JP2010075357A - Household electric appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide household electric appliance which has many non-used functions and allows a user to effectively utilize many functions loaded on the appliance and provides the user with convenience sufficiently. <P>SOLUTION: The household electric appliance includes a frequency recognition means 6 for storing a body operation state and the number of times of operations and recognizing the use frequency of a body function, a proposal execution frequency storage means 9 for storing the number of times of the function proposal of the body operations, and a control means 7s for controlling each of the means of the body. The control means 7 causes a display means or a reporting means 4 to explain the function of a low use frequency by the output of the frequency recognition means 6 and the proposal execution frequency storage means 9 and proposes the selection of the function. Thus, the household electric appliance with improved convenience for the user is attained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a household electrical appliance that proposes selection of a function performed by a display means or a notification means for explaining a function that is used infrequently, and a program for causing this apparatus to function.

Conventionally, this type of household electrical appliance has an operation means for inputting the operation of the main body or an operation start / stop input, a display means for displaying selection contents by the operation means, etc., and confirmation of input of the operation means to the user. It is provided with notifying means for notifying the end time of the main body operation and the like, and control means for controlling each means of the main body, and the control means operates the main body with the function selected and input by the user while controlling each means. is there. For example, in the case of a rice cooker, a course is selected from a menu such as “normal”, “small amount”, “early cooked”, “cooked”, “sushi”, “rice porridge”, and rice cooking is started (for example, , See Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-212198 A

  However, in the conventional rice cooker, when the rice is washed and then soaked in water with an inner pot or the like, the soaking process at the time of rice cooking (heating to a predetermined temperature to water the rice In order to cut this process, the “cooking” switch is pressed twice. This is a function that cuts the inundation process and shortens the total cooking time until it is cooked, which is beneficial to the user. However, the act of pressing the “cooking” switch twice is not familiar and useful. It was a function that was not used much.

  There were also many users who were unaware of this function.

  Furthermore, although it is not difficult to understand if a switch for exclusive use is provided instead of pressing such a switch twice, it is not actually performed due to an increase in cost.

  In today's home appliances that are multifunctional in this way, there are many functions that are not used because of the fact that they are not known even if they are convenient functions installed in the equipment, and the existence of such functions. There was no way to know.

  As a result, many functions mounted on the device have not been effectively utilized by the user, and there has been a problem that the provision of convenience to the user is insufficient.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and explains functions that are used infrequently by display means or notification means, proposes selection of the functions, and recognizes unused functions to the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a household electrical appliance that improves the convenience for the user by being utilized.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the household electrical appliance of the present invention displays an operation means for inputting operation selection or operation start and stop of the main body, operation contents of the main body, selection contents by the operation means, and the like. Display means, notification means for notifying the user of input confirmation of the operation means and the end time of the main body operation, a frequency recognition means for storing the main body operation state and the number of operations and recognizing the use frequency of the main body function, and the main body operation The proposed execution number storage means for storing the number of function proposals, and a control means for controlling each means of the main body, the control means is a predetermined number of times from the output of the frequency recognition means and the proposed execution number storage means This is a household electrical appliance that stops the function proposal when there is no change in the usage frequency after the execution of the proposal. This suggests the selection of functions that are used infrequently, and allows home users to improve convenience for users by recognizing and utilizing convenient functions that have not been used. can do.

  The household electrical appliance of the present invention The program for causing this device to function informs the user of the selection of a function that is not frequently used, proposes the selection, and recognizes and uses the convenient function that has not been used by the user. This improves convenience for the user.

