JP2022026531A - Cooking system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a cooking system capable of accurately performing operation control of a heating unit of a cooker according to the presence situation of a user in the periphery of a kitchen facility comprising the cooker and a sink.SOLUTION: A cooking system 1 reduces a heating amount of a heating unit 4 when the presence of a person is not detected in a monitoring target area AR for a predetermined time T1 while the heating unit 4 of a cooker 3 of a kitchen equipment 2 is operating, or when the presence of a person is detected in the area other than the cooker peripheral area ar1 in the monitoring target area AR and the presence of a person is not detected in the cooker peripheral area ar1 for a predetermined time T3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a cooking system.

Conventionally, as seen in Patent Document 1, for example, a system having a function of preventing forgetting to turn off a stove as a combustion device is known. In this system, a communication connection by Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be made between the stove and a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user. Then, while the heating unit of the stove is operating (during combustion operation), if the signal strength of the communication with the mobile terminal detected on the stove side is less than the threshold value for a predetermined time, the state of forgetting to turn off occurs. ， The notification is sent from the stove to the user's mobile terminal via an external server.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-22127

In the system seen in Patent Document 1, if the user leaves his / her mobile terminal in the vicinity of the stove and leaves the stove, it is recognized that the user exists in the vicinity of the stove. .. As a result, the function to prevent forgetting to erase does not work effectively.

In addition, when the user is using the cooking table or sink on the side of the stove to prepare cooking utensils while the heating unit of the stove is operating, the state of the cooked food being heated can be checked. It may be forgotten for a relatively long time to check or perform the required operation (stirring, etc.) on the cooked food. In such a case, since the system seen in Patent Document 1 does not notify the user, overheating of the cooked food, spillage, scorching, etc. are likely to occur. As a result, the user tends to act in a hurry.

The present invention has been made in view of this background, and it is possible to accurately control the operation of the heating unit of the cooking cooker according to the presence of the user in the vicinity of the kitchen equipment including the cooking cooker and the sink. It is intended to provide a cooking system.

The cooking system of the present invention is a cooking system including kitchen equipment including a cooking device and a sink.
It is possible to detect whether or not there is a person in the monitored area set around the kitchen equipment so as to include at least the area in front of each of the cooker and the sink, and the monitored area The person who exists is distinguished whether it exists in the area around the cooking device, which is the area around the cooking device, or in the area other than the area around the cooking device, in the monitored area. A person detection unit that can detect the existence of
When the state in which the presence of a person is not detected in the monitored area continues for the first predetermined time during the operation of the heating unit of the cooking device, or the area around the cooking device in the monitored area. When the presence of a person is detected in a region other than the above and the presence of a person is not detected in the region around the cooking cooker for a second predetermined time, the heating amount of the heating unit is reduced or predetermined. It is characterized by including a heating amount limiting processing unit that limits the heating amount to a value or less (first invention).

According to the present invention, when the state in which the presence of a person is not detected in the monitored area (first state) continues for the first predetermined time during the operation of the heating part of the heat cooker, the heating part is heated. When the user forgets that cooking by operating the heated material is being performed after leaving the monitored area around the kitchen equipment because the amount is reduced or the heating amount is limited to the predetermined value or less. However, it is possible to prevent the cooked food from being overheated, spilled, or scorched at an early stage.

Further, during the operation of the heating unit of the heat cooker, the presence of a person is detected in the area other than the area around the heat cooker in the monitored area, and the presence of a person is not detected in the area around the heat cooker. Even when the (second state) continues for the second predetermined time, the heating amount of the heating unit is reduced or the heating amount is limited to the predetermined value or less. Therefore, when the user is preparing cooking utensils in an area other than the area around the cooking device in the monitored area, the state of the cooked food being heated can be confirmed and the required operation for the cooked food can be performed. Even if the timing at which the user executes (stirring, etc.) is slightly delayed, it is possible to prevent overheating, spilling, scorching, etc. of the cooked food at an early stage.

Further, even if the first state or the second state continues, the heating amount of the heating unit is not reduced or limited until the first predetermined time or the second predetermined time elapses, so that cooking is performed. It is possible to prevent the progress of cooking of things from being delayed more than necessary.

Therefore, according to the first invention, it is possible to accurately control the operation of the heating unit of the cooking cooker according to the presence of the user in the vicinity of the kitchen equipment including the cooking cooker and the sink.

In the first invention, the second predetermined time is preferably set to a longer time than the first predetermined time (second invention).

