CN114554639A

CN114554639A - Induction heating cooker and computer program storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN114554639A
Application number: CN202110181536.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 矶田惠子; 寺本高洋; 园部和哉; 原田哲郎
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-26
Filing date: 2021-02-09
Publication date: 2022-05-27
Also published as: JP7270167B2; JP2022084300A; DE102021121321A1

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an induction heating cooker and a storage medium of a computer program. An induction heating cooker according to the present disclosure includes: the heating coil, a heating control unit that controls power supplied to the heating coil, a display unit, an operation control unit, and a countdown timer. The operation control unit processes the input received by the operation unit and controls the display of the display unit. The countdown timer displays the remaining time on the display unit. The countdown timer counts down from a time value set at the reception time of the start instruction in response to the start instruction received by the operation unit. The operation control unit has a remaining time setting mode for receiving a setting of a default value of the countdown timer. The operation control unit causes the display unit to display the default value when the countdown timer is started, when the setting of the default value is accepted in the remaining time setting mode.

Description

Induction heating cooker and computer program storage medium

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an induction heating cooker and a computer program for the same.

Background

Induction heating cookers are widely used in kitchens, business use, and the like of ordinary households. Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2008-258047 discloses a heating cooker capable of setting a timer during heating, for example. In the heating cooker of the above patent document, the timer time is set so that the time can be increased or decreased. When a long timer setting is desired, a target setting time can be set quickly.

Disclosure of Invention

The operability of the induction heating cooker in setting the timer time can control the efficiency of the cooking operation of the user. There is a need for an induction heating cooker that is easier to operate.

The present disclosure provides an induction heating cooker capable of improving operability in timer time setting and a computer program for the induction heating cooker.

The 1 mode of the present disclosure is an induction heating cooker. The induction heating cooker includes a heating coil for induction-heating an object to be heated, a heating control unit, a display unit, an operation unit, and an operation control unit.

The heating control unit controls power supplied to the heating coil. The operation unit receives an input from a user. The operation control unit processes the input received by the operation unit and controls the display on the display unit.

The induction heating cooker further includes a countdown timer that displays the remaining time on the display unit and counts down from a time value set at the reception time point of the start instruction in response to the start instruction received by the operation unit.

The operation control unit has a remaining time setting mode for accepting setting of a default value of the countdown timer, and displays the default value on the display unit when the countdown timer is started when the setting of the default value is accepted in the remaining time setting mode.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a storage medium of a computer program for an induction heating cooker. The induction heating cooker includes a heating coil for induction-heating an object to be heated, a heating control unit, a display unit, an operation unit, and an operation control unit.

The heating control unit controls power supplied to the heating coil. The operation unit receives an input from a user. The operation control unit is a computer that processes the input received by the operation unit and controls the display on the display unit.

According to the computer program, the operation control unit controls the operation of the remaining time setting mode based on the setting of the default value of the accepted countdown timer. According to the computer program, in the remaining time setting mode, the operation control unit receives the setting of the default value, and causes the display unit to display the default value when the countdown timer is started.

According to the present disclosure, the operability of the induction heating cooker can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of an induction heating cooker according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 1B is a perspective view of an induction heating cooker according to an exemplary embodiment in which a main body operation portion is pulled out.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the induction heating cooker according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the induction heating cooker.

Fig. 4 is a partial schematic view of the operation unit and the display unit.

Fig. 5A is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the top surface operation unit and the display unit before power-on.

Fig. 5B is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the top surface operation portion and the display portion after the power is turned on.

Fig. 6A is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the main body operation unit and the display unit before power-on.

Fig. 6B is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the main body operation unit and the display unit after the power is turned on.

Fig. 7A is a diagram showing a procedure of setting a countdown timer according to factory settings using the ceiling surface operation unit.

Fig. 7B is a diagram showing a procedure of setting the countdown timer according to the factory setting using the main body operation unit.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing of the operation control unit in the case of applying the setting at the time of factory shipment.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a procedure of setting a default value of the countdown timer by using the main body operation unit.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the setting process of the default value based on the remaining time setting mode.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a setting procedure when the default value is changed to adjust the desired remaining time.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the default value display processing when the countdown timer is used.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a procedure of a setting process for setting independent default values for each heating unit.

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a procedure of a setting process for setting a default value for a heating unit including a grill.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a procedure of a unit change amount setting process in the change amount setting mode.

Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a procedure of a default setting process in the remaining time setting mode by menu.

Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a procedure of a process of setting a countdown value in the burn-up mode.

Detailed Description

An induction heating cooker of an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure has a countdown timer. The countdown timer is used, for example, for setting a continuation time of the heating cooking by the user. The induction heating cooker is provided with a remaining time setting mode for receiving the setting of a default value of a countdown timer.

If the user sets the default value of the countdown timer in the remaining time setting mode, the induction heating cooker displays the default value on the display unit when the countdown timer is started. The user can set an arbitrary default value. By presetting the frequently used cooking time as a default value, the user can very easily start using the countdown timer.

The induction heating cooker stores the default value in a nonvolatile storage device such as a built-in flash memory. Therefore, even after the power is turned off and turned on again, the induction heating cooker can call the default value when the countdown timer is started.

In the exemplary induction heating cooker of the present disclosure, since the desired set value is displayed as the default value when the countdown timer is started, the work efficiency of the user at the time of cooking can be improved as compared with a general induction heating cooker in which the countdown timer is set from "0 minute".

The user can increase or decrease the default value to appropriately adjust the remaining time of the countdown timer. Even in this case, since the setting can be performed faster than the setting from "0 minute", the work efficiency of the user can be improved. The countdown timer can be used at other times than the heating operation.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate. However, the above detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of already known matters and repetitive descriptions of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description, which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

The inventors provide the drawings and the following description in order to fully understand the present disclosure, but do not limit the subject matter described in the scope of the claims.

(1) Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

(1-1) overview

An induction heating cooker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to fig. 1A to 3.

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of an induction heating cooker 1 according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the induction heating cooker 1 with the operation panel 40 pulled out. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the induction heating cooker 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the induction heating cooker 1.

In addition to fig. 1A, 1B, and 3, at least 2 of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are shown in a portion of the drawings to which the present disclosure relates. When the user faces the induction heating cooker when the induction heating cooker is used, the X-axis direction indicates the width direction (long side direction) of the heating cooker, the Y-axis direction indicates the depth direction (short side direction), and the Z-axis direction indicates the height direction. The positive direction of the X axis is the right direction, and the negative direction is the left direction. The positive direction of the Y axis is set as the rear, and the negative direction is set as the front.

Induction heating cooking apparatus

First, a general structure of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the present disclosure will be described.

As shown in fig. 1A, induction heating cooker 1 includes main body 3 and top plate 5 for placing a container on the upper surface of main body 3. The container is a heated object that contains food materials to be cooked, such as stew.

Heating coils 7, 8, and 9 are disposed inside the main body 3 of the induction heating cooker 1, more specifically, at positions below (on the Z side) the container placement region of the top plate 5 of the induction heating cooker 1. In other words, the heating coils 7, 8, and 9 are placed on the upper portion of the main body 3 together with the top plate 5. The heating coils 7 to 9 generate an induction magnetic field for induction heating of the container. The induction heating cooker 1 includes 3 heating coils 7 to 9, but may include 1, 2, or 4 or more heating coils.

