JP7482347B2 - Consumables Processing System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a processing device that uses consumables such as a microwave oven or rice cooker, a recognition unit mounted on an information terminal or processing device that recognizes the identification information of the consumables, and a consumable processing system that presents to a user how to use the processing device and the usage status of the consumables based on the product information of the consumables and the device information of the processing device.

As an example of a conventional consumables processing system, a method is disclosed in which a barcode reader is used to recognize information about consumer goods and to check the usage status of consumer goods consumed by home appliances (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2018-156677 A

However, in conventional consumable processing systems, although the consumables are labeled with recommended cooking methods, storage methods, and usage amounts, when the consumables are used using the recommended processing methods, they are not necessarily optimized due to the diversification of processing equipment used for processing and the preferences of the user. It is also difficult to make corrections to optimize the system, and the system development by consumables manufacturers and processing equipment manufacturers, and the reflection of user preferences are not necessarily sufficient.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a consumables processing system that allows the method of using consumables, which differs depending on the processing device and user, to be appropriately modified, and presents the user with the most suitable method of use as needed.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the consumables processing system of the present invention comprises a consumable, a processing device that uses the consumable, a recognition unit that recognizes at least the identification information of the consumable, a first information storage unit that stores product information of the consumable linked to the identification information of the consumable, and a second information storage unit that stores device information of the processing device, and is characterized in that the consumables processing system has a function of detecting or estimating the usage status of the consumable, a function of notifying a user of the usage status, and a function of presenting to the user how to use the processing device based on the product information and the device information, and has a function of allowing a user to evaluate the results of use of the consumable, calculating a new usage method from the evaluation results, and updating the product information or device information as necessary.

This configuration makes it possible to appropriately modify the method of using consumables, which differs for each processing device and user, and provides a consumable processing system that presents the user with the most appropriate method of use as needed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a consumables processing system according to the first to third embodiments. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the consumables processing system according to the first to third embodiments. 3A is a table showing an example of a method of using a processing device for each ID of the consumables processing system in the present embodiment 1. (b) is a table showing a relationship between a quality evaluation coefficient and a heating time for each ID of the consumables processing system in the present embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a table showing the ID, code number, product information, usage history, and number of consumables. FIG. 5 is a table showing how to use the consumables by a processing device (mainly a microwave oven) according to their IDs, code numbers, etc. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of display and operation on the display unit of an information terminal in a microwave oven. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of display and operation on the display unit of the information terminal in the microwave oven. FIG. 8 is a table showing how to use the processing device (rice cooker) according to the ID, code number, etc. of the consumable item. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing how to use consumable items displayed on the display unit of an information terminal in a rice cooker and how the user makes selections. FIG. 10 is another diagram showing how to use consumable items displayed on the display unit of the information terminal in the rice cooker and showing the transition of the state in which the user makes selections. FIG. 11 is yet another diagram showing how to use consumable items displayed on the display unit of an information terminal in a rice cooker and showing the transition of a state in which a user makes selections. FIG. 12 shows a state in which a forgotten use notice is displayed on the display unit of an information terminal and consumption is recommended, and shows the details thereof. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a shopping suggestion is notified on the information terminal to recommend a new purchase, and a diagram showing details of the usage status of consumables.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a consumable, a processing device that uses the consumable, a recognition unit that recognizes at least the identification information of the consumable, and a first information storage unit that stores product information of the consumable linked to the identification information of the consumable, and has a function of detecting or estimating the usage status of the consumable, a function of notifying a user of the usage status, and a function of presenting to the user how to use the processing device based on the product information, and is characterized in that the system has a function of allowing a user to evaluate the results of use of the consumable, calculating a new usage method from the evaluation results, and updating the product information or device information as necessary.

This configuration makes it possible to appropriately modify the method of using consumables, which differs for each processing device and user, and provides a consumable processing system that presents the user with the most appropriate method of use as needed.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a second information storage unit that stores device information about the processing device, and has a function of presenting a method of using the processing device to a user based on the product information and the device information. The system may be configured to have a function of allowing a user to evaluate the results of using the consumables, calculating a new method of use from the evaluation results, and updating the product information or device information as necessary.

This configuration makes it possible to appropriately modify the method of using consumables, which differs for each processing device and user, and provides a consumable processing system that presents the user with the most appropriate method of use as needed.

A consumable processing system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to have auxiliary materials for using the consumables in the processing equipment, and to present a method for using the processing equipment based on the measured condition and type of the consumables and/or auxiliary materials.

With this configuration, for example, the processing equipment is a rice cooker, the consumable is rice (brand A), and the auxiliary is water measured according to the amount of rice, and by obtaining information on the water quality (soft water, hard water, RO water) and temperature, the water absorption time of the rice and the heating temperature can be adjusted to achieve optimal rice cooking for the brand. Also, for example, if the consumable is flour (brand B) and the auxiliary is yeast and water, the fermentation time can be adjusted according to the water quality and temperature, and the type and amount of yeast, to bake optimal bread.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to have a processing tool for using the consumables in the processing device, and to present a method of using the processing device based on the type of the processing tool.

With this configuration, for example, if the processing equipment is an induction heating cooker, efficient heating and optimal cooking heating can be achieved by presenting the heating coil to be used according to the type, size (diameter), and material (iron, aluminum, laminated, etc.) of the processing tool being used (pot, frying pan, kettle, etc.).

A consumables processing system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the product information stored in the first information storage unit includes at least one of the following: business name, product name, POS receipt name, product type, product part number, product volume, product container, product ingredients, product features, expiration date, size, usage method, usage amount, usage process, purchase date, and storage temperature of the consumables.

This configuration allows users to easily refer to necessary product information, and for example, by checking the product image, users can prevent handling errors, avoid mistakes in storage temperatures, avoid expiration dates, and enjoy delicious and safe cooking without, for example, ingesting allergens that may be objectionable to some people.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the product information stored in the first information storage unit includes at least one of the components, amount of use, and processing temperature of auxiliary materials when the consumables are used in the processing device.

With this configuration, for example, if the processing equipment is a dishwasher and the consumables are dishwashing detergent and rinse aid, optimal washing can be achieved by including at least one of the following as auxiliary materials: water quality (soft water, hard water, etc.), water usage (water-saving, normal wash), and wash water temperature.

A consumables processing system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the equipment information stored in the second information storage unit includes at least one of the business name, product name, product part number, product function, operation record, operation record, material, product shape, external dimensions, and volume of the processing equipment.

With this configuration, for example, in the case of microwave ovens and ovens, it is possible to grasp variations in the finish due to differences in heat capacity that are affected by the heater material and inner wall material (stainless steel, anodized aluminum, etc.) of each model of cooking appliance, differences in the type and number of heating coils that differ for each model of induction cooking appliance, or the operating form of the product such as button operation or panel operation, the output of the drying fan found in dishwashers and the type of drying heater, the number of dishes handled which depends on the internal volume, differences in the temperature control range of refrigerators, abnormalities can be detected from the motor control status, operating status can be detected by temperature detection, and user behavior can be grasped and monitored by knowing the door opening and closing records.

A consumables processing system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the equipment information stored in the second information storage unit includes at least one of the business name, product name, product number, material, type, shape, and volume of the processing tool when the consumables are used in the processing equipment.

With this configuration, for example in an induction heating cooker, the shape, material, type, and size of the pot can be known to perform optimal temperature control for the processing equipment.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the presentation of the method of using the processing device is based on any one of improving the quality of the consumables, shortening the processing time of the consumables, and reducing the power consumption of the processing device.

This configuration allows suggestions for basic requirements for electrical appliances, such as quality of finished product, energy saving, and time saving, while also making it possible for users to clearly prioritize conflicting requirements that are difficult to achieve together, such as preventing uneven heating vs. time saving when defrosting or heating, or long heating times for high quality vs. energy saving, or dishwasher quality vs. time saving or energy saving.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to calculate new usage methods based on evaluation results from multiple users and update product information as necessary.

With this configuration, for example, when it comes to how to use a particular processing device or consumable, it is possible to extract preferred usage methods from those recommended by the manufacturer and provide these to the user.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the product information to be updated is information regarding a heating method for the consumables.

