JP6951944B2 - Automatic rice cooker - Google Patents

Description

The technique disclosed herein relates to an automatic rice cooker capable of performing rice washing and rice cooking in a series.

Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic rice cooker capable of performing rice washing and rice cooking in a series. The automatic rice cooker of Patent Document 1 includes a rice-washing section for washing rice, a rice-cooking section for cooking rice using rice washed by the rice-washing section, a rice-washing section for performing rice washing, and a rice-cooking section for cooking rice. It is equipped with a control unit that executes rice washing and rice cooking processing including execution. Further, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the user inputs the start instruction of the rice washing and rice cooking process to the smartphone by voice through the microphone. The smartphone uses short-range wireless communication to send the input rice-washing rice cooking start instruction to the automatic rice-washing rice cooker. When the automatic rice cooker receives the start of rice washing from the smartphone, it starts the rice washing start process. This makes it possible for the automatic rice cooker to start the rice washing process by voice even when the user is away from the automatic rice cooker.

JP-A-2017-29306

When the rice washing process is performed by this type of automatic rice cooker, it usually takes about one hour in total from the start of the rice washing to the completion of the rice cooking. However, in particular, as in the case where an automatic rice cooker is used in a restaurant that provides meals containing rice cooked rice, the order status of rice, the remaining amount of rice cooked rice, the required amount of rice cooked, etc. are grasped and predicted at any time. In consideration of the time required to complete the rice-washing process, it may be difficult for the user to input the rice-washing start instruction at an appropriate timing so that there is no excess or deficiency in the rice-cooked rice.

The present specification provides a technique relating to an automatic rice cooker capable of starting a rice-washing process at an appropriate timing without excess or deficiency of rice-cooked rice.

The automatic rice cooker disclosed in the present specification includes a rice washing section for washing rice, a rice cooking section for cooking rice using rice washed by the rice washing section, and having the rice washing section perform rice washing, and the above-mentioned It is provided with a control unit that executes a rice-washing rice-cooking process including causing the rice-cooking unit to execute rice cooking. The control unit receives order information related to ordering a dish using cooked rice from the outside via a communication network, and according to the contents indicated by the received order information, the control unit receives the order information. The amount of the rice cooked rice used corresponding to the content is reduced from the remaining amount of the rice cooked rice indicating the remaining amount of the rice cooked rice, and when the remaining amount of the rice cooked rice falls below a specific threshold value, the rice washing rice cooking process is started.

According to this configuration, the control unit reduces the amount of rice used from the remaining amount of cooked rice according to the contents indicated by the order information received from the outside, and when the remaining amount of cooked rice falls below a specific threshold value, the rice-washed rice-cooking process is performed. To start. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to instruct the start of the rice-washing rice cooking process by grasping and predicting the order status, the remaining amount of rice cooked rice, the required amount of rice cooked, etc. at any time. Therefore, according to the above configuration, by appropriately setting a specific threshold value, the automatic rice cooker can start the rice washing process at an appropriate timing so that there is no excess or deficiency in the cooked rice.

The control unit may further calculate a slope value regarding the amount of decrease in the rice cooked rice per unit period, and change the value of the specific threshold value according to the calculated slope value.

According to this configuration, the automatic rice cooker can change a specific threshold value for starting the rice washing process according to the amount of decrease in rice cooked rice per unit period. The automatic rice cooker can start the rice washing process at a more appropriate timing so that there is no excess or deficiency in the rice cooker according to the decrease of the rice cooked rice.

The specific threshold, the a rice washing start threshold is rice washing unit to the threshold for starting rice washing, and cooking start threshold is a threshold for starting the cooking in the cooking section, the including. The cooking start threshold Ru said rice washing start threshold value smaller than der. When the remaining amount of rice cooked rice is lower than the threshold value for starting rice washing, the control unit causes the rice washing part to start washing rice, causes the rice washing part to wash rice, and then the remaining amount of cooked rice starts cooking rice. If below the threshold, Ru to start cooking the cooking unit.

According to this configuration, the automatic rice cooker sets the rice washing start threshold, which is the standard for starting rice washing, and the rice cooking start threshold, which is the standard for starting rice cooking, separately, and the remaining amount of cooked rice starts washing rice. When the rice cooker falls below the threshold value, the rice cooker can start washing the rice, and then when the remaining amount of rice cooked falls below the rice cooker start threshold, the rice cooker can start cooking rice. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to wash and cook the rice at a more appropriate timing without excess or deficiency of the rice cooked according to the actual decrease of the cooked rice.

