left heating coil 13L begins in step S21, the user can adjust the heat output of the left heating coil 13L to the desired level by operating the left heat drop key 221L or the left heat rise key 222L. After cooking by the right heating coil 13R begins in step S21, the user can adjust the heat output of the right heating coil 13R to the desired level by operating the right heat drop key 221R or the right heat rise key 222R. Note that the heat output of the left heating coil 13L may be adjustable before step S21 by operating the left heat drop key 221L or the left heat rise key 222L. Also, the heat output of the right heating coil 13R may be adjustable before step S21 by operating the right heat drop key 221R or the right heat rise key 222R.

[0212] In step S22, the left start key 224L or the right start key 224R accepts user input. If the left heating coil 13L was performing cooking in step S21, the target of the operation in step S22 is the left start key 224L. If the right heating coil 13R was performing cooking in step S21, the target of the operation in step S22 is the right start key 224R. In step S23, the left heating coil 13L or the right heating coil 13R stops cooking. This completes all cooking processes in the single cooking mode where the left heating coil 13L or the right heating coil 13R is the primary heating unit.

[0213] The following describes the process leading up to the start of heating based on the linked cooking mode of the heating appliance 1, with reference to Figure 23. In Figure 23, time is shown on the horizontal axis. The solid arrows in Figure 23 indicate the direction of time. In Figure 23, item "A" "Operation Reception" refers to the process in which one of the central operation unit 22C, left operation unit 22L, or right operation unit 22R receives an operation from the user.

[0214] Item "B" under "Process" indicates various processes during setup and cooking. Item "C" under "Left Operation Notification" refers to the left operation unit 22L, left display unit 24L, and left operation light-emitting unit 26L in the left operation notification area. C1 and C2 refer to the state of the left operation unit 22L, left display unit 24L, and left operation light-emitting unit 26L, respectively. Item "D" under "Right Operation Notification" refers to the right operation unit 22R, right display unit 24R, and right operation light-emitting unit 26R in the right operation notification area. D1 to D3 refer to the state of the right operation unit 22R, right display unit 24R, and right operation light-emitting unit 26R, respectively. Item "E" under "Center Operation Notification" refers to the center operation unit 22C, center display unit 24C, and center operation light-emitting unit 26C. E1 to E5 refer to the state of the center operation unit 22C, center display unit 24C, and center operation light-emitting unit 26C, respectively.

[0215] In item "F", "Notification" refers to notification by the audio output unit 33. In item "G", "Left IH" refers to the left heating coil 13L. In item "H", "Right IH" refers to the right heating coil 13R. In item "J", "RG" refers to both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20.

[0216] The function setting key 220C accepts user input (A1). After A1, the process of selecting the collaborative cooking mode, as indicated by B1, begins. The collaborative cooking mode selection process refers to steps such as the user selecting menu information MI.

[0217] When the function setting key 220C is activated in A1, the central display unit 24C displays the initial screen of the central linkage mode screen CS (E1). At this stage A1, no information is displayed on the left display unit 24L (C1). As described above, up to the point of setting the linked cooking mode, the user operates the central control unit 22C while referring to the central linkage mode screen CS. Therefore, the user may use the left heating coil 13L for linked cooking, and as part of occupying the left heating coil 13L, the left display unit 24L displays nothing. Also, at this stage, the left operation light unit 26L is off, and the left control unit 22L does not accept operation.

[0218] Also, for the same reasons as in the case of C1, at stage A1, no information is displayed on the right display unit 24R (D1). At this stage, the right operation light unit 26R is off, and the right operation unit 22R does not accept operation.

[0219] When the function setting key 220C is activated in A1, the voice output unit 33 announces a message regarding the menu information MI displayed in the center of the first central display area 240C in the front-to-back direction on the initial screen of the central linkage mode screen CS (F1). If the menu information MI displayed in the center of the first central display area 240C in the front-to-back direction on the initial screen of the central linkage mode screen CS is "hamburg steak", the voice output unit 33 announces, for example, "It's hamburg steak. Cook it on the induction cooktop and then finish it off in the microwave grill."

[0220] The first central heat reduction key 221C or the first central heat increase key 222C accepts user input (A2). This switches the selected menu. The central display unit 24C displays the central linkage mode screen CS, which shows menu information MI indicating the switched menu, in the center of the first central display area 240C in the front-to-back direction (E2). The voice output unit 33 announces a message regarding the selected menu (F2). If the selected menu is "karaage" (Japanese fried chicken), the voice output unit 33 announces, for example, "This is karaage. Cook it in the microwave grill and then finish it on the induction cooktop." In other words, the voice output unit 33 announces the selected menu and the cooking process for that menu in real time, in response to the user's menu selection operation.

[0221] The second central heat drop key 223C or the second central heat rise key 224C accepts user input (A3). This selects the heating coil 13 from the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R that will be used for cooking in the cooperative cooking mode. The central display unit 24C displays the central cooperative mode screen CS so that the user can easily recognize specific information indicating the selected heating coil 13 (E3). Specifically, the central display unit 24C uses a different color for the text of the specific information indicating the selected heating coil 13 compared to the text of other information. It also uses a different background color for the specific information indicating the selected heating coil 13 compared to the background color of other information. The voice output unit 33 announces a message regarding the selected heating coil 13 (F3). Specifically, if the right heating coil 13R is selected, the voice output unit 33 announces, for example, "Right IH."

[0222] The central start key 227C accepts user input (A4). This determines the control mode for heating and cooking. Following A4, the process enters a stage where both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, as indicated by B2, await processing.

[0223] After A4, no information is displayed on the left display unit 24L (C2). However, in the case shown in Figure 23, the processing from A3 to A4 sets the right heating coil 13R to perform heating based on the linked cooking mode in the cooking appliance 1. Therefore, the left heating coil 13L does not become the main component of the processing based on the linked cooking mode and does not need to be occupied. Consequently, at stage C2, the left operation unit 22L is in a state to accept input. Therefore, the user can set the left heating coil 13L to perform heating based on the standalone cooking mode by operating the left start key 224L.

[0224] In the case shown in Figure 23, at A4, the coordinated cooking mode is set in which the right heating coil 13R performs heating. Figure 23 shows that, in order to start heating by the right heating coil 13R based on the coordinated cooking mode, operation on the right start key 224R is required after operation on the central start key 227C at A4. Therefore, the right start key 224R is in a state of waiting for operation from the user (D2). At D2, the first right operation light-emitting unit 260R, which is associated with the right start key 224R, may be lit or blinking.

[0225] The central display unit 24C displays information to prompt the user to press the right start key 224R (E4). Alternatively, the right display unit 24R may display this information instead of the central display unit 24C at E4. In the following, information displayed or voice-output by the cooking appliance 1 that prompts user action may be referred to as guidance information.

[0226] The audio output unit 33 broadcasts a message prompting the user to press the right start key 224R, such as "Press the right IH start button to begin heating" (F4).

[0227] The right start key 224R accepts input from the user (A5). This initiates heating by the right heating coil 13R. In other words, the cooking process using the right heating coil 13R begins (B3).

[0228] The operation of the right start key 224R in A5 triggers the right heating coil 13R to preheat (H1). The right display unit 24R also displays information indicating that the right heating coil 13R is preheating. Specifically, the right display unit 24R displays information indicating the temperature rise until a target temperature such as 180°C is reached (D3).

[0229] The central display unit 24C displays information indicating that the right heating coil 13R is preheating (E5). In Embodiment 1, the central display unit 24C displays a central linkage mode screen CS that includes information indicating that the preheating process is underway. Specifically, the central display unit 24C makes the colors of the text and background in the display area indicating cooking processes such as "IH preheating" in the progress screen PS described above different from the colors of the text and background in other display areas. The central display unit 24C also displays a central linkage mode screen CS that includes additional information AI such as "IH preheating" or "Preheating complete."

[0230] The audio output unit 33 notifies the user that the cooking appliance 1 has started preheating, for example, by saying "Starting preheating of the pot to 180°C" (F5).

[0231] The following describes the processing flow based on the linked cooking mode of the heating appliance 1, referring to Figure 24. Note that the cooking menu in the example shown in Figure 24 is "hamburg steak". In Figure 24, as in Figure 23, time is shown on the horizontal axis, and the direction of time is indicated by a solid arrow. Items "A" to "J" in Figure 24 are the same as in Figure 23.

[0232] The central control unit 22C and the left control unit 22L, etc., receive cooking instructions for "hamburg steak" using multiple heating units 27, including the left heating coil 13L (A11). That is, at stage A11, the user selects menu information MI indicating hamburg steak and left specific information LS indicating the left heating coil 13L, and also operates the left start key 224L, etc.

[0233] The user's operation in A11 transitions to the heating process using the left heating coil 13L (B11). Hereafter, the heating process using the heating coil 13 may also be referred to as the IH heating process. Note that the IH heating process shown in B11 also includes the preheating process using the left heating coil 13L. Hereafter, the preheating process using the heating coil 13 may also be referred to as the IH preheating process.

[0234] The operation at A11 causes the left heating coil 13L to preheat (G11). After the operation at A11, the left display unit 24L displays information indicating that preheating is in progress (C11). At C11, the left display unit 24L displays temperature information in multiple stages according to the rise in temperature of the object being heated. In Figure 24, messages are displayed according to four temperature stages up to a target temperature such as 180 [°C]. In Figure 24, G11a to G11d show how the display content of the central display unit 24C changes each time the temperature of the object being heated rises by one stage. Specifically, if the temperature of the object being heated is lower than the lowest of the four temperature stages, a message such as "Preheating" or "Preheating Started" is displayed (G11a). Also, when the temperature of the object being heated reaches the target temperature, or when the difference between the temperature of the object being heated and the target temperature falls below a predetermined temperature difference, the central display unit 24C displays "Optimal Temperature" or similar (G11d). The central display unit 24C may, in place of the above message, display information indicating which of the four temperature zones the temperature of the object being heated belongs to.

