JP2011075198A - Control system for heating cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform cooking without making mistakes in selecting a plurality of heating cookers and cooking menus even when a user has no knowledge of cooking objects. <P>SOLUTION: When a user operates an information terminal 2 (POS terminal) to read information on a commercial product, the information terminal 2 selects a heating cooker 1 to be used based on a predetermined condition, and transmits a cooking menu number to the heating cooker 1 based on information associated beforehand. When receiving the cooking menu number from the information terminal 2, the heating cooker 1 stands by in the cookable state, and informs the user. The user can start cooking when putting in the commercial product in the heating cooker 1 and pressing a start key. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control and management method in a heater cooking device such as a microwave oven.

  In the prior art, communication can be performed between the heating cooker and the information terminal, and a failure diagnosis result can be notified by the information terminal, or communication with the service center can be performed by connecting to the Internet.

JP 2003-246331 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, the information terminal can be used only for notifying the result of failure diagnosis and communicating with the service center, and cannot cooperate with a plurality of cooking devices or different types of cooking devices. Therefore, it was not possible to handle a large number of heating cookers like a convenience store or use many kinds of cooking menus.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, in the heating cooker management system according to the present invention, selection of a cooking menu to be used from the information terminal to the heating cooker is performed by inputting information on ingredients to be cooked into the information terminal. Information is transmitted, and it is set in a standby state.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the management system for a heating cooker according to the present invention performs control related to the operation of the heating cooker by communicating between the heating cooker and the heating cooker. In a heating cooker management system configured with an information terminal for mutual communication of maintenance information, the heating cooker is programmed in advance by inputting information on ingredients to be cooked into the information terminal. The selected menu is selected to enter the execution standby state.

  Thereby, the user can complete the selection of the cooking device and the setting of the menu only by reading the product into the information terminal, and provide a cooking environment with few cooking mistakes.

  With the above configuration, the user can provide a cooking environment with few cooking mistakes by selecting the cooking device and setting the menu simply by reading the product into the information terminal. Furthermore, since a plurality of cookers are used in order, maintenance can be performed at the same time, and a maintenance request can be transmitted to the service center.

1 is an example of an embodiment of the present invention and is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a management system Functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the heating cooker (microwave oven) Functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the information terminal (POS terminal) It is an example of the process performed between a heating cooker and an information terminal, and the sequence diagram which shows a communication state Sequence diagram when the control circuit of the cooking device determines a failure or a maintenance request

  1st invention is comprised with the information terminal for communicating between control and maintenance information relevant to operation | movement of the said heating cooker by communicating between a heating cooker and this heating cooker. In the heating cooker management system, by inputting information on the ingredients to be cooked to the information terminal, the heating cooker selects a pre-programmed menu and puts it into an execution standby state. By simply reading the product into the information terminal, selection of the cooking device and setting of the menu are completed, and a cooking environment with few cooking mistakes can be provided. Furthermore, since a plurality of cookers are used in order, maintenance can be performed at the same time, and a maintenance request can be transmitted to the service center.

  2nd invention can receive the information of failure diagnosis of a heating cooker, the frequency | count of operation | movement, time, and the frequency | count of cooking menu execution by an information terminal, and can alert | report a result.

  In the third invention, the information terminal is connected to the POS system, selects a cooking menu from the read product, and transmits the selection information to the heating cooker.

  In the fourth invention, the information terminal acquires the cooking menu program information via the POS system, and updates the cooking menu program of the cooking device.

  In the fifth invention, the information terminal communicates with a plurality of heating cookers, and selects the heating cooker from the read product information.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, the information terminal communicates with a plurality of cooking devices, and selects the cooking device so that the number of operations and the usage time are equal from the machine information such as the number of operations of the cooking device.

  7th invention alert | reports to a user that it became the execution standby state, when the cooking-by-heating machine receives the selection information of the cooking menu from an information terminal.

  In the eighth invention, when the cooking menu is selected by the information terminal, the cooking device displays information on the product on the display.

  In the ninth aspect, the information terminal transmits a maintenance request to the service center via the POS system when the machine information from the heating cooker includes a diagnosis result indicating failure and information indicating a maintenance time.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system. The management system includes a heating cooker 1 such as a microwave oven and an microwave oven and an information terminal 2 such as a POS terminal, both of which include a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface or PLC (Power Line Communications) as a short-range wireless communication means. The communication means is provided to communicate with each other.

