CN114585125A

CN114585125A - Induction heating cooker and computer program storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN114585125A
Application number: CN202110180890.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 寺本高洋; 矶田惠子; 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: 2020-12-01
Filing date: 2021-02-07
Publication date: 2022-06-03
Also published as: JP2022087670A; JP7270168B2

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: a main body; a heating coil for induction-heating an object to be heated; a top plate mounted on the upper surface of the main body together with the heating coil; a main body operation unit which is provided on a side surface of the main body and receives an input from a user through a plurality of keys including a home key and one or more selection keys; a display part arranged on the side surface; and an operation control unit for controlling the display of the display unit by processing the input received by the main body operation unit. The operation control unit causes the display unit to display a main screen that is a screen of a highest hierarchical level of the hierarchical menu items. When the main body operation unit receives an input to one or more selection keys, the display of the main screen is switched to the display of the lower hierarchy. When the main body operation unit receives an input to the home key, the home screen is displayed regardless of the hierarchy of the currently displayed screen.

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. For example, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2007-109424 discloses an induction heating type cooking device that is easy to understand by separating the operation keys of a plurality of heating units into main functions, so that the use of the cooking device is improved in convenience and safety without erroneous operation.

Disclosure of Invention

When an operation key with a low frequency of use at ordinary times is operated, a user may be confused about the method of operating the operation key. In particular, under the current situation that the heating cooker is becoming multifunctional, the operation method of the operation key may become complicated, and thus there are many opportunities for such confusion to occur. The operability of the heating cooker can control the efficiency of the cooking operation of the user. A heating cooker with improved operability is required.

The present disclosure provides an induction heating cooker with improved operability and a computer program for the induction heating cooker.

One embodiment of the present disclosure is an induction heating cooker. The induction heating cooking device includes a main body, a heating coil for induction heating an object to be heated, a top plate, a main body operation unit, a display unit provided on a side surface, and an operation control unit.

The top plate is mounted on the upper surface of the main body together with the heating coil. The main body operation unit is provided on a side surface of the main body, and accepts an input from a user through a plurality of keys including a home key and one or more selection keys. The operation control unit controls the display unit by processing the input received by the main body operation unit.

The operation control unit causes the display unit to display a main screen that is a screen of a highest hierarchical level of the hierarchical menu items. When the main body operation unit receives an input to one or more selection keys, the operation control unit causes the display unit to switch the display of the main screen to the display of the next hierarchical level. When the main body operation unit receives an input to the home key, the operation control unit causes the display unit to display the home screen regardless of the hierarchy of the currently displayed screen.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a storage medium of a computer program for an induction heating cooker. The induction heating cooking device includes a main body, a heating coil for induction heating an object to be heated, a top plate, a main body operation unit, a display unit provided on a side surface, and an operation control unit.

According to the computer program, the operation control unit causes the display unit to display a main screen that is a screen of a highest hierarchical level of the hierarchical menu items. When the main body operation unit receives an input to one or more selection keys, the operation control unit causes the display unit to switch the main screen to a screen of a lower hierarchy level. When the main body operation unit receives an input to the home key, the operation control unit causes the display unit to display the home screen regardless of the hierarchy of the currently displayed screen.

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 top surface operation unit and the top surface 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 correspondence relationship between an operation unit and a menu item when each item of a menu is selected using the operation unit.

Fig. 7B is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship in the case where the number of menu items and the number of operation units are different.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a transition example of display of a menu item ("manual") from the home screen.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a transition example of display of a menu item ("oven") from the home screen.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a transition example of display of a menu item from the home screen ("unfreezing-free IH grill").

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a transition example of display of a menu item ("auto") from the home screen.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of transition of the display unit when "maintenance" is selected after the tool button is pressed.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a transition example of the display unit when "range hood" is selected after the tool button is pressed.

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of transition of display on the display unit when "set" is selected after the tool button is pressed.

Fig. 15A is a flowchart showing the procedure of the transition processing to the home screen.

Fig. 15B is a flowchart showing a procedure of transition processing to the home screen based on the application example of fig. 15A.

Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which home keys are provided in the vicinity of the top surface operating unit and the top surface display unit on the top plate.

Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of transition of display from the home screen by the top surface display unit.

Detailed Description

An induction heating cooker according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a main body side operation unit and a display unit on a side surface of a main body of the induction heating cooker, and typically includes the main body side operation unit and the display unit on a side surface facing a position where a user stands during cooking. The main body side operation unit has a plurality of keys for accepting user input. The plurality of keys include a home key and one or more selection keys.

For example, after the power is turned on, the operation control unit of the induction heating cooker causes the display unit to display an initial screen. The initial screen is a screen of the highest hierarchical level of the hierarchical menu items. When an input to one or more selection keys is accepted, the main body side operation unit switches the main screen displayed on the display unit to a screen of a lower hierarchy level.

For example, consider the following: in order to set the induction heating cooker, the user operates the main body side operation unit to change the setting items of the lower hierarchy level which are not used at ordinary times. However, for a user who is not familiar with the setting, the desired setting item cannot be reached even if the operation is advanced, and the operation may be confused. Such users often feel like to want to operate again from the beginning.