[0235] After A11, the central display unit 24C displays information indicating that the left heating coil 13L is preheating (E11). In Embodiment 1, the central display unit 24C displays a central linkage mode screen CS that includes information indicating that the IH preheating process is underway. Specifically, the central display unit 24C makes the colors of the text and background in the display area indicating cooking processes such as "IH preheating" in the progress screen PS described above different from the colors of the text and background in other display areas. The central display unit 24C also displays a central linkage mode screen CS that includes additional information AI such as "IH preheating in progress".

[0236] After A11, the audio output unit 33 notifies that the cooking appliance 1 has started preheating, for example, by saying "Preheating the pot to 180°C" (F11).

[0237] When the temperature of the object to be heated reaches the target temperature, the left heating coil 13L performs cooking (G12). The left display unit 24L also displays information indicating that cooking by the left heating coil 13L has transitioned from the IH preheating process to the IH cooking process, and that cooking by the left heating coil 13L is currently underway (C12). The IH cooking process refers to the process included in the IH heating process of B11, specifically the cooking process after the preheating treatment by the heating coil 13.

[0238] When the temperature of the heating element reaches the target temperature, the audio output unit 33 notifies the user of a message indicating that the temperature of the heating element has reached the target temperature, such as "The right IH has reached the set temperature" and "Please start cooking," as well as a message prompting them to start cooking (F12).

[0239] When the left heating coil 13L starts heating, the central display unit 24C displays information indicating that the left heating coil 13L is heating (E12). In Embodiment 1, the central display unit 24C displays a central linkage mode screen CS that includes information indicating that the IH heating process is underway. Specifically, the central display unit 24C makes the colors of the text and background in the display area indicating the cooking process, such as "IH heating," in the progress screen PS described above different from the colors of the text and background in other display areas. The central display unit 24C also displays a central linkage mode screen CS that includes additional information AI, such as "IH heating in progress."

[0240] The left start key 224L accepts input from the user (A12). This completes the heating process using the left heating coil 13L. As a result, the process transitions from the IH heating process to the RG heating standby process (B12). The RG heating standby process is a process in which the cooking appliance 1 waits for input from the user to instruct heating of both or either the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20.

[0241] In the RG heating standby process (B12), the central display unit 24C displays guidance information prompting the user to place the food to be heated in the heating chamber 15, such as "Place the food in the heating chamber" (E13). The voice output unit 33 provides guidance information prompting the user to move the food to the heating chamber 15 for the grill heating process, such as "The pot is hot. Please be careful not to get burned when placing the food inside the chamber" (F13).

[0242] When the door 16 is opened by the user (A13), the central display unit 24C displays that the heating power of either or both of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 can be changed (E14). The central display unit 24C displays this information until the object to be heated is placed in the heating chamber 15, the door 16 is closed, and the central start key 227C is operated. Hereinafter, the period from when the door 16 is opened until the object to be heated is placed in the heating chamber 15, the door 16 is closed, and the central start key 227C is operated may be referred to as the first object to be heated movement time. During the first object to be heated movement time, the central display unit 24C displays guidance information prompting the user to operate the central start key 227C. In Embodiment 1, the central display unit 24C alternately displays the information that the heating power of either or both of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 can be changed, and guidance information prompting the user to operate the central start key 227C. The fifth central operation light-emitting unit 264C may be lit or blink during the first heating target movement time.

[0243] During the first heating target movement time, the voice output unit 33 broadcasts guidance information prompting the user to press the central start key 227C, such as "Press the start button to begin heating the range grill" (F14).

[0244] The central start key 227C accepts user input (A14). This initiates the RG heating cooking process, which is a heating process using either or both of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 (B13).

[0245] Both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 heat the object to be heated in the heating chamber 15 (J11). Heating by both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 is performed for the time indicated in J11.

[0246] The central display unit 24C displays information indicating that heating is being performed by both or either the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 (E15).

[0247] When the central start key 227C is pressed (A14), the audio output unit 33 notifies the start of the RG heating cooking process, for example, "Starting standard finish setting for the range grill" (F15). The message in F15 indicates that the final processing stage has begun in the cooking of, for example, hamburgers. In the example message in F15, "Starting standard setting" means that the heat level in the RG heating cooking process is set to "standard".

[0248] At the end of the RG heating cooking process, or a predetermined time before that end, the audio output unit 33 notifies the user of the end of the RG heating cooking process (F16). In Figure 24, the heating time for both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 is set by the user. In the explanation of Figure 24, the end of the RG heating cooking process refers to the end of the set time. At stage F16, the audio output unit 33 notifies the user of information regarding the end of the RG heating cooking process, along with guidance indicating that the heating time for both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 can be extended by operating the second central heat reduction key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C, etc. Furthermore, the audio output unit 33 notifies the user that the coordinated cooking process will end by operating the central cancel key 228C. The audio output unit 33 also cautions the user to clean the heating chamber 15 after it has cooled down.

[0249] Once the RG heating cooking process is complete, the process moves to the RG heating extension standby process (B14). The RG heating extension standby process is a process of waiting for an instruction to extend the heating process using either or both of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20.

[0250] During the RG heating extension standby process, the central display unit 24C displays guidance information indicating that the heating time of both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 can be extended by operating the second central heat decrease key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C, etc. (E16). The central display unit 24C also displays that the coordinated cooking process will end by operating the central cancel key 228C. The central display unit 24C alternately displays the guidance information regarding the extension of the heating time and the information regarding the end of the coordinated cooking process.

[0251] The user can set the extended cooking time by operating the second central heat decrease key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C, etc. When the second central heat decrease key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C receives an operation (A15), the extended cooking time for both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 is set.

[0252] When an extension time is set for heating both or either the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20, the central display unit 24C displays the set extension time (E17).

[0253] When the central start key 227C accepts an operation (A16), the RG extended heating process begins (B15). In the RG extended heating process, both or one of the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 perform heating for the extended time set in step A15 (J12).

[0254] The central display unit 24C displays information indicating that heating is being performed by both or either the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 (E18). When the RG extended heating process begins (B15), the audio output unit 33 notifies that heating will be performed by both or either the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 for a set extended time.

[0255] When the central cancel key 228C is activated during the RG extended heating process (A17), the system returns to the RG extended heating standby process (B16). Even if the set extension time has elapsed before the central cancel key 228C is activated, the system still returns to the RG extended heating standby process. During the RG extended heating standby process, the central display unit 24C again displays guidance information indicating that the heating time for both or either the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 can be extended by operating the second central heat reduction key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C, etc. (E19). The central display unit 24C also displays again that the coordinated cooking process will end upon activation of the central cancel key 228C. The central display unit 24C alternately displays the guidance information regarding the extension of heating time and the information regarding the end of the coordinated cooking process.

[0256] When the central cancel key 228C is activated (A17), the audio output unit 33 notifies the end of the RG extended heating process (F18). However, if the end of the RG extended heating process is not due to an operation on the central cancel key 228C but rather to the expiration of the extended time, the audio output unit 33 notifies the end of the RG heating process at the time the extended time has elapsed, or before the time the extended time has elapsed.

[0257] After the RG extended heating process is completed, when the central cancel key 228C accepts an operation (A18), the coordinated cooking by the heating appliance 1 is terminated.

[0258] The cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 accepts remote settings as described above. Remote settings refer to settings made via the first external device 4. In Embodiment 1, settings made via the first external device 4 are settings made via both the first external device 4 and the second external device 5. The user makes the desired settings for the cooking appliance 1 by operating the first external device 4 while referring to the setting screens illustrated in Figures 9 to 11.

[0259] The remote setting process for the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 25 to 27. Figure 25 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the cooking system 100 when the heat output of the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 is set remotely. Figure 26 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the cooking system 100 when the heating time of the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 is set remotely. Figure 27 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the cooking system 100 when the heating time extension of the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 is set remotely.

[0260] In step S31 of Figure 25, the cooking appliance 1 receives instructions to remotely set the heat output of the heating unit 27. Specifically, the cooking appliance 1 receives instructions to remotely set the heat output by operating the control unit such as the left start key 224L or the right start key 224R on the cooking appliance 1, or by receiving instructions from a first external device 4 such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. In this case, the instructions from the first external device 4 include information specifying the heating unit 27 selected by operating the left setting area 40L or the right setting area 40R on the cooking appliance 1. When the control unit 32 of the cooking appliance 1 receives information specifying the left heating coil 13L, it may illuminate the first left operation light-emitting unit 260L, similar to when the left start key 224L is operated. When the control unit 32 receives information specifying the right heating coil 13R, it may illuminate the first right operation light-emitting unit 260R, similar to when the right start key 224R is operated.

[0261] In step S32, the cooking appliance 1 transmits a request for instructions regarding the heat level to the first external device 4. The first external device 4 receives the request for instructions regarding the heat level. In step S33, the first external device 4 outputs the content of the received request. The output of information by the first external device 4 may be either a display of the information or an audio output of the information.

[0262] In step S34, the first external device 4 receives instructions from the user regarding the heat level. In step S35, the first external device 4 transmits the received instructions to the cooking appliance 1. The communication unit 31 of the cooking appliance 1 receives the instructions. The control unit 32 may control the notification unit 30 to display or output an audio message indicating the heat level in the instructions received by the communication unit 31. In this case, if the selected heating unit 27 is the left heating coil 13L, the control unit 32 may control the left display unit 24L to display the heat level in the instructions. Alternatively, if the selected heating unit 27 is the right heating coil 13R, the control unit 32 may control the right display unit 24R to display the heat level in the instructions.

[0263] In step S36, the control unit 32 sets the heat level in the instruction received by the communication unit 31 as the heat level of the heating unit 27. In step S37, the control unit 32 determines whether the operation unit of the cooking appliance 1 has received an operation to instruct the start of heating during the period from when the heat level was set in step S36 until a predetermined fixed waiting time has elapsed. Specifically, the control unit 32 determines whether an operation has been performed on the left start key 224L or the right start key 224R, etc., before the fixed waiting time has elapsed. If the operation unit has not received an operation to instruct the start of heating before the fixed waiting time has elapsed (step S37: NO), in step S38, the control unit 32 terminates the acceptance of instructions regarding the heat level. At this time, the control unit 32 may control the notification unit 30 to notify information indicating that the acceptance of instructions regarding the heat level has terminated.