  The first aspect of the invention is an operation means for inputting operation selection or operation start and stop of the main body, a display means for displaying the operation content of the main body and selection contents by the operation means, and confirmation of input of the operation means to the user. And a notification means for notifying the end time of the main body operation, a frequency recognition means for storing the main body operation state and the number of operations and recognizing the use frequency of the main body function, and a suggestion execution number storage for storing the number of function proposals for the main body operation. And control means for controlling each means of the main body, and the control means has a function when there is no change in the use frequency after a predetermined number of proposal executions based on the output of the frequency recognition means and the proposal execution number storage means. By selecting a household appliance to stop the proposal, if a change in the usage frequency occurs after a preset number of function proposals, the selection of a function with a low usage frequency is notified or the selection is proposed. If the user recognizes and uses useful functions that have not been used, and there is no change in the frequency of use, the execution of function proposals is stopped, so that function proposals that are not necessary for users can be made. It is possible to provide a household electrical appliance that is automatically stopped and does not feel bothersome and has improved convenience for the user.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the home electric appliance according to claim 1, wherein the control unit has an ON / OFF switching function of the proposed function by an input of the operation unit, so that the user can determine whether or not to execute the function proposal. If the user can select the function proposal and turn on the function suggestion, the user will be notified of the selection of the function that is not used frequently, or the selection will be suggested, and the user will recognize and utilize the convenient function that has not been used. This makes it possible to provide a household electrical appliance with improved convenience for the user.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, the control means initializes the setting value of the function proposing operation when the function proposing operation is switched from OFF to ON. Informs the user of the selection of functions that are infrequently voiced, or suggests the selection, and allows the user to recognize and utilize useful functions that have not been used. If you want to check the content of the proposal again, if you switch the function proposal operation from OFF to ON, it will be possible by initializing the setting value of the function proposal operation. can do.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a function that is less frequently used by the household electrical appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means sets the number of proposals to a number set according to the function for proposing. By notifying the selection at the end of the operation of the main unit, or by performing the selection a set number of times according to the content of the proposed function, the user can be sure to recognize useful functions that have not been used. By utilizing this function, it is possible to provide a household electrical appliance with improved convenience for the user.

5th invention sets it as the household electrical appliance in any one of Claims 1-4 in which the said control means sets the frequency | count of operation | movement which determines the usage frequency in the said frequency recognition means according to the frequency | count of a function proposal. By prompting the user at appropriate timing for each function that is not frequently used, or by proposing the selection, the user can be sure that the user has recognized a convenient function that has not been used. By using this function, it is possible to provide a household electrical appliance with improved convenience for the user.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the household electric appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit switches between the display unit and the notification unit in a function proposal operation according to the number of function proposals. Propose less frequently used functions to the user according to the number of operations, and reduce the burden of repeating the same contents by voice, and improve the convenience for the user. be able to.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the control means has a switching input means for switching between the display means and the notification means in a function proposing operation, and is used by being a household electrical appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 6. By making it possible to select means for suggesting operation of a function with a low frequency, it is possible to provide a household electrical appliance with further improved convenience for the user.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a rice cooker as an embodiment of the present invention, that is, the rice cooker body 1 is composed of an operation means 2 for inputting a course selection of rice cooking operation, or operation start and stop, a liquid crystal, and the like. The display means 3 for displaying the operation contents and the course selection contents by the operation means 2 and a buzzer, a speaker, etc., and notifying means 4 for notifying the user of the input confirmation of the operation means 2 and the end timing of the rice cooking operation, etc. And a control means 5 for controlling each means of the rice cooker body 1, a frequency recognition means 6 for storing the rice cooking operation state and the number of operations and recognizing the use frequency of the function of the rice cooker, and a pot 7 for the control means 5. A heating means 8 for heating according to an instruction and a suggested execution number storage means 9 for storing the number of function proposals for main body operation are provided.

  The control means 5 is actually constituted by a microcomputer or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation means 2 is composed of a plurality of push button switches 2 a to 2 g, and is arranged close to two adjacent sides of a rectangular display window 3 a that is the display means 3.

  As a specific example of the operation means 2, a menu selection button 2 a for selecting an operation course of the rice cooker body 1, a rice button 2 b for selecting the type of rice to be cooked, and a reservation rice cooking to be cooked using a timer are set. A reservation button 2c, a heat retention button 2d used for heat retention setting, a suggestion button 2e for setting ON / OFF of a function proposal recommended to the user, a cancel button 2f for canceling operation, a rice cooking button 2g used for starting rice cooking, etc. Can be mentioned.

  Although not shown in the figure, a notification means 4 is provided in the vicinity of the display means 3, which is composed of a speaker or the like, and notifies the user of input confirmation of the operation means 2 and the end timing of the operation of the rice cooker body 1. It is configured so that the user can easily recognize at the timing of notification when the user's operation means 2 is operated or notification to the user.

  About the rice cooker comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  When the menu selection button 2a of the operation means 2 is pressed, the selection of rice cooking methods such as “normal”, “small amount”, “cooking”, “rice porridge”, “care” is sequentially switched, and a desired one is selected from these. Select the menu.

