JP7483993B2 - Rice processing support system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a rice processing support system.

Patent Document 1 is known as a technology related to maintenance for conventional rice processing equipment. The rice washer in Patent Document 1 is a rice washer for cooking rice in which a water supply pump drives water to supply water to the rice washing tank from an upper water supply pipe, and a pump control switch for turning the water supply pump on and off is provided on the maintenance screen for performing maintenance on the liquid crystal display screen of the rice washer for cooking rice.

Japanese Patent No. 5249869

The rice-cooking rice washer of Patent Document 1 is provided with a maintenance screen, so information regarding the maintenance of the rice-cooking rice washer can be obtained. However, the reality is that the information displayed on the maintenance screen of the rice-cooking rice washer (operation information) cannot be viewed anywhere other than where the rice-cooking rice washer is installed.

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a rice processing support system that allows users to easily grasp the operating status of a rice processing machine even in places other than where the rice processing machine is installed.

The technical means of the present invention to solve this technical problem are characterized as follows:

The rice processing support system includes a rice processing machine including a rice washing tank for washing rice, an agitating member provided in the rice washing tank, a water supply and drainage device for supplying and draining water to the rice washing tank, a first communication device for transmitting operation information of the rice washing tank, the agitating member, and the water supply and drainage device, and a first display device for displaying a message; a second communication device for receiving the operation information from the first communication device provided in the rice processing machine, a second display device for displaying the operation information received by the second communication device, and an external device having an exchange judgment unit for judging whether or not a part constituting the rice processing machine needs to be replaced based on the operation information. When the exchange judgment unit judges that the part needs to be replaced for a specific rice processing machine, the second communication device transmits a message to the first communication device instructing the specific rice processing machine to perform the exchange, and the rice processing machine is capable of notifying the external device that it has confirmed the message instructing the exchange, and when the external device has received the confirmation of the message instructing the exchange, the external device orders the part.

If the external device does not receive a confirmation message instructing the replacement, the external device will not order the part.

The rice processing machine includes a rice cooker that cooks the rice washed in the rice washing tank, and the first communication device transmits operation information of the rice cooker to the external device.

The second display device displays the cleaning status of the rice processing machine.

The rice processing machine includes the rice cooker, and the external device includes a storage device that stores the operation information of the rice cooker. The replacement determination unit is configured to refer to a replacement database stored in the storage device and containing operation information and part replacement times for parts constituting the rice processing machine, and to determine that replacement of the part is necessary when the operation information in the replacement database reaches a value indicated in the part replacement time. The operation information and part replacement time stored in the replacement database include the total number of times rice is cooked, the total amount of cooked rice, and the total cooking time, and the replacement determination unit determines that replacement of the part is necessary each time any of the total number of times rice is cooked, the total amount of cooked rice, and the total cooking time reaches a value indicated in the part replacement time.

The replacement database includes the replacement timing for replacing the entire rice washing tank, the replacement timing for the entire stirring member, the replacement timing for the entire water supply and drainage system, and the replacement timing for the entire rice cooker, as well as the replacement timing for each part that makes up the rice washing tank, the replacement timing for each part that makes up the stirring member, the replacement timing for each part that makes up the water supply and drainage system, and the replacement timing for each part that makes up the rice cooker.

When a part needs to be replaced for the specified rice processing machine, the external device automatically orders the part's identification number and ordering information, including the location where the specified rice processing machine is installed, to the ordering system of the company that manufactures or sells the part.

According to the present invention, the operating status of the rice processing machine can be easily grasped.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall view of a rice processing support system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control block diagram. FIG. 2 is a front view of the rice processing machine 1. FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the drain jacket and the drain box. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen M1. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a menu set screen M2. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation screen M3. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of rice processing results. This is a diagram showing an example of rice processing results as of May 26, 2019. This is a diagram showing an example of rice processing results for rice cooked from 14:00 to 23:00 on May 26, 2019. FIG. 7C is a diagram showing an example of a performance display screen M4 corresponding to FIG. 7B. FIG. 7D is a diagram showing an example of a performance display screen M4 corresponding to FIG. 7C. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a planning screen M5. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen M6. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a rice processing plan displayed on the performance display screen M4. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of yield for each store. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen M7. A figure showing an example of a second rice cooking setting value to be transmitted to the store. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of rice cooking setting values of a rice processing machine installed in a store. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen M8. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the notification screen M8. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a cleaning instruction screen M9. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between cleaning locations and cleaning judgment criteria corresponding to the cleaning locations. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of cleaning information. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a cleaning flow. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a cleaning status screen M10. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the cleaning status screen M10. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a cleaning instruction screen M11. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the display device of store A1. 4 is a diagram showing an example of operation information of the rice washing tank, the stirring member, the water supply and drainage device, and the rice cooker. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of operation information stored in a storage device of a rice processing apparatus. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation information screen M12. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a replacement database of operation information and part replacement timings. A figure showing an example of an exchange message displayed on the display device of store A1 machine.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows an overall view of the rice processing support system. The rice processing support system is a system that provides various types of support to a rice processing machine 1 that processes rice (rice processing). The rice processing machine 1 is installed at a location (providing location) H1 where cooked rice is provided, such as a restaurant, a corporate cafeteria, or a school lunch center. The rice processing support system includes an external device 2 installed at a location H2 different from the providing location H1. The rice processing machine 1 installed at the providing location H1 and the external device 2 are capable of communicating via a network. The external device 2 is a fixed personal computer, server, etc., and in this embodiment, is a support device that supports the rice processing machine 1. For ease of explanation, the external device 2 will be referred to as the "support device 2" below.

Below, we will explain the rice processing support system in detail using a restaurant as an example.

The rice processing machine 1 is installed in each of the multiple stores that are the supply locations H1, for example, store A, store B, and store C. A communication device (third communication device) 3 is installed in each of the multiple stores (store A, store B, and store C). The third communication device 3 is a communication device that relays the connection between the rice processing machine 1 and the support device 2, and data (information) can be sent and received between the rice processing machine 1 and the support device 2 via the third communication device 3. Specifically, the third communication device 3 connects to the support device 2 via a mobile phone communication network or a data communication network. The third communication device 3 is connected to the rice processing machine 1 via, for example, the IEEE 802.11 series Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), LPWA (Low Power, Wide Area), LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network), etc., which are communication standards, or by wire. One or more rice processing machines 1 are installed in each of the multiple stores, and the one or more rice processing machines 1 communicate with a third communication device 3 installed in each store.

First, we will explain the rice processing machine 1.

Figure 3 shows the rice processing machine 1. The rice processing machine 1 shown in Figure 3 is a device that can store rice, wash rice, and cook rice. The rice processing machine 1 is equipped with a rice storage 12 for storing rice, a rice washing device 13, a rice cooker 14 for cooking rice washed in the rice washing device 13, an equipment frame 15 for supporting the rice cooker 14, the rice storage 12, and the rice washing device 13, and a water supply and drainage device 16.

The rice storage facility 12 has a case 12a formed in a roughly box shape and a funnel-shaped rice storage tank 12b provided within this case 12a. A lid 10 is provided on the top of the case 12a so that it can be opened and closed freely, and rice can be replenished into the rice storage tank 12b by opening the lid 10. A display device 50 for setting various settings is provided on the front of the case 12a.

A weighing device 19 is provided at the bottom of the rice storage tank 12b. The weighing device 19 has, for example, a cylindrical body that is supported so as to be freely rotatable. The cylindrical body has an introduction section through which rice is introduced from the rice storage tank 12b, and by rotating the cylindrical body a predetermined number of times, the rice in the rice storage tank 12b is weighed and sent to the rice washing device 13.

The rice washing device 13 is a device for washing rice, and is equipped with a rice washing tank 22 for washing rice. The rice washing tank 22 is equipped with a rice washing tank 22a into which rice is poured, and a stirring member 22b that stirs the rice in the rice washing tank 22a. The rice washing tank 22a can be attached and detached by operating a hook member 21 provided on the lower side of the rice storage 12 (case 12a). When the cylinder of the measuring device 19 is rotated in the attached state, rice measured by the measuring device 19 provided in the rice storage 12 is poured into the rice washing tank 22a from the top of the rice washing tank 22a. An opening 22c is formed at the lower end of the rice washing tank 22a.

The water supply and drainage device 16 is a device that supplies and drains water to the rice washing tank 22, and includes a drainage jacket 23 provided at the bottom of the rice washing tank 22 and a drainage box 24 that communicates with the drainage jacket 23.

The drainage jacket 23 is detachably attached to the lower part of the rice washing tank 22, i.e., the lower part of the rice washing tank 22a so as to cover the opening 22c, and receives drainage water from the rice washing tank 22a. That is, the drainage jacket 23 can be removed from the rice washing tank 22a by releasing the hook member 39 attached to the lower part of the rice washing tank 22a from the drainage jacket 23.

The stirring member 22b is provided inside the rice washing tank 22a and rotates around a vertical axis, washing the rice in the rice washing tank 22a when rotated.

As shown in FIG. 4, the drain jacket 23 has a cylindrical outer wall 23a and a bottom wall 23b that protrudes radially inward from the lower part of the outer wall 23a. The bottom wall 23b is provided with a rice discharge port 27 that passes rice and the like from the opening 22c of the rice washing tank 22a to the rice cooker 14. A conical rice discharge valve 28 is inserted into this rice discharge port 27. This rice discharge valve 28 is provided at the lower end of a vertical shaft 29 that extends vertically so that it can be raised and lowered, and the rice discharge port 27 is opened and closed by raising and lowering the vertical shaft 29. It is possible to detect by a sensor whether the rice discharge port 27 is in an open state (rice discharge valve open position) or a closed state (rice discharge valve closed position).

A cylindrical funnel member 31 with multiple holes formed in the side wall portion is placed on the bottom wall 23b. A drain port 32 is formed on one side of the outer peripheral wall 23a of the drain jacket 23 to allow the liquid in the drain jacket 23 to flow toward the drain box 24.