[0264] In step S39, the cooking appliance 1 transmits information to the first external device 4 indicating that it has finished receiving instructions regarding the heat level. In step S40, the first external device 4 outputs information indicating that the cooking appliance 1 has finished receiving instructions regarding the heat level. After the processing in step S40, the remote heat level setting process in the cooking system 100 is completed. Note that after the processing in step S38, the cooking system 100 may complete the process for setting the heat level remotely without performing the processes in steps S39 to S40.

[0265] If the control unit receives an instruction to start heating before the confirmed waiting time has elapsed (step S37: YES), in step S41 the control unit 32 controls the heating unit 27 to heat at the heat level set by the control unit 32 in step S36. The heating unit 27 heats at the set heat level under the control of the control unit 32. After the processing in step S41, the heating and cooking system 100 terminates the process for setting the heat level remotely.

[0266] Furthermore, if the heating appliance 1 receives information specifying the heating unit 27 along with information specifying the heat level from the first external device 4 in step S31, it proceeds to step S36.

[0267] The process shown in Figure 26 is performed after the process shown in Figure 25. In step S51, the cooking appliance 1 receives an instruction to set the timer. Specifically, the cooking appliance 1 receives the instruction to set the timer by operating the operation unit such as the left timer key 223L or the right timer key 223R of the cooking appliance 1. Alternatively, the cooking appliance 1 may receive an instruction to set the timer from the first external device 4. When the left heating coil 13L of the cooking appliance 1 is selected, the control unit 32 may illuminate the fourth left operation light-emitting unit 263L of the cooking appliance 1, in the same way as when the left timer key 223L is operated. When the right heating coil 13R of the cooking appliance 1 is selected, the control unit 32 may illuminate the fourth right operation light-emitting unit 263R of the cooking appliance 1, in the same way as when the right timer key 223R is operated, when the communication unit 31 receives an instruction to set the timer from the first external device 4.

[0268] In step S52, the cooking appliance 1 transmits a request for instructions regarding the heating time to the first external device 4. The first external device 4 receives the request. In step S53, the first external device 4 outputs the content of the received request. In step S54, the first external device 4 accepts the instructions regarding the heating time. In step S55, the first external device 4 transmits the accepted instructions to the cooking appliance 1. The communication unit 31 receives the instructions. The control unit 32 may control the notification unit 30 to display or output an audio of the heating time in the instructions received by the communication unit 31. In this case, if the selected heating unit 27 is the left heating coil 13L, the control unit 32 may control the left display unit 24L of the cooking appliance 1 to display the heating time in the instructions. Alternatively, if the selected heating unit 27 is the right heating coil 13R, the control unit 32 may control the right display unit 24R of the cooking appliance 1 to display the heating time in the instructions.

[0269] In step S56, the control unit 32 sets the heating time in the instruction received by the communication unit 31 as the heating time by the heating unit 27. In step S57, the control unit 32 determines whether an operation for instructing the start of the countdown of the heating time is received by the operation unit until the confirmation standby time elapses after setting the heating time in step S56. Specifically, the control unit 32 determines whether an operation is performed on the left timer key 223L or the right timer key 223R etc. of the cooking heater 1 until the confirmation standby time elapses. If the operation unit does not receive an operation for instructing the start of the countdown of the heating time until the confirmation standby time elapses (step S57: NO), in step S58, the control unit 32 ends the reception of the instruction regarding the heating time. At this time, the control unit 32 may control the notification unit 30 to notify information indicating that the reception of the instruction regarding the heating time has ended.

[0270] In step S59, the cooking heater 1 transmits information indicating that the reception of the instruction regarding the heating time has ended to the first external device 4. The first external device 4 receives the information indicating that the cooking heater 1 has ended the reception of the instruction regarding the heating time. In step S60, the first external device 4 outputs the information indicating that the cooking heater 1 has ended the reception of the instruction regarding the heating time. After the processing of step S60, the remote heating time setting process in the cooking system 100 ends. Note that after the processing of step S58, the cooking system 100 may end the process for remotely setting the heating time without performing the processing of steps S59 to S60.

[0271] If the operation unit receives an operation for instructing the start of the countdown of the heating time until the confirmation standby time elapses (step S57: YES), in step S61, the control unit 32 controls the heating unit 27 to perform heating during the heating time set in step S56. After the processing of step S61, the cooking system 100 ends the process for remotely setting the heating time.

[0272] In the first embodiment, after the process of step S41 shown in FIG. 25, the processes after step S51 are performed. However, the processes after step S51 may be performed after the process of step S36. In this case, in step S57, the control unit 32 may determine whether an operation unit such as the left timer key 223L or the left start key 224L, or the right timer key 223R or the right start key 224R has received an operation before the confirmation waiting time elapses. In this case, if the left timer key 223L or the left start key 224L, or the right timer key 223R or the right start key 224R has received an operation before the confirmation waiting time elapses (step S57: YES), in step S61, the control unit 32 causes the heating unit 27 to perform heating at the heating power set in step S36. Also, in step S61, the control unit 32 controls the heating unit 27 to perform heating for the heating time set in step S56. If the left timer key 223L or the left start key 224L, or the right timer key 223R or the right start key 224R has not received an operation before the confirmation waiting time elapses (step S57: NO), the heating cooker system 100 performs the process of step S58. <0所載の番号をこのまま使う<ID=1>に合わせて修正する必要があります。

[0273] When the heating cooker 1 receives an instruction regarding the heating time together with an instruction for setting the timer from the first external device 4 in step S51, the process proceeds to step S56. Also, when the heating cooker 1 receives information specifying the heating time together with information specifying the heating unit 27 and the heating power in step S31, the process proceeds to step S56.

[0274] 注:原文中 等数字标签似乎是特定格式或有其他含义,在翻译中保留原样,但 处的描述不太清晰,可能需要进一步结合原文整体逻辑来准确理解其确切用途。你可根据实际情况进行调整。 另外,对于<ID=1>处的内容,原注释不太明确需求,如果有更详细的说明,请告知以便更准确翻译。The process shown in Figure 27 is executed after the process shown in Figure 26. In step S71, the control unit 32 of the cooking appliance 1 determines whether a predetermined specific event has occurred. The specific event may be that the communication unit 31 receives a transmission instruction for the timer information from the first external device 4. Alternatively, the specific event may be that the current time is the scheduled time. Or, the specific event may be that the heating time has expired. If the specific event has not occurred (step S71: NO), the cooking appliance 1 returns to step S71. If the specific event has occurred (step S71: YES), in step S72, the cooking appliance 1 transmits timer information to the first external device 4. The first external device 4 receives the timer information. The control unit 32 may control the notification unit 30 to notify the timer information that the communication unit 31 transmits to the first external device 4.

[0275] The above-mentioned specific event may include the event in which the communication unit 31 receives a transmission instruction from the first external device 4 to transmit heating status information indicating the heating status of the heating unit 27. In this case, in step S72, the cooking appliance 1 transmits the heating status information to the first external device 4. The control unit 32 may control the notification unit 30 to notify the heating status information. The first external device 4, having received the heating status information, outputs the heating status information.

[0276] In step S73, the first external device 4 outputs timer information. In step S74, the control unit 32 determines whether the heating time has expired. If the heating time has not expired (step S74: NO), the cooking appliance 1 returns to step S71. If the heating time has expired (step S74: YES), in step S75, the cooking appliance 1 transmits timer information indicating the expiration of the heating time and a request regarding whether the heating time needs to be extended, i.e., reset. In detail, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to transmit timer information indicating the expiration of the heating time and a request regarding whether the timer needs to be reset to the first external device 4. The first external device 4 receives the timer information indicating the expiration of the heating time and the request regarding whether the timer needs to be reset. In step S75, the cooking appliance 1 may transmit a request for instructions regarding the heat level to the first external device 4.

[0277] In step S76, the first external device 4 outputs the timer information received in step S75 and the content of the request. In step S77, the first external device 4 receives instructions regarding timer resetting. In step S77, the first external device 4 may also receive instructions indicating the length of the extended heating time along with the instructions for timer resetting. In step S78, the first external device 4 transmits the instructions regarding timer resetting to the cooking appliance 1. The cooking appliance 1 receives the instructions regarding timer resetting.

[0278] Furthermore, if the first external device 4 receives an instruction indicating the extended heating time in step S77, in step S78, the first external device 4 transmits an instruction indicating the extended heating time along with an instruction to reset the timer to the cooking appliance 1. If the first external device 4 receives an instruction to reset the timer in step S77 but does not receive an instruction regarding the extended heating time, in step S78, the first external device 4 transmits an instruction to reset the timer to the cooking appliance 1, and then receives a request from the cooking appliance 1 regarding the extended time. In addition, the first external device 4 receives an instruction regarding the extended time from the user and transmits the received instruction to the cooking appliance 1.

[0279] In step S77, the first external device 4 may receive instructions regarding the heat level. In this case, in step S78, the first external device 4 transmits instructions regarding the heat level to the cooking appliance 1.

[0280] In step S79, the control unit 32 resets the timer. In this case, the control unit 32 may control the notification unit 30 to notify that the timer has been reset. Specifically, if the left heating coil 13L is selected as the heating unit 27, the control unit 32 may illuminate the fourth left operation light-emitting unit 263L in the cooking appliance 1. It should be assumed that when the communication unit 31 receives an instruction to reset the timer in step S78, it receives an instruction regarding the extension time at the same time as the instruction to reset the timer, or before or after the instruction to reset the timer.

[0281] In step S80, the control unit 32 determines whether the operation unit of the cooking appliance 1 has received an operation to confirm the reset of the timer between the time the timer was reset in step S79 and the confirmation waiting time has elapsed. Specifically, the control unit 32 determines whether an operation has been performed on the left timer key 223L or the right timer key 223R, etc., on the cooking appliance 1 before the confirmation waiting time has elapsed. If the operation unit has not received an operation to confirm the reset of the timer before the confirmation waiting time has elapsed (step S80: NO), in step S81, the control unit 32 terminates the acceptance of instructions to extend the heating time. In step S82, the cooking appliance 1 transmits information to the first external device 4 indicating that it has terminated the acceptance of instructions to extend the heating time. The first external device 4 receives information indicating that the cooking appliance 1 has terminated the acceptance of instructions to extend the heating time.

