JP2007240057A - Cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve usability by changing sound volume of a voice guide and various alarm sounds according to whether a user stays around an appliance or not. <P>SOLUTION: When the user operates a control means 6 to start cooking, and separates from a cooker, a sound volume adjusting means 8 can change the sound volume of voice output from a voice synthesizing means 7 at termination of cooking, thus the usability can be improved by preventing missing the voices such as explanation of operation of the appliance, automatic cooking termination annunciation, and abnormality annunciation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a heating cooker used for a kitchen for home use or business use.

  Conventionally, an induction heating cooker as this type of cooking device is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a pot 52 serving as a load is placed on the top plate 51. The heating coil 53 is disposed below the top plate 51 and induction-heats the pot 52 by a high-frequency magnetic field generated by the control circuit 54. The temperature detector 55 detects the lower temperature of the top plate 51 and outputs the detected temperature to the input control means 56. The user inputs the cooking setting at the operation unit 57, and the result is output to the input control means 56 and the control circuit. 54 controls the heating coil 53 and inputs the signal from the input determination means 58 via the output control means 59 to determine whether the pot 52 is appropriate for induction heating or the presence or absence of the pot 52 and input control means 56. The input control means 56 outputs a signal corresponding to the temperature of the temperature detector 55, the setting of the operation unit 57, and the state of the pot 52 of the control circuit 54 to the input determination means 58. The input determination means 58 determines the output of the input control means 56 and outputs it to the output control means 59, the speech synthesis means 60, and the display unit 61. The voice synthesis means 60 outputs the voice by the determination signal output from the input determination means 58. The output control unit 59 outputs a determination signal to the control circuit 54 based on the output of the input determination unit 58, the control circuit 54 controls the heating coil 53 based on the determination signal, and the speech synthesis LSI 62 performs speech synthesis. The voice data is input from the means 60 and a voice signal is output. The oscillator 63 generates a clock for the voice synthesis LSI 62. The amplifier (AMP) unit 64 amplifies the voice signal output from the voice synthesis LSI 62. The speaker 65 The signal from the amplifier unit 64 is converted into sound and output, and the display unit 61 is configured to light and display the LED by the output of the input determination means 58. The voice synthesizing means 60 outputs the voice data based on the output signal of the input determining means 58, such as when the operation unit 57 is operated, the pan 52 is not appropriate, or the temperature detector 55 detects a dangerous temperature. At the same time, the LED of the display unit 61 is turned on based on the output signal of the input determination means 58 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, when outputting sound by the sound notification means, there are some that realize a cooking device using a control power supply with a small allowable current by limiting the output of the heating means and the output of the cooling fan ( For example, see Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-130296 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-69972 JP 2000-30837 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, it is assumed that the chance of the user leaving the place increases during cooking. In such a case, there has been a problem that it is difficult to hear the sound volume of various notification sounds and sound notifications such as operation explanations because the distance between the device and the user is long.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and can automatically change the volume of the sound output from the volume control means when cooking is started and the user leaves the place. Therefore, an object is to provide a cooking device with improved usability.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the cooking device of the present invention automatically adjusts the volume of sound output from the volume control means when cooking is started and the user leaves the place. To change.

  Thereby, even when the user is away from the device during cooking, it is possible to prevent missed voices such as explanations of generated operations, automatic cooking end notifications, and abnormality notifications.

  The heating cooker of the present invention can reliably transmit notification from the device to the user, further improve the convenience and safety effects by voice notification, and improve usability.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heating unit for heating an object to be heated, a control unit for controlling energization to the heating unit, a voice synthesis unit for outputting a voice in response to a signal from the control unit, and the voice synthesis unit. Volume adjustment means for adjusting the volume of the synthesized audio signal based on a signal from the control means, and a human sensor for detecting whether the user is in the vicinity of the cooker, the user operates the control means to cook And the volume adjusting means can change the volume of the voice output from the voice synthesizing means at the end of cooking, and the operation explanation of the equipment, automatic cooking end notification, and abnormality notification It is possible to prevent missed voices and improve usability.