  In addition, by pressing the rice seed button 2b, the selection of the rice types of “white rice”, “washless rice”, and “brown rice” is sequentially switched, and a desired rice variety is selected from these.

  Each time the proposal button 2e is pressed, “suggestion ON” and “light-off” are repeated in the lower left part of the display window 3a. Done.

  3 and 4 show the operation flow of the rice cooker of the present invention.

  First, the menu selection button 2a is pressed, and a desired menu is selected from “normal”, “small amount”, “cooking”, “rice porridge”, and “care” (step 1).

  Then, using the rice seed button 2b, a desired rice variety is selected from “white rice”, “non-washed rice”, and “brown rice” (step 2).

  Then, the rice cooking button 2g is pushed and rice cooking is started (step 3). The operation so far is a case where reservation cooking is not performed. When reservation cooking is performed, first, the reservation button 2c is pressed first, and the reservation cooking time appearing in the display window 3a is set to a desired time using the reservation button 2c (for example, Each time the button is pressed, the time advances every 30 minutes, etc.) After setting, the reserved rice is set by pressing the rice cooking button 2g. However, the reserved rice is not directly related to the embodiment of the present invention. The detailed explanation is omitted.

  When the rice cooking button 2g is pushed and rice cooking is started, the proposal button 2e is pushed to determine whether or not the proposal operation is permitted (step 4). (For example, rice cooking method “normal”, rice variety “white rice”, rice cooking content “normal rice without water immersion process cut”) is recorded, and the number of operations at that time is the first predetermined number of times (for example, 30 times) It is determined whether it has been reached (step 5).

  If the predetermined number of operations has been reached, the control means 5 determines whether or not there is a function with a low use frequency that has not reached the second predetermined number of times (for example, once) according to the operation state storage of the frequency recognition means 6. A determination is made to determine whether such a function exists (step 6).

  Here, if a plurality of functions have not reached the second predetermined number of times (for example, once), candidates are determined according to a preset priority [for example, priority: rice cooking method (eg: “care”) ) ＞ Rice cooking contents (ex. “Without flooding process cut”)> Rice variety].

  In the present embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the proposed functions are two functions of “submersion process cut” and “care”, and for convenience of explanation, the “submersion process cut” function is function A. Let the “care” function be function B.

  If the function of low use frequency recognized in step 6 is function A (step 7), it is determined whether or not a third predetermined number of times (for example, 2 times) has been proposed in the past (step 8).

  If it has already been proposed, the function is deleted from the proposed function (step 9), and the process returns to step 6 to determine again whether there is a less frequently used function that has not reached the second predetermined number of times (for example, once). To do.

  If function A has not been proposed for the third predetermined number of times (for example, twice) in step 8, it is determined as a function proposal candidate (step 10).

  And the proposal time (after operation or after operation | movement) preset for the function decided as a candidate is determined (step 15).

  If this is, for example, the “immersion process cut” function, which is the cooking content of function A, the proposal time is after the operation.

  On the other hand, if the function not frequently used in step 7 is not the function A but the “care” function, which is the rice cooking method of the function B, the fourth predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) in the past in step 12 as in step 8. ) Has been proposed.

  If already proposed, the function is deleted from the proposed function (step 13), and the process returns to step 6 to determine again whether or not there is a function with low usage frequency that has not reached the second predetermined number of times (for example, once). (In this case, since there are only two functions A and B as described above, the process proceeds to step 11 without the proposed function).

  Further, if function B has not been proposed for the fourth predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) in step 12, it is determined as a function proposal candidate (step 14).

  And the proposal time (after operation or after operation | movement) preset for the function decided as a candidate is determined (step 15). If this is, for example, the “care” function, which is the function B rice cooking method, the proposal time is after the operation.

  And if the proposal time of the confirmed function candidate is the proposal after operation (step 16), the control means 5 will propose a function through the alerting means 4 (step 17).

  FIG. 5 shows a proposal made by the control means 5 through the notification means 4. Reset according to the number of proposals.

  FIG. 5 shows the operation means 2 and the display means 3 and also shows a voice message from the notification means 4.