The induction heating cooker 1 is provided with

operation units

19, 20, and 21 for operating the heating coils 7, 8, and 9, respectively. That is, the heating coils 7, 8, and 9 are "associated with" the

operation units

19, 20, and 21, respectively. In this way, in the present specification, the components provided for the heating coils 7, 8, and 9 are referred to as "corresponding" components to the heating coils.

As shown in fig. 1A, ring-shaped

marks

11, 12, and 13 indicating container placement areas are printed on the top plate 5 on the upper side (+ Z side) of the heating coils 7 to 9 so as to "correspond" to the heating coils 7, 8, and 9, respectively.

A light emitting unit 15 and a light emitting unit 16 that emit light in a ring shape are disposed outside the heating coils 7 and 8 on the top plate 5 in a plan view. An arc-shaped light emitting section 17 is disposed on the top plate 5 on the front side (Y side) of the heating coil 9. The

light emitting units

15, 16, and 17 emit light when, for example, a current flows through the corresponding heating coils 7, 8, and 9. The light emitting portions 15 to 17 have LED light emitting substrates, not shown, for example.

A temperature sensor 18 is disposed under the top plate 5 inside the marks 11 to 13. The detection value detected by the temperature sensor 18 is sent to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 adjusts the amount of current flowing through the heating coils 7-9 while referring to the detected temperature value, and determines the timing for performing the auxiliary guidance of the cooking method.

Operation units

19, 20, and 21 are disposed on the front side (-Y side) of top plate 5 of induction heating cooker 1. The

operation units

19, 20, and 21 are used for the user to operate the heating coils 7 to 9, respectively.

The operation unit 19 is provided for operating the heating coil 7, the operation unit 20 is provided for operating the heating coil 8, and the operation unit 21 is provided for operating the heating coil 9. In the present specification, the operation unit 19 corresponds to the heating coil 7, the operation unit 20 corresponds to the heating coil 8, and the operation unit 21 corresponds to the heating coil 9.

Display units

23, 24, and 25 are disposed on the front side of top plate 5 of induction heating cooker 1 and between

heating coils

7, 8, and 9 and

operation units

19, 20, and 21, respectively. The

display units

23, 24, and 25 display the states of the operation targets of the

operation units

19, 20, and 21, respectively. The operations of the display units 23 to 25 are controlled by a control unit 31 described later.

The display units 23 to 25 are provided with, for example, dot matrix liquid crystal display devices. The dot matrix liquid crystal display device is, for example, a full dot liquid crystal display panel having a band shape extending in the width direction of the top panel 5.

The display units 23 to 25 display the state of the operation object, the content of the operation of the heating coils 7 to 9, and the like as image objects. For example, the display unit 23 displays the operation of the heating coil 7, the display unit 24 displays the operation of the heating coil 8, and the display unit 25 displays the operation of the heating coil 9.

The image is either or both of text and an image. For example, an image object is the word "heat". In this case, the induction heating cooker 1 is shown to be capable of performing a heating operation using the heating coils 7 to 9 corresponding to the display sections 23 to 25.

The display units 23 to 25 may display an image object indicating the character "start" for starting heating together with the character "heating". After the heating is started, the display units 23 to 25 may display image objects such as numerals and icons indicating the magnitude of the heating amount (heating power) of the heating coils 7 to 9.

The display units 23 to 25 may be liquid crystal display devices of a segment display. Both or either of the text and the image displayed using 1 or more segments is a category of the image object.

The main body 3 is provided with a speaker 27 for outputting information relating to heating of the heating coils 7 to 9. The speaker 27 is disposed on the front side of the induction heating cooker 1, and outputs an audio guidance to the user.

The main body 3 is also provided with an operation portion. Fig. 1A shows a state where operation panel 40 is stored. Fig. 1B shows a state where the operation panel 40 is pulled out. For example, when the user lightly presses the operation panel 40 in the + Y direction, the lock of the operation panel 40 is released, and the operation panel 40 is pulled out in the-Y direction. When the user turns on the power switch 22, a motor, not shown, operates to send the operation panel 40 in the-Y direction.

The operation panel 40 includes a display unit 41 and

operation units

42 and 43. The display unit 41 has the same structure as the display units 23 to 25. However, in the case where the display units 23 to 25 are dot matrix liquid crystal display devices, the display unit 41 may be an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device.

The display units 23 to 25 and the display unit 41 may be realized by display devices that display both or either of images and characters according to the same display principle, or display devices that display both or either of images and characters according to different display principles.

The

operation units

42 and 43 are used for operating the grill 44 of the main body 3 and for setting the main body 3. The display unit 41 and the

operation units

42 and 43 will be described in more detail later. In the present specification, the

operation units

42 and 43 are sometimes referred to as "main body operation units" and the operation units 19 to 21 are sometimes referred to as "ceiling surface operation units". A heating coil, and an operation portion and a display portion corresponding to the heating coil may be referred to as "heating means" of 1 group.

For example, the heating coil 7, the operation unit 19, and the display unit 23 shown in fig. 1A are 1 group of heating units, and the heating coil 8, the operation unit 20, and the display unit 24 are another 1 group of heating units. Similarly, the grill 44, the

operation units

42 and 43, and the display unit 41 shown in fig. 1B are also 1 set of heating units.

The

operation units

42 and 43 are also used for setting the induction heating cooker 1, and are not used only for operating the grill 44. Therefore, only the buttons or switches related to the operation of the grill 44 among the

operation portions

42 and 43 may be included in 1 set of heating units related to the grill 44.

The heating part for the grill 44 may be a heating coil, and may be a plane heater or a sheath heater. Alternatively, the grill 44 may have an oscillator for induction heating by electromagnetic waves such as microwaves as the heating unit. The grill 44 may have these plural heating portions in combination.

As shown in fig. 2, the induction heating cooker 1 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 33, and a countdown timer 34 inside the main body 3. The control unit 31 includes a signal processing circuit such as a CPU (Central processing unit) or a Microcontroller (Microcontroller).

The storage unit 33 is a recording medium such as a ROM (Read only memory), a RAM (Random access memory), a hard disk, and an SSD (Solid state drive). The storage unit 33 stores a computer program for operating the induction heating cooker 1. The control unit 31 is configured to perform various functions described later by executing the computer program.

The countdown timer 34 is a single-chip device incorporating a quartz resonator, not shown, for example, and is a real-time clock, for example. The countdown timer 34 holds and outputs time information as serial data while counting down based on a clock generated by the quartz resonator.

The countdown timer 34 outputs time information every 100 milliseconds, for example. In the present disclosure, a "countdown timer" that is considered to have a high frequency of use during cooking is exemplified, but the real-time clock may be incremented.

The operation control unit 37 interprets the time information output from the countdown timer 34, for example. The operation control unit 37 receives the time information as an interrupt signal, and causes the display unit 24 or the display unit 41 to display the remaining time counted down based on the time information.