The drainage box 24 is formed in a box shape, and for example, the front side of the drainage box 24 is a removable lid 37, and the inside of the drainage box 24 can be washed (cleaned) by removing this lid 37. The drainage box 24 is formed with a water inlet 33 on the side opposite the drain outlet 32 of the drainage jacket 23. One end of a pipe (piping) 34 is connected to the water inlet 33, and the other end of the pipe 34 is connected to the drain outlet 32 of the drainage jacket 23, so that the drainage box 24 and the drainage jacket 23 are in communication with each other.

The drainage box 24 is provided with an opening/closing member 35 for opening and closing the communication passage (e.g., inside the pipe 34) from the drainage jacket 23 to the drainage box 24. For example, the opening/closing member 35 has an opening/closing section 40 and a link member 36 to which the opening/closing section 40 is attached and which can swing freely. The opening/closing section 40 and the link member 36 are provided inside the drainage box 24, and when the interlocking member 41 attached to the base end side of the link member 36 is lowered downward, the link member 36 swings to move the opening/closing section 40 away from the water inlet 33 to an open state, and when the interlocking member 41 is raised upward, the link member 36 swings to move the opening/closing section 40 close to the water inlet 33 to a closed state.

The link member 36 is biased to the right by a biasing member 42 such as a spring (the interlocking member 41 is biased upward), so when the interlocking member 41 is not moved downward, the opening/closing section 40 opens the water inlet 33. The drain box 24 is formed with a drain outlet 43, to which a drain hose (not shown) that guides wastewater to the outside is detachably connected. An overflow pipe 38 is connected between the top of the drain box 24 and the rice washing tank 22a, and wastewater overflowing from the rice washing tank 22a flows into the drain box 24 via the overflow pipe 38.

As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply and drainage device 16 has a water supply nozzle 25a provided on the upper side of the rice washing tank 22a, a water supply line (piping) 25b for supplying a water supply source such as a tap to the water supply nozzle 25a, a first opening and closing valve (electromagnetic opening and closing valve) 25c provided on the water supply line 25b, a flow rate sensor 25d provided on the water supply line 25b, a second opening and closing valve (faucet) 25e for manually opening and closing the water supply line 25b, and a strainer (water supply mesh) 25f attached to the water supply nozzle 25a side via the second opening and closing valve 25e. The drain box 24 and the drain jacket 23 are also part of the water supply and drainage device 16.

The rice cooker 14 has a rice cooker 17 for cooking rice, and a heating unit 18 such as a gas stove or an induction heater for heating the rice cooker 17. The rice cooker 17 includes an inner pot 17a with an open top, an outer pot 17b into which the inner pot 17a is inserted from above and stored in a removable manner, and a lid 17c that can be opened and closed to close the top opening of the inner pot 17a. The heating unit 18 is located below the inner pot 17a and can cook rice by heating the inner pot 17a. The top surface of the lid 17c is open, and a freely swingable shutter 17d is provided on the top of the lid 17c. The opening of the lid 17c can be closed and opened by the shutter 17d.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rice processing machine 1 is equipped with a display device 50. The display device 50 has a display section 50A and an operation section 51B. The display section 50A is a section that displays various information and is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The operation section 51B is a section that performs various operations and is composed of switches, etc. The operation section 51B includes a setting switch 51, a start switch 52, a reservation switch 54, a cancel switch 55, an up switch 56, a down switch 57, a left switch 58, and a right switch 59.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when the rice processing machine 1 is started, the display unit 50A displays an initial screen M1 showing the state of rice cooking. Also, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the setting switch 51 is operated, the display unit 50A displays a menu set screen M2.

6A, the initial screen M1 displays various processes. For example, the initial screen M1 displays a weighing process S1 in which rice is being weighed using a weighing scale 19, a rice washing process S2 in which rice is being washed in the rice washing device 13, a colander lifting process S3 in which the rice is lifted into a colander after being washed in the rice washing device 13, a water adjustment process S4 in which a predetermined amount of water is calculated and water is added or removed from the rice washing device 13, a rice discharge process S5 in which the rice and water in the rice washing device 13 are poured into the rice cooker 14, a soaking process S6 in which the rice is soaked in the rice cooker 14, a cooking process S7 in which the rice is being cooked in the rice cooker 14, a steaming process S8 in which the rice is steamed in the rice cooker 14, and a cooked process S9 in which the rice is cooked. On the initial screen M1, the current process can be visually identified by inverting the letters indicating each process (weighing process S1, rice washing process S2, draining process S3, water addition process S4, rice removal process S5, soaking process S6, cooking process S7, steaming process S8, cooking process S9) from the letters indicating other processes, by changing the color of the letters indicating the process from the other letters, or by making the letters or figures indicating each process different from the other processes.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the menu setting screen M2 is a screen for setting the processing steps (weighing step S1, rice washing step S2, straining step S3, water addition step S4, soaking step S6, cooking step S7, and steaming step S8).

The menu set screen M2 displays a number of setting items 61. The multiple setting items 61 include a rice cooking item 61a indicating the amount of rice to be cooked, a water addition/reduction item 61b indicating the amount of water to be added/reduced, a washing method item 61c indicating the method of washing the rice, a mode item 61d indicating the cooking method (rice cooking method) and the number of times to cook rice, a soaking item 60e indicating the soaking time, and a soaking item 61f indicating the soaking time.

The menu set screen M2 also displays setting information corresponding to a number of setting items 61. The setting information includes a cooking amount 62a corresponding to the rice cooking item 61a, a water amount 62b corresponding to the water addition item 61b, a degree of washing 62c corresponding to the washing method item 61c, a cooking method (white rice, vinegared rice) corresponding to the mode item 61d, and a setting value 62d indicating the number of times to cook rice (once, twice), a soaking time 62e corresponding to the soaking item 60e, and a soaking time 62f corresponding to the soaking item 61f.

On the menu set screen M2, a cursor 63 and the like are displayed, and various settings can be made by moving the position of the cursor 63 with the up switch 56, down switch 57, left switch 58, or right switch 59. For ease of explanation, the up switch 56, down switch 57, left switch 58, and right switch 59 may sometimes be simply referred to as change switches.

For example, by moving the cursor 63 to the rice cooking item 61a and then operating the change switch, the amount of cooked rice can be increased or decreased. By moving the cursor 63 to the water addition/reduction item 61b and then operating the change switch, the amount of water to be added or reduced 62b can be increased or decreased. In the water addition/reduction item 61b in FIG. 6B, a value corresponding to the amount of water to be added or reduced 62b is indicated by a level gauge 64, with "low" indicating that one side is less than the reference value Q1 indicated in the center of the level gauge 64 and "high" indicating that the amount of water to be added or reduced is more than the predetermined reference value Q1 on the other side, and the amount of water to be added or reduced 62b can be set depending on the position of the cursor 63 pointed to the level gauge 64. For example, by positioning the cursor 63 on the high side of the level gauge 64, the amount of water to be added or reduced can be increased from the reference value Q1 in eight steps (H1 to H8), and by positioning the cursor 63 on the low side of the level gauge 64, the amount of water to be added or reduced can be decreased in eight steps (L1 to L8). In the above embodiment, the water amount is 6
Although the amount of water 62b is increased or decreased in stages, the amount of water added or reduced 62b may be input as a numerical value, similar to the amount of rice cooked 62a.

By moving the cursor 63 to the washing method item 61c and then operating the change switch, the washing method (whether to wash thoroughly or lightly) can be set. By moving the cursor 63 to the mode item 61d and then operating the change switch, the cooking method (white rice, vinegared rice) and the number of times to cook the rice (once, twice) can be changed. By moving the cursor 63 to the soaking item 60e and then operating the change switch, the soaking time can be increased or decreased.

As described above, the display device 50 allows the staff (manager, employees, part-time workers) of each store (Store A, B, C) to operate it to set the setting information (amount of rice cooked 62a, amount of water added or reduced 62b, degree of washing 62c, cooking method (white rice, vinegared rice) and number of times to cook rice (once, twice), soaking time 62e, steaming time 62f).

As shown in FIG. 2, the rice processing machine 1 is equipped with a control device 70. The control device 70 is composed of a CPU, an electric and electronic circuit, and a program stored in the CPU, etc. The control device 70 can control the rice processing machine 1 based on the setting information. The control device 70 is connected to a metering drive unit 71a, a rice washing drive unit 71b, a discharge drive unit 71c, a shutter drive unit 71d, and a drainage drive unit 71e. The metering drive unit 71a includes, for example, a motor that rotates the cylinder of the metering device 19. The rice washing drive unit 71b includes, for example, a motor that rotates the stirring member 22b. The discharge drive unit 71c includes a conversion mechanism that converts rotation into vertical movement, and a motor that transmits rotational power to the conversion mechanism to raise and lower the up-down shaft 29. The shutter drive unit 71d includes a motor that swings the shutter 17d. The drainage drive unit 71e includes a conversion mechanism that converts rotation into vertical movement, and a motor that transmits rotational power to the conversion mechanism to raise and lower the interlocking member 41.

For example, when the setting information is set and the start switch 52 is selected, the control device 70 executes rice processing in the rice processing machine 1. Specifically, the control device 70 performs the measuring process S1 by driving the measuring drive unit 71a to rotate the measuring device 19. The rice measured in the measuring process S1 is put into the rice washing tank 22, and the control device 70 ends the measuring process S1 when the amount of rice measured by the measuring device 19 reaches the cooked rice amount 62a.

The control device 70 performs the rice washing process S2 by driving the first opening/closing valve (electromagnetic opening/closing valve) 25c, the rice washing drive unit 71b, and the drain drive unit 71e. The control device 70 outputs a control signal to the first opening/closing valve 25c to open the first opening/closing valve 25c, and drives the rice washing drive unit 71b to rotate the stirring member 22b, thereby washing the rice. When the rice washing is completed, the control device 70 drives the drain drive unit 71e to drain the water in the rice washing tank 22a, thereby completing the rice washing process S2.

