JP2009125286A - Cooker system and cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten communication time required for the alteration of cooking menus and so on for a cooker such as a rice cooker and so on. <P>SOLUTION: A storing part 5b of a rice cooker 5 stores a plurality of task codes, a control flow of cooking menus on which individual task codes are allocated, and a setting alteration command beforehand. A cell phone 4 is capable of selecting and transmitting the task codes to the rice cooker 5 by an application program 6 that downloads a communication network 3 from a server 2. When the communication part 5a of the rice cooker 5 receives a task code from the cell phone 4, the control part 5d makes the control flow corresponding to the task code feasible or carries out the setting alteration command corresponding to the task code. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to cookers such as rice cookers, microwave ovens, and electromagnetic cookers.

  For cookers such as rice cookers, microwave ovens, and electromagnetic cookers, the control information downloaded from the server is sent to the cooker via the communication network, thereby changing or adding cooking menus that can be executed on the cooker, cooking, etc. Various techniques for changing the settings related to the control of the vessel have been proposed. For example, in the rice cooker system described in Patent Document 1, the control flow of the cooking menu stored in the server is downloaded to a terminal such as a mobile phone via the Internet, and the downloaded control flow is infrared transmitted from the terminal to the rice cooker. Send by communication.

  The control flow includes a lot of information such as temperature, pressure, etc., input power to various heaters, preheating time, preheating temperature, conditions for starting and ending individual processes, control for switch operation, etc. The amount of data is large. Therefore, the communication time required when the rice cooker acquires a new control flow is long. Specifically, it takes a considerable time to download the control flow from the server to the terminal via the communication network. Moreover, considerable time is required when transmitting the downloaded control flow from the terminal to the rice cooker. There is a similar problem when various setting changes are transmitted from the server to the rice cooker via the terminal.

  In general, the number of cooker switches is limited. Therefore, in order to execute various setting changes by operating the switches provided in the cooking device itself, it is necessary to operate each switch for an application different from the original application while referring to the instruction manual, which is very complicated for the user. is there.

  As described above, since the number of switches of the cooking device is generally limited, if the user can always select all the cooking menus that can be executed by the cooking device, the menu selection operation becomes very complicated for the user. For example, in the case of an induction heating type pressure rice cooker, there are several kinds of cooking menus with high similarity to rice cooking (cooking menus for cooking rice) of about 8 to 20 types, and cooking menus with low similarity to rice cooking ( About 5 to 8 types of non-cooked cooking menus can be executed. When all these cooking menus are always executable, for example, the user is forced to perform complicated switch operations such as pressing a specific switch many times.

JP 2007-167618 A

  The present invention is a cooker such as a rice cooker, a microwave oven, an electromagnetic cooker, etc., shortening the communication time required for changing the cooking menu and changing the setting, simplifying the selection operation of the cooking menu, and changing the setting It is an object to realize simplification of operation.

  The present invention relates to a cooker system including a server, a terminal capable of communicating with the server via a communication network, and a cooker capable of communicating with the terminal, wherein the server is a cooking menu executable by the cooker. A server storage that stores a plurality of task codes respectively assigned to a control flow or a setting change command for the cooker, and task code information that is information related to the control flow or the setting change command for each of the task codes And a server communication unit that transmits the plurality of task codes and the task code information via the communication network, wherein the terminal is transmitted from the server communication unit via the communication network. A first terminal communication unit that receives the task code and the task code information; and A terminal storage unit that stores the plurality of task codes and the task code information received by the terminal communication unit, a display unit that displays the task code information, and a plurality of task codes stored in the terminal storage unit. A selection unit that allows a user to select one of them based on the task code information displayed on the display unit, and second terminal communication that transmits the task code selected by the selection unit to the cooker A cooker communication unit that receives the task code transmitted from the second terminal communication unit, the plurality of task codes, and the task code assigned thereto. A cooker storage unit that stores a control flow and the setting change command in advance, and the task code received by the cooker communication unit with reference to the cooker storage unit is the control If the control code is assigned to low, the control flow can be executed. If the task code received by the cooker communication unit is assigned to the setting change command, the cooker control executes the setting change command. A cooking device system is provided.

  What is transmitted from the server to the terminal is not the control information itself (the cooking menu control flow itself or the cooker setting change command itself), but the task code and task code information. Further, what is transmitted from the terminal to the cooking device is not the control information itself but only the task code selected in the terminal. Therefore, the amount of data transmitted and received between the server and the terminal and between the terminal and the cooker is greatly reduced, and the communication time required for changing the cooking menu or changing the settings can be greatly shortened. .

