JP2006311914A - Rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rice cooker with excellent operability, allowing a user to easily and securely perform the setting operation with a reduced number of control switches in the rice cooker for setting a function selected among a plurality of rice-cooking functions, or in a multi-functional rice cooker. <P>SOLUTION: At least two rice-cooking functions such as a menu selection function and a rice brand selection function are selected by a function selecting means 1. The setting of the function is changed by a function setting changing means 2, and the setting of each function is canceled by a setting canceling means 4. The function selected by the function selecting means 1 and the situation of setting of the function changed by the function setting changing means 2, etc. are displayed by a display means 6. Boiling of rice is started by a rice boiling starting means 3, and the motion of the rice cooker is controlled by a control means 5 based on the input of the function selecting means 1, etc. The function setting changing means 2 can change the setting of all the functions that may be selected by the function selecting means 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a rice cooker having a function of setting and cooking from among a plurality of rice cooking functions.

  In recent years, this type of rice cooker has various functions in order to cook rice in an optimal state according to the user's preference. In such a rice cooker, various conditions such as the heating temperature and the heating time are controlled so that the rice is in an optimally cooked state. The types of rice cooked in the rice cooker include white rice, non-washed rice, and brown rice, and there are various brands in each rice. With respect to these various types of rice, conditions such as heating temperature and heating time are different in the rice cooker, and the user needs to set the rice cooker according to the rice to be cooked. In addition, recent rice cookers also have a function of separately cooking cooked rice, sushi and rice crackers, a reservation rice cooking function for cooking rice at a time set in advance by the user, and the like.

  Along with the multi-functionalization of rice cookers as described above, the number of operation switches for setting and operating how to cook rice cookers also increases, and the content displayed on the display section also increases, resulting in poor operability. The problem has occurred.

Therefore, in the conventional rice cooker, in order to improve the operability for the user, the set content is stored in the external storage means, and the operation switch is made invisible to the user, so that it is set once. Unless the contents are changed, a method has been proposed in which setting contents are not displayed on the display unit, and operation switches that are not used are not visible to the user, thereby reducing the complexity of setting operations (for example, patents). Reference 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-436

  However, in such a conventional rice cooker, the complexity of the setting operation when the set contents are not changed is reduced, but the operability when setting for the first time or changing the set contents is considered. However, the conditions for improving the operability are limited, and it is possible to reduce the apparent number of operation switches by providing a structure that makes the operation switches invisible to the user. Because the number of actual operation switches does not decrease, the number of operation switches increases as the number of functions increases. As a result, the area of the operation unit is increased or the size of the operation switch is reduced. There was a problem that it had to be arranged in the range.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a rice cooker having excellent operability by allowing a user to easily and surely perform setting operations with few operation switches even in a multifunctional rice cooker. The purpose is that.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention selects a function for setting from at least two rice cooking functions such as menu selection and rice brand selection by the function selection means, and changes the function setting to the function setting change means. The setting is canceled by the setting canceling means that cancels the setting of each function and the setting status of each function by the function selecting means and the setting status of each function by the function setting changing means is displayed by the displaying means. It is configured to start by the rice cooking start means and control the operation of the rice cooker by the control means based on the input by the function selection means, etc., and the function setting change means is common to the setting of each function selectable by the function selection means. Can be changed.

  As a result, even in a multi-function rice cooker, regardless of the number of functions, the user can easily and surely set and operate with few operation switches of function selection means and function setting change means, and has excellent operability. Obtainable.

  In the rice cooker of the present invention, even in a multifunctional rice cooker, regardless of the number of functions, the user can easily and surely perform setting operation with few operation switches, and can obtain excellent operability.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a function selecting means for selecting a function for setting from at least two rice cooking functions such as menu selection and rice brand selection, a function setting changing means for changing function settings, and the function selection. Display means for displaying the function selected by the means, the setting status of each function by the function setting changing means, rice cooking starting means for starting rice cooking, setting canceling means for canceling the setting of each function, and the function selecting means And control means for controlling the operation of the rice cooker based on the input by, etc., the function setting change means can be changed in common to the setting of each function that can be selected by the function selection means, Regardless of the number of functions, the user can easily and reliably set and set the rice cooking function with few operation switches, and can obtain excellent operability.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the function selecting means can select a function other than the rice cooking function such as a current time setting function and a reserved time setting function in addition to the rice cooking function. Without increasing the number, the setting operation of functions other than the rice cooking function such as the current time setting and the reserved time setting can be easily and surely set, and excellent operability can be obtained.