The operation control unit 37 determines whether or not the countdown timer 34 has reached a predetermined final count value. If it is determined that the voltage has been reached, the operation control unit 37 sends a command to the coil control unit 35 (an example of a heating control unit) to reduce or cut off the power supplied to the heating coils 7 to 9.

When the electric power is reduced, for example, the coil control unit 35 supplies the electric power in accordance with the cooking procedure of the heat preservation mode for preserving the heat of the food material, thereby preserving the heat of the cooked food material.

When the power is cut off, the heating is stopped. The operation control unit 37 of the control unit 31 causes the display units 23 to 25, 41 to display an image object indicating that the countdown is finished or the cooking is finished. At this time, the operation control unit 37 may cause the speaker 27 to output a sound indicating that the countdown is finished or the cooking is finished.

The control unit 31 executing the computer program operates as the coil control unit 35, the operation control unit 37, and the cooking guidance control unit 39 at the corresponding timing. For example, when the control unit 31 controls the amount of current flowing through the heating coils 7 to 9, the control unit 31 operates as the coil control unit 35.

When the control unit 31 controls the input received by the operation units 19 to 21 and controls the display on the display areas of the display units 23 to 25, the control unit 31 operates as an operation control unit 37. When the control unit 31 controls the output of information of the cooking guide, the control unit 31 operates as a cooking guide control unit 39.

However, all or a part of the coil control unit 35, the operation control unit 37, and the cooking guidance control unit 39 may be implemented without software, and may be configured by 1 or more CPUs, microprocessors, and FPGAs (Field programmable gate arrays). The countdown timer 34 is illustrated as a single chip real time clock implementation and is not required.

For example, the CPU, the microcomputer, or the like operating as the control unit 31 may operate as the countdown timer 34 by receiving a clock signal from a quartz resonator, not shown, provided in the induction heating cooker 1 and counting down the clock signal. The supply of electric power to the heating part of the roasting equipment may be controlled by the coil control part 35, or may be controlled by a control part different from the coil control part 35.

The term "heating control unit" used in the present specification means "the coil control unit 35" when the coil control unit 35 controls the heating unit of the grill 44, and means "another control unit" when a control unit other than the coil control unit 35 controls the heating unit of the grill 44.

The "control" referred to herein is the overall control relating to the heating of the heating section of the grill 44, but may be more specific control such as the control of the power supplied to the heating section and the control relating to the heating method. The "heating control unit" is a term including a common control unit that controls each heating source and a control unit that controls each heating source independently.

The output signals of the operation units 19 to 21 are input to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 sets the heating amount of the heating coils 7 to 9 according to the operation. The control unit 31 functioning as the coil control unit 35 controls the start or stop of heating of the heating coil 7 in accordance with an operation instruction from the operation unit 19.

The coil control unit 35 supplies a high-frequency current to the heating coils 7 to 9 to heat the container placed on the top plate 5. The coil control unit 35 controls the amount of current flowing through the heating coils 7 to 9 to control the amount of heat from the heating coils 7 to 9. Since the output signals of the operation units 19 to 21 are input to the control unit 31, they are also used for controlling the operation of the control unit 31 functioning as the operation control unit 37 and the cooking guidance control unit 39.

The cooking guidance control unit 39 transmits cooking guidance information to the operation control unit 37 at a timing when an appropriate condition is satisfied according to a predetermined heating procedure or cooking procedure. The appropriate condition is a condition such as whether or not the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 18 satisfies a predetermined temperature condition, or whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the detected temperature reaches a predetermined temperature.

These conditions are set for each auxiliary menu for cooking guidance. When the cooking guidance control unit 39 determines that these conditions are satisfied, the cooking guidance control unit 39 instructs the operation control unit 37 to display the cooking guidance corresponding to the conditions. These heating sequence, cooking sequence, and cooking guide are stored in the storage unit 33.

Operating section and display section

Next, the operation sections 19 to 21 (ceiling surface operation sections), the operation sections 42 and 43 (main body operation sections), and the display sections 23 to 25 and 41 will be described with reference to fig. 4 and 5A to 6B.

First, fig. 4 is referred to. The operation sections 19 to 21 are provided with a 1 st operation section 51, a 2 nd operation section 53, a 3 rd operation section 55, and a 4 th operation section 57, respectively. The 1 st to 4 th operation units 51 to 57 may be touch switches including capacitance type switches, or may be push button switches, for example.

The 1 st to 4 th operation units 51 to 57 set heating operations of the corresponding heating coils 7 to 9. The 1 st operation unit 51 is printed with a clock pattern and is mainly used for selecting timer settings. The 2 nd operation unit 53 and the 3 rd operation unit 55 are printed with arrow patterns, for example, "<" and ">". These are mainly used to set menu selections as well as fire power, timer times.

The 4 th operation unit 57 is printed with a pattern indicating a heating region corresponding to the operation unit, and functions as a multi-function switch to which different functions are assigned according to the situation. The power switch 22 has a function of turning on the power of the induction heating cooker 1. The power switch 22 may also have a function of cutting off the power of the induction heating cooker 1. The power switch 22 may be provided with a switch for cutting off the power supply separately from the power switch 22.

The 1 st operating part 51, the 2 nd operating part 53, the 3 rd operating part 55, and the 4 th operating part 57 included in each of the operating

parts

19, 20, and 21 are also collectively referred to as "operating means" in the present disclosure. The operation unit is an interface for receiving both or either of a heating operation and various settings from a user. The operation unit may be constituted by any one of the 1 st operation unit 51, the 2 nd operation unit 53, the 3 rd operation unit 55, and the 4 th operation unit 57.

(1-2) details

Next, the induction heating cooker 1 according to the present disclosure will be described in detail. For convenience of explanation, the operation portion 20 and the display portion 24 on the top plate 5 constituting the 1-group heating unit are exemplified.

Fig. 5A is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the operation unit 20 and the display unit 24 before the induction heating cooker 1 is powered on. When the user presses the power switch 22, the power of the induction heating cooker 1 is turned on.

Fig. 5B shows the display contents of the display unit 24 immediately after the induction heating cooker 1 is powered on. An image object 30 such as a "menu" is displayed on the display unit 24. Other image objects "<" and ">" are shown below the text "menu". These image objects mean that the transition to another screen display is possible by pressing the 2 nd operation unit 53 and the 3 rd operation unit 55 provided immediately below the image objects.

Next, the

operation units

42 and 43 will be described with reference to fig. 6A and 6B. Fig. 6A is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the display unit 41 and the

operation units

42 and 43 before the induction heating cooker 1 is powered on. When the user presses the power switch 22, the power of the induction heating cooker 1 is turned on.

Fig. 6B shows the display contents of the display unit 41 immediately after the induction heating cooker 1 is powered on. Image objects such as "menu" are displayed on the upper part of the display unit 41, and image objects of respective menus that can be selected ("manual", "oven", "unfreezing-free IH grill", and "automatic") are displayed on the lower part thereof.

Each image object can be selected by the 1 st operating unit 61, the 2 nd operating unit 63, the 3 rd operating unit 65, and the 4 th operating unit 67 of the operating unit 42 displayed immediately below. The operation unit 43 includes a setting button 69 and a count button 70. A detailed description of the function assigned to the setting button 69 will be described later. The count button 70 is used to start counting down from the time value set for the countdown timer 34.