[0282] In step S83, the first external device 4 outputs information indicating that the cooking appliance 1 has finished accepting the instruction to extend the heating time. After the processing in step S83, the processing for remotely setting the heating time extension in the cooking system 100 is completed. Alternatively, after the processing in step S81, the cooking system 100 may complete the processing for remotely setting the heating time extension without performing steps S82 to S83.

[0283] If the control unit accepts an operation to reset the timer before the confirmed waiting time has elapsed (step S80: YES), in step S84, the control unit 32 controls the heating unit 27 to continue heating for the extended time.

[0284] If the communication unit 31 has not received an instruction regarding the heat level before step S84, the control unit 32 in step S84 controls the heating unit 27 to heat at the same heat level as before step S74, when it was determined that the heating time had expired. On the other hand, if the communication unit 31 has received an instruction regarding the heat level before step S84, the control unit 32 in step S84 controls the heating unit 27 to heat at the heat level specified in the instruction received by the communication unit 31. After the processing in step S84, the heating time extension process by the heating cooking system 100 is completed.

[0285] If, during the confirmation waiting time in step S54, the control unit receives a change instruction to modify the instruction from the first external device 4 instead of performing an operation to confirm the reset of the timer, the cooking appliance 1 operates based on the change instruction. After the operation by the cooking appliance 1, the cooking system 100 terminates the process for extending the heating time.

[0286] Here, even when the linked cooking mode is set, the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 may receive instructions for cooking based on the standalone cooking mode from the first external device 4. The instructions for cooking based on the standalone cooking mode from the first external device 4 include information indicating the heating unit 27 that will perform heating based on the standalone cooking mode, and information indicating the heat output of the heating unit 27. The heating unit 27 in these instructions may also be the heating unit 27 that is the main heating unit in the linked cooking mode. In other words, the settings for the cooking appliance 1 via the first external device 4 may conflict with the settings that have already been set. If this occurs, the settings such as the heat output that were determined in the linked cooking mode may be overwritten by the settings from the first external device 4. This may cause cooking in the linked cooking mode to fail.

[0287] The heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 suppresses the failure of cooking based on the set cooperative cooking mode due to settings from the first external device 4. The heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described further below. In the following, one of the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R, which is set to perform heating in cooperative cooking mode, may be referred to as the first heating section. The other of the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R, i.e., the heating section 27 which is not set to perform heating in cooperative cooking mode, may be referred to as the second heating section. In the following, the microwave oscillator 19 and the radiant heater 20 may each be referred to as the third heating section.

[0288] In Embodiment 1, the user selects menu information MI by operating the first central heat decrease key 221C or the first central heat increase key 222C while referring to the central coordination mode screen CS illustrated in Figure 21, thereby setting the coordinated cooking mode. In Embodiment 1, the user can also set one of the left heating coil 13L or the right heating coil 13R as the main unit for executing coordinated cooking by operating the second central heat decrease key 223C or the second central heat increase key 224C to select either the left specific information LS or the right specific information RS. In Embodiment 1, the set coordinated cooking mode is confirmed by operating the central start key 227C.

[0289] In Embodiment 1, if the communication unit 31 receives a setting instruction to cause the first heating unit to perform heating based on the standalone cooking mode before the cooperative cooking mode is determined, the control unit 32 changes the primary heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode from the first heating unit to the second heating unit. Specifically, the control unit 32 removes the first heating unit from being the primary heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode and prevents the first heating unit from being set as the primary heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode. The control unit 32 then sets the second heating unit as the primary heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode. The control unit 32 also sets the first heating unit as the primary heating unit in the standalone cooking mode indicated by the setting instruction received by the communication unit 31. Hereafter, a setting instruction transmitted from an external device to the cooking appliance 1 that causes the first heating unit to perform heating based on the standalone cooking mode may be referred to as a standalone setting instruction.

[0290] The following describes the case where the left heating coil 13L is the first heating unit set to perform heating in the cooperative cooking mode. If the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction before the cooperative cooking mode is confirmed, the control unit 32 removes the left heating coil 13L from being the main heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode. The control unit 32 then prevents the user from setting the left heating coil 13L as the main heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode. For example, the control unit 32 prevents the user from selecting the left specific information LS. The control unit 32 sets the right heating coil 13R as the main heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode. After the control mode is confirmed by an operation on the central start key 227C, the control unit 32 uses an operation on the right start key 224R as a trigger to cause the right heating coil 13R to perform heating in the cooperative cooking mode.

[0291] Furthermore, the control unit 32 sets the left heating coil 13L as the primary heating unit in a standalone cooking mode based on a standalone setting instruction. The control unit 32 then triggers the operation of the left start key 224L to cause the left heating coil 13L to perform heating based on the standalone cooking mode.

[0292] Next, a case where the first heating unit set to perform heating in the cooperative cooking mode is the right heating coil 13R will be described. When the communication unit 31 receives a single setting instruction before the determination of the cooperative cooking mode, the control unit 32 removes the right heating coil 13R from the heating main body in the cooperative cooking mode. Then, the control unit 32 prevents the user from setting the right heating coil 13R as the heating main body in the cooperative cooking mode. For example, the control unit 32 prevents the user from selecting the right specific information RS. The control unit 32 sets the heating main body in the cooperative cooking mode to the left heating coil 13L. Then, after the control mode is determined by an operation on the center start key 227C, the control unit 32 uses an operation on the left start key 224L as a trigger to cause the left heating coil 13L to perform heating in the cooperative cooking mode.

[0293] Also, the control unit 32 sets the right heating coil 13R as the heating main body in the single cooking mode based on the single setting instruction. Then, the control unit 32 uses an operation on the right start key 224R as a trigger to cause the right heating coil 13R to perform heating based on the single cooking mode.

[0294] When the communication unit 31 receives a single setting instruction after the determination of the cooperative cooking mode, the control unit 32 keeps the first heating unit as the heating main body in the cooperative cooking mode and invalidates the single setting instruction. That is, after the determination of the cooperative cooking mode, the control unit 32 makes the first heating unit non-selectable as the heating main body in the single cooking mode. And when the first heating unit is the left heating coil 13L, the control unit 32 uses an operation on the left start key 224L as a trigger to cause the left heating coil 13L to execute cooperative cooking. Alternatively, when the first heating unit is the right heating coil 13R, the control unit 32 uses an operation on the right start key 224R as a trigger to cause the right heating coil 13R to execute cooperative cooking. Note that the control unit 32 may set the first heating unit as the heating main body in the single cooking mode after the processing of the first heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode is completed.

[0295] The first external device 4 in Embodiment 1 can receive a command from the user to cancel the linked cooking mode. The first external device 4 can also receive a command from the user to cancel the standalone cooking mode based on a standalone setting command. Hereinafter, the command to cancel the linked cooking mode may also be referred to as a linked cancellation command. Similarly, the command to cancel the standalone cooking mode may also be referred to as a standalone cancellation command. Hereinafter, when the term "cancellation command" is used, it refers to either a linked cancellation command or a standalone cancellation command. The first external device 4 transmits the received cancellation command to the heating appliance 1.

[0296] If the communication unit 31 receives a command to cancel the linkage before the linked cooking mode is finalized, the control unit 32 cancels the currently set linked cooking mode. If the communication unit 31 receives a command to cancel the standalone cooking mode while a standalone cooking mode based on a standalone setting command is set, the control unit 32 cancels the currently set standalone cooking mode.

[0297] If the control unit 32 receives a standalone setting instruction from the communication unit 31 while the linked cooking mode is set, and the total power corresponding to the sum of the power levels from the linked cooking mode and standalone cooking mode exceeds the specified power, the control unit 32 will cancel the linked cooking mode. Alternatively, the control unit 32 will not set the standalone cooking mode based on the standalone setting instruction.

[0298] If the communication unit 31 receives a command to cancel the linkage after the linked cooking mode has been confirmed, the control unit 32 cancels the setting of the heating unit 27, which is the main heating unit in the linked cooking mode. If the communication unit 31 receives another command to cancel the linkage after the control unit 32 has canceled the setting of the heating unit in the linked cooking mode, the control unit 32 cancels the previously confirmed linked cooking mode. Alternatively, if the communication unit 31 receives a command to cancel the linkage after the linked cooking mode has been confirmed, the control unit 32 may cancel both the setting of the heating unit and the linked cooking mode.

[0299] By the control unit 32 releasing the coordinated cooking mode, the user can control the first external device 4 to heat the desired heating unit 27 at the desired heat level. The user can also reset the coordinated cooking mode. Therefore, the user can set a coordinated cooking mode in which a different heating unit 27 is the primary heating unit than the heating unit 27 that performs heating based on the single cooking mode.

[0300] The following describes the processing flow by the cooking appliance 1 when it receives a standalone setting instruction while the linked cooking mode is set, with reference to Figures 28 to 30. Figure 28 is a time chart illustrating the processing flow when the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 receives a standalone setting instruction before the linked cooking mode is confirmed. Figure 29 is a time chart illustrating the processing flow when the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 receives a standalone setting instruction after the linked cooking mode has been confirmed. Figure 30 is a time chart illustrating the processing flow when the cooking appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 receives a linkage cancellation instruction before the linked cooking mode is confirmed.

[0301] In Figures 28 to 30, time is shown on the horizontal axis, and the direction of time is indicated by a solid arrow, similar to Figures 23 to 24. In Figures 28 to 30, items "F", "G", "H", and "J" from Figures 23 to 24 are omitted. Items "A" to "E" in Figures 28 to 30 are the same as in Figures 23 to 24. In Figures 28 to 30, item "K" refers to the processing by the communication unit 31.

[0302] First, let's explain Figure 28. The function setting key 220C accepts input from the user (A21). After A21, the process of selecting the linked cooking mode begins (B21). During the linked cooking mode selection process, the central display unit 24C displays the central linked mode screen CS (E21). The central linked mode screen CS displays additional information AI such as "Confirm with the start button."

[0303] In the initial stage of B21, the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode, out of the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R. Therefore, the central display unit 24C indicates that the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode (E21a).

