JP2021141952A - Rice cooker, rice cooker system, rice cooker operation method, rice cooker operation program - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the problem that when rice of a new brand is released after a new rice cooker is purchased by a user, the user cannot help cooking it by a standard method since a cooking method corresponding to the rice of the new brand is not available in the purchased rice cooker so that the user cannot eat tasty rice even if he or she has purchased the expensive rice of a new brand.SOLUTION: When communication means receives brand data on a brand name that is no stored in storage means, a rice cooker causes the storage means to store the data, displays the brand name of the data in a display part, and designates the brand name by operation means to execute rice cooking.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

The present invention relates to a rice cooker that can operate a rice cooker from a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a rice cooker system, a rice cooker operation method, and a rice cooker operation program.

Rice cookers that allow the user to select a brand of rice and cook according to that brand are generally sold.

In the rice cooker of Patent Document 1, a plurality of rice brands are displayed on a dot-matrix liquid crystal display, and the user selects a brand using an upward cursor and a downward cursor, and cooks rice according to the brand. You can do it.

JP-A-2018-143647

Improvements in rice technology are advancing, and new brands of rice are appearing more frequently. However, if a new brand of rice is sold after purchasing a rice cooker, there is no way to cook this rice cooker that corresponds to the new brand of rice, and you have to cook it as standard, so buy a high-priced brand of rice. You can't eat delicious rice.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rice cooker that can add a cooking method corresponding to the brand rice when a new brand rice comes on the market after purchasing the rice cooker.

When the rice cooker receives brand data related to a brand name that is not stored in the storage means, the rice cooker stores the data in the storage means, displays the brand name of the data on the display unit, and uses the operating means. It is possible to specify and cook rice.

Even if a new brand of rice comes to the market after purchasing a rice cooker, the user can eat delicious rice cooked by the optimum cooking method for that brand of rice.

It is a perspective view which shows the rice cooker in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the rice cooker in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the control part of the rice cooker in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic schematic diagram of the operation means and the display part formed on the upper surface part of the lid body in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram of the rice cooker system including the rice cooker in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic schematic diagram of the operation means and the display part formed on the upper surface part of the lid body in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic schematic diagram of the operation means and the display part formed on the upper surface part of the lid body in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic schematic diagram of the operation means and the display part formed on the upper surface part of the lid body in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic schematic diagram of the operation means and the display part formed on the upper surface part of the lid body in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a brand rice table stored in the storage means in the first embodiment. It is a rice cooking pattern table stored in the storage means in Embodiment 1. It is the dot matrix data corresponding to the display unit stored in the storage means in the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the control part of the smartphone in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart of new brand addition in Embodiment 1. This is a format for new brand communication data according to the first embodiment. This is a new brand selection screen according to the first embodiment. This is a screen displayed on the display unit in the second embodiment. It is a flowchart of new brand addition in Embodiment 3.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the rice cooker 1 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the rice cooker 1 according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rice cooker 1 is, for example, an electromagnetic induction heating system, and has a main body 2, a lid 3, a heating means 4, and an inner pot 5. The main body 2 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an opening 21 on the upper surface, and a hollow portion 22 is formed inside. The lid 3 is attached to the upper surface of the main body 2 so as to be openable and closable, and closes the opening 21 of the main body 2. The heating means 4 is provided on the bottom surface of the hollow portion 22 of the main body 2, and has a shape along the bottom surface of the inner pot 5. The heating means 4 is, for example, a heating coil, and induces an eddy current in the inner pot 5 to heat the inner pot 5. The heating means 4 may be flat.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control unit of the rice cooker 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic schematic view of an operating means and a display unit formed on the upper surface portion (the surface opposite to the main body) of the lid body 3. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a rice cooker system including the rice cooker 1.
On the upper surface of the lid 3, there is an input means 7 including a rice key 7a, a menu key 7b, a voice key 7c, a reservation key 7d, a setting key 7e, an off / heat retention key 7f, an operation key 7g, and a rice cooking key 7h. The display unit 8 and the display unit 8 are arranged.