  That is, it is recognized from the operation state storage of the frequency recognition means 6 that the number of times of the inundation stroke cut is less than the second predetermined number of times within the first predetermined number of times, and the number of proposals is also the third predetermined number of times. If the number is less than the number of times, the notification means 4 will give a voice message “Did you know? By pressing the rice cooking button twice, you can cut the flooding process and cook rice quickly.” In addition, we propose to use this function.

  Then, the number of proposals for this function is incremented (step 18) (return to the flow of FIG. 4, step 17). And the control means 5 performs a rice cooking process (step 19). If the proposal time of the proposal candidate is confirmed in step 20 and the proposal time of the function proposal candidate is after operation, the control means 5 proposes the function through the notification means 4 at this time (step 21). Thereafter, the number of times the function is proposed is incremented (step 22).

  FIG. 6 shows a proposal made by the control means 5 through the notification means 4 at this time. 6 shows the operation means 2 and the display means 3 as in FIG. 5, and also shows a voice message from the notification means 4.

In this case, the notification means 4 issues a voice message “Did you know? You can take the smell inside the rice cooker in the care course” and proposes the user to use this function. Then (return to the flow of FIG. 4, step 22), the control means 5 shifts to the heat insulation process (step 23). On the other hand, if the proposal execution is not permitted in step 4, if the number of operations has not reached the first predetermined number (for example, 30 times) in step 5, the proposed function candidate proposal time in step 16 is operated. If it is not a later proposal, the process proceeds to the rice cooking process in step 19.

  Further, when there is no function of low use frequency that has not reached the second predetermined number of times (for example, once) in step 6, the control means 5 initializes the number of operations of the rice cooker body 1 stored in the frequency recognition means 6. (Step 11), the process proceeds to the rice cooking process of Step 19. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 20 that the function candidate proposal time is not a proposal after operation, the process proceeds to a heat insulation process in step 23.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the function that is less than the second predetermined number of times (for example, the flooding of the function A) while the first predetermined number of times of operation is executed from the operation state storage of the frequency recognition means 6. When it is recognized that there is a process cut function), a function selection proposal (notice) for that function is voiced (for example, “Did you know? Pressing the rice cooking button twice to cut the flooding process and cook rice quickly) ”), The user is informed of the existence of this function and the use of the function is proposed.

  In this way, we propose the selection of functions that are used less frequently, and provide home appliances that improve convenience for users by allowing users to recognize and use functions that have not been used. It is possible to do.

  Also, by setting the number of proposals according to the function to be proposed (function A: 2 proposals, function B: 3 times), for example, after the operation of a device that easily hears voice messages, the number of function proposals is increased. This makes it possible to provide household electric appliances that provide detailed suggestion operations according to the contents and improve convenience for the user.

  In the first embodiment, it is determined in step 5 in FIG. 3 whether or not the number of operations has reached a first predetermined number of times (for example, 30 times). If the setting value of the predetermined number of times 1 is changed (for example, 30 times for the first proposal and 60 times for the second proposal), the number of operations from the first proposal to the second function proposal with the same content becomes longer. In other words, since the proposal interval becomes longer, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained without giving the user a sense of receiving the same function proposal frequently.

  Further, in the first embodiment, every time the proposal button 2e is pressed, it is possible to switch between permitting the function proposal (“suggestion ON” display on the display window 3a) and prohibiting (“suggestion ON” not displayed on the display window 3a). However, if the device operation count and the proposed count are initialized when switching from the prohibition of the implementation of the function proposal to the permission, the function proposal that has been proposed a predetermined number of times can be proposed again. If you want to check the content of the proposal again after the function proposal, if you switch the function proposal operation from OFF to ON, it becomes possible by initializing the setting value of the function proposal operation, which further improves the convenience for the user And the effect similar to the said Embodiment 1 is acquired.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, differences from the configuration and operation of the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the configuration and operation will be described using those of the first embodiment.

In FIG. 7, a switching button 2 h for switching between the notification unit 4 and the display unit 3 when a function proposal is made by the control unit 5 in the first embodiment is added to the operation unit 2. In addition, a scroll display unit 3 that scrolls and displays characters to the lower part of the display window 3a of the display unit 3
b is also added.