[0304] The second central heat drop key 223C or the second central heat rise key 224C accepts user input (A22). This sets the right heating coil 13R as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode. The central display unit 24C indicates that the right heating coil 13R has been set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode (E21b).

[0305] The communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction from an external device, which is an instruction to set a standalone cooking mode with the right heating coil 13R as the primary heating element (K21). As a result, the right heating coil 13R is removed from the list of candidates for the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode, and the user can no longer set the right heating coil 13R as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode. The right heating coil 13R is set as the primary heating element in the standalone cooking mode, and the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode. The central display unit 24C indicates that the left heating coil 13L has been set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode (E21c).

[0306] The right display unit 24R displays information indicating the heat output of the right heating coil 13R in the standalone setting instruction (D21). For example, if the standalone setting instruction is to heat using the right heating coil 13R with a heat output of 5, the right display unit 24R will display "Heat Output 5" or the like. Although not shown in the figure, the cooking appliance 1 enters a state where it is waiting for heating by the right heating coil 13R. That is, the cooking appliance 1 is waiting for operation of the right start key 224R. The control unit 32 may light up or blink the first right operation light-emitting unit 260R associated with the right start key 224R.

[0307] The central start key 227C accepts input from the user (A23). This confirms the cooperative cooking mode. The cooking appliance 1 then enters a state where it is waiting for heating by the left heating coil 13L (B22). In other words, the cooking appliance 1 enters a state where it is waiting for input to the left start key 224L.

[0308] After the linked cooking mode is confirmed (A23), the left display unit 24L displays the target temperature for the IH preheating process in the linked display mode (C21). For example, if the selected cooking menu is "hamburg steak," the left display unit 24L will display "Grilled food 220°C," etc.

[0309] Furthermore, after the linked cooking mode is confirmed (A23), the central display unit 24C displays additional information AI prompting the user to operate the left start key 224L (E22). The control unit 32 may also light up or blink the first left operation light-emitting unit 260L, which is associated with the left start key 224L.

[0310] The left start key 224L accepts user input (A24). This initiates heating based on the coordinated cooking mode using the left heating coil 13L, and the induction heating process begins (B23). The left display unit 24L displays information such as the temperature of the object being heated by the left heating coil 13L, the target temperature of the object, or the degree to which the temperature of the object has risen to the target temperature (C22).

[0311] The central display unit 24C displays information indicating that the left heating coil 13L is performing preheating (E23). In Embodiment 1, the central display unit 24C displays the central linkage mode screen CS, which includes information indicating that the IH preheating process by the left heating coil 13L is underway.

[0312] The right start key 224R accepts user input (A25). This causes the right heating coil 13R to perform heating based on the standalone cooking mode. The right display unit 24R displays information indicating that the right heating coil 13R is heating at the heat level based on the standalone setting instruction, such as "Heat level 5, Heating in progress" (D22).

[0313] Next, referring to Figure 29, the process when a standalone setting instruction is received after the linked cooking mode has been confirmed will be explained. The function setting key 220C accepts operation from the user (A31). After A31, the process of selecting the linked cooking mode begins (B31). During the linked cooking mode selection process, the central display unit 24C displays the central linked mode screen CS (E31).

[0314] In the initial stage of B31, the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode, out of the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R. Therefore, the central display unit 24C indicates that the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode (E31a).

[0315] The central start key 227C accepts input from the user (A32). This confirms the linked cooking mode. The cooking appliance 1 then enters a state where it is waiting for heating by the left heating coil 13L (B32). In other words, the cooking appliance 1 enters a state where it is waiting for input to the left start key 224L.

[0316] After the linked cooking mode is confirmed (A32), the left display unit 24L displays the target temperature for the IH preheating process in the linked display mode (C31). For example, if the selected cooking menu is "hamburg steak," the left display unit 24L will display "Grilled food 220°C," etc.

[0317] After the linked cooking mode is confirmed (A32), the central display unit 24C displays additional information AI prompting the user to press the left start key 224L (E32). The control unit 32 may light up or blink the first left operation light-emitting unit 260L, which is associated with the left start key 224L.

[0318] The communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction from an external device, which is an instruction to set a standalone cooking mode in which the left heating coil 13L is the primary heating unit (K31). However, since a cooperative cooking mode in which the left heating coil 13L is the primary heating unit has already been determined, the control unit 32 causes the left heating coil 13L to perform heating based on the cooperative cooking mode by operating the left start key 224L. For this reason, the control unit 32 invalidates the standalone setting instruction. Alternatively, the control unit 32 may set the left heating coil 13L as the primary heating unit for cooking based on the standalone setting instruction after the left heating coil 13L has finished heating based on the cooperative cooking mode.

[0319] The communication unit 31 receives a command to cancel the linkage from an external device (K32). This cancels the setting of the left heating coil 13L based on the linked cooking mode, and also cancels the linked cooking mode. The state of the heating appliance 1 also changes from the state in B32, i.e., the state waiting for operation to the left start key 224L. Furthermore, the left display unit 24L stops displaying (C31) the target temperature during the IH preheating process in the linked display mode. Specifically, the left display unit 24L becomes blank. The central display unit 24C also stops displaying (E32) additional information AI prompting operation to the left start key 224L. Specifically, the central display unit 24C displays a screen other than the central linked mode screen CS, such as a predetermined initial state screen, in place of the central linked mode screen CS.

[0320] The following describes the processing flow when the communication unit 31 receives a link cancellation instruction before the linked cooking mode is confirmed, referring to Figure 30. The function setting key 220C accepts operation from the user (A41). After A41, the process of selecting the linked cooking mode begins (B41). In the process of selecting the linked cooking mode, the central display unit 24C displays the central linked mode screen CS (E41).

[0321] In the initial stage of B41, the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode, out of the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R. Therefore, the central display unit 24C indicates that the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode (E41a). The second central heat drop key 223C or the second central heat rise key 224C accepts user input (A42). As a result, the right heating coil 13R is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode. The central display unit 24C indicates that the right heating coil 13R is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode (E41b).

[0322] The communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction from an external device, which is an instruction to set a standalone cooking mode with the left heating coil 13L as the primary heating element (K41). As a result, the left heating coil 13L is removed from the list of candidates for the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode, and the user can no longer set the left heating coil 13L as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode. The left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the standalone cooking mode, and the right heating coil 13R is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode.

[0323] The left display unit 24L displays information indicating the heat output from the left heating coil 13L in the standalone setting instruction (C41).

[0324] The communication unit 31 receives a standalone deactivation instruction from an external device (K42). This deactivates the setting of the left heating coil 13L based on the standalone setting instruction. Consequently, the left display unit 24L stops displaying information indicating the flame level based on the standalone setting instruction. Specifically, the left display unit 24L displays nothing.

[0325] The communication unit 31 receives a command to cancel the linkage from an external device (K43). This cancels the linked cooking mode, and the linked cooking mode selection process (B41) ends. The central display unit 24C stops displaying information (E41b) indicating that a linked cooking mode with the right heating coil 13R as the main heating element has been set. The central display unit 24C also stops displaying the central linked mode screen CS (E41). In other words, the central display unit 24C displays a screen other than the central linked mode screen CS, such as a predetermined initial state screen, in place of the central linked mode screen CS.

[0326] The effects of the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 are described below. The heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 1 comprises a plurality of heating units 27, a communication unit 31, an operation unit, and a control unit 32. The heating units 27 heat the food to be heated. The communication unit 31 communicates with an external device and receives instructions from the external device to heat using one of the plurality of heating units 27. The operation unit receives settings to cause all or some of the plurality of heating units 27 to perform heating. The control unit 32 controls all or some of the plurality of heating units 27 based on both or either the instructions received by the communication unit 31 and the settings received by the operation unit. The plurality of heating units 27 include a first heating unit, a second heating unit, and a third heating unit. The heating methods of the first and second heating units are the same, while the heating method of the third heating unit is different from that of the first and second heating units. The settings accepted by the control unit include the setting of a coordinated cooking mode in which the first heating unit and the third heating unit perform heating in a predetermined order based on a cooking menu. Instructions from external devices include a standalone setting instruction that instructs heating by the first heating unit. If the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction while the coordinated cooking mode setting has not been finalized, the control unit 32 changes the primary heating unit in the coordinated cooking mode from the first heating unit to the second heating unit, and sets the first heating unit as the primary heating unit that performs heating based on the standalone setting instruction. If the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction while the coordinated cooking mode setting has been finalized, the control unit 32 sets the primary heating unit in the coordinated cooking mode to the first heating unit.

[0327] According to the above configuration, if the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction before the linked cooking mode setting is finalized, the control unit 32 will designate the second heating unit as the primary heating unit in linked cooking mode instead of the first heating unit. That is, the control unit 32 will remove the first heating unit, which is specified in the standalone setting instruction, from the control target based on linked cooking mode and make it a control target based on the standalone setting instruction, while making the second heating unit, which is not specified in the standalone setting instruction, a control target based on linked cooking mode. If the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction after the linked cooking mode setting has been finalized, the control unit 32 will designate the first heating unit as a control target based on linked cooking mode. Therefore, conflicts between the standalone setting instruction received by the communication unit 31 and the linked cooking mode setting accepted by the operation unit are suppressed. Thus, even if the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction, the cooking appliance 1 can avoid a situation where cooking based on linked cooking mode cannot be performed. Furthermore, if the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction before the linked cooking mode setting is finalized, the control target in linked cooking mode is changed from the first heating unit to the second heating unit, thus saving the user the trouble of selecting the heating unit 27. The cooking appliance 1 can then perform both cooking based on the linked cooking mode by the second heating unit and cooking based on the standalone setting instruction by the first heating unit. Consequently, convenience is improved.

[0328] In Embodiment 1, if the communication unit 31 receives a link cancellation instruction from an external device before the linked cooking mode setting is finalized, the control unit 32 cancels the linked cooking mode. If the communication unit 31 receives a link cancellation instruction from an external device after the linked cooking mode setting has been finalized, the control unit 32 cancels the setting of the heat output of either the first heating unit or the second heating unit, and the setting of the heat output of the third heating unit, which perform heating based on the linked cooking mode. Then, the control unit 32 cancels the linked cooking mode. As a result, the cooking appliance 1 can cancel the linked cooking mode at any time upon receiving a link cancellation instruction, regardless of whether the linked cooking mode setting has been finalized. Therefore, convenience is improved. In addition, it is possible to suppress the start of heating due to malfunction of the control unit caused by, for example, boil-overs.