The exterior 3 of the heating cooker 1 has a rectangular box shape with an open front, and a heating chamber (none of which is shown) is formed in the exterior 3. A door 4 is rotatably mounted at the front end of the heating chamber. A machine room (not shown) is formed between the exterior 3 and the heating chamber, and an operation panel 5 is fixed in front of the machine room. The operation panel 5 includes an LCD (display) 52 for displaying simple information and a start key 7 for starting cooking. On the other hand, the information terminal 2 is provided with a display 37 for displaying information on the front of a housing (POS terminal) 50, and is provided with a barcode reader (not shown) or the like as an external input. .

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the heating cooker 1. A control circuit 6 serving as control means is disposed in the machine room. The control circuit 6 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and a start key 7 is electrically connected to the control circuit 6. The control circuit 6 performs heating cooking based on detecting the operation of the start key 7. Although not specifically illustrated, the operation panel 5 is provided with a “cancel” key, an output adjustment key, a manual cooking operation key, and the like.

  In addition, a rotary encoder 8 may be electrically connected to the control circuit 6. A dial 9 disposed on the operation panel 5 is mechanically connected to the rotary encoder 8. The dial 9 rotates the rotary encoder 8. The control circuit 6 selects a cooking menu from among range cooking, oven cooking, thawing cooking, and the like based on an output signal from the rotary encoder 8. By setting a timer, operability is improved.

  An antenna is disposed on one or more of the upper and lower surfaces and side surfaces of the heating chamber, and includes a stirrer motor 10 that rotates the antenna. The control circuit 6 is configured to rotationally drive the stirrer motor 10 via the motor drive circuit 11. Further, by providing the voltage sensor 12, it is possible to perform control following voltage fluctuation. The infrared sensor 15 is composed of a plurality of thermopiles, and detects the temperature of the object to be heated in the heating chamber (inside the chamber) and outputs a detection signal to the control circuit 6.

  The current sensor 16 is constituted by a current transformer, and detects the consumption current of the heating cooker 1 and outputs a detection signal to the control circuit 6. The internal temperature sensor 17 is composed of a thermistor, detects the temperature in the heating chamber, and outputs a detection signal to the control circuit 6. The door switch 18 outputs a signal corresponding to the open / closed state of the door 4 to the control circuit 6.

  A hot air fan motor 21 and a hot air heater 22 are electrically connected to the control circuit 6 via a motor drive circuit 19 and a heater drive circuit 20. The hot-air fan motor 21 and the hot-air heater 22 are disposed on the inner side of the interior, and when the control circuit 6 detects that the start key 7 is operated in the setting state of “convection cooking”, the drive circuits 19 and 20 are turned on. The hot air fan motor 21 and the hot air heater 22 are driven through the hot air to supply the hot air into the cabinet.

  In addition, the interior lamp 24 is electrically connected to the control circuit 6 through the lamp driving circuit 23 in the interior. When the control circuit 6 detects that the door 4 is opened by the door switch 18, the interior lamp 24 is turned on.

  A cooling fan motor 28 is electrically connected to the control circuit 6 via a motor drive circuit 27. When the control circuit 6 detects that the start key 7 is operated in the “range cooking” setting state, the control circuit 6 drives the cooling fan motor 28 via the motor drive circuit 27 and cools the electrical components such as a magnetron 29 described later. It is designed to blow wind.

A magnetron 29 is electrically connected to the control circuit 6 via a magnetron driving circuit 30. When the control circuit 6 detects that the start key 7 is operated in the setting state of the range cooking, the magnetron driving circuit 30 is detected. The magnetron 29 is driven via the microwave to irradiate the interior with microwaves. Although not specifically shown, the magnetron drive circuit 30 includes a high-voltage transformer, an inverter circuit that supplies a high-frequency current to the primary side of the high-voltage transformer, and the like.

  In addition, a communication adapter 32 is electrically connected to the control circuit 6 via a communication interface 31. The control circuit 6 communicates with the information terminal 2 using the communication adapter 32. Specifically, for example, information related to cooking when cooking is performed and details will be described later, but information on failure diagnosis, the number of operations, time, and the like are transmitted to the information terminal 2. .

  The control circuit 6 controls display on the LCD 52 via an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) driving circuit 51. The LCD 52 displays information related to cooking etc. in a very limited manner. The control circuit 6 has a built-in memory (nonvolatile storage means) 6M made of, for example, EEPROM, and measures the cumulative energization time of the magnetron 29, the heater 22 and the like when cooking is performed. The number of times the door 4 is opened and closed is also measured cumulatively, and the information is written in the memory 6M and stored as a use history. Furthermore, the cooking menu program is stored in the memory 6M, and the cooking menu can be changed by rewriting the program as necessary. Note that the cooking menu may be called by name or by number.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the information terminal 2. The information terminal 2 is configured around a control circuit 33 configured by a microcomputer, and includes a communication interface 34 and a communication adapter 35, similar to the heating cooker 1. And the control circuit 33 communicates between the heating cookers 1 using the communication adapter 35. FIG.