Further, the input means 7 and the display unit 8 are connected to a control means 6 such as a microcomputer. The control means 6 is connected to a storage means 9 in which various setting parameters for cooking rice are stored, and controls the display of the display unit 8 and the heating means 4 based on the signal input from the input means 7. For example, when the user sets the type of rice and the cooking method using the input means 7, the corresponding signal is sent to the control means 6, and the control means 6 is stored in the storage means 9. Using the parameters, the energization control of the heating means 4 is performed so that the corresponding rice can be cooked. Further, the control means 6 is connected to the communication means 10, and data can be transmitted / received to / from the smartphone 12 such as a mobile terminal carried by the user or the server 13 of the rice cooker manufacturer through a communication line such as the Internet 11. ing.

Next, a specific example of the operation of the input means 7 and the display unit 8 when selecting the rice cooking condition using the input means 7 will be described.
First, when the power is turned on, the display unit 8 displays a digital clock.

When the user presses the rice key 7a in this state, a plurality of selection items related to the type of rice: "white rice", "washless rice", "germinated brown rice", and "minutes" are displayed on the display unit 8. Three of "Zuki rice" and "Brown rice" are on the left side, and multiple selection items related to how to cook: "Eco-cooking", "Normal", "Brand", "New brand", "Porridge", "Cooking" Three of them are displayed on the right side at the same time.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, "brown rice", "white rice", and "washless rice" are lined up on the left side from the top, and "white rice" is black-and-white inverted. Then, on the right side, "normal", "brand", and "new brand" that can be selected corresponding to "white rice" are displayed from the top.
In this state, by pressing the upper arrow part and the lower arrow part of the operation key 7g, the display on the left side scrolls. "Germinated brown rice" is displayed, "wash-free rice" is reversed in black and white, and "eco-cooked rice", "normal", "porridge", etc. that can be selected corresponding to "wash-free rice" are also displayed on the right side.
In addition, by pressing the right arrow part of the operation key 7g in the state of FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 6, the list of "normal", "brand", and "new brand" on the right side moves to the left side. Then, the "brand" is reversed in black and white, and "Koshihikari", "Sasanishiki", "Akitakomachi", etc. that can be selected according to the "brand" are displayed on the right side. The items that can be selected corresponding to these "brands" are those that have already been set at the time of manufacturing the rice cooker.
In this state, when the user presses the right arrow part of the operation key 7g, "Sasanishiki" on the right side is reversed in black and white as shown in FIG. 7, and when the upper arrow part and the lower arrow part are pressed, the right side is displayed. The display scrolls. Further, by pressing the rice cooking key 7h in the state of FIG. 7, rice cooking in a cooking method corresponding to "Sasanishiki" is started.

Further, in the state of FIG. 6, when the user presses the upper arrow portion of the operation key 7g, the left side scrolls, and as shown in FIG. 8, "brand", "new brand", and "recommended" from the top. Are lined up, the "new brand" is reversed in black and white, and the "MHK rice" and "electric rice" corresponding to the "new brand" are displayed on the right side. The items that can be selected corresponding to these "new brands" are not set at the time of manufacturing or purchasing the rice cooker. Therefore, immediately after purchase, even if the "new brand" is reversed in black and white, nothing is displayed on the right side.
With "MHK rice" and "electric rice" corresponding to "new brand" displayed on the right side, the user presses the right arrow part of the operation key 7g, and the "MHK rice" and "electric rice" on the right side are displayed as shown in FIG. "Electric rice" is reversed in black and white, and you can select either "MHK rice" or "electric rice" on the right side by pressing the upper arrow part and the lower arrow part. Further, by pressing the rice cooking key 7h in the state of FIG. 9, rice cooking in a cooking method corresponding to "electric rice" is started.

FIG. 10 is a brand rice table 14 stored in the storage means 9, and FIG. 11 is a rice cooking pattern table 15 stored in the storage means 9.