[0329] Embodiment 2. Embodiment 2 will now be described. In Embodiment 2, the same reference numerals will be used for components that are the same as those in Embodiment 1. In Embodiment 2, the same configurations as in Embodiment 1, and the same functions as in Embodiment 1, will not be described unless there are special circumstances.

[0330] In Embodiment 2, if the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction before the linked cooking mode setting is finalized, the control unit 32 keeps the first heating unit as the primary heating unit in linked cooking mode, but instead of the first heating unit, it makes the second heating unit the control target based on the standalone setting instruction. Also in Embodiment 2, if the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction after the linked cooking mode setting is finalized, the control unit 32 keeps the first heating unit as the primary heating unit in linked cooking mode, but instead of the first heating unit, it makes the second heating unit the control target based on the standalone setting instruction. Furthermore, when the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to send a confirmation request to the first external device 4 via the second external device 5 asking whether it is acceptable to use the second heating unit instead of the first heating unit as the primary heating unit based on the standalone setting instruction. Then, when the communication unit 31 receives a permission response from the first external device 4 via the second external device 5, in response to the confirmation request, authorizing the second heating unit to perform heating based on the standalone setting instruction, the control unit 32 sets the second heating unit to the heating unit 27 that performs heating based on the standalone setting instruction. Note that the process of sending and receiving the confirmation request and permission response between the communication unit 31 and the first external device 4 may be omitted, but sending and receiving the confirmation request and permission response prevents unexpected heating for the user.

[0331] The following describes the case where the first heating unit is the left heating coil 13L. If the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction before the cooperative cooking mode is finalized, the control unit 32 keeps the left heating coil 13L as the primary heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode, and sets the right heating coil 13R as the primary heating unit in the standalone cooking mode based on the standalone setting instruction. The control unit 32 then prevents the user from setting the right heating coil 13R as the primary heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode. For example, the control unit 32 prevents the user from selecting the right specific information RS. If the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction after the cooperative cooking mode is finalized, the control unit 32 keeps the left heating coil 13L as the primary heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode, and sets the right heating coil 13R as the primary heating unit in the standalone cooking mode based on the standalone setting instruction. Here, after receiving the standalone setting instruction, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to send a confirmation request to the first external device 4 asking whether it is acceptable to set the right heating coil 13R as the primary heating unit in the standalone cooking mode based on the standalone setting instruction. Then, if the communication unit 31 receives a permission response from the control unit 32 authorizing the right heating coil 13R to be the primary heating element in the single-cook mode, the control unit 32 will designate the right heating coil 13R as the primary heating element in the single-cook mode. If the communication unit 31 does not receive a permission response from the control unit 32 authorizing the right heating coil 13R to be the primary heating element based on the single-cook setting instruction, the control unit 32 may invalidate the single-cook setting instruction.

[0332] Next, we will describe the case where the first heating unit is the right heating coil 13R. If the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction before the cooperative cooking mode is finalized, the control unit 32 keeps the right heating coil 13R as the main heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode, and sets the left heating coil 13L as the main heating unit in the standalone cooking mode based on the standalone setting instruction. The control unit 32 then prevents the user from setting the left heating coil 13L as the main heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode. For example, the control unit 32 prevents the user from selecting the left specific information LS. If the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction after the cooperative cooking mode is finalized, the control unit 32 keeps the right heating coil 13R as the main heating unit in the cooperative cooking mode, and sets the left heating coil 13L as the main heating unit in the standalone cooking mode based on the standalone setting instruction. Here, after receiving the standalone setting instruction, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to send a confirmation request to the first external device 4 asking whether it is acceptable to set the left heating coil 13L as the main heating unit in the standalone cooking mode based on the standalone setting instruction. The control unit 32 then sets the left heating coil 13L as the heating main unit in the single-cook mode when the communication unit 31 receives a permission response authorizing the left heating coil 13L to be the heating main unit in the single-cook mode. The control unit 32 may invalidate the single-cook mode instruction if the communication unit 31 does not receive a permission response authorizing the left heating coil 13L to be the heating main unit that performs heating based on the single-cook mode instruction.

[0333] Furthermore, if the control unit 32 receives a standalone setting instruction after the communication unit 31 has confirmed the setting of the cooperative cooking mode, it may, instead of making the second heating unit the primary heating unit based on the standalone setting instruction, invalidate the standalone setting instruction. In this case, the communication unit 31 will not send a confirmation request.

[0334] The following describes the processing flow when the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 2 receives a standalone setting instruction, with reference to Figures 31 to 33. Figure 31 is a time chart illustrating the processing flow when the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 2 receives a standalone setting instruction before the linked cooking mode is determined. Figure 32 is a time chart showing a first example of the processing flow when the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 2 receives a standalone setting instruction and a linked cancellation instruction after the linked cooking mode has been determined. Figure 33 is a time chart showing a second example of the processing flow when the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 2 receives a standalone setting instruction and a linked cancellation instruction after the linked cooking mode has been determined.

[0335] In Figures 31 to 33, time is shown on the horizontal axis, and the direction of time is indicated by a solid arrow, similar to Figures 28 to 30. The items "A" to "K" in Figures 31 to 33 are the same as in Figures 28 to 30.

[0336] First, let's explain Figure 31. The function setting key 220C accepts input from the user (A51). After A51, the process of selecting the linked cooking mode begins (B51). During the linked cooking mode selection process, the central display unit 24C displays the central linked mode screen CS (E51). The central linked mode screen CS displays additional information AI such as "Confirm with the start button."

[0337] In the initial stage of B51, the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode, out of the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R. Therefore, the central display unit 24C indicates that the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode (E51a).

[0338] The communication unit 31 receives a command to cancel the connection from an external device (K51). This cancels the connected cooking mode, and the connected cooking mode selection process (B51) ends. The central display unit 24C also stops displaying information (E51a) indicating that a connected cooking mode with the left heating coil 13L as the main heating element has been set. The central display unit 24C also stops displaying the central connected mode screen CS (E51). Specifically, the central display unit 24C displays a screen other than the central connected mode screen CS, such as a predetermined initial state screen, in place of the central connected mode screen CS.

[0339] The function setting key 220C accepts further input from the user (A52). After A52, the process of selecting the linked cooking mode begins (B52). The central display unit 24C also displays the central linked mode screen CS (E52). In the initial stage of B52, the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode, out of the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R. Therefore, the central display unit 24C indicates that the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode (E52a).

[0340] The second central heat drop key 223C or the second central heat rise key 224C accepts user input (A53). This sets the right heating coil 13R as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode. The central display unit 24C indicates that the right heating coil 13R has been set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode (E52b).

[0341] The communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction from an external device, which is an instruction to set a standalone cooking mode with the right heating coil 13R as the primary heating element (K52). Since the right heating coil 13R is already set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode, the communication unit 31 sends a confirmation request to the external device asking whether the left heating coil 13L may be used as the primary heating element based on the standalone setting instruction (K53). The communication unit 31 receives a permission response from the external device granting permission to use the left heating coil 13L as the primary heating element based on the standalone setting instruction (K54).

[0342] The left display unit 24L displays information indicating the heat output from the left heating coil 13L based on the individual setting instruction (C51). For example, if the individual setting instruction is to heat with a heat output of 5, the left display unit 24L will display "Heat Output 5" or the like. The cooking appliance 1 enters a state where it is waiting for heating by the left heating coil 13L. That is, the cooking appliance 1 is waiting for operation on the left start key 224L. The control unit 32 may light up or blink the first left operation light-emitting unit 260L associated with the left start key 224L.

[0343] The central start key 227C accepts input from the user (A54). This confirms the cooperative cooking mode. The cooking appliance 1 then enters a state where it is waiting for heating by the right heating coil 13R (B53). In other words, the cooking appliance 1 enters a state where it is waiting for input to the right start key 224R.

[0344] After the linked cooking mode is confirmed (A54), the right display unit 24R displays the target temperature for the IH preheating process in the linked display mode (D51). For example, if the selected cooking menu is "hamburg steak," the right display unit 24R will display "Grilled food 220°C," etc.

[0345] Furthermore, after the linked cooking mode is confirmed (A54), the central display unit 24C displays additional information AI prompting the user to press the right start key 224R (E53). The control unit 32 may also light up or blink the first right operation light-emitting unit 260R, which is associated with the right start key 224R.

[0346] Next, referring to Figure 32, the processing flow when the heating appliance 1 receives a standalone setting instruction and a link cancellation instruction after the linked cooking mode has been determined will be explained. The function setting key 220C accepts operation from the user (A61). After A61, the process of selecting the linked cooking mode begins (B61). In the process of selecting the linked cooking mode, the central display unit 24C displays the central linked mode screen CS (E61).

[0347] In the initial stage of B61, the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode, out of the left heating coil 13L and the right heating coil 13R. Therefore, the central display unit 24C indicates that the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode (E61a).

[0348] The second central heat drop key 223C or the second central heat rise key 224C accepts user input (A62). This sets the right heating coil 13R as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode. The central display unit 24C indicates that the right heating coil 13R has been set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode (E61b).

[0349] The central start key 227C accepts input from the user (A63). This confirms the cooperative cooking mode. The heating appliance 1 then enters a state of waiting for heating by the right heating coil 13R (B62). In other words, the heating appliance 1 enters a state of waiting for input to the right start key 224R.

[0350] After the linked cooking mode is confirmed (A63), the right display unit 24R displays the target temperature for the IH preheating process in the linked display mode (D61). For example, if the selected cooking menu is "hamburg steak," the right display unit 24R will display "Grilled food 220°C," etc.

[0351] After the linked cooking mode is confirmed (A63), the central display unit 24C displays additional information AI prompting the user to press the right start key 224R (E62). The control unit 32 may light up or blink the first right operation light-emitting unit 260R associated with the right start key 224R.