This configuration allows the user to update the cooking method to suit their own processing equipment and preferences, rather than the heating method recommended by the manufacturer. For example, if the recommended cooking method is to cook fried chicken in a microwave oven at 500W for 10 minutes, and the user owns an oven range with a steam function, and would like to cook it for 20 minutes using the steam function, the heating method can be changed to suit the user's preferences.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the product information to be updated is information regarding the expiry date or best-before date of the consumables.

With this configuration, for example, in an environment where the storage environment cannot be arranged according to the recommended storage method for consumables (room temperature: assumed 18°C) (for example, room temperature environment of 30°C), the actual expiration date will be shorter, making it possible to change the expiration date to suit the actual usage environment. Here, it is preferable to change the expiration date by calculating the expiration date when the food is originally stored in an appropriate environment by multiplying it by a temperature coefficient.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the product information to be updated is information regarding the amount of consumables used.

With this configuration, for example, in the case of a dishwasher, the amount of detergent recommended by the manufacturer is designed assuming a standard dishwasher with standard soiling and a standard set of dishes, but each household has different characteristics such as the set that is washed in one go, the soiling (with or without pre-washing), and even whether or not the user prefers to save time. By optimizing the amount of detergent used to suit these households, dishwashing can be carried out more efficiently and economically. Also, in the case of food cooking, for example, the optimal amount of food that can be processed in one go differs depending on the capacity of the equipment owned and the temperature uniformity. By updating these, desirable cooking conditions can be achieved.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the notified usage status is information regarding the remaining amount of the consumables.

With this configuration, for example, in the case of a dishwasher, the amount of detergent recommended by the manufacturer is designed assuming a standard dishwasher with standard soiling and a standard set of dishes, but each household has different characteristics such as the set that is washed in one go, the soiling (with or without pre-washing), and even whether or not the user prefers to save time. By optimizing the amount of detergent used to suit these households, dishwashing can be carried out more efficiently and economically. Also, in the case of food cooking, for example, the optimal amount of food that can be processed in one go differs depending on the capacity of the equipment owned and the temperature uniformity. By updating these, desirable cooking conditions can be achieved.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the notified usage status is information regarding the time to replenish the consumables, calculated from the remaining amount of the consumables.

For example, in a rice cooker, the amount of rice used can be read from the rise in water temperature during cooking. By cooking rice periodically, the system can predict when the amount of rice (10 kg) read before opening will run out based on the rate at which the rice is consumed, and notify the user when it is time to replenish these products, encouraging them to make purchases. This configuration can prevent stock shortages.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the usage status notified is information regarding the expiry date or best-before date of the consumables.

Most users are conscious of the expiration date when using fresh foods after purchase, and a certain amount of food tends to be discarded. The expiration date is calculated based on the expiration date listed on the product information, the purchase date, and proper storage conditions (for example, if a product has an expiration date of six months, the expiration date is calculated from the purchase date and is set to two to three months after that if it is stored at the correct temperature), and the user is notified. This configuration can prevent users from forgetting to consume the product.

A consumables processing system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the method of use has a plurality of steps, and in a predetermined step, the user is notified of confirmation items or selection items, and the user is prompted to confirm the confirmation items or select the selection items.

For example, in the case of cooking involving multiple cooking steps (e.g., hamburger steak), there are three major steps: defrosting the minced meat, mixing with the binder, and baking the patty. If the user performs the defrosting and baking steps, those who own a microwave oven can do it with one device, but those who own a microwave oven without an oven function and an induction cooker can cook using different devices. With this configuration, the owner can select the optimal cooking method according to their device.

A consumables processing system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured such that the method of using the processing device is presented in a plurality of patterns, including a pattern that emphasizes improving the quality of the consumables and a pattern that emphasizes shortening the processing time of the consumables, and the plurality of steps are different for each of the presented patterns.

This configuration allows users to set how to use consumables according to their preferences, such as detailed heating or cooking, while also making a trade-off between high quality and reduced processing time.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to improve the quality of the results of processing the consumables by having a user evaluate the results of using the consumables and then determining multiple steps in the usage method based on the evaluation results.

For example, when cooking beef at low temperature in a microwave oven, if a user evaluates that some of the meat is tough after 30 minutes at 200W, a process of 5 minutes at 300W followed by a 3-minute break can be repeated six times to produce a higher quality process. Alternatively, if thawing is performed for 10 minutes at 300W and there is a large unevenness in the heating, the process can be divided into two stages, first 5 minutes at 200W and then 6 minutes at 300W. With this configuration, a higher quality process can be proposed in response to user requests, increasing satisfaction.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to present evaluation items for a user to evaluate the results of using the consumables.

This configuration allows users to learn their own preferences, and by providing the evaluation results to the manufacturer, it is possible to improve the quality of the processing equipment or consumables.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to have an evaluation decision operation unit that allows a user to decide the level of evaluation for each of the evaluation items.

For example, if an evaluation item satisfies some conditions, such as time saving, quality, and energy saving, it becomes easier for the user to prioritize items where other conditions are not met. This configuration allows the user to find usage conditions that they are satisfied with.

A consumables processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to update product information by linking it to a user ID or a device ID.

A user ID is linked to an individual's preferences, and a device ID is linked to device-specific characteristics. For example, even toaster ovens of the same manufacturer and with the same output may not be able to cook exactly the same food if the model numbers are different, so it is important to propose a processing method that links user IDs and device IDs. With this configuration, personal preferences can be linked to the results that can be achieved by the device, making it possible to carry out processing (e.g. cooking) according to each individual's more detailed preferences.

Below, examples of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of a consumables processing system according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, a label 1a is attached to a consumable product 1, such as a frozen food or packaged food, purchased by a user. Label 1a contains various codes, such as a barcode (JAN code) and QR code (registered trademark), text information, etc. This label 1a is recognized by a recognition unit 3a of an information terminal 3, such as a smartphone or tablet. Recognition unit 3a is composed of a camera and software for recognizing various codes and characters.

The method of recognition by the recognition unit 3a may be RFID or image recognition. In particular, in the case of unpackaged fruits and vegetables that do not have a label 1a, the type of consumable 1 may be identified by comparing image information of the consumable 1 that has been stored in advance using image recognition technology with image information of the consumable 1 recognized by the recognition unit 3a. In addition, various codes and text information printed on a POS receipt issued by a store when a user purchases the consumable 1 at the store may also be used.

The information listed on label 1a is the identification information of consumable 1, which is so-called product information linked to the identification information. That is, the product information listed includes the business name (producer/seller) of the consumable product 1, the product name (e.g., "frozen dumplings"), the POS receipt name, the product type (e.g., "frozen food"), the product number, the product volume (e.g., "200 g", "8 pieces"), the product container (e.g., "plastic bag"), the product ingredients (e.g., "ground pork, salt, coloring, etc."), the product characteristics (e.g., "delicious when heated at high temperature for a short time"), the expiration date (e.g., "until October 1, 2019", "3 months from date of purchase"), the product size (e.g., "20 cm wide, 15 cm long, 5 cm high"), the usage method (e.g., "heat in a microwave at 600 W for 15 minutes"), the amount of usage (e.g., "up to 6 pieces per heating in a microwave"), the usage process (e.g., "consume within 5 minutes after heating in a microwave"), the purchase date (e.g., "until July 1, 2019"), and the storage temperature (e.g., "store at -10 degrees or below").

Other product information includes product images of the consumables (front and back of packaging), storage temperature range (e.g., refrigerated, frozen, room temperature), best before date or expiration date, consumption date or expiration date, content (e.g., "200 g", "8 pieces"), total weight, usage method (e.g., "remove from packaging and cook"), allergens, nutritional components, date of manufacture, storage method, sterilization method, usage process (e.g., "consume within 5 minutes of heating in the microwave"), usage method (e.g., "remove from packaging and cook"), etc.

At least one of the above-mentioned product information recognized by the recognition unit 3a is wirelessly transmitted from the information terminal 3 to the server 4.

Server 4 is a general term for a computer or software on a network that receives requests and instructions from other computers and returns information and processing results. In the case of a typical computer, it consists of a CPU, memory, hard disk, communication line, etc.

