JP2003222333A - Cooker system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cooker system capable of reducing unnecessary electric power by the automatic shuttoff function of the power supply. <P>SOLUTION: The cooker system includes a cooker equipped with an automatic shuttoff means 10 for the power supply, a selecting means 3 capable of making On-Off selection of the shuttoff means 10 and a communication means for making communication with any external apparatus, a second communication means 8 and a terminal unit to supply the information to the cooker, wherein the power to the cooker is turned off when its condition remains unchanged for a specified time so that unnecessary power consumption is reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooker system that provides information on cooking including an operation program of a cooking appliance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a cooking device for automatically turning off the power, a predetermined cooking device is disclosed based on the presence / absence of an opening / closing operation of a keyboard or a door provided in the cooking device as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-10367. Some time after, there was one that automatically turned off the power. Further, as a cooking device system having a remote control function from an external device, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-61
There was a thing as described in the -70322 gazette. FIG. 4 shows a conventional cooker system described in the above publication.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 is a main body of the cooking appliance, 2 is a display section for displaying the state of the cooking appliance 1, 3 is a keyboard which is a selection means for setting the cooking appliance 1, and 4 is various information for communication. A receiving unit, which is a communication unit, 5 is a main body of an external device, 6 is a keyboard, and 7 is a display unit that displays according to an input from the keyboard 6. The user can use the keyboard 6 and the display unit 7 provided in the external device body 5 to make cooking settings and modify setting conditions. External device body 5
Is provided with a transmitting section which is a second communication means 8 for communicating various information including an infrared light emitting diode and the like, and transmits the cooking data set by the user from the transmitting section 8 to the cooking appliance body 1. be able to. As a result, cooking settings and corrections can be performed at a location away from the cooking appliance, which improves operability.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, even if the cooking data is transmitted from the external device, the power is automatically turned off when there is no operation on the cooking device side, so that the usability is improved. Will get worse. In addition, when the main body of the cooking appliance is always in the standby state for the cooking data transmitted from the external appliance, there is a problem that wasteful power is continuously consumed even when the cooking appliance is not used.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. In the case where the cooking appliance is provided with selection means for selecting ON / OFF of the auto-off means of the power source, and the auto-off means is selected to be turned on, A cooker system that reduces unnecessary power consumption without sacrificing usability that can automatically turn off the power after a specified period of time when there is no keyboard input or no reception at the remote control receiver The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the cooker system of the present invention has an auto-off means for automatically turning off the power supply and a selection of on / off of the auto-off means for the power supply. And a cooking device having a communication unit for communicating with an external device, a second communication unit, and an external device that supplies information to the cooking device.

Thus, when the cooking appliance is continuously used for a long time, the power-off means for turning off the power can be turned off so that the power is not turned off during the operation. When the frequency of use is low, by turning on the auto-off means of the power supply, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced without impairing usability.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 communicates with an external device, an auto-off means for automatically turning off the power supply, a selection means for selecting on / off of the auto-off means of the power supply. In the case where the state of the cooking appliance does not transit for a predetermined period of time, the cooking appliance is provided with a communication unit for, and a second communication unit is provided, and by configuring an external device that supplies information to the cooking appliance, Since the power can be turned off, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced.

The invention as defined in claim 2 is particularly characterized by claim 1.
In the cooker system described in [3], by providing the external device with a selection means capable of selecting ON / OFF of an auto power-off means of the power source, the selected setting is transmitted to the cooking equipment without going to the front of the cooking equipment. As a result, the setting of the power auto-off means can be changed, so that the function can be easily selected according to the progress of the cooking work.

The invention as defined in claim 3 is particularly defined by claim 1.
In the cooker system described in (1), since the cooking appliance has a function to set the auto-off time of the power supply, the auto-off time can be changed, and thus the time can be changed according to the usability of the user. Is improved.

The invention as defined in claim 4 is particularly characterized by claim 1.
In the cooker system described in (1), since the external device is provided with setting means for setting the power-off time, the setting work can be performed anywhere, and thus the operability is improved.

The invention as defined in claim 5 is particularly characterized by claim 1.
In the cooking device system described in (1), by providing a function of turning off the power of the cooking appliance by transmission from an external device, the power can be easily turned off even from a remote place by the intention of the user. Further, since the power supply can be turned off from the hand when it is noticed, useless power consumption until the power supply is automatically turned off can be reduced as much as possible.

A program according to claim 6 of the present invention is
A program for causing a computer to execute all or part of the procedure of the cooking device system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Since it is a program, a part or all of the cooking device system of the present invention can be easily executed using a general-purpose computer or a server. Further, the program can be distributed and installed easily by recording it in a storage medium or distributing the program using a communication line.