According to this, even if the user does not exist in the area around the cooker, in the situation where the user exists in the monitored area around the kitchen equipment, that is, in the situation where the user quickly approaches the cooker, heating is performed. It is possible to prevent the reduction or limitation of the heating amount of the portion from being performed earlier than necessary. As a result, it is possible to prevent the progress of cooking of the cooked food from being delayed as much as possible.

In the first invention or the second invention, the heating amount limiting processing unit is the first state after the first state continues for the first predetermined time during the operation of the heating unit of the cooking device. It is preferable that the heating amount of the heating unit is gradually reduced during the continuation of the above (third invention).

Further, in the first to third inventions, the heating amount limiting processing unit is the second state after the second state continues for the second predetermined time during the operation of the heating unit of the cooking device. It is preferable that the heating amount of the heating portion is gradually reduced during the continuation of the above (fourth invention).

According to these third or fourth inventions, the first state continues for the first predetermined time and then during the continuation of the first state, or the second state is the second predetermined time. To prevent overheating, spilling, scorching, etc. of the cooked food from occurring at an early stage while suppressing the progress of cooking of the cooked food from being delayed as much as possible during the continuation of the second state after the time has continued. Is possible.

In the first to fourth inventions, after the second state continues for the second predetermined time, the heating amount limiting treatment unit reduces the heating amount of the heating unit or heats the heating amount to a predetermined value or less. When the presence of a person in the area around the cooking device is detected in the state limited to, the heating amount of the heating unit is increased before the second state continues for the second predetermined time. It is preferable that it is configured to return to the amount (fifth invention).

According to this, when the user is performing the cooking work such as the cooking utensil preparation work in the area other than the cooking peripheral area in the monitored area, the second state continues for the second predetermined time. Even if the heating amount of the heating unit is reduced accordingly or the heating amount is limited to a predetermined value or less, if the user returns to the area around the cooking cooker, the heating amount of the heating unit will be increased by the user. The original heating amount (the heating amount before the second state continues for the second predetermined time) is automatically restored without the need for the adjustment work according to the above. Therefore, convenience can be enhanced.

In the first to fifth inventions, the heating amount limiting treatment unit is further subjected to the first state after the first state continues for the first predetermined time during the operation of the heating unit of the cooking device. Is preferably configured to stop the operation of the heating unit when it continues for a third predetermined time (6th invention).

According to this, if the user has been away from the monitored area around the kitchen equipment for a relatively long time during the operation of the heating unit of the cooking device, the operation of the heating unit is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent overheating, spilling, scorching, etc. of the cooked food with high certainty.

In the first to sixth inventions, the processing of the heating amount limiting processing unit is not executed when the heating unit is operated in the automatic cooking mode in which the operation control of the heating unit is automatically performed. It is preferable (7th invention).

According to this, it is possible to appropriately complete the automatic cooking of the cooked food regardless of whether or not the user is present in the monitored area around the kitchen equipment.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the cooking system of embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure which concerns on the control of the cooking system of embodiment. The flowchart which shows the processing of the control apparatus shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the processing of the control apparatus shown in FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. With reference to FIG. 1, the cooking system 1 of the present embodiment is attached to a kitchen equipment 2 provided with a cooking device 3, a counter and a sink 12, and a ventilation device 20 installed above the cooking device 10. It is equipped with a camera 21.

The kitchen equipment 2 is, for example, a system kitchen integrally including a cooking device 3, a counter, and a sink 12. In the kitchen equipment 2 of the illustrated example, the cooking table 3, the cooking table 11 and the sink 12 are arranged so as to be lined up in a row, and the kitchen counter 13 is attached to the back side of the cooking table 11 and the sink 12.

The cooking cooker 3 is, for example, a built-in type gas stove, and is provided with a plurality of stove burners 4 as heating portions on the upper surface portion thereof. Around each stove burner 4, a trivet 5 for mounting a cooking container is arranged. Further, although not shown, on the front surface of the cooking cooker 3, there is an operation unit for igniting, extinguishing, and adjusting the heating power of each stove burner 4, and the operation of each stove burner 4 in the automatic cooking mode. It is equipped with an operation unit for performing setting operations and the like.

Here, in the operation of the stove burner 4 in the automatic cooking mode, more specifically, the heating amount of the stove burner 4 is automatically adjusted (heat power adjustment) and the fire is extinguished according to the cooking menu selected by the user. This is an operation to be performed, or a timer operation to perform a heating operation (combustion operation) of the stove burner 4 for a time specified by the user.