The control unit further calculates a slope value regarding the amount of decrease in the rice cooked rice per unit period, and according to the calculated slope value, at least one of the rice washing start threshold value and the rice cooking start threshold value. You may change the value.

According to this configuration, the automatic rice cooker can change the rice washing start threshold value for starting rice washing and the rice cooking start threshold value for starting rice cooking according to the amount of decrease in rice cooked rice per unit period. can. The automatic rice cooker can start washing and cooking rice at a more appropriate timing so that there is no excess or deficiency in the rice cooker according to the decrease in the amount of rice cooked.

The order information may be input to the terminal device at the store providing the food and may be received from the terminal device via the communication network.

The "terminal device" is, for example, a tablet terminal installed in a store for a customer to operate and input an order, a mobile terminal for a store employee to input an order, a terminal device such as a smartphone owned by the customer. Etc., any terminal device may be included. According to this configuration, for example, when order information is input to a terminal device by a customer, an employee of a store, or the like, the order information is transmitted to an automatic rice cooker via a communication network and received by the automatic rice cooker. Will be done. The user of the automatic rice cooker does not have to enter the order information for the automatic rice cooker by himself, and the operation burden on the user is reduced.

The order information may include reservation information for reserving a visit to the store that provides the dish.

According to this configuration, the automatic rice cooker reduces the amount of rice used from the remaining amount of cooked rice in response to the reception of reservation information from the outside, and when the remaining amount of cooked rice falls below a certain threshold, the rice cooker is washed. The process can be started. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to grasp and predict the reservation status (reservation date, reservation time, number of visitors, reservation course, etc.), the current state of the store, etc. at any time and instruct the start of the rice washing process. The operation burden of is reduced.

The figure which shows the outline of the automatic rice washing rice cooking system 2. The block diagram which shows the structure of the automatic rice cooker 10. The flowchart which shows the rice-washing rice-cooking management process executed by the control unit 30 of the automatic rice-washing rice cooker 10. The flowchart which shows the continuation of FIG. The graph which shows each example of the decrease pattern of rice cooked rice in a store.

(Example)
(Configuration of automatic rice washing system 2)
As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic rice-washing rice cooking system 2 of this embodiment includes an automatic rice-washing rice cooker 10, a store terminal 100, a web server 200, and a terminal device 300. The automatic rice cooker 10 and the store terminal 100 are installed in a store (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “store”) that provides dishes using rice cooked rice, and can wirelessly communicate with each other via the Internet. Further, the terminal device 300 and the web server 200 are installed outside the store and can wirelessly communicate with each other via the Internet. Further, the web server 200 and the automatic rice cooker 10 can also wirelessly communicate with each other via the Internet.

(Configuration of automatic rice cooker 10)
The automatic rice cooker 10 is a device installed in a store and capable of performing rice washing and rice cooking in a series. In this embodiment, the automatic rice cooker 10 is a commercial device, and 12000 g (12 kg) of cooked rice can be cooked by executing one rice wash process. As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic rice cooker 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a rice storage unit 16, a rice washing unit 18, a rice cooking unit 20, a communication interface 22, and a control unit 30. It includes a memory 32. In the following, the interface will be referred to as "I / F".

The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of buttons. A user of the automatic rice cooker 10 (for example, a person in charge of cooking in a store) operates the operation unit 12 to input various instructions (for example, instructions for setting rice washing) into the automatic rice cooker 10. can do. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information.

The rice storage unit 16 is a storage for storing rice before washing and cooking rice. The rice washing unit 18 is a rice washing machine for washing rice. When the rice washing unit 18 is used to wash the rice, the required amount of rice is introduced into the rice washing unit 18 from the rice storage unit 16 and the rice is washed. If necessary, the rice washing unit 18 can also soak the rice after washing (that is, soak it in water). The rice cooker 20 is a rice cooker that cooks rice using the rice washed (and soaked) in the rice washing unit 18. When the rice cooker 20 cooks rice, the rice cooked by adding the necessary water to the rice after being introduced from the rice cooker 18. After the rice cooking is completed, the rice cooking unit 20 outputs a notification sound. The user who hears the notification sound can take out the cooked rice from the rice cooker 20 and use it for cooking or the like.