In FIG. 10, the brand rice table 14 is associated with the brand name 14a, the display data 14b, the rice cooking pattern 14c, and the type 14d. Of the brand names, "Sasanishiki", "Koshihikari", and "Akitakomachi" are the default ones that are memorized at the stage of manufacturing the rice cooker 1, and the flag as a brand is set in type 14d. As shown in FIG. 6, when a brand is selected, the brand rice table 14 is searched and displayed as selectable.
"MHK rice" and "electric rice" were added after the sale, and the flag as a new brand was set in the type 14d, and when a new brand was selected as shown in FIG. 8, the brand rice table 14 was displayed. It will be searched and displayed as selectable.
Further, in FIG. 11, the rice cooking pattern table 15 stores the requirements of the rice cooking process 15b including the preheating step, the raising temperature step, the boiling step, and the unevenness step corresponding to 15 types of rice cooking patterns 15a of 0 to 0E. ing.

In this case, for example, when the rice cooking key 7h is pressed while "Sasashiki" is reversed in black and white in FIG. 7, the rice cooking pattern 07 is selected based on the brand rice table 14 in FIG. 10, and the rice cooking pattern in FIG. 11 is selected. Based on the rice cooking step 15b in 07, the control means 6 controls the heating means 4, that is, the temperature is maintained at 60 degrees for 15 minutes in the preheating step, and the temperature is raised from 60 degrees to 90 degrees in 3 minutes in the heating step. The energization control of the heating means 4 is performed so that the temperature is maintained at 100 ° C. for 16 minutes in the temperature raising and boiling steps, and the temperature is maintained at 80 ° C. for 13 minutes in the unevenness step.

Further, when the rice cooking key 7h is pressed while the "electric rice" is reversed in black and white in FIG. 9, the rice cooking pattern 0A is selected based on the brand rice table 14 in FIG. 10, and the rice cooking pattern 0A in FIG. 11 is used. Based on the rice cooking step 15b, the control means 6 controls the heating means 4, that is, the temperature is maintained at 60 degrees for 13 minutes in the preheating step, and the temperature is raised from 60 degrees to 90 degrees in 4 minutes in the heating step. The energization control of the heating means 4 is performed so that the temperature is maintained at 100 ° C. for 15 minutes in the boiling step and the temperature is maintained at 80 ° C. for 11 minutes in the uneven cooking step.

FIG. 12 is an example of the dot matrix data 16 corresponding to the display unit 8 stored in the storage means 9, and corresponds to the “electric rice” of the display data 4 of FIG. This data has 2 bytes of data in each of the vertical 31 and horizontal 16 matrices, and this data corresponds to the shape of the dots corresponding to the display unit 8. As described above, the storage means 9 individually has dot matrix data corresponding to the display data 14b of FIG. Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the brand is black-and-white inverted, the display data 1, the display data 2, and the display data corresponding to “Sasanishiki”, “Koshihikari”, and “Akitakomachi” are shown in FIG. The dot matrix data of No. 3 is read out from the storage means 9 and displayed on the display unit 8.

Next, the operation on the smartphone 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, the smartphone 12 has a control means 12a such as a microcomputer (computer), a communication means 12b, an input means 12c, and a display unit 12d connected to the control means 12a. The input means 12c detects a portion touched by the user with a finger on the display unit 12d and sends the signal to the control means 12a.

Further, a rice cooker operation program that operates on the control means 12a is downloaded to the smartphone 12, and it is possible to set the rice cooker 1 and see the operating state of the rice cooker 1. Further, the setting input from the rice cooker operation program of the smartphone 12 is sent to the rice cooker 1, and the control means 6 of the rice cooker 1 operates based on the setting. In addition, information on the operating state of the rice cooker 1 is also sent from the rice cooker 1 to the smartphone 12, and the rice cooker operation program of the smartphone 12 displays the settings.

Next, the addition of a new brand will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, the manufacturer's server 13 has a new data format as shown in FIG. 15, which has brand name data, rice cooking pattern data corresponding to the brand, and matrix display data in response to the commercialization of a new rice brand. The brand communication data is transmitted to the smartphone 12. In the smartphone 12, the rice cooker operation program is received, and the message "brand can be added" is displayed on the display unit 12d (S1).

Here, when the user touches the "brand can be added" on the display unit 12d and responds, a signal is sent from the input means 12c (S2), and the rice cooker operation program is shown on the display unit 12d. The 16 new brand selection screens are displayed (S3).