Therefore, when the user presses the home key provided in the main body side operation unit, the main body side operation unit that has accepted the input to the home key causes the display unit to display the main screen regardless of the hierarchy of the currently displayed screen. This makes it very easy for the user to perform the operation again. By performing the operation again, the user can reach a desired setting item while checking various items. By providing the home key, the user can efficiently perform the subsequent cooking operation.

Generally, the top plate of the induction heating cooker is sufficiently larger than the side surface. A display unit for displaying certain information and an operation unit for a user to operate may be provided on the top plate of the induction heating cooker. However, since a user often cooks on the top plate, it may be difficult to allocate the areas of the display unit and the operation unit due to the arrangement of a plurality of heating coils. Even if a large display portion is provided at a position where the heating coil is not provided, if a cooking utensil such as a frying pan or a frying pan is placed at such a position, most of the display portion may be blocked, and visibility may not be ensured.

For this reason, the present inventors have considered that it is preferable to control the areas of the operation portion and the display portion on the top panel to the minimum necessary, provide the operation portion on the side surface of the main body side, and further provide the display portion securing a relatively wide display area. With this configuration, both high visibility and operability can be ensured. In addition, the present disclosure does not exclude a case where the operation portion and the display portion are provided on the side surface of the main body side, and the operation portion and the display portion are also provided on the top plate.

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 the following description becoming unnecessarily lengthy and readily understandable to those skilled in the art.

The present inventors have provided drawings and the following description in order to fully understand the present disclosure for those skilled in the art, and the subject matter described in the scope of the claims is not limited to these contents.

(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 an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis are shown in a portion of the drawings of the present disclosure. 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 cooker

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

As shown in fig. 1A, the induction heating cooker 1 includes a main body 3 and a top plate 5, and the top plate 5 is used for placing a container on an upper surface of the main body 3. The container is a heated object that stores 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. Further, 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 sections 15 to 17 emit light when current flows through the corresponding heating coils 7 to 9, for example. The light emitting portions 15 to 17 have LED light emitting substrates, not shown, for example.

Further, a temperature sensor 18 is disposed below 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. The light emitting parts 15 to 17 and the temperature sensor 18 are not essential components, and the induction heating cooker 1 can operate even when not mounted.

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 between the heating coils 7 to 9 and the operation units 19 to 21, respectively, on the front side of the top plate 5 of the induction heating cooker 1. The

display units

23, 24, and 25 display the states of the operation targets of the operation units 19 to 21, respectively. The operations of the display units 23 to 25 are controlled by a control unit 31 described later. In the present specification, the operation units 19 to 21 provided on the top plate 5 are sometimes referred to as top surface operation units, and the display units 23 to 25 are sometimes referred to as top surface display units.

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 plate 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 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 that display in a segment manner. 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 unit. Fig. 1A shows a state where operation panel 40 is stored. Further, 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. Alternatively, when the user turns on the power switch 22, a motor, not shown, may be operated to send the operation panel 40 in the-Y direction. In a state where induction heating cooker 1 is not used, operation panel 40 and display portion 41, operation portion 42, tool button 43, and home key 50 of operation panel 40 described below are housed in main body 3.

The operation panel 40 includes a display unit 41, an operation unit 42, tool buttons 43, and a home key 50. When the display units 23 to 25 are dot matrix liquid crystal display devices, the display unit 41 may be a dot matrix liquid crystal display device. Alternatively, the display portion 41 may be an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device.

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

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a display device based on a dot matrix display principle capable of more flexible display is used instead of the segment display principle. The reason is to display various information on the display unit 41 in accordance with the multi-functionalization of the induction heating cooker 1.

In the dot matrix method, for example, various setting items can be displayed while switching the display. The display mode may be any display mode as long as the display unit 41 adopts a display mode capable of flexible display, such as a dot matrix mode.

The term "switch" in this specification typically means that the content displayed on the display unit 41 is completely rewritten and a new content is displayed. The advantage of "switching" the display is that the limited display area can be effectively utilized. When all the contents displayed so far are displayed to the user, a large number of display areas are required, and the display area for displaying new contents is reduced.

The "entire content displayed so far" refers to, for example, a content displayed when a new content is additionally displayed on the same screen while maintaining the content displayed so far.

On the other hand, when the contents displayed so far, for example, the contents displayed on the first screen are not displayed but completely rewritten and the display is switched, new contents can be displayed in the entire display area of the display unit 41, and the amount of information that can be presented can be increased. Alternatively, by displaying characters larger instead of increasing the amount of information, visibility can be greatly improved.

As is apparent from fig. 1B, the top plate 5 is placed on the upper surface of the main body 3 together with the heating coils 7 to 9, whereas the operation panel 40 or the operation portion 42, the tool buttons 43, and the home keys 50 of the main body 3 are provided on the side surface of the main body 3, and user input is received by a plurality of keys including the home key 50 (operation portion) and one or more selection keys (the operation portion 42 and the tool buttons 43).