In the above description, the operation unit 20 and the

operation units

42 and 43 are assumed to be switches implemented by hardware. However, the operation unit 20 and the

operation units

42 and 43 may be realized by soft switches and a touch panel displayed on the

display units

24 and 41.

For example, a touch panel, not shown, may be provided so as to overlap the

display units

24 and 41, and a touch operation, a pressing operation, or the like by the user may be detected. The touch panel detects a touch and a touch position of a user from a change in pressure, electrostatic capacitance, or the like.

For example, the control unit 31 determines which of the operation unit 20 and the

operation units

42 and 43 corresponds to the touch position, and executes the function associated with the operation unit. A touch panel is an example of an input device. Further, an input device that detects the position of the user's finger and an input operation in a non-contact manner may be employed.

For example, a proximity sensor capable of detecting the presence and position of a nearby object by radio waves, infrared rays, or the like is mounted, and the hand on the cover is detected by the proximity sensor, whereby the operation of the operation unit 20 and the

operation units

42 and 43 can be detected. Such a proximity sensor can be used to operate without fear of dirt on the hand during cooking.

Next, the setting and operation of the countdown timer 34 according to the present disclosure using the above-described operation unit and display unit will be described. First, a method of setting the countdown timer 34 based on factory settings will be described with reference to fig. 7A and 7B.

For convenience of description, only the minimum operation units among the various operation units (buttons) of the operation unit 20 and the

operation units

42 and 43 are illustrated together with the transition of the display by the

display units

24 and 41. The reference numerals of the

display units

24 and 41 are given only to the first partial drawings.

When the factory-time setting is applied, in the present embodiment, the operation control unit 37 displays a predetermined initial value on the display unit when the countdown timer 34 is started. The predetermined initial value is a fixed value stored in advance in the storage unit 33.

The "factory setting" is not only a setting for operating the countdown timer 34 applied when the power supply of the induction heating cooker 1 is first turned on, but also a setting for operating the countdown timer 34 applied when a default setting has not been accepted in a remaining time setting mode described later.

Fig. 7A shows a procedure of setting the countdown timer 34 according to factory settings using the operation unit 20 and the display unit 24.

(a) The display unit 24 shown corresponds to the display unit 24 shown in fig. 5B. When the operation control unit 37 detects that the 3 rd operation unit 55 is pressed once, the display of the display unit 24 is shifted to (b). (b) A cooking menu referred to as "heat".

When the operation control unit 37 detects that the 3 rd operation unit 55 is pressed once again, the display is shifted to (c). An image object of the character "timer" is displayed on the lower left of the display unit 24 in (c).

When the pressing of the 1 st operation unit 51 is detected in the state of (c), the operation control unit 37 reads "0" (minute) which is an initial value at the time of shipment from the storage unit 33, and causes the display unit 24 to display "0: 00" as shown in (d).

Then, when the user presses ">" which is the 3 rd operation unit 55, for example, 1 time, the operation control unit 37 receives an input of an increase in the time value, and causes the display unit 24 to display "0: 01" which increases the initial value by 1 minute, as shown in (e).

Thereafter, when the user further presses the 3 rd operation part 55 ">" 5 times, the operation control part 37 increases the time value by 1 minute every time the pressing is detected, and displays "0: 06" finally increased by 5 minutes on the display part 24.

To finish the setting of the required time, the user presses the 1 st operation unit 51 corresponding to "return". Then, the display unit 24 returns to the display of (b). When the user presses the 4 th operation unit 57 corresponding to "start", the operation control unit 37 detects the pressing as a start instruction of counting. The operation control unit 37 starts counting down of the countdown timer 34 from the time value set at the time point of (f).

Fig. 7B (a) to (c) show the setting procedure of the countdown timer 34 according to the factory setting using the operation unit 42 and the display unit 41. In the state shown in (a), when it is detected that the 1 st operation unit 61 (fig. 6B) of the 1 st operation unit 42 is pressed, the operation control unit 37 shifts the display of the display unit 24 to (B).

(b) Is a timer menu of "manual roaster". In fig. 7B (B), when the countdown timer 34 is started, the initial value is not displayed on the display unit 41, but an image object such as "0 minute" may be displayed. When the user presses the 3 rd operation unit 65 ">" 12 times, the operation control unit 37 increases the time value by 1 minute every time the press is detected, and displays "12 minutes" finally increased by 12 minutes on the display unit 24.

When the user presses the count button 70, the operation control unit 37 detects the pressing as a start instruction of counting. The operation control unit 37 starts counting down of the countdown timer 34 from a set time value displayed at the time point when the start instruction is received.

In the processing illustrated in fig. 7A and 7B, the operation control unit 37 increases the time value by 1 minute each by pressing the 3

rd operation units

55 and 65. At this time, for example, when the user presses the 2

nd operation parts

53 and 63, the operation control part 37 may update the displays of the

display parts

24 and 41 by reducing the time value by 1 minute each time the press of the 2

nd operation parts

53 and 63 is detected. The ability to increase and decrease the countdown value contributes to an improvement in user convenience.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the processing of the operation control unit 37 in the case where the factory-time setting is applied.

In step S100, the operation control section 37 starts the countdown timer 34 in response to the operation by the user. Next, in step S101, the operation control unit 37 refers to the storage unit 33, and confirms that the default value set in the remaining time setting mode, which will be described later, is not stored. For example, the operation control unit 37 confirms that a file of a specific file name is not present in the storage unit 33.

The "file having a specific file name" as used herein is a file having a file name predetermined for storing a default value. The file for storing the default value is stored in a nonvolatile storage device such as a flash memory constituting the storage unit 33.

In step S102, the operation control unit 37 displays a predetermined initial value on the

display unit

24 or 41. In step S103, the operation control unit 37 increases or decreases the initial value displayed on the display unit in response to the user' S operation. Step S103 is arbitrary. If no user operation is performed, the process proceeds to step S104.

In step S104, the operation control unit 37 controls the countdown timer 34 so that the countdown is started from the time value set at the reception time point in response to the reception of the countdown start instruction. The time value set at the reception time includes a time value displayed on the display unit after the user increases or decreases the time value.

The above-described initial value is not limited to a predetermined value (fixed value). Consider the case where the user utilizes the countdown timer 34 before setting the default value. The latest value, which is the time value of the start time set when the user last used the countdown timer 34, may be used as the initial value.

The "latest value" may be temporarily stored in a volatile memory included in the storage unit 33 or may be stored in a non-volatile memory. In the former case, this value is eliminated when the power supply of the induction heating cooker 1 is cut off. In the latter case, the value is stored even when the power supply of the induction heating cooker 1 is turned off, and when the countdown timer 34 is started by turning on the power supply next time, the stored value is read and set as an initial value.

Next, a process of setting a default value of the countdown timer 34 by the user will be described. This processing is realized by the control of the operation control section 37. The operation mode in which the default value of the countdown timer 34 is set is referred to as "remaining time setting mode". The operation control unit 37 operates in the "remaining time setting mode" by the user's operation.