A program according to claim 7 of the present invention is
A program for causing a computer to execute all or part of the procedure of the cooker system according to claim 5. Since it is a program, a part or all of the cooking device system of the present invention can be easily executed using a general-purpose computer or a server. Further, the program can be distributed and installed easily by recording it in a storage medium or distributing the program using a communication line.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 9 is a plug of a commercial power source, and 10 is an auto-off means for turning on / off the power supply to the control circuit. In this embodiment, a relay is used, but a semiconductor switch circuit is used. May be. Reference numeral 11 is a power supply circuit of the control circuit, and 12 is a switch which is a starting means. When turned on, commercial power is supplied to the power supply circuit 11. In the case of a microwave oven, the starting means 12 is a switch that operates in conjunction with opening and closing of the door, and is turned on when the door is open and turned off when the door is closed. The starting means 12 may be a manually operated power switch. A microcomputer 13 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) controls the entire equipment. When commercial power is supplied to the power supply circuit 11, the power supply circuit 11 starts up and the microcomputer 13 operates.
The microcomputer 13 outputs a signal for turning on the transistor Q1 at the same time as the start-up, and the relay coil 14 of the auto-off means 10
Is supplied with current. As a result, the relay contact 15 is closed so that commercial power is supplied to the power supply circuit 11 regardless of the operation of the starting means 12. Reference numeral 16 is a display means, such as a selection screen of various cooking functions, a state of cooking operation, cooking recipe-information, and the like.
The information about the microwave is displayed. Reference numeral 3 is a selection means composed of a keyboard or the like, which selects a screen and makes various settings. For detection of key operation, microcomputer 1
The scan signals are output from the three ports P2 and P3 in time series. P4 and P5 are input ports, and signals of Lo level are input when the keys are not operated by the functions of the resistors R1 and R2. When a key is operated, the operated key is determined based on the timing of the scan signal and which of P4 and P5 the Hi level signal is input to. Reference numeral 16 is a storage means, which is composed of a non-volatile memory or the like. The storage means 16 stores setting information on the operating state of the device, information displayed on the screen, cooking recipe information, various sensor information provided in the microwave oven, and RAM information of the microcomputer 13.

The operation and action of the microwave oven configured as described above will be described below. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing of the microcomputer 13. When the door is opened, commercial power is supplied to the power supply circuit 11 via the starting means 12 and the power is turned on. At the same time when the power is turned on, the reset of the microcomputer 13 is released, and the program starts in step S1. In step S2, a signal for turning on the ports P1 to Q1 of the microcomputer 13 is output to turn on the relay which is the auto-off means 10. When the contact 15 of the relay is turned on, commercial power is continuously supplied to the power supply circuit 11 regardless of the operation of the starting means 12, and the energized state of the microwave oven is continued to enter the normal mode. In step S3, the microcomputer is initialized, in step S4 the RAM information stored in the storage means 16 is read, and in step S5, it is transferred to the RAM of the microcomputer 13.
The microcomputer 13 determines the screen information to be displayed on the display means 2 based on the RAM information and causes the display means 2 to display the screen. In step S6, the auto-off time stored in the storage means 16 is set, and in step S7, key input processing from the keyboard 3 which is selection means is performed. Then, if there is a key input, the process proceeds to step S9 and the cooking control process is performed. In step S9, if the cooking is finished or interrupted, the process returns to step S6. On the other hand, if there is no key input in step S7, step S7
Go to 8. In step S8, input processing of transmission data from an external device is performed. Then, if there is transmission data, the process proceeds to step S9, and cooking control processing is performed based on the transmission data. On the other hand, if there is no transmission from the external device in step S8, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed. Then, if the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S10, the process returns to step S7. On the other hand, step S1
If it is 0 and the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the power-off means 10 is automatically turned off.
Judge whether or not ON is selected. The selection information for the power-off function is stored in the microcomputer 1 from the storage means 16.
It is transferred to the RAM 3 and the value of the RAM is checked to determine which of the on / off of the auto-off means 10 is selected. Further, the setting of the auto-off means 10 can be changed by the keyboard which is the selection means 3 provided in the cooking appliance body 1. The on / off setting data of the auto-off means 10 input from the keyboard 3 is input in step S7 in the process of processing of the microcomputer 13, and in step S9, the microcomputer 1
It can be rewritten by changing the value of the RAM of 3. Next, if it is selected in step S11 that the power-off means 10 is off, the process returns to step S6.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the power-off means 10 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S12.
The RAM information of the microcomputer 13 is stored in the storage means 16. In step S13, in order to turn off the relay which is the auto-off means 10, the ports P1 to Q of the microcomputer 13 are turned off.
A signal for turning off 1 is output, and the power of the device is turned off.
Then, when the door is opened again, power is supplied and the transmission data waits. When cooking, a cooking device such as a microwave oven is accompanied by an operation of storing the cooked food in the cooking chamber. It does not impair the operability of the remote by remote control.