The server 4 is composed of a first information storage unit 4a that stores product information of the consumable 1 linked to the identification information of the consumable 1; a second information storage unit 4b that stores equipment information of the processing equipment 2 such as a microwave oven, rice cooker, induction heating cooker, bakery, mixer, toaster oven, and dishwasher; a usage status estimation unit 4c that has the function of detecting and/or estimating the usage status of the consumable 1; a usage status notification unit 4d that has the function of notifying the user of the usage status of the consumable 1; a usage method presentation unit 4e that has the function of presenting to the user the method of using the processing equipment 2 based on the product information and equipment information; and an information update unit 4f that has the function of allowing the user to evaluate the results of use of the consumable 1, calculating a new usage method from the evaluation results, and updating the product information or equipment information as necessary.

In this embodiment, the server 4 is a single server divided into each section, but it is also possible to have multiple servers and divide each section into blocks. For example, the first information storage section 4a and the second information storage section 4b may be one server, and the other sections may be another server, and communication may be performed between the servers.

The processing device 2 in this embodiment will be described below in the case where the consumable 1 is used in a microwave oven. Note that although the recognition unit 3a has been described as being mounted on the information terminal 3, it is also possible for the recognition unit 3a to be mounted on the processing device 2.

First, the user must register information about the processing device 2, which is a microwave oven, as shown in Figure 2. This information is linked to device information that has been previously entered in the second information storage unit 4b. Device registration of a microwave oven can be performed by having the recognition unit 3a recognize the QR code (registered trademark) attached to a warranty card or the like that is provided with the microwave oven when it is purchased, and the device information of the microwave oven to be used can be stored in the second information storage unit 4b.

In addition, the model numbers of microwave ovens preregistered in the second information storage unit 4b may be displayed on the information terminal 3, and the user may select the model number of the microwave oven to be used on the display of the information terminal 3 to register the microwave oven.

The device information stored in the second information storage unit 4b may include at least one of the following: the name of the microwave business (manufacturer or seller), the product name (e.g., "microwave oven"), the product number, the product function (e.g., "oven heating function", "warming function", "steam heating function"), the operation record (e.g., which method of use was performed and how many times at what timing), the operation record (e.g., which method of use was selected by the user and how many times at what timing), the material (e.g., "resin", "steel plate"), the product shape (e.g., "approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape"), the external dimensions (e.g., "length 300 mm, width 400 mm, depth 500 mm"), and the volume (e.g., "30 L"). If the microwave oven is connected to the server 4 via a network, the operation record and operation record of the microwave oven are registered in the second information storage unit 4b from the microwave oven via the network.

Next, in FIG. 2, the recognition unit 3a recognizes the consumable item 1, which is the food to be cooked. The recognized product information of the consumable item 1 is linked to product information that has been registered in advance in the first information storage unit 4a.

When the recognition unit 3a is installed in the information terminal 3 and the microwave oven is connected to the server 4 via a network, product information such as the recognized product name and usage method of the consumable 1 is sent from the first information storage unit 4a to the information terminal 3 based on the device information of the microwave oven registered in the second information storage unit 4b and the product information registered in the first information storage unit 4a, and the user can determine the usage method of the consumable 1 by operating the information terminal 3 on the display of the information terminal 3.

If the microwave oven is equipped with recognition unit 3a and is further connected to a network by a communication means such as a wireless LAN, the cooking method (method of use) selected and suggested from first information storage unit 4a may be transmitted from first information storage unit 4a to the microwave oven via second information storage unit 4b. Furthermore, if the microwave oven is equipped with a display unit, product information such as the product name, product image, cooking method (method of use), etc. may be displayed on the screen of the display unit.

When the recognition unit 3a is mounted on an information terminal 3 such as a smartphone and is connected to the microwave oven via wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), product information such as the product name, product image, and cooking method (method of use) can be sent from the first information storage unit 4a to the information terminal 3 based on the device information in the second information storage unit 4b, and after the user confirms the method of use on the display unit of the information terminal 3, the cooking method (method of use) and the like can be transmitted from the information terminal 3 to the microwave oven.

In the case of a microwave oven in which the recognition unit 3a is mounted on an information terminal 3 such as a smartphone and which is not connected to a network, the cooking method (method of use) suggested in association with the product information in the first information storage unit 4a and the device information in the second information storage unit 4b may be set manually on the display screen of the information terminal 3 or in accordance with voice guidance, etc.

Information that determines how to use the consumable 1 is sent from the information terminal 3 to the first information storage unit 4a of the server 4 via the network, and the information is then sent from the first information storage unit 4a to the second information storage unit 4b via the network to the microwave oven. In this way, the processing device 2, which is the microwave oven, is prepared to execute the method of use of the consumable 1.

After the user confirms or confirms the method of use of the consumable 1 on the display of the microwave oven, the method of use (cooking method) of the consumable 1 is executed by pressing the start button of the microwave oven. For example, if the maximum output power of the microwave oven registered in the second information storage unit 4b is 600W, and the product information registered in the first information storage unit 4a recommends heating for 10 minutes at an output power of 900W, the method of use of the consumable 1 that is suggested to be executed may be, for example, a suggestion to perform heating for 15 minutes at an output power of 600W in association with the equipment information.

In addition, a table of multiple heating times corresponding to multiple wattages may be preregistered in the second information storage unit 4b.

In this way, the function of the usage method presentation unit 4e is to present to the user how to use the processing device 2 based on the product information and device information.

Next, we will explain the functions of the usage status estimation unit 4c and the usage status notification unit 4d.

Microwave ovens are usually equipped with a temperature sensor, such as an infrared sensor, that detects the temperature of the consumable 1 and the inside of the microwave oven. This temperature sensor detects the surface temperature of the consumable 1 and estimates the finished temperature of the consumable 1. In this way, it is the function of the usage status estimation unit 4c to detect or estimate the usage status of the consumable 1. Note that the usage status estimation unit 4c may be located within the microwave oven, or information from the temperature sensor within the microwave oven may be sent from the microwave oven to the usage status estimation unit 4c in the server 4 via a network and estimated by the usage status estimation unit 4c in the server 4.

If it is estimated that the heating will finish earlier than the 15-minute heating time at the current output power of 600 W, a completion notification is issued to inform the user that the heating has been completed in a time that is earlier than the scheduled 15-minute heating time. This is the function of the usage status notification unit 4d to notify the user of the usage status of the consumable 1.

This notification from the usage status notification unit 4d to the user may be displayed on the display unit of the microwave oven, or may be notified by sound, light, or vibration from the microwave oven. It may also be displayed on the display unit of the information terminal 3 via a network, or may be notified by sound, light, or vibration from the information terminal 3.

As another example of the usage status notification unit 4d, in the case of a processing device 2 in which a microwave oven has an oven heating function and uses both a function of heating the consumable 1 with microwaves using a microwave oscillator such as a magnetron mounted on the microwave oven and a function of heating and baking the consumable 1 using oven heating such as a sheath heater or tube heater mounted on the microwave oven, when the function of heating and baking the consumable 1 using the microwave oven is completed, a completion notification is given to the user, and the user may then be notified of how to use the oven heating by displaying the method on the display unit of the information terminal 3 or the processing device 2, or the user may be notified by voice from the information terminal 3 or the processing device 2.

Other examples of the usage status notification unit 4d and the usage status estimation unit 4c include the following. For example, when cooking a frozen gratin as the consumable item 1 using a function for heating and thawing the consumable item 1 using a microwave oscillator such as a magnetron mounted on the microwave oven, and a function for heating and baking the consumable item 1 using oven heating such as a sheath heater or tube heater mounted on the microwave oven, after notifying the completion of thawing the gratin and notifying the user to remove the gratin from the microwave oven, during oven heating, the grill plate for oven heating is attached and preheated according to the display or voice guidance of the information terminal 3 or the processing device 2, and after notifying the completion of preheating, the gratin is put back into the microwave oven and cooked in the oven.