Fig. 9 shows a procedure of setting the default value of the countdown timer 34 by using the operation unit 42 and the display unit 41. In (a), a menu is displayed on the display unit 41. In this state, the user presses the setting button 69 of the operation unit 43.

When the operation control section 37 detects the pressing of the set button 69, the display of the display section 24 is shifted to (b). In (b), various selection items are displayed on the display unit 41, indicating that the "timer setting" state is selected.

When detecting the pressing of the 4 th operation unit 67, the operation control unit 37 shifts the display of the display unit 41 to (c). In (c), a character image object such as "timer start time 0 minute" is displayed on the display unit 41. The user can increase or decrease the timer start time by using the 3 rd operating unit 65 and the 2 nd operating unit 63.

For example, in response to the user's operation, when the 3 rd operation part 65 is detected to be pressed down, the operation control part 37 makes the display of the display part 41 transit to (d). In (d), the timer start time is shown as "1 minute".

When the user further presses the 3 rd operation part 65 9 times, the timer start time is updated to "10 minutes" as shown in (e). When the operation control section 37 detects the pressing of the 4 th operation section 67, the timer start time is fixed to "10 minutes" displayed at that time point.

The timer start time set by such a procedure is a "default value". The "default value" is a time value that is first displayed on the display unit 41 when the countdown timer 34 is started. By setting the timer start time that is frequently used as the "default value" of the user in advance, the user can count down the countdown timer 34 from the default value displayed on the display unit 41.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the setting process of the default value based on the remaining time setting mode. The description is made starting with the process of turning on the power, but this is not essential. In the present embodiment, the remaining time setting mode is performed by the

operation units

42 and 43, but may be performed by the operation units 19 to 21.

In step S110, the operation control unit 37 detects the pressing of the power switch 22, and turns on the power supply. In step S111, the operation control section 37 shifts to the remaining time setting mode in response to the user' S operation of the operation section 42 ((c) of fig. 9).

In step S112, the operation control unit 37 receives a setting of a default value by the operation of the operation unit 42. In step S113, the operation control unit 37 saves a default value in a file having a predetermined file name, and saves the default value in the storage unit 33. As described above, a file for saving a default value is stored in a nonvolatile storage device such as a flash memory.

Through the above processing, the default value set by the user is stored. Since the default value is stored in the nonvolatile storage device, the default value is maintained until the power is changed later regardless of the power being turned on or off.

As described above, the default value set in the remaining time setting mode is displayed on either or both of the

display units

24 and 41 when the countdown timer 34 is started. Hereinafter, a process related to the display of the default value will be described.

For example, fig. 11 shows a setting procedure when the default value is changed to adjust the desired remaining time. The setting procedure will be described using the operation unit 20 and the display unit 24 as an example, but the setting can be performed by the

operation units

42 and 43 and the display unit 41 in the same procedure.

Fig. 11 (a) is a screen display example of the countdown timer 34 for setting the display unit 24. (a) Corresponding to the display of fig. 7A (c). When the operation control section 37 detects the pressing of the 1 st operation section 51 in response to the user's operation, the operation control section 37 reads out the default value "10" (minutes) from the storage section 33, and causes the display section 24 to display "0: 10" as shown in (b).

When the remaining time frequently used by the user is set to the default value, the countdown timer 34 may be started to count down from the default value displayed on the display unit 24 as in (b).

However, the user may change the default value as necessary, set a desired remaining time in response to the change, and count down the time. For example, when the user sequentially presses the 2 nd operation unit 53 4 times "<", the operation control unit 37 accepts the input of the decrease of the time value, and causes the display unit 24 to display "0: 06" in which the default value is decreased by 4 minutes, as shown in (c).

The user can set a required timer start time by increasing or decreasing the time value based on the default value using the 2 nd operation unit 53 and the 3 rd operation unit 55.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the default value display processing when the countdown timer 34 is used. In step S120, the operation control unit 37 starts the countdown timer 34. In step S121, the operation control unit 37 reads out a file storing the default value set in the remaining time setting mode from the storage unit 33. In step S122, the operation control unit 37 causes the display unit to display default values.

In step S123, the user performs an operation of changing the time value using either or both of the 2

nd operation units

53 and 63 and the 3

rd operation units

55 and 65, and when the operation control unit 37 detects the operation, the operation control unit 37 increases or decreases the default value displayed on the display unit.

In step S124, the operation control unit 37 starts the countdown from the time value set at the reception time point in response to the countdown start instruction by the user. The processing of steps S123 and S124 may be performed when the user operation is detected, and when the user operation is not detected, the operation control unit 37 may cause the countdown timer 34 to count down from the default value.

As described above, the induction heating cooker 1 according to the present disclosure is provided with 4 sets of heating units including the heating coils 7 to 9 and the grill 44. The 4 groups of heating units may be set to 1 default, or 1 default may be set for each 1 of the 4 groups of heating units. The latter setting example will be described below with reference to fig. 13. The setting of this example is performed by using the

operation units

42 and 43 and the display unit 41.

The description of fig. 13 to 17 is made as the transition of the user's operation of the

operation units

42 and 43 and the display of the display unit 41. In practice, it should be noted that the operation control section 37 detects an operation by the user, and performs a process of causing the display section 41 to display a desired image object in response to the detection.

Fig. 13 shows a procedure of a setting process for setting independent default values for each heating unit. Fig. 13 (a) and (b) are the same as fig. 9 (a) and (b), and therefore, their description is omitted. The steps in fig. 13 are different from those in fig. 9 in the point (c) and thereafter.

In fig. 13 (c), the display unit 41 displays "left heater", "right heater", "rear heater", and "grill" as image objects for selecting 1 character of the four heating units. These represent heater names of four heating units including the heating coils 7, 8, 9 and the grill 44.

When the user presses the 4 th operation unit 67 in a state where the "left heater" is selected, the display of the display unit 41 is switched to (d), and the operation shifts to the remaining time setting mode of the heating unit including the heating coil 7. When the user presses the 3 rd operation part 65 ">" 5 times, for example, the display part 41 displays "5 minutes" as shown in (e).

When the user presses the 4 th operation part 67, the display of the display part 41 is switched to (f), and the default value of the heating unit including the heating coil 7 corresponding to the left heater is set to "5" minutes. In the case where another heater or a roasting set is selected in (c), the same goes to the remaining time setting mode of the heating unit including the selected heater or roasting set.

For example, fig. 14 shows a procedure of a setting process for setting a default value for a heating unit including the grill 44. Fig. 14 (a) to (c) are the same as fig. 13 (a) to (c), and therefore, their description will be omitted.

In fig. 14 (c), in order to select the roast tool, the user presses the 3 rd operation part 65 ">" 3 times. Then, as shown in (d), the color of the "roaster" on the display section 41 is changed. (d) Indicating that "roaster" is currently selected.

In this state, when the user presses the 4 th operation part 67, the remaining time setting mode of the heating unit including the grill 44 is shifted. The subsequent processing is the same as (d) and (e) of fig. 13. Fig. 14 (e) shows an example in which the default value of the heating unit including the roast tool 44 is set to "10" minutes.