The control device 70 outputs a control signal to the first on-off valve 25c at predetermined time intervals to repeatedly open and close the first on-off valve 25c, thereby carrying out the strainer lifting process S3. The control device 70 carries out the water addition process S4 by, for example, opening the first on-off valve 25c to supply the water addition/reduction amount 62b into the rice washing tank 22a. When the amount of water addition/reduction water supplied to the rice washing tank 22a (the amount of water detected by the flow rate sensor 25d) reaches the set water addition/reduction amount 62b, the water addition/reduction process S4 ends.

The control device 70 drives the discharge drive unit 71c and the shutter drive unit 71d to perform the rice discharge process S5. The control device 70 drives the discharge drive unit 71c to raise the up-down shaft 29 to open the rice discharge valve 28, and drives the shutter drive unit 71d to open the shutter 17d, thereby feeding the rice and water-added water in the rice washing tank 22a into the rice cooker 14. The control device 70 ends the rice discharge process S5 when the rice and water-added water in the rice washing tank 22a are completely fed to the rice cooker 14.

After the rice has been put into the rice cooker 14, the control device 70 performs a soaking process S6 in which the rice is soaked until the soaking time 62e has elapsed. That is, in the soaking process S6, the control device 70 does not heat the rice using the heating unit 18 until the soaking time 62e has elapsed after putting the rice and water into the rice cooker 14. After the soaking time 62e has elapsed, the control device 70 outputs a control signal to the heating unit 18 to heat the rice, that is, executes the rice cooking process S7. When the rice is cooked in the rice cooking process S7, the control device 70 stops heating and performs a soaking process S8 in which the rice is kept in the rice cooker 14 until the soaking time 62f has elapsed, and when the soaking time 62f has elapsed, performs a cooking process S9 by outputting a signal to an alarm device such as a buzzer to notify the user by voice or sound that cooking has been completed.

As described above, at any store (Store A, Store B, Store C), rice can be measured, washed, and cooked based on the setting information set by staff.

The operation of the rice processing machine 1, including the control device 70, in each of the above-mentioned steps (weighing step S1, rice washing step S2, straining step S3, water addition step S4, rice removal step S5, soaking step S6, rice cooking step S7, steaming step S8, and cooking step S9) is merely an example and is not limiting.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 70 may be equipped with a reservation reception unit 70A. The reservation reception unit 70A receives reservations for processing time and rice processing amount. For example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the rice processing machine 1, the reservation reception unit 70A displays a reservation screen M3 as shown in FIG. 6C. The reservation reception unit 70A displays a reservation input unit 95 on the reservation screen M3 for inputting, for example, the time when the rice will be cooked (the time when the cooking process S9 ends). In the reservation input unit 95, it is possible to input the reservation date for processing rice tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and three days from now, based on the day (today) on which the reservation screen M3 is displayed, and the time when the cooking process S9 ends (processing end time). For example, if the date on which the reservation screen M3 was displayed (today) was May 24, 2019, and the day after tomorrow and 9:30 were entered in the reservation input unit 95, the reservation reception unit 70A would set May 26, 2019 as the reservation date and 9:30 as the processing end time, and if the amount of cooked rice entered was 6.0 kg, the input 6.0 kg would be set as the amount of rice processed (amount of cooked rice). In other words, in any of the rice processing machines 1 at store A, store B, and store C, reservations can be made on the store side by displaying the reservation screen M3. Naturally, when a reservation is accepted at the reservation reception unit 70A, the control device 70 controls the rice processing machine 1 so that the cooking process S9 ends at the processing end time of the reserved date.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rice processing machine 1 is equipped with a storage device 73. The storage device 73 is composed of non-volatile memory, etc., and stores various information (data). The storage device 73 is capable of storing identification information and rice processing results. The identification information is information for identifying the rice processing machine 1, and is information assigned by unique alphanumeric characters or other characters assigned to the rice processing machine 1. Note that, as shown in FIG. 7A, the identification information may be a name associated with the store name so that it is easy for managers, etc. to see.

The rice processing results are information showing the results of the actual processing of rice by the rice processing machine 1, and are, for example, information stored after the completion of cooking. The storage device 73 stores the processing time of the rice, for example, the time when the measuring process S1 started (processing start time), the time when the cooking process S9 ended (processing end time), and the amount of rice measured by the measuring device 19, i.e., the cooked rice amount 62a, as the rice processing results. The rice processing results described above are only examples and are not limited. For example, the cooked rice amount 62a, the amount of water added or subtracted 62b (white rice, vinegared rice), the number of times of cooking rice (1 time, 2 times), the soaking time 62e, the steaming time 62f, etc. may be used as the rice processing results. In addition, the time (hours) of each process (measuring process S1, rice washing process S2, strainer process S3, water addition process S4, rice discharge process S5, soaking process S6, rice cooking process S7, steaming process S8, and cooking process S9) may be used as the rice processing results.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rice processing machine 1 has a communication device (first communication device) 72. The first communication device 72 is, for example, a device that can be connected to the support device 2 via a third communication device 3 installed in a store (Store A, Store B, Store C). For example, the first communication device 72 is, for example, a communication standard of the IEEE 802.11 series, such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), LPWA (Low Power, Wide Area), or LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network). The first communication device 72 may be a device that is connected to the third communication device 3 by a wire. In addition, when a plurality of rice processing machines 1 are installed in a store (Store A, Store B, Store C), a LAN (Local Area Network) may be constructed by the first communication device 72 provided in each of the plurality of rice processing machines 1 and the third communication device 3. The first communication device 72 may be a communication device that directly connects to the support device 2 via a mobile phone communication network or a data communication network.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support device 2 is installed in a headquarters (area headquarters such as a head office) that manages multiple stores (Store A, Store B, Store C). The support device 2 supports the rice processing machines 1 in the multiple stores (Store A, Store B, Store C).

As shown in FIG. 2, the support device 2 includes a control device 80, a display device (second display device) 81, a storage device 82, and a second communication device 83. The control device 80 is composed of a CPU, an electric and electronic circuit, and a program stored in the CPU. The control device 80 performs various processes of the support device 2. The display device (second control device) 81 is composed of a liquid crystal panel, a monitor, etc., and displays various information. The storage device 82 is composed of a non-volatile memory, etc., and stores various information. The second communication device 83 is a communication device connected to a network, has a configuration similar to the third communication device 3 or the first communication device 72 described above, and is capable of acquiring various information of multiple stores. The second communication device 83 may be a device that performs indirect communication by connecting to the first communication device 72 of the rice processing machine 1 via the third communication device 3, or a device that performs direct communication by connecting directly to the first communication device 72 of the rice processing machine 1 without going through the third communication device 3.

The control device 80 includes a result acquisition unit 80A, a period acceptance unit 80B, and a period result calculation unit 80C. The result acquisition unit 80A acquires rice processing results processed by the rice processing machine 1 from the rice processing machine 1 via the second communication device 83 and the third communication device 3. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the result acquisition unit 80A connects to the third communication device 3 of the stores (Store A, Store B, Store C) (G1) and requests rice processing results from the first communication device 72 of the rice processing machine 1 of each store via the third communication device 3 (G2). In response to the request from the result acquisition unit 80A, the first communication device 72 of the rice processing machine 1 of each store transmits the rice processing results to the support device 2 via the third communication device 3 (G3).

For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the result acquisition unit 80A can request rice processing results from May 20, 2019 to May 26, 2019 from three rice processing machines 1 in store A (Store A1, Store A2, Store A3), two rice processing machines 1 in store B (Store B1, Store B2), and one rice processing machine 1 in store C (Store B1), and acquire rice processing results including processing time (processing start time, processing end time) and rice processing amount (cooked rice amount) from each of the rice processing machines 1 in stores A, B, and C. The rice processing results acquired by the result acquisition unit 80A can be stored in the storage device 82.

In the above-described embodiment, the result acquisition unit 80A requests rice processing results via the third communication device 3 of the store (Store A, Store B, Store C). However, each of the rice processors 1 of the stores (Store A, Store B, Store C) may automatically transmit rice processing results for one business day to the support device 2 via the third communication device 3 at a predetermined time, for example, a predetermined time after the store (Store A, Store B, Store C) closes, and the result acquisition unit 80A may acquire the rice processing results for one business day transmitted by each of the rice processors 1, and store the rice processing results for one business day in the storage device 82 for each business day.

As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, when a specific operation is performed, the second display device 81 displays a performance display screen M4. The performance display screen M4 includes a store display section 89, a period input section 90, and an individual performance display section 91. The store display section 89 is a section that displays the name of the store and the rice processing performance (store processing performance) of the entire store.

The period input section 90 is a section for inputting a predetermined period (actual period) such as month, day, and time. The individual performance display section 91 includes an identification display section 91a that displays identification information such as the name of the rice processing machine 1, a time display section 91b that displays the time, and a processing display section 91c that displays the processing time and rice processing amount of the rice processing machine 1 corresponding to the identification information. The second display device 81 displays the identification display section 91a for each store. In the processing display section 91c, the second display device 81 displays a bar indicating the processing time and the actual rice processing amount (kg) at the position of the processing time (processing start time, processing end time) corresponding to the time display section 91b.

As shown in FIG. 8A, when an actual period such as month and day, for example May 26, 2019, is input to the period input unit 90, the period acceptance unit 80B acquires May 26, 2019 input to the period input unit 90 as the actual period.

The period result calculation unit 80C calculates the rice processing results acquired by the result acquisition unit 80A and the actual rice processing volume for the result period acquired by the period acceptance unit 80B. As shown in FIG. 7A, for example, in a situation where the result acquisition unit 80A acquires rice processing results from May 20, 2019 to May 26, 2019, and the period acceptance unit 80B acquires May 26, 2019 as the result period, the period result calculation unit 80C refers to the storage device 82 and extracts the rice processing results for May 26, 2019 acquired by the period acceptance unit 80B from the rice processing results from May 20, 2019 to May 26, 2019, as shown in FIG. 7B. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the period result calculation unit 80C calculates the amount of rice cooked by the multiple rice processing machines 1 installed in the stores (Store A, Store B, Store C) on May 26, 2019, which is the actual period, as the actual rice processing amount, from among the rice processing results of the stores (Store A, Store B, Store C). In more detail, the period result calculation unit 80C calculates the total amount of cooked rice cooked by each of Store A1 Machine, Store A2 Machine, Store A3 Machine, Store B1 Machine, Store B2 Machine, and Store C1 Machine on May 26, 2019, as the rice processing amount.

