Heating Regulator

Abstract

To provide a heating cooker which enables a simplified voice operation in accordance with a condition and is excellent in convenience.SOLUTION: A control part is provided with specific information detection means configured so as to be able to detect specific information that sufficiently determines that one heating device is designated in the case that one heating device among a plurality of heating devices is not designated by a voice instruction, and if the specific information detection means detects the specific information, one heating device determined to be designated by the specific information is made to execute operation contents instructed by a voice instruction even in the case that an either one or both of a wake word and the voice instruction designating one heating device among the plurality of heating devices are omitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking heater such as a gas stove, and more particularly to a cooking heater capable of being operated by voice.

Background Art

[0006] Furthermore, according to the sound signal controlled stove described in Patent Document 2, the predetermined operation of the heater can be controlled without the cook having both hands occupied or manually operating the control panel from a distance. Also, even if the control panel of each heater is difficult to see, there is no need to manually operate the control panel, thus preventing cooking errors and further improving the convenience of the stove.

[0007] Incidentally, in cooking appliances that are operated by voice using voice recognition via a built-in microphone, including the cooking appliances described in the aforementioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, a so-called "wake word control method" is widely used as a control method to make the control circuit recognize the start of voice operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-003076 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4313495 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] However, the conventional control method described above has a drawback: if the cooking appliance has multiple heating devices (such as stove burners), it is necessary to specify one of the heating devices each time a command such as ignition or heat control is issued (for example, by issuing a voice command using an operation word such as "ignite the heating device (stove burner) on the right" is issued), which is cumbersome and inconvenient to use.

[0010] In other words, in the case of conventional control methods, 1) First, after the system recognizes the start of voice control using a wake word (for example, "Hello stove"), 2) Give a voice command to specify one of the heating devices (specify the operating part) (for example, "right burner"), and then, 3) For example, to issue specific commands for a designated heating device, such as ignition or heat control (e.g., voice commands using operation words like "ignite" or "low heat"). This was necessary, and voice control could not be performed without following steps 1), 2), and 3) above.

[0011] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a convenient heating and cooking device that can be operated with simple voice commands. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To achieve the above objective, the heating appliance of the present invention is: It comprises multiple heating devices and a control unit configured to control the multiple heating devices by voice commands, The control unit is configured to recognize the start of the voice command by a wake word for recognizing the start of the voice command, and subsequently, after one of the plurality of heating devices is designated by the voice command, when it detects a voice command that instructs the operation content, it operates the designated heating device so as to perform the operation content instructed by the voice command. The control unit includes a specific information detection means configured to detect specific information sufficient to determine that one of the multiple heating devices has been designated when that device is not designated by the voice command, and when the specific information detection means detects the specific information, it is configured to cause the heating device that it has determined to be designated by the specific information to execute the operation commanded by the voice command, even if either or both of the wake word and the voice command designating one of the multiple heating devices are omitted. It is characterized by the following.

[0013] In the heating appliance of the present invention, (a) One of the heating devices among the plurality of heating devices Only the cooking container is placed there. , (b) Only one of the plurality of heating devices, within a predetermined time after the start of the heating operation, (c) When only one of the plurality of heating devices is performing temperature control to cook the food in the cooking container to be cooked at a predetermined control temperature, and the temperature detected by the cooking container temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooking container has fallen by more than a predetermined temperature range from the control temperature within a predetermined time period, (d) If only one of the plurality of heating devices detects the presence of a cooking container to be heated by that heating device using a cooking container detection device provided in that heating device, within a predetermined time, It is preferable that the specific information detection means is configured to determine that specific information has been detected when at least one of the following conditions is met.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferable to include a specific information notification means that informs the user which of the plurality of heating devices the specific information detected by the specific information detection means is.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable that the notification by the specific information notification means is performed by at least one of the following: (a) voice notification, which is performed by voice; and (b) lamp flashing notification, which is performed by flashing a lamp provided in the heating device in which the specific information was detected.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferable that the heating device is configured to perform heating by utilizing the thermal energy generated by burning fuel gas. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] Since the cooking heater of the present invention is configured as described above, when the specific information detection means detects specific information, a simplified voice operation becomes possible without the need for a wake word or a voice command for specifying a heating device. As a result, it is possible to provide a cooking heater that enables a simple voice operation and has high convenience.