  In the second invention, in particular, the volume control means of the first invention automatically increases the volume of the sound output during automatic cooking of the heating means than during non-automatic cooking. It is possible to prevent missed voices such as automatic cooking end notification and abnormality notification, and improve usability.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heating means for heating an object to be heated, a cooling fan for cooling the heating means, a control means for controlling energization to the heating means and the cooling fan, and a sound from a signal from the control means. A voice synthesizing means for outputting the sound, a volume adjusting means for adjusting the volume of the voice signal synthesized by the voice synthesizing means based on a signal from the control means, and a human sensor for detecting whether the user is in the vicinity of the cooker And when the user operates the control means to perform cooking accompanied by the operation of the cooling fan and moves away from the cooker, the sound volume adjusting means corresponds to the operation status of the cooling fan. By changing the volume of the sound that is output more, the volume of the sound can be changed according to the amount of noise generated from the equipment that changes according to the operating status of the cooling fan, Prevent missed the voice of such as dynamic cooking end alarm and abnormality notification, it is possible to improve the usability.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, the volume control means of the third aspect of the present invention reduces the amount of noise generated from the device by automatically increasing the volume of the sound output when the cooling fan is operating than when it is not operating. It is possible to prevent missed voices such as explanations of device operations, automatic cooking completion notifications, and abnormality notifications when the cooling fan that is becoming larger is operated, and usability can be improved.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heating unit for heating an object to be heated, a control unit for controlling energization to the heating unit and the cooling fan, a voice synthesizing unit for outputting voice according to a signal from the control unit, and the voice Volume adjustment means for adjusting the volume of the audio signal synthesized by the synthesis means based on the signal from the control means, noise detection means for detecting the amount of noise generated around the device, and the user of the cooking device When the user operates the control means to start cooking and moves away from the cooker, the volume control means responds to the amount of noise detected by the noise detection means. By changing the volume of the voice output from the voice synthesizer, it is possible to prevent a voice from being missed such as an explanation of the operation of the equipment when the noise generated from the equipment is loud, an automatic cooking end notice or an abnormality notice. It is possible to improve the usability.

  In the sixth invention, in particular, the volume adjusting means according to the fifth invention automatically increases the volume of the sound output when the noise detecting means detects a larger noise than that during normal use. It is possible to prevent missed voices such as explanation of the operation of the device when the generated noise is large, automatic cooking end notification or abnormality notification, and improve usability.

  The seventh aspect of the invention is particularly effective in the use of an effective alarm sound in an induction heating cooker characterized by safety because the heating means of the first to sixth aspects of the invention are induction heating means, and there is no flame. Therefore, safety can be further improved.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a heating cooker according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a pan (object to be heated) 2 is placed on a top plate 1. The heating coil (heating means) 3 is an induction heating means that is disposed below the top plate 1 and induction-heats the pan 2 by generating a high-frequency magnetic field. The temperature detector 4 detects the lower temperature of the top plate 1, and the user inputs a multi-stage heating power setting by the operation unit 5, and the result is input to the control means 6, and the control means 6 outputs the output of the heating coil 3. The voice synthesis means 7 outputs voice data according to the command from the control means 6, and the volume control means 8 outputs voice data output from the voice synthesis means 7 based on the signal from the control means 6. The human sensor 9 determines the presence or absence of a person around the cooker and outputs it to the voice adjustment means 8, and the voice synthesis LSI 10 inputs the voice data output from the voice synthesis means 7 and outputs a voice signal. Output. The oscillator 11 generates a clock for the voice synthesis LSI 10, the amplifier (AMP) unit 12 amplifies the voice signal, and the speaker 13 converts the signal from the amplifier unit 12 and outputs the voice. In this case, the control means 6, the speech synthesis means 7, and the volume control means 8 are constituted by a microcomputer 14.