The operation unit 42, the tool button 43, and the home key 50 are used for operating the grill 44 of the main body 3 and for setting various types of the main body 3. A heating coil (not shown) is electrically provided in the roaster 44. The display unit 41, the operation unit 42, the tool button 43, and the home key 50 will be described in more detail later.

In the present specification, the operation unit 42, the tool button 43, and the home key 50 may be collectively referred to as a "main body operation unit". That is, the home key 50 is a main body home key. The main body operation unit and the ceiling surface operation unit may be collectively referred to as "operation unit".

The heating coil, and the operation portion and the display portion corresponding to the heating coil may be referred to as "heating unit" 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 unit 42, the tool button 43, and the display unit 41 shown in fig. 1B are also 1 set of heating units. The operation unit 42 and the tool button 43 are also used for setting the induction heating cooker 1, and are not used only for operating the grill 44. Therefore, only the button or switch related to the operation of the grill 44 among the operation unit 42 and the tool button 43 may be included in 1 set of heating units related to the grill 44.

As shown in fig. 2, the induction heating cooker 1 includes a control unit 31 and a storage unit 33 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 storage 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 control unit 31 executing the computer program operates as the heating control unit 35, the operation control unit 37, and the cooking guidance control unit 39 in response to the situation. For example, when the control unit 31 controls the amount of current flowing through the heating coils 7 to 9 and the heating coils in the grill 44 (hereinafter referred to as "heating coils for the grill 44"), the control unit 31 operates as the heating control unit 35.

When the control unit 31 controls the input received by the operation units 19 to 21 to control the display on the display areas of the display units 23 to 25, the control unit 31 operates as the 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 heating 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 one or more CPUs, microprocessors, and FPGAs (Field programmable gate arrays).

The heating unit of the grill 44 may be a member other than a heating coil. For example, the heating unit of the roaster 44 may be a sheath heater, a planar heater, a microwave generator, or the like, or may be a combination of some or all of these. The heating control unit 35 may control heating by supplying electric power to the heating means.

The output signals of the operation units 19 to 21, 42, the tool button 43 and the home key 50 are input to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 sets the heating amounts of the heating coils 7 to 9 and the heating coil for the roaster 44 according to the operation. The control unit 31 functioning as the heating 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 heating 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 heating 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. The output signals of the operation units 19 to 21 are input to the control unit 31, and therefore 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 heating controller 35 supplies a high-frequency current to the heating coil for the heating device 44 in the same manner as the heating coils 7 to 9, and heats the object to be heated in the heating device 44. The heating controller 35 controls the amount of current flowing through the heating coil for the grill 44, thereby controlling the amount of heat supplied from the heating coil.

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 in accordance with a predetermined heating procedure or cooking procedure. The appropriate condition is based on whether the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 18 satisfies a predetermined temperature condition or whether 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 on the display units 23 to 25. These heating sequence, cooking sequence, and cooking guide are stored in the storage unit 33.

Operating section and display section

Next, the operation units 19 to 21, the operation unit 42, the tool button 43, the home key 50, and the display units 23 to 25, 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, "<", ">" symbols, mainly for setting menu selection, fire amount, and timer time.

The 4 th operation unit 57 is printed with a pattern indicating a heating area 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 supply 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 unit 42, the tool button 43, and the home key 50 will be described with reference to fig. 6A and 6B. Fig. 6A is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the operation unit 42, the tool button 43, the home key 50, and the display unit 41 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 tool button 43 is used for maintenance operations such as cleaning of the induction heating cooker 1, setting of operations, and the like. A specific example of the display portion 41 when the tool button 43 is pressed will be described later.

In this specification, the 1 st operating unit 61, the 2 nd operating unit 63, the 3 rd operating unit 65, the 4 th operating unit 67, and the tool buttons 43 are sometimes referred to as "selection keys" in terms of a function of selecting items. The induction heating cooker 1 has one or more selection keys.

The home key 50 is a key for returning the screen currently displayed on the display unit 41 to the home screen. The home key 50 is sometimes described as an "operation portion". An example of the main screen is a screen displayed immediately after the power is turned on as shown in fig. 6B.

When the user presses the home key 50 of the main body side operation unit, the main body side operation unit that has accepted the input to the home key 50 causes the display unit 41 to display the main screen image regardless of the currently displayed screen image. For example, the home screen is a screen corresponding to the uppermost hierarchy.

In the present embodiment, various menu items are displayed in a hierarchical manner on the display unit 41. When the user is confused about the operation due to the hierarchy of the menu items, the user can very easily perform the operation again from the original home screen by pressing the home key 50. By performing the operation again, the user can reach a desired setting item while checking various items.

That is, by providing the home key 50, the user can efficiently perform the subsequent cooking operation. Hereinafter, an example of transition of display on the display unit 41 and transition of prohibition of display when the user presses the home key 50 in various levels will be described.

In the above description, it is assumed that the operation unit 20, the operation unit 42, the tool button 43, and the home key 50 are switches implemented by hardware. However, all or a part of the

operation units

20 and 42, the tool buttons 43, and the home key 50 may be implemented by soft switches without a display unit.