In this way, the method of using the consumable 1 has multiple steps (a microwave heating step and an oven heating step), and at a given step, the user is notified of items to be confirmed (such as completion of thawing or removing the gratin from the microwave oven) or of options to be selected (such as whether to move from the microwave heating step to the oven heating step), and is prompted to confirm the items to be confirmed or select the options.

At this time, if the microwave oven is equipped with a camera that photographs the inside of the microwave oven, the progress of the cooking (the usage status of consumable 1) may be estimated from the browning of the gratin, and the cooking may be terminated at the optimum browning. Also, at this time, if the grill plate is equipped with a weight sensor, the progress of the cooking may be estimated from the change in weight of the gratin, and the cooking may be terminated at the optimum heating state.

Next, the user can evaluate the results (cooking results) of using the consumable item 1 in the microwave oven.

For example, when a user evaluates the results of thawing minced meat as an example of consumable product 1, each evaluation item such as uneven thawing (whether the minced meat is thawed evenly), partial discoloration (whether the minced meat is "cooked"), degree of separation of the minced meat, etc. are displayed on the display unit of information terminal 3 or processing device 2, and an evaluation decision operation unit 5, which allows the user to decide the level of evaluation for each evaluation item, is displayed on a display unit configured with a touch panel on information terminal 3 or processing device 2. The evaluation decision operation unit 5 may be configured, for example, with a slide bar, and the user moves the slide bar to input an evaluation for each evaluation item.

For example, assume that the user is presented with instructions on how to use the microwave oven based on the product information and the device information, and then uses (thaws) consumable item 1 with an output power of 300 W and a heating time of 5 minutes.
If the results of using the consumable product (thawing results) are evaluated as not being sufficient and there is a lot of unevenness in the thawing, then the next time a similar thawing process is performed, it is desirable to calculate and present a usage method (thawing method) such as processing the consumable product 1 with an output power of 100 W for a heating time of 10 minutes, and then processing the consumable product 1 with an output power of 300 W for a heating time of 2 minutes, instead of the one-stage thawing, to two or more stages (an example of having multiple steps in the usage method based on the user's evaluation results).

These suggestions may be pre-entered as a table in the product information, or may be newly calculated from the product information and device information. Furthermore, it has a function to update the product information or device information based on the newly calculated usage method as necessary.

As a specific example, the table in FIG. 3(a) will be used for explanation. The tables in FIGS. 3(a) and (b) are stored in the second information storage unit 4b, and are updated whenever necessary. First, the usage method (heating method) of the consumable 1 is presented to the user by the usage method presenter 4e, which is to defrost (heat) the consumable 1 with a heating wattage of 300 W and a heating time of 5 minutes, as described in "Proposal 1" in FIG. 3(a).

If the user's evaluation result indicates that there is a lot of unevenness in thawing, the usage method presentation unit 4e proposes a two-stage thawing method in which low-power heating is first performed at a heating wattage of 100 W, and then finishing heating is performed at 300 W, as described in IDs A131, A132, A133, etc., pre-entered in the table. This table may be pre-entered, or may be automatically calculated in two or more stages so that the amount of electricity ultimately input to the food is constant (in this table, 300 W/12 min = 25 Wh).

When calculating automatically, the calculation may take into account the maximum time allowed for defrosting (the limit is the food's attributes and the minimum input power, which varies depending on the model), as well as the so-called internal microwave absorption loss (power lost within the microwave oven without being absorbed by the food), which is affected by the material of the inner walls and the size of the surface area, which vary depending on the model of microwave oven.

In this way, the function of the information update unit 4f is to update product information or device information based on the newly calculated usage method as necessary.

The information update unit 4f may calculate new usage methods from the evaluation results of multiple users and update product information or device information as necessary.

As described above, the product information to be updated may be information regarding the heating method of the consumable 1 (heating the consumable 1 with an output power of 300 W and a heating time of 5 minutes ⇒ processing the consumable 1 with an output power of 100 W and a heating time of 12 minutes, and then processing the consumable 1 with an output power of 300 W and a heating time of 1 minute, updating the product information in the first information storage unit 4a).

In the case where the evaluation item regarding the heating of the consumable 1 by the user requires a shortened processing time (heating time) of the consumable 1 or a reduced power consumption of the processing equipment as the evaluation result of the consumable 1 by the user, for example, assuming that the user has heated the consumable 1 with an output power of 600 W and a heating time of 10 minutes after being presented with instructions on how to use the microwave based on the product information and equipment information, and the next time the consumable 1 is heated based on the user's evaluation result, the instructions on how to use the microwave may be presented to the user with an output power of 1200 W and a heating time of 5 minutes.

In addition, in the case where an evaluation item regarding the heating of consumable 1 by a user is requested to show an evaluation result that the quality of consumable 1 is to be improved, for example, after the user is presented with instructions on how to use the microwave oven based on the product information and equipment information, if consumable 1 is heated with an output power of 600 W and a heating time of 10 minutes, the user may be presented with instructions on how to use the microwave oven with an output power of 500 W and a heating time of 12 minutes when heating consumable 1 the next time based on the user's evaluation result, in order to improve the uniformity of heating of consumable 1.

These indications may be entered in advance as a table in the product information, or may be newly calculated from the product information and device information. When calculating, it is desirable to use the total amount of energy input into the food as a guide. Furthermore, it has a function to update the product information or device information based on the newly calculated usage method as necessary. In this way, it is the function of the information update unit 4f to update the product information or device information based on the newly calculated usage method as necessary.

Furthermore, if the user's evaluation result is that he or she wishes to improve the quality of the consumable 1 while also seeking to shorten the processing time (heating time) of the consumable 1, it becomes necessary to set conflicting parameters. In such a case, the aforementioned slide bar is desirable as the configuration of the evaluation decision operation unit 5 that decides the user's evaluation.

When the slide bar is slid toward higher quality heating (longer heating), which improves the quality of consumable 1, it also slides toward the longer heating time side of the slide bar for shortening the processing time (heating time) of consumable 1, allowing the user to understand the trade-off between higher quality and shorter processing time.

A specific example will be described with reference to (a) and (b) in FIG. 3. The tables in (a) and (b) in FIG. 3 are stored in at least one of the first information storage unit 4a or the second information storage unit 4b, and are updated whenever necessary. As a result of defrosting consumable 1 at 300 W for 5 minutes using proposal 1 in FIG. 3(a), the user evaluates the balance between the two indicators of quality and defrosting time using a slide bar. The value selected using the slide bar is converted into a quality coefficient and a heating time evaluation coefficient as shown in the table in FIG. 3(b). For example, if the balance selected by the user is a quality evaluation coefficient of 3 that emphasizes high quality and a heating time equivalent to 9, proposal 2 with ID number A133 will be selected as the next proposal. If the balance selected by the user is a quality evaluation coefficient of 6 that emphasizes time saving and a heating time evaluation coefficient of 3, it is determined that the information should be updated so that proposal 2 with ID number B161 will be selected as the next proposal.

In this way, when presenting the method of using the processing device 2, multiple patterns may be presented to the user, including a pattern that emphasizes improving the quality of the consumable 1 and a pattern that emphasizes shortening the processing time of the consumable, and the heating wattage and heating time (multiple steps), which are two-stage heating times, may also be different depending on the presented pattern.

Next, referring to Figures 4 and 5, a table showing the ID, code number, product information, usage history and number of consumables 1, and a management table showing how to use consumables 1 in a microwave oven will be described. The tables in Figures 4 and 5 are stored in at least one of the first information storage unit 4a or the second information storage unit 4b, and are updated whenever necessary.

As shown in Figure 4, in the case of the product name "Large Takoyaki" with code number 49XXXXXX1, since it is a frozen food, the recommended storage temperature obtained from the product information is -18°C. For example, if the user owns a refrigerator connected to server 4 via a network as processing device 2, they may check the refrigerator's device log to confirm that frozen storage at this recommended temperature is being carried out. Assuming storage at this recommended temperature, the remaining recommended consumption date (best before date) is calculated to be 40 days from the time elapsed since the purchase date (the date the QR code (registered trademark) or barcode on label 1a was read) and the expiration date registered in the product information.