  About the cooking-by-heating machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, the voice notification program starts after the device is turned on. The control means 6 receives a signal corresponding to the setting state of the operation unit 5, generates a high frequency magnetic field in the heating coil 3, and heats the pan 2. A signal corresponding to the selected setting state of the operation unit 5 is converted into voice data by the voice synthesizer 7 and a voice is output. When heat cooking is started with the setting of the operation unit 5, a sound such as “Start cooking. Press the start key” is output. The volume of the sound output at this time is a volume normally set in the volume adjusting means 8 from the control means 6. When it is detected that the user has left the place during cooking and the human sensor 9 has left, the volume of the operation explanation, the automatic cooking end notification, the abnormality notification or the like generated or the volume of the buzzer sound is set. The volume is set larger than the volume normally set by the adjusting means 8.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation explanation generated when the user leaves the place during cooking, the automatic cooking end notification, the abnormality notification or the like or the buzzer sound volume is started. By automatically adjusting to a greater degree than before, it is possible to prevent missed notifications such as end notification sounds such as automatic cooking and timer cooking that often leave the device, warning notification sounds during cooking, and voice guidance related to switch operation. The usability of the equipment is improved.

  In addition, by using the voice notification device in an induction heating cooker characterized by safety because there is no flame as in the first embodiment, induction heating cooking that is highly safe and easy to use in the home A vessel can be provided.

  The same effect can be obtained when a heating unit such as a radial heater or a gas heat source is used in place of the heating coil 3 of the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a heating cooker according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The cooling fan 15 is for cooling the heating means composed of the heating coil 3 and the like, and its cooling performance can be changed by the fan speed changing means 16 based on a signal from the control means 6.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that a cooling fan 15 and fan speed changing means 16 are provided.

  About the cooking-by-heating machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, the voice notification program starts after the device is turned on. The estimation of the noise amount in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the amount of noise changes according to the speed of the cooling fan, and increases as the speed increases. The speed of the cooling fan varies depending on the heating power to be heated. If the speed is 2000 rpm, the noise amount is estimated to be 30 dB.

  Next, a signal corresponding to the setting state of the operation unit 5 is converted into voice data by the voice synthesizer 7 and a voice is output. For example, when heating cooking is started with the setting of the operation unit 5, a sound such as “Start cooking. Press the start key” is output. If the number of rotations of the cooling fan operating at this time is 2600 rpm, the noise amount is estimated to be 40 dB. The volume of the sound output at this time is larger than the amount of noise (40 dB) estimated by the volume control means 8 from the control means 6. In addition, when it is detected that the user has left the place during cooking and the human sensor 9 has left, the volume of the operation explanation, automatic cooking end notification, abnormality notification, etc. generated or the volume of the buzzer sound is set. The volume is further increased by the adjusting means 8 above the estimated noise level.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the volume of the operation explanation, automatic cooking end notification, abnormality notification, etc. generated by the operation or the buzzer sound is automatically set according to the amount of noise estimated from the cooling fan speed. The operation of the cooling fan, which is greatly adjusted, especially when the user leaves the place during cooking, and the volume is automatically adjusted to a greater level, making it difficult to hear sound due to noise from the equipment Voice guidance on switch operation in the situation, end notification sound such as during automatic cooking and timer cooking, warning notification sound during cooking, etc. are prevented, and at the same time, excessive voice notification in a state where noise is not generated excessively The troublesomeness due to the volume can be prevented, and the usability of the device is improved.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 4 is an overall configuration diagram of a heating cooker according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The noise detection means 17 measures the amount of noise generated from a device such as a microphone.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that noise detecting means 17 is provided.

  About the cooking-by-heating machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, when the voice notification program starts after the device is turned on, the amount of noise is estimated in preparation for the generation of the notification sound.