  If the task code assigned to the setting change command is sent from the terminal to the cooker, the setting change command is executed, so there is no need to perform complicated operations on the cooker switch to change the setting. Is simplified. Specifically, it is not necessary to perform complicated operations such as operating individual switches for a purpose different from the original purpose while referring to the instruction manual.

  If the cooker communication unit has received the task code assigned to the control flow from the terminal and has already received the task code assigned to another control flow, the cooker control unit The executable control flow is switched to the control flow to which the task code received this time is assigned.

  With this configuration, only the control flow to which the task code that the cooking device has received from the terminal is assigned can be executed by the cooking device. Therefore, the number of cooking menus that can be executed by the cooking device does not increase excessively, and the cooking menu selection operation by the user can be simplified.

  The cooker further includes an audio output unit, and the cooker storage unit corresponds to each of the task codes, and the task code assigned to the control flow is related to the cooking menu corresponding to the control flow. In addition, the task code assigned to the setting change command is stored in advance as audio reproduction information including information necessary for the voice output of the description related to the setting change command. The cooker control unit refers to the cooker storage unit, and if the task code received by the cooker communication unit is assigned to the control flow, the voice output based on the voice reproduction information To output a voice for explaining the cooking menu, and the task code received by the cooker communication unit is assigned to the setting change command. If devoted, it is preferable to output the audio description of the setting change command to the voice output unit based on the audio reproduction information.

  According to this configuration, it is not necessary to transmit audio data between the server and the terminal or between the terminal and the rice cooker by storing the audio reproduction information in the cooker storage unit in advance, thereby further reducing the communication time. it can.

  It is preferable that the task code information includes text data having the same content as the sound reproduced based on the sound reproduction information, and the terminal display unit displays the text data.

  According to this configuration, since the text data having the same content as the voice reproduced by the voice output unit of the cooking device can be confirmed on the terminal, the user can confirm the cooking menu and the contents of the setting change both visually and visually. It is possible to easily and reliably understand how to use the cooking device in the cooking menu and the contents of the setting change.

  The server storage unit stores an application program executed on the terminal, and the application program is transmitted from the server communication unit to the first terminal communication unit and stored in the terminal storage unit, and the plurality of tasks The code and the task code information are included in the application program.

  According to this configuration, the application program is stored in the server, and the application program can be supplied from the server to the terminal when a mobile phone or the like is used as the terminal in the present system. In other words, it is not necessary to previously store the application program in the terminal.

  Examples of the cooker include rice cookers, microwave ovens, and electromagnetic cookers. Examples of the terminal include a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, and a handheld computer. In the case where a device having portability but a relatively low communication speed is used as a terminal, the above-described effect of greatly reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted / received is particularly effective.

  The present invention includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of task codes, a control flow of a cooking menu to which each task code is assigned, and a setting change command, a communication unit that receives the task code, and the storage unit. If the task code received by the communication unit is assigned to the control flow, the control flow can be executed, and if the task code received by the communication unit is assigned to the setting change command The cooker is further provided with a control unit that executes the setting change command.

  Only the task code, not the control information itself, is transmitted from the external device, that is, the terminal to the cooking device. Therefore, the amount of data transmitted and received between the terminal and the cooking device is greatly reduced, and the communication time required for changing the cooking menu or changing the settings can be greatly shortened.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the communication time required for the setting change regarding a cooking menu change etc. or control can be shortened. In addition, simplification of the setting change operation of the cooking device and simplification of the selection operation of the cooking menu can be realized. Furthermore, the user's usability can be significantly improved by presenting information regarding cooking menus and setting changes to the user both visually and auditorily.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a rice cooker system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a server 2, a communication network 3, a mobile phone (terminal) 4, and an induction heating type pressure rice cooker (cooker) 5. . The mobile phone 4 has a function of performing data communication with the server 2 via the communication network 3 and a function of performing data communication with the rice cooker 5 in addition to a normal call function. The rice cooker 5 has a function of data communication with the mobile phone 4. In the present embodiment, the communication network 3 includes the Internet as a part thereof. Another wired or wireless network or communication line (for example, an intranet) may be interposed between the server 2 and the Internet. The mobile phone 4 is secured to the Internet via a relay base station or the like. The specific form of the communication network 3 is not particularly limited as long as communication between the mobile phone 4 and the server 2 is ensured. Data communication between the mobile phone 4 and the rice cooker 5 is realized by infrared communication in this embodiment. However, as long as a necessary communication function is ensured, data communication between the mobile phone 4 and the rice cooker 5 may be realized by other wireless connection (for example, Bluetooth) or wired connection.