[0018] On the other hand, when the specific information detection device does not detect specific information, 1) the start of a voice command is recognized by a wake word, 2) thereafter, after specifying one heating device by a voice command, 3) for the specified one heating device, the operation is performed according to the operation content commanded by the voice command. Therefore, it becomes possible to operate the intended heating device surely and safely, and reliability can be ensured.

[0019] In addition, in the cooking heater of the present invention, (a) one heating device among a plurality of heating devices Only the cooking container is placed there. , (b) only one heating device among a plurality of heating devices is within a predetermined time after the heating start operation is executed, (c) only one heating device among a plurality of heating devices is during the temperature control operation of cooking while controlling the cooking container containing the object to be cooked to a predetermined control temperature, and within a predetermined time after the detected temperature of the cooking container temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooking container has dropped significantly by more than a predetermined temperature range from the control temperature, (d) only one heating device among a plurality of heating devices is within a predetermined time after the presence of the cooking container to be heated by the heating device is detected by the cooking container detection device provided in the heating device, When at least one of the above conditions is met, it is determined that the specific information detection means has detected specific information By doing so Regarding whether specific information has been detected, a more reliable determination can be made, and the present invention can be made more effective.

[0020] Furthermore, if the system is configured to include a specific information notification means that informs the user which of multiple heating devices the specific information detected in one heating device is, the user can recognize the target heating device when issuing voice commands such as starting heating for the intended heating device, thereby providing a more reliable and safer cooking appliance.

[0021] Furthermore, if the notification by the specific information notification means is configured to be performed by at least one of (a) voice notification, which is performed by voice, or (b) flashing lamp notification, which is performed by flashing a lamp on the heating device in which the specific information is detected, the heating device that is the target of voice operation will be indicated more clearly, making it possible to provide a heating cooker with even greater reliability and safety. The heating device may also have indicator lights, such as an operation light, to show the operating status.

[0022] Furthermore, the present invention can be suitably applied to cooking appliances, such as built-in gas stoves and table stoves equipped with multiple gas burners, which have been widely used in the past, and which are heating devices configured to perform heating using thermal energy generated by burning fuel gas. In such cases, simplified voice operation is possible, making it possible to realize built-in gas stoves and table stoves that are highly convenient. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023] [Figure 1] This figure shows the external configuration of a heating appliance (gas stove) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a heating appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the burner operating section (manual operating section) of a heating cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows the burner operating section in a state where it is not in use, and (b) shows the burner operating section in a state where it is extended and ready for use. [Figure 4A]This figure shows a table relating the heating power of the heating device and the display mode of the combustion indicator lamp when no specific information is detected in a heating cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] This figure shows a table relating the heating power of the heating device and the display mode of the combustion indicator lamp when specific information is detected in a heating cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates an example of specific information in the heating appliance of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates another example of specific information in the heating cooker of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the essential operation of a heating appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] The features of the present invention will be further explained below with reference to embodiments of the present invention. [Embodiment] In this embodiment, a built-in type gas stove with a grill, which is installed by inserting it from above into a stove mounting opening formed in the kitchen counter, will be used as an example of a cooking appliance.

[0025] <Basic configuration of a heating appliance (gas stove) according to the embodiment> As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the gas stove according to this embodiment is equipped with three burners (stove burners) 1 (standard burner 1a, high-power burner 1b, and small burner 1c) as heating devices (burners) for heating the food to be cooked (usually a cooking container (not shown) in which the food to be cooked is contained).

[0026] Furthermore, the gas stove according to this embodiment is equipped with a grill section 4 for placing food to be cooked, such as fish, and a grill burner 2 (see Figure 2) is installed inside the grill section 4.

[0027] Furthermore, the standard burner 1(1a) is equipped with a cooking container temperature sensor (pot bottom temperature sensor) 9 for detecting the temperature of a cooking container (not shown) by contacting it. The high-power burner 1b and the low-power burner 1c are also similarly equipped with a cooking container temperature sensor 9.

[0028] The cooking container temperature sensor 9 is biased upward by a spring (not shown), and is configured to descend when the cooking container is placed on the trivet 10 of each burner 1, and to rise when the cooking container moves upward, so as to follow the movement of the cooking container and contact its bottom surface, it can reliably detect the temperature of the cooking container.