  The estimation of the amount of noise in the present embodiment is performed by input from the noise detection means 17 arranged in the vicinity of a speaker that generates sound, and is currently detected as 40 dB. Now, assuming that the user has input to the selection means, a signal corresponding to the selected setting state of the operation unit 5 is converted into voice data by the voice synthesis means 7 and a voice is output. For example, when heat cooking is started with the setting of the operation unit 5, a sound such as “Start heat cooking. Press the start key” is output. The volume of the sound output at this time is larger than the amount of noise estimated from the control means 6 to the volume adjustment means 8. In addition, when it is detected that the user has left the place during cooking and the human sensor 9 has left, the volume of the operation explanation, the automatic cooking end notification, the abnormality notification, etc. generated or the volume of the buzzer sound is set. The volume is further increased by the adjusting means 8 from the estimated noise amount.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the volume of the operation explanation, automatic cooking end notification, abnormality notification, etc. generated by the present embodiment is automatically adjusted according to the amount of noise around the device. When the user leaves the place during cooking, the volume is automatically adjusted to a larger level, so that the voice guide for switch operation in situations where it is difficult to hear the sound due to the noise from the equipment. Prevents oversight of end notification sounds such as automatic cooking and timer cooking, warning notification sounds during cooking, etc., and at the same time, avoids annoyance due to excessive volume of voice notification when noise is not generated much This improves the usability of the equipment.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the noise detection means 17 is arranged in the vicinity of the speaker 12, but it is arranged in the vicinity of what is considered as a noise generation source, for example, in the vicinity of the cooling fan or the user. In this case, the same effect can be obtained.

  As described above, the cooking device according to the present invention can automatically adjust the volume of the notification sound of the device depending on whether the user is on the spot. It can also be applied to notification applications such as devices.

Whole block diagram of cooking-by-heating machine in a 1st embodiment of the present invention The whole block diagram of the heating cooker in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the estimation of the noise in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention Whole block diagram of the heating cooker in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention The whole block diagram of the heating cooker in the prior art example of this invention

Explanation of symbols

2 Pan (to be heated)
3 Heating coil (heating means)
6 Control means 7 Speech synthesis means 8 Volume control means 9 Human sensor 15 Cooling fan 16 Fan speed change means 17 Noise detection means

Claims (7)

A heating means for heating an object to be heated; a control means for controlling energization to the heating means; a voice synthesis means for outputting a voice by a signal from the control means; and a voice signal synthesized by the voice synthesis means. Volume adjustment means for adjusting the volume based on a signal from the control means, and a human sensor for detecting whether the user is in the vicinity of the cooking device, the user operates the control means to start cooking, and cooking The cooking device for changing the volume of the voice output from the voice synthesizing unit when the cooking is finished when the volume adjustment unit is away from the cooking chamber. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the volume control means automatically increases the volume of the sound output when the heating means is automatically cooked than when the heating means is not cooked. A heating means for heating an object to be heated, a cooling fan for cooling the heating means, a control means for controlling energization to the heating means and the cooling fan, and a voice synthesizing means for outputting a sound by a signal from the control means And a volume adjusting means for adjusting the volume of the voice signal synthesized by the voice synthesizing means based on a signal from the control means, and a human sensor for detecting whether the user is in the vicinity of the cooking device, When the controller is operated, cooking is performed with the operation of the cooling fan, and when the controller is moved away from the cooker, the sound volume adjusting unit outputs the sound volume output from the speech synthesizer according to the operation state of the cooling fan. To change the heating cooker. The cooking device according to claim 3, wherein the volume control means automatically increases the volume of the sound output when the cooling fan is operating than when the cooling fan is not operating. It is synthesized by a heating means for heating an object to be heated, a control means for controlling energization to the heating means and the cooling fan, a speech synthesizing means for outputting a sound by a signal from the control means, and the speech synthesizing means. Volume adjusting means for adjusting the volume of the audio signal based on the signal from the control means, noise detecting means for detecting the amount of noise generated around the device, and a person for detecting whether the user is in the vicinity of the cooker When the user starts cooking by operating the control means and moves away from the cooker, the volume adjusting means is controlled by the voice synthesizing means according to the amount of noise detected by the noise detecting means. A cooking device that changes the volume of the output audio. The cooking device according to claim 5, wherein the sound volume adjusting means automatically increases the sound volume of the sound that is output when the noise detecting means detects a larger noise than that during normal use. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heating means is induction heating means.