  The function implement | achieved by the rice cooker system 1 of this embodiment from a user's viewpoint is outlined. The mobile phone 4 can connect to the server 2 via the communication network 3 and download an application program 6 (hereinafter, abbreviated as “app”) executed on the mobile phone 4. By executing the downloaded application 6, a plurality of cooking menus that can be registered in the rice cooker 5 as a “registration menu” using the mobile phone 4, and settings of the rice cooker 5 that can be executed using the mobile phone 4 are set. The change can be confirmed on the display 4f. Moreover, a cooking menu or a setting change can be selected and transmitted to the rice cooker 5 based on the display on the display 4f. When the cooking menu is selected and transmitted, the operation of the cooking menu (registered menu) can be executed by the rice cooker 5 by the operation of the menu switch 27c and the rice cooking switch 27a (see FIG. 3). If the setting change is selected and transmitted, the rice cooker 5 executes the setting change. Moreover, the text data of the description regarding the cooking menu which can be registered as a "registration menu" on the display 4f of the mobile telephone 4 can be displayed, and this text data is the cooking menu output from the rice cooker 5 (It has been registered as a "registration menu." This is the same as the audio description (voice guide) for the cooking menu. Moreover, the text data of the description regarding the setting change of the rice cooker 5 can be displayed on the display 4f of the mobile phone 4, and this text data is the same as the voice description (voice guide) regarding the setting change output from the rice cooker 5. The rice cooker system 1 according to the present embodiment, when realizing these functions, controls information itself (of the cooking menu) between the server 2 and the mobile phone 4 and between the mobile phone 4 and the rice cooker 5. This is particularly characteristic in that it is not necessary to transmit / receive a control flow itself or a setting change command itself.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the rice cooker system 1 is demonstrated.

  The server 2 includes a storage unit (server storage unit) 2a storing the application 6, a communication unit (server communication unit) 2b for executing data communication with the mobile phone 4 via the communication network 3, and a storage unit 2a. The control part 2c which controls operation | movement of the communication part 2b is provided. The server 2 can be constructed by installing necessary software on a computer having hardware such as CPU, RAM, ROM, and various storages. The server 2 does not need to be constructed by only one computer, and may be clustered, for example.

  The mobile phone 4 includes a first communication unit (first terminal communication unit) 4a, a storage unit (terminal storage unit) 4b, and an infrared port 7a for executing data communication with the server 2 via the communication network 3. A second communication unit (second terminal communication unit) 4c that performs infrared communication with the rice cooker 5 and a control unit 4d are provided. The mobile phone 4 includes a key or a switch 4e (which constitutes a selection unit in the present invention) for inputting a command by the user, a display 4f for displaying an image, and an audio output unit 4g. The control unit 4d controls the operations of the first communication unit 4a, the second communication unit 4c, the display 4f, and the audio output unit 4g based on the command input by the switch 4e while referring to the storage unit 4b. To do. The first communication unit 4a, the storage unit 4b, the second communication unit 4c, and the control unit 4d need to be implemented in various hardware including devices for infrared communication such as CPU, RAM, ROM, infrared port 7a, and the like. It can be constructed by simple software (including a program for data communication with the server 2). Needless to say, the mobile phone 4 includes various devices for realizing a normal call function in addition to the switch 4e, the display 4f, and the speaker of the audio output unit 4g.

  The first communication unit 4a, the second communication unit 4c, the storage unit 4b, the control unit 4d, the switch 4e, the display 4f, and the voice output unit 4g are provided, and the user holds them in communication with the rice cooker 5. As long as it has the portability which can be turned to the rice cooker 5, apparatuses other than mobile phones, such as a portable information terminal and a handheld computer, are good also as a terminal in the rice cooker system 1 of this embodiment.

  If FIG. 2 is referred, the rice cooker 5 is provided with the rice cooker main body 13 by which the cover body 12 which has the inner cover 11 was attached to the upper part rotatably. A rice cooker 15 is detachably accommodated in the protective frame 14 in the rice cooker body 13. An induction heating coil 16 that is a heater for cooking rice, a body heater 17 for keeping warm, and a temperature sensor 18 for cooking rice pan are disposed outside the protective frame 14. A lid heater 19 for keeping warm, a lid temperature sensor 21, a pressure sensor 22, and a relief valve 23 are disposed on the lid 12 side. Moreover, the operation panel 26 provided with various keys thru | or switches 27a-27g and the display 25 is provided in the front of the rice cooker main body 13 (refer FIG. 3).