As described with reference to fig. 11, the default value initially displayed on the display unit 41 when the countdown timer 34 is started can be changed to a desired remaining time by the user. The countdown timer 34 counts down from the changed desired remaining time.

When the default value is changed, in the example of fig. 11, the 2 nd operation unit 53 or the 3 rd operation unit 55 is pressed to change the remaining time in units of 1 minute, and a desired remaining time is set. The "1 minute" as a unit of change may also be variable.

In this specification, the amount of change in the time value by which the time value is increased or decreased when the user operates the operation unit 1 time is referred to as a "unit change amount", and the operation mode of the operation control unit 37 for setting the unit change amount is referred to as a "change amount setting mode". As with the default value, the unit change amount may be set to 1 for all the heating units, or may be set to 1 for each heating unit. An example of the latter case will be described below with reference to fig. 15.

Fig. 15 shows a procedure of a unit change amount setting process in the change amount setting mode. Fig. 15 shows an example of setting the unit change amount of the left heater. Fig. 15 (a) is a display example of the display unit 41 after the operations of fig. 13 and 14 (a) and (b). When the user presses the 4 th operation part 67, timer setting of the heating unit including the heating coil 7 as the left heater is started. The display of the display unit 41 is changed to (b).

In fig. 15 (b), an item of "scale time" for shifting to the change amount setting mode is displayed together with the "start time" for shifting to the remaining time setting mode. The user presses the 3 rd operation part 65 1 time to ">". Then, as shown in (c), the color of "scale time" on the display portion 41 changes. In this state, when the user presses the 4 th operation part 67, the operation shifts to the left heater variation amount setting mode.

As illustrated in fig. 15 (d), the first scale time is "1 minute". The user presses the 3 rd operation part 65 ">" 4 times. Then, as shown in (e), the scale time is changed to "5 minutes". When the user presses the 4 th operation unit 67, the scale time "5 minutes" displayed at that time point is set as the unit change amount, and the display unit 41 switches to the display shown in (e).

Thereafter, in the state of the display example of fig. 11 (b), when the user presses the 2 nd operation unit 53 or the 3 rd operation unit 55 1 time, the time value displayed on the display unit 24 increases or decreases by 5 minutes as a unit change amount.

In the description hereinbefore, the remaining time setting mode sets the heating unit as the subject. However, the remaining time can also be set in each heating unit taking into account other conditions as well.

An example of the other condition is "menu by cooking". In the induction heating cooker 1, a cooking order is prepared in advance for each cooking menu. The cooking procedure is an automated procedure of heating time, intensity of fire, and the like of the food materials according to the cooking menu. The coil control unit 35 controls the power to the heating coils 7 to 9 in accordance with the cooking order corresponding to the cooking menu.

Hereinafter, an example of the "remaining time per menu setting mode" in which a default value is set for each heating unit of the induction heating cooker 1 and for each cooking menu prepared in advance will be described. This is an operation mode to which the user transitions to when the "press menu" displayed in fig. 15 (b) and (c) is selected.

Fig. 16 shows a procedure of a default setting process in the remaining time setting mode by menu. Fig. 16 also shows an example of setting for the left heater.

Fig. 16 (a) shows a state in which "press menu" is selected in fig. 15 (b) and (c). When the user presses the 4 th operation unit 67, the display of the display unit 41 shifts to (b) and the selection items of the cooking menu are displayed. (b) The selection items of the cooking menu shown in the example of (1) are "heating" and "frying".

In the state of fig. 16 (b), the user presses the 3 rd operation part 65 ">" 1 time. Thus, "fry" is selected as shown in (c). In this state, when the user presses the 4 th operation unit 67, the operation shifts to the remaining time setting mode in the case of cooking with "deep frying" using the "left heater".

As illustrated in fig. 16 (d), the initial value of the timer start time is "0 minute". The user presses the 3 rd operation part 65 10 times ">". Then, as shown in (e), the timer start time is changed to "10 minutes". When the user presses the 4 th operation part 67, the timer start time is fixed to "10 minutes" displayed at this time point. The timer start time set by such a procedure is a "default value".

The "default value" set in the illustrated procedure is a time value at which the cooking menu "fry" is selected in the heating coil 7 and is first displayed on the display unit 41 when the countdown timer 34 is started. The user can count down the countdown timer 34 from the default value displayed on the display unit 41.

Next, an example will be described in which a case is assumed in which after the heat cooking is finished by the countdown timer 34, the heat cooking is performed again by using the countdown timer 34.

After the cooking is temporarily finished, the user who sees the appearance of the food material generally wants to slightly heat the food material again. For example, after cooking fish or meat, further heating is usually considered.

In consideration of such a situation, the induction heating cooker 1 is prepared in advance with a "supplementary heating mode". The "supplementary firing mode" is a heating mode that can be selected after the countdown is completed, and the heating power used so far is maintained.

When the countdown timer 34 is started for the 1 st time, a preset default value is displayed. In the burn-up mode of the present disclosure, the default value is not displayed, and the user can set an arbitrary remaining time at the time point.

This is because the setting value of the countdown timer 34, which is the heating time, may be different between the 1 st cooking and the 2 nd cooking. For example, it is considered that the setting value of the countdown timer 34 in the 2 nd cooking is often shorter than the setting value of the countdown timer 34 in the 1 st cooking.

Fig. 17 shows a procedure of the process of setting the countdown value in the burn-up mode. In this example, the description will be made by taking an example in which the grill 44, the display unit 41, and the

operation units

42 and 43 are used.

Fig. 17 (a) shows a state where the remaining time of the countdown timer 34 is 12 minutes in the display unit 41. (b) This indicates the state where the countdown is progressing and the remaining time is 0 minutes. After that, the display of the display section 41 shifts to (c). In (c), an image object indicating the character of the end of cooking is displayed, and a menu of "supplementary cooking" is displayed on the lower right of the display unit 41.

When the user presses the 4 th operation unit 67, the display of the display unit 41 is switched to (d), and the state shifts to a state where the user can set an arbitrary time value. When the user presses ">" as the 3 rd operation portion 65, for example, 5 times, the display portion 41 displays "5 minutes" as shown in (e). When the user presses the 4 th operation part 67, reheating of the roasting appliance 44 is started, and a countdown is started from the set "5 minutes".

When the counted down time value becomes 0 minute, the display of the display unit 41 is switched to (f), and the end of cooking by supplementary cooking is notified to the user. The operation control unit 37 may cause the speaker 27 to output a sound for notifying completion of cooking together with the display of both or either of (c) and (f) of fig. 17.

The set value of the countdown timer 34 at the time of supplementary cooking may be changed according to the type of the food and the state of the food after the 1 st heating. Therefore, it is useful not to display the default value at the time of setting the afterburning as in this example.

However, the after-burning remaining time setting mode may be set, and the default value for after-burning may be set independently of the default value for the 1 st cooking. The procedure of setting the default value in the post-combustion remaining time setting mode is described with reference to the example of fig. 16. Instead of "frying" selected in the example of fig. 16, an item of "afterburning" is prepared, and when this item is selected, default values can be set in the steps (d) to (e) of fig. 16.