When the period performance calculation unit 80C calculates the actual rice processing volume (rice processing volume) cooked on May 26, 2019, which is the performance period, the second display device 81 displays the actual rice processing volume (rice processing volume) and processing time (processing start time, processing end time) of each rice processing machine 1 (Store A1, Store A2, Store A3, Store B1, Store B2, Store C1) of the stores (Store A, Store B, Store C) on the individual performance display unit 91, as shown in the performance display screen M4 of FIG. 8A. In other words, the second display device 81 displays the rice processing results (actual rice processing volume, processing start time, processing end time) for each rice processing machine 1.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the period reception unit 80B acquired May 26, 2019, which is one business day, as the actual period. However, as shown in FIG. 8B, if the period input unit 90 inputs 14:00 to 23:00 on May 26, 2019 as the actual period, and the period reception unit 80B acquires 14:00 to 23:00 on May 26, 2019 as the actual period, as shown in FIG. 7C, the period performance calculation unit 80C calculates the total sum of the cooked rice amounts of each of the rice processing machines 1 (Store A1, Store A2, Store A3, Store B1, Store B2, Store C1) in a specified period from 14:00 to 23:00 on May 26, 2019 as the rice processing amount. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the second display device 81 displays the rice processing results (actual rice processing amount, processing start time, processing end time) for rice cooked from 14:00 to 23:00 on May 26, 2019.

As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the period performance calculation unit 80C may add up the actual rice processing volume (rice processing volume) processed during a performance period by multiple rice processing machines 1 installed in the store, and display the store processing results (rice processing results for an entire store) on the store display unit 89.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 80 may include a rice processing planning unit 80D. The rice processing planning unit 80D creates a rice processing plan for processing by the rice processing machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the second display device 81 displays a planning screen M5 when a specified operation is performed. The planning screen M5 includes a store display section 101, a period input section 102, and an individual plan input section 103. The store display section 101 is a section that displays the name of the store and the rice processing plan for the entire store. The period input section 102 is a section for inputting a specified period (planning period) such as month, day, and time.

The individual plan input section 103 includes an identification display section 103a for displaying identification information such as the name of the rice processing machine 1, a time display section 103b for displaying time, and a processing display section 103c for inputting the processing time and rice processing amount of the rice processing machine 1 corresponding to the identification information. For example, when a section corresponding to the store A1 is selected in the individual plan input section 103, the rice processing planning section 80D displays an input screen M6 for inputting the start time, end time, and planned rice processing amount (rice processing amount) as shown in FIG. 9B. After the start time, end time, and planned rice processing amount (rice processing amount) are input in the input screen M6, when the register button 104 of the input screen M6 is selected, the rice processing planning section 80D sets the start time, end time, and planned rice processing amount (rice processing amount) input in the input screen M6 as the rice processing plan of the store A1. The rice processing planning section 80D stores the rice processing plan for each rice processing machine 1 in the storage device 82. The rice processing planning section 80D also stores in the individual plan input section 103 the following:
The start time, end time, and planned rice processing volume (rice processing volume) are displayed. As described above, the rice processing planning unit 80D sets the start time, end time, and planned rice processing volume (rice processing volume) not only for Store A1, but also for the other Stores A2, A3, B1, B2, and C1 individually, in the same way as for Store A1.

The rice processing planning unit 80D may add up the planned rice processing volume (rice processing volume) for the planning period for multiple rice processing machines 1 installed in the store, and display the total rice processing volume for the entire store on the store display unit 101.

The second communication device 83 of the support device 2 transmits the rice processing plan to the third communication device 3 of the store (Store A, Store B, Store C). The management computer (personal computer) 4 installed in the store (Store A, Store B, Store C) displays the rice processing plan for each rice processing machine 1 similar to the planning screen M5.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the rice processing results (actual rice processing volume, processing start time, processing end time) for each rice processing machine 1 were displayed on the performance display screen M4, but as shown in Figure 10, the rice processing plan (start time, end time, and planned rice processing volume) may also be displayed side by side. That is, as shown in Figure 10, the second display device 81 combines the store display section 89 and the store display section 101, combines the period input section 90 and the period input section 102, and combines the individual performance display section 91 and the individual plan input section 103, so that the rice processing plan can also be displayed side by side on the performance display screen M4.

The control device 80 may include a yield calculation unit 80E. The yield calculation unit 80E calculates the rice yield based on the actual rice processing volume in a specified period (actual period) and the rice consumption volume in the actual period. The management computer 4 of the store (Store A, Store B, Store C) transmits the rice consumption volume (store consumption volume) consumed in the store to the second communication device 83 of the support device 2 via the communication device 3. As shown in FIG. 11, the yield calculation unit 80E calculates the rice yield for each store by dividing the actual rice processing volume (store processing volume) of the store from the store consumption volume. The store consumption volume may be a value obtained from a POS system or a value obtained by weighing the amount of rice wasted and inputting it into the management computer 4, and the method of calculating the rice consumption volume is not limited. The second display device 81 displays the yield for each store as shown in FIG. 11.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the rice processing machine 1 is a device that performs weighing, washing, and cooking, but it may also be a device that performs washing. For example, the rice processing machine 1 may be a rice processing machine that does not have at least the rice cooker 14 among the rice storage 12, the rice washing device 13, the water supply and drainage device 16, and the rice cooker 14, or it may be a rice processing machine that does not have the rice storage 12 and the rice cooker 14. In other words, it is applicable to a rice processing machine that has at least the rice washing device 13. In this way, in the case of a rice processing machine 1 that has the rice washing device 13, the time when the rice washing starts is the processing start time, the time when the rice washing ends is the processing end time, the amount of rice that has been washed (the amount of washed rice) is the amount of rice processed, and the rice processing performance includes the amount of washed rice, the processing start time when the rice washing started, and the processing end time when the rice washing ended. In other words, if the amount of cooked rice in the above-mentioned embodiment is replaced with the amount of washed rice, this is an embodiment of a rice processing machine 1 that has the rice washing device 13.

The rice processing support system includes a rice processing machine 1 that processes rice, a result acquisition unit 80A that acquires rice processing results from the rice processing machine 1, including the processing time and rice processing amount of the rice processing machine 1, a period acceptance unit 80B that accepts a predetermined period (actual period), a period result calculation unit 80C that calculates the actual rice processing amount for the predetermined period based on the processing time of the rice processing results acquired by the result acquisition unit 80A, and a display device 50 that displays the actual rice processing amount for the predetermined period (actual period). This makes it easy to grasp the actual rice processing amount of the rice processing machine 1 for the predetermined period (actual period) accepted by the period acceptance unit 80B. For example, it is possible to grasp the actual processing amount processed by the rice processing machine 1 not only for a one-day period, but also for any time period of a day, and to grasp the actual processing amount processed by the rice processing machine 1 for any actual period. It is possible to analyze when the actual processing amount was high or low in the rice processing machine 1 in a chronological order.

The rice processing machine 1 includes a rice washing device 13 that washes rice, the rice processing machine 1 outputs the amount of washed rice washed by the rice washing device 13 as the amount of rice processed, the period performance calculation unit 80C calculates the amount of washed rice in a specified period (performance period) as the actual amount of rice processed, and the display device 50 displays the amount of washed rice in the specified period (performance period). This makes it possible to know the amount of washed rice processed by the rice processing machine 1 in any performance period.

The rice processing machine 1 includes a rice cooker 14 that cooks rice, and the rice processing machine 1 outputs the amount of rice cooked by the rice cooker 14 as the amount of rice processed, the period performance calculation unit 80C calculates the amount of cooked rice in a specified period (performance period) as the actual rice processing amount, and the display device 50 displays the amount of cooked rice in the specified period (performance period). This makes it possible to know the amount of cooked rice processed by the rice processing machine 1 in any performance period.

The result acquisition unit 80A acquires the rice processing results of multiple rice processing machines 1 installed at the service location where cooked rice is provided, the period result calculation unit 80C calculates the actual rice processing amount for a specified period (actual period) at the service location based on the rice processing amount of the multiple rice processing machines 1 and the specified period (actual period), and the display device 50 displays the actual rice processing amount for the specified period (actual period) at the service location. This makes it possible to grasp the actual rice processing amount processed within the actual period by each of the multiple rice processing machines 1 at the service location H1 where cooked rice is provided, such as a restaurant, corporate cafeteria, or school lunch center. It is possible to analyze in chronological order for each service location when the actual processing amount was high or low for the multiple rice processing machines 1 installed at the service location.

The rice processing support system is equipped with a support device 2 having a rice processing planning section 80D that creates a rice processing plan for processing by the rice processing machine 1, and the display device 50 displays the rice processing plan created in the rice processing plan. This makes it possible to compare the rice processing plan created in the rice processing planning section 80D with the actual rice processing volume, and to determine whether the rice processing was as planned.

The rice processing machine 1 is equipped with a reservation reception unit 70A that receives reservations for processing time and rice processing volume. This allows the processing time (processing start time, processing end time) and rice processing volume to be easily reserved in advance in the rice processing machine 1, making it possible to improve the efficiency of rice processing work.

The rice processing support system is equipped with a yield calculation unit 80E that calculates rice yield based on the actual rice processing volume in a specified period (actual period) and the rice consumption volume in a specified period (actual period). This makes it easy to grasp the rice yield, which indicates the ratio of rice consumption volume to the actual rice processing volume, and makes it possible to understand whether the rice processing performed by the rice processing machine 1 was appropriate.