The kitchen equipment 2 is not limited to the system kitchen, and may be a separate type kitchen equipment. Further, the heating cooker 3 is not limited to the gas stove, and may be, for example, an IH cooking heater. Further, the cooking cooker 3 is not limited to the built-in type, and may be a stationary cooking cooker (for example, a table stove). Further, the arrangement form of the cooking device 3, the countertop 11 and the sink 12 in the kitchen equipment 2 is not limited to the form of arranging in a single row, and may be, for example, a form of arranging in an L shape or a form of arranging in a U shape. ..

The ventilation device 20 is a ventilation device with a hood (so-called range hood), although detailed illustration is omitted. The camera 21 is attached to the hood of the ventilation device 20 so that the monitored area AR set around the kitchen equipment 2 can be photographed as described below.

The monitoring target area AR is an area for detecting the presence or absence of a person for the operation control described later of the cooking cooker 3, and is hereinafter referred to as a person detection target area AR. The person detection target area AR is an area in the peripheral area of the kitchen equipment 2 that can be regarded as the main location of the user who performs the cooking work.

In the present embodiment, for example, of the peripheral area of the kitchen equipment 2, the area on the front side (front side) of the kitchen equipment 2 is set (defined) as the person detection target area AR. More specifically, the person detection target area AR is set as an area up to a predetermined distance from the front end surface of the kitchen equipment 2 toward the front, for example, when the kitchen equipment 2 is viewed from above in a plan view. Has been done. Then, the camera 21 is attached to an appropriate place (for example, an end portion near the cooking table 11) of the hood of the ventilation device 20 so that the person detection target area AR is included in the photographing area.

Further, in the person detection target area AR, the cooking device peripheral area ar1 is set (defined) as the area around the cooking device 3 (the cooking device peripheral area). In the area around the cooking device ar1, the user who performs the cooking operation performs various operations (for example, including the cooking container) on the cooking device 3 or the cooked food (including the cooking container) arranged on the cooking device 3. This is an area that can be regarded as the main location of the user when adjusting the heating amount of the stove burner 4, stirring the cooked food, etc.). In the present embodiment, for example, in the human detection target area AR, the area in front of the cooking device 3 (the area shown by pointillism in FIG. 1) is set as the cooking device peripheral area ar1.

Supplementally, if there is a space on the side or back side of the kitchen equipment 2 where the user performing the cooking work can move, the person detection target area AR is the side area and the back side area of the kitchen equipment 2. May include one or both of. For example, in a face-to-face kitchen facility having a kitchen counter 13 facing a dining room or the like on the back side of the kitchen table 11 and the sink 12, as in the kitchen facility 2 illustrated in FIG. 1, the area on the back side of the kitchen counter 13 is used. It may be included in the person detection target area AR.

Further, when the person detection target area AR includes the area on the side or the back side of the cooking device 3, the area around the cooking device ar1 is not only the area on the front side of the cooking device 3 but also the cooking device 3. May include lateral or backside areas of. However, in general, the frequency of occurrence of a situation in which a user performing cooking work performs some operation on the cooking device 3 or the cooked food arranged above the cooking device 3 from the side or the back side of the cooking device 3. Since it is considered that the number is small, the side area and the back side area of the cooking device 3 may be excluded from the cooking device peripheral area ar1.

Further, the area around the cooking device ar1 includes a part of the area in front of the kitchen equipment 2 excluding the cooking device 3 that is closer to the cooking device 3 (the area close to the cooking device 3). May be good. For example, in the kitchen equipment 2 shown in FIG. 1, a part of the area in front of the cooking table 11 near the cooking device 3 may be included in the cooking device peripheral area ar1.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the cooking cooker 3 is equipped with a control device 7 having a function of controlling its operation and the like. The control device 7 is composed of one or more electronic circuit units including, for example, a microcomputer, a memory, an interface circuit, and the like.

The control device 7 can communicate with the camera 21 by wire or wirelessly, and can appropriately acquire a photographed image (still image or moving image) of the camera 21 through the communication. Further, an operation signal of an operation unit (not shown) of the cooking cooker 3 is input to the control device 7, and detection signals of a plurality of sensors (not shown) provided in the cooking cooker 3 are input to the control device 7. ..

