JP7505968B2 - Recipe suggestion system - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a recipe suggestion system.

There is a known system that suggests recipes when a user inputs ingredients. It is expected that the system's convenience will be further improved.

JP 2002-092120 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a recipe suggestion system that can improve convenience.

The recipe suggestion system of the embodiment includes an ingredient management unit that manages inventory information indicating ingredients owned by a user; a recipe selection unit that selects one or more recipes containing ingredients owned by the user from among a plurality of available recipes based on the inventory information; an information output unit that outputs the one or more recipes selected by the recipe selection unit; a reception unit that receives a user instruction to select a recipe; and a refrigerator setting unit that, when a user instruction to select a specific recipe from the one or more recipes is received by the reception unit, changes the set temperature or operating mode of the refrigerator in accordance with ingredients remaining for the specific recipe.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a recipe suggestion system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microwave oven according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the microwave oven according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a functional configuration of a server according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a foodstuff management unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of an inventory list database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a shopping list database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a trash can database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a candidate list database according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of an ingredient database according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the recipe suggestion system according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the recipe suggestion system according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the recipe suggestion system according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the recipe suggestion system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen according to the second embodiment.

The recipe suggestion system according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are given the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of those components may be omitted. "Based on XX" means "based on at least XX" and may include the case where it is based on another element in addition to XX. "Based on XX" is not limited to the case where XX is directly used, but may also include the case where it is based on XX that has been calculated or processed. "XX or YY" is not limited to either XX or YY, but may include both XX and YY. "XX" and "YY" are any element (for example, any information). In the following, "database" is abbreviated as "DB". "Temperature of storage room" means the air temperature of the storage room.

First Embodiment
[1. Overall configuration of the recipe suggestion system]
The overall configuration of the recipe suggestion system 1 will be described below.
1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a recipe suggestion system 1 according to an embodiment. The recipe suggestion system 1 includes a refrigerator 101, a microwave oven 102, a server 200, and a terminal device 300.

The network NW may include, for example, one or more of the following: the Internet, a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a public line, a telephone line, a wireless base station, etc.

A "recipe" is information that includes a method of cooking ingredients. A recipe may include information about the ingredients, cooking time, the home appliances needed for cooking, the number of people who can consume the dish (i.e., how many people the dish is for), the consumption deadline, the calorie content of the dish, information promoting the dish, an image or video showing the dish, the salt content of the dish, and the difficulty of cooking the dish. Note that a "recipe" is an example of recipe information. "Consume" means to eat the dish (or ingredients).

Examples of "ingredients" include grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, seaweed, condiments, seafood, meat, eggs, milk, bones, seasonings, flavorings, processed foods, dried foods, and food additives. Note that ingredients are not limited to uncooked ingredients. For example, ingredients may be cooked. A "dish" refers to ingredients that have been cooked. Note that a "dish" may include the ingredients themselves.

Examples of "cooking" include washing ingredients, cutting ingredients, boiling ingredients, grilling ingredients, frying ingredients, steaming ingredients, mixing ingredients, deep-frying ingredients, boiling ingredients, freezing ingredients, and drying ingredients. Note that "cooking" is not limited to the above examples. Note that "cooking" may also be a combination of two or more of the above examples.

Examples of "information related to ingredients" include the name of the ingredient, the amount of the ingredient, the condition of the ingredient, the place of origin of the ingredient, and the type of ingredient. "Intake date" is the date by which the ingredient should be consumed. Examples of "intake date" include the best-before date and the expiration date.

The refrigerator 101 is installed in the residence of a user U. The refrigerator 101 is an example of a home appliance. The refrigerator 101 stores and manages ingredients. The refrigerator 101 is connected to a network NW via a router R in the residence, for example, and can communicate with a server 200. The refrigerator 101 can also communicate with a microwave oven 102 via the router R. The refrigerator 101 can also communicate with a terminal device 300.