  Referring to FIG. 1, the rice cooker 5 includes a communication unit (cooker communication unit) 5a, a storage unit (cooker storage unit) 5b, and an audio output unit 5c (for performing infrared communication with the mobile phone 4 through an infrared port 7b. A speech synthesis circuit, a speaker, etc.). The control unit 5d of the rice cooker 5 executes the control flow of the cooking menu, changes or adds to the control flow of the “registration menu” based on the instructions made by the switches 27a to 27g while referring to the storage unit 5b. The setting change related to the control of the device 5 is executed. At the time of execution of the control flow, the control unit 5d refers to the detection values of the rice cooker temperature sensor 18, the lid temperature sensor 21, and the pressure sensor 22, while the induction heating coil 16, the trunk heater 17, and the lid heater 19 are switched. Control. The change or addition of the control flow of the “registration menu” and the setting change will be described in detail later.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the operation panel 26 of the rice cooker 5 has a rice cooking switch 27 a for input of operation start (execution of control flow), heat insulation operation start around the display 25 which is a liquid crystal panel in this embodiment. And warming / cancellation switch 27b for input such as operation stop, menu switch 27c for cooking menu selection (selection of control flow to be executed), up switch 27d and down switch used for time adjustment and voice guidance execution described later 27e, a reservation switch 27f for input such as start of a reservation setting operation, and a communication switch 27g for input such as start of communication with the mobile phone 4. Further, the operation panel 26 includes a display lamp 28 that is turned on when voice guidance is executed, two types of display lamps 29a and 29b for displaying the setting of the heat insulation temperature, and an infrared port 7b. In FIG. 3, all displays that can be displayed on the display 25 are shown.

  Hereinafter, details of a data structure and the like for realizing the change and addition of the cooking menu of the rice cooker 5 (registration of the cooking menu to the “registration menu”), the setting change of the rice cooker 5, and the like will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an application 6 executed by the mobile phone 4 is stored in the storage unit 6 of the server 2. The application 6 includes a plurality of task codes and task code information for each task code. FIG. 4 conceptually shows the relationship between the task code and the task code information.

  The task code is assigned to a control flow of a cooking menu that can be registered in the rice cooker 5 as a “registration menu” or a setting change command for the rice cooker 5. In the present embodiment, the task codes are “01” to “99”. For example, task codes “41” and “42” are assigned to the control flows of “red rice” and “salted rice and celery cooked rice”, which are cooking menus for cooking rice. Task codes “71” and “72” are assigned to “lemon cheesecake” and “homemade tofu”, which are non-cooked cooking menus, respectively. Further, the task code “98” is assigned to a setting change command for returning the heat retention temperature to the initial setting, and the task code “99” is assigned to a setting change command for setting the heat retention temperature higher by 3 ° C. However, the control information itself (the control flow itself of each cooking menu and the individual setting change command itself) is not included in the application 6, and the control information itself is stored in the storage portion 5b of the rice cooker 5 as described later. Stored in advance.

  The task code information regarding the task code assigned to the control flow of the cooking menu includes the name of the cooking menu, the method of using the rice cooker 5 in the cooking menu, the cooking procedure, and the like. In other words, the task code information is information related to the cooking menu (control flow) and setting change command. For example, the task code information for the task code “41” assigned to the control flow of “red rice” includes text data “red rice” which is the name of the cooking menu, and rice cooking when cooking “red rice” with the rice cooker 5. This includes text data such as how to use the device 5. FIG. 7 conceptually shows the usage method of the rice cooker 5 and the text data of the cooking procedure, which are part of the task code information for the task code “41”, and the text data and the display order thereof are included.

  The task code information for the task code assigned to the setting change command includes text data that describes the contents of the setting change. In the present embodiment, the task code information of the task code “98” includes text data “returns the heat insulation temperature to the initial setting”, and the task code information of the task code “99” “sets the heat insulation temperature higher by 3 ° C.” Text data.

  A function of displaying task code information as text on the display 4f by executing the application 6 on the mobile phone 4, and any task by the user operating the switch 4e based on the task code information displayed on the display 4f A function of selecting a code and a function of transmitting the selected task code to the rice cooker 5 are realized.

  Referring to FIG. 1, in the storage unit 5 b of the rice cooker 5, control information itself, that is, control flow and setting change of individual cooking menus (candidate cooking menus of “registration menu”) that can be registered as “registration menu” The command itself is stored in advance in association with the corresponding task code. FIG. 5 conceptually shows the relationship between the task code and the control information (control flow and setting change command). The control flow of “red rice” and “boiled rice with salt and celery” is stored in association with task codes “41” and “42”, respectively, and “lemon cheese cake” is associated with task codes “71” and “72”, respectively. And the control flow of “homemade tofu” are stored. In addition, a setting change command for setting the warming temperature to the initial setting and a setting change command for setting the warming temperature higher by 3 ° C. are associated with the task codes “98” and “99”, respectively.