The communication I / F 22 is an interface for executing wireless communication between the store terminal 100 and the web server 200 via the Internet.

The control unit 30 is electrically connected to each component of the automatic rice cooker 10 and controls the operation of each component. Specifically, the control unit 30 executes various processes including a rice washing management process (see FIGS. 3 and 4) described later according to a program stored in the memory 32.

The memory 32 is composed of a ROM (abbreviation of Read Only Memory), a RAM (abbreviation of Random Access Memory), and the like. The memory 32 stores various information in addition to the above program. Further, the memory 32 has an area for storing in-store order information (described later) received from the store terminal 100 and an area for storing reservation information (described later) received from the web server 200. Further, the memory 32 stores various information (for example, a tilt value described later) acquired, calculated, generated, etc. as the control unit 30 executes the rice washing management process (see FIGS. 3 and 4). It also has an area to do.

(Configuration of store terminal 100, web server 200, terminal device 300)
The store terminal 100 is a terminal device provided in the store, and is a terminal device for inputting in-store order information indicating a dish desired by a customer. In this embodiment, the store terminal 100 is a terminal device installed in the store and operated by the customer, but in another example, the store terminal 100 is carried and operated by an employee of the store. It may be a terminal device for The store terminal 100 of this embodiment is a portable terminal device such as a tablet PC. The store terminal 100 is connected to the Internet via an access point (not shown) installed in the store, and can execute wireless communication with the automatic rice cooker 10 via the Internet. Therefore, the store terminal 100 can transmit the in-store order information input by the customer to the automatic rice cooker 10 at any time via the Internet.

The web server 200 is a server installed on the Internet and is a server that provides a website containing information about a store or the like as content. The website provided by the web server 200 (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "website for a store") is, for example, a dedicated website for a store, a comprehensive website for providing restaurant information, or the like. The website provided by the web server 200 can accept reservations for visiting a store. Further, the web server 200 can execute wireless communication with an external terminal device (for example, the terminal device 300) and the automatic rice cooker 10 via the Internet. For example, when the web server 200 receives an access request to the website for the store from the terminal device 300 via the Internet, the web server 200 provides the terminal device 300 with content indicating the website for the store. Then, when the web server 200 receives a store visit reservation from the website displayed on the terminal device 300, the web server 200 receives reservation information indicating the reservation contents (store visit reservation date, reservation time, number of visitors, reservation course, etc.). The generated reservation information is transmitted to the automatic rice cooker 10 via the Internet.

The terminal device 300 is a terminal device owned by a customer or the like before coming to the store. The terminal device 300 is a terminal device such as a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone), a PDA, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, or a stationary PC. The terminal device 300 can communicate with the web server 200 via the Internet. A customer or the like before coming to the store can operate the terminal device 300 to access the web server 200 via the Internet and display the website for the store on the terminal device 300. Then, the customer or the like can operate the terminal device 300 to make a reservation for visiting the store on the website.

(Musenmai rice cooking management process)
Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the contents of the rice-washing rice-cooking management process executed by the control unit 30 of the automatic rice-washing rice cooker 10 will be described. After the power of the automatic rice cooker 10 is turned on, the control unit 30 first triggers the completion of rice cooking of a predetermined set amount of rice cooked (for example, 12000 g) using the rice cooker 20 as a trigger. The processing of FIGS. 3 and 4 is started. At this point, the remaining amount of rice cooked rice (hereinafter referred to as "remaining amount of rice cooked rice") is the set amount of rice cooked (for example, 12000 g). During the execution of the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit 30 always stores the remaining amount of cooked rice at that time in the memory 32. When the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4 are started, the control unit 30 starts monitoring of S10, S13, and S14.

In S10, the control unit 30 monitors the reception of the in-store order information from the store terminal 100. As described above, when the customer in the store operates the store terminal 100 and inputs the in-store order information for ordering the desired dish, the store terminal 100 inputs the input in-store order information into the automatic rice cooker 10 Send to. In that case, the control unit 30 receives the in-store order information from the store terminal 100. When the control unit 30 receives the in-store order information from the store terminal 100, it determines YES in S10 and proceeds to S12.