An application program for managing ingredients (hereinafter referred to as application 1) and an application program for selecting recipes (hereinafter referred to as application 2) are installed in the refrigerator 101. Application 1 and application 2 are started in the refrigerator 101. Application 1 and application 2 may be executed as a single application.

The recipe suggestion system 1 may include multiple refrigerators 101. The use of the refrigerators 101 included in the recipe suggestion system 1 is not limited to home use. For example, the refrigerator 101 may be a commercial refrigerator or a commercial freezer associated with the user U's workplace. Instead of the refrigerator 101, the recipe suggestion system 1 may include a home appliance capable of storing and managing ingredients. The recipe suggestion system 1 may include a home appliance capable of storing and managing ingredients in addition to the refrigerator 101. The detailed configuration of the refrigerator 101 will be described later.

The microwave oven 102 is installed in the residence of the same user U as the refrigerator 101. The microwave oven 102 is an example of a home appliance and also an example of a "cooking appliance" described below. The microwave oven 102 cooks ingredients by heating. The microwave oven 102 is connected to the network NW via a router R in the residence, for example, and can communicate with the server 200. The microwave oven 102 can also communicate with the refrigerator 101 via the router R. The microwave oven 102 may also be able to communicate with the terminal device 300.

The recipe suggestion system 1 may include multiple microwave ovens 102. The use of the microwave ovens 102 included in the recipe suggestion system 1 is not limited to household use. For example, the microwave oven 102 may be a commercial microwave oven associated with the workplace of the user U. The recipe suggestion system 1 may include, instead of the microwave ovens 102, another home appliance capable of cooking ingredients (hereinafter referred to as a cooking appliance).

Examples of cooking appliances include an oven range, a rice cooker, an induction heating (IH) cooker, an electric stove, a coffee maker, a toaster oven, and a rice cake maker. Note that the recipe suggestion system 1 may also include another cooking appliance in addition to the microwave oven 102. The detailed configuration of the microwave oven 102 will be described later.

The terminal device 300 is, for example, a mobile terminal used by a user U. Examples of the terminal device 300 include a smartphone and a tablet terminal device. The terminal device 300 is connected to the network NW and can communicate with the refrigerator 101 and the server 200. The terminal device 300 may also be capable of communicating with the microwave oven 102. The terminal device 300 may also be capable of communicating with the refrigerator 101 via a connection cable. An example of the connection cable is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

The terminal device 300 has a display screen 310. The display screen 310 includes a screen capable of displaying images and videos, and a touch sensor overlaid on the screen. At least one of the above-mentioned application 1 or application 2 is installed in the terminal device 300 instead of/in addition to the refrigerator 101. Application 1 and application 2 are activated in the terminal device 300. The terminal device 300 is not limited to the above example, and may be a personal computer, a television receiver with an input function, or the like.

The server 200 provides various services related to recipes. The server 200 is composed of, for example, one or more server devices (cloud servers). The server 200 may include an information processing unit that performs edge computing or fog computing, such as an information processing unit included in the router R and/or an information processing unit included in a router in the network NW. The server 200 will be described in detail later.

2. Microwave
The detailed configuration of microwave oven 102 will be described below.
The microwave oven 102 heats ingredients with electromagnetic waves to cook the ingredients. Note that the recipe suggestion system 1 may be equipped with an oven range instead of the microwave oven 102. An "oven range" heats ingredients with superheated steam to cook the ingredients. Note that the recipe suggestion system 1 may be equipped with an oven range in addition to the microwave oven 102.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of microwave oven 102.
The microwave oven 102 includes a housing 1021, a front panel 1022, a handle 1023, a start button 1024, a cancel button 1025, a setting unit 1026, a control unit 1027, and a display unit 1029. Note that the configuration of the microwave oven 102 shown in Fig. 2 is just an example.