  The storage unit 5b of the rice cooker 5 stores a control flow of a cooking menu that the rice cooker 5 can always execute in addition to the control flow of the cooking menu that is a candidate for the above-mentioned “registration menu”. In this embodiment, `` shakiri '', `` normal '', `` mochimochi '', `` rice cooked quickly '', `` cooked rice '', `` sushimeshi '', `` rice porridge '', `` rice cake '', `` brown rice '', `` brown rice activity '', and The control flow of 11 kinds of cooking menus of “brown rice is soy” is stored in the storage unit 5b (see the display 25 in FIG. 3). Control flow corresponding to the rice cooker 5 by selecting a start command with the rice cooker switch 27a after selecting any one of these 11 types of cooking menus and a total of 12 types of menus of the “registration menu” with the menu switch 27c. Can be executed.

  Individual control flow includes conditions such as temperature and pressure, input power to induction heating coil 16 and heaters 17 and 19, preheating time, preheating temperature, individual for each of a plurality of processes for executing the cooking menu. This includes conditions for starting and ending the process, controls for operating the switches 27a to 27g, and the like.

  In the storage unit 5b of the rice cooker 5, a plurality of voice data to which voice codes ("01" to "99" in the present embodiment) are assigned are stored in advance. Each piece of voice data is the content of voice that is actually output from the voice output unit 5c when voice guidance is executed. FIG. 6 conceptually shows the relationship between the voice code and the voice data. The voice data may be the contents of the voice itself that is output as a unit when the voice guidance is executed. For example, voice data “42” of voice code “Wash 50 grams of red beans, put them in another pan, add 2 cups of water, boil for 2 hours and then throw away hot water.” The voice data may be a part of voice that is output as one unit when voice guidance is executed. For example, voice data “white rice”, “rice porridge”, and “red rice” to which the voice codes “01”, “02”, and “03” are assigned correspond to this. Also, the voice data “add water up to water level scale 2” of the voice code “53” corresponds to this. By storing frequently used words and phrases as one piece of voice data, the total amount of voice data stored in the storage unit 5b can be reduced.

  Moreover, the audio | voice reproduction | regeneration information corresponding to each task code is memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 5b of the rice cooker 5 previously. The sound reproduction information corresponding to the task code assigned to the control flow includes information necessary for the sound output of the explanation regarding the cooking menu corresponding to the control flow. Similarly, the audio reproduction information corresponding to the task code assigned to the setting change command also includes information necessary for the audio output of the explanation related to the setting change. Specifically, the individual audio reproduction information includes the audio code of the audio data to be used, the order in which the audio data is used (reproduction order), and, if a single audio consists of a plurality of audio data, the audio data Contains code. For example, as the content of the audio reproduction information corresponding to the task code “41” assigned to the control flow “Akahan”, the audio data of the audio codes “03” and “21” is reproduced in the reproduction order 1, and the reproduction order 2 -5 to reproduce the audio data of the audio codes "41" to "44", reproduce the audio data of the audio codes "01" and "53" in the reproduction order 6, and reproduce the audio codes "71" and " 72 "audio data is reproduced. As a result, the audio having the order and contents as shown in FIG. 7 is output from the audio output unit 5c.

  Use of the rice cooker 5 included in the task code information for the same task code as the content of the audio output from the audio output unit 5b based on the audio reproduction information corresponding to the task code assigned to the control flow of the cooking menu The text data of the method has the same contents. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the content of the audio output from the audio output unit 5 b based on the audio reproduction information of the task code “41” and the order of reproduction, and the rice cooker displayed on the display 4 f of the mobile phone 4 The content of the text data of the usage method 5 and the display order are the same. The description of the setting change included in the task code information for the same task code is the content of the audio output from the audio output unit 5b based on the audio reproduction information corresponding to the task code assigned to the setting change. The content is the same as that of the text data.

  Next, operation | movement of the rice cooker system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  The following is an operation related to the server 2 and the mobile phone 4. The first communication unit 4a of the mobile phone 4 connects to the communication unit 2b of the server 2 via the communication network 3 based on a connection command input by the user by operating the switch 4e. After the connection is established, a download request input by the user by operating the switch 4e is transmitted from the first communication unit 4a of the mobile phone 4 to the communication unit 2b of the server 2. In response to the download request, the control unit 2c of the server 2 causes the communication unit 2b to transmit the application 6 (including the task code and task code information) stored in the storage unit 2a to the mobile phone 4 via the communication network 3. . The first communication unit 4a of the mobile phone 4 receives the application 6 via the communication network 3, and the control unit 4d stores the received application 6 in the storage unit 4b. Thereafter, the data communication between the mobile phone 4 and the server 2 ends.