Alternatively, all or a part of the

operation portions

20 and 42, the tool buttons 43, and the home key 50 may be realized by soft switches and a touch panel displayed on the

display portions

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 unit 42, the tool button 43, and the home key 50 corresponds to the touched position, and executes the function associated with the operation unit.

In addition, 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 operation of the operation unit 20, the operation unit 42, the tool button 43, and the home key 50 can be detected by detecting the hand on the cover by the proximity sensor. Such a proximity sensor can be used to operate without fear of dirt on the hand during cooking.

Next, a method of selecting an item displayed on the display unit 41 by the operation unit 42 will be described with reference to fig. 7A and 7B.

Fig. 7A shows the correspondence between the operation unit and the menu item when each item of the menu is selected using the operation unit. In the present embodiment, various menu items displayed on the display unit 41 are selected by pressing an operation unit associated with each position of the various menu items.

In the example of fig. 7A, the menu item 71 displayed on the display unit 41 ("manually") is selected by pressing the 1 st operation unit 61 associated with the position of the menu item 71. The double-headed arrow indicates that the menu item 71 is associated with the 1 st operation unit 61.

Likewise, menu item 73 ("oven") is associated with the 2 nd operating part 63, menu item 75 ("unfreezing IH grill") is associated with the 3 rd operating part 65, and menu item 77 ("auto") is associated with the 4 th operating part 67. By pressing the 2 nd operation unit 63, the 3 rd operation unit 65, and the 4 th operation unit 67, the

menu items

73, 75, and 77 are selected, respectively.

In the example of fig. 7A, the number of menu items displayed on the display unit 41 matches the number of operation units. On the other hand, the number of the two may not be the same.

Fig. 7B shows a correspondence relationship in the case where the number of menu items and the number of operation portions are different. The display section 41 includes a display 80A of a large item and a display 80B of a medium item. The display 80B of the medium item also includes a display of small items (timer item 81, selection item 83, and start item 87). In this example, the display of the small items is 3. On the other hand, the 4 operation units (the 1 st operation unit 61 to the 4 th operation unit 67) are the same as those in fig. 7A.

In fig. 7B, the selection item 83 is displayed to be wider than the width of the timer item 81 and the start item 87 in the left-right direction of the drawing. In this case, in the present embodiment, the timer item 81 is associated with the 1 st operation unit 61, the selection item 83 is associated with the 2 nd operation unit 63 and the 3 rd operation unit 65, and the start item 87 is associated with the 4 th operation unit 67.

Then, by pressing each operation unit, the corresponding item is selected. The selection item 83 is selected regardless of whether the 2 nd operation unit 63 is pressed or the 3 rd operation unit 65 is pressed. However, when the selection item 83 is associated with, for example, increase or decrease of a set value such as the upper or lower of the temperature setting, pressing the 2 nd operation unit 63 means decrease of the selection temperature, and pressing the 3 rd operation unit 65 means increase of the selection temperature.

In the following description, the term "selecting" an item displayed on the display unit means that the user presses an operation unit corresponding to the item. For convenience of explanation, the operation portion to be pressed is denoted in the drawings.

Examples of the lower hierarchy level to be searched for from each menu item displayed on the main screen of the display unit 41 will be described with reference to fig. 8 to 11. With these drawings, a case where the content of the screen displayed on the display unit 41 shifts across a plurality of levels will be described. For ease of understanding, how the display content changes will be described, but the transition of the display content of the display unit 41 is performed based on the control of the operation control unit 37.

That is, the operation control unit 37 controls the display unit 41 to perform a desired display. The uppermost stage in each figure is "level (0)", and the number increases as the level becomes lower, as in the levels (1) and (2). In the drawing, the number of times of the input operation received by the operation control unit 37 is 1, is described as "x 1", and the number of times is n, is described as "xn", and the like.

Fig. 8 shows a transition example of display of the menu item 71 ("manual") from the home screen. When the 1 st operation part 61 is pressed, the display of the display part 41 is changed to "grill manual" as a manual menu of the grill 44. The display of level (1) is the same as in fig. 7B. When the 1 st operation unit 61 is pressed in the hierarchy level (1), the hierarchy level (2) is entered, and a timer setting menu is displayed on the display unit 41.

Here, when the 3 rd operation part 65 is pressed a predetermined number of times, the numerical value of the timer is displayed as the time (for example, "30 minutes") desired by the user. Further, by pressing the 3 rd operation unit 65, the timer time "30 minutes" is additionally displayed. The display of the display unit 41 is not rewritten. That is, the display of the display section 41 does not transition. Then, when the 4 th operation part 67 is pressed, heating is started.

In fig. 8, a dashed line 8a surrounding the display of the level (1) and the level (2) is shown. The broken line 8a is a range in which the display of the display unit 41 shifts to the home screen of the hierarchy (0) when the user presses the home key 50 while the display unit 41 displays the content within the broken line 8 a. That is, when the operation control unit 37 receives an input to the home key 50, the home screen is displayed regardless of whether the hierarchy of the currently displayed screen is hierarchy (1) or hierarchy (2).