The housing 1021 is formed in a roughly hexahedral box shape that houses the other components of the microwave oven 102. Of the roughly six faces of the housing 1021, one face is partially open. A user U can use the handle 1023 to move the front panel 1022 and put food into the microwave oven 102.

The user U can start cooking in the microwave oven 102 by pressing the start button 1024. In addition, the user U can set cooking-related settings by pressing a button provided in the setting section 1026 before pressing the start button 1024. The user U can interrupt cooking in the microwave oven 102 by pressing the cancel button 1025.

3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 1027. The control unit 1027 includes a communication module 1028 and a detection unit 1030.
Control unit 1027 accepts input by receiving signals indicating the input contents from start button 1024, cancel button 1025, and setting unit 1026. Control unit 1027 transmits a signal indicating the accepted input contents to display unit 1029. Control unit 1027 controls cooking by microwave oven 102 based on the accepted input.

For example, suppose that user U presses start button 1024. Start button 1024 sends a signal to control unit 1027 to start cooking. Control unit 1027 receives the signal to start cooking from start button 1024. As a result, control unit 1027 accepts input to start cooking from start button 1024. Based on the accepted input, control unit 1027 irradiates electromagnetic waves to start cooking the ingredients. Control unit 1027 sends a signal to start cooking to display unit 1029. Display unit 1029 receives the signal to start cooking. Display unit 1029 displays that cooking has started.

For example, suppose that user U presses the cancel button 1025. The cancel button 1025 sends a signal to the control unit 1027 to complete the cooking. The control unit 1027 receives the signal to complete the cooking from the cancel button 1025. As a result, the control unit 1027 accepts input from the cancel button 1025. Based on the accepted input, the control unit 1027 stops emitting electromagnetic waves and completes the cooking. The control unit 1027 sends a signal to the display unit 1029 to complete the cooking. The display unit 1029 receives the signal to complete the cooking. The display unit 1029 displays that the cooking has been completed. Note that the cancel button 1025 may be a "cooking completion button."

The control unit 1027 can communicate with the router R via the communication module 1028. The microwave oven 102 can communicate with the refrigerator 101 and the server 200 via the control unit 1027 and the router R.

The control unit 1027 receives a signal indicating the settings of the cooking appliance from the cooking appliance setting unit 167 (described later) via the communication module 1028. The control unit 1027 changes the settings of the microwave oven 102 based on the signal indicating the settings of the cooking appliance, and controls the cooking of the microwave oven 102.

The display unit 1029 receives a signal from the control unit 1027. Based on the received signal, the display unit 1029 displays information related to the signal.

The detection unit 1030 detects an operation by the user U. Examples of the above-mentioned "operation by the user U" include pressing the start button 1024, pressing the cancel button 1025, and pressing a button provided in the setting unit 1026. The detection unit 1030 also transmits a signal indicating the detected operation by the user U to the refrigerator 101 via the communication module 1028.

3. Server
The detailed configuration of the server 200 will be described below.
Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 200. The server 200 includes a communication unit 201, a recipe setting unit 202, and a storage unit 203. Note that the configuration of the server 200 shown in Fig. 4 is an example. The server 200 is composed of one or a plurality of devices. Note that the server 200 may be composed of a plurality of devices provided in different locations.

The communication unit 201 receives a signal from the router R in the user's residence via the network NW (see FIG. 1). The communication unit 201 also transmits a signal to the router R via the network NW. The server 200 can communicate with the refrigerator 101 and the microwave oven 102 via the communication unit 201 and the router R. Note that the server 200 may be able to communicate not only with the refrigerator 101 and microwave oven 102 of the user U, but also with home appliances of other users. In other words, one server 200 may be able to communicate with home appliances of multiple users.

The recipe setting unit 202 receives a recipe from the operator of the server 200 and records the recipe in the memory unit 203. Examples of the "operator of the server 200" include a manufacturer of the home appliance, a management company of the server 200, or a user of the home appliance (e.g., multiple users including user U). Note that the recipe setting unit 202 may receive a recipe from a server other than the server 200, even if the operator of the server 200 does not input a recipe.