In S13, the control unit 30 monitors that the timing N minutes before the reservation time indicated by the received reservation information arrives. In this embodiment, the value of N is 90 (minutes). However, in other examples, the value of N may be any integer. As described above, when a customer or the like before visiting the store operates the terminal device 300 to access the web server 200 and makes a store visit reservation from the website for the store, the web server 200 sets the reservation content (store visit reservation date). , Reservation time, number of visitors, reservation course, etc.) is generated, and the generated reservation information is transmitted to the automatic rice cooker 10. When the control unit 30 receives the reservation information from the web server 200, the control unit 30 stores it in the memory 32. That is, the memory 32 stores the reservation information received in the past. Then, the control unit 30 refers to the reservation date and the reservation time included in the reservation information in the memory 32, and when the timing 90 minutes before the reservation time has arrived, determines YES in S13, and determines in S12. move on.

In S14, the control unit 30 monitors that the timing for calculating the inclination value has arrived. Here, the slope value is a value indicating the amount of decrease in rice cooked rice per unit period (for example, the amount of decrease per minute) in a predetermined period (for example, the past 30 minutes) after the start of processing. The larger the slope value, the faster the rate of decrease of cooked rice. The timing for calculating the tilt value is 10 minutes after the previous calculation of the tilt value. The initial timing is 10 minutes after the start of the process shown in FIG. When the above timing has arrived, the control unit 30 determines YES in S14 and proceeds to S16. In S16, the control unit 30 calculates the inclination value. Specifically, the control unit 30 calculates the slope value (that is, the amount of decrease per minute) by dividing the amount of rice cooked rice used in the past predetermined period by the numerical value of the predetermined period (for example, 30 minutes). do. The control unit 30 stores the calculated inclination value in the memory 32. After finishing S16, the control unit 30 returns to each monitoring of S10, S13, and S14.

In S12, the control unit 30 subtracts the amount of rice cooked rice used from the remaining amount of rice cooked rice at this time. Specifically, when it is determined YES in S10 (that is, when the in-store order information is received), in S12, the control unit 30 indicates the received in-store order information from the remaining amount of cooked rice at this time. Subtract the amount of rice cooked rice used in the dish corresponding to the order. For example, when the order content is a set meal or the like, the amount of rice cooked rice used in the set meal (for example, 100 g for a normal serving, 150 g for a large serving, etc.) is subtracted. On the other hand, when it is determined as YES in S13 (that is, when the timing N minutes before the reserved time arrives), in S12, the control unit 30 first corresponds to the reserved time when the timing N minutes before arrives. The amount of cooked rice used is specified based on the number of reserved people included in the reservation information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "specific reservation information"). For example, when the number of reserved people included in the specific reservation information is "10 people", it is assumed that each person orders a dish using 100 g of cooked rice, and 1000 g is specified as the usage amount. In another example, when the reservation information already includes information indicating the order content (reservation course, etc.), the control unit 30 uses the amount of cooked rice used in the dish of the order content as the usage amount. It may be specified. Then, the control unit 30 subtracts the specified usage amount from the remaining amount of cooked rice at this time. After finishing S12, the control unit 30 proceeds to S20.

In S20, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the calculated latest slope value is larger than the predetermined slope threshold value Ts. Specifically, the control unit 30 compares the latest inclination value stored in the memory 32 with the inclination threshold value Ts, and determines whether or not the inclination value is larger than the inclination threshold value Ts. When the inclination value in the memory 32 is larger than the inclination threshold value Ts (that is, when the pace of decrease of the cooked rice is faster than the predetermined pace), the control unit 30 determines YES in S20 and proceeds to S22. On the other hand, when the inclination value in the memory 32 is equal to or less than the inclination threshold value Ts (that is, when the pace of decrease of the cooked rice is equal to or less than a predetermined pace), the control unit 30 determines NO in S20 and proceeds to S26. ..

In S22, the control unit 30 sets the rice washing start threshold value, which is a threshold value for causing the rice washing unit 18 to start washing the rice to be cooked next time, to Tw1, which is a relatively large value. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the value of the rice washing start threshold value Tw1 is 10000 g. In the following S24, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the remaining amount of cooked rice at this time is less than the rice washing start threshold value Tw1 set in S22. When the remaining amount of cooked rice is less than the rice washing start threshold value Tw1, the control unit 30 determines YES in S24 and proceeds to S30. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of cooked rice is still the rice washing start threshold value Tw1 or more, the control unit 30 determines NO in S24 and returns to the monitoring of S10, S13, and S14.