  The following is the operation related to the mobile phone 4 only. Based on the activation command input by the user by operating the switch 4e, the control unit 4d activates the application 6 stored in the storage unit 4b. During execution of the application 6, the control unit 4d displays task code information on the display 4f in accordance with a command input by operating the switch 4e. Specifically, the names of cooking menus such as “red rice”, “boiled rice with salted rice and celery”, “lemon cheesecake”, “homemade tofu”, “reset the warming temperature to the initial setting”, “ The contents of the setting change such as “Set 3 ° C. higher” are displayed. Moreover, the control part 4d displays the usage method of the rice cooker 5 in each cooking menu on the display 4f according to the command input by operation of the switch 4e. One of the plurality of task codes is selected by the user by operating the switch 4e. The task code itself is not displayed on the display 4f. When the user selects the name of the cooking menu displayed on the display 4f or the content of the setting change by operating the switch 4e, the control unit 4d selects the selected task code. Recognize

  The following operations are related to the cellular phone 4 and the rice cooker 5. When the user inputs communication start using the communication switch 27g, the control unit 5d of the rice cooker 5 sets the communication unit 5a to the infrared communication standby state. When the user inputs a transmission command to the mobile phone 4 by operating the switch 4e during this standby state, the control unit 4d of the mobile phone 4 causes the second communication unit 4c to transmit the selected task code. When the communication unit 5a of the rice cooker 5 receives the task code and stores the task code received by the control unit 5d in the storage unit 5b, the communication between the second communication unit 4c of the mobile phone 4 and the communication unit 5a of the rice cooker 5 Ends. The control unit 5d executes processing according to the received task code while referring to the storage unit 5b.

  The following operations are related only to the rice cooker 5.

  If the task code received by the communication unit 5a is assigned to the control flow of the cooking menu, the control unit 5d makes the control flow stored in advance in the storage unit 5b executable. For example, if the task code received from the mobile phone 4 is “41”, the control flow of “red rice” is made executable. Here, “executable” for the control flow means that when the user selects the “registration menu” by operating the menu switch 27c and further inputs an operation start by the rice cooking switch 27a, the control unit 5d executes the control flow. Say state. In other words, “executable” for a control flow means that the user can execute the cooking menu of the control flow as a “registration menu”.

  Even if it is the control flow (refer FIG. 5) to which the task code was allocated, unless the rice cooker 5 receives the corresponding task code, it will not be in an executable state. In other words, the control flow of a plurality of cooking menus that are candidates for the “registration menu” is stored in the storage unit 5b of the rice cooker 5 in advance, but the control flow is not transmitted unless the corresponding task code is transmitted from the mobile phone 4. The rice cooker 5 cannot be executed as a “registration menu”.

  If the communication unit 5a of the rice cooker 5 has received a task code from the second communication unit 4c of the mobile phone 4, it should have already received a different task code and can execute a control flow corresponding thereto. For example, the control unit 5d of the rice cooker 5 switches the executable control flow to the control flow to which the task code received this time is assigned, and sets the control flow that could be executed until then to an inexecutable state. In other words, when the “registration menu” is already set, if the rice cooker 5 receives the task code corresponding to the control flow of the cooking menu other than the one set in the “registration menu”, the “ The “registration menu” is replaced with a cooking menu corresponding to the newly received task code.

  When the reception of the task code assigned to the control flow from the mobile phone 4 is completed, the control unit 5d cooks the audio output unit 5c based on the audio reproduction information corresponding to the received task code while referring to the storage unit 5b. Outputs audio about the menu (voice guide). For example, when the received task code is “41” (when the new “registration menu” is red rice), the control unit 5d “sets the menu to red rice. To hear the procedure, press the up switch 27d”. . Is output to the audio output unit 5c to prompt the user to perform an operation. When the user operates the up switch 27d to input the start of audio output, the control unit 5d refers to the storage unit 5b and, based on the audio reproduction information corresponding to the task code “41”, outputs “red rice” to the audio output unit 5c. The voice of explanation is output. Specifically, the sound having the order and contents shown in FIG. 7 is output from the sound output unit 5c (the playback order is advanced by one when the up switch 27d is operated, and the playback order is changed when the down switch 27e is operated. Go back one). The display lamp 28 is lit during the voice guidance.

  If the task code received from the mobile phone 4 by the communication unit 5a of the rice cooker 5 is assigned to the setting change command, the control unit 5d of the rice cooker 5 executes the setting change command. For example, if the task code received from the mobile phone 4 is “98”, the control unit 5d returns the heat insulation temperature to the initial setting. Specifically, the control unit 5d returns the heat insulation temperature in all control flows stored in the storage unit 5b to the initial setting. If the task code received from the mobile phone 4 is “99”, the control unit 5d sets the heat retention temperature in all control flows stored in the storage unit 5b to be 3 ° C. higher. Whether the heat retention temperature is the initial setting (standard) or 3 ° C higher (higher) is displayed by the display lamps 29a and 29b.