As described above, the user can set the default value and the unit change amount in detail for each heating coil to be used and further for each cooking menu, based on his own experience and usage. This can greatly improve the work efficiency of the user during cooking.

The embodiments of the induction heating cooker according to the present disclosure have been described above. The processing of the above-described flowchart is realized as the operation of the control unit 31 by a computer program. Such a computer program is stored in the storage unit 33 and can be executed by the control unit 31.

(3) Mode(s) for carrying out

As is apparent from the above embodiment and the modifications, the present disclosure includes the following aspects. Hereinafter, brackets are attached with reference numerals to clarify the correspondence with the above embodiments.

The 1 st embodiment is an induction heating cooker (1). An induction heating cooker (1) is provided with: at least 1 heating coil (7, 8, 9) for induction heating of an object to be heated; a heating control unit (35); display units (23, 24, 25, 41); an operation unit (19, 20, 21, 42, 43) and an operation control unit (37).

The heating control unit controls power supplied to at least 1 heating coil. The operation unit receives an input from a user. The operation control unit controls the display of the display unit by processing the input received by the operation unit.

The induction heating cooker is also provided with at least 1 countdown timer (34) which displays the remaining time on the display part and counts down from the time value set at the receiving time point of the starting instruction in response to the starting instruction received by the operation part.

The operation control unit has a remaining time setting mode for receiving a setting of a default value of at least 1 countdown timer, and causes the display unit to display the default value when the at least 1 countdown timer is started when the setting of the default value is received in the remaining time setting mode.

The 2 nd aspect is an induction heating cooking device (1) according to the 1 st aspect. In the 2 nd aspect, when the operation unit receives an input of an increase or decrease in the time value from the user after at least 1 countdown timer is started, the operation control unit increases or decreases the default value displayed on the display unit.

The 3 rd aspect is the induction heating cooker (1) according to the 1 st or 2 nd aspect. In the embodiment 3, the induction heating cooker further includes a storage unit (33) that holds a predetermined initial value. Until the setting of the default value is accepted, the operation control unit causes the display unit to display a predetermined initial value when at least 1 countdown timer is started.

The 4 th aspect is the induction heating cooker (1) according to the 3 rd aspect. In the 4 th aspect, when the operation unit receives an input of an increase or decrease in the time value from the user after at least 1 countdown timer is started, the operation control unit increases or decreases the initial value displayed on the display unit.

The 5 th aspect is an induction heating cooker (1) according to the 3 rd aspect. In the 5 th aspect, the predetermined initial value is the latest value of the start time of at least 1 countdown timer set when at least 1 countdown timer is last used.

The 6 th aspect is the induction heating cooker (1) according to the 3 rd aspect. In the 6 th aspect, the predetermined initial value is 0.

The 7 th aspect is an induction heating cooking device (1) according to any one of the 3 rd to 6 th aspects. In the 7 th aspect, the operation control unit causes the display unit to display an image object indicating at least 1 cooking menu selected from a plurality of cooking menus prepared in advance.

The operation unit receives selection of an image object displayed on the display unit. The heating control unit controls power to at least 1 heating coil in accordance with a cooking order corresponding to a cooking menu associated with an image object, and the storage unit stores a default value for each cooking menu.

The 8 th aspect is an induction heating cooking device (1) according to any one of the 1 st to 7 th aspects. In the 8 th aspect, the operation control unit has a variation setting mode for accepting setting of a unit variation. The unit change amount is a change amount of the time value that increases or decreases the time value when the user operates the operation unit 1 time.

When the operation unit accepts an input of an increase or decrease of the time value from the user after the unit change amount is set in the change amount setting mode and after at least 1 countdown timer is started, the operation control unit increases or decreases the time value displayed on the display unit by the unit change amount.

The 9 th aspect is an induction heating cooking device (1) according to any one of the 3 rd to 7 th aspects. In the 9 th aspect, the storage unit is a nonvolatile storage device.

The 10 th aspect is an induction heating cooking device (1) according to any one of the 1 st to 9 th aspects. In the 10 th aspect, the heating control unit reduces or cuts off the power supplied to at least 1 heating coil when at least 1 countdown timer reaches the final count value during the period in which the heating control unit supplies the power to at least 1 heating coil.

The 11 th aspect is an induction heating cooker (1) according to the 10 th aspect. In the 11 th aspect, the heating controller reduces the power supplied to at least 1 heating coil, and supplies the power in accordance with the cooking procedure of the heat retention mode for retaining the heat of the contents stored in the object to be heated.

The 12 th aspect is the induction heating cooker (1) according to the 1 st or 11 th aspect. In the 12 th aspect, the at least 1 heating coil includes a plurality of heating coils. A display unit, an operation unit, and at least 1 countdown timer are provided for each of the plurality of heating coils. The operation control section has a remaining time setting mode for each of at least 1 countdown timers.

The 13 th aspect is an induction heating cooking device (1) according to any one of the 10 th to 12 th aspects. In the 13 th aspect, the induction heating cooker further includes a speaker (7). When at least 1 count-down timer reaches the final count value, the operation control unit outputs a sound from the speaker.

The 14 th aspect is an induction heating cooking device (1) according to any one of the 3 rd to 6 th aspects. In the 14 th aspect, an induction heating cooker includes: a roasting tool (44); and a heating unit for heating the object to be heated in the roasting tool. The heating control unit controls heating by the heating unit. The operation control unit causes the display unit to display an image object representing at least 1 cooking menu selected from a plurality of cooking menus prepared in advance.

The operation unit receives selection of an image object displayed on the display unit. The heating control unit controls the heating unit according to a cooking order corresponding to a cooking menu associated with the image object. The storage unit stores default values for each cooking menu.

The 15 th aspect is an induction heating cooking device (1) according to any one of the 1 st to 9 th aspects. In the 15 th aspect, the induction heating cooking device includes a grill (44) and a heating unit that heats an object to be heated in the grill.

The heating control unit controls the power supplied to the heating unit. The heating control unit attenuates or cuts off the power supplied to the heating unit when at least 1 countdown timer reaches a final count value during the period in which the heating control unit supplies the power to the heating unit.

The 16 th aspect is the induction heating cooker (1) according to the 15 th aspect. In the 16 th aspect, the heating control unit reduces the power supplied to the heating unit and supplies the power in accordance with the cooking procedure of the heat preservation mode for preserving the heat of the contents stored in the object to be heated.

The 17 th aspect is the induction heating cooker (1) according to the 1 st aspect. In the 17 th aspect, the induction heating cooking device includes a grill (44) and a heating unit that heats an object to be heated in the grill. The at least 1 countdown timer includes a plurality of countdown timers, and is respectively disposed on the at least 1 heating coil and the heating part. The operation control section has a remaining time setting mode for each of a plurality of countdown timers.

The 18 th aspect is the induction heating cooker (1) according to the 2 nd aspect. In the 18 th aspect, the heating apparatus further includes a top plate (5) placed on the upper portion of the main body together with at least 1 heating coil.

The operation unit includes a main body operation unit (19, 20, 21) provided on the main body and a top surface operation unit (42 and 43) provided on the top plate. The main body operation unit receives a default setting in the remaining time setting mode. The top surface operating unit receives an input of an increase or decrease of a time value from a user after at least 1 countdown timer is started.