The control device 80 is equipped with a rice cooking setting creation unit 80F that creates settings for rice cooking. When a specific operation is performed on the second display device 81, as shown in FIG. 12, the rice cooking setting creation unit 80F displays a setting screen M7 on the second display device 81. The setting screen M7 is a screen for setting rice cooking, and includes a store input unit 110 for inputting the store name, etc., a date input unit 112, a rice cooking amount input unit 113 for inputting the rice cooking amount 62a, a water addition/reduction input unit 114 for inputting the water addition/reduction amount 62b, a soaking time input unit 115 for inputting the soaking time 62e, and a soaking time input unit 116 for inputting the soaking time 62f.

As shown in FIG. 13A, when the rice cooking setting creation unit 80F completes input of the necessary information into the store input unit 110, date input unit 112, rice cooking amount input unit 113, water addition/reduction input unit 114, soaking time input unit 115, and steaming time input unit 116, it creates the store name, date, rice cooking amount 62a, water addition/reduction amount 62b, soaking time 62e, and steaming time 62f as the second rice cooking setting values.

When the support device 2 creates the second rice cooking setting value using the rice cooking setting creation unit 80F, it transmits the second rice cooking setting value to the first communication device 72 of the rice processing machine 1 in the store (Store A, Store B, Store C) via the second communication device 83 and the third communication device 3. The rice processing machine 1 in the store (Store A, Store B, Store C) receives the second rice cooking setting value transmitted from the support device 2.

When the rice processing machine 1 receives the second rice cooking setting value, the display device (first control device) 50 of the rice processing machine 1 displays at least a notification screen M8 that the second rice cooking setting value has been received. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the date included in the second rice cooking setting value (2019/5/29) arrives, the first display device 50 of each of the store A1, store A2, and store A3 machines of store A notifies the user of the second rice cooking setting value by displaying "Do you want to apply the new rice cooking setting?" on the notification screen M8.
Similarly, when the date included in the second rice cooking setting value (5/27/2019) arrives, the first display device 50 of each of the store B1 and store B2 units in store B and store C1 unit in store C displays "Do you want to apply the new rice cooking setting?" on the notification screen M8 to indicate that the second rice cooking setting value has been received.

The first display device 50 of the rice processing machine 1 has a selection section 120. The selection section 120 is a section for selecting either the first rice cooking setting value or the second rice cooking setting value, and includes, for example, a first button 120A indicating "yes" and a second button 120B indicating "no". When the first button 120A is selected by operating the change switch, the second rice cooking setting value is selected, and when the second button 120B is selected and confirmed, the first rice cooking setting value is selected. As described above, the first rice cooking setting value is the water addition/reduction amount 62b, soaking time 62e, and steaming time 62f, which are among the setting information set on the menu set screen M2 of the rice processing machine 1. In other words, when the first rice cooking setting value is selected, rice is cooked with the first rice cooking setting value set by the store, not the second rice cooking setting value set by the rice cooking setting creation section 80F of the support device 2.

When the first cooking setting is selected in the selection unit 120 (first button 120A, second button 120B), the control device 70 of the rice processing machine 1 cooks rice in accordance with the first cooking setting through the water addition/reduction process S4, rice removal process S5, soaking process S6, rice cooking process S7, steaming process S8, and cooking completion process S9, and when the second cooking setting is selected, cooks rice in accordance with the second cooking setting through the water addition/reduction process S4, rice removal process S5, soaking process S6, rice cooking process S7, steaming process S8, and cooking completion process S9.

In the above-described embodiment, the selection unit 120 (first button 120A, second button 120B) is provided to cook rice using either the first rice cooking setting value or the second rice cooking setting value, but when the second rice cooking setting value is received, the control device 70 may automatically change the first rice cooking setting value set in the rice processing machine 1 to the second rice cooking setting value, and cook rice using the changed second rice cooking setting value.

When the rice processing machine 1 cooks rice using the second cooking setting, that is, when the second cooking setting is selected in the selection unit 120 or when cooking rice automatically using the second cooking setting, the first display device 50 of the rice processing machine 1 can display the second cooking setting (cooked rice amount 62a, water added/reduced amount 62b, soaking time 62e, steaming time 62f) on the menu set screen M2. This allows the store (rice processing machine 1) to check the second cooking setting sent from the support device 2.

The control device 70 may be provided with a setting correction unit 70B that corrects the second rice cooking setting value. In this case, when the second rice cooking setting value (rice cooking amount 62a, water addition/reduction amount 62b, soaking time 62e, steaming time 62f) is displayed on the menu set screen M2, the setting correction unit 70B can change the second rice cooking setting value displayed on the menu set screen M2 by operating the change switch.

As shown in FIG. 12, a restriction input section 117 may be provided in the setting screen M7. The restriction input section 117 is a section for setting whether or not to allow changes to the set values for the rice cooking amount input section 113, the water addition/reduction input section 114, the soaking time input section 115, and the time input section 116 (a section for inputting "unchangeable" or "changeable"). The setting correction section 70B allows the setting values to be changed by the control device 70 (setting correction section 70B) only for items for which the setting value change is permitted, i.e., changeable, in the restriction input section 117, and restricts the setting value change in the rice processing machine 1 from being allowed for items for which the setting change is not permitted, i.e., items for which the setting cannot be changed (restricts the change of the second rice cooking setting value). In the example shown in FIG. 12, only items that have been changed can be changed in the restriction input section 117.

In the above embodiment, the store name, date, cooked rice amount 62a, water addition/reduction amount 62b, soaking time 62e, and steaming time 62f were described as the second cooked rice setting values, but the second cooked rice setting values may be, for example, only the cooked rice amount 62a in addition to the store name and date, or only the water addition/reduction amount 62b. Alternatively, the second cooked rice setting values may be the cooked rice amount 62a and water addition/reduction amount 62b in addition to the store name and date.

The support device 2 acquires serving location information including whether the rice processing machine 1 cooks rice using the second rice cooking setting value. Specifically, the support device 2 creates the second rice cooking setting value using the rice cooking setting creation unit 80F, transmits the created second rice cooking setting value to the stores (Store A, Store B, Store C), and then requests serving location information including current setting information from the rice processing machines 1 of at least the stores (Store A, Store B, Store C). In response to the request from the support device 2, the rice processing machine 1 transmits the current setting information to the support device 2 as serving location information.

As shown in FIG. 13B, when the rice cooking setting value (rice cooking setting value) of the rice processing machine 1 of store B and store C (Store B No. 1, Store B No. 2, Store C No. 1) is the same as the second rice cooking setting value from the received current setting information, the support device 2 can determine that the rice processing machine 1 is cooking rice using the second rice cooking setting value. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the rice cooking setting value of the rice processing machine 1 of store A (Store A No. 1, Store A No. 2, Store A No. 3) is different from the second rice cooking setting value from the received current setting information, the support device 2 can determine that the rice processing machine 1 is not cooking rice using the second rice cooking setting value. When the support device 2 determines that rice is not cooking using the second rice cooking setting value, it displays the identification information of the store or rice processing machine 1 that is not cooking rice using the second rice cooking setting value on the second display device 81. Alternatively, the second display device 81 displays the second rice cooking setting information of FIG. 13A and the rice cooking setting value (current rice cooking setting value) of FIG. 13B.

When the support device 2 transmits the second cooking setting value to the rice processing machine 1 of the store (Store A, Store B, Store C), the support device 2 may also indicate the reason for transmitting the second cooking setting value. For example, the support device 2 transmits a reason, such as "The rice has been changed to new rice," to the rice processing machine 1 of the store (Store A, Store B, Store C) together with the second cooking setting value. As shown in FIG. 14B, the first display device 50 of the store (Store A, Store B, Store C) displays "The rice has been changed to new rice. Would you like to apply the new cooking setting?" on the notification screen M8, including the reason for receiving the second cooking setting value.

The rice processing machine 1 includes a rice cooker 14 that cooks rice, a display device 50 that inputs a first rice cooking setting value, which is a setting for rice cooking, and a communication device (first communication device) 72 that can receive a second rice cooking setting value, which is a setting for rice cooking, from an external device (support device) 2. When the communication device (first communication device) 72 receives the second rice cooking setting value from the external device (support device) 2, the display device (first display device) 50 displays that at least the second rice cooking setting value has been received. This allows an operator or the like who operates the rice processing machine 1 to grasp the second rice cooking setting value, which is a setting for rice cooking, transmitted via the communication device (first communication device) 72 from the external device (support device) 2 installed at a general management location (head office, etc.) H2 other than the provision location H1 that provides cooked rice, such as a restaurant, a corporate cafeteria, or a school lunch center. In other words, it is easy to give instructions for the rice cooking setting to the rice processing machine 1 installed at the provision location H1 from outside.

The rice processing machine 1 is equipped with a control device 70 that controls rice cooking, and the control device 70 controls the rice cooker 14 based on the second rice cooking setting value received by a communication device (first communication device) 72. This allows rice to be cooked easily by receiving an external instruction for the rice cooking setting (second rice cooking setting value).

The display device (first display device) 50 has a selection unit 120 that selects either the first rice cooking setting value or the second rice cooking setting value, and the control device 70 controls rice cooking based on either the first rice cooking setting value or the second rice cooking setting value selected by the selection unit 120. With this, even if an instruction to set the rice cooking value (second rice cooking setting value) is given from outside, staff (manager, employee, part-time worker) etc. can decide whether to cook rice with the first rice cooking setting value set by the display device 50 on the rice processing machine 1 side, and rice can be cooked with either setting.

The rice processing machine 1 is equipped with a setting correction unit 70B that corrects the second rice cooking setting value received by the communication device (first communication device) 72. This makes it easy to correct, i.e., adjust, the rice cooking setting instruction (second rice cooking setting value) from outside.