On the other hand, when the 4 th operation portion 67 is pressed in the hierarchy (1) or the 4 th operation portion 67 is pressed after the timer time is reset in the hierarchy (2), heating is started. At this time, the display screen of the display unit 41 changes to the display content surrounded by the broken line 8 b. The broken line 8b indicates a home screen image in which the display of the display unit 41 does not transition to the hierarchy (0) even if the user presses the home key 50 while the display unit 41 displays the content within the broken line 8 b.

In other words, the dotted line 8b indicates that the operation control unit 37 prohibits the transition to the home screen when the input to the home key 50 is accepted while the heating control unit 35 supplies power to the grill 44 through the heating coil. As a result, the heating of the roaster 44 is continued.

Fig. 9 shows a transition example of display of the menu item 73 ("oven") from the home screen.

When the 2 nd operation part 63 is pressed, the display of the display part 41 is changed to "oven" as an oven menu of the grill 44. When the 1 st operation unit 61 is pressed in the hierarchy (1), the hierarchy (2) is entered, and a timer setting menu when the oven is used is displayed on the display unit 41.

Here, when the 3 rd operation part 65 is pressed, the numerical value of the timer is displayed as "30 minutes". Further, the timer time "30 minutes" is additionally displayed by pressing the 3 rd operation unit 65. The display of the display unit 41 is not rewritten. That is, the display of the display section 41 does not transition. When the 4 th operation unit 67 is pressed, the heating control unit 35 supplies power to the heating coil of the grill 44 to start heating.

The display of level (1) and level (2) is surrounded by a broken line 9a shown in fig. 9. Further, the display portion 41 in which the 4 th operation portion 67 is pressed in the hierarchy (1) or the 4 th operation portion 67 is pressed after the timer time is reset in the hierarchy (2) is surrounded by the broken line 9 b.

The dashed

lines

9a and 9b have the same meanings as the dashed

lines

8a and 8b in fig. 8, respectively. When the operation control unit 37 receives an input to the home key 50 during display within the broken line 9a, the home screen is displayed regardless of whether the screen currently displayed is at the level (1) or the level (2). On the other hand, when the operation control unit 37 accepts an input to the home key 50 during display in the broken line 9b, transition to the home screen is prohibited.

Fig. 10 shows a transition example of display of a menu item 75 ("unfreezing-free IH grill") from the home screen. Fig. 11 shows an example of transition from the display of the menu item 77 ("auto") on the home screen. After the transition from the level (0) to the level (1), one menu item is selected from various menu items in the level (1) in any example. After that, when the 4 th operation part 67 is pressed, heating is started.

In fig. 10 and 11, the display of the hierarchy level (1) is surrounded by

dotted lines

10a and 11 a. In fig. 10 and 11, the display of the display unit 41 in which the 4 th operation unit 67 is pressed in the hierarchy (1) or the 4 th operation unit 67 is pressed after the timer time is reset in the hierarchy (2) is surrounded by the

broken lines

10b and 11 b.

The meanings of the

broken lines

10a and 10b and the meanings of the

broken lines

11a and 11b are the same as the meanings of the

broken lines

8a and 8b, respectively. Since it can be easily analogized from the

broken lines

9a and 9b in fig. 9, redundant description is omitted.

Next, an example of a lower hierarchy searched from the home screen when the tool button 43 is pressed will be described with reference to fig. 12 to 14.

Fig. 12 shows an example of transition of the display on the display unit 41 when "maintenance" is selected after the tool button 43 is pressed. When the tool button 43 is pressed, the display of the display portion 41 shifts to the hierarchy (1). When the user presses the 1 st operation section 61 in the hierarchy (1), "maintenance" is selected and transits to the hierarchy (2).

The "maintenance" is an operation mode for heating the inside of the oven 44 of the induction heating cooker 1 to burn off oil stains and cleaning the inside. When the user presses the 4 th operation portion 67 in the hierarchy (2), heating is started.

In fig. 12, the display of level (1) and level (2) is surrounded by a dotted line 12 a. In fig. 12, the display of the display unit 41 in which the 4 th operation unit 67 is pressed in the hierarchy (2) is surrounded by the broken line 12 b. The broken lines 12a and 12B have the same meaning as the broken lines 8a and 8B, respectively, and therefore, the explanation thereof is omitted.

Fig. 13 shows a transition example of the display unit 41 when "range hood" is selected by pressing the tool button 43. When the tool button 43 is pressed, the display of the display portion 41 shifts to the hierarchy (1). When the user presses the 2 nd operation part 63 in the hierarchy (1), "hood" is selected and transits to the hierarchy (2).

The "range hood" refers to an operation mode in which the range hood (not shown) is operated from the induction heating cooker 1. The control wire is connected from the induction heating cooker 1 to the hood, and the fan of the hood can be rotated by a control signal via the control wire.

In fig. 13, the display of the level (1) and the level (2) is surrounded by the broken line 12a, and when the home key 50 is pressed in these levels, the display of the display unit 41 returns to the home screen. In the example of fig. 13, the transition to the home screen is not prohibited when the home key 50 is pressed. This is because the operation mode of the induction heating cooker 1 is not restricted as in the heating process.

