JP2022025282A - Cooking equipment system and server - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cooking equipment system for enabling a user to more desirably receive lease use of cooking equipment, and a server.SOLUTION: A cooking equipment system 1 includes a gas cooking stove 10 and a server 50 communicable with the gas cooking stove 10 through an external communication network 40. The gas cooking stove 10 includes a use state monitoring part 111a for monitoring a use state of the gas cooking stove 10, and a use state transmission part 133a for transmitting use state information on the use state to the server. Also, the server 50 includes an accounting information generation part 501a for generating accounting information about a use charge of the gas cooking stove 10 on the basis of the use state information received from the use state transmission part 133a, a storage part 502 for storing a transmission destination address of the accounting information in association with the gas cooking stove 10, and an accounting information transmission part 501b for transmitting the accounting information to the transmission destination address through the external communication network 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a cooking utensil system including a cooking utensil such as a gas stove and a server, and a server capable of communicating with the cooking utensil via an external communication network.

Conventionally, cooking utensils such as gas stoves and electromagnetic cookers have been used in homes. Further, in recent years, a system has been developed in which information about cooking utensils is transmitted from a server to a user's terminal via an external communication network such as the Internet.

For example, in the information providing system described in Patent Document 1 below, an identification code indicating the address of the information management server is displayed on the display unit of the gas stove. The user terminal reads the identification code displayed on the display unit of the gas stove by a reading means and connects to the information management server. The information management server transmits information about the gas stove in response to the request of the user terminal to the user terminal. As a result, information such as an instruction manual for the gas stove and recipes for cooking using the gas stove is displayed on the user terminal.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-238689

In recent years, the kitchenware leasing business has been developed. In this leasing business, a method of paying a fixed monthly amount to the business owner is adopted. However, the usage of cookware can fluctuate from month to month. For this reason, the user feels unreasonable if he / she pays the same fixed amount as in other months in the month when the cooking utensils are used less. If this happens, the user may stop using the leasing of the cooking utensil, and it becomes difficult for the business owner to smoothly proceed with the development of the leasing business.

In view of such problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a kitchenware system and a server capable of more preferably performing the leased use of the cookware by the user.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a cookware system. The cookware system according to this aspect includes a cookware and a server capable of communicating with the cookware via an external communication network. Here, the cooking utensil includes a usage status monitoring unit that monitors the usage status of the cooking utensil, and a usage status transmission unit that transmits usage status information regarding the usage status to the server. Further, the server uses a billing information generation unit that generates billing information regarding the usage fee of the cooking utensil based on the usage status information received from the usage status transmission unit, and the cooking utensil with a transmission destination address of the billing information. It is provided with a storage unit for storing the billing information in association with the above, and a billing information transmission unit for transmitting the billing information to the destination address via the external communication network.

According to the cookware system according to this aspect, the usage fee is set based on the usage status of the cookware. As a result, when the use of cooking utensils is small during the unit setting period of the usage fee, the usage fee can be kept low. In addition, billing information is sent from the server to the destination address to notify the user. As a result, the user can grasp the billing status in advance and can use the cooking utensil with peace of mind. Therefore, the user can more preferably continue the leased use of the cooking utensil.

In the kitchenware system according to this embodiment, the usage status transmission unit transmits the usage status information to the server at least once in a predetermined period, and the billing information generation unit receives the usage status in the predetermined period. Based on the status information, it may be configured to generate the billing information for the predetermined period.

According to this configuration, since the usage status information is transmitted to the server at least once in the predetermined period, the server can grasp the usage status of the cooking utensil in the predetermined period, and the server can grasp the usage status of the cooking utensil based on the received usage status information. Billing information for a predetermined period can be smoothly generated.

In the cookware system according to this aspect, the cookware may be, for example, a gas stove. In this case, the usage information may include at least one of the gas burning amount, the gas burning time, and the power-on time of the gas stove.

When the cooking utensil is a gas stove, by setting the usage status information as described above, the usage status of the gas stove can be smoothly grasped on the server, and the billing information can be appropriately generated.

Alternatively, in the cookware system according to this aspect, the cookware may be an induction heating type stove. In this case, the usage information may include at least one of the electric energy and the usage time of the induction heating type stove.

In this way, when the cooking utensil is an induction heating type (IH) stove, by setting the usage status information as described above, the usage status of the induction heating type stove can be smoothly grasped on the server, and the billing information can be obtained. Can be properly generated.

Alternatively, in the cookware system according to this aspect, the cookware may be a range hood. In this case, the usage information may include at least one of the fan rotation time and the fan rotation speed of the range hood.

In this way, when the cooking utensil is a range hood, by setting the usage status information as described above, the server can smoothly grasp the usage status of the range hood and appropriately generate billing information. can.

In the kitchenware system according to this embodiment, the billing information generation unit increases the usage fee as the cumulative usage value of the cooking utensil based on the usage status information increases during the unit setting period of the usage fee. , May be configured to generate the billing information.

Further, the billing information generation unit uses the cooking utensil based on the usage status information in the unit setting period of the usage fee on condition that the total usage cumulative value from the start of use exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The charge may be configured to change the method of setting the usage charge so that the total usage charge is lower than when the total usage charge does not exceed the threshold value.

In this way, by adjusting the method of setting the usage fee according to the usage status of the cooking utensils, the user can continue to use the cooking utensils for leasing more favorably, and the business owner can continue to use the cooking utensils more smoothly. You can proceed with the leasing business.

In the cookware system according to this aspect, the cookware may include a short-range wireless communication unit. In this case, the usage status transmission unit may be configured to transmit the usage status information to the server via the short-range wireless communication unit.

According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress the power consumption when the cooking utensil transmits the usage status information. Therefore, for example, when the cooking utensil is configured to use a battery power source, the consumption of the battery power source can be suppressed, and the usage status information can be transmitted to the server more smoothly.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a server capable of communicating with a cookware via an external communication network. Here, the cooking utensil includes a usage status monitoring unit that monitors the usage status of the cooking utensil, and a usage status transmission unit that transmits usage status information regarding the usage status to the server. The server according to this aspect cooks the billing information generation unit that generates billing information regarding the usage fee of the cooking utensil based on the usage status information received from the usage status transmission unit, and the transmission destination address of the billing information. It includes a storage unit that stores the billing information in association with the device, and a billing information transmission unit that transmits the billing information to the destination address via the external communication network.

According to the server according to this aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained.

In the server according to this aspect, the usage status transmission unit transmits the usage status information to the server at least once in a predetermined period, and the billing information generation unit receives the usage status information in the predetermined period. Based on, it may be configured to generate the billing information for the predetermined period.