  According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, after the function selection unit changes the setting of any of the selectable functions, the setting is canceled by the setting cancellation unit. Only functions that can be combined with the functions whose settings have been changed can be selected, and it is no longer necessary to shift to the setting state of functions that are not related to the function being set. It can be operated and excellent operability can be obtained.

  According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, the display means does not display a function setting status other than the function being set, and the function currently set Since the setting state can be easily recognized, the setting operation can be surely performed, and excellent operability can be obtained.

  According to a fifth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, the display means does not display a function setting status other than a function in which a combination of the function being set and the function being set is generated. This makes it easy to recognize the currently set function and its setting state, and the setting state of the function that is combined with the function being set. And excellent operability can be obtained.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1: shows the principal part block diagram of the rice cooker in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and FIG. 2 shows the display operation part of the rice cooker.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the function selection means 1 selects a function for setting from a plurality of rice cooking functions such as menu selection and rice brand selection, and an input signal from the function selection means 1 is a control means 5. When the control means 5 receives the input signal, it shifts the function selection state from the currently selected function to the next function. The function setting changing means 2 changes the setting of each function. An input signal from the function setting changing means 2 is sent to the control means 5, and when the control means 5 receives the input signal, the function selecting means 1 receives the input. Moves the setting of the selected function to the next setting.

  The rice cooking start means 3 starts rice cooking, and the input signal from the rice cooking start means 3 is sent to the control means 5, and when the control means 5 receives the input signal, it is set by the function selection means 1 and the function setting change means 2. The rice cooking is started based on the cooked rice cooking function. The setting canceling means 4 cancels the setting of each function being set. The input signal from the setting canceling means 4 is sent to the control means 5, and when the control means 5 receives the input signal, the function selecting means 1 and the function setting. The setting of each function set by the changing means 2 is canceled, and the setting of each function is returned to the state before the setting is started.

  The display means 6 displays the setting status of each function. The display means 6 receives an output signal transmitted from the control means 5 based on the setting status of each function, and performs display based on the output signal.

  Here, the function setting changing means 2 is configured to be changeable in common with the setting of each function that can be selected by the function selecting means 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the function selection means 1 is composed of a “course selection” button 1a, the function setting change means 2 is composed of a “right-pointing black triangle” button 2a, and the rice cooking start means 3 is a “rice cooking” button. 3a, and the setting canceling means 4 includes a “cancel / off” button 4a. The display means 6 includes a liquid crystal 6a for displaying the setting status of each function and a panel 6b describing selectable functions (the display content of the liquid crystal 6a in FIG. 2 displays all displayable characters). State). The “clock” button 7 and the “reservation” button 8 are for setting the current time and the reservation time, respectively, and the “heat retention” button 9 is for starting the heat retention.

  The operation | movement at the time of rice cooking function setting operation in the said structure is demonstrated referring FIG.

  Figure 3 shows the initial settings of the function settings (menu: “normal”, rice: “white rice”, steam cooking: “medium level”), “small amount” for menu, “no-wash rice” for rice, “strong” for steam cooking. It is a figure explaining the setting operation | movement until it sets to "level" and starts cooking rice.

  When the “course selection” button 1a is pressed in the initial setting state shown in FIG. 3A, the “menu” function is selected as shown in FIG. 3B. At this time, all “menu” function setting items from “normal” to “care” are displayed, and only the “normal” currently set is blinking. Next, when the “right-pointing black triangle” button 2a is pressed, as shown in FIG. 3C, the setting of the “menu” function is changed to “small amount”. To "small amount".

  Next, when the “course selection” button 1a is pressed, as shown in FIG. 3D, the function selection state is changed from the state where the “menu” function is selected to the state where the “rice” function is selected. At this time, among all “Rice” function setting items from “White rice” to “Miscellaneous rice”, “Rice rice” and “Non-washed rice” which are “Rice” function setting items corresponding to “Small amount” menu are Only the currently set “white rice” flashes.

  Next, when the “right-pointing black triangle” button 2a is pressed, the setting of the “rice” function is changed to “no-wash rice” as shown in FIG. 3 (e). "White rice" will be changed to "Non-washed rice". Next, when the “course selection” button 1a is pressed, the function selection state is changed from the state where the “rice” function is selected to the state where the “steam cooking” function is selected, as shown in FIG. 3 (f). The At this time, all “steam cooking” function setting items from “weak” to “strong” are displayed, and only the currently set “medium” blinks.