Fig. 14 shows an example of transition of the display on the display unit 41 when "set" is selected by pressing the tool button 43. When the tool button 43 is pressed, the display of the display portion 41 shifts to the hierarchy (1). When the user presses the 3 rd operation section 65 in the hierarchy (1), "setting" is selected and transits to the hierarchy (2). The "setting" refers to an operation mode for adjusting setting items related to the operation of the induction heating cooker 1. A total of 13 setting items are illustrated in the hierarchy (2). Each setting item is merely an example, and thus detailed description is omitted.

When the user presses the 4 th operation portion 67 in a state where, for example, the setting item of "audio volume setting" is selected, the display of the display portion 41 shifts to the level (3) of the setting content for changing the "audio volume setting".

When the user sets the favorite sound volume using the 2 nd operation unit 63 and the 3 rd operation unit 65 and presses the 4 th operation unit 67 again, the setting ends. At this time, "set" is displayed on the display unit 41. "such a message, after 3 seconds, the display section 41 automatically changes to the home screen.

In the example of fig. 14, the display of levels (1) to (3) is surrounded by a broken line 14 a. When the home key 50 is pressed at any of these levels, the display of the display unit 41 returns to the home screen. When the "setting" item is selected, the operation mode is not an operation mode for restricting the operation of the induction heating cooker 1, and therefore, similarly to the example of fig. 13, the transition to the home screen is not prohibited when the home key 50 is pressed.

The process of the operation control unit 37 of the induction heating cooker 1 can be described as the process of fig. 15A or 15B.

Fig. 15A is a flowchart showing the procedure of the transition processing to the main screen. This processing is performed immediately after the power switch 22 of the induction heating cooker 1 is pressed, for example.

In step S10, the operation control unit 37 causes the display unit 41 to display the main screen.

In step S11, when an input to a selection key such as the 1 st operation unit 61 is received, the operation control unit 37 causes the display unit 41 to switch the display of the main screen to the display of the next hierarchical level, and displays a menu item corresponding to the selection key.

In step S12, upon receiving an input to the home key 50, the operation control unit 37 causes the display unit 41 to display the home screen image regardless of the current hierarchy, and ends the process.

As already defined, "switching" means completely rewriting the content displayed on the display unit 41 and displaying a new content. In step S11 described above, the display of the home screen is switched to the display of the lower hierarchy level.

Therefore, there is an advantage that new content can be displayed in all the display areas, but the position or hierarchy of the current menu item is difficult to grasp for the user, and operation confusion is likely to occur in some cases.

In such a case, if the above-described processing using the home key 50 is performed, it is possible to easily return the display of the display unit 41 to the home screen regardless of which hierarchy the user is confused in. This can improve the operability for the user.

Fig. 15B is a flowchart showing a procedure of transition processing to the home screen based on the application example of fig. 15A. The same processing as that in fig. 15A is denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

In step S20 following step S11, the operation control section 37 determines whether there is an input to the home key 50. In the case where there is no input, the process returns to step S11 to continue waiting for an input to the selection key. If there is an input, the process proceeds to step S21.

In step S21, the operation controller 37 determines whether cooking is underway. If cooking is not being performed, the operation controller 37 executes the processing of step S12. If cooking is in progress, the operation control unit 37 ends the processing.

That is, the operation control unit 37 does not change the display of the display unit 41 to the home screen image although the pressing of the home key 50 is accepted. In this specification, such processing appears to prohibit transition to the home screen.

Although not explicitly shown in fig. 15B, when the heating cooking is finished, the operation control unit 37 may change the display content of the display unit 41 in accordance with the input of the user.

The operations and displays related to the operation panel 40 and the display unit 41 of the induction heating cooker 1 have been described. The configurations other than the operation panel 40 and the display unit 41, for example, the configurations of the top surface operation unit and the top surface display unit are arbitrary, and as shown in fig. 4, it is not necessary to provide a home key on the top plate 5.

An application example in which the home key 60 is provided on the top panel 5 in addition to the above-described configuration and operation will be described below. The home key 60 is a home key for top surface.

Fig. 16 shows an example in which a home key 60 is provided near the operation unit 20 and the display unit 24 on the top panel 5. Home key 60 functions the same as home key 50. That is, the operation control unit 37 causes the display unit 24 to display a main screen that is a screen of the highest hierarchical level of the hierarchical menu items.

When the operation unit 20 receives an input to one or more selection keys (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) constituting the operation unit 20, the display of the main screen is switched to the display of the next hierarchical level. When the operation unit 20 receives an input to the home key 60, the operation control unit 37 causes the display unit 24 to display the home screen regardless of the hierarchy of the currently displayed screen.

The above-described processing corresponds to the processing of fig. 15A. Similarly, the operation control unit 37 may execute the processing corresponding to fig. 15B as the processing using the operation unit 20, the display unit 24, and the home key 60 shown in fig. 16.

Fig. 17 shows a variation of the display from the main screen in the display unit 24. As in the example of fig. 8 and the like, the level (0) represents the main screen of the display unit 24. Now, when the 3 rd operating unit 55 is pressed, the display of the display unit 24 shifts to "heating" of the menu of the heating coil 8 corresponding to the display unit 24. In the hierarchy (1), menu items related to heating such as "fry", "grill", and the like are switched every time the 3 rd operation part 55 is pressed.