When the cooking utensil is a gas stove, the usage information may include at least one of the gas burning amount, the gas burning time, and the power-on time of the gas stove.

Alternatively, when the cooking utensil is an induction heating type (IH) stove, the usage information may include at least one of the electric energy and the usage time of the induction heating type stove.

Alternatively, when the cooking utensil is a range hood, the usage information may include at least one of the fan rotation time and the fan rotation speed of the range hood.

Further, in the server according to this aspect, the billing information generation unit increases the usage fee as the cumulative usage value of the cooking utensil based on the usage status information increases during the unit setting period of the usage fee. , May be configured to generate the billing information.

Further, the billing information generation unit uses the cooking utensil based on the usage status information in the unit setting period of the usage fee on condition that the total usage cumulative value from the start of use exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The amount may be configured to change the method of setting the usage fee so that the total usage cumulative value is lower than when the total usage value does not exceed the threshold value.

According to these configurations, the same effects as those of the corresponding configurations of the first aspect can be achieved.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cookware system and a server capable of more preferably performing the lease use of the cookware by the user.

The effects or significance of the present invention will be further clarified by the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples for implementing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to those described in the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cooking utensil system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a combustion system of a gas stove according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit block of each device constituting the cooking utensil system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a billing database according to the first embodiment. 5 (a) to 5 (c) are diagrams showing a method of setting a usage fee in a unit setting period according to the first embodiment, respectively. 5 (d) to 5 (f) are diagrams showing a method of setting a usage fee in a unit setting period when the total usage cumulative value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, respectively, according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing a process of generating and transmitting billing information performed by the control unit of the server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing the process for changing the method of setting the usage fee based on the total usage cumulative value according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cooking utensil system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a circuit block of each device constituting the cooking utensil system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a billing database according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cooking utensil system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a circuit block of each device constituting the cooking utensil system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a billing database according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cooking utensil system 1 according to the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, a business model in which the gas stove 10 is leased to the user as a cooking utensil is constructed in the cooking utensil system 1. The gas stove 10 transmits the usage status information regarding the usage status of the gas stove 10 to the server 50 via the external communication network 40. The server 50 calculates the usage fee of the gas stove 10 based on the received usage status information, and transmits the billing information including the calculated usage fee to the mobile terminal device 30 associated with the gas stove 10. The user can confirm the billing information of the gas stove 10 via the mobile terminal device 30. The usage fee is calculated, for example, by closing the month.

As shown in FIG. 1, the kitchenware system 1 includes a gas stove 10 and a server 50. When the mobile terminal device 30 is located in the home H10, the server 50 can communicate with the mobile terminal device 30 via the router 20 and the external communication network 40. Further, even when the mobile terminal device 30 is outside the home, the server 50 can be connected to the mobile terminal device 30 via the external communication network 40 and a public communication system (base station or private router) arranged outside the home. Communication is possible.

The gas stove 10 is provided with a stove portion 11 on the top surface. For example, three stove portions 11 are arranged on the top surface of the gas stove 10. The stove unit 11 includes a gas burner that burns gas as fuel, and a stove for installing a pot or the like. Further, the gas stove 10 is provided with a grill portion 12 in the center of the main body. Grill burners are provided on the upper and lower sides of the grill portion 12, and grill cooking is performed by burning the grill burners. The grill portion 12 can be opened and closed by the front door of the gas stove 10.

Three operation knobs 13a for the stove portion 11 and operation knobs 14a for the grill portion 12 are provided on the right side and the left side of the grill portion 12, respectively. The three operation knobs 13a on the right side are associated with the three stove portions 11 arranged on the top surface. The operation knobs 13a and 14a project from the front surface of the gas stove 10 by being pushed from the front surface of the gas stove 10, and are flush with the front surface of the gas stove 10 by being pushed again from this state. It is locked in a state.

When the operation knob 13a is pushed from a flush state with respect to the front surface of the gas stove 10 and protrudes, the corresponding stove portion 11 is ignited with a predetermined thermal power. After that, the thermal power of the stove portion 11 is adjusted by rotating the operation knob 13a. The stove portion 11 is digested by pushing the operation knob 13a from the protruding position. As for the operation knob 14a, the grill portion 12 is ignited, digested, and the thermal power is adjusted by the same operation.

A kangaroo pocket type operation panel 13b is arranged below the three operation knobs 13a. A plurality of operation keys for inputting predetermined settings regarding the stove unit 11 are arranged on the operation panel 13b. Further, a kangaroo pocket type operation panel 14b is also arranged below the operation knob 14a. A plurality of operation keys for inputting predetermined settings regarding the grill portion 12 are arranged on the operation panel 14b.

A power switch 15 is arranged above the three operation knobs 13a. The power switch 15 is a switch for turning on the power to the gas stove 10. The user can switch the power on and off of the gas stove 10 by operating the power switch 15.

The router 20 is a communication repeater for connecting each device existing in the building (here, the home H10) to the external communication network 40. When the mobile terminal device 30 exists in the home H10, the mobile terminal device 30 is connected to the router 20 by wireless communication and can communicate with the server 50. The mobile terminal device 30 is, for example, a mobile phone. In addition, the mobile terminal device 30 may be another portable terminal device such as a portable tablet terminal. The external communication network 40 is, for example, the Internet.

A server 50 for managing the gas stove 10 is connected to the external communication network 40. The gas stove 10 communicates with the server 50 via the router 20 and the external communication network 40.

The application program of the cooking utensil system 1 is downloaded from the server 50 and installed on the gas stove 10. This application program contains address information for accessing the server 50. The gas stove 10 accesses and communicates with the server 50 based on this address information.

The address information of the gas stove 10 is transmitted to the server 50 and registered in the server 50 at the time of initial setting. Further, the ID information (identification information) of the gas stove 10 is transmitted from the gas stove 10 to the server 50 and registered in the server 50.

Further, the address information of the mobile terminal device 30 is registered in the server 50 in association with the ID information of the gas stove 10. For example, the e-mail address information (Email address) that can be received by the mobile terminal device 30 is registered as the address information of the mobile terminal device 30. As will be described later, the server 50 uses this address information as a transmission destination address to transmit billing information for the gas stove 10 associated with the mobile terminal device 30.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the combustion system of the gas stove 10.

The gas stove 10 includes gas burners 101 to 103 and grill burners 104 and 105 as a combustion system configuration.

The gas burners 101 to 103 are installed in the above-mentioned three stove portions 11, respectively. The grill burners 104 and 105 are installed on the grill portion 12. The grill burner 104 is the lower burner and the grill burner 105 is the upper burner.