[0029] Furthermore, the cooking container temperature sensor 9 is configured to function as a cooking container detection device, which lowers when a cooking container is placed on the trivet 10 to detect that the cooking container is placed on the heating device (specifically the trivet) (that the cooking container is present on the heating device).

[0030] On the front side of the gas stove, there is a burner control unit (manual control unit) 21 (standard burner control unit 21a, high-power burner control unit 21b, small burner control unit 21c) for manually igniting and extinguishing the burner (cooktop burner) 1 and adjusting the heat output, and a grill burner control unit 22 (Figure 1) for manually igniting and extinguishing the grill burner 2 (Figure 2) and adjusting the heat output.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, each of the burners (cooktop burners) 1 (standard burner 1a, high-power burner 1b, small burner 1c) is provided with a spark plug 7 as an ignition device to perform ignition and a thermocouple 8 for detecting the ignition state, and each of the grill burners 2 (upper burner 2a, lower burners 2b, 2c) is also provided with a spark plug 7 as an ignition device to perform ignition and a thermocouple 8 for detecting the ignition state.

[0032] The gas supply configuration for burner (cooktop burner) 1 and grill burner 2 is as follows: As shown in Figure 2, the main gas supply line (main gas piping) 11 is equipped with a main gas solenoid valve 12 (which functions as a main gas shut-off valve that maintains an open state when either the stove burner 1 or the grill burner 2 is used, and a closed state when neither is used). The main gas supply line 11 branches into a branch line 13a for standard burners, a branch line 13b for high-power burners, a branch line 13c for small burners, and a branch line 13d for grill burners.

[0033] Each of these branch lines is equipped with a flow control valve (a gas flow control valve driven by a stepping motor) 3 that adjusts the amount of gas to adjust the amount of heat supplied to each burner, and a position sensor 19 that detects the opening position of the flow control valve.

[0034] The front side of the gas stove is equipped with a power switch 24 and a power indicator lamp 25 (Figure 1) that indicates when the power switch 24 is turned ON.

[0035] Furthermore, five combustion indicator lamps L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5, which function as a heat output indicator means 23 for displaying the amount of heat, are arranged near the periphery of the burner control section (manual control section) 21 (standard burner control section 21a, high-power burner control section 21b, and small burner control section 21c) (see Figure 3). In this embodiment of the gas stove, LEDs are used as the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5.

[0036] Furthermore, this gas stove is configured so that the flame of the burner (cooktop burner) 1 is adjusted based on commands from the burner control unit (manual control unit) 21 mentioned above.

[0037] Furthermore, the cooking appliance (gas stove) according to this embodiment is equipped with a control unit (operation control means) 50 (Figure 2) that controls the combustion of the burner (cooktop burner) 1. This control unit 50 is configured to start the combustion of the cooktop burner 1 based on a combustion start command and to stop the combustion of the cooktop burner 1 based on a combustion stop command.

[0038] <Characteristic Structure> As described above, the cooking appliance (gas stove) according to this embodiment includes a heating device (burner) 1, a burner operation unit (manual operation unit) 21 (Figures 1, 2, and 3), a heat output indicator means 23 (Figure 3) consisting of combustion indicator lamps L (L1 to L5), and a control unit (operation control means) (Figure 2) 50 that controls the combustion of the stove burner 1.

[0039] In this embodiment, the heating appliance (gas stove) is configured to display the heat level from heat level 1 (low heat) to heat level 9 (high heat) by lighting, flashing, and extinguishing the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5 in the manner shown in Figures 4A and 4B.

[0040] Furthermore, the control unit 50 is configured to control multiple heating devices 1 (standard burner 1a, high-power burner 1b, and small burner 1c) by voice commands.

[0041] The control unit 50, in its basic configuration, recognizes the start of a voice command by a wake word (for example, a voice call such as "Hello stove") to recognize the start of a voice command, and after one of the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) is designated by a voice command, when it detects a voice command specifying the operation content, it is configured to operate the designated heating device in accordance with the operation content specified by the voice command.

[0042] In this embodiment, the heating appliance is basically configured to recognize voice commands when the power switch 24 is turned ON.