[0352] The communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction from an external device, which is an instruction to set a standalone cooking mode in which the right heating coil 13R is the primary heating unit (K61). At this point, a cooperative cooking mode in which the right heating coil 13R is the primary heating unit has already been determined. In the example shown in Figure 32, the control unit 32 invalidates the standalone setting instruction.

[0353] The communication unit 31 receives a command to cancel the linkage (K62). This cancels the setting of the heat output of the right heating coil 13R based on the linked cooking mode, and also cancels the linked cooking mode. The state of the heating appliance 1 also changes from the state at B62, i.e., the state waiting for operation to be made to the right start key 224R. Furthermore, the right display unit 24R stops displaying the target temperature and other information during the IH preheating process in the linked display mode (D61), and the central display unit 24C stops displaying additional information AI prompting operation to the right start key 224R (E62). In other words, the right display unit 24R displays nothing, and the central display unit 24C displays a screen other than the central linked mode screen CS, such as a predetermined initial state screen, in place of the central linked mode screen CS.

[0354] The following describes Figure 33. The function setting key 220C accepts input from the user (A71). After A71, the process of selecting the linked cooking mode begins (B71). During the linked cooking mode selection process, the central display unit 24C displays the central linked mode screen CS (E71).

[0355] In the initial stage of B71, the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode. Therefore, the central display unit 24C indicates that the left heating coil 13L is set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode (E71a).

[0356] The communication unit 31 receives a command to cancel the connection from an external device (K71). This cancels the connected cooking mode, and the connected cooking mode selection process (B71) ends. The central display unit 24C also stops displaying information (E71a) indicating that a connected cooking mode with the left heating coil 13L as the main heating element has been set. The central display unit 24C also stops displaying the central connected mode screen CS (E71). Specifically, the central display unit 24C displays a screen other than the central connected mode screen CS, such as a predetermined initial state screen, in place of the central connected mode screen CS.

[0357] The function setting key 220C accepts further input from the user (A72). After A72, the process of selecting the linked cooking mode begins (B72). The central display unit 24C also displays the central linked mode screen CS (E72). In the initial stage of B52, the left heating coil 13L is set as the main heating element in the linked cooking mode, so the central display unit 24C displays that the left heating coil 13L is set as the main heating element in the linked cooking mode (E72a).

[0358] The central start key 227C accepts input from the user (A73). This confirms the cooperative cooking mode. The cooking appliance 1 then enters a state where it is waiting for heating by the left heating coil 13L (B73). In other words, the cooking appliance 1 is waiting for input to the left start key 224L.

[0359] After the linked cooking mode is confirmed (A73), the left display unit 24L displays the target temperature for the IH preheating process in linked display mode (C71). For example, if the selected cooking menu is "hamburg steak," the left display unit 24L will display "Grilled food 220°C," etc.

[0360] Furthermore, after the linked cooking mode is confirmed (A73), the central display unit 24C displays additional information AI prompting the user to operate the left start key 224L (E73). The control unit 32 may also light up or blink the first left operation light-emitting unit 260L, which is associated with the left start key 224L.

[0361] The communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction from an external device, which is an instruction to set a standalone cooking mode with the left heating coil 13L as the primary heating element (K72). Since the left heating coil 13L is already set as the primary heating element in the linked cooking mode, the communication unit 31 sends a confirmation request to the external device to ask whether the right heating coil 13R may be used as the primary heating element based on the standalone setting instruction (K73). The communication unit 31 receives a permission response from the external device granting permission to use the right heating coil 13R as the primary heating element based on the standalone setting instruction (K74).

[0362] The right display unit 24R displays information indicating the heat output from the right heating coil 13R based on the individual setting instruction (D71). For example, if the individual setting instruction is to heat with a heat output of 5, the right display unit 24R will display "Heat Output 5" or the like. The cooking appliance 1 enters a state where it is waiting for heating by the right heating coil 13R. That is, the cooking appliance 1 is waiting for operation on the right start key 224R. The control unit 32 may light up or blink the first right operation light-emitting unit 260R associated with the right start key 224R.

[0363] The communication unit 31 receives a command to cancel the linkage (K75). This cancels the setting of the left heating coil 13L based on the linked cooking mode, and also cancels the linked cooking mode. The state of the heating appliance 1 also changes from the state in B73, i.e., the state of waiting for operation to the left start key 224L. Furthermore, the left display unit 24L stops displaying the target temperature and other information during the IH preheating process in the linked display mode (C71), and the central display unit 24C stops displaying additional information AI prompting operation to the left start key 224L (E73). In other words, the left display unit 24L displays nothing, and the central display unit 24C displays a screen other than the central linked mode screen CS, such as a predetermined initial state screen, in place of the central linked mode screen CS.

[0364] The effects of the heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 2 are described below. The heating appliance 1 according to Embodiment 2 comprises a plurality of heating units 27, a communication unit 31, an operation unit, and a control unit 32. The plurality of heating units 27 heat the object to be heated. The communication unit 31 communicates with an external device and receives instructions from the external device to heat using one of the plurality of heating units 27. The operation unit receives settings to cause all or some of the plurality of heating units 27 to perform heating. The control unit 32 controls all or some of the plurality of heating units 27 based on both or either the instructions received by the communication unit 31 and the settings received by the operation unit. The plurality of heating units 27 include a first heating unit, a second heating unit, and a third heating unit. The heating methods of the first and second heating units are the same, while the heating method of the third heating unit is different from that of the first and second heating units. The settings accepted by the control unit include the setting of a coordinated cooking mode in which the first heating unit and the third heating unit perform heating in a predetermined order based on a cooking menu. Instructions from external devices include a standalone setting instruction that instructs heating by the first heating unit. If the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction before the coordinated cooking mode setting is finalized, the control unit 32 sets the first heating unit as the primary heating unit in the coordinated cooking mode, and sets the second heating unit, not the first heating unit, as the primary heating unit that performs heating based on the standalone setting instruction. If the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction after the coordinated cooking mode setting has been finalized, the control unit 32 sets the first heating unit as the primary heating unit in the coordinated cooking mode.

[0365] According to the above configuration, if the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction while the linked cooking mode setting has not yet been finalized, the control unit 32 will keep the first heating unit as the primary heating unit in linked cooking mode, while setting the second heating unit as the primary heating unit based on the standalone setting instruction. This eliminates the need for the user to change the linked cooking mode setting, and allows the cooking appliance 1 to perform cooking based on both the linked cooking mode and the standalone setting instruction. Thus, convenience is improved. Furthermore, regardless of the timing of receiving the standalone setting instruction, the first heating unit, which was selected as the primary heating unit in linked cooking mode, will perform heating based on the linked cooking mode as intended by the user. Therefore, unintended processing by the first heating unit can be suppressed.

[0366] In Embodiment 2, when the communication unit 31 receives a standalone setting instruction after the linked cooking mode setting has been finalized, the control unit 32 sets the heating unit to be the second heating unit instead of the first heating unit based on the standalone setting instruction. As a result, the second heating unit performs heating at the heat level specified in the standalone setting instruction based on the standalone setting instruction received by the communication unit 31 after the linked cooking mode setting has been finalized. This eliminates the need to retransmit the standalone setting instruction, and the user can have the cooking appliance 1 perform cooking based on both the linked cooking mode and the standalone setting instruction. Therefore, convenience is improved.

[0367] In Embodiment 2, the control unit 32 controls the communication unit 31 to send a confirmation request to an external device asking whether the heating unit based on the standalone setting instruction may be designated as the second heating unit. When the communication unit 31 receives a permission response from the external device allowing the heating unit based on the standalone setting instruction to be designated as the second heating unit, the control unit 32 makes the second heating unit the target of control based on the standalone setting instruction. This makes it possible to suppress processing by the heating unit 27 that the user did not intend.

[0368] In Embodiment 2, if the communication unit 31 receives a link cancellation instruction from an external device before the link cooking mode setting is finalized, the control unit 32 cancels the link cooking mode. If the communication unit 31 receives a link cancellation instruction from an external device after the link cooking mode setting has been finalized, the control unit 32 cancels the settings for the first and third heating units, which are the main heating units in the link cooking mode, and also cancels the link cooking mode. As a result, the cooking appliance 1 can cancel the link cooking mode at any time upon receiving a link cancellation instruction, regardless of whether the link cooking mode setting has been finalized. This improves convenience. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the start of heating due to malfunctions of the control unit caused by, for example, boil-overs.

[0369] Next, the common effects of the heating cooker 1 according to Embodiments 1 and 2 will be described. The heating cooker 1 according to Embodiment 1 comprises a plurality of heating units 27, a communication unit 31, an operation unit, and a control unit 32. The heating units 27 heat the object to be heated. The communication unit 31 communicates with an external device and receives instructions from the external device to heat using one of the plurality of heating units 27. The operation unit receives settings to cause all or some of the plurality of heating units 27 to perform heating. The control unit 32 controls all or some of the plurality of heating units 27 based on both or both of the instructions received by the communication unit 31 and the settings received by the operation unit. The plurality of heating units 27 include a first heating unit, a second heating unit, and a third heating unit. The heating methods of the first and second heating units are the same, while the heating method of the third heating unit is different from that of the first and second heating units. The settings accepted by the control unit include the setting of a coordinated cooking mode in which the first heating unit and the third heating unit perform heating in a predetermined order based on a cooking menu. Instructions from external devices include a single setting instruction that instructs heating by the first heating unit. If the control unit 32 receives a link cancellation instruction from an external device before the communication unit 31 confirms the setting of the coordinated cooking mode, the control unit 32 cancels the coordinated cooking mode. If the control unit 32 receives a link cancellation instruction from an external device after the communication unit 31 has confirmed the setting of the coordinated cooking mode, the control unit 32 cancels the setting of the heat output for either the first heating unit or the second heating unit, and the setting of the heat output for the third heating unit, which perform heating based on the coordinated cooking mode. Then, the control unit 32 cancels the coordinated cooking mode.

[0370] With the above configuration, the heating appliance 1 can cancel the linked cooking mode at any time upon receiving a link cancellation instruction, regardless of whether the linked cooking mode setting has been confirmed or not. Therefore, convenience is improved. In addition, it is possible to suppress the start of heating due to malfunction of the control panel caused by, for example, boil-overs.