The storage unit 203 stores the recipe recorded by the recipe setting unit 202. The storage unit 203 may be provided in a location separate from the recipe setting unit 202. For example, the storage unit 203 may be provided in a data center of a manufacturer of home appliances.

4. Refrigerator
The detailed configuration of the refrigerator 101 will be described below.

[4-1. Overall structure of refrigerator]
The overall structure of the refrigerator 101 will now be described.
5 is a front view showing the refrigerator 101. The refrigerator 101 includes, for example, a housing 110, a plurality of doors 130, a display device 140, an actuator 150, a control unit 160, a camera 170, a speaker 180, and a microphone 190.

A plurality of storage compartments (storage compartments) 120 are provided inside the housing 110. The plurality of storage compartments 120 include, for example, a refrigerator compartment 121, a chilled compartment 122, a vegetable compartment 123, an ice-making compartment 124, a small freezer compartment 125, and a main freezer compartment 126. In this embodiment, the refrigerator compartment 121 is located at the top, the vegetable compartment 123 is located below the refrigerator compartment 121, the ice-making compartment 124 and the small freezer compartment 125 are located below the vegetable compartment 123, and the main freezer compartment 126 is located below the ice-making compartment 124 and the small freezer compartment 125. However, the arrangement of the storage compartments 120 is not limited to the above example. These plurality of storage compartments 120 are closed by a plurality of doors 130 that can be opened and closed.

Examples of the display device 140 include a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display device 140 includes a display screen 141 capable of displaying images and/or videos. The display device 140 also includes a touch sensor 142 superimposed on the display screen 141. Note that the position of the display device 140 in the refrigerator 101 shown in FIG. 5 is one example.

The actuator 150 includes a compressor that compresses the refrigerant for cooling and sends it to the cooler, and a blower that sends the cold air cooled by the cooler to each storage chamber 120.

The control unit 160 controls the display device 140 and the actuator 150. For example, the control unit 160 can accept operations by the user U on the display screen 141 via the touch sensor 142. By controlling the actuator 150, the control unit 160 can execute functions of the refrigerator 101, such as changing the set temperature range of each storage compartment 120 of the refrigerator 101, changing the control mode of the chilled compartment 122, "quick freezing" for cooling the main freezer compartment 126 more quickly than in normal operation, and "quick ice making" for making ice more quickly than in normal operation.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 160. As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 160 includes a detection unit 161, an ingredient management unit 162, a reception unit 163, a recipe selection unit 164, an information output unit 165, a memory unit 166, a cooking appliance setting unit 167, a refrigerator setting unit 168, and a communication module 169.

The detection unit 161 detects an operation by the user U. An example of the above-mentioned "user U's operation" is an input to the display device 140. A specific example of the above-mentioned "user U's operation" is an instruction by the user U to select a specific recipe from one or more recipes (hereinafter referred to as a selection instruction). The detection unit 161 transmits a signal indicating the detected "user U's operation" to the ingredient management unit 162.

Details of the ingredient management unit 162, reception unit 163, recipe selection unit 164, information output unit 165, cooking appliance setting unit 167, and refrigerator setting unit 168 will be described later.

The storage unit 166 stores storage information, setting information, etc. "Storage information" is information that associates ingredients with a method for storing the ingredients. Details of the "storage method" will be described later. "Setting information" includes information that associates a recipe with the settings of a cooking appliance. An example of the above "cooking appliance settings" is settings according to the cooking method of the ingredients included in the recipe (e.g., settings of the operating mode and/or operating time of the cooking appliance). In addition, the "setting information" includes information that associates ingredients with the set temperature or operating mode of the refrigerator 101 (e.g., the control mode of the chilled compartment 122 or "quick freezing"). The storage information and setting information are recorded in advance in the storage unit 166 by the manufacturer of the home appliance, etc.