The control device 7 has a function as an operation control unit 7a for controlling the heating operation (combustion operation) of each stove burner 4 and a camera as a function realized by the mounted hardware configuration and program (software configuration). It includes a function as a person detection unit 7b for detecting whether or not a person exists in the person detection target area AR based on the captured image of 21.

Although detailed illustration is omitted, the operation control of each stove burner 4 by the operation control unit 7a is for adjusting the solenoid valve for opening and closing the fuel supply path to each stove burner 4 and the fuel supply amount to each stove burner 4. It is performed through the operation control of the flow control valve and the ignition device. The operation control unit 7a includes a function as a heating amount limiting processing unit in the present invention.

Further, the human detection unit 7b distinguishes whether or not a person exists in the human detection target area AR by the image processing known from the captured image of the camera 21 into the area around the cooking device ar1 and the other areas. It is possible to detect.

Supplementally, the control device 7 may be configured so that the captured image of the camera 21 can be acquired, for example, via the control device (not shown) of the ventilation device 20. Further, the camera 21 may be installed in a place other than the ventilation device 20, for example, a wall, a ceiling, or the like. Further, it is possible that each of the plurality of cameras can capture different areas of the human detection target area AR, and the control device 7 can acquire those captured images.

Next, the operation control of the cooking cooker 3 according to the detection of the presence or absence of a person in the person detection target area AR will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4. When the heating operation (combustion operation) in any of the stove burners 4 of the cooking device 3 is started, the control device 7 executes the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4. In the following description, the "stove burner 4" is a stove burner 4 during a heating operation (during a combustion operation) unless otherwise specified.

First, in STEP 1, the control device 7 determines whether or not the heating operation of the stove burner 4 is an operation in the automatic cooking mode (automatic cooking operation). If the determination result of STEP 1 is affirmative, the process from STEP 2 is executed. This process will be described later.

If the determination result of STEP 1 is negative, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 4. In this STEP 4, the control device 7 starts a process of detecting whether or not a person exists in the person detection target area AR by the person detection unit 7b.

Further, the control device 7 determines in STEP 5 whether or not the heating operation of the stove burner 4 is completed, and if the determination result is affirmative, ends the processing of the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4. .. The determination result of STEP 5 is affirmative not only when the user extinguishes the fire of the stove burner 4, but also when the control device 7 forcibly responds to the occurrence of a predetermined type of abnormality of the cooking cooker 3. In some cases, the stove burner 4 was extinguished.

If the judgment result of STEP 5 is negative (when the heating operation of the stove burner 4 is continued), the control device 7 then indicates that a person is present in the person detection target area AR in STEP 6. It is determined whether or not the detection unit 7b has detected the detection.

Here, a user who performs various operations on the cooked food being heated by the stove burner 4 (for example, stirring of the cooked food), confirmation of the state of the cooked food, preparation of cooking utensils, and the like is the cooking work. Is executed in the person detection target area AR around the kitchen equipment 2. When the user who performs the cooking work in this way exists in the person detection target area AR, that is detected by the person detection unit 7b, and the determination result of STEP 6 becomes positive.

In this case, the control device 7 then determines in STEP 18 of FIG. 4 whether or not the first timer and the second timer are timing. Both the first timer and the second timer are timers that measure the duration of the state in which the user does not exist in the person detection target area AR, and are timers that are activated in STEPs 8 and 15 described later, respectively.

Then, when the determination result of STEP 18 is affirmative, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 20 after stopping the timing of the first timer and the second timer in STEP 19. If the determination result of STEP 18 is negative, the process from STEP 20 is executed with the timing of the first timer and the second timer stopped.

In STEP 20, the control device 7 determines whether or not the presence of a person in the area around the cooking device ar1 is detected by the person detecting unit 7b. Here, when the user performing the cooking operation performs an operation of adjusting the heating amount (heat power) of the stove burner 4, or when performing various operations on the cooked food being heated by the stove burner 4, or When confirming the state of the cooking unit or the like, the user exists in the area around the cooking device ar1, and the determination result of STEP 20 becomes positive.

In this case, the control device 7 then determines in STEP 21 whether or not the time is being measured by the third timer. The third timer is a timer that measures the duration of the state in which the user does not exist in the area around the cooking device ar1.

Then, if the determination result of STEP 21 is affirmative, the control device 7 then stops the timing of the third timer in STEP 22, and then executes the process from STEP 5 of FIG. 3 again. If the determination result of STEP 21 is negative, the control device 7 re-executes the process from STEP 5 of FIG. 3 while keeping the timing of the third timer stopped.