  In addition, the control circuit 33 is configured to be able to communicate with other heating cookers (similar microwave ovens or ovens having different heater configurations) similarly provided with a communication interface as necessary. ing. In that case, the information terminal 2 can centrally control the plurality of heating cookers, and can notify and record information regarding the operation state of each heating cooker.

  The control circuit 33 is given an operation signal from an input unit 36 composed of operation keys (or a touch panel arranged on the screen of the display 37). In addition, the control circuit 33 displays an image on the display (display means) 37 based on the information transmitted from the cooking device 1 or outputs a warning sound from the buzzer (or speaker) 38. Can also be done.

  In addition, the control circuit 33 includes a POS system and can connect to the POS server 40 via the external network communication unit 39 to obtain cooking information associated with the product code. The cooking information includes a cooking menu code to be used. Further, the cooking menu program is downloaded by accessing the management server 41 via the external network communication unit 39. The downloaded information is transmitted to the cooking device 1, and the control circuit 6 of the cooking device 1 can update the stored cooking menu program. Also, information related to maintenance such as cooking menu usage history, failure diagnosis, and usage time is uploaded.

A service center 42 is connected to the POS server 40 or the management server 41. In the service center 42, a worker performs a repair on a business trip upon request to a service company for providing a repair service for the heating cooker 1 or the like directly or via an agent.

  The control circuit 33 has a built-in memory 33M made of, for example, a ROM. The memory 33M has a built-in control program for realizing the functions of the information terminal 2. In addition, the control circuit 33 includes a barcode reader for reading product information and a circuit for realizing a register function for storing sales records and deposit / withdrawal records.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is an example of processing performed between the heating cooker 1 and the information terminal 2 and is a sequence showing a communication state when the heating cooker 1 and the information terminal 2 perform a normal cooking operation.

  The user (401) reads product information using the barcode reader of the information terminal 2 (402), and when the product is a product to be cooked, the information terminal 2 selects whether or not to cook. (403).

  When “cooking with heat” is selected (404), the cooking menu number associated with the product information is transmitted to the heating cooker 1 (406-407), and the heating cooker 1 enters a standby state (408).

Here, when there are a plurality of cooking devices in communication state, the information terminal 2
1. 1. Select a cooking device that can perform the associated cooking. 2. Select a cooker with a long pause time since the previous cooking run. A cooking device can be selected based on conditions such as selecting a cooking device with a small cumulative usage time or a small number of cumulative usages (405).

This
1. 1. Select the appropriate cooking equipment and reduce the mistake of using the wrong cooking device. 2. A stable cooking result can be obtained at all times by using a cooking device whose temperature in the cooking chamber is close to room temperature. A plurality of heating cookers undergo maintenance at substantially the same time, and the effect of reducing fixed costs associated with maintenance can be obtained.

  On the other hand, when the cooking device 1 receives the information of the cooking menu number from the information terminal 2, the cooking device 1 performs notification with a buzzer or the like, or displays the product name input to the LCD 52 and information corresponding thereto. You can also.

  Here, when the user puts a product into the cooking device 1 in the standby state and presses the start key 7 (409), cooking is started (410).

  When cooking is completed, the control circuit 6 of the heating cooker 1 integrates the time of energization of the heated functional parts energized in the cooking, and adds the accumulated time to the cumulative energization time data from the data stored in the memory 6M. And stored in the memory 6M. In addition, the number of times the door 4 is opened and closed and the number of times the cooking menu is used are stored in the memory 6M as a usage history (411).

The machine body information stored in the memory 6M is transmitted to the information terminal 2 after cooking (412-413). The information terminal 2 can display the notification information on the display 37 if there is information to notify the user from the result of the failure diagnosis or the maintenance information (414-4).
15). In addition, you may alert | report the information which cooking completed.

  FIG. 5 shows a sequence in the case where the control circuit 6 of the heating cooker 1 determines that there is a failure as a result of the failure diagnosis, or when it is determined that the maintenance time is determined from the number of uses and the use time.