The memory unit 166 may store saved information or setting information recorded by the user U. The memory unit 166 may be provided in a device other than the refrigerator 101. For example, the memory unit 166 may be provided in the server 200.

The communication module 169 includes a communication circuit and can be connected to the router R. The refrigerator 101 is connected to the router R via the communication module 169 and can communicate with the microwave oven 102, the server 200, and the terminal device 300.

The camera 170 is provided inside the housing 110 or on the door 130. The position of the camera 170 shown in FIG. 5 is an example. The images of ingredients captured by the camera 170 are used for ingredient management in the refrigerator 101.

The speaker 180 and the microphone 190 are provided on the door 130. An opening is provided near the portion where the speaker 180 and the microphone 190 are provided to allow easy passage of sound. The speaker 180 and the microphone 190 are connected to the control unit 160 of the refrigerator 101 via a cable. The speaker 180 and the microphone 190 are controlled by the control unit 160.

[4-2. Food Management Department]
The foodstuff management section 162 of the control section 160 will be described in detail below.
7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the ingredient management unit 162. The ingredient management unit 162 includes an information processing unit 520 and a storage unit 530. The storage unit 530 may be provided as a part of the storage unit 166. The ingredient management unit 162 manages inventory information. The inventory information is information indicating ingredients held by the user U. Details of the inventory information will be described later.

[4-2-1. Information Processing Section]
Information processing unit 520 includes instruction receiving unit 521, registration information management unit 522, display control unit 523, voice processing unit 524, control instruction generation unit 525, and response generation unit 526. However, some or all of the components of information processing unit 520 may be provided in server 200 or terminal device 300 instead of refrigerator 101. Display control unit 523 may be provided as a part of information output unit 165.

The instruction reception unit 521 receives information indicating the operation of the user U that has been accepted by the display screen 310 of the terminal device 300 from the terminal device 300 via the communication module 169. The instruction reception unit 521 also receives information indicating the operation of the user U that has been accepted by the display device 140 from the display device 140. The instruction reception unit 521 transmits the information received from the terminal device 300 or the display device 140 to the registration information management unit 522.

The registration information management unit 522 updates various DBs described below based on the information received from the instruction reception unit 521. The "various DBs" are the inventory list DB 601, shopping list DB 602, candidate list DB 604, trash can DB 603, user settings DB 606, regular supplies DB 607, and remote operation registration DB 609. The registration information management unit 522 receives information indicating the contents analyzed by the voice processing unit 524 described below (user U's instructions given through speech) from the voice processing unit 524.

The registration information management unit 522 can update the "various DBs" based on information received from the voice processing unit 524 instead of/in addition to information received from the instruction reception unit 521. The operation of the registration information management unit 522 will be described in detail later. In the following description, "user U's operation" or "user U's input" refers to user U's operation received by the instruction reception unit 521, or user U's operation analyzed by the voice processing unit 524 described later.

The display control unit 523 generates display data and control signals based on the contents of the various DBs. The above-mentioned "display data" includes images or videos to be displayed on the display screen 310 of the terminal device 300. Note that the "display data" may also include a screen or video to be displayed on the display screen 141 of the display device 140.

The display control unit 523 transmits the generated display data and control signal to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 via the communication module 169. The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 receives the display data and control signal. The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 displays information related to food ingredient management based on the received display data and control signal. This allows the user U to understand information related to food ingredient management.

Note that "displaying on the display screen" is not limited to displaying on the display screen 141 or the display screen 310. "Displaying on the display screen" may also include displaying an image or video on the display screen 141 or the display screen 310 by providing display data and/or a control signal from outside to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300.

The audio processing unit 524 receives a signal indicating the audio captured by the microphone 190 from the microphone 190. The audio processing unit 524 may also receive a signal indicating the audio captured by the terminal device 300 from the terminal device 300 via the communication module 169.