In FIG. 16, six new brand names of the data sent from the server 13 are arranged, and five of them can be selected by the user. Corresponding to this screen, the user selects "MHK rice" and "electric rice" (touch 〇 in front of the display respectively) and presses OK, and the rice cooker operation program is new corresponding to it. Brand communication data (extracted "MHK rice" and "electric rice" from the new brand communication data of FIG. 15) is created (S4), and the brand communication data is transmitted to the rice cooker 1. (S5).

In the rice cooker 1, the communication means 10 receives the new brand communication data, adds new brands such as "MHK rice" and "electric rice" to the brand rice table 14, and makes it as shown in FIG. The dot matrix data is stored in the storage means 9.
In general, it is normal for users to always eat what they like and continue to eat what they like, without changing the brand of rice. Therefore, even if new brands are put on the market every year, the user only wants to eat one or two of them at all times, so it is not necessary for the rice cooker to have settings for all new brands. Therefore, here, since the data of only the new brand rice selected by the user is added to the rice cooker, it is not necessary to provide the rice cooker with a large-capacity storage means in preparation for the number of new brands to be added in the future.

When "February rice" is also selected in FIG. 16, "February rice" is also displayed under "Electric rice" on the screen of FIG. 8, and the rice cooking key 7h is used. "February rice" can be specified and rice can be cooked corresponding to "February rice".

Embodiment 2.
When the rice cooker 1 receives new brand communication data consisting of brand name data, rice cooking pattern data corresponding to the brand, and dot matrix display data, when adding a new brand to the brand rice table 14, etc. If the input means 7 is operated by the user at the same time, a discrepancy may occur between the new brand displayed on the display unit 8 and the brand on the brand rice table 14.
Therefore, in the second embodiment, when adding a new brand, the input operation by the user is prohibited.

When the communication means 10 receives the new brand communication data, the control means 6 displays the screen shown in FIG. 17A on the display unit 8, that is, an inquiry indicating that the rice cooking operation cannot be input during the addition. Display the screen. Then, when the user presses the right arrow portion of the operation key 7g, that is, when he / she understands it, a new brand is added to the brand rice table 14, and the display unit 8 shows FIG. The screen shown in b) and the brand are being added, and a caution is displayed not to turn off the power.
In this way, by inquiring about the addition of a new brand, adding a new brand when the user approves, and prohibiting the rice cooking operation, the new brand displayed on the display unit 8 and the brand on the rice table 14 can be combined. It is possible to prevent a discrepancy from occurring between them.

Embodiment 3.
In the first embodiment, the server 13 transmits the brand name data, the rice cooking pattern data corresponding to the brand, and the new brand communication data having the dot matrix display data to the smartphone 12, and the smartphone 12 transmits the new brand communication data selected by the user. Only new brand communication data is recreated and sent to rice cooker 1. In the third embodiment, the brand name data, the rice cooking pattern data corresponding to the brand, and the dot matrix display data are transferred from the server 13 to the rice cooker 1 for the purpose of reducing the amount of communication data communication from the server 13 to the smartphone 12. Changed to send new brand communication data with.

This flow will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the maker's server 13 transmits the brand name data of the brand rice to the smartphone 12 in response to the marketing of a new rice brand (S1a). In the smartphone 12, the rice cooker operation program is received, and the message "brand can be added" is displayed on the display unit 12d (S1b).

Here, when the user touches the "brand can be added" on the display unit 12d and responds, a signal is sent from the input means 12c (S2), and the rice cooker operation program is shown on the display unit 12d. The 16 new brand selection screens are displayed (S3).

In FIG. 16, six new brand names sent from the server 13 are lined up, and five of them can be selected by the user. Corresponding to this screen, the user selects "MHK rice" and "electric rice" (touch the circle in front of the display respectively) and presses OK, and the rice cooker operation program is selected. The two brand name data are sent to the server 13 (S6b).
The server 13 receives the sent brand name data (S6a), and based on this brand name data, new brand communication data (“MHK rice” and “electric rice” extracted from the communication data of FIG. 15). Is created (S4a) and sent to the rice cooker 1. (S5a).
By doing so, the amount of communication between the server 13 and the smartphone 12 can be reduced, and the communication charge of the smartphone 12 can be reduced.