  Next, when the “right-pointing black triangle” button 2a is pressed, the setting of the “steam cooking” function is changed to “strong” as shown in FIG. Changed from “medium” to “strong”. Next, when the “cooking” button 3a is pressed, the rice cooking operation is started under the conditions set in FIG. 3 (b) to (g). At this time, as shown in FIG. 3 (h), the “menu” function, Each setting of the “rice” function and “steam cooking” function and the remaining rice cooking time are displayed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the “menu” function, the “rice” function, and the “steam cooking function” are selected by the function selection means 1 (“course selection” button 1a), It is related to the number of rice cooking functions by changing the setting of each rice cooking function by the function setting changing means 2 ("right-pointing black triangle" button 2a) that can be used in common for changing the setting of each function. The number of operation switches can be reduced, and all rice cooking functions can be set with the same setting operation method. The user can easily and reliably perform setting operations with few operation switches, and it has excellent operation. Sex can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, function selection means 1 and function setting change means 2 are each composed of one button called “course selection” button 1a and “right-pointing black triangle” button 2a, and the change direction of the rice cooking function selection state And although it demonstrated by the structure which limits the change direction of the setting item of each rice cooking function to one direction, when there are many rice cooking function numbers or the setting item number of each rice cooking function, the function selection means 1 and the function setting change means 2 are set. You may comprise by two buttons as needed, respectively, so that the selection state of the setting item of a rice cooking function and each rice cooking function can also be changed to a reverse direction.

(Embodiment 2)
The function selection means 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to be able to select functions other than the rice cooking function such as the current time setting function and the reserved time setting function in addition to the rice cooking function.

  FIG. 4 shows the display operation unit of the rice cooker in the second embodiment of the present invention, and the clock adjustment function which is a function other than the rice cooking function on the panel 6b in FIG. 2 showing the display operation unit of the first embodiment. And the “clock” button 7 for setting the current time is deleted. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The operation at the time of function setting operation in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation for setting the current time.

  In the standby state shown in FIG. 5A, the function selection state is switched by pressing the “Course selection” button 1a, and when the button is pressed four times, the “time adjustment” function is selected as shown in FIG. 5B. It will be in the state. At this time, the current time is displayed blinking. Next, when the “right-pointing black triangle” button 2a is pressed, the current time advances by 1 minute as shown in FIG. At this time, the current time is displayed blinking. If left in this state for about 4 seconds, as shown in FIG. 5D, the change of the current time is confirmed and the “time adjustment” function is terminated. At this time, the “current time” is lit.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the “menu” function, the “rice” function, and the “steam cooking function”, the “time adjustment” function, which is a function other than the rice cooking function, also functions. The selection is made by the selection means 1 ("course selection" button 1a) and is changed by the function setting change means 2 ("right-pointing black triangle" button 2a) that can be used in common with each rice cooking function setting. Therefore, regardless of the number of functions including functions other than the rice cooking function, each function can be set with the same setting operation method with a small number of operation switches. Setting operation can be performed easily and reliably, and excellent operability can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the “time adjustment” function as a function other than the rice cooking function is selectable by the function selection unit 1 so that the operation switch is reduced by one. However, “reservation time adjustment” is described. By making other functions such as functions selectable by the function selection means 1, the number of operation switches can be further reduced.

(Embodiment 3)
The function selection unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a combination with a function whose setting has been changed until the setting is canceled by the setting cancellation unit 4 after the setting of one of the selectable functions is changed. Only the functions to be selected can be selected. Other configurations are the same as those in the first or second embodiment.

  The operation at the time of function setting operation in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the setting operation from the initial setting state until the menu is set to “small amount”, the rice is set to “no wash rice”, the steam cooking is set to “strong level”, and rice cooking is started.

  FIG. 6B shows an initial setting state shown in FIG. 6A. The “menu selection” button 1a and the “right-pointing black triangle” button set the “menu” function to “small” and “rice”. This is a state in which the function setting is set to “washless rice” and the “steam cooking” function setting is set to “strong”. Since the detailed description of the setting operation from the state of FIG. 6A to the state of FIG. 6B is the same as that of the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the state of FIG. 6B, when the “Course selection” button 1a is pressed, in the order of function selection, the next time is the transition to the “clock adjustment” function, but the “clock adjustment” function is shown in FIG. Since the combination of the setting with the rice cooking function such as the “menu” function in which the setting is changed from the state of FIG. 6B to the state of FIG. 6B does not occur, as shown in FIG. Transitions to the state where the “Menu” function is selected. Thereafter, even if the function selection state is switched by the “course selection” button 1a, the setting of each function currently set is canceled by pressing the “cancel / off” button 4a, and the standby state shown in FIG. Until returning, only the “menu” function, “rice” function, and “steam cooking” function can be selected, and the “clock adjustment” function cannot be selected.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the function selection unit 1 (the “course selection” button 1a) has the setting canceling unit 4 (after the setting of one of the selectable functions has been changed). Until the setting is canceled by the “Cancel / Cut” button 4a), only the function that can be combined with the function whose setting has been changed can be selected, thereby shifting to the setting state of the function not related to the function being set. Therefore, only necessary functions can be set and operated reliably, and excellent operability can be obtained.