The display device (first display device) 50 can input the amount of water to be added or reduced as the first rice cooking setting value, and the communication device (first communication device) 72 can receive the amount of water to be added or reduced as the second rice cooking setting value. This allows rice to be cooked according to the amount of water to be added or reduced instructed from outside. For example, when the rice processing machine 1 is installed at a service location H1 such as a restaurant, a company cafeteria, or a school lunch center, if the type of rice delivered to the service location H1 changes, such as the brand of rice, new rice, or old rice, the texture of the rice, such as hardness and taste, may change if the amount of water to be added or reduced is the same. In this case, when the type of rice changes, the quality can be kept constant without significantly changing the texture of the rice, such as hardness and taste, by cooking the rice with the amount of water to be added or reduced instructed from outside.

The display device (first display device) 50 can input the amount of rice to be cooked as a first rice cooking setting value, and the communication device (first communication device) 72 can receive the amount of rice to be cooked as a second rice cooking setting value. This allows cooking to be done according to the amount of rice instructed from outside. For example, even if staff (manager, employee, part-time worker) do not know how much rice to cook, they can easily work with the amount of rice instructed from outside.

The rice processing support system includes a rice processing machine 1 equipped with a rice cooker 14 that cooks rice, a display device (first display device) 50 that inputs a first cooking setting value, which is a setting for cooking rice, and a communication device (first communication device) 72 that can receive a second cooking setting value, which is a setting for cooking rice, and an external device (support device) 2 that transmits the second cooking setting value to the rice processing machine 1 installed at a service location where the cooked rice is provided. With this, for example, an operator operating the rice processing machine 1 can grasp the second cooking setting value, which is a setting for cooking rice, transmitted via the communication device (first communication device) 72 from the external device (support device) 2 installed at a general management location (head office, etc.) other than the service location H1 where cooked rice is provided, such as a restaurant, corporate cafeteria, or school lunch center. In other words, it is easy to give instructions on the cooking setting to the rice processing machine 1 installed at the service location H1 from outside.

The external device (assistance device) 2 acquires location information that can determine whether the rice processing machine 1 is cooking rice using the second cooking setting value. With this, for example, when the setting value (information including the first cooking setting value) being processed by the rice processing machine 1 is set as the location information, it is possible to easily determine whether rice is being cooked according to instructions (whether rice is being cooked using the second cooking setting value).

The external device (assistance device) 2 has a display device (second display device) 81 that displays the usage status of the second rice cooking setting value for each provision location H1 based on the provision location information. With this, for example, when there are multiple provision locations H1, it is possible to easily determine how much the specified rice cooking setting value (second rice cooking setting value) is being used from the usage status.

The external device (assistance device) 2 transmits the reason for transmitting the second rice cooking setting value. This allows the provision location H1 to understand the reason for transmitting the second rice cooking setting value, and based on that reason, it can determine whether to cook rice with the second rice cooking setting value or the first rice cooking setting value.

Now, as shown in FIG. 15, the first display device 50 of the rice processing machine 1 displays a cleaning instruction screen M9 when the time when cleaning is required (recommended cleaning time) is reached at a predetermined cleaning location. As shown in FIG. 16A, for example, the storage device 82 stores the cleaning location and the cleaning judgment criteria (number of operations) corresponding to the cleaning location. When the actual number of operations in the rice processing machine 1 reaches the standard number of operations, the first display device 50 displays the cleaning instruction screen M9. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the number of operations that require cleaning is stored as the judgment criterion, but it may be other than the number of operations, such as the amount of cooked rice or the amount of washed rice. In addition, the cleaning interval (cycle), i.e., the judgment criterion associated with the cleaning location, may be different or the same for the cleaning locations of the rice washing tank 22a, the stirring member 22b, the drain jacket 23, the drain hose, and the strainer (water supply mesh) 25f.

The cleaning of the rice processing machine 1 is explained in detail below.

The inside of the rice washing tank (rice washing tank 22a, stirring member 22b) is an area that needs to be cleaned periodically because rice bran and the like adheres to it when rice is washed, and as shown in A1 of the cleaning instruction screen M9, a screen for cleaning the inside of the rice washing tank (rice washing tank 22a, stirring member 22b) is displayed. To clean the rice washing tank 22a and the stirring member 22b, the hook member 21 is released from its engagement to remove the rice washing tank 22a, and the fasteners (bolts, nuts) attaching the stirring member 22b are removed, and the rice washing tank 22a and the stirring member 22b are washed by hand washing or the like.

The inside of the drain jacket (drain jacket 23), like the inside of the rice washing tank, is an area that needs to be cleaned periodically because rice bran and other deposits accumulate therein, and as shown in A2 of the cleaning instruction screen M9, a screen for cleaning the inside of the drain jacket is displayed. To clean the drain jacket 23, the hook member 39 provided at the bottom of the rice washing tank 22a is released from the drain jacket 23 to remove it from the rice washing tank 22a, and the inside of the drain jacket 23 is washed by hand washing or the like.

Various types of wastewater flow through the drain hose, and as rice bran and other substances can accumulate in it, it is an area that requires regular cleaning, and as shown in A3 of the cleaning instruction screen M9, a screen for cleaning the drain hose is displayed. To clean the drain hose, the mounting bracket connecting the drain box 24 and the drain hose is removed using a tool, and the drain hose and mounting bracket are washed by hand or by other means.

The strainer (water supply strainer) 25f is an area that requires cleaning because fine debris may adhere to it during water supply, and as shown in A4 of the cleaning instruction screen M9, a screen for cleaning the strainer (water supply strainer) 25f is displayed. To clean the strainer (water supply strainer) 25f, the piping connecting the second opening/closing valve 25e and the strainer (water supply strainer) 25f is removed from the second opening/closing valve 25e and the strainer (water supply strainer) 25f, and the strainer (water supply strainer) is washed by hand or the like.

After completion of at least the rice processing such as the cooking process S9, the control device 70 causes the first display device 50 to display the cleaning instruction screen M9. The control device 70 also sets the cleaning mode at the time when the cleaning instruction screen M9 is displayed, and starts measuring the time (elapsed time) in the cleaning mode. While the control device 70 is in the cleaning mode, the cleaning instruction screen M9 is displayed. When the cancel switch 55 is selected while the cleaning instruction screen M9 is displayed, the first display device 50 returns to a screen such as the initial screen M1 or the menu set screen M2, i.e., a screen where rice processing can be performed. When the cancel switch 55 is selected while the cleaning instruction screen M9 is displayed, the control device 70 also cancels the cleaning mode, ends the measurement of the elapsed time, and returns to the control mode where rice processing can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 17, in more detail, when the first display device 50 displays any of A1 to A4 of the cleaning instruction screen M9 (S10), the control device 70 is set to the cleaning mode (S11) and starts measuring the time (elapsed time) set in the cleaning mode (S12). When the control device 70 is in the cleaning mode, it determines whether the cancel switch 55 has been selected (S13), and if the cancel switch 55 has not been selected (S13, No), it continues measuring the elapsed time (S14). On the other hand, if the cancel switch 55 has been selected (S13, Yes), the cleaning mode is released and the measurement of the elapsed time ends (S15). The control device 70 determines whether the elapsed time set in the cleaning mode (the elapsed time from when the cleaning mode is set to when the cancel switch 55 is selected) is equal to or greater than a threshold (S16), and if the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the threshold (S16, Yes), it determines that cleaning has been performed (S17: cleaning performed), and determines the elapsed time as the cleaning time during which cleaning has been performed (S18). If the elapsed time is not equal to or greater than the threshold (S16, No), the control device 70 determines that cleaning has not been performed (S19: cleaning not performed), resets the elapsed time (S20), and returns to the control mode (S21). In the case of cleaning not being performed S19, the control device 70 once cooks rice in the control mode, and then displays the cleaning instruction screen M9 again after rice processing such as the cooking process S9 is completed, and the process from S10 is repeated again as described above. The control device 70 stores the latest cleaning time, past cleaning times, and cleaning locations as cleaning information in the storage device 73.

In the above embodiment, the control device 70 judges whether the elapsed time set in the cleaning mode (the elapsed time from when the cleaning mode is set to when the cancel switch 55 is selected) is equal to or greater than a threshold value (S16), but the control device 70 may take the elapsed time from when the cleaning mode is set to when the cancel switch 55 is selected as the cleaning time without judging whether the elapsed time is equal to or greater than a threshold value (S16). In this case, the control device 70 does not judge whether cleaning is performed (S17) or not (S19) and stores the cleaning time in the storage device 73. However, as described later, since the shortest cleaning time is very short and is transmitted to the support device 2 as the shortest cleaning time, the support device 2 can know that rice processing is being performed without cleaning.

Figure 16B is a diagram summarizing the cleaning information. The cleaning information includes the cleaning timing in addition to the cleaning time. If cleaning is being performed (if it is determined that cleaning is being performed), the cleaning information decreases with each operation (cleaning timing = judgment criterion (number of operations) - number of operations since cleaning execution S17), and if cleaning is not being performed (if it is determined that cleaning has not been performed), the cleaning information increases with each passing day (cleaning timing = number of days since the day cleaning was not performed).

As shown in FIG. 16B, when cleaning is performed (cleaning execution S17) while the cleaning instruction screen M9 is displayed, the cleaning timing will be the same number as the judgment criterion (number of operations). On the other hand, if the cleaning timing is less than zero, that is, cleaning is necessary (the cleaning instruction screen M9 is displayed but the cancel switch 55 is frequently selected and cleaning not performed S19 is repeated), the control device 70 will enter the number of days since cleaning was necessary without cleaning. The first communication device 72 of the rice processing machine 1 transmits cleaning information as shown in FIG. 16B, i.e., the cleaning status, to the second communication device 83 of the support device 2.

When the second communication device 83 of the support device 2 receives the cleaning information (cleaning status), the second display device 81 displays a cleaning status screen M10 as shown in FIG. 18A. The cleaning status screen M10 displays the cleaning status of the rice processing machines 1 (Store A1, Store A2, Store A3, Store B1, Store B2, Store C1) in the stores (Store A, Store B, Store C). For example, as shown in FIG. 18A, the cleaning status screen M10 displays the cleaning location, cleaning timing, and the shortest cleaning time (shortest cleaning time) of Store A1 in Store A. Therefore, the cleaning status of multiple rice processing machines 1 in the stores (Store A, Store B, Store C) can be confirmed on the cleaning status screen M10.