The igniters 111 to 113 for igniting the gas burners 101 to 103 and the igniters 114 and 115 for igniting the grill burners 104 and 105 are provided. Further, thermocouples 121 to 123 for detecting that the gas burners 101 to 103 have ignited, and thermocouples 124 and 125 for detecting that the grill burners 104 and 105 have ignited are provided.

Fuel gas (hereinafter, simply referred to as “gas”) is supplied to the gas burners 101 to 103 and the grill burners 104 and 105 via pipes 130 to 134. Four pipes 131 to 134 are branched from the pipe 130, and two pipes 134a and 134b are further branched from the pipe 134. The pipes 131 to 133 are connected to the gas burners 101 to 103, respectively, and the pipes 134a and 134b are connected to the grill burners 104 and 105, respectively.

The pipe 130 is provided with a source gas solenoid valve 140 for controlling conduction and cutoff of gas. Further, the pipes 131 to 134 are provided with safety valves 141 to 144 for controlling the continuity and cutoff of the gas, respectively. Further, each of the pipes 131 to 134 is provided with a flow rate control valve (hereinafter referred to as “flow control valve”) 151 to 154 for controlling the flow rate of the gas. The flow control valves 151 to 154 are driven by stepping motors 151a to 154a, and the opening amount is controlled. In addition, the pipe 134b is provided with a closing solenoid valve 161 for shutting off the flow of gas.

By opening the original gas solenoid valve 140, the safety valves 141 to 144, and the closing solenoid valve 161, gas is supplied to the gas burners 101 to 103 and the grill burners 104 and 105. By adjusting the opening amount of the flow control valves 151 to 154 by the stepping motors 151a to 154a, the amount of gas supplied to the gas burners 101 to 103 and the grill burners 104 and 105 is adjusted. When only the lower grill burner 104 is used in the grill portion 12, the closing solenoid valve 161 is closed. In this way, the combustion operation is performed in the stove portion 11 and the grill portion 12.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing circuit blocks of each device constituting the cookware system 1.

The gas stove 10 includes a control unit 171, a storage unit 172, an operation unit 173, a drive unit 174, a detection unit 175, and a wireless communication unit 176. The control unit 171 includes a microcomputer and controls each unit in the gas stove 10 according to a program stored in the storage unit 172. The storage unit 172 includes a memory and stores a predetermined control program.

The operation unit 173 includes the operation knobs 13a and 14a shown in FIG. 1 and the operation keys arranged on the operation panels 13b and 14b. The drive unit 174 is a drive source (stepping motors 151a to 154a, etc.) for driving the drive system of the gas stove, such as the igniters 111 to 115 shown in FIG. 2, the original gas solenoid valve 140, and the flow control valves 151 to 154. And a drive circuit. The detection unit 175 includes various sensors such as thermocouples 121 to 125 shown in FIG.

The wireless communication unit 176 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with the router 20. The ID information (for example, MAC address) of the wireless communication unit 176 is registered in the server 50 as the ID information of the gas stove 10.

In the present embodiment, the function of the usage status monitoring unit 171a and the function of the usage status transmission unit 171b are given to the control unit 171 by the control program (application program of the cooking utensil system) stored in the storage unit 172.

The usage status monitoring unit 171a monitors the usage status of the gas stove 10 and generates usage status information regarding the usage status. The usage status transmission unit 171b transmits the usage status information regarding the usage status of the gas stove 10 generated by the usage status monitoring unit 171a to the server 50.

The usage status monitoring unit 171a uses a predetermined calculation formula based on the gas flow rate defined by the opening / closing amount of the flow control valves 151 to 154 during the period when combustion is detected by the thermocouples 121 to 125 in FIG. 2, for example. , The gas combustion amount of the gas stove 10 is calculated. Alternatively, the usage status monitoring unit 171a detects the period during which combustion is detected by the thermocouples 121 to 125 in FIG. 2 as the gas combustion time of the gas stove 10. Alternatively, the usage status monitoring unit 171a detects the period during which the power switch 15 in FIG. 1 is in the ON state as the power ON time of the gas stove 10. The usage status monitoring unit 171a acquires these detection results as usage status information indicating the usage status of the gas stove 10.

The usage status transmission unit 171b transmits the usage status information generated by the usage status monitoring unit 171a to the server 50 together with its own ID information at a predetermined timing. The usage status transmission unit 171b transmits the usage status information to the server 50 via the wireless communication unit 176 at least once in the unit setting period (for example, one month) for calculating the usage charge of the gas stove 10. ..

For example, when the usage status information is transmitted only once in the unit setting period, the usage status transmission unit 171b uses the usage status information generated by the usage status monitoring unit 171a for the unit setting period (for example, the above-mentioned gas combustion amount and gas). Either the burning time or the power-on time) is accumulated, and the accumulated result is transmitted to the server 50. Alternatively, when the usage status information is transmitted multiple times during the unit setting period, the usage status transmission unit 171b uses the usage status information (for example, the usage status information generated by the usage status monitoring unit 171a between the previous transmission time and the current transmission time). , Any of the above-mentioned gas combustion amount, gas combustion time, and power-on time) is accumulated, and the accumulated result is transmitted to the server 50 at each transmission. In addition, the usage status transmission unit 171b may transmit the generated usage status information to the server 50 each time the usage status monitoring unit 171a generates usage status information according to the use of the gas stove 10.

The server 50 includes a control unit 501, a storage unit 502, and a communication unit 503. The control unit 501 includes a CPU and performs predetermined control according to a program stored in the storage unit 502. The storage unit 502 includes a memory and a hard disk, and stores a predetermined control program and database. The communication unit 503 performs predetermined control according to the control from the control unit 501.

In the present embodiment, the control program stored in the storage unit 502 imparts the function of the charge information generation unit 501a and the function of the charge information transmission unit 501b to the control unit 501.

The billing information generation unit 501a calculates the usage charge of the gas stove 10 in the unit setting period based on the usage status information received from the usage status transmission unit 171b of the gas stove 10, and generates billing information including the calculated usage charge. The charge information transmission unit 501b transmits the charge information generated by the charge information generation unit 501a to the mobile terminal device 30 associated with the gas stove 10.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a billing database held in the storage unit 502 of the server 50.

In FIG. 4, the “gas stove ID” means the ID information of the gas stove 10 (ID information of the wireless communication unit 176). The “cumulative value for period use” means the cumulative value for use of the gas stove 10 in the unit setting period currently in progress. The "total usage cumulative value" means the usage cumulative value of the gas stove 10 from the start of use of the gas stove 10 (at the start of leasing) to the present. "Usage fee" means a usage fee calculated based on the cumulative usage value for a period. The "destination address" means the destination address of the billing information. In the present embodiment, the address information (Email address) of the e-mail that can be received by the mobile terminal device 30 is set as the destination address.