Supplementally, if the determination result of STEP 21 is positive and the heating amount of the stove burner 4 is lower than the initial heating amount by the treatment of STEP 26 described later, in STEP 22, the stove is further further heated. The heating amount of the burner 4 may be restored to the original heating amount (the heating amount before executing the treatment of STEP 26).

On the other hand, when the user moves from the cooking device peripheral area ar1 to the person detection target area AR (the area in front of the countertop 11 or the sink 12) outside the cooking device, the user exists in the cooking device peripheral area ar1. Therefore, the determination result of STEP 20 becomes negative. In this case, the control device 7 then determines in STEP 23 whether or not the time is being measured by the third timer.

Then, when the determination result of STEP 23 is negative (immediately after the user has moved from the cooking peripheral area ar1 to the person detection target area AR outside the heating cooking area ar1), the control device 7 has the second step in STEP 24. 3 After resetting the clock value of the timer (initializing to zero), the third timer is started (the clock by the third timer is started). Subsequently, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 25. If the determination result of STEP 23 is positive, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 25 while continuing the timing of the third timer.

In STEP 25, the control device 7 determines whether or not the clock value of the third timer has reached the predetermined time T3. The predetermined time T3 is, for example, 3 minutes, which corresponds to the second predetermined time in the present invention. Then, when the determination result of STEP 25 is negative, that is, when the duration of the state in which the user does not exist in the area around the cooking device ar1 is less than the predetermined time T3 (3 minutes), the control device 7 is used. , The process from STEP 5 in FIG. 3 is executed again.

Further, when the determination result of STEP 25 is affirmative, that is, when the duration of the state in which the user does not exist in the cooking device peripheral area ar1 reaches the predetermined time T3 (3 minutes), the user heats the cooker. While performing work such as preparing the cooking utensils in the person detection target area AR outside the cooker peripheral area ar1, it is not possible to immediately move to the front of the cooker 3 for the work, or the cooked food is cooked. You may have forgotten to cook.

Therefore, in this case, in STEP 26, the control device 7 controls the fuel supply amount to the stove burner 4 so as to reduce the heating amount (heat power) of the stove burner 4 by one step by the operation control unit 7a. However, when the heating amount of the stove burner 4 is the heating amount of the lower limit value of the variable range, the heating amount of the stove burner 4 is maintained at the heating amount of the lower limit value. Further, in STEP 26, the control device 7 resets the clock value of the third timer in the same manner as in STEP 24, and then activates the third timer. Subsequently, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 5 in FIG. 3 again.

In STEP 26, the notification information that calls the user's attention may be output from the cooking cooker 3 or a mobile terminal (smartphone, etc.) owned by the user in the form of an alarm sound, voice, display information, or the like. good.

Returning to FIG. 3, when the determination result of STEP 5 is negative, that is, the user moves from the person detection target area AR to another place (a place outside the person detection target area AR), and the person detection target When the person no longer exists in the area AR, the control device 7 then, in STEP 7, during the timekeeping of the first timer, which is a timer that measures the duration of the state in which the user does not exist in the person detection target area AR. Determine if it exists.

Then, when the determination result of STEP 7 is negative (immediately after the user moves from the person detection target area AR to another place), the control device 7 sets the timed value of the first timer in STEP 8. After resetting (initializing to zero), the first timer is started (timekeeping by the first timer is started). Subsequently, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 9. If the determination result of STEP 7 is affirmative, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 9 while continuing the timing of the first timer.

In STEP 9, the control device 7 determines whether or not the time value of the first timer has reached T1 for a predetermined time. The predetermined time T1 is a time shorter than the predetermined time T3 with respect to the time value of the third timer, and is, for example, 1 minute. The predetermined time T1 corresponds to the first predetermined time in the present invention.

When the determination result of STEP 9 is affirmative, that is, when the duration of the state in which the user does not exist in the person detection target area AR reaches the predetermined time T1 (1 minute), the user enters from the person detection target area AR. After withdrawal, there is a risk of forgetting that the cooked food is being cooked.

Therefore, in this case, in STEP 10, the control device 7 then lowers the heating amount (thermal power) of the stove burner 4 by one step within the range of the lower limit value or more by the operation control unit 7a in STEP 10. As described above, the amount of fuel supplied to the stove burner 4 is controlled. Further, in STEP 10, the control device 7 resets the time value of the first timer in the same manner as in STEP 8, and then activates the first timer. Subsequently, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 14.