As shown in FIG. 19A, the second display device 81 can display a cleaning instruction screen M11 that sends a cleaning-related message (cleaning instruction information) to a store or a specified rice processing machine 1. The cleaning instruction screen M11 has a store input section 110, an identification information input section 130, and a message input section 131. When a store is input into the store input section 110, the cleaning instruction information input into the message input section 131 can be sent to the input store. When identification information is input into the identification information input section 130, the cleaning instruction information input into the message input section 131 can be sent to the rice processing machine 1 corresponding to the input identification information.

For example, if a message is entered in the message input section 131 saying, "A message is being sent from headquarters. Cleaning has been forgotten. Also, the cleaning time is extremely shorter than other stores. Please clean according to the manual," and identification information corresponding to store A1 is entered in the identification information input section 130, and the send button 133 shown on the cleaning instruction screen M11 is selected, the second display device 81 can transmit the cleaning instruction information entered in the message input section 131 to the first communication device 72 of store A1 via the communication device 3 of store A.

When the first communication device 72 of store A1 receives the cleaning instruction information transmitted from the support device 2, the display device 50 of store A1 displays the cleaning instruction information entered in the message input section 131, as shown in FIG. 19B. The display device 50 of the rice processing machine 1 that received the cleaning instruction information, i.e., the display device 50 of store A1, displays a confirmation button 135 that notifies the support device 2 that the message has been confirmed, and when the confirmation button 135 is selected by the change switch, the first communication device 72 of store A1 transmits to the support device 2 that the cleaning instruction information has been confirmed.

After receiving the cleaning instruction information from the first communication device 72 of the store A1, the support device 2:
After a predetermined time (for example, one week or ten days later), cleaning information is requested from the first communication device 72 of store A1 (the rice processing machine 1 that transmitted the cleaning instruction information to the support device 2 to confirm), and the first communication device 72 of store A1 transmits the current cleaning information to the support device 2.

As shown in FIG. 18B, the second display device 81 of the support device 2 can reconfirm the cleaning status screen M10 on the first communication device 72 of the store A1 (the rice processing machine 1 that transmitted the cleaning instruction information to the support device 2).
It can be seen that the minimum cleaning time for the inside of the rice washing tank 22a, the drain jacket 23, the drain hose, and the water supply strainer 25f has been lengthened, and that the cleaning timing has also been improved.

In the above embodiment, the rice washing tank 22a, stirring member 22b, drain jacket 23, drain hose, and strainer (water supply mesh) 25f are given as examples of cleaning points, but the inner pot 17a, lid 17c, etc. of the rice cooker 14 may be added to the cleaning points, and the support device 2 may display cleaning information (cleaning status), or the rice processing machine 1 may display cleaning instruction information. In other words, the cleaning points are not limited to the above examples, and parts of the rice cooker 14 that need cleaning may be added, or other parts may be added as cleaning points.

The rice processing machine 1 is equipped with a rice washing tank 22a for washing rice, an agitating member 22b provided in the rice washing tank 22a, a water supply and drainage device for supplying and draining water to and from the rice washing tank 22a, and a first communication device 72 for transmitting the cleaning status of any of the rice washing tank 22a, the agitating member 22b, and the water supply and drainage device 16 to an external device (support device) 2. This makes it possible to grasp the cleaning status of the rice processing machine 1 (the cleaning status of any of the rice washing tank 22a, the agitating member 22b, and the water supply and drainage device 16) even in places other than where the rice processing machine 1 is installed.

The rice processing machine 1 includes a rice cooker 14 that cooks rice that has been washed in a rice washing tank 22a, and a first communication device 72 transmits the cleaning status of the rice cooker 14 to an external device (support device) 2. This allows the cleaning status of the rice cooker 14, as well as the rice washing tank 22a, stirring member 22b, and water supply and drainage device 16, to be known even in places other than where the rice processing machine 1 is installed.

The first communication device 72 receives messages regarding cleaning from the external device (support device) 2. This allows the rice processing machine 1 to easily check messages regarding the cleaning status from the centralized management location, such as when the cleaning status is ascertained by the external device (support device) 2 installed at the centralized management location (head office, etc.).

The rice processing machine 1 is equipped with a first display device 50 that displays messages, and a first communication device 72 notifies an external device (support device) 2 that the message has been confirmed. This allows the external device (support device) 2 installed at the central management location to easily understand that a message has been confirmed by the rice processing machine 1.

The rice processing support system includes a rice processing machine 1 having a rice washing tank 22a for washing rice, an agitating member 22b provided in the rice washing tank 22a, a water supply and drainage device 16 for supplying and draining water to and from the rice washing tank 22a, a first communication device 72 for transmitting the cleaning status of any of the rice washing tank 22a, the agitating member 22b, and the water supply and drainage device 16, and an external device (support device) 2 having a second communication device 83 for receiving the cleaning status from the first communication device 72, and a second display device 81 for displaying the cleaning status received by the second communication device 83. This makes it possible to grasp the cleaning status of the rice processing machine 1 (the cleaning status of any of the rice washing tank 22a, the agitating member 22b, and the water supply and drainage device 16) even in a place other than where the rice processing machine 1 is installed.

The second display device 81 displays the cleaning status of the rice processing machine 1. This allows the cleaning status of the rice processing machine 1 to be easily grasped by using the second display device 81 of the external device (support device) 2 installed at a central management location (head office, etc.).

The second display device 81 displays the cleaning status as either the cleaning time, the timing of cleaning (cleaning timing), or the area cleaned (cleaning area). This makes it possible to determine whether the cleaning time, timing of cleaning (cleaning timing), and area cleaned (cleaning area) performed by the rice processing machine 1 were appropriate.

The second communication device 83 transmits cleaning-related messages to the first communication device 72 for a specific rice processing machine 1, and the rice processing machine 1 includes a first display device 50 that displays the messages transmitted by the second communication device 83. With this, when the cleaning status is grasped by an external device (support device) 2 installed at a centralized management location (head office, etc.), a message regarding the cleaning status from the centralized management location is transmitted to the rice processing machine 1, and the rice processing machine 1 can easily check the transmitted message.

The control device 80 includes an operation information acquisition unit 80H. The operation information acquisition unit 80H acquires operation information of any one of the rice washing tank 22a, the stirring member 22b, the water supply and drainage device 16, and the rice cooker 14. Fig. 20A shows an example of operation information of the rice washing tank 22a, the stirring member 22b, the water supply and drainage device 16, and the rice cooker 14.

20A, the operation information acquisition unit 80H acquires, for example, the number of times rice was washed by the rice washing tank 22a (rice washing number), the total amount of rice washed, and the total washing time as operation information of the rice washing tank 22a and the stirring member 22b. The number of rice washings may be calculated, for example, by the total number of times each rice washing process (the number of times from the start of rice washing to the end of rice washing) S2 is performed, or by the total number of times the discharge valve 28 is opened and closed by driving the discharge drive unit 71c, or by the total number of times the shutter 17d is opened and closed by driving the shutter drive unit 71d, or by other methods. The total amount of rice washed may be calculated by the total weight measured by the weighing device 19 by driving the weighing drive unit 71a, or by other methods. The total washing time may be calculated by accumulating the time of each rice washing process S2. In addition, the total number of rotations of the motor when the rice washing drive unit 71b is driven (total number of stirrings of the stirring member 22b) may be used as operation information of the stirring member 22b.

The operation information acquisition unit 80H acquires the total supply and drainage operation time and the total number of supply and drainage operations during which the water supply and drainage device 16 is operated as operation information of the water supply and drainage device 16. The total supply and drainage operation time may be obtained from the total operation time of any of the drainage drive unit 71e, the first opening and closing valve 25c, and the flow rate sensor 25d, and the total number of supply and drainage operations may be obtained from the total number of openings and closings when the opening and closing unit 40 is opened and closed by driving the drainage drive unit 71e, and the total number of openings and closings when the first opening and closing valve 25c and the flow rate sensor 25d are operated.

The operation information acquisition unit 80H acquires the total number of cooking times, the total amount of cooked rice, and the total cooking time of the rice cooker 14 as operation information. The total number of cooking times of the rice cooker 14 may be calculated from the total number of cooking processes for each cooking time (the number of times from the start of cooking to the end of cooking for each cooking time) S7, or from the total number of times the shutter 17d is opened and closed by driving the shutter drive unit 71d, or by other methods. The total amount of cooked rice may be calculated from the total weighing weight measured by the weighing device 19 by driving the measuring drive unit 71a, or by other methods. The total cooking time may be calculated by accumulating the time for each cooking process S7.

The above-mentioned methods of obtaining operation information for the rice washing tank 22a, the stirring member 22b, the water supply and drainage device 16, and the rice cooker 14 are examples and are not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 20B, the operation information acquisition unit 80H periodically or irregularly stores operation information of the rice washing tank 22a, the stirring member 22b, the water supply and drainage device 16, and the rice cooker 14 in the storage device 73.

The rice processing machine 1 periodically or irregularly transmits the operation information of the rice washing tank 22a, the stirring member 22b, the water supply and drainage device 16, and the rice cooker 14 stored in the memory device 73, together with the identification information, from the first communication device 72 to the second communication device 83 of the support device 2 via the third communication device 3.

When the second communication device 83 of the support device 2 receives the operation information and identification information, the support device 2 stores the received operation information and identification information in the storage device 82. As shown in FIG. 21, the second display device 81 displays an operation information screen M12 when a predetermined operation is performed. The operation information screen M12 displays operation information sent from the rice processing machines 1 (Store A1, Store A2, Store A3, Store B1, Store B2, Store C1) for each store. The operation information screen M12 includes a store display section 89, an identification display section 91a, and an individual operation display section 140.