On the other hand, in S26, the control unit 30 sets the rice washing start threshold value to Tw2, which is a value smaller than Tw1. In the example of FIG. 5, the value of the rice washing start threshold value Tw2 is 9000 g. In the following S28, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the remaining amount of cooked rice at this time is less than the rice washing start threshold value Tw2 set in S26. When the remaining amount of cooked rice is less than the rice washing start threshold value Tw2, the control unit 30 determines YES in S28 and proceeds to S30. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of cooked rice is still the rice washing start threshold value Tw2 or more, the control unit 30 determines NO in S28 and returns to the monitoring of S10, S13, and S14.

In S30, the control unit 30 causes the rice washing unit 18 to start washing rice. Specifically, the control unit 30 causes the rice storage unit 16 to input the rice required for cooking rice of a predetermined set amount (for example, 12000 g) into the rice washing unit 18, and causes the rice washing unit 18 to wash the rice. Supply water and start washing rice. The rice washing unit 18 can complete the rice washing in about 5 to 6 minutes from the start. When the rice washing by the rice washing section 18 is completed, water is added to the rice washing section as needed, and the rice is appropriately immersed in the rice washing section 18 until the start of rice cooking. When the rice washing is started in S30, the control unit 30 monitors S32, S35, and S36. Since the contents of each monitoring of S32, S35, and S36 are the same as the contents of each monitoring of S10, S13, and S14 described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the contents of the processing of S34 when it is determined to be YES in S32 and the processing of S38 when it is determined to be YES in S36 are the same as the processing of S12 and the processing of S16, respectively. Omit.

In S50 of FIG. 4, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the latest calculated slope value is larger than the predetermined slope threshold value Ts. The content of the process of S50 is also the same as the content of the process of S20 of FIG. 3 described above. If YES is determined in S50 (that is, if the rate of decrease in rice cooked rice in the past unit period is faster than the predetermined pace), the control unit 30 proceeds to S52 and is determined to be NO in S50 (that is, if it is determined to be NO). When the rate of decrease of the cooked rice in the past unit period is equal to or less than the predetermined pace), the control unit 30 proceeds to S58.

In S52, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the previously set rice washing start threshold value is Tw1. When the rice washing start threshold value is Tw1 (that is, when S22 in FIG. 3 is executed), the control unit 30 determines YES in S52 and proceeds to S54. If YES in S52, it means that the rate of decrease of the cooked rice is faster than the predetermined pace both before the start of rice washing in S30 of FIG. 3 and after the start of rice washing (see P1 of FIG. 5). ). On the other hand, when the rice washing start threshold value is Tw2 (that is, when S26 in FIG. 3 is executed), the control unit 30 determines NO in S52 and proceeds to S56. In the case of NO in S52, the pace of decrease in rice cooked rice was less than the predetermined pace before the start of rice washing in S30 of FIG. 3, but the pace of decrease in rice cooked rice became faster than the predetermined pace after the start of rice washing. This means (see P3 in FIG. 5).

On the other hand, in S58, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the previously set rice washing start threshold value is Tw2. When the rice washing start threshold value is Tw2, the control unit 30 determines YES in S58 and proceeds to S60. If YES in S58, it means that the rate of decrease of the cooked rice is less than or equal to the predetermined pace both before the start of rice washing in S30 of FIG. 3 and after the start of rice washing (see P4 of FIG. 5). ). On the other hand, when the rice washing start threshold value is Tw1, the control unit 30 determines NO in S58 and proceeds to S56. In the case of NO in S58, the pace of decrease in rice cooked rice was faster than the predetermined pace before the start of rice washing in S30 of FIG. 3, but the pace of decrease in rice cooked rice became less than the predetermined pace after the start of rice washing. This means (see P2 in FIG. 5).

In S54, the control unit 30 sets the rice cooking start threshold value, which is the threshold value for the rice cooker unit 20 to start rice cooking using the rice after washing, to Tc1, which is the largest value. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the value of the rice cooking start threshold value Tc1 is 7000 g. In the following S62, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the remaining amount of rice cooked rice at this time is less than the rice cooker start threshold value Tc1 set in S54. When the remaining amount of rice cooked rice is less than the rice cooker start threshold value Tc1, the control unit 30 determines YES in S62 and proceeds to S70. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of cooked rice is still equal to or higher than the rice cooker start threshold value Tc1, the control unit 30 determines NO in S62 and returns to the monitoring of S32, S35, and S36 in FIG.