Further, when the determination result of STEP 9 is negative, that is, when the duration of the state in which the user does not exist in the person detection target area AR is less than the predetermined time T1 (1 minute), the control device 7 is next. In STEP 11, it is determined whether or not the time is being measured by the third timer.

Here, the state in which the user does not exist in the person detection target area AR is also the state in which the user does not exist in the cooking device peripheral area ar1. Therefore, for example, when the user moves from the cooking device peripheral area ar1 to the person detection target area AR outside the heating cooker area AR1 and then further moves to the outside of the person detection target area AR, STEP 11 is performed. The third timer is in the timekeeping state, and the determination result of STEP 11 becomes affirmative. Further, when the user moves from the area around the cooking device ar1 to a place outside the person detection target area AR without passing through the person detection target area AR outside the area ar1, the determination result of STEP 11 is negative. Become.

Then, if the determination result of STEP 11 is negative, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 14. If the determination result of STEP 11 is affirmative, the control device 7 then determines in STEP 12 whether or not the time value of the third timer has reached the predetermined time T3 (3 minutes). The process (the same determination process as STEP 25) is executed.

If the determination result of STEP 12 is negative (when the duration of the state in which the user does not exist in the cooking device peripheral area ar1 has not reached the predetermined time T3 (3 minutes)), the control device 7 is set to STEP 14. Execute the process from.

Further, when the determination result of STEP 12 is affirmative (when the duration of the state in which the user does not exist in the area around the cooker ar1 reaches the predetermined time T3 (3 minutes)), the control device 7 is next. In STEP 13, the operation control unit 7a controls the fuel supply amount to the stove burner 4 so that the heating amount (thermal power) of the stove burner 4 is lowered by one step within the range of the lower limit or more, as in the STEP 26. do. Further, in STEP 13, the control device 7 stops the timing of the third timer. Subsequently, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 14.

In STEP 10 or STEP 13, as in the case of STEP 26, the heating cooker 3 or the mobile terminal possessed by the user (in the form of an alarm sound, voice, display information, etc.) provides the notification information that calls the user's attention. It may be output from a smartphone or the like).

In STEP 14, the control device 7 determines whether or not the time is being measured by the second timer, which is a timer that measures the duration of the state in which the user does not exist in the person detection target area AR. Then, when the determination result of STEP 14 is negative (immediately after the user moves from the person detection target area AR to another place), the control device 7 sets the timed value of the second timer in STEP 15. After resetting (initializing to zero), the second timer is started (timekeeping by the second timer is started). Subsequently, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 16. If the determination result of STEP 14 is affirmative, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 16 while continuing the timing of the second timer.

In STEP 16, the control device 7 determines whether or not the time value of the second timer has reached T2 for a predetermined time. The predetermined time T2 is longer than the predetermined time T1 (1 minute) regarding the time value of the first timer and the predetermined time T3 (3 minutes) regarding the time value of the third timer, for example, 15 minutes. be. The predetermined time T2 corresponds to the third predetermined time in the present invention.

When the determination result of STEP 16 is negative (when the duration of the state in which the user does not exist in the person detection target area AR is less than the predetermined time T2 (15 minutes)), the control device 7 starts from STEP 4. Is executed again.

If the determination result of STEP 16 is affirmative (when the duration of the state in which the user does not exist in the person detection target area AR reaches the predetermined time T2 (15 minutes)), the user is the person detection target area AR. Due to the long duration of the non-existent state, it is likely that the user has forgotten that the cook is being cooked.

Therefore, in this case, the control device 7 then controls the solenoid valve (not shown) of the fuel supply path to the stove burner 4 by the operation control unit 7a in STEP 17, thereby closing the stove burner 4. The heating operation (combustion operation) is forcibly stopped. Further, in STEP 17, the control device 7 provides error notification information indicating that the heating operation of the stove burner 4 is forcibly stopped because the duration of the state in which no person exists in the person detection target area AR is long. It is output from the cooking cooker 3 or a mobile terminal (smartphone, etc.) owned by the user in the form of an alarm sound, voice, display information, or the like. Then, the control device 7 ends the processing of the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4.

If the determination result of STEP 1 is positive (when the heating operation of the stove burner 4 is the heating operation in the automatic cooking mode), the control device 7 then ends the automatic cooking mode in STEP 2. Executes the process of determining whether or not it has been done.