When the 4 th operation unit 57 is pressed in a state where, for example, "grill assist" among the menu items related to heating is displayed, the hierarchy (2) is entered, and the detailed menu item of "grill assist" is displayed on the display unit 24. In this example, 10 cooking menu items can be selected in the hierarchy (2).

When the 4 th operation unit 57 is pressed in a state where, for example, "french toast" is displayed among the cooking menu items, the induction heating cooker 1 starts the warm-up operation. That is, heating is started.

As in the example of fig. 8, fig. 17 also shows a broken line 17a surrounding the display of the level (1) and the level (2). The broken line 17a is a range in which the display of the display unit 24 shifts to the home screen of the hierarchy (0) when the user presses the home key 60 while the display unit 24 displays the content within the broken line 17 a.

That is, when the operation control unit 37 receives an input to the home key 60, the home screen is displayed regardless of whether the level of the currently displayed screen is level (1) or level (2).

On the other hand, when heating is started from the level (2), the display screen of the display unit 24 changes to the display content surrounded by the broken line 17 b. The broken line 17b indicates a home screen image in which the display of the display unit 24 does not transition to the hierarchy (0) even if the user presses the home key 60 while the display unit 24 displays the content within the broken line 17 b.

In other words, the broken line 17b indicates that the operation control unit 37 prohibits the transition to the main screen when the input to the home key 60 is accepted while the heating control unit 35 supplies power to the heating coil 8. As a result, the heating by the heating coil 8 is continued.

As described above, the home key 60 is provided in the operation unit 20 and the display unit 24, and the operation control unit 37 can shift the display unit 24 to the home screen regardless of the current hierarchy when the home key 60 is pressed, except for a predetermined case such as heating.

Note that, although a configuration example in which the home key 60 is provided in the vicinity of the operation unit 20 and the display unit 24 is described here, another configuration may be adopted. For example, the home key 60 may be provided in the operation unit 19 and the display unit 23 or the operation unit 21 and the display unit 25. Alternatively, the home key 60 may be provided for all or some of the corresponding operation units and display units.

The embodiments of the induction heating cooker according to the present disclosure are described above. The processing of the flowchart described above 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) Means for

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 device (1) is provided with: a main body (3); heating coils (7, 8, and 9) for inductively heating an object to be heated; a top plate (5); a main body operation unit (42, 43, and 50); a display unit (41) provided on the side surface; and an operation control unit (37).

The top plate is mounted on the upper surface of the main body together with the heating coil. The main body operation parts (42, 43 and 50) are arranged on the side surface of the main body, and accept the input of the user through a plurality of keys comprising a main page key (50) and more than one selection keys (61, 63, 65 and 67). The operation control unit controls the display of the display unit by processing the input received by the main body operation unit.

The operation control unit causes the display unit to display a main screen (fig. 6B) which is a screen of the highest hierarchical level of the hierarchical menu items. When the main body operation unit receives an input to one or more selection keys, the operation control unit causes the display unit to switch the display of the main screen to the display of the next hierarchy (1) in fig. 8 and the like). When the main body operation unit receives an input to the home key, the operation control unit causes the display unit to display the home screen regardless of the hierarchy of the currently displayed screen.

The 2 nd aspect is an induction heating cooking device (1) according to the 1 st aspect. The operation control unit switches the display unit to a screen of a lower hierarchy level (hierarchy levels (1) and (2) in fig. 8, etc.) without displaying the main screen.

The 3 rd aspect is the induction heating cooker (1) according to the 2 nd aspect. The operation control unit shifts the contents of the screen displayed on the display unit across a plurality of levels (level (2) in fig. 8 and the like).

The 4 th aspect is the induction heating cooker (1) according to the 3 rd aspect. When the display unit displays a screen separated from the home screen by 2 or more levels, the operation control unit causes the display unit to display the home screen when the main body operation unit receives an input to the home key (50).

The 5 th aspect is an induction heating cooking device (1) according to any one of the 1 st to 4 th aspects. The display unit has a display device for displaying both or either of characters and graphics in a dot matrix manner.

The 6 th aspect is an induction heating cooking device (1) according to any one of the 1 st to 5 th aspects. The induction heating cooker (1) is also provided with a baking tool (44) which is arranged on the side surface of the main body and is provided with a heating part for the baking tool; and a heating control unit (35) for controlling heating by the heating coil and the heating unit for the roaster.

When the operation control part receives the input to the main page key (50) while the heating control part supplies power to the heating part for the baking tool, the transition to the main screen is prohibited.

The 7 th aspect is an induction heating cooker (1) according to the 6 th aspect. The top plate further includes: a top surface operation part which is provided with more than one top surface selection key and accepts the input of the user through the more than one top surface selection key; and a top surface display section having a display area narrower than the display area of the display section. The operation control unit controls the top display unit by processing the input received by the top operation unit.

The 8 th aspect is the induction heating cooker (1) according to the 7 th aspect. The top surface operating part also has a top surface main page key (60).