On the other hand, in S56 of FIG. 4, the control unit 30 sets the rice cooking start threshold value to Tc2, which is the second largest value. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the value of the rice cooking start threshold value Tc2 is 6000 g. In the following S64, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the remaining amount of rice cooked rice at this time is less than the rice cooker start threshold value Tc2 set in S56. When the remaining amount of rice cooked rice is less than the rice cooker start threshold value Tc2, the control unit 30 determines YES in S64 and proceeds to S70. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of rice cooked rice is still the rice cooker start threshold value Tc2 or more, the control unit 30 determines NO in S64 and returns to the monitoring of S32, S35, and S36 in FIG.

On the other hand, in S60 of FIG. 4, the control unit 30 sets the rice cooking start threshold value to Tc3, which is the smallest value. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the value of the rice cooking start threshold value Tc3 is 5000 g. In the following S66, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the remaining amount of rice cooked rice at this time is less than the rice cooker start threshold value Tc3 set in S60. When the remaining amount of cooked rice is less than the rice cooker start threshold value Tc3, the control unit 30 determines YES in S66 and proceeds to S70. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of rice cooked rice is still the rice cooker start threshold value Tc3 or more, the control unit 30 determines NO in S66 and returns to the monitoring of S32, S35, and S36 in FIG.

In S70 of FIG. 4, the control unit 30 causes the rice cooker unit 20 to start cooking rice. Specifically, the control unit 30 causes the rice in the rice washing unit 18 (that is, the rice after washing (and soaking)) to be charged into the rice cooking unit 20, and uses the rice charged into the rice cooking unit 20 to be used in the rice cooking unit 30. Let 20 start cooking rice. The rice cooker 20 can complete the rice cooking in about 35 minutes from the start. When rice cooking is started in S70, the control unit 30 monitors S72, S75, and S76. Since the monitoring of S72 and S75 is the same as the contents of the monitoring of S10 and S13 and the monitoring of S32 and S35 in FIG. 3 above, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the content of the process of S74 when it is determined to be YES in S72 is the same as the content of the process of S12 and S34 of FIG. 3 above, detailed description thereof will be omitted. After finishing S74, the control unit 30 returns to each monitoring of S72, S75, and S76.

In S76, the control unit 30 monitors that the rice cooking unit 20 completes the rice cooking. When the rice cooking is completed, the control unit 30 determines YES in S76, and restarts the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4 from the beginning. At this point, the remaining amount of rice cooked is the total amount (for example, 12000 + αg) of the amount of rice cooked by the completed rice cooking (for example, 12000 g) and the remaining amount after the previous rice cooking (for example, αg). Is.

After that, the control unit 30 adds the amount of cooked rice to the remaining amount of cooked rice each time the cooked rice is cooked until the power of the automatic rice cooker 10 is turned off. 3. The rice-washing rice-cooking management process shown in FIG. 4 is repeatedly executed.

(Specific example of the decrease pattern of rice cooked rice in stores)
A specific example of the decrease pattern of rice cooked rice in a store will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the decreasing state of rice cooked rice along the time series in each of the four patterns P1 to P4. Hereinafter, the characteristics of each pattern and the behavior of the automatic rice cooker 10 in the pattern will be described together.

P1 is a pattern in which the pace of decrease of cooked rice is faster than a predetermined pace both before the start of rice washing and after the start of rice washing. In this pattern, the rice washing start threshold is set to Tw1 (ie, 10000 g) and the rice cooking start threshold is set to Tc1 (ie, 7000 g). The automatic rice cooker 10 can continuously wash and cook rice at a relatively early timing in accordance with a rapidly decreasing pace.

P2 is a pattern in which the pace of decrease in rice cooked rice was faster than the predetermined pace before the start of rice washing, but the pace of decrease in rice cooked rice became less than the predetermined pace after the start of rice washing. In this pattern, the rice washing start threshold is set to Tw1 (ie, 10000 g) and the rice cooking start threshold is set to Tc2 (ie, 6000 g). The automatic rice cooker 10 can wash rice at an early timing according to a fast decrease pattern before washing rice, and can start cooking rice at a slightly later timing according to a subsequent decrease in the pace of decrease.