Although the first to third embodiments have been described above, the addition of new brands is not limited to these, and it is naturally possible to change the table configuration, change the screen display, and the like. be.

1 rice cooker, 2 main body, 3 lid, 4 heating means, 5 inner pot, 6 control means, 7 input means, 7a rice key, 7b menu key, 7c voice key, 7d reservation key, 7e setting key, 7f off・ Heat retention key, 7g operation key, 7h rice cooking key, 8 display unit, 9 storage means, 10 communication means, 11 internet, 12 smartphone, 12a control means, 12b communication means, 12c input means, 12d display unit, 13 server, 14 Brand rice table, 14a brand name, 14b display data, 14c rice cooking pattern, 14d type, 15 rice cooking pattern table, 15a rice cooking pattern, 15b rice cooking process, 21 openings, 22 hollow parts

Claims (13)

A dot matrix format display unit, an operation means that can be operated by the user, a communication means that can communicate through the network, and a storage means that stores the rice brand name and the rice cooking process corresponding to the brand name. A rice cooker capable of cooking rice by designating the brand name of rice displayed on the display unit by the operating means, and the brand name related to the brand name whose communication means is not stored in the storage means. When the rice is received, the data is stored in the storage means, the brand name of the data is displayed on the display unit, and the rice can be cooked by designating the operation means. Rice cooker. A dot matrix format display unit, an operation means that can be operated by the user, a communication means that can communicate through a network, a brand rice table in which a rice brand name and a rice cooking pattern are related, and the rice cooking pattern. It is provided with a storage means for storing a rice cooking pattern table consisting of the requirements of a preheating step, a heating step, a boiling step, and an unevenness step corresponding to the above, and the brand name of rice displayed on the display unit is displayed by the operating means. If specified, a rice cooker capable of cooking rice in a rice cooking pattern corresponding to the specified brand name, and when the communication means receives brand data related to a brand name that is not on the brand rice table, A rice cooker characterized in that the brand name is added to the brand rice table in association with the rice cooking pattern. The rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the brand data includes data of a brand name of rice and data of a dot matrix corresponding to the brand name. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the communication unit receives data of a brand related to a brand name that is not stored in the storage means, the display unit displays an inquiry screen. A rice cooker system including a rice cooker, a mobile terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, and a server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal, wherein the server uses data of a plurality of rice brand names and the brand name. The corresponding dot matrix data is transmitted to the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal corresponds to at least one brand name of the plurality of rice brand name data and the dot matrix data corresponding to the brand name. The rice cooker system is characterized in that the data to be used is transmitted to the rice cooker, and the rice cooker stores the received data of the brand name and the dot matrix data corresponding to the brand name in a storage means. A rice cooker system including a rice cooker, a mobile terminal capable of communicating with the rice cooker, and a server capable of communicating with the mobile terminal, wherein the server transfers data of a plurality of rice brand names to the mobile terminal. At the same time, the brand name data based on the data of at least one brand name sent from the mobile terminal and the dot matrix data corresponding to the brand name are transmitted to the rice cooker, and the rice cooker receives the data. A rice cooker system characterized in that data of the brand name and data of a dot matrix corresponding to the brand name are stored in a storage means. The rice cooker system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the rice cooker has a dot matrix type display unit, and the brand name is displayed on the display unit. The data of the selected rice brand is transmitted in response to the first step of accepting the data of a plurality of rice brands, the second step of displaying the selection screen of the rice brand, and the selection screen. A method of operating a rice cooker, which comprises having a third step. The rice cooker operation method according to claim 8, wherein the rice brand data is the data of the rice brand name. The rice cooker operation method according to claim 8, wherein the rice brand data is data of the rice brand name and dot matrix data corresponding to the brand name. Corresponding to the first step of accepting data of a plurality of rice brands on the computer of the mobile terminal having a display unit, the second step of displaying the selection screen of the rice brand on the display unit, and the selection screen. A program for operating a rice cooker, which comprises executing a third step of transmitting data of the selected rice brand. The rice cooker operation program according to claim 11, wherein the rice brand data is the data of the rice brand name. The rice cooker operation program according to claim 11, wherein the rice brand data is data of the rice brand name and dot matrix data corresponding to the brand name.

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