The "period usage cumulative value" is a value obtained by accumulating the usage status information received from the gas stove 10 in the unit setting period currently in progress. For example, when the gas combustion amount of the gas stove 10 is used for calculating the usage fee, the cumulative usage value for the period is calculated by accumulating the gas combustion amount received as the usage status information from the gas stove 10 in the unit setting period currently in progress. It is calculated. When the gas burning time or power-on time of the gas stove 10 is used for calculating the usage fee, the gas burning time or power-on time received as usage status information from the gas stove 10 is accumulated in the unit setting period currently in progress. As a result, the cumulative value for period use is calculated.

When the usage status information is transmitted only once from the gas stove 10 in the unit setting period, that is, at the end of the unit setting period, the cumulative value of the usage status information in the unit setting period is transmitted from the gas stove 10 to the server 50. If so, this cumulative value is retained as it is in the period use cumulative value of FIG.

The "total usage cumulative value" is obtained by accumulating the usage cumulative value of the gas stove 10 from the start of use of the gas stove 10 (at the start of leasing) to the present. More specifically, each time the control unit 501 of FIG. 2 updates the period usage cumulative value of FIG. 4, the difference value of the period usage cumulative values before and after the update is added to the total usage cumulative value before the update, and the total is totaled. Update the cumulative usage value.

The "usage fee" is calculated by applying a predetermined rule to the cumulative usage period. The usage fee is obtained by the billing information generation unit 501a of FIG. The billing information generation unit 501a sets the usage fee so that the usage fee increases as the cumulative usage value of the gas stove 10 based on the usage status information increases in the unit setting period.

5 (a) to 5 (c) are diagrams showing a method of setting a usage fee in a unit setting period, respectively.

In the setting method of FIG. 5A, the usage fee linearly increases as the cumulative usage period increases. In this setting method, when the cumulative value for period use is zero (or less than or equal to the threshold value of an error), the usage charge for the gas stove 10 is set to zero.

In the setting method of FIG. 5B, the usage fee linearly increases from the initial amount M1 as the cumulative usage period increases. In this setting method, when the cumulative usage value for a period is zero (or less than or equal to the threshold value of an error), the usage charge of the gas stove 10 is set to the initial amount M1, but the initial amount M1 is an average among all users. It is set to a much lower price (for example, about 1/10) than the usage fee required when the usage frequency is high.

In the setting method of FIG. 5C, the usage fee increases stepwise from the initial amount M2 as the cumulative usage period increases. In this setting method, when the cumulative value for period use is zero (or less than or equal to the threshold value of an error), the usage charge for the gas stove 10 is set to the initial amount M2. In this case as well, the initial amount M2 is set to a much lower amount than the usage fee required in the case of the average usage frequency among all users.

The usage fee setting method is not limited to the setting methods shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C. For example, in the setting methods shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the usage charge linearly increases as the cumulative period usage increases, but for example, the usage charge increases as the cumulative usage period increases. The usage fee may be set so that the rate of increase gradually decreases. Further, in the setting method of FIG. 5C, the width and height of each step are constant, but the width and height of each step may be set to change according to a predetermined rule. For example, each step may be set so that the width of the step increases as the cumulative usage value increases.

In the present embodiment, on condition that the total usage cumulative value in FIG. 4 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the usage charge in the unit setting period is set to be lower than that in the case where the total usage cumulative value does not exceed the threshold value. , The setting method of the usage fee is changed.

5 (d) to 5 (f) are diagrams showing a method of setting a usage fee in a unit setting period when the total usage cumulative value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, respectively.

Here, when the total usage cumulative value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the usage charge setting methods of FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (c) are the usage charges of FIGS. 5 (d) to 5 (f), respectively. It is changed to the setting method of. As shown in FIGS. 5 (d) to 5 (f), the method of setting the usage charge after the change has a smaller rate of increase in the usage charge with respect to the cumulative value of the period usage than the method of setting the usage charge before the change. It has become. As a result, the usage fee for the same period usage cumulative value is reduced on condition that the total usage cumulative value exceeds the threshold value.

The method of reducing the usage fee is not limited to this, and may be another method. For example, in the setting methods of FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c), the initial amounts M1 and M2 may be further reduced on condition that the total usage cumulative value exceeds the threshold value, or the period usage cumulative value may be further reduced. The rate of increase in the usage fee for the above may be maintained as the setting method of FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c), and only the initial amounts M1 and M2 may be deducted from the setting method of FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c). .. Further, in the setting method of FIG. 5A, the increase rate of the usage fee is increased from the increase rate of FIG. 5A as the cumulative usage value increases, provided that the cumulative usage value exceeds the threshold value. The usage fee may be set so as to gradually decrease.

In the billing database of FIG. 4, the usage fee set for the period usage cumulative value based on such a setting method is held in the "usage fee" column. In the billing database, the period usage cumulative value, the total usage cumulative value, the usage fee, and the destination address of the gas stove 10 specified by the gas stove ID are stored in association with each gas stove ID.

FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing a process of generating and transmitting billing information performed by the control unit 501 of the server 50.

When the control unit 501 receives the usage status information from the gas stove 10 (S101: YES), the control unit 501 identifies the gas stove ID on the billing database of FIG. 4 based on the ID information received together with the usage status information. Then, the control unit 501 updates the period usage cumulative value and the total usage cumulative value associated with the specified gas stove ID based on the usage status information received in step S101 (S102). After that, the control unit 501 determines whether or not the unit setting period for billing (for example, one month) has elapsed, that is, whether or not the unit setting period has expired (S103).

If the unit setting period has not elapsed (S103: NO), the control unit 501 returns the process to step S101 and repeats the same process. As a result, each time the control unit 501 receives the usage status information from the gas stove 10 (S101: YES), the control unit 501 calculates the period usage cumulative value and the total usage cumulative value associated with the ID information of the gas stove on the billing database. Update.

When the unit setting period elapses (S103: YES), the control unit 501 generates billing information in the unit setting period by the function of the billing information generation unit 501a of FIG. 2 (S104). Specifically, the control unit 501 applies the cumulative period usage value on the billing database to the setting method illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5F, and sets the usage fee for the unit setting period. do.