Here, in the heating operation of the stove burner 4 in the automatic cooking mode, the heating amount (heat power) of the stove burner 4 is adjusted and the heating operation is stopped (fire extinguishing) automatically. Therefore, in the automatic cooking mode. During the heating operation of the stove burner 4, the control device 7 does not execute the process from STEP 6 described above, and until the determination result of STEP 2 becomes affirmative (until the automatic cooking mode ends), STEP 2 Judgment process is repeated sequentially.

Then, when the determination result of STEP 2 becomes affirmative, the control device 7 then determines in STEP 3 whether or not the heating operation of the stove burner 4 is completed (whether or not the stove burner 4 has extinguished the fire). to decide. When the heating operation of the stove burner 4 in the automatic cooking mode is normally completed, the heating operation of the stove burner 4 is automatically stopped, so that the determination result of STEP 3 becomes affirmative. In this case, the control device 7 ends the processing of the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4.

On the other hand, for example, when the user stops the heating operation of the stove burner 4 in the automatic cooking mode in the middle, the determination result of STEP 3 may be positive. In this case, since the normal heating operation of the stove burner 4 is performed, the control device 7 executes the process from STEP 4 described above.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 are executed by the control device 7 of the cooking cooker 3. As a result, if the state in which the user leaves the human detection target area AR continues for a predetermined time T1 (1 minute) or more with respect to the time value of the first timer, the heating amount of the stove burner 4 is generated every time the predetermined time T1 elapses. However, it is gradually decreased within the range above the lower limit. Further, if the state in which the user leaves the human detection target area AR continues for a predetermined time T2 (15 minutes) with respect to the time value of the second timer, the heating operation of the stove burner 4 is automatically stopped (the said). The stove burner 4 is extinguished).

Therefore, even if the user forgets that the cooked food is being cooked after moving from the person detection target area AR to another place during cooking by the heating operation of the stove burner 4. , It is possible to effectively prevent overheating, scorching, spillage, etc. of cooked food. Further, since the heating amount of the stove burner 4 is gradually lowered step by step, the cooking of the cooked food is advanced while preventing the heating amount of the stove burner 4 from being excessively limited at an early stage. be able to.

Further, the state in which the user leaves the cooking device peripheral area ar1 in the person detection target area AR (the state in which the user exists in the person detection target area AR outside the cooking device peripheral area ar1) is the state of the third timer. If it continues for a predetermined time T3 (3 minutes) or more with respect to the timed value, the heating amount of the stove burner 4 is gradually reduced within the range of the lower limit value or more every time the predetermined time T3 elapses.

Therefore, during cooking by the heating operation of the stove burner 4, the user can use the cooking utensil material in the area on the front side of the cooking table 11 or the sink 12 (the person detection target area AR outside the heating cooker peripheral area ar1). It takes time to perform cooking work such as preparation, and as a result, the user can check the state of the cooked food, perform the necessary operations for the cooked food (stirring the cooked food, etc.), and adjust the heating amount of the stove burner 4. It is possible to prevent overheating, scorching, spilling, etc. of the cooked food even when it is not possible to carry out the above immediately.

Further, in this case, since the predetermined time T3 (3 minutes) regarding the time value of the third timer is set to be longer than the predetermined time T1 (1 minute) regarding the time value of the first timer, the third timer The decrease in the heating amount of the control burner 4 according to the time of the first timer is more gradual than the decrease of the heating amount of the control burner 4 according to the time of the first timer (so that the decrease in the heating amount per unit time becomes smaller). To) is done. Therefore, while the user is performing work such as preparing the cooking utensils near the cooking device 3 (the person detection target area AR on the front side of the countertop 11 or the sink 12), the cooked food is cooked. It is possible to prevent the progress of the process from being delayed as much as possible.

Further, during the heating operation of the stove burner 4 in the automatic cooking mode, the user does not control to reduce the heating amount of the stove burner 4 according to the presence or absence of a person in the person detection target area AR. Automatic cooking can be completed normally even in a state of being away from the person detection target area AR.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and other embodiments may be adopted. For example, the person detection unit 7b is not limited to the one that detects the presence or absence of a person based on the image taken by the camera 21. The person detection unit 7b may detect the presence or absence of a person by using, for example, infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, visible light, or the like. Further, the function as the human detection unit 7b may be realized not only by the control device 7 of the cooking cooker 3 but also by a control device provided in a device other than the cooking cooker 3 such as a camera 21 and a ventilation device 20.