As described above, in the present embodiment, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced by turning off the power when the state of the appliance does not change for a predetermined time while the cooker is on standby. .

Further, in this embodiment, it is possible to select ON / OFF of the auto-off means 10 by using the keyboard 6 provided in the external device main body 5. Auto-off means 10
ON / OFF selection information is stored in the RAM of the microcomputer 13. The on / off selection data of the auto-off means 10 input from the keyboard 6 is temporarily stored in the RAM of the microcomputer incorporated in the external device body 5. By supporting the data transfer from the keyboard 7, the user transmits the ON / OFF selection data from the remote control transmission unit 8 built in the external device body 5. The transmitted data is the microcomputer 13
In the process of the above process, the input process is performed in step S8, and it is rewritten by changing the value of the RAM of the microcomputer 13 in step S9. With respect to the rewritten on / off selection information of the auto-off means 10, whether or not the auto-off function is present is determined based on the new selection information in step S11.

Further, in this embodiment, the keyboard 3 provided in the cooking appliance body 1 can be used to directly change the setting of the auto-off time. The data of the auto-off time input from the keyboard 3 is input in step S7 in the process of processing of the microcomputer 13, and is processed in step S9.
It is rewritten by changing the value of the RAM of the microcomputer 13 in the. The rewritten value of the RAM of the auto-off time is set in the timer by setting the predetermined time in step S6, and the predetermined time is counted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the keyboard 6 provided in the external device body 5 can be used to change the auto-off time. The auto off time is R of the microcomputer 13.
It is stored in AM. The data input from the keyboard 6 is stored in the RAM of the microcomputer contained in the external device body 5. The user performs an operation that supports the transfer of data from the keyboard 7,
Data is transmitted from the transmitter 8 of the remote control built in the external device body 5. The data sent is
In the process of the processing of the microcomputer 12, the input processing is performed in step S8, and it is rewritten by changing the value of the RAM of the microcomputer 13 in step S9. The rewritten auto-off time is set in the timer by setting the predetermined time in step S6, and the predetermined time is counted.

Further, in this embodiment, the communication between the external device and the cooking device is one-way, but it goes without saying that the communication may be bi-directional.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a cooker system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Example 1
The configuration is different from the configuration described above in that the power of the cooking appliance 1 can be turned off by transmission from the external device main body 5. The same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same configurations, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The operation and action will be described below. An input switch for turning off the power of the cooking appliance 1 is arranged on the keyboard 6 provided in the external equipment main body 5. When the user presses the input switch, the power-off data is transmitted from the remote control transmission unit 8 provided in the external device body 5. The transmitted data is received by the receiving section 4 of the remote control provided in the cooker main body 1, and in the process of processing by the microcomputer 13, step S8 is performed.
Is input processing. In step S15, it is determined whether this data is power-off data. If the data is not power-off data, the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if power-off data is received, the process proceeds to step S12, and the process proceeds to power-off. Thereby, the user can easily turn off the power of the cooking appliance 1 from the external device 5 as needed.

[0026]

As described above, according to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, when the cooker is in the standby state and the state of the cooker does not change for a predetermined time, the cooker is powered off. It is possible to provide a cooking system that reduces unnecessary power consumption.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a microcomputer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a microcomputer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a conventional cooker system.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Display 3 selection means 4 Communication means 8 second communication means 9 plugs 10 Auto-off means 11 power supply circuit 12 switches 13 Microcomputer 14 relay coil 15 relay contacts 16 storage means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 3L086 CA09 CA11 CC07 CC14 DA01                       DA24                 3L087 AA01 BA04 BC06 BC13 DA01                       DA24

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A cooking appliance comprising: an auto-off means for automatically turning off a power supply; a selection means for selecting on / off of the auto-off means for the power supply; and a communication means for communicating with an external device. And a cooking appliance system comprising second communication means and an external device for supplying information to the cooking appliance. 2. The external device is provided with a selection means capable of selecting ON / OFF of the power supply auto-off means, and the setting of the power supply auto-off means can be changed by transmitting the selected setting to the cooking equipment. The cooker system according to claim 1. 3. The cooking system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of setting an automatic power-off time of the cooking appliance. 4. The external device is provided with setting means for setting an auto-off time of the power supply, and the auto-off time of the power supply can be changed by transmitting the set auto-off time to the cooking equipment. Cooker system according to. 5. A cooker system comprising turning off the power of a cooking appliance by transmission from an external appliance. 6. A program for causing a computer to execute all or part of the procedure of the cooking device system according to claim 1. 7. A program for causing a computer to execute all or part of the procedure of the cooker system according to claim 5.