(Embodiment 4)
The display means 6 shown in FIG. 1 is configured not to display a function setting status other than the function being set. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The operation at the time of function setting operation in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a setting operation from the initial setting state until the menu is set to “small amount”, the rice is set to “no wash rice”, the steam cooking is set to “strong level”, and rice cooking is started.

  The operation for selecting each rice cooking function of “menu” function, “rice” function, and “steam cooking function” by function selection means 1 (“course selection” button 1a) and setting each rice cooking function is the above embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7 (b) (c), only the setting status of the "Menu" function is displayed, and the "Rice" function and the "Steam cooking" are displayed. "The setting status of the function and the current time are not displayed.

  During the setting of the “rice” function, as shown in FIGS. 7D and 7E, only the setting status of the “rice” function is displayed, and the “menu” function and the “steam cooking” function are displayed. Does not display the setting status and current time. During the setting of the “steam cooking” function, as shown in FIGS. 7F and 7G, only the setting status of the “steam cooking” function is displayed, and the “menu” function and the “rice” function are displayed. The setting status and current time are not displayed. Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the display unit 6 recognizes the currently set function and its setting state by not displaying the function setting status other than the function being set. Since it becomes easy, setting operation can be performed reliably and the outstanding operativity can be obtained.

(Embodiment 5)
The display means 6 shown in FIG. 1 is configured not to display the function setting status other than the function that generates a combination of the function being set and the function being set. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  An operation at the time of function setting operation in the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the setting operation from the initial setting state until the menu is set to “small amount”, the rice is set to “no wash rice”, the steam cooking is set to “strong level”, and rice cooking is started.

  The operation for selecting each rice cooking function of “menu” function, “rice” function, and “steam cooking function” by function selection means 1 (“course selection” button 1a) and setting each rice cooking function is the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, during the setting of the “menu” function, only the setting status of the “menu” function, the “rice” function, and the “steam cooking” function is displayed. The function setting status other than the function that generates a combination with the function being set is not displayed such that the current time is not displayed. Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the display unit 6 does not display the function setting status other than the function that generates a combination of the function being set and the function being set. Since it is easy to recognize the currently set function and its setting state, and the setting state of the function that is combined with the function being set, the setting operation can be performed easily and reliably, and excellent operability is achieved. Obtainable.

  As described above, the rice cooker according to the present invention can be easily and reliably set and operated with a small number of operation switches regardless of the number of functions even in a multifunctional rice cooker, thereby obtaining excellent operability. Therefore, it is useful as a rice cooker having a function of setting and cooking from a plurality of rice cooking functions.

The block diagram of the display operation part of the rice cooker in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Front view of the display operation unit of the rice cooker The figure explaining the setting operation of the rice cooker The front view of the display operation part of the rice cooker in Embodiment 2 of this invention The figure explaining the present time setting operation of the rice cooker The figure explaining the setting operation | movement of the rice cooker in Embodiment 3 of this invention. The figure explaining the setting operation | movement of the rice cooker in Embodiment 4 of this invention. The figure explaining the setting operation | movement of the rice cooker in Embodiment 5 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Function selection means 2 Function setting change means 3 Rice cooking start means 4 Setting cancellation means 5 Control means 6 Display means

Claims (5)

Function selection means for selecting a function for setting from at least two rice cooking functions such as menu selection and rice brand selection, function setting change means for changing function settings, and a function selected by the function selection means Or a display means for displaying the setting status of each function by the function setting changing means, a rice cooking start means for starting cooking, a setting canceling means for canceling the setting of each function, and the input by the function selecting means. Control means for controlling the operation of the rice cooker, wherein the function setting change means is changeable in common with the setting of each function selectable by the function selection means. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the function selecting means can select functions other than the rice cooking function such as a current time setting function and a reserved time setting function in addition to the rice cooking function. The function selection means can select only the functions that can be combined with the function whose setting has been changed until the setting is canceled by the setting cancellation means after changing the setting of one of the selectable functions. The rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display means does not display a function setting status other than the function being set. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display means does not display a function setting status other than a function in which a combination of a function being set and a function being set is generated.