  When a failure code or information that has reached a specified time or number of times of maintenance is transmitted from the cooking device 1 (501), the information terminal 2 notifies a warning and guides service information (502). At this time, the user can select a maintenance request (503). When a maintenance request is made (504), connection is made to the POS server 40 or the management server 41 via the external network communication unit 39, and the contents of the service request are notified to the service center 42. The notified contents are a failure code and usage history data transmitted from the heating cooker 1. In addition, the product number of the cooking device 1 may be transmitted (505).

  When the service center 42 receives the maintenance request notification from the information terminal 2, the service center 42 analyzes the content and estimates the cause of the failure. That is, in this case, since the worker of the service center 42 performs fault repair and maintenance of the heating cooker 1 at the request from the user, the cause of the fault can be determined from the usage history data by obtaining information on the fault in advance. Identify and respond quickly.

  Here, also when not requesting (506), the information terminal 2 can change the frequency and re-notify or stop using it according to the predetermined importance of failure (507). In addition, the user can confirm the information by the information terminal 2 any number of times (508).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by allowing the information terminal 2 to read the product information, the cooking device 1 waits in a cooking-ready state and is used by a simple operation from the information terminal 2. It is possible to eliminate equipment selection mistakes and cooking menu selection mistakes, and to use a plurality of heating cookers equally, so that equipment maintenance can be performed simultaneously.
When a failure occurs or during maintenance, a service request can be made by operating the information terminal 2.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and the following modifications or expansions are possible. On the heating cooker 1 side, the process of displaying the failure code on the LCD 52 may be performed as necessary. In the case of a minor failure, a warning sound may be output from the speaker 38 as in the case of a major failure. In this case, the warning sound output mode may be changed between a minor failure and a major failure. The form of notification by the information terminal 2 is not limited to the display of a message on the display 37 or the output of a warning sound from the speaker 38. In addition, the message is output as an audio signal or notified using an optical signal. In practice, only information may be transmitted to the POS server 40 or the management server 41 without notification.

  As a communication method between the heating cooker 1 and the information terminal 2, a wireless LAN or the like may be used, or a wired method may be used. In addition, if necessary, a heater for performing convection oven cooking or grill cooking by heating food by radiant heat may be provided, and failure detection may be performed for these. In this case, you may arrange | position a heater up and down in a store | warehouse | chamber. The heating cooker may be applied to a microwave oven that does not include a heater that is a heating means and performs only cooking. Further, the present invention is not limited to a microwave oven, and may be applied to, for example, a heater having only a heater as heating means and performing only hot-air oven cooking, convection oven cooking, and grill cooking.

  As described above, the heating cooker management system according to the present invention is excellent in efficiently operating a plurality of heating cookers, and the user is associated with product information without being aware of the food to be heated. From cooking information to cooking equipment selection to cooking menu selection, and information on equipment repair and maintenance can also be managed in a lump, so that it can be used for commercial stores used in convenience stores and large family restaurant kitchens. Applicable to various cooking devices.

1 Cooking device 2 Information terminal (POS terminal)
6 Control circuit 37 Display (display means)
52 LCD (display means)

Claims (9)

Management of a heating cooker composed of a cooking device and an information terminal for communicating with each other control and maintenance information related to the operation of the cooking device by performing communication between the cooking device In the system, by inputting information on ingredients to be cooked to the information terminal, the heating cooker selects a pre-programmed menu and enters an execution standby state. system. The heating cooker management system according to claim 1, wherein the cooking device transmits information obtained from failure diagnosis, the number of operations, the time, and the number of menu executions to the information terminal. The management system for a heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the information terminal is a POS terminal, and recognizes a menu to be selected by the heating cooker from the read product and transmits the recognized menu to the heating cooker. 2. The cooking device management system according to claim 1, wherein the information terminal acquires the program information of the menu via a POS server or a management server and updates the menu program of the cooking device. The management system for a heating cooker according to claim 3, wherein the information terminal communicates with a plurality of heating cookers and selects the heating cooker from the read product information. The information terminal communicates with a plurality of heating cookers, and selects the heating cooker from the machine information such as the number of operations of the heating cooker so that the number of operations and the usage time are equalized. The heating cooker management system described. 7. The cooking system according to claim 5, wherein the cooking device notifies the user that the execution standby state is entered when a menu is selected by the information terminal. 7. The cooking system according to claim 5, wherein when the menu is selected by the information terminal, information on the commodity is displayed on the display. The information terminal transmits a maintenance request via a POS server or a management server when the machine information from the heating cooker includes a diagnosis result indicating a failure or information indicating a maintenance time. 2. The heating cooker management system according to 2.

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