The operation control unit causes the top display unit to display a top main screen (fig. 16) which is a screen of the highest hierarchical level of the hierarchical menu items. When the top surface operation unit receives an input to one or more top surface selection keys (51, 53, 55, and 57), the operation control unit causes the top surface display unit to switch the top surface main screen to a screen of a lower hierarchy level (1) in fig. 17).

When the main body operation unit receives an input to the home page key for the top surface, the operation control unit causes the top surface display unit to display the top surface main screen regardless of the hierarchy of the currently displayed screen.

The 9 th aspect is an induction heating cooker (1) according to the 8 th aspect. When the main body operation unit receives an input to the home key for the top surface while the heating control unit supplies power to the heating coils (7, 8, and 9) disposed on the top surface of the main body, the main body operation unit prohibits the transition to the top main screen.

The 10 th aspect is an induction heating cooking device (1) according to any one of the 1 st to 9 th aspects. The main body operation part can be accommodated in the main body.

The 11 th aspect is a storage medium of a computer program (15A) for an induction heating cooker (1).

The induction heating cooker is provided with: a main body (3); heating coils (7, 8, and 9) for inductively heating an object to be heated; a top plate (5); a main body operation unit (42, 43, and 50); a display unit (41) provided on the side surface; and an operation control unit (37).

The top plate is mounted on the upper surface of the main body together with the heating coil. The main body operation parts (42, 43 and 50) are arranged on the side surface of the main body, and accept the input of the user through a plurality of keys comprising a main page key (50) and more than one selection keys (61, 63, 65 and 67). The operation control unit controls the display unit by processing the input received by the main body operation unit.

According to the computer program, the operation control section causes the display section to display the main screen which is a screen of the uppermost hierarchy of the hierarchical menu items. When the main body operation unit receives an input to one or more selection keys, the operation control unit causes the display unit to switch the main screen to a screen of a lower hierarchy level. When the main body operation unit receives an input to the home key, the operation control unit causes the display unit to display the home screen regardless of the hierarchy of the currently displayed screen.

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 cookers for home use and business use.

Claims

1. An induction heating cooker is provided with:

a main body;

a heating coil capable of performing an operation of inductively heating an object to be heated;

a top plate mounted on an upper surface of the body together with the heating coil;

a main body operation unit provided on a side surface of the main body and capable of performing an operation of receiving an input from a user through a plurality of keys including a home key and one or more selection keys;

a display unit provided on the side surface; and

an operation control unit capable of performing an operation of processing the input received by the main body operation unit to control display on the display unit,

the operation control unit causes the display unit to display a main screen that is a screen of a highest hierarchical level of the hierarchical menu items, switches display of the main screen to display of a lower hierarchical level when the main body operation unit receives an input to the one or more selection keys, and displays the main screen regardless of a hierarchical level of the currently displayed screen when the main body operation unit receives an input to the main page key.

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

the operation control unit switches the display unit to the screen of the lower hierarchy without displaying the main screen.

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

the operation control section causes the content of the screen displayed by the display section to transition across a plurality of levels.

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

when the display unit displays a screen that is separated from the home screen by 2 or more levels, the operation control unit causes the display unit to display the home screen when the main body operation unit receives an input to the home key.

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

the display unit has a display device for displaying both or either of characters and graphics in a dot matrix manner.

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

the induction heating cooker further includes:

a roasting tool provided on the side surface of the main body and having a heating part for roasting tool; and

a heating control unit for controlling heating by the heating coil and the heating unit for the roaster,

the operation control unit receives an input to the home key while the heating control unit supplies power to the grill heating unit, and prohibits a transition to the home screen.

7. The induction heating cooker as claimed in claim 6,

the top plate further includes:

a top surface operation unit having one or more top surface selection keys, the one or more top surface selection keys receiving the user input; and

a top surface display section having a display area narrower than a display area of the display section,

the operation control unit controls the top surface display unit by processing the input received by the top surface operation unit.

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

the top surface operating part also has a home page key for top surface,

the operation control unit causes the top surface display unit to display a top surface main screen that is a screen of a highest hierarchical level of the hierarchical menu items, and when the top surface operation unit receives an input to the one or more top surface selection keys, the top surface main screen is switched to a screen of a lower hierarchical level, and when the main body operation unit receives an input to the top surface home key, the top surface main screen is displayed regardless of the hierarchical level of the currently displayed screen.

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

the main body operating unit receives an input to the top home key while the heating control unit supplies power to the heating coils disposed on the top surface of the main body, and prohibits a transition to the top home screen.

10. An induction heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein,

the main body operation unit can be housed inside the main body.

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

the induction heating cooker is provided with:

a main body;

a display unit provided on the side surface; and

according to the computer program, the operation control unit causes the display unit to display a main screen that is a screen of a highest hierarchical level of the hierarchical menu items, causes the main screen to be switched to a screen of a lower hierarchical level when the main body operation unit receives an input to the one or more selection keys, and causes the main screen to be displayed regardless of the hierarchical level of the currently displayed screen when the main body operation unit receives an input to the home key.