For example, when the setting method of FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B is used, the control unit 501 applies the period use cumulative value to the calculation formula that defines this setting method and uses it for the unit setting period. Calculate the charge. Further, when the setting method of FIG. 5C is used, the control unit 501 extracts and uses the extracted usage fee associated with the cumulative usage period value, for example, in a table that defines this setting method. The fee is acquired as the usage fee for the unit setting period.

The control unit 501 registers the usage fee thus acquired in the billing database in association with the ID information of the corresponding gas stove 10. Then, the control unit 501 uses the registered usage fee, the cumulative period usage associated with the ID information in the billing database, and the information indicating the unit setting period of the billing target to charge the billing information for the unit setting period. Generate.

After that, the control unit 501 transmits the generated charge information to the mobile terminal device 30 associated with the gas stove 10 by the function of the charge information transmission unit 501b (S105). Specifically, the control unit 501 transmits the billing information to the destination address (here, the Email address) associated with the ID information of the gas stove 10 in the billing database. As a result, the control unit 501 ends the process in FIG. 6A.

The user of the gas stove 10 can refer to the billing information transmitted in step S105 of FIG. 6A in his / her mobile terminal device 30. As a result, the user can smoothly grasp the usage status of his / her own gas stove 10 during the unit setting period and the usage fee due to this.

FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing a process for changing the method of setting the usage fee based on the total usage cumulative value. This process is performed by the control unit 501 of the server 50 by the function of the billing information generation unit 501a.

When the control unit 501 of the server 50 updates the total usage cumulative value on the billing database based on the usage status information received from the gas stove 10 (S111: YES), the updated total usage cumulative value Vt is predetermined. It is determined whether or not the threshold value Vth of is exceeded (S111). Here, the threshold value Vth is set to a value at which the total usage cumulative value Vt is reached by continuous use for a predetermined period (for example, one year to several years) when the gas stove 10 is used under an average usage condition. Set.

When the total usage cumulative value Vt does not exceed the threshold value Vth (S112: NO), the control unit 501 returns the process to step S111. On the other hand, when the total usage cumulative value Vt exceeds the threshold value Vth (S112: YES), the control unit 501 changes the usage charge setting method to a setting method in which the usage charge is further reduced (S113). The setting method is changed, for example, by the methods illustrated in FIGS. 5 (d) to 5 (f). As a result, the control unit 501 ends the process of FIG. 6B.

When the usage charge setting method is changed in this way, the control unit 501 (billing information generation unit 501a) generates the billing information in step S104 of FIG. 6A based on the changed setting method. For example, when the total usage cumulative value Vt exceeds the threshold value Vth in the middle of the unit setting period, the control unit 501 sets the usage charge in the unit setting period by the changed setting method. Alternatively, when the total usage cumulative value Vt exceeds the threshold value Vth in the middle of the unit setting period, the control unit 501 sets the usage charge in the unit setting period by the setting method before the change, and from the next unit setting period, The usage fee may be set according to the changed setting method.

By reducing the usage fee in this way, the user can continue to use the gas stove 10 with peace of mind and more preferably for a long period of time.

The change in the usage fee setting method does not necessarily have to be limited to once. For example, the usage charge setting method may be changed to a setting method in which a plurality of threshold values Vth having different values are set and the usage charge is further reduced each time the total usage cumulative value Vt exceeds each threshold value. As described above, when the usage fee is reduced over a plurality of times, the user can more preferably continue to use the gas stove 10.

<Effect of Embodiment 1>
According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the usage fee is set based on the usage status of the gas stove 10. As a result, when the gas stove 10 is used less during the unit setting period of the usage fee, the usage fee can be kept low. Further, the billing information is transmitted from the server 50 to the destination address and notified to the user. As a result, the user can grasp the billing status in advance before paying the usage fee, and can use the gas stove 10 with peace of mind. Therefore, the user can more preferably continue to use the gas stove 10 for leasing.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the usage status transmission unit 171b transmits the usage status information to the server 50 at least once in a predetermined period (unit setting period), and the billing information generation unit 501a receives the usage status information in the predetermined period. Billing information for the specified period is generated based on the usage status information. According to this result, since the usage status information is transmitted to the server 50 at least once in the predetermined period, the server 50 can grasp the usage status of the gas stove 10 in the predetermined period and is based on the received usage status information. , Billing information for the predetermined period can be smoothly generated.

Here, the usage status information includes at least one of the gas combustion amount, the gas combustion time, and the telescopic on-time of the gas stove 10. By setting the usage status information in this way, the usage status of the gas stove 10 can be smoothly grasped on the server 50, and the billing information can be appropriately generated.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (f) and FIG. 6 (b), the billing information generation unit 501a has a total usage cumulative value Vt from the start of use of the gas stove 10 based on the usage status information. Change the usage charge setting method so that the usage charge in the unit setting period is lower than the case where the total usage cumulative value Vt does not exceed the threshold value Vth, on condition that the value exceeds the predetermined threshold value Vth. .. In this way, by adjusting the method of setting the usage fee according to the usage status of the gas stove 10, the user can continue to use the gas stove 10 for leasing more favorably, and the business owner can smoothly continue to use the gas stove 10. You can proceed with the leasing business.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the gas stove 10 is the cooking utensil to be leased, but in the second embodiment, the induction heating type stove (pot, yakan, etc.) that generates heat in the metal cooking utensil (pot, yakan, etc.) by the current flowing through the coil ( Hereinafter, "IH stove") is regarded as a cooking utensil subject to leasing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cooking utensil system 1 when the IH stove 60 is a lease target.

The induction heating type heater 61 is arranged on the top surface of the IH stove 60. For example, three heaters 61 are arranged on the top surface of the IH stove 60. An operation panel (not shown) for inputting operations is arranged on the top surface. Further, a grill portion 62 is arranged on the left side of the main body of the IH stove 60. Heaters composed of heating wires are arranged above and below the grill portion 62. The grill portion 62 can be opened and closed by a door arranged on the front surface of the IH stove 60.

Also in the second embodiment, the IH stove 60 can communicate with the server 50 via the router 20. The usage status information regarding the usage status of the IH stove 60 is transmitted from the IH stove 60 to the server 50. The server 50 generates billing information for the IH stove 60 based on the received usage status information, and transmits the generated billing information to the mobile terminal device 30.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a circuit block of each device constituting the cooking utensil system 1 according to the second embodiment.

The IH stove 60 includes a control unit 601, a storage unit 602, an operation unit 603, a drive unit 604, a detection unit 605, and a wireless communication unit 606. The control unit 501 includes a microcomputer and controls each unit in the IH stove 60 according to a program stored in the storage unit 602. The storage unit 602 includes a memory and stores a predetermined control program.