Further, when the state in which the presence of a person is not detected in the person detection target area AR continues for a predetermined time T1 or more with respect to the time value of the first timer, the heating amount of the stove burner 4 is generated every time the predetermined time T1 elapses. For example, the heating amount of the stove burner 4 may be reduced every time a time different from the predetermined time T1 elapses.

Further, the state in which the presence of a person is detected in the person detection target area AR other than the cooking cooker peripheral area ar1 and the presence of a person is not detected in the cooking cooker peripheral area ar1 is a predetermined time related to the time value of the third timer. When T3 or more is continued, instead of lowering the heating amount of the stove burner 4 every time the predetermined time T3 elapses, for example, the stove burner 4 is heated every time different from the predetermined time T3. The amount may be reduced.

Further, in the embodiment, when the state in which the presence of a person is not detected in the detection target area AR continues for a predetermined time T1 or more with respect to the time value of the first timer (hereinafter referred to as the first case), heating is performed. The state in which the presence of a person is detected in the area AR for detecting people other than the cooker peripheral area ar1 and the presence of a person is not detected in the cooker peripheral area ar1 is the predetermined time T3 or more related to the time value of the third timer. In the case of continuation (hereinafter referred to as the second case), the heating amount (heat power) of the stove burner 4 is reduced by one step, but in the first case and the second case, the stove burner 4 is used. The amount of decrease in the amount of heating (heat power) may be different.

Alternatively, in both the first case and / or the second case, the heating amount of the stove burner 4 is limited to the heating amount of the predetermined value or less (for example, the heating amount of the lower limit value or the heating amount near the lower limit value). You may. More specifically, in both the first case and / or the second case, when the heating amount of the stove burner 4 is larger than the predetermined value, the heating amount is reduced to the predetermined value, and the stove burner 4 is heated. When the heating amount is not more than a predetermined value, the heating amount of the stove burner 4 may be maintained.

1 ... cooking system, 2 ... kitchen equipment, 3 ... heating cooker, 4 ... stove burner (heating unit), 7a ... operation control unit (heating amount limiting processing unit), 7b ... person detection unit, 12 ... sink.

Claims (7)

A cooking system equipped with kitchen equipment including a cooking device and a sink.
It is possible to detect whether or not there is a person in the monitored area set around the kitchen equipment so as to include at least the area in front of each of the cooker and the sink, and the monitored area The person who exists is distinguished whether it exists in the area around the cooking device, which is the area around the cooking device, or in the area other than the area around the cooking device, in the monitored area. A person detection unit that can detect the existence of
When the first state, in which the presence of a person is not detected in the monitored area, continues for the first predetermined time during the operation of the heating unit of the cooking cooker, or the above-mentioned of the monitored area. The heating is performed when the second state, in which the presence of a person is detected in an area other than the area around the cooker and the presence of a person is not detected in the area around the cooker, continues for a second predetermined time. A cooking system comprising a heating amount limiting processing unit that reduces the heating amount of the unit or limits the heating amount to a predetermined value or less. In the cooking system according to claim 1,
The cooking system, characterized in that the second predetermined time is set to a longer time than the first predetermined time. In the cooking system according to claim 1 or 2.
During the operation of the heating unit of the cooking device, the heating amount limiting processing unit is the heating unit of the heating unit during the continuation of the first state after the first state continues for the first predetermined time. A cooking system characterized in that it is configured to gradually reduce the amount of heat. In the cooking system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the cooking system
During the operation of the heating unit of the cooking device, the heating amount limiting processing unit is the heating unit of the heating unit during the continuation of the second state after the second state continues for the second predetermined time. A cooking system characterized in that it is configured to gradually reduce the amount of heat. In the cooking system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
After the second state continues for the second predetermined time, the heating amount limiting treatment unit reduces the heating amount of the heating unit or limits the heating amount to a predetermined value or less. When the presence of a person in the area around the vessel is detected, the heating amount of the heating unit is configured to return to the heating amount before the second state continues for the second predetermined time. A cooking system characterized by being. In the cooking system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the heating amount limiting processing unit keeps the first state for the first predetermined time while the heating unit of the cooking device is in operation. The cooking system is characterized in that, when the first state is continued for a third predetermined time, the operation of the heating unit is stopped. In the cooking system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the cooking system
A cooking system characterized in that the processing of the heating amount limiting processing unit is not executed when the heating unit is operated in the automatic cooking mode in which the operation control of the heating unit is automatically performed.

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