[0043] Furthermore, in the heating cooker (gas stove) according to this embodiment, the control unit 50 is equipped with specific information detection means configured to detect specific information when, in the event that one of the multiple heating devices 1 (standard burner 1a, high-power burner 1b, and small burner 1c) is not specified by voice command, there exists specific information sufficient to determine that one heating device has been specified.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5 (see Figures 4A and 4B) constituting the heat output indicator means 23 are configured to function as a specific information notification means that informs the user which of the plurality of heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) is the heating device for which specific information has been detected by the specific information detection means. In other words, they are also configured to function as a specific information notification means that informs the user of the heating device (burner) 1 for which specific information has been detected by flashing of the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5.

[0045] Furthermore, as a means of notifying specific information, it is also possible to use an audio notification means that notifies specific information by voice notification instead of the lamp flashing notification described above.

[0046] Furthermore, the heating appliance (gas stove) according to this embodiment is equipped with a sound-collecting microphone (Figure 2) 51 for receiving a wake word or voice command, and a speaker (notification means) 52 (Figure 2) for notifying which heating appliance is identified by specific information, and for making voice responses to confirm the operation commanded by the voice command.

[0047] [Regarding the methods of detecting specific information] In the present invention, the specific information detection means is (a) One of the heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) Only the cooking container is placed there. , (b) Of the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c), only one heating device within a predetermined time after the start of the heating operation (after ignition) (c) Only one of the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) is performing temperature control to cook the food in the cooking container while controlling it to a predetermined control temperature, and the temperature detected by the cooking container temperature sensor 9 has fallen significantly below the control temperature by more than a predetermined temperature range within a predetermined time period. (d) If only one of the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) detects the presence of a cooking container to be heated by that heating device, and within a predetermined time after the cooking container detection device (cooking container temperature sensor) 9 detects the presence of a cooking container, The system is configured to determine that sufficient specific information has been detected to determine that a heating device has been specified, provided that at least one of the following conditions is met.

[0048] Next, we will explain the voice control of the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c).

[0049] (1) Voice control of the heating device (if specific information is not detected) In the heating cooker (gas stove) according to this embodiment, if the specific information detection means does not detect specific information, the control unit 50 recognizes the start of a voice command using a wake word to recognize the start of a voice command, and subsequently, after one of the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) is designated by a voice command, when the control unit 50 detects a voice command that specifies the operation content, it is configured to operate the designated heating device so that it performs the operation content specified by the voice command (for example, heating operation at a predetermined heat level).

[0050] (2) Voice control of the heating device (when specific information is detected) In this embodiment of the cooking appliance (gas stove), when the control unit 50 detects specific information (information sufficient to determine that one of the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) has not been designated by voice command, the control unit 50 is configured to cause the heating device that it has determined to have been designated by the specific information to execute the operation commanded by the voice command issued in the omitted form (for example, "Ignite it!", "Increase the heat!", "Decrease the heat by one level!", "Perform temperature-controlled cooking for a predetermined time and at a predetermined temperature!") even if one of the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) has not been designated by voice command, or even if both have been omitted.

[0051] Here, the relationship between the display patterns of combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5 when the specific information detection means detects specific information and when it does not will be explained using Figures 4A and 4B.

[0052] In the heating appliance according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4A, the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5 are configured to indicate which of the nine predetermined heat levels (from heat level 1 (minimum level) to heat level 9 (maximum level) is currently being used, by indicating whether the lamps are lit, blinking slowly, or off, or a combination thereof.

[0053] If the specific information detection means does not detect specific information, the flame level is indicated by the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5 being lit, blinking slowly, or off, or a combination thereof, as shown in Figure 4A, as per the basic procedure.

[0054] On the other hand, Figure 4B shows the display of the heating level when the specific information detection means has detected specific information.

[0055] If the specific information detection means detects specific information among the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c), the heating device identified by that specific information is configured to indicate the heating power level by a combination of rapid flashing and extinguishing of combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5, or by rapid flashing.

[0056] Therefore, as shown in Figure 4A, if no rapid flashing is observed in any of the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5, it can be concluded that the heating device whose combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5 indicate the heat level is a heating device for which no specific information has been detected.

[0057] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4B, if rapid flashing is observed in any of the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5, the heating device whose combustion indicator lamp L1 to L5 indicates the heating level is a heating device for which specific information has been detected. In other words, it is a heating device that can be operated by voice even if either the wake word or the voice command specifying the heating device is omitted, or if both are omitted.