The operation unit 603 includes an operation panel arranged on the top surface of the IH stove 60. The drive unit 604 includes the heater 61 shown in FIG. 7 and the heater arranged on the grill unit 62. The detection unit 605 includes various sensors arranged on the IH stove 60.

The wireless communication unit 606 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with the router 20. The ID information (for example, MAC address) of the wireless communication unit 606 is registered in the server 50 as the ID information of the IH stove 60.

In the second embodiment, the function of the usage status monitoring unit 601a and the function of the usage status transmission unit 601b are given to the control unit 601 by the control program (application program of the cooking utensil system) stored in the storage unit 602. ..

The usage status monitoring unit 601a monitors the usage status of the IH stove 60 and generates usage status information regarding the usage status. The usage status monitoring unit 601a detects, for example, the amount of power consumed by driving the three heaters 61 and the drive units 604 such as the heaters above and below the grill unit 62 when the IH stove 60 is used. Alternatively, the usage status monitoring unit 601a detects the usage time of the heaters above and below the three heaters 61 and the grill unit 62 used in cooking. The usage status monitoring unit 601a acquires these detection results as usage status information indicating the usage status of the IH stove 60.

The usage status transmission unit 601b transmits the usage status information generated by the usage status monitoring unit 601a to the server 50 together with its own ID information at a predetermined timing. Similar to the first embodiment, the usage status transmission unit 601b sends the usage status information to the wireless communication unit 606 at least once in the unit setting period (for example, one month) for calculating the usage charge of the IH stove 60. It is transmitted to the server 50 via.

For example, when the usage status information is transmitted only once in the unit setting period, the usage status transmission unit 601b uses the usage status information (for example, the above-mentioned power consumption and usage) generated by the usage status monitoring unit 601a for the unit setting period. Any one of the times) is accumulated, and the accumulated result is transmitted to the server 50. Alternatively, when the usage status information is transmitted multiple times during the unit setting period, the usage status transmission unit 601b uses the usage status information (for example, the usage status information generated by the usage status monitoring unit 601a between the previous transmission time and the current transmission time). , Any of the above-mentioned electric energy and usage time) is accumulated, and the accumulated result is transmitted to the server 50 at each transmission. In addition, the usage status transmission unit 601b may transmit the generated usage status information to the server 50 each time the usage status monitoring unit 601a generates usage status information according to the use of the IH stove 60.

Also in the second embodiment, the control unit 501 of the server 50 constructs the same billing database as in FIG. 4 in the storage unit 502 based on the usage status information received from the IH stove 60. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the billing database registers the ID information of the IH stove 60 (ID information of the wireless communication unit 606) as the "IH stove ID", and associates this ID information with each IH stove. Holds 60 "cumulative period usage", "cumulative total usage", "usage charge" and "destination address". As the "period usage cumulative value" and the "total usage cumulative value", for example, the above-mentioned cumulative value of the amount of power used or the usage time is used. The "usage fee" is set, for example, by the same setting method as that shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (f), using the "cumulative value of period use" of the unit setting period.

Further, the control unit 501 executes the processes of FIGS. 6A and 6B to generate billing information including the usage fee, and the generated billing information is sent to the destination address registered in the billing database. Send. Similar to the first embodiment, the destination address is, for example, e-mail address information (Email address) that can be received by the mobile terminal device 30.

In the second embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, the usage fee is set based on the usage status of the IH stove 60. Therefore, if the usage of the IH stove 60 is small during the unit setting period of the usage fee, it is used. Charges are kept low. Further, since the billing information is transmitted from the server 50 to the destination address and notified to the user, the user can grasp the billing status in advance and can use the IH stove 60 with confidence. .. Therefore, the user can more preferably continue to use the IH stove 60 for leasing.

In addition, the usage status information includes at least one of the power consumption amount and the usage time of the IH stove 60. When the cooking utensil is the IH stove 60 as in the second embodiment, by setting the usage status information in this way, the usage status of the IH stove 60 can be smoothly grasped on the server 50, and the billing information is appropriate. Can be generated in.

<Embodiment 3>
In the third embodiment, the range hood that draws out the smoke generated from the stove during cooking to the outside is the cooking utensil to be leased.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cooking utensil system 1 when the range hood 70 is a lease target.

The range hood 70 has a shape in which the lower portion is wider in the front-rear direction than the upper portion, and has an intake port on the lower surface. An operation panel 71 for setting the operating state of the range hood 70 is arranged on the lower front surface of the range hood 70. Further, inside the range hood 70, a fan 72 for generating an air flow to the outside from the intake port is arranged. The range hood 70 is installed above the gas stove 10 shown in FIG. 1, for example.

Also in the third embodiment, the range hood 70 can communicate with the server 50 via the router 20. The usage status information regarding the usage status of the range hood 70 is transmitted from the range hood 70 to the server 50. The server 50 generates billing information for the range hood 70 based on the received usage status information, and transmits the generated billing information to the mobile terminal device 30.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a circuit block of each device constituting the cooking utensil system 1 according to the third embodiment.

The range hood 70 includes a control unit 701, a storage unit 702, an operation unit 703, a drive unit 704, a detection unit 705, and a wireless communication unit 706. The control unit 701 includes a microcomputer and controls each unit in the range hood 70 according to a program stored in the storage unit 702. The storage unit 702 includes a memory and stores a predetermined control program.

The operation unit 703 includes an operation panel 71 arranged on the lower front surface of the range hood 70. The drive unit 704 includes a fan 72 shown in FIG. 7. The detection unit 705 includes various sensors arranged in the range hood 70.

The wireless communication unit 706 is a wireless communication module capable of wireless communication with the router 20. The ID information (for example, MAC address) of the wireless communication unit 706 is registered in the server 50 as the ID information of the range hood 70.

In the second embodiment, the function of the usage status monitoring unit 701a and the function of the usage status transmission unit 701b are given to the control unit 701 by the control program (application program of the cooking utensil system) stored in the storage unit 702. ..

The usage status monitoring unit 701a monitors the usage status of the range hood 70 and generates usage status information regarding the usage status. The usage status monitoring unit 701a detects, for example, the time from the start of driving of the fan 72 to the end of driving (fan rotation time) when the range hood 70 is used. Alternatively, the usage status monitoring unit 701a detects the total rotation speed (fan rotation speed) of the fan 72 when the range hood 70 is used. The fan rotation speed is calculated, for example, by multiplying the rotation speed of the fan 72 per unit time corresponding to the fan strength set by operating the operation panel 71 by the driving time of the fan 72. The usage status monitoring unit 701a acquires these detection results as usage status information indicating the usage status of the range hood 70.