If a product has a different expiration date after opening, the recommended consumption date may be reviewed based on the usage history. One pack of "Large Takoyaki" contains 24 takoyaki. The last use was on January 2nd, and based on the usage history in the microwave (method of use shown in Figure 5: heating conditions for 8 pieces stored at -18°C at 500W for 8 minutes), it is estimated that 8 takoyaki were used, and the remaining number is recorded as 16. Over the past four years, some code information such as the barcode of the "Large Takoyaki" has been read, and based on the read product information, heating information is sent to the microwave, and the takoyaki is heated in the microwave. Based on the record of takoyaki being heated in the microwave and the cumulative total, it is estimated that heating and cooking have been carried out a total of 20 times over the four years, and that 24 pieces x approximately 7 packs of "Large Takoyaki" have been consumed.

In the usage method shown in Figure 5, M/U indicates the setting M that is pre-installed as part of the device manual and the setting U that reflects the evaluation results of the user when using the consumable 1 in a microwave oven.

In addition, when the usage status estimation unit 4c estimates that the recommended expiration date of the "large takoyaki" is approaching, it is desirable for the usage status notification unit 4d to notify the user that the "large takoyaki" has been forgotten to be used on the display unit of the information terminal 3 or the display unit of the processing device 2 (microwave oven or refrigerator) as shown in FIG. 11(a) in order to prevent the user from forgetting to use the "large takoyaki." In FIG. 11(b), the "large takoyaki" is consumed three days before the expiration date, leaving 20 days until the expiration date. At this time, the remaining days until the expiration date for other consumables 1 may also be notified as shown in FIG. 11(b).

In addition, the timing for a new purchase can be estimated based on the frequency of use of the "large takoyaki" (here, it is shown that it has been used in the microwave 21 times in total), and a shopping suggestion notification encouraging purchases can be sent as shown in FIG. 12(a) before the frequently used consumable item 1 runs out, and the display unit of the information terminal 3 can display a screen as shown in FIG. 12(b) to guide the user to a purchasing site.

Note that although the expiration date is used here, it may also be information about a best-before date. Normal expiration dates are differentiated according to the rate at which quality deteriorates, and it is common to list a best-before date for products that deteriorate quickly and a best-before date for products that deteriorate slowly.

In this way, the table of product information regarding the amount of consumables used and the remaining amount can be updated according to the use of the consumables 1. In addition, by managing the remaining days before the expiry date of the consumables and the cumulative amount used, it is possible to encourage purchase when the consumables 1 is about to run out, and the time to replenish the consumables 1 can be displayed on the display unit of the information terminal 3.

In addition, the amount of usage and the remaining amount may be stored and managed in the first information storage unit 4a, or the remaining amount may be managed separately in an inventory list 4h.

The amount of usage and remaining amount may be detected by a camera or weight sensor mounted on the microwave oven or refrigerator, or in the case of a microwave oven, the amount of radio waves absorbed when the consumable 1 is heated may be estimated by detecting the amount of radio waves that are not absorbed by the consumable 1 and are returned by a reflected wave detection sensor such as a directional coupler.

Next, in FIG. 6, an example of operations on the display unit (operation unit) of the information terminal 3 of the microwave oven (or the microwave oven) will be described.

Fig. 6(a) shows a product image (here, the upper rectangle is assumed to be the product image) obtained via the barcode of the product name "Large Takoyaki" which is the consumable item 1, and a schematic diagram showing how to use it. Here, the display unit may be on the information terminal 3, or may be the operation display panel of the microwave oven which is the processing device 2. In the screen of Fig. 6(a), the microwave oven to be used has not been registered, i.e., the product information and device information are not linked via a network, so a general method of use for a microwave oven is suggested.

After selecting four takoyaki as consumable item 1 and placing the four takoyaki in the microwave oven, cooking (heating) begins by pressing the start button to start heating the microwave oven, and cooking ends when the specified amount of heating is completed. At this time, the fact that four "large takoyaki" have been heated is recorded in the device log, and this history can be used to estimate the remaining amount of "large takoyaki".

Figure 6 (b) shows the product image and usage instructions obtained via the barcode for "Large Takoyaki" when the microwave oven has been registered. The microwave oven in this case has a maximum output of 700W. The user selects the number of pieces on the display, and after confirming that the number of takoyaki pieces has been placed in the microwave oven, simply presses the start button to begin cooking (heating), and cooking ends when the desired amount of heating is completed.

Figures 6(c) to (i) show a series of display screens (for example, displayed on the display unit of the information terminal 3) related to fried chicken. First, the user selects heating of five fried chickens from the usage methods obtained through the barcode (Figure 6c). The black circle in Figure 6(c) indicates that the user has selected the number of pieces with his/her finger. In the following, the black circle indicates the user's selection with his/her finger. Next, the user selects a preferred finish from "standard", "crispy", "customized", etc. as the heating method for the five fried chickens, and transmits the cooking method from the information terminal 3 to the microwave oven (Figure 6d). During cooking and heating, the display unit may present an advertisement for a new fried chicken product, etc. (Figure 6e). In addition, before the heating is completed, a notification may be sent to the user to prompt the user to enter his/her impressions after use (Figure 6f). After the heating is completed, if the user feels that additional heating is necessary, the user may select the number of seconds for additional heating (Figure 6g). In the evaluation of the finish, the user may use a slide bar to evaluate the results under standard conditions in three stages, such as cold, good, and too hot, or to evaluate the finish or preference in two stages, such as chewy and crispy (Figure 6h). After registering the evaluation results, a survey may be conducted to award users points equivalent to some kind of gift certificate (Figure 6i).

Figures 7(a) to (g) show a series of display screens for roast beef (e.g., displayed on the display unit of information terminal 3). First, the barcode for "low-temperature cooked roast beef" is read, and a product image and recommended usage instructions are displayed via the barcode information (Figure 7a). If the user selects the manufacturer's recommendation, the screen transitions to one where four levels of meat firmness can be selected (Figure 7b). When cooking to make the meat soft, it is preferable to heat it for a long time at a low temperature, while when saving time, the meat becomes tough because it is cooked at a relatively high heat, so there is a trade-off. To intuitively recognize these options, the options may be visually represented with a slide bar (Figure 7c), and the desired cooking settings may be set on a two-axis map (Figure 7d).

After cooking is complete, the user can evaluate the results and register their preferences in My Cooking Settings (the user's personal cooking settings) (Figure 7e). If My Cooking Settings is selected, the next time the same product is scanned, the My Cooking Settings screen will appear on the display in addition to the manufacturer's recommended settings (Figure 7f). Here, if My Cooking Settings are represented as a two-axis map, it is desirable to visually represent the previous cooking method and the current recommended cooking method to aid the user's intuitive understanding (Figure 7g).

If the user's personal information (user ID) is registered in the information terminal 3, the product information in the first information storage unit 4a may be updated based on this.

The above is an explanation of the flowchart in Figure 2.

The definition of consumables 1 includes, for example, frozen dumplings and frozen fried chicken that contain all the ingredients necessary for the consumables 1, as well as combined seasonings such as Chinese seasonings and rice seasonings, stew and curry roux, cake and cookie seasonings, etc. In this specification, among consumables 1, those that contain all the ingredients necessary for the consumables 1, such as frozen dumplings and frozen fried chicken, and main ingredients such as rice are defined as main ingredients, and ingredients that are cooked in combination with other ingredients, such as Chinese seasonings and rice seasonings, stew and curry roux, cake and cookie seasonings, etc. are defined as side ingredients. The packages of these consumables 1 also have labels 1a attached. Various codes such as barcodes (JAN codes) and QR codes (registered trademarks), text information, etc. are printed on the labels 1a.

The consumable item 1 may require auxiliary materials 6 (food ingredients, seasonings, water, etc.). Examples of these auxiliary materials 6 include food ingredients (meat, vegetables, eggs, milk, etc.), seasonings (mirin, sake, pepper, soy sauce, salt, sugar, etc.), water (hard water, soft water), and oil. Specifically, for example, "Chinese seasonings" are available in multiple varieties, such as for sweet and sour pork, for Eight Treasures Dish, for Twice Cooked Pork, and for Mapo Tofu. For sweet and sour pork, the auxiliary materials 6 listed include pork thighs, onions, green peppers, carrots, fresh shiitake mushrooms, salt, pepper, eggs, and potato starch in the amounts required, and for Eight Treasures Dish, the auxiliary materials 6 listed include pork belly, Chinese cabbage, carrots, fresh shiitake mushrooms, squid, and shrimp in the amounts required.