  Even when the control unit 5d receives the task code assigned to the setting change command from the mobile phone 4, the control unit 5d causes the audio output unit 5c to output the audio for the setting change based on the audio reproduction information corresponding to the received task code. (Voice guide). For example, if the received task code is “98” (setting change command to return the set temperature to the initial setting), the control unit 5d refers to the storage unit 5b and based on the audio reproduction information of the task code “98”, The voice output unit 5c is made to output a voice message “The heat insulation temperature has been set to the factory shipment state”. When the received task code is “99”, the voice output unit 5c is made to output a voice “The heat retention temperature has been set high”.

  The characteristic thru | or advantage of the rice cooker system 1 of this embodiment are as follows.

  The control flow and setting change command of the cooking menu as candidates for the “registration menu” are stored in advance in the storage unit 5 b of the rice cooker 5. Therefore, what is transmitted from the server 2 to the mobile phone 4 is not the control information itself (the cooking menu control flow itself or the setting change command itself) but the application 6 including the task code and task code information. Also, what is transmitted from the mobile phone 4 to the rice cooker 5 is not the control information itself but only the task code selected in the mobile phone 4. Therefore, the amount of data transmitted between the server 2 and the mobile phone 4 and between the mobile phone 4 and the rice cooker 5 is greatly reduced, and communication required when changing the cooking menu or changing the settings. Time can be greatly reduced. In addition, since the audio reproduction information is also stored in advance in the storage unit 5b of the rice cooker 5, there is no need to transmit audio data between the server 2 and the mobile phone 4 or between the mobile phone 4 and the rice cooker 5. In this respect, the communication time can be shortened.

  Communication between the mobile phone 4 and the rice cooker 5 is simple and has a relatively high communication speed due to the ease of use of the user, the cost, and particularly the size restrictions regarding the mounting of devices with respect to the mobile phone 4. Must be adopted (in this embodiment, infrared rays are adopted). Therefore, the fact that only the task code is transmitted from the mobile phone 4 to the rice cooker 5 is the communication between the mobile phone 4 and the rice cooker 5 necessary for changing, adding or changing the setting of the “registration menu”. It is very effective in reducing time. Specifically, for example, at least one hour is generally required to transmit a control flow of one cooking menu from the mobile phone 4 to the rice cooker 5 by infrared communication, whereas transmission of a task code takes several seconds to several tens. Only takes about a second.

  If the task code assigned to the setting change command is transmitted from the mobile phone 4 to the rice cooker 5, the setting change command is executed by the rice cooker 5. Therefore, the switches 27a to 27g of the rice cooker 5 are complicated to change the setting. There is no need to perform an operation, and the setting change operation is simplified. Specifically, it is not necessary to perform complicated operations such as operating the individual switches 27a to 27g with a use different from the original use while referring to the instruction manual.

  The rice cooker 5 can execute only the control flow to which the task code received most recently from the mobile phone 4 is assigned as the “registration menu”. In other words, when the rice cooker 5 receives the task code assigned to the control flow from the mobile phone 4, the “registration menu” is replaced. Therefore, the number of cooking menus executable by the rice cooker 5 does not increase excessively, and the cooking menu selection operation by the user can be simplified.

  Since the mobile phone 4 can confirm the same text display as the voice reproduced by the voice output unit 5c of the rice cooker 5, the user can confirm the cooking menu and the contents of the setting change both auditorily and visually. You can easily and reliably understand how to use the cooker in the cooking menu and how to change settings.

  In the present embodiment, the application 6 includes a task code and task code information, and the task code and task code information are downloaded to the mobile phone 4 at the same time as downloading the application 6 from the server 2. However, as long as the mobile phone 4 can download at least the task code and task code information from the server 2, the mode in which the mobile phone 4 acquires the application 6 and the task code and task code information is not limited to this. For example, even after the task code and task code information are downloaded to the mobile phone 4 together with the application 6, the task code and task code information are downloaded again by accessing the server 2 and stored in the mobile phone 4. The task code and task code information may be updated. Thereby, for example, a cooking menu that varies depending on the season can be selected by the mobile phone 4 and registered as a registration menu in the rice cooker 5. Alternatively, only the application 6 may be downloaded from the server 4 to the mobile phone 4, and the task code and task code information may be downloaded from the server 4 to the mobile phone 4 afterwards.

  Although this invention was demonstrated to the rice cooker as an example, this invention is applicable also to other cookers, such as a microwave oven and an electromagnetic cooker. Further, the cooking menu control flow and setting change command are not limited to those mentioned in the description of the embodiment. For example, as another example of the setting change command in the case of a rice cooker, there are a setting change command for returning the cooking temperature in the rice cooking process to the initial setting, and a setting change command for setting the cooking temperature higher by a certain temperature.