The usage status transmission unit 701b transmits the usage status information generated by the usage status monitoring unit 701a to the server 50 together with its own ID information at a predetermined timing. Similar to the first embodiment, the usage status transmission unit 701b sends the usage status information to the wireless communication unit 706 at least once in the unit setting period (for example, one month) for calculating the usage charge of the range hood 70. It is transmitted to the server 50 via.

For example, when the usage status information is transmitted only once in the unit setting period, the usage status transmission unit 701b uses the usage status information generated by the usage status monitoring unit 701a for the unit setting period (for example, the fan rotation speed and the fan described above). (Any of the rotation speeds) is accumulated, and the accumulated result is transmitted to the server 50. Alternatively, when the usage status information is transmitted multiple times during the unit setting period, the usage status transmission unit 701b uses the usage status information (for example, the usage status information generated by the usage status monitoring unit 701a between the previous transmission time and the current transmission time). , Any of the above-mentioned fan rotation time and fan rotation speed) is accumulated, and the accumulated result is transmitted to the server 50 at each transmission. In addition, the usage status transmission unit 701b may transmit the generated usage status information to the server 50 each time the usage status monitoring unit 701a generates usage status information according to the use of the range hood 70.

Also in the second embodiment, the control unit 501 of the server 50 constructs a billing database similar to that in FIG. 4 in the storage unit 502 based on the usage status information received from the range hood 70. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the billing database registers the ID information of the range hood 70 (ID information of the wireless communication unit 706) as the "range hood ID", and associates this ID information with each range hood. Holds 70 "cumulative period usage", "cumulative total usage", "usage charge" and "destination address". As the "periodic usage cumulative value" and the "total usage cumulative value", for example, the above-mentioned cumulative fan rotation time or fan rotation speed is used. The "usage fee" is set, for example, by the same setting method as that shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (f), using the "cumulative value of period use" of the unit setting period.

Further, the control unit 501 executes the processes of FIGS. 6A and 6B to generate billing information including the usage fee, and the generated billing information is sent to the destination address registered in the billing database. Send. Similar to the first embodiment, the destination address is, for example, e-mail address information (Email address) that can be received by the mobile terminal device 30.

In the third embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment, the usage fee is set based on the usage status of the range hood 70. Therefore, if the range hood 70 is used less during the unit setting period of the usage fee, it is used. Charges are kept low. Further, since the billing information is transmitted from the server 50 to the destination address and notified to the user, the user can grasp the billing status in advance and can use the range hood 70 with confidence. .. Therefore, the user can more preferably continue to use the range hood 70 for leasing.

Further, the usage status information includes at least one of the fan rotation time and the fan rotation speed of the range hood 70. When the cooking utensil is a range hood 70 as in the third embodiment, by setting the usage status information in this way, the usage status of the range hood 70 can be smoothly grasped on the server 50, and the billing information is appropriate. Can be generated in.

<Change example>
In the above embodiment, the destination of the billing information is the mobile terminal device 30, but the destination of the billing information is not limited to this. For example, a fixed terminal device such as a stationary personal computer arranged in the home H10 may be a destination for transmitting billing information. In this case, the billing information may be set to, for example, an e-mail address that can be received by the fixed terminal device.

Further, the transmission of the billing information does not necessarily have to be performed by e-mail, and may be performed by another method. For example, the billing information may be notified by the push notification to the mobile terminal device 30. In this case, the destination address registered in the billing database is changed to the address information for performing push notification to the mobile terminal device 30.

Further, the billing information may be transmitted from the server 50 to the gas stove 10, the IH stove 60, and the range hood 70 and displayed on these cooking utensils. In this case, the router 20 relays the communication between the server 50 and the wireless communication unit of these cooking utensils, so that the charging information is transmitted from the server 50 to these cooking utensils.

Further, in the flowchart of FIG. 6A, the billing information is transmitted to the destination address at the end of the unit setting period, but at a predetermined time within the unit setting period such as an intermediate point of the unit setting period, that time point. Billing information including the usage charges up to may be sent to the destination address. As a result, the user can grasp the usage fee and the usage status of each cooking utensil in the middle of the unit setting period, and can predict the usage fee in the unit setting period. In addition, the user can appropriately correct the frequency of use of the cooking utensils after that by grasping the usage fee and the usage status of each cooking utensil during the unit setting period.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, for example, one month is exemplified as the unit setting period for billing, but the unit setting period is not limited to this. For example, the unit setting period may be set to another period such as 2 months or 3 months.

Further, the usage status information indicating the usage status of the cooking utensil includes the gas combustion amount, the gas combustion time and the power-on time of the gas stove 10 exemplified in the first embodiment, and the power consumption of the IH stove exemplified in the second embodiment. And the usage time, or other information as long as the usage fee can be set based on the usage status of the cooking utensil, not limited to the fan rotation time and the fan rotation speed of the range hood 70 exemplified in the above embodiment 3. It may be. For example, in the first embodiment, the time during which at least one of the three operation knobs 13a and the operation knob 14a is in the protruding state may be used as usage status information. Further, in the second embodiment, when the operation panel includes a key for switching the power of the IH stove 60 on / off, the power-on time of the IH stove 60 may be used as usage status information. Similarly, in the third embodiment, the power-on time of the range hood 70 may be used as usage status information.

Further, in the first embodiment, any one of the plurality of parameters (in the above, the gas combustion amount, the gas combustion time and the power-on time) exemplified as the usage status information is used for setting the usage fee. By combining two or more of the parameters of the above according to a predetermined rule (for example, a calculation formula), a period usage cumulative value for setting a usage fee may be acquired. This point is the same in the second and third embodiments.

Further, in the first embodiment, the usage status monitoring unit 171a and the usage status transmission unit 171b are provided on the gas stove 10, but the arrangement of the usage status monitoring unit 171a and the usage status transmission unit 171b is not limited to this. For example, when a control device for the gas stove 10 is interposed between the gas stove 10 and the router 20, a usage status transmission unit 171b may be provided in this control device, and further, a usage status monitoring unit 171a may be provided in this control device. It may be provided. This point is the same in the second and third embodiments.

When the usage status monitoring unit is arranged in the control device in this way, information for monitoring the usage status of the control device (for example, the detection results of the thermocouples 121 to 125 in FIG. 2 and the flow control valve). (Opening / closing amount of 151 to 154, etc.) is transmitted at any time. The usage monitoring unit monitors the usage status of cooking utensils based on the received information.