The information on the auxiliary materials 6 added to the product information is not only used by the usage method presenter 4e as an explanation of the cooking method, but also preferably generates a preparation list (shopping list 4g) for the auxiliary materials 6, making it easier for the user to purchase the auxiliary materials 6.

In addition, the processing device 2 that uses the consumable 1 is not limited to one cooking device, and cooking methods vary greatly depending on the type and model of cooking device.

For example, when cooking the Chinese seasoning for Eight Treasures Dish using an electromagnetic induction heater (IH cooking heater) and a frying pan, the frying pan is heated, oil is added, and pork, squid, and shrimp are fried. Next, the meat is removed from the frying pan onto a plate, and vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, carrots, and fresh shiitake mushrooms are fried separately. Finally, all the ingredients are fried together, and the seasoning for Eight Treasures Dish is added and mixed in.

On the other hand, when cooking using a microwave oven, which is the processing device 2 of this embodiment, pork belly, squid, and shrimp can be placed in a heat-resistant non-metallic bowl, carrots, fresh shiitake mushrooms, and Chinese cabbage can be placed on top, and the mixture can be mixed with the seasoning for the eight treasure dish before cooking using microwaves.

As described above, some consumables 1 require auxiliary materials 6 and some do not. Also, some cooking methods differ depending on the combination of consumables 1 and processing equipment 2. Therefore, based on the product information (including information on auxiliary materials) in the first information storage unit 4a and the equipment information registered in the second information storage unit 4b, the method of using the consumables 1 (including cooking methods and shopping lists 4g) may be suggested to the user via the information terminal 3, etc.

(Embodiment 2)
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

Description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted. Note that this embodiment may be freely combined with other embodiments. In the first embodiment, the description is mainly given of the case where the processing device 2 is a microwave oven, but in the second embodiment, the description is given of the case where the processing device 2 is a rice cooker.

First, the user must register information about the processing device 2, which is a rice cooker. This information is linked to device information that has been previously entered in the second information storage unit 4b. The rice cooker is registered by having the recognition unit 3a recognize the QR code (registered trademark) attached to the warranty card or other document that was provided with the rice cooker when it was purchased, and the device information about the rice cooker to be used can be stored in the second information storage unit 4b.

A label 1a is attached to the consumable product 1, which is rice purchased by a user. Various codes such as a barcode (JAN code) and a QR code (registered trademark), text information, etc. are printed on the label 1a. This label 1a is recognized by a recognition unit 3a of an information terminal 3 such as a smartphone or tablet. The recognition unit 3a is composed of a camera and software for recognizing various codes and characters.

The information printed on label 1a is the identification information of consumable product 1, which is so-called product information linked to the identification information. In other words, product information such as the product name of consumable product 1 (for example, "white rice," "multigrain rice," "brown rice," etc.), brand (for example, "xx Hikari"), producer's name, place of milling, product image, product volume, product container, product ingredients, product features, expiration date, size, usage instructions, and usage amount, as well as the purchase date, storage period, recommended storage method, and description of the producer's thoughts on the product, is printed on label 1a.

In addition, there may be multiple optimized methods of use (rice cooking methods) based on detailed information such as the brand, season, water temperature, storage conditions, and amount of water (auxiliary material 6) used.

Next, the various codes and text information on the label 1a of the rice, which is the consumable product 1, are recognized by the recognition unit 3a of the information terminal 3. The recognized information is wirelessly transmitted from the information terminal 3 to the server 4 and is linked to product information previously registered in the first information storage unit 4a.

As described above, the device information of the rice cooker, which is the processing device 2, is registered in advance and stored in the second information storage unit 4b. The recognized information is then linked to, for example, product information related to the "brand" in the first information storage unit 4a and the method of using the rice cooker stored in the second information storage unit 4b (e.g., the cooking course for each "brand"), and the method of use (rice cooking method) to be presented to the rice cooker is transmitted from the server 4. The content presented here may take into account environmental information such as the temperature of the water (auxiliary material 6) estimated from the outside air temperature of the rice cooker. In other words, the product information stored in the first information storage unit 4a only needs to include the amount of water used and the temperature of the water when using rice in the rice cooker.

As a method for presenting the information from the server 4 to the rice cooker, the information may be presented to the rice cooker from the server 4 via wireless communication means such as WiFi, or the information may be sent from the server 4 to the information terminal 3 and then presented to the rice cooker from the information terminal 3 via wireless communication means such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The rice cooker receives the usage instructions, and the user measures the required total amount (or number of grams) of rice using a measuring cup or similar, and places an appropriate amount of water (auxiliary material 6) that matches the amount of rice into the rice cooker kettle. After soaking the rice in the water in the rice cooker kettle for a specified period of time, heating will begin according to the suggested usage instructions.

The rice cooker is equipped with a temperature detection means such as a thermistor, and is capable of detecting the temperature inside or near the rice cooker pot. At this time, the amount of rice used during cooking may be estimated from the rate of temperature rise inside the rice cooker pot. A registered rice inventory list 4h may be created based on the number of times recognized by the recognition unit 3a and the estimated amount of rice used, and the system may estimate the amount of rice in stock in conjunction with this inventory list 4h, and if rice stock runs out, the server 4 may automatically order rice from an EC site or the like.

The amount of rice remaining can also be determined from the amount of rice used, so the usage status notification unit 4d may display the amount of rice used and the amount remaining on the information terminal 3 or the display unit of the rice cooker, or may notify by voice. Furthermore, the time to replenish the rice may be calculated from the amount of rice remaining. Information regarding the expiration date or best-before date of the rice may also be notified. Furthermore, the information update unit 4f may update the product information in the first information storage unit 4a with information regarding the amount of rice used, the amount remaining, and the expiration date or best-before date.

When the specified method of use (rice cooking method) is completed, a completion notification is sent from the rice cooker to the information terminal 3 via the server 4 or by wireless communication such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the time for "steaming" after cooking is completed is also sent to the information terminal 3. The user can evaluate the results of the rice cooking by operating the display unit of the information terminal 3 or the rice cooker.

For example, in the case of "taste evaluation," the user can input individual items such as "sweetness," "hardness," "luster," and "stickiness" by moving a slide bar in the same way as in the first embodiment. For example, if the rice is evaluated as not sweet enough, it is desirable to suggest a cooking method with a longer cooking time the next time the same brand of rice is cooked.

In addition to the taste evaluation, when the user is asked to shorten the cooking time (heating time) or reduce the power consumption of the rice cooker as an evaluation result in terms of the heating of the consumable product 1, for example, the method of using the rice cooker may be presented to the user based on the product information and device information, and based on the user's evaluation result, the output power may be reduced and the heating time may be shortened when heating the consumable product 1 the next time.

In addition to the taste evaluation, for example, if an evaluation is made that the cooking time (heating time) should be shortened, shortening the cooking time (heating time) is a cooking method that contradicts, for example, the "sweetness" evaluation of the taste evaluation. Therefore, when the user slides the slide bar toward the shortening of the cooking time, the slide bar will move in tandem with the loss of "sweetness," and it is desirable that the display be such that the user can make an overall appropriate evaluation. Based on the evaluation results, new suggestions may be presented the next time rice is cooked.

These suggestions may be pre-entered into the product information, or may be calculated from the product information and device information.

Next, a case where rice mix is selected as the consumable item 1 and the auxiliary materials 6 are rice and water will be described using the management tables in Figures 4 and 8. The tables in Figures 4 and 8 are stored in at least one of the first information storage unit 4a or the second information storage unit 4b, and are updated whenever necessary.

As shown in Figure 4, in the case of the product name "Chestnut Rice Base" with code number 49XXXXXX5, the recommended storage temperature in the product information is room temperature. If an air conditioner or the like is connected to server 4 via a network, the user may check the air conditioner's sensor log to see that storage is being carried out at the recommended temperature, based on the indoor temperature set on the air conditioner and the detection results of the temperature sensor actually installed in the air conditioner.