For example, the voice processing unit 524 receives a signal indicating voice other than the trigger word from among the acquired signals indicating voice. The voice processing unit 524 analyzes the received signal indicating voice. For example, the voice processing unit 524 converts the signal indicating voice into text by performing voice recognition processing, and performs semantic interpretation on the signal indicating voice that has been converted into text by performing natural language processing. The voice processing unit 524 outputs the analysis result of the signal indicating voice to the control instruction generation unit 525 and the response generation unit 526.

If the user U's speech includes an instruction for the refrigerator 101 based on the analysis result of the signal indicating the voice by the voice processing unit 524, the control instruction generating unit 525 accepts the instruction. Examples of the above-mentioned "instructions for the refrigerator 101" include changing the set temperature range of each storage compartment 120, changing the control mode of the chilled compartment 122, and instructions such as "quick freezing" or "quick ice making."

The control instruction generating unit 525 generates a control instruction corresponding to the "instruction for the refrigerator 101." The foodstuff management unit 162 drives the actuator 150 based on the control instruction generated by the control instruction generating unit 525. The actuator 150 is driven to realize the control desired by the user U.

The response generation unit 526 refers to the voice DB 610 (described later) and generates a signal indicating the voice to be output from the speaker 180. The response generation unit 526 generates the above-mentioned "signal indicating voice" when there is content to be responded to in response to the utterance of the user U analyzed by the voice processing unit 524, or when there is content to be notified to the user U. The response generation unit 526 transmits the signal indicating the generated voice to the speaker 180.

The speaker 180 receives the signal indicative of the voice generated by the response generation unit 526. The speaker 180 vibrates a diaphragm provided on the speaker 180 based on the signal indicative of the voice. When the diaphragm vibrates, the air around the refrigerator 101 vibrates. The user U can recognize the voice related to the signal indicative of the voice through the vibration of the air.

The response generation unit 526 may transmit a signal indicating the generated voice to the terminal device 300. The speaker of the terminal device 300 that receives the signal indicating the voice operates in the same manner as the speaker 180 described above.

[4-2-2. Various DBs]
The storage unit 530 stores an inventory list DB 601, a shopping list DB 602, a trash DB 603, a candidate list DB 604, an ingredient DB 605, a user setting DB 606, a stock item DB 607, a history DB 608, a remote operation registration DB 609, and a voice DB 610. The inventory list DB 601, the shopping list DB 602, the trash DB 603, the candidate list DB 604, the user setting DB 606, the stock item DB 607, and the history DB 608 are prepared for each user U.

For ease of explanation, the following shows an example in which the above-mentioned multiple DBs exist as DBs for managing ingredients. However, these DBs may also be managed as a single entity. In this case, identification information (e.g., a tag) indicating that the ingredient is to be displayed in a specific list (a shopping list or candidate list) described below may be added to the registration of each ingredient. Note that the processing for the various DBs described below (e.g., registering, deleting, and confirming ingredients) is executed by the registration information management unit 522.

[4-2-2-1. Inventory list DB]
8 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the inventory list DB 601. The "inventory list" is a list in which ingredients owned by the user U are managed. In the following description, the "inventory list" may be referred to as the "ingredients list" or "inventory information."

Inventory list DB 601 is registered with ingredients that are in stock at user U's home. Inventory list DB 601 is not limited to ingredients stored inside refrigerator 101, but also ingredients stored outside refrigerator 101 (e.g., stored at room temperature). Note that ingredients stored inside multiple refrigerators 101 may be registered in inventory list DB 601. Note that inventory list DB 601 may only register ingredients that are in refrigerator 101. The information registered in inventory list DB 601 is an example of the "inventory information" described above.

In the inventory list DB 601, for each ingredient, the "Management ID", "Ingredient name", "Ingredient classification", "Storage location", "Purchase date", "Best before date" (or "Expiration date"), "Quantity", "Unit", and "History" are registered in association with each other.