Further, the configuration of the cooking utensil is not limited to the configuration shown in the above-described first to third embodiments, and may be another configuration. For example, a short-range wireless communication unit such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be arranged on the gas stove 10, and usage status information may be transmitted from the gas stove 10 to the server 50 via the short-range wireless communication unit. In this case, for example, the usage status information is transmitted from the gas stove 10 to the mobile terminal device 30 at the timing when the mobile terminal device 30 capable of short-range wireless communication with the gas stove 10 approaches the gas stove 10, and then from the mobile terminal device 30. Usage information is transmitted to the server 50 via the router 20.

In this modification, the application program of the cooking utensil system 1 is downloaded from the server 50 to the portable terminal device 30 in advance. This application program contains address information for accessing the server 50. Further, the server 50 holds the ID information of the mobile terminal device 30 and the address information for accessing the mobile terminal device 30 in association with each gas stove 10. When the mobile terminal device 30 and the gas stove 10 are connected by short-range wireless communication, the mobile terminal device 30 acquires usage status information from the gas stove 10 by the above application program and transmits the acquired usage status information to the server 50. do. As a result, the same processing as that of the above embodiment is performed on the server 50. This configuration can be appropriately applied to cooking utensils other than the gas stove 10.

As described above, when the short-range wireless communication is used for the transmission of the usage status information, the power consumption when the cooking utensil transmits the usage status information can be suppressed. Therefore, for example, when the cooking utensil is configured to use a battery power source, the consumption of the battery power source can be suppressed, and the usage status information can be transmitted to the server more smoothly. When the battery is used as a power source, the cookware holds the untransmitted usage status information in the non-volatile memory, and when the battery is replaced, the untransmitted usage status information is transmitted via short-range wireless communication. Then, it may be transmitted to the server 50.

Further, the cooking utensils constituting the cooking utensil system 1 are not limited to the cooking utensils shown in the above-described first to third embodiments, and may be other cooking utensils. For example, the cooking utensil constituting the cooking utensil system 1 may be a microwave oven or an oven range, or may be a gas range having no stove function.

Further, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the usage status monitoring unit, the usage status transmission unit, the billing information generation unit, and the billing information transmission unit are realized by the software function by the control program, but these use a logic circuit. It may be realized by the existing hardware.

Further, the process of FIG. 6B may be omitted, and the usage charge setting method may be fixed to one type.

In addition, various modifications of the embodiment of the present invention can be made as appropriate within the scope of the claims.

1 Cookware system 10 Gas stove 40 External communication network 50 Server 60 IH stove 70 Range hood 171a, 601a, 701a Usage monitoring unit 171b, 601b, 701b Usage transmission unit 501a Charge information generation unit 501b Charge information transmission unit

Claims (15)

With cooking utensils
A server capable of communicating with the cooking utensil via an external communication network is provided.
The cooking utensil is
The usage monitoring unit that monitors the usage status of the cooking utensils,
A usage status transmission unit that transmits usage status information regarding the usage status to the server is provided.
The server
A billing information generation unit that generates billing information regarding the usage fee of the cooking utensil based on the usage status information received from the usage status transmission unit.
A storage unit that stores the destination address of the billing information in association with the cooking utensil,
A billing information transmission unit for transmitting the billing information to the destination address via the external communication network is provided.
A cookware system that features that. In the kitchenware system according to claim 1,
The usage status transmission unit transmits the usage status information to the server at least once in a predetermined period.
The billing information generation unit generates the billing information in the predetermined period based on the usage status information received in the predetermined period.
A cookware system that features that. In the cookware system according to claim 1 or 2.
The cooking utensil is a gas stove and
The usage information includes at least one of the gas burning amount, the gas burning time, and the power-on time of the gas stove.
A cookware system that features that. In the cookware system according to claim 1 or 2.
The cooking utensil is an induction heating type stove.
The usage information includes at least one of the electric energy and the usage time of the induction heating type stove.
A cookware system that features that. In the cookware system according to claim 1 or 2.
The cooking utensil is a range hood and
The usage information includes at least one of the fan rotation time and the fan rotation speed of the range hood.
A cookware system that features that. In the kitchenware system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The billing information generation unit generates the billing information so that the usage fee increases as the cumulative usage value of the cooking utensil based on the usage status information increases during the unit setting period of the usage fee.
A cookware system that features that. In the kitchenware system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The billing information generation unit charges the usage fee in the unit setting period of the usage fee on condition that the total usage cumulative value from the start of use of the cooking utensil based on the usage status information exceeds a predetermined threshold value. , The method of setting the usage fee is changed so that the total usage cumulative value is lower than that when the total usage value does not exceed the threshold value.
A cookware system that features that. In the kitchenware system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The cooking utensil is provided with a short-range wireless communication unit.
The usage status transmission unit transmits the usage status information to the server via the short-range wireless communication unit.
A cookware system that features that. A server that can communicate with cookware via an external communication network.
The cooking utensil includes a usage status monitoring unit that monitors the usage status of the cooking utensil and a usage status transmission unit that transmits usage status information regarding the usage status to the server.
The server
A billing information generation unit that generates billing information regarding the usage fee of the cooking utensil based on the usage status information received from the usage status transmission unit.
A storage unit that stores the destination address of the billing information in association with the cooking utensil,
A billing information transmission unit for transmitting the billing information to the destination address via the external communication network is provided.
A server that features that. In the server according to claim 9.
The usage status transmission unit transmits the usage status information to the server at least once in a predetermined period.
The billing information generation unit generates the billing information in the predetermined period based on the usage status information received in the predetermined period.
A server that features that. In the server according to claim 9 or 10.
The cooking utensil is a gas stove and
The usage information includes at least one of the gas burning amount, the gas burning time, and the power-on time of the gas stove.
A server that features that. In the server according to claim 9 or 10.
The cooking utensil is an induction heating type stove.
The usage information includes at least one of the electric energy and the usage time of the induction heating type stove.
A server that features that. In the server according to claim 9 or 10.
The cooking utensil is a range hood and
The usage information includes at least one of the fan rotation time and the fan rotation speed of the range hood.
A server that features that. In the server according to any one of claims 9 to 13.
The billing information generation unit generates the billing information so that the usage fee increases as the cumulative usage value of the cooking utensil based on the usage status information increases during the unit setting period of the usage fee.
A server that features that. In the server according to any one of claims 9 to 14.
The billing information generation unit charges the usage fee in the unit setting period of the usage fee on condition that the total usage cumulative value from the start of use of the cooking utensil based on the usage status information exceeds a predetermined threshold value. , The method of setting the usage fee is changed so that the total usage cumulative value is lower than that when the total usage value does not exceed the threshold value.
A server that features that.

Images