Assuming storage at this recommended temperature, the remaining recommended consumption date is calculated as 130 days based on the time elapsed since the purchase date (the date the barcode was read) and the expiration date registered in the product information. If a product specifies a different expiration date after opening, it is a good idea to review the recommended consumption date (best before date) based on the usage history. Each pack of Chestnut Rice Mix contains enough for one use. According to the usage log in Figure 4, there is only one remaining, and there is no record of the date and time of use. This shows that since the product was read using the barcode etc., it has not been used to cook with rice at this time.

As shown in Figure 8, one package of "Chestnut Rice Mix" is used as an auxiliary material 6 to cook 2, 3, or a maximum of 4 cups of rice. For example, in the case of 4 cups of rice, the cooking time is 40 minutes for the normal cooking course and 35 minutes for the quick cooking course. You can also add a little salt and soy sauce to taste. This method of use is transmitted to the user's information terminal 3, and the user adds the "Chestnut Rice Mix", rice, and the required amount of water, and then selects and confirms the conditions that suit the state of the rice cooker from the various conditions displayed on the information terminal 3, transmits the cooking conditions to the rice cooker, and presses the start button to start cooking in the rice cooker. After pressing the start button, a certain amount of time (about 30 minutes) such as soaking time must pass before the rice actually starts cooking.

As shown in FIG. 8, depending on the type of consumable 1, the conditions of usage such as the number of pieces and water quality (hard water, soft water, RO water, etc.), and the settings such as cooking time, temperature setting, amount, etc. are stored as parameters.

At this time, the total amount of rice used is also recorded as an equipment log, which can be used to estimate the remaining amount of rice in the stockpile.

Next, in Figures 9, 10, and 11, we will explain examples of operations and displays on the display unit (operation unit) of the information terminal 3 in the rice cooker (or the rice cooker).

Figure 9 (a) shows a product image and usage method obtained via the barcode of "chestnut rice mix," which is a consumable item 1. Here, the display unit may be located in the information terminal 3, or may be the display unit of the operation panel of the rice cooker, which is the processing device 2. Since the heating time of rice cookers differs depending on the model, it is preferable that the product information and the device information are linked. In the figure, cooking times of 2, 3, and 4 cups of rice are suggested.

Figure 9(b) shows the screen when the user selects quick cooking to save time and selects cooking 4 cups of rice for 35 minutes. In Figure 9(c), detailed cooking advice is provided, such as adding salt and soy sauce to the "chestnut rice base" when cooking 4 cups of rice. After checking this advice, the user sends information to the rice cooker that 4 cups of rice will be quick cooked in 35 minutes and presses the start button to begin cooking the rice.

Figure 9 (d) shows a screen where the user evaluates the results of cooking rice with the "chestnut rice mix." The user evaluates the result in terms of hardness or softness, and the taste in terms of light or strong, using a slider bar. The evaluation results are recorded in product information, etc., linked to the customer ID or device, as reference information for the user's preferences the next time consumable item 1 is used. They may also be used as user data for the development of new products related to consumable item 1.

Next, an example of a display section for selecting the quality of water as the auxiliary material 6 for rice will be described. Fig. 10(a) shows a product image and usage instructions obtained via a barcode of the product name "Tasty Rice" which is the consumable product 1. Fig. 10(a) shows a selection screen for the type (quality) of water to cook rice with as the auxiliary material 6, and here the user selects "cook with hard water."
In Fig. 10(b), supplementary information about cooking rice with hard water is proposed, and the cooking method for cooking rice with hard water is selected and transmitted to the rice cooker. Fig. 10(c) is an example of a screen when "cooking rice with RO water" is selected. In Fig. 10(d), supplementary information on the use of RO water is proposed to the user, and the cooking method for cooking rice with RO water is transmitted to the rice cooker.

An example of the display section when a supplement is selected as another consumable item 1 and rice and water are selected as supplementary materials 6 will be described. Fig. 11(a) shows a product image and usage instructions obtained via the barcode of "Vitamin Rice," which is the consumable item 1. In the figure, two cups of rice is selected as the amount of rice to be cooked. Fig. 11(b) is a supplementary screen about the amount of vitamins to be used when cooking two cups of rice. Fig. 11(c) shows an example in which a rice cooker with a function for measuring the amount of rice is linked to device information via a network. Since the rice cooker has a measuring function, it first automatically measures the amount of rice. Fig. 11(d) is a screen on which the user checks the number of cups that has actually been measured. Fig. 10(e) is a screen on which the amount of vitamin capsules required when cooking four cups of rice is presented as supplementary information and usage instructions (rice cooking method) are sent to the rice cooker.

In this way, the usage method according to the type of consumable item 1 is displayed on the user's information terminal 3, and the user can select an appropriate rice cooking method by operating and selecting on the display unit of the information terminal 3.

(Embodiment 3)
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

Explanation of the same configuration as in the first and second embodiments will be omitted. Note that this embodiment may be freely combined with other embodiments. In the first and second embodiments, the explanation is mainly given for the case where the processing device 2 is a microwave oven or a rice cooker, but in this third embodiment, the explanation is given for the case where the processing device 2 is an induction heating cooker.

First, the induction heating cooker (processing device 2) is registered and linked to device information previously input to the second information storage unit 4b. Here, device registration of the induction heating cooker may be performed by having the recognition unit 3a recognize a QR code (registered trademark) attached to a warranty card or the like.

Next, the processing tool 7 is registered. The processing tool 7 is a tool for storing and processing consumables 1 such as food on an induction heating cooker, such as an iron pot, aluminum pot, copper pot, ceramic pot, or frying pan. Information about the processing tool 7, including the business name, product name (product name), product number, type (e.g., "pressure cooker," "frying pan," "kettle"), material (e.g., iron, copper, aluminum, ceramic, etc.), shape, volume, etc., of the processing tool 7 is input in advance into the second information storage unit 4b, which complements the method of use (cooking method) on the induction heating cooker.

The processing tool 7 may be registered by recognizing the label 1b attached to the processing tool 7. The label 1b contains various codes such as a barcode (JAN code) and a QR code (registered trademark), text information, etc. The processing tool 7 is registered and linked to the induction heating cooker by the server 4, and the optimal method of use is suggested.

Induction heating cookers have a built-in winding coil for heating, but the size of this heating coil varies depending on the type of pot, such as for iron or aluminum pots, and the treatment tool 7 is determined by changes in impedance during induction heating, etc., but by recognizing information about the treatment tool 7 being used with the recognition unit 3a and linking it to a registered induction heating cooker, the accuracy of determining the type of treatment tool 7 is significantly improved, making it possible to achieve optimal heating.

Furthermore, if the processing tool 7 is equipped with a communication function such as wireless LAN or BLE, the accuracy of the cooking temperature can be improved and cooking quality can be improved by transmitting data from a temperature sensor (infrared sensor or thermistor) equipped in the processing tool 7 itself to the induction heating cooker via some communication means. (Although the temperature of the processing tool 7 is measured by a temperature sensor equipped in a conventional induction heating cooker, the temperature measurement accuracy is not necessarily sufficient.)

After the induction heating cooker and processing tool 7 are registered in advance in the second information storage unit 4b, the food (consumable 1) to be cooked is recognized by the recognition unit 3a. The processing tool 7 and the method of using the induction heating cooker (cooking method) that is most suitable for the food to be cooked and the amount of food are linked to the product information from among the registered processing tools 7, and are presented.

If there is no optimal processing tool 7 to select from, a cooking method suitable for the currently owned processing tool 7 is presented. If the induction heating cooker is equipped with multiple heating coils, the system may present the user with suggestions for the optimal heating coil location for the processing tool 7 and specific cooking methods via a display or voice on the induction heating cooker, or via an information terminal 3 such as a smartphone.

The user may send the proposed cooking method to the induction cooker and cook semi-automatically using the proposed processing tool 7. For example, the finished cooking state may be detected by a temperature sensor mounted on the induction cooker or a temperature sensor equipped on the processing tool 7, and the usage status may be estimated to automatically adjust the heat of the induction cooker according to the progress of cooking, or the user may be notified of instructions such as stirring the food (such as soup) or turning the food (such as turning a steak over).