  Each time the switching button 2h is pressed, “display” and “speech” are repeatedly displayed in the lower left part of the display window 3a in three patterns of “display”, “sound”, “display” only, and “sound” only. In the case of display of “display” and “speech”, the function suggestion operation in steps 17 and 21 of the flow of FIG. 4 is the display operation by the voice by the notification unit 4 and the character by the scroll display unit 3b of the display unit 3. Both (for example, the notification means 4 utters "Did you know? You can take the smell in the rice cooker in the care course") and 15 characters on the scroll display portion 3b of the display means 3 The message is displayed while scrolling to the left as time elapses), and in the case of “display” only, display by characters by the scroll display portion 3b of the display means 3 Only the work is performed, in the case of the display of only the "voice" only voice by the notification means 4 is performed.

  That is, a function proposal is made by means selected by the switching button 2h.

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is proposed to select a function that is used less frequently, and by allowing the user to recognize and utilize a function that has not been used, the convenience to the user is improved. It is possible to provide household electrical appliances that can be improved, and the user can select the method of function proposal from voice and display, and the function can be proposed by means according to the user's preference Is.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, differences from the configuration and operation of the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the configuration and operation will be described using those of the first embodiment.

  Since the third embodiment is different only in the function proposal operation in steps 17 and 21 of the flow of FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, the detailed operation of this function proposal operation will be described.

  When the time for implementing the function proposal has been reached, the control means 5 determines the number of times the function proposal has been implemented, and if it is the first proposal (step 31), the function proposal is set to perform both voice and display (step 32) The function proposal is made by both the notification means 4 and the display means 3 as shown in FIG. 7 of the second embodiment (step 33).

  On the other hand, if the function proposal is the second time or later, the function proposal is set to display only (step 34), and the function proposal is made only by the display means 3 (step 33).

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is proposed to select a function that is used less frequently, and by allowing the user to recognize and utilize a function that has not been used, the convenience to the user is improved. It is possible to provide household appliances to be improved, and the proposal of the same function eliminates voice re-suggestion by eliminating the voice and makes the user feel less annoying It is possible to propose functions.

  The configurations in the first to third embodiments described above can be used in appropriate combinations as needed, and are not limited to the configurations of the embodiments themselves.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, the autonomous mobile device in Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described.

In the present embodiment, each means described in the first, second, and third embodiments includes a CPU (or microcomputer), a RAM, a ROM, a storage / recording device, an electrical / information device including an I / O, a computer, It is implemented in the form of a program for cooperating hard resources such as a server.

  In the form of a program, it is possible to easily distribute and update new functions and install them by recording them on a recording medium such as magnetic media or optical media, or distributing them using a communication circuit such as the Internet.

  As described above, the household electrical appliance according to the present invention and the program for causing this device to function propose selection of functions that are not frequently used, and recognize and utilize convenient functions that have not been used by the user. Therefore, it is possible to improve convenience for the user, and it can be applied to general household appliances.

Block diagram showing Embodiment 1 Explanatory drawing of the operation means and display means Same operation flowchart Same operation flowchart Explanatory drawing of the operation means and display means Explanatory drawing of the operation means and display means Explanatory drawing of the operation means and display means showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention Operation flowchart showing Embodiment 3 of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Operation means 3 Display means 4 Notification means 5 Control means 6 Frequency recognition means 9 Proposed execution frequency storage means

Claims (7)

Operation means for inputting selection of operation of the main body or operation start and stop, display means for displaying the operation content of the main body and selection contents by the operation means, etc., confirmation of input of the operation means to the user and end timing of the main body operation Notification means for notifying the main body, the frequency recognition means for recognizing the operation state and the number of operations of the main body and recognizing the use frequency of the main body function, the suggestion execution frequency storage means for storing the number of function proposals of the main body operation, and the main body means Control means for controlling the function, and the control means stops the function proposal when there is no change in the frequency of use after a predetermined number of proposal executions based on the output of the frequency recognition means and the proposal execution number storage means Household appliances. 2. The household electrical appliance according to claim 1, wherein the control means has a function suggestion operation ON / OFF switching function by an input of the operation means. The household electrical appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means initializes a setting value of the function proposing operation when the function proposing operation is switched from OFF to ON. The household electrical appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means sets the number of proposals to a number set according to a function for proposing. The household electrical appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means sets the number of operations for determining the use frequency in the frequency recognition means in accordance with the number of function proposals. The household electrical appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means switches between the display means and the notification means by a function proposal operation according to the number of function proposals. The household electrical appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control means includes a switching input means for switching between the display means and the notification means in a function proposing operation.

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