The block diagram which shows the rice cooker system concerning embodiment of this invention. The typical sectional view showing a rice cooker. The front view of the operation panel of a rice cooker. The schematic diagram which shows a task code and task code information notionally. The schematic diagram which shows notionally the relationship between a task code and control information. The schematic diagram which shows notionally the relationship between an audio | voice code and audio | voice data. The schematic diagram which shows notionally a text display with a mobile telephone, and an example of the reproduction | regeneration audio | voice with a rice cooker main body.

Explanation of symbols

1 Rice Cooker System 2 Server 2a Storage Unit (Server Storage Unit)
2b Communication part (server communication part)
2c Control unit 3 Communication network 4 Mobile phone (terminal)
4a First communication unit (first terminal communication unit)
4b Storage unit (terminal storage unit)
4c 2nd communication part (2nd terminal communication part)
4d control unit 4e switch (selection unit)
4f Display (display part)
4g Audio output unit 5 Rice cooker (cooker)
5a Communication Department (Cooker Communication Department)
5b storage unit (cooker storage unit)
5c Audio output unit 5d Control unit (cooker control unit)
6 Application Program 7a, 7b Infrared Port 11 Inner Lid 12 Lid 13 Rice Cooker Body 14 Protective Frame 15 Rice Cooker 16 Induction Heating Coil 17 Body Heater 18 Rice Cooker Temperature Sensor 19 Lid Heater 21 Lid Temperature Sensor 22 Pressure Sensor 23 Relief valve 25 Display 26 Operation panel 27a Rice cooking switch 27b Insulation / cancellation switch 27c Menu switch 27d Up switch 27e Down switch 27f Reservation switch 27g Communication switch 28 Indicator lamp 29a, 29b Indicator lamp

Claims (8)

In a cooking device system comprising a server, a terminal capable of communicating with the server via a communication network, and a cooking device capable of communicating with the terminal,
The server
A plurality of task codes respectively assigned to a control flow of a cooking menu executable by the cooker or a setting change command for the cooker, and information related to the control flow or the setting change command for each of the task codes. A server storage unit storing task code information;
A server communication unit that transmits the plurality of task codes and the task code information via the communication network, and
The terminal
A first terminal communication unit that receives the plurality of task codes and the task code information transmitted from the server communication unit via the communication network;
A terminal storage unit for storing the plurality of task codes and the task code information received by the first terminal communication unit;
A display unit for displaying the task code information;
A selection unit that allows a user to select one of the plurality of task codes stored in the terminal storage unit based on the task code information displayed on the display unit;
A second terminal communication unit that transmits the task code selected by the selection unit to the cooker;
The cooker is
A cooker communication unit that receives the task code transmitted from the second terminal communication unit;
A cooker storage unit that stores the plurality of task codes, the control flow to which the individual task codes are assigned, and the setting change command;
If the task code received by the cooker communication unit is assigned to the control flow with reference to the cooker storage unit, the control flow can be executed, and the task code received by the cooker communication unit A cooker system, comprising: a cooker controller that executes the setting change command if is assigned to the setting change command.   If the cooker communication unit has received the task code assigned to the control flow from the terminal and has already received the task code assigned to another control flow, the cooker control unit The cooker system according to claim 1, wherein the executable control flow is switched to the control flow to which the task code received this time is assigned. The cooker further includes an audio output unit,
The cooker storage unit corresponds to each task code, and the task code assigned to the control flow includes information necessary for audio output of the explanation relating to the cooking menu corresponding to the control flow. In addition, the task code assigned to the setting change command is stored in advance as audio reproduction information that includes information necessary for audio output in the description related to the setting change command.
The cooker control unit refers to the cooker storage unit, and if the task code received by the cooker communication unit is assigned to the control flow, the voice output unit based on the voice reproduction information If the task code received by the cooker communication unit is assigned to the setting change command, the setting change is made to the voice output unit based on the voice reproduction information. The cooker system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a voice for explaining the command is output. The task code information includes text data having the same content as the sound reproduced based on the sound reproduction information,
The cooker system according to claim 3, wherein the terminal display unit displays the text data. The server storage unit stores an application program executed on the terminal,
The application program is transmitted from the server communication unit to the first terminal communication unit and stored in the terminal storage unit,
The cooker system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of task codes and the task code information are included in the application program.   The cooker system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cooker is a rice cooker.   The cooker system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the terminal is a mobile phone. A storage unit that stores a plurality of task codes, a control flow of a cooking menu to which each task code is assigned, and a setting change command;
A communication unit for receiving the task code;
Referring to the storage unit, if the task code received by the communication unit is assigned to the control flow, the control flow can be executed, and the task code received by the communication unit is assigned to the setting change command. And a control unit that executes the setting change command if it is provided.

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