The 19 th aspect is a storage medium of a computer program for an induction heating cooker (1). In the 19 th aspect, an induction heating cooker includes: at least 1 heating coil (7, 8, 9) for induction heating of an object to be heated; a heating control unit (35); display units (23, 24, 25, 41); an operation unit (19, 20, 21, 42, 43) and an operation control unit (37).

The heating control unit controls power supplied to at least 1 heating coil. The operation unit receives an input from a user. The operation control unit is a computer that controls the display of the display unit by processing the input received by the operation unit.

The induction heating cooker is provided with at least 1 countdown timer (34), displays the remaining time on the display part, and responds to the received starting instruction on the operation part, and counts down from the time value set at the receiving time point of the starting instruction.

According to the computer program, the operation control unit controls the operation of the remaining time setting mode for receiving the setting of the default value of at least 1 countdown timer. According to the computer program, in the remaining time setting mode, the operation control unit receives the setting of the default value, and causes the display unit to display the default value when at least 1 countdown timer is started.

The remaining time setting mode for setting the default value of the countdown timer according to the present disclosure can be applied to any induction heating cooker for home use and business use.

Claims

1. An induction heating cooker is provided with:

at least 1 heating coil operable to inductively heat an object to be heated;

a heating control unit operable to control electric power supplied to the at least 1 heating coil;

a display unit;

an operation unit operable to accept input from a user;

an operation control unit operable to process the input received by the operation unit and control display on the display unit; and

at least 1 count-down timer operable to count down from a time value set at a time point at which the start instruction is received in response to the start instruction received by the operation unit, the remaining time being displayed on the display unit,

The operation control unit has a remaining time setting mode for accepting setting of a default value of the at least 1 countdown timer, and causes the display unit to display the default value when the at least 1 countdown timer is started when the setting of the default value is accepted in the remaining time setting mode.

2. The induction heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein,

the operation control unit increases or decreases the default value displayed on the display unit when the operation unit receives an input of an increase or decrease of a time value from the user after the at least 1 countdown timer is started.

3. The induction heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein,

further comprises a storage unit for holding a predetermined initial value,

the operation control unit causes the display unit to display the predetermined initial value when the at least 1 countdown timer is started until the setting of the default value is accepted.

4. The induction heating cooker as claimed in claim 3,

when the operation unit receives an input of an increase or decrease in time value from the user after the at least 1 countdown timer is started, the operation control unit increases or decreases the initial value displayed on the display unit.

5. An induction heating cooker according to claim 3,

the prescribed initial value is a latest value of start times of the at least 1 countdown timers, which is set when the at least 1 countdown timer is last used.

6. An induction heating cooker according to claim 3,

the predetermined initial value is 0.

7. The induction heating cooker as claimed in claim 3,

the operation control unit is operable to cause the display unit to display an image object indicating at least 1 cooking menu selected from a plurality of cooking menus prepared in advance,

the operation unit is operable to accept selection of the image object displayed on the display unit,

the heating control unit is operable to control power to the at least 1 heating coil in accordance with a cooking order corresponding to a cooking menu associated with the image object,

the storage unit stores the default value for each cooking menu.

8. The induction heating cooker as claimed in claim 1,

the operation control unit has a variation setting mode for receiving a setting of a unit variation,

The unit change amount is a change amount of the time value that increases or decreases the time value when the operation portion is operated 1 time by the user,

when the operation unit accepts an input of an increase or a decrease of the time value from the user after the unit change amount is set in the change amount setting mode and after the at least 1 countdown timer is started, the operation control unit increases or decreases the time value displayed on the display unit by the unit change amount.

9. The induction heating cooker as claimed in claim 3,

the storage unit is a nonvolatile storage device.

10. The induction heating cooker as claimed in claim 1,

the heating control unit may reduce or cut off the power supplied to the at least 1 heating coil when the at least 1 countdown timer reaches a final count value during a period in which the heating control unit supplies the power to the at least 1 heating coil.

11. The induction heating cooker as claimed in claim 10,

the heating control unit is operable to reduce the electric power supplied to the at least 1 heating coil, and to supply the electric power in accordance with a cooking procedure of a heat preservation mode for preserving heat of contents stored in the object to be heated.

12. The induction heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein,

the at least 1 heating coil includes a plurality of heating coils,

providing the display part, the operation part, and the at least 1 countdown timer for each of the plurality of heating coils,

the operation control portion has the remaining time setting mode for each of the at least 1 countdown timers.

13. The induction heating cooker as claimed in claim 10,

the induction heating cooker is further provided with a speaker,

the operation control unit outputs a sound from the speaker when the at least 1 count-down timer reaches a final count value.

14. The induction heating cooker as claimed in claim 3,

the induction heating cooker is provided with:

baking; and

a heating unit operable to heat an object to be heated in the roasting appliance,

the heating control unit is operable to control heating by the heating unit,

the heating control unit is operable to control the heating unit in accordance with a cooking order corresponding to a cooking menu associated with the image object,

the storage unit stores the default value for each cooking menu.

15. The induction heating cooker as claimed in claim 1,

the induction heating cooker is provided with:

baking; and

the heating control unit is operable to control the electric power supplied to the heating unit,

the heating control unit may reduce or cut off the power supplied to the heating unit when the at least 1 countdown timer reaches a final count value during a period in which the heating control unit supplies the power to the heating unit.

16. The induction heating cooker as claimed in claim 15,

the heating control unit is operable to reduce the electric power supplied to the heating unit, and to supply the electric power in accordance with a cooking procedure of a heat preservation mode for preserving heat of contents contained in the object to be heated.

17. The induction heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein,

the induction heating cooker is provided with:

roasting; and

a heating part operable to heat an object to be heated in the roasting appliance,

the at least 1 countdown timer includes a plurality of countdown timers and is respectively disposed at the at least 1 heating coil and the heating part,

the operation control portion has the remaining time setting mode for each of the plurality of countdown timers.

18. The induction heating cooker as claimed in claim 2,

the induction heating cooker further includes:

a main body; and

a top plate mounted on an upper portion of the main body together with the at least 1 heating coil,

the operation portion includes:

a main body operation part arranged on the main body; and

an operation part arranged on the top surface of the top plate,

the main body operation unit is operable to accept setting of the default value in the remaining time setting mode,

the top surface operating unit is operable to receive an input from the user of an increase or decrease in a time value after the at least 1 countdown timer is started.

19. A storage medium of a computer program for an induction heating cooker,

the induction heating cooker is provided with:

at least 1 heating coil operable to inductively heat an object to be heated;

a display unit;

an operation unit operable to accept input from a user;

at least 1 count-down timer for displaying the remaining time on the display unit and counting down from a time value set at the time point of receipt of the start instruction in response to the start instruction received by the operation unit,

according to the computer program, the operation control unit is operable to control the operation based on a remaining time setting mode in which setting of a default value of the at least 1 countdown timer is accepted,

according to the computer program, in the remaining time setting mode, the operation control unit accepts setting of the default value, and causes the display unit to display the default value when the at least 1 countdown timer is started.