[0058] Next, we will explain, with specific examples, the manner in which specific information is detected by the specific information detection means and the manner in which voice operation is performed in that case.

[0059] In the section above [Regarding the method of detecting specific information], (a) refers to one of the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c). Only the cooking container is placed there. This specific information (state) can be recognized (detected), for example, from the detection results of the cooking container detection device (cooking container temperature sensor) 9. That is, if the cooking container detection device (cooking container temperature sensor) 9 detects that a cooking container is placed on only one of the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c), or if the cooking container temperature sensor 9 detects that one of the heating devices is undergoing combustion control, then that heating device is determined to be the heating device from which the specific information has been detected.

[0060] In such cases, whether either the wake word or the voice command specifying a heating device is omitted, or whether both are omitted, the system will accept a simplified voice command consisting only of operation words, such as "Ignite it!", "Increase the heat!", "Decrease the heat by one level!", "Perform temperature-controlled cooking for a specified time at a specified temperature!", or "Turn off the heat!", and will operate the heating device according to the commanded operation.

[0061] Furthermore, the specific information (state) that only one of the multiple heating devices 1a, 1b, and 1c is within a predetermined time after the start of the heating operation (after ignition), as described in (b) of the section [Regarding the manner of detecting specific information] above, can be detected, for example, from the detection result of the thermocouple 8 for detecting the ignition state in which the spark plug 7 is activated and ignites a predetermined burner 1, and the time measured by a timing means (timer) (not shown) provided by the control unit 50.

[0062] Then, when the ignition operation is performed and it is determined that only one heating device (burner) 1 has been ignited and is burning based on the electromotive force value of the thermocouple 8, which is a combustion detection device, if it is within a predetermined time from the ignition operation (ignition confirmation), that heating device (burner) 1 is determined to be the heating device (burner) identified by the "identification information".

[0063] For example, as shown in Figure 5, if the elapsed time since ignition is within a time that can be reliably determined to be well before the cooking container temperature (pot bottom temperature) reaches the lower limit temperature for temperature control (e.g., 130°C) (e.g., within 1 minute from ignition), it is determined that "specific information" has been detected, and at least one of the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5 is activated to flash rapidly to indicate that specific information exists. In addition, if either the wake word or the voice command specifying the heating device is omitted, or if both are omitted, the voice command is accepted.

[0064] In other words, within one minute of ignition as described above, the system will accept voice commands even if one or both of the wake word and the voice command specifying the heating device are omitted, for example, if only the operation word "Set the temperature to 160°C!" is given.

[0065] On the other hand, the heating device (burner) identified by the above-mentioned specific information and which receives the above-mentioned voice command will respond with a voice message such as, "Left burner, starting 160°C temperature control!"

[0066] Furthermore, the specific information (state) that, as described in (c) above, only one of the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) is performing temperature control to cook the food in the cooking container while controlling it to a predetermined control temperature, and that the temperature detected by the cooking container temperature sensor 9 is within a predetermined time after it has dropped significantly below the control temperature by a predetermined temperature range or more, is detected as follows.

[0067] For example, as shown in Figure 6, when ingredients such as broccoli are added to a cooking container (pot) after the water has been brought to a boil, the water temperature drops temporarily. The cooking container temperature sensor 9 detects this, and the timing means (timer) (not shown) provided in the control unit 50 measures the elapsed time after the water temperature drops, thereby enabling the detection of the specific information mentioned above.

[0068] Furthermore, when specific information is detected indicating that the temperature has dropped significantly below the control temperature by more than a predetermined temperature range during temperature control, and that this occurs within a predetermined time, the system will activate at least one of the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5 to rapidly flash for the heating device (burner) identified by this specific information to indicate the presence of this information. In addition, the system will accept voice commands even if one or both of the wake word and / or voice command specifying the heating device are omitted, for example, if only an operation word such as "Set a 3-minute timer!" is given.

[0069] On the other hand, the heating device (burner) identified by the above-mentioned specific information and which receives the above-mentioned voice command will respond with a voice message, for example, "Setting the timer for 3 minutes on the right burner!"

[0070] Furthermore, the specific information (state) that a cooking container is present within a predetermined time after a cooking container detection device (cooking container temperature sensor) 9, which is provided in one of the multiple heating devices 1a, 1b, and 1c described in (d) above, is detected is as follows.