"For each ingredient" means, for example, the same ingredient purchased at the same time. In other words, even if it is the same type of ingredient, an ingredient purchased on one date and time and an ingredient purchased on a different date and time will be registered as different ingredients. Note that the "purchase date" here refers to the date on which a specific ingredient is newly registered, i.e., the date on which the inventory amount increases, and is used to include cases where the ingredient was not obtained by purchasing it.

"Food category" refers to the classification of food ingredients. In this embodiment, 16 types of food category are set as "food category", namely "vegetables", "fruit", "meat", "seafood/seaweed", "eggs/dairy products", "beans/bean products", "processed foods", "rice/bread", "noodles", "beverages", "frozen foods", "sweets", "seasonings", "spices", "side dishes", and "other". However, the above categories are examples, and the food category categories can be set as appropriate.

"Storage location" refers to the location where food ingredients are stored. In this embodiment, four types of storage locations are set as "storage locations", namely, "refrigerator compartment", "vegetable compartment", "freezer compartment", and "other". "Refrigerator compartment" corresponds to the area that combines the refrigerator compartment 121 and the chilled compartment 122.

"Vegetable compartment" corresponds to the vegetable compartment 123. "Freezer" corresponds to the area combining the small freezer compartment 125 and the main freezer compartment 126. "Other" corresponds to storage locations outside the refrigerator 101.

However, the above classifications are examples, and the classification of storage locations can be set as appropriate. For example, the refrigerator compartment 121 and the chilled compartment 122 may be classified as separate storage locations. The small freezer compartment 125 and the main freezer compartment 126 may be classified as separate storage locations. Furthermore, the classification of storage locations may be finely classified, such as "the top shelf of the refrigerator compartment" and "the right door pocket of the refrigerator compartment." A "storage location" may be referred to as a "storage room" or "storage area." For the sake of convenience in the following explanation, when "refrigerator compartment 121" is mentioned, it is a concept that may include the chilled compartment 122, and when "main freezer compartment 126" is mentioned, it is a concept that may include the small freezer compartment 125.

The latest quantity of ingredients is registered in the "Quantity" field.
In the "history" field, when an ingredient is reduced, information indicating the reduced quantity and the date and time of the reduction is registered.

The registration information management unit 522 registers, deletes, and checks ingredients in the inventory list DB 601, for example, based on the operation of the user U. In this embodiment, the registration information management unit 522 notifies the terminal device 300 that there is an ingredient whose expiration date (or best before date) is approaching a certain number of days (for example, one day) before the expiration date (or best before date) of the ingredient registered in the inventory list DB 601.

This notification is displayed as a push notification on the display screen 310 of the terminal device 300. This notification may also be displayed as a push notification on the display screen 141 of the display device 140.

When the expiration date (or use-by date) of an ingredient registered in the inventory list DB 601 has passed, the registration information management unit 522 automatically deletes the ingredient whose expiration date (or use-by date) has passed from the inventory list DB 601, and transfers the registration of the ingredient to the trash bin DB 603 and candidate list DB 604 described below.

The "inventory list" is displayed as an "ingredient list" on the display screen 310 of the terminal device 300 under the control of the control unit 160. The "inventory list" may also be displayed as an "ingredient list" on the display device 140.

When the detection unit detects a specific operation by user U regarding a specific recipe among one or more recipes, the registration information management unit 522 deletes the ingredients included in the specific recipe from the inventory information in the amount included in the specific recipe. In this case, the registration information management unit 522 deletes the registration of ingredients based on the expiration date (or use-by date) of the ingredients registered in the inventory list DB 601, for example, in order of the ingredients with the nearest expiration date (or use-by date). Examples of the above "detection unit" include the detection unit 1030 provided in the microwave oven 102 and the detection unit 161 provided in the refrigerator 101. Examples of the above "specific recipe" include a recipe related to a selection instruction by user U. Hereinafter, a user's instruction to select a specific recipe from among multiple recipes is referred to as a "selection instruction".