[0371] Although embodiments have been described above, the contents of this disclosure are not limited to these embodiments and include a range of equivalent embodiments. Furthermore, the configurations and their variations described in Embodiments 1 and 2 can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not impede function and operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0372] 1 Cooking appliance, 4 First external device, 5 Second external device, 6 Kitchen furniture, 10 Main unit, 11 Top plate, 12 Heating area, 12C Central heating area, 12L Left heating area, 12R Right heating area, 13 Heating coil, 13C Central heating coil, 13L Left heating coil, 13R Right heating coil, 14 Temperature sensor group, 14A First temperature sensor, 14B Second temperature sensor, 14C Third temperature sensor, 15 Heating chamber, 16 Door, 17 Handle, 18 Open / close detection unit, 19 Microwave oscillator, 20 Radiant heater, 20A Upper heater, 20B Lower heater, 21 Exhaust cover, 22 Heating operation unit, 22C Central operation unit, 22L Left operation unit, 22R Right operation unit, 23 Power operation unit, 24 Display unit, 24C Central display unit, 24L Left display unit, 24R Right display unit, 25 Heat level notification unit, 25L Left heat level notification unit, 25R Right heat level notification unit, 26C Central operation light unit, 26L Left operation light unit, 26R Right operation light unit, 27 Heating unit, 30 Notification unit, 31 Communication unit, 32 Control unit, 33 Audio output unit, 34 Bus, 35 Processor, 36 Memory, 37 Input interface circuit, 38 Output interface circuit, 40 Area, 40C Central setting area, 40F Heat level setting area, 40L Left setting area, 40R Right setting area, 40S Heating unit selection area, 40T Timer setting area, 41D Heat level decrease mark, 41U Heat level increase mark, 42 ​​Heat level display area, 43D Heat time reduction mark, 43U Heat time increase mark, 44 Heat time display area, 50 Power on screen, 50A Power status description, 50B Two-dimensional information, 50C Two-dimensional information description, 51 First warning screen, 51A First warning message, 51B Second warning message, 52 Second warning screen, 52A Third warning message, 100 Heating and cooking system, 220C Function setting key, 220L Left cooking selection key, 220R Right cooking selection key, 221C First central heat decrease key, 221L Left heat decrease key, 221R Right heat decrease key, 222C First central heat increase key, 222L Left heat increase key, 222R Right heat increase key, 223 Left timer key, 223C Second central heat decrease key, 223L Left timer key, 223R Right timer key, 224C Second central heat increase key, 224L Left start key, 224R Right start key, 225C Third central heat decrease key, 226C Third central temperature rise key, 227°C228C Center Start Key, 230 Center Cancel Key, 230 Power Button, 232 Power Switch, 233 Power Circuit, 240C First Center Display Area, 241C Second Center Display Area, 242C Third Center Display Area, 250L Left Flame Illuminator, 250R Right Flame Illuminator, 260C First Center Operation Illuminator, 260L First Left Operation Illuminator, 260R First Right Operation Illuminator, 261C Second Center Operation Illuminator, 261L Second Left Operation Illuminator, 261R Second Right Operation Illuminator, 262C Third Center Operation Illuminator, 262L Third Left Operation Illuminator, 262R Third Right Operation Illuminator, 263C Fourth Center Operation Illuminator, 263L Fourth Left Operation Illuminator, 263R Fourth Right Operation Illuminator, 264C Fifth Center Operation Illuminator, AI Additional Information, CS Central Coordination Mode Screen, LS Left: Specific information, MI: Menu information, PS: Progress screen, RS: Specific information on the right.

Claims

1. Multiple heating units for heating the object to be heated, A communication unit that communicates with an external device and receives instructions from the external device to heat one of the plurality of heating units, An operating unit that receives settings for causing all or some of the plurality of heating units to perform heating, A control unit controls all or part of the plurality of heating units based on either or both the instructions received by the communication unit and the settings received by the operation unit, Equipped with, The plurality of heating units are It includes a first heating section, a second heating section, and a third heating section. The heating methods of the first heating section and the second heating section are the same, while the heating method of the third heating section differs from that of the first heating section and the second heating section. The settings accepted by the control unit include the setting of a coordinated cooking mode that causes the first heating unit and the third heating unit to perform heating in a predetermined order based on a cooking menu. The instruction from the external device includes a standalone setting instruction that instructs heating by the first heating unit. The control unit, If the communication unit receives the standalone setting instruction while the settings for the linked cooking mode have not been finalized, the heating unit in the linked cooking mode is changed from the first heating unit to the second heating unit, and the heating unit that performs heating based on the standalone setting instruction is set to the first heating unit. When the communication unit receives the standalone setting instruction while the linked cooking mode setting has been finalized, the heating unit in the linked cooking mode is the first heating unit.

2. The control unit, If the communication unit receives a cancellation instruction from the external device before confirming the setting of the cooperative cooking mode, it cancels the cooperative cooking mode. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein if the communication unit receives a command to cancel the linkage from the external device after confirming the setting of the linked cooking mode, it cancels the setting of the heat output of one of the first heating unit and the second heating unit, and the setting of the heat output of the third heating unit, which perform heating based on the linked cooking mode, and cancels the linked cooking mode.

3. Multiple heating units for heating the object to be heated, A communication unit that communicates with an external device and receives instructions from the external device to heat one of the plurality of heating units, An operating unit that receives settings for causing all or some of the plurality of heating units to perform heating, A control unit controls all or part of the plurality of heating units based on either or both the instructions received by the communication unit and the settings received by the operation unit, Equipped with, The plurality of heating units are It includes a first heating section, a second heating section, and a third heating section. The heating methods of the first heating section and the second heating section are the same, while the heating method of the third heating section differs from that of the first heating section and the second heating section. The settings accepted by the control unit include the setting of a coordinated cooking mode that causes the first heating unit and the third heating unit to perform heating in a predetermined order based on a cooking menu. The instruction from the external device includes a standalone setting instruction that instructs heating by the first heating unit. The control unit, If the communication unit receives the standalone setting instruction while the settings for the linked cooking mode have not been finalized, the heating unit in the linked cooking mode will be the first heating unit, and the heating unit that performs heating based on the standalone setting instruction will be the second heating unit instead of the first heating unit. When the communication unit receives the standalone setting instruction while the linked cooking mode setting has been finalized, the heating unit in the linked cooking mode is the first heating unit.

4. The control unit, The cooking appliance according to claim 3, wherein, when the communication unit receives the standalone setting instruction while the linked cooking mode setting has been finalized, the heating unit based on the standalone setting instruction is the second heating unit instead of the first heating unit.

5. The control unit, The communication unit is controlled to transmit a confirmation request to the external device asking whether the heating unit based on the single setting instruction may be the second heating unit. The cooking appliance according to claim 3 or 4, wherein when the communication unit receives a permission response from the external device that permits the second heating unit to be the heating unit based on the standalone setting instruction, the second heating unit is set to be the control target based on the standalone setting instruction.

6. The control unit, If the communication unit receives a cancellation instruction from the external device before confirming the setting of the cooperative cooking mode, it cancels the cooperative cooking mode. The cooking appliance according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, after the setting of the cooperative cooking mode has been finalized, if the communication unit receives a command to cancel the cooperative mode from the external device, it cancels the setting of the heat output of the first heating unit and the third heating unit, which are the main heating units in the cooperative cooking mode, and cancels the cooperative cooking mode.

7. A cooking appliance that performs cooking by heating, The aforementioned cooking appliance and an external device that communicates with it, A heating and cooking system having, The aforementioned heating appliance is Multiple heating units for heating the object to be heated, A communication unit that receives heating instructions from the external device for any of the aforementioned multiple heating units, An operating unit that receives settings for causing all or some of the plurality of heating units to perform heating, A control unit controls all or part of the plurality of heating units based on either or both the instructions received by the communication unit and the settings received by the operation unit, Equipped with, The plurality of heating units are It includes a first heating section, a second heating section, and a third heating section. The heating methods of the first heating section and the second heating section are the same, while the heating method of the third heating section differs from that of the first heating section and the second heating section. The settings accepted by the control unit include the setting of a coordinated cooking mode that causes the first heating unit and the third heating unit to perform heating in a predetermined order based on a cooking menu. The instruction from the external device includes a standalone setting instruction that instructs heating by the first heating unit. The control unit, If the communication unit receives the standalone setting instruction while the settings for the linked cooking mode have not been finalized, the heating unit in the linked cooking mode is changed from the first heating unit to the second heating unit, and the heating unit that performs heating based on the standalone setting instruction is set to the first heating unit. A heating cooking system in which, when the communication unit receives the standalone setting instruction while the linked cooking mode setting has been finalized, the first heating unit becomes the primary heating unit in the linked cooking mode.

8. A cooking appliance that performs cooking by heating, The aforementioned cooking appliance and an external device that communicates with it, A heating and cooking system having, The aforementioned heating appliance is Multiple heating units for heating the object to be heated, A communication unit that receives heating instructions from the external device for any of the aforementioned multiple heating units, An operating unit that receives settings for causing all or some of the plurality of heating units to perform heating, A control unit controls all or part of the plurality of heating units based on either or both the instructions received by the communication unit and the settings received by the operation unit, Equipped with, The plurality of heating units are It includes a first heating section, a second heating section, and a third heating section. The heating methods of the first heating section and the second heating section are the same, while the heating method of the third heating section differs from that of the first heating section and the second heating section. The settings accepted by the control unit include the setting of a coordinated cooking mode that causes the first heating unit and the third heating unit to perform heating in a predetermined order based on a cooking menu. The instruction from the external device includes a standalone setting instruction that instructs heating by the first heating unit. The control unit, If the communication unit receives the standalone setting instruction while the settings for the linked cooking mode have not been finalized, the heating unit in the linked cooking mode will be the first heating unit, and the heating unit that performs heating based on the standalone setting instruction will be the second heating unit instead of the first heating unit. A heating cooking system in which, when the communication unit receives the standalone setting instruction while the linked cooking mode setting has been finalized, the first heating unit becomes the primary heating unit in the linked cooking mode.

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