[0071] For example, when a cooking container (pot) is placed on a trivet 10 provided by a predetermined heating device (burner) 1, the cooking container detection device (cooking container temperature sensor) 9 detects the cooking container, and the control unit measures the elapsed time after the cooking container is detected, thereby detecting the aforementioned specific information.

[0072] As described above, when a cooking container is detected and specific information is detected, such as that the elapsed time since then is within 30 seconds, the heating device (burner) identified by the specific information will be activated by rapidly flashing and extinguishing at least one of the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5 to indicate that the specific information exists. At the same time, the system will accept voice commands even if one or both of the wake word and / or voice command specifying the heating device are omitted, for example, if only the operation word "Ignite!" is given.

[0073] On the other hand, the heating device (burner) identified by the above-mentioned specific information and which receives the above-mentioned voice command will respond with a voice message, for example, "Ignition of the rear burner!"

[0074] Furthermore, if the information from the cooking container detection device (cooking container temperature sensor) 9 determines that no cooking container is placed on any of the heating devices (burners) 1, then one or both of the wake word and the voice command specifying the heating device may be omitted. For example, if the voice command consists only of the operation word "ignite," the voice command will not be responded to, and a voice response such as "Please place a cooking container on any of the burners" or "Which burner would you like to ignite?" will be given.

[0075] As described above, the heating appliance according to this embodiment is configured to detect specific information in various forms, thus providing a highly convenient heating appliance that enables broad and simplified voice operation.

[0076] Next, an example of characteristic operation in the heating cooker according to this embodiment, when both the detection of specific information and the voice command specifying the wake word and heating device are omitted and only an operation word is given, will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 7.

[0077] In this case, we refer to one of the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) as described in (a) of the section [Regarding the manner of detecting specific information] above. If the cooking container is placed only on this surface This explains how the heating appliance works.

[0078] (1) First, in step S1, it is determined whether the specific information detection means has detected specific information for each heating device. Specifically, it is determined whether it has detected that a cooking container is placed on one of the heating devices (burner) among the multiple heating devices 1 (1a, 1b, 1c).

[0079] (2) In step S1, if specific information is detected that a cooking container is placed on only one heating device (burner), in step S2, at least one of the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5 of the heating device (burner) identified by the specific information is made to flash rapidly.

[0080] This informs the user that the identified heating device (burner) is a heating device that accepts voice commands consisting only of an operation word, with either or both of the wake word and the voice command specifying the heating device (burner) omitted.

[0081] (3) When specific information is detected and the combustion indicator lamp of the heating device (burner) identified by the specific information is flashing rapidly, if there is a voice command consisting only of an operation word, with one or both of the wake word and the voice command specifying the heating device (burner) omitted, a voice command (in this case, an ignition command) is executed for the identified heating device (burner) (step S3).

[0082] Examples of the content of the operation words (voice commands) include: "Ignite it!", "Increase the heat to high!", "Decrease the heat by one level!", "Perform temperature-controlled cooking for the specified time and temperature!", and "Turn off the fire!".

[0083] (4) On the other hand, if no specific information is detected in step S1, the combustion indicator lamps L1 to L5 of the heating device (burner) will not be flashed rapidly, and voice commands consisting only of operation words, in which one or both of the wake word and / or voice command specifying the heating device (burner) are omitted, will not be accepted. In other words, if there is no voice command specifying the heating device (burner), voice commands consisting only of operation words will not be executed (step S4).

[0084] Since the heating appliance according to this embodiment is configured as described above, when the specific information detection means detects specific information, it is possible to perform simplified voice operation without requiring a wake word or voice command to specify the heating device, thereby realizing a highly convenient heating appliance.

[0085] On the other hand, if the specific information detection means does not detect specific information, 1) the start of a voice command is recognized by the wake word, 2) then a heating device is designated by voice command, and 3) the designated heating device operates according to the operation commanded by voice command. As a result, an unintended heating device will not be operated by voice command, and safety and reliability will not be compromised.

[0086] In this embodiment of the cooking appliance, voice commands are generally recognized when the power switch 24 is turned ON. However, prioritizing the convenience of voice operation, the appliance may also be configured to accept normal voice commands, including wake words, even when the power switch 24 is OFF.

[0087] Furthermore, it is possible to configure the system so that voice commands are recognized only when specific information is detected.