The cooked food is then tasted and evaluated by the user. For example, in the case of a steak, the evaluation is done by inputting individual items such as the tenderness of the meat, its aroma, browning, and temperature using slide bars.

If the evaluation result indicates that the steak is not browned enough, the user may be prompted by a display or audio message to slightly increase the cooking time or temperature the next time the steak is cooked. If the meat is evaluated as not being tender enough, the user may be prompted to reassess the cooking temperature the next time the steak is cooked, for example by maintaining the temperature of the processing tool 7 at around 58°C.

(Embodiment 4)
In this embodiment, the processing device 2 may be a dishwasher/dryer, and the consumable product 1 may be a dishwashing detergent or a dishwashing rinse agent.

The product information stored in the first information storage unit 4a may be configured to include at least one of the components, amount used, and processing temperature of the auxiliary material 6 when the consumable product 1 is used in the processing device 2. With this configuration, for example, if the processing device 2 is a dishwasher and the consumable product 1 is a dishwashing detergent or rinse agent, the product information includes at least one of the water quality (soft water, hard water, etc. components) of the auxiliary material 6, the amount of water used (water-saving, normal wash), and the water temperature (wash water temperature), allowing optimal washing.

The equipment information stored in the second information storage unit 4b may be configured to include at least one of the business name, product name, product part number, product function, operation record, operation record, material, product shape, external dimensions, and volume of the processing equipment 2.

With this configuration, it is possible to understand user behavior by knowing, for example, the output of the drying fan installed in the dishwasher, the type of heater used for drying, and the number of dishes handled, which depends on the internal volume of the washing tub of the dishwasher.
Alternatively, for example, if the processing device 2 is a refrigerator, it is possible to grasp differences in the temperature control range of the refrigerator, grasp abnormalities from the motor control state, grasp the operating state by detecting the temperature, and grasp and monitor user behavior by knowing the door opening and closing records.

The product information to be updated may also be configured to be information related to the amount of use of consumable item 1. With this configuration, for example, in the case of a dishwasher/dryer, the amount of detergent to be used for dishwashing detergent as consumable item 1 recommended by the manufacturer is designed for a standard dishwasher/dryer with standard soiling and standard dishes to be placed in the washing tub, but each household has different characteristics, such as the amount of dishwashing detergent to be washed in one go, the way in which it is set, whether or not pre-washing is performed depending on the soiling, and whether or not the washing and rinsing times are preferred. By optimizing the amount of dishwashing detergent to be used to suit each household, more efficient and economical dishwashing can be achieved.

The notified usage status may also be configured to be information regarding the remaining amount of consumable 1.

With this configuration, for example, in the case of a dishwasher/dryer, the amount of detergent recommended by the manufacturer is designed for a standard dishwasher/dryer, and is designed assuming standard dirt, standard amount of dishes set, and standard shape of dishes set, but each household has different characteristics such as the amount of dishwashing detergent to be washed in one go and how to set it, whether to pre-wash depending on the dirt, and whether to prefer shorter washing and rinsing times. By optimizing the amount of dishwashing detergent used to suit each household, dishes can be washed more efficiently and economically.

As described above, the consumables processing system of the present invention makes it possible to appropriately modify the method of using consumables, which differs depending on the processing device and user, and can provide a consumables processing system that presents the user with the most appropriate method of use as needed. Therefore, the consumables processing system disclosed herein is widely applicable not only to cooking appliances such as microwave ovens, induction heating cookers, and rice cookers, but also to other appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines, and further to systems for both home and commercial use.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Consumables 1a, 1b Label 2 Processing device 3 Information terminal 3a Recognition unit 4 Server 4a First information storage unit 4b Second information storage unit 4c Usage status estimation unit 4d Usage status notification unit 4e Usage method presentation unit 4f Information update unit 5 Evaluation decision operation unit (slide bar)
6 Auxiliary materials 7 Processing tools

Claims (22)

Consumables and
a processing device that uses the consumable;
A recognition unit that recognizes at least the identification information of the consumable product;
a first information storage unit that stores product information of the consumable item linked to the identification information of the consumable item,
A function for detecting or estimating a usage status of the consumable;
A function of notifying a user of the usage status;
and a function of presenting to a user a method of using the processing device based on the product information,
A consumable processing system having a function of presenting evaluation items for a user to evaluate the results of use of the consumable, having the user evaluate the results of use of the consumable, presenting new methods of using the processing equipment to the user based on the evaluation results, and updating product information as necessary. a second information storage unit that stores device information of the processing device;
a consumables processing system having a function of presenting a method of using the processing device to a user based on the product information and the device information,
2. The consumables processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a function for allowing a user to evaluate the results of using the consumables, presenting new methods of using the consumables to the user based on the evaluation results, and updating product information or device information as necessary. The consumables processing system according to claim 1 or 2, which has auxiliary materials for using the consumables in the processing equipment, and presents a method of using the processing equipment based on the state and type of the weighed consumables and/or auxiliary materials. The consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which has a processing tool for using the consumables in the processing device, and presents a method of using the processing device based on the type of the processing tool. The consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the product information stored in the first information storage unit includes at least one of the following: business name, product name, POS receipt name, product image, product type, product part number, storage temperature range, best before date or expiration date, consumption date or expiration date, content, product container, product ingredients, product features, expiration date, product size, total weight, usage method, cooking method, usage amount, usage process, purchase date, storage temperature, allergens, nutritional ingredients, manufacturing date, storage method, and sterilization method. The consumables processing system according to claim 5, wherein the product information stored in the first information storage unit includes at least one of the amount of auxiliary material used and the temperature when the consumables are used in the processing device. The consumables processing system according to claim 2, wherein the equipment information stored in the second information storage unit includes at least one of the business name, product name, product part number, product function, operation record, operation record, material, product shape, external dimensions, and volume of the processing equipment. The consumables processing system according to claim 7, wherein the equipment information stored in the second information storage unit includes at least one of the business name, product name, product number, material, type, shape, and volume of the processing tool when the consumables are used in the processing equipment. A consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the method of using the processing device is presented based on either improving the quality of the consumables, shortening the processing time of the consumables, or reducing the power consumption of the processing device. The consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which calculates new usage methods from the evaluation results of multiple users and updates product information as necessary. A consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the product information to be updated is information regarding a heating method for the consumables. A consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the product information to be updated is information regarding the expiry date or best before date of the consumables. The consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the product information to be updated is information regarding the amount of consumables used. The consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the notified usage status is information regarding the remaining amount of the consumables. The consumables processing system according to claim 14, wherein the notified usage status is information regarding the time to replenish the consumables calculated from the remaining amount of the consumables. The consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the notified usage status is information regarding the expiry date or best-before date of the consumables. The consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the method of use has a plurality of steps, and in a predetermined step, the user is notified of confirmation items or selection items, and the user is prompted to confirm the confirmation items or select the selection items. The consumables processing system of claim 17, wherein the method of using the processing device is presented in a plurality of patterns, including a pattern that emphasizes improving the quality of the consumables and a pattern that emphasizes shortening the processing time of the consumables, and the plurality of steps are different for each of the presented patterns. A consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, in which a user evaluates the results of using the consumables, and the steps of the usage method are multiplexed based on the evaluation results, thereby improving the quality of the results of processing the consumables. The consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising an evaluation decision operation unit that allows a user to decide the degree of evaluation for each of the evaluation items. A consumables processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 20, which updates product information by linking it to a user ID or a device ID. A method for processing consumables that is processed by a computer, comprising the steps of:
Recognizes the identity of consumables,
storing product information of the consumable linked to the identification information of the consumable;
Detecting or estimating a usage status of the consumable;
notifying a user of said usage status;
a consumable product processing method for presenting a method of using a processing device that uses the consumable product to a user based on the product information,
A consumable processing method in which evaluation items are presented for a user to evaluate the results of use of the consumable, the user evaluates the results of use of the consumable, new methods of using the processing equipment are presented to the user based on the evaluation results, and product information is updated as necessary.