In P3, the rate of decrease in rice cooked rice was less than the predetermined pace before the start of rice washing, but the rate of decrease in rice cooked rice became faster than the predetermined pace after the start of rice washing. In this pattern, the rice washing start threshold is set to Tw2 (ie, 9000 g) and the rice cooking start threshold is set to Tc2 (ie, 6000 g). The automatic rice cooker 10 can start washing rice at a late timing according to a slow decrease pattern before washing rice, and can start cooking rice at a slightly earlier timing according to an increase in the subsequent decrease pace.

P4 is a pattern in which the rate of decrease of cooked rice is equal to or less than a predetermined pace both before the start of rice washing and after the start of rice washing. In this pattern, the rice washing start threshold is set to Tw2 (ie, 9000 g) and the rice cooking start threshold is set to Tc3 (ie, 5000 g). The automatic rice cooker 10 can continuously wash and cook rice at a relatively late timing in accordance with the slow decreasing pace.

The configuration and operation of the automatic rice washing system 2 of this embodiment have been described above. In this embodiment, the control unit 30 of the automatic rice cooker 10 responds to the content of the order indicated by the in-store order information received from the store terminal 100 and the content of the reservation information received from the web server 200. The amount of rice used is reduced from the remaining amount of rice cooked (S12, S34 in FIG. 3), and when the remaining amount of rice cooked falls below the rice washing start threshold (YES in S24 or S28), rice washing is started (S30), and then rice washing is started (S30). Rice cooking is started when the remaining amount of rice cooked falls below the rice cooking start threshold value (when YES in any of S62, S64, and S66 in FIG. 4). Therefore, the user of the automatic rice cooker 10 (for example, the person in charge of cooking at the store) grasps and predicts the order status, the remaining amount of rice cooked, the required amount of rice cooked, etc. at any time, and instructs the start of the rice washing process. There is no need. Therefore, according to this embodiment, by appropriately setting the threshold values (that is, the rice washing start threshold value and the rice cooking start threshold value), the automatic rice cooker 10 can wash the rice at an appropriate timing so that there is no excess or deficiency in the rice cooked rice. The rice cooking process can be started.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 30 separately specifies the rice washing start threshold value, which is a standard for starting rice washing, and the rice cooking start threshold value, which is a standard for starting rice cooking. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to wash and cook the rice at a more appropriate timing without excess or deficiency of the rice cooked according to the actual decrease of the cooked rice in the store.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 30 calculates a slope value indicating the amount of decrease in rice cooked rice per unit period in the past at each predetermined calculation timing (S16, S38 in FIG. 3), and the calculated slope is calculated. The rice washing start threshold value and the rice cooking start threshold value are changed according to the values (S20, S22, S26 in FIG. 3, S50, S52, S58 in FIG. 4). Therefore, the automatic rice cooker 10 can start washing and cooking rice at a more appropriate timing so that there is no excess or deficiency in the cooked rice according to the decrease of the cooked rice.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the in-store order information is input to the store terminal 100 by a customer or the like, the store terminal 100 generates the in-store order information indicating the order contents and automatically automates the in-store order information via the Internet. It is transmitted to the rice cooker 10. The control unit 30 of the automatic rice cooker 10 can receive in-store order information at any time. Therefore, the user of the automatic rice cooker 10 does not have to input the in-store order information for the automatic rice cooker 10 by himself, and the operation burden on the user is reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, when a customer or the like before visiting the store operates the terminal device 300 to make a reservation for visiting the store on the website, the web server 200 that provides the website generates reservation information. Then, the reservation information is transmitted to the automatic rice washing rice cooker 10 via the Internet. The control unit 30 of the automatic rice cooker 10 can receive reservation information at any time. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user of the automatic rice cooker 10 to grasp and predict the reservation status (scheduled visit time, number of visitors, etc.), the current state of the store, etc. at any time and instruct the start of the rice cooker process. The operation burden of is reduced.

The correspondence between this embodiment and the description of the claims will be described. The Internet is an example of a "communication network." In-store order information and reservation information are examples of "order information". The rice washing start threshold and the rice cooking start threshold are examples of "specific thresholds".

Although the examples have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and modifications of the specific examples illustrated above.

(Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the control unit 30 calculates a slope value indicating the amount of decrease in rice cooked rice per unit period in the past at each predetermined calculation timing (S16, S38 in FIG. 3). The rice washing start threshold value and the rice cooking start threshold value are changed according to the calculated inclination value (S20, S22, S26 in FIG. 3, S50, S52, S54, S56, S58, S60 in FIG. 4). Not limited to this, at least one of the rice washing start threshold value and the rice cooking start threshold value may be a predetermined fixed value.

(Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the control unit 30 separately specifies the rice washing start threshold value, which is the standard for starting rice washing, and the rice cooking start threshold value, which is the standard for starting rice cooking, and the remaining amount of rice cooked rice. Starts rice washing (S30) when is below the rice washing start threshold value (YES in S24 or S28), and then any of S62, S64, and S66 in FIG. 4 when the remaining amount of rice cooked rice is below the rice cooking start threshold value. (If YES in), start cooking rice (S70). Not limited to this, the control unit 30 specifies only one start threshold value, which is a criterion for starting a series of rice washing rice cooking processes, and when the remaining amount of rice cooked rice falls below the start threshold value, the rice washing unit 18 determines the rice washing. The rice cooker 20 may continuously cook rice. The start threshold in this modification is an example of a "specific threshold". Further, also in this modification, the control unit 30 calculates a slope value indicating the amount of decrease in rice cooked rice per unit period in the past at each predetermined calculation timing, and sets the start threshold value according to the calculated slope value. You may want to change the value. In another example, the starting threshold may be a predetermined fixed value.

(Modification 3) In the above embodiment, the automatic rice washing system 2 has a web server 200 for accepting reservations and a store terminal 100 for in-store orders. Not limited to this, one of the web server 200 and the store terminal 100 may be omitted.

(Modification 4) The method in which the control unit 30 of the automatic rice cooker 10 receives the reservation information from the outside is not limited to the method of receiving the reservation information from the above-mentioned web server 200. For example, the control unit 30 may receive reservation information from a store terminal 100 or the like operated by a store clerk or the like who has received a reservation by telephone.

(Modification 5) In the above embodiment, the automatic rice cooker 10 can execute wireless communication with the web server 200 and the store terminal 100 via the Internet. The communication network for the automatic rice cooker 10 to communicate with an external device is not limited to the Internet, and may be wired communication, wireless communication according to other standards (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark)), or the like.

(Modified Example 6) In the above embodiment, the control unit 30 causes the rice washing unit 18 to wash the rice necessary for cooking rice of a predetermined set rice cooking amount (12000 g), and then uses the rice in the rice cooking unit 20. Cook rice and cook rice with the set amount of rice cooked (12000g). Not limited to this, the control unit 30 changes the set rice cooking amount to be cooked according to the inclination value calculated before washing the rice, and performs the rice washing process using the amount of rice according to the changed set rice cooking amount. You may do it.

The technical elements described herein or in the drawings exhibit their technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the techniques illustrated in the present specification or drawings can achieve a plurality of purposes at the same time, and achieving one of the purposes itself has technical usefulness.

2: Automatic rice washing system 10: Automatic rice cooker 12: Operation unit 14: Display unit 16: Rice storage unit 18: Rice washing unit 20: Rice cooking unit 22: Communication I / F
30: Control unit 32: Memory 100: Store terminal 200: Web server 300: Terminal device

Claims (2)

It ’s an automatic rice cooker,
The rice washing department that washes rice and
A rice cooker that cooks rice using rice that has been washed by the rice wash section, and a rice cooker that cooks rice.
It is provided with a control unit for executing the rice washing process including causing the rice washing unit to execute the rice washing and causing the rice cooking unit to execute the rice cooking.
The control unit
Receives order information related to ordering dishes using cooked rice from the outside via a communication network,
According to the contents indicated by the received order information, the amount of the rice cooked rice used corresponding to the contents is subtracted from the remaining amount of the rice cooked rice indicating the remaining amount of the rice cooked rice.
When the remaining amount of rice cooked rice is lower than the rice washing start threshold, which is the threshold for starting rice washing in the rice washing part, the rice washing part is started to wash rice, the rice washing part is made to wash rice, and then the rice cooking rice is washed. When the remaining amount is a threshold value for causing the rice cooking unit to start cooking rice and falls below the rice cooking start threshold value smaller than the rice washing start threshold value, the rice cooking unit is started to start cooking rice.
Automatic rice cooker. The control unit further
Calculate the slope value for the amount of decrease in the rice cooked rice per unit period,
At least one of the rice washing start threshold value and the rice cooking start threshold value is changed according to the calculated inclination value.
The automatic rice cooker according to claim 1.

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