[0088] On the other hand, if the control unit is battery-powered, from the standpoint of extending battery life, it is preferable to accept voice commands only when the cooking appliance is in operation (for example, when one or more heating devices are performing heating (burner is burning)).

[0089] Also, the user can set the cooking appliance's mode, for example, a) A setting that accepts normal voice commands, including the wake word, even when the power switch 24 is OFF. b) A setting that accepts voice commands only when the cooking appliance is in operation (for example, when one or more heating devices are performing heating). c) The setting to accept voice commands only when specific information is detected. The system may be configured to allow users to select their desired setting from among several options.

[0090] Furthermore, in the heating cooker of the present invention, the conditions under which the power supply of the control unit is turned ON are not limited to when the power switch 24 is turned ON. For example, the power supply of the control unit may be turned ON when a microswitch linked to the opening operation of the ignition / extinguishing valve is turned ON, or when a reed switch is turned ON in the case where a reed switch is used in the cooking container detection device.

[0091] Although the above embodiment uses a built-in type gas stove as an example, it is not limited to the gas stove shown in this embodiment, and can also be applied to tabletop stoves.

[0092] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a gas stove equipped with a grill, it is also possible to apply this to single-function type gas stoves that do not have a grill.

[0093] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example of a cooking appliance (gas stove) in which the heating device is a burner configured to heat using thermal energy generated by burning fuel gas, the present invention can be broadly applied to multiple heating devices, such as induction cooktops that use induction heaters.

[0094] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above in any other respect, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 1. Heating device (burner) 1a Standard burner 1b High-power burner 1c Small Burner 2 Grill Burners 2a Upper burner 2b, 2c Lower burner 3. Flow control valve (gas volume control valve) 4. Grill section 7 Spark plugs 8 Thermocouples 9. Cooking container temperature sensor (pot bottom temperature sensor) 10 Trivet 11. Main gas supply line (main gas piping) 12 Main gas solenoid valve 13a Branch line for standard burner 13b Branch line for high-power burner 13c Small burner branch 13d Grill burner branch 19 Position Sensor 21 Burner operating section (manual operating means) 21a Standard burner control panel 21b High-power burner control unit 21c Small Burner Control Unit 22 Grill burner control unit 23 Fire power display means 24 Power switch 25 Power indicator light 50 Control Unit 51. Sound-collecting microphone 52. Speaker (Notification method) L1~L5 Combustion Indicator Lamps

Claims

1. It comprises multiple heating devices and a control unit configured to control the multiple heating devices by voice commands, The control unit is configured to recognize the start of the voice command by a wake word for recognizing the start of the voice command, and subsequently, after one of the plurality of heating devices is designated by the voice command, when it detects a voice command that instructs the operation content, it operates the designated heating device so as to perform the operation content instructed by the voice command. The control unit includes a specific information detection means configured to detect specific information sufficient to determine that one of the plurality of heating devices has been designated when one of the plurality of heating devices has not been designated by the voice command, and when the specific information detection means detects the specific information, it is configured to cause the heating device that it has determined to be designated by the specific information to execute the operation commanded by the voice command, even if either or both of the wake word and the voice command designating one of the plurality of heating devices are omitted, and (a) The cooking container is placed on only one of the multiple heating devices. (b) Only one of the plurality of heating devices, within a predetermined time after the start of the heating operation, (c) When only one of the plurality of heating devices is performing temperature control to cook the food in the cooking container to be cooked at a predetermined control temperature, and the temperature detected by the cooking container temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooking container has fallen by more than a predetermined temperature range from the control temperature within a predetermined time period, (d) If only one of the plurality of heating devices detects the presence of a cooking container to be heated by that heating device using a cooking container detection device provided in that heating device, within a predetermined time, The specific information detection means is configured to determine that it has detected the specific information if at least one of the following conditions is met. A cooking appliance characterized by the following features.

2. The heating cooker according to Claim 1, further comprising a specific information notification means for notifying the user which of the plurality of heating devices the specific information detected by the specific information detection means is.

3. The heating cooker according to claim 2, characterized in that the notification by the specific information notification means is performed by at least one of (a) voice notification, which is performed by voice, and (b) lamp flashing notification, which is performed by flashing a lamp provided in the heating device in which the specific information is detected.

4. The heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the heating device is configured to perform heating using thermal energy generated by burning fuel gas.

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