The control device 80 is equipped with a replacement judgment unit 80I. The replacement judgment unit 80I judges whether replacement is necessary based on operation information. As shown in FIG. 22, the memory device 82 has a replacement database of operation information of the rice washing tank 22a, the stirring member 22b, the water supply and drainage device 16, and the rice cooker 14, and the timing of part replacement. In FIG. 22, parts A to O are parts that make up the rice processing machine 1, and the numbers are examples.

In Fig. 22, "whole" indicates the operation information of the replacement timing for replacing the entirety (whole) of each of the rice washing tank 22a, the stirring member 22b, the water supply and drainage device 16, and the rice cooker 14. Parts A and B are parts that make up the rice washing tank 22a, parts C and D are parts that make up the stirring member 22b, parts F to J are parts that make up the water supply and drainage device 16, parts K and L are parts that make up the rice cooker 14, and the others are parts other than those mentioned above that make up the rice processing machine 1. The part replacement timing in Fig. 22 indicates a guideline for replacement each time the number of times, kg, time, etc. indicated in the operation information reach the numbers indicated in the part replacement timing, and for example, part A indicates that it should be replaced every 500 times the number of times rice is washed, every 3000 kg of total rice washed, and every 200 hours of total rice washing time.

The replacement judgment unit 80I judges that parts A to E need to be replaced when any of the number of times rice is washed, the total amount of rice washed, and the total time of rice washing reaches the value shown in the replacement database (part replacement time). The replacement judgment unit 80I also judges that parts F to J need to be replaced when any of the total supply and exhaust operation time and the total number of supply and exhaust operations reach the value shown in the part replacement time. The replacement judgment unit 80I judges that parts K to L need to be replaced when any of the total number of times rice is cooked, the total amount of rice cooked, and the total time of rice cooking reach the value shown in the part replacement time. The replacement judgment unit 80I judges that parts M to O need to be replaced when any of the number of times rice is washed, the total amount of rice washed, the total time of rice washing, the total time of supply and exhaust operation, the total number of times rice is cooked, the total amount of rice cooked, and the total time of rice cooking reach the value shown in the part replacement time.

When the replacement judgment unit 80I judges that replacement is necessary, the second communication device 83 of the support device 2 notifies the first communication device 72 of the rice processing machine 1 that replacement is necessary. For example, when the number of times that the rice is washed in store A1 reaches 1000 times, the second communication device 83 transmits a message (replacement message) to instruct store A1 to replace part B, for example, "Part B of the rice washing tank is due for replacement, so please replace it," to the first communication device 72 of store A1. In this way, when the second communication device 83 notifies a specific rice processing machine 1, i.e., the first communication device 72 of store A1, that a part needs to be replaced, the operation information screen M12 displays information notifying the specific rice processing machine 1 (store A1) that notified the part replacement.

When the first communication device 72 of store A1 receives the replacement message, as shown in FIG. 23, the display device 50 of store A1 displays the replacement message notified by the replacement judgment unit 80I after the operation is completed (after the cooking completion process S9).

When the operation information indicates that a part needs to be replaced, the support device 2 orders the part that needs to be replaced. As described above, when it becomes necessary to replace part B in the store A1 unit, as shown in FIG. 1, the support device 2 automatically sends order information for part B to the ordering system (sales reception computer) 160 of the company that manufactures or sells part B, thereby ordering part B. The order information includes the identification information (product number) of part B and the supply location H1 where the store A1 unit is installed, so that part B will be delivered to the store A. As shown in FIG. 23, the display device 50 of the store A1 unit displays a confirmation button 161, and when the confirmation button 135 is selected by the change switch, the support device 2 is notified that the replacement message has been confirmed. When the support device 2 receives the confirmation of the replacement message, it places an order for part B in the ordering system (sales reception computer) 160, and when the support device 2 does not receive the confirmation of the replacement message, it may not order part B.

The rice processing support system includes a rice processing machine 1 having a rice washing tank 22a for washing rice, an agitating member 22b provided in the rice washing tank 22a, a water supply and drainage device for supplying and draining water to and from the rice washing tank 22a, and a first communication device 72 for transmitting operation information of any of the rice washing tank 22a, the agitating member 22b, and the water supply and drainage device 16, and an external device (support device) 2 having a second communication device 83 for receiving operation information from the first communication device 72, and a second display device 81 for displaying the operation information received by the second communication device 83. This makes it possible to grasp the operation status of the rice processing machine 1 (the operation status of any of the rice washing tank 22a, the agitating member 22b, and the water supply and drainage device 16) even in a place other than where the rice processing machine 1 is installed.

The rice processing machine 1 includes a rice cooker 14 that cooks rice that has been washed in a rice washing tank 22a, and a first communication device 72 transmits operation information of the rice cooker to an external device (support device) 2. This allows the operating status of the rice washing tank 22a, the stirring member 22b, and the water supply and drainage device 16 as well as the rice cooker 14 to be known even in places other than where the rice processing machine 1 is installed.

The second display device 81 displays operation information of the rice processing machine 1. This allows the operating status of the rice processing machine 1 to be visually confirmed by looking at the second display device 81 even in a place other than where the rice processing machine 1 is installed.

The external device (support device) 2 is equipped with an exchange judgment unit 80I that judges whether or not replacement is necessary based on the operation information, and the second communication device 83 notifies the first communication device 72 that replacement is necessary when the exchange judgment unit 80I judges that replacement is necessary. This makes it easy to judge from the operation information whether the entire rice processing machine 1 or a part of the rice processing machine 1 needs to be replaced, and when it is judged that replacement is necessary, it is possible to directly notify the rice processing machine 1 that replacement is necessary. The rice processing machine 1 is always operated when processing, so it is aware that replacement is necessary.

The second communication device 83 transmits a message to the first communication device 72 instructing a specific rice processing machine 1 to perform an exchange, and the rice processing machine 1 includes a first display device 50 that displays the message transmitted by the second communication device 83. This allows the exchange instruction to be quickly understood by looking at the message displayed on the first display device 50 of the rice processing machine 1.

When the operation information indicates that a part needs replacing, the external device (support device) 2 orders the part that needs replacing. This allows the rice processing machine 1 parts to be replaced as quickly as possible, and prevents the rice processing machine 1 from continuing to operate when parts need replacing.

In the above embodiment, the time (elapsed time) during which the cleaning instruction screen M9 is displayed is regarded as the cleaning time, but the removal of the rice washing tank 22a, stirring member 22b, drain jacket 23, drain hose, strainer (water supply mesh) 25f, inner pot 17a, lid 17c, etc. of the rice cooker 14 can be detected by a sensor or the like, and the time during which they are removed (removal time) can be regarded as the cleaning time.

In the above-described embodiment, the data was operation information of the drive units (measuring drive unit 71a, rice washing drive unit 71b, discharge drive unit 71c, shutter drive unit 71d, drainage drive unit 71e), but operation information may also include the operation of sensors, switches, etc. mounted on the rice processing machine 1 and errors in the drive units, and is not limited to this.

In the above-described embodiment, the support device 2 (control device 80) includes a result acquisition unit 80A, a period acceptance unit 80B, a period result calculation unit 80C, a rice processing plan unit 80D, a yield calculation unit 80E, a rice cooking setting creation unit 80F, an operation information acquisition unit 80H, and a replacement judgment unit 80I, but it does not have to include all of these, and one or a combination of these may be used, and is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

1: rice processing machine 2: external device 3: communication device 14: rice cooker 16: water supply and drainage device 22a: rice washing tank 22b: stirring member 50: first display device 72: first communication device 80I: replacement judgment unit 81: second display device 83: second communication device A to O: parts

Claims (7)

a rice processing machine including a rice washing tank for washing rice, a stirring member provided in the rice washing tank, a water supply and drainage device for supplying and draining water to and from the rice washing tank, a first communication device for transmitting operation information of any of the rice washing tank, the stirring member, and the water supply and drainage device, and a first display device for displaying messages;
an external device having a second communication device that receives the operation information from a first communication device provided in the rice processing machine, a second display device that displays the operation information received by the second communication device, and a replacement determination unit that determines for each rice processing machine whether or not a part constituting the rice processing machine needs to be replaced based on the operation information;
Equipped with
when the replacement determination unit determines that replacement of the part is necessary for a specific rice processing machine, the second communication device transmits a message to the first communication device instructing the specific rice processing machine to perform the replacement;
The rice processing machine is capable of notifying the external device that it has confirmed the message instructing the rice processing machine to replace the rice;
When the external device receives a confirmation of the message instructing the replacement, the external device orders the part. The rice processing support system according to claim 1 , wherein if the external device does not receive a confirmation of the message instructing the replacement, the external device does not order the part. The rice processing support system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rice processing machine includes a rice cooker that cooks the rice washed in the rice washing tank, and the first communication device transmits operation information of the rice cooker to the external device. The rice processing support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second display device displays the operation information of the rice processing machine. The rice processing machine includes the rice cooker,
The external device includes a storage device that stores the operation information of the rice cooker,
the replacement determination unit is configured to refer to a replacement database stored in the storage device and including operation information and part replacement times of parts constituting the rice processing machine, and determine that replacement of the part is necessary when the operation information in the replacement database reaches a value indicated as the part replacement time;
The rice processing support system of claim 3, wherein the operation information and part replacement timing stored in the replacement database include a total number of times rice is cooked, a total amount of cooked rice, and a total cooking time, and the replacement judgment unit judges that part replacement is necessary each time any of the total number of times rice is cooked, the total amount of cooked rice, and the total cooking time reaches a value indicated as the part replacement timing. The exchange database includes:
a replacement time for the entire rice washing tank, a replacement time for the entire stirring member, a replacement time for the entire water supply and drainage device, and a replacement time for the entire rice cooker;
the timing for replacing each part constituting the rice washing tank, the timing for replacing each part constituting the stirring member, the timing for replacing each part constituting the water supply and drainage device, and the timing for replacing each part constituting the rice cooker;
The rice processing support system according to claim 5, further comprising: The rice processing support system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when a part needs to be replaced for the specified rice processing machine, the external device automatically orders ordering information including the part's identification number and the location where the specified rice processing machine is installed to an ordering system of a company that manufactures or sells the part.

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