For example, suppose that user U inputs a selection instruction into the display device 140 of the refrigerator 101. The detection unit 161 detects the selection instruction by user U. The detection unit 161 transmits a signal indicating the selection instruction to the registration information management unit 522. The registration information management unit 522 receives the signal indicating the selection instruction. The registration information management unit 522 deletes the ingredients included in the recipe related to the selection instruction from the inventory information.

Let us also assume that user U presses the cancel button 1025 on the microwave oven 102. The detection unit 1030 detects that user U has pressed the cancel button 1025. The detection unit 1030 transmits a signal indicating that the cancel button 1025 has been detected and pressed to the refrigerator 101. The registration information management unit 522 receives the signal indicating that the cancel button 1025 has been pressed. The registration information management unit 522 deletes the ingredients included in the recipe selected and instructed by user U from the inventory information.

If the refrigerator 101 is equipped with a reading device, the registration information management unit 522 does not need to perform the operation related to deleting the food ingredient registration described above. The "reading device" is a device that reads the RFID (Radio frequency identification) tag of the food ingredient. The RFID tag is attached to the food ingredient or the food ingredient's container.

The reading device reads the RFID tag and transmits a signal related to the ingredient to the control unit 160. The control unit 160 receives the signal related to the ingredient. The control unit 160 updates the inventory information based on the signal related to the ingredient. Therefore, if the refrigerator 101 is equipped with a reading device, the used ingredient is deleted from the inventory information by reading the reading device, even if the registration information management unit 522 does not perform the above deletion from the inventory information.

To cook ingredients, user U refers to the recipe selected by the recipe selection unit 164. User U selects a recipe from the selected recipes. User U uses the ingredients related to the selected recipe. User U must delete the ingredients used from the inventory information. The registration information management unit 522 deletes the ingredients included in the recipe from the inventory information. This allows the recipe suggestion system 1 to improve the convenience of user U in selecting recipes.

[4-2-2-2. Shopping list DB]
9 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the shopping list DB 602. A "shopping list" is a list that the user U can refer to when shopping to prevent forgetting to buy something, and is a list of ingredients that the user U has confirmed to purchase (e.g., an explicit intention to purchase).

The "shopping list" is a list that is more likely to be purchased than the candidate list described below. However, the "shopping list" is not limited to the user U's explicit intention to purchase, and may also include ingredients registered as a presumption based on the user U's intention to keep certain ingredients in stock (intention to keep certain ingredients as a regular item).

For example, ingredients to be registered in the "shopping list" are first registered in a "candidate list" described below, and then moved from the "candidate list" to the "shopping list" based on the user U's intention (user U's operation), thereby being registered in the "shopping list". However, ingredients to be registered in the "shopping list" may also be registered directly in the "shopping list" based on user U's operation, without going through the candidate list. The "shopping list" is displayed on the display screen 310 of the terminal device 300 under the control of the control unit 160. The "shopping list" may also be displayed on the display device 140.

In the shopping list DB 602, ingredients to be displayed as a "shopping list" are registered. In the shopping list DB 602, each ingredient is registered with a corresponding "management ID," "ingredient name," "ingredient category," "quantity," and "unit." The registration information management unit 522 registers, deletes, and confirms ingredients in the shopping list DB 602 based on the operation of the user U.

The information output unit 165, which will be described later, may send a signal indicating missing ingredients to the registration information management unit 522. "Missing ingredients" refers to ingredients that are necessary for a recipe when that recipe is selected but are not in stock. The registration information management unit 522 receives the signal indicating the missing ingredients. The registration information management unit 522 updates the shopping list DB based on the signal indicating the missing ingredients (i.e., adds a registration of the ingredients to the shopping list DB). The display control unit 523 performs display related to the shopping list DB. The user U can know the ingredients that are missing from a recipe using the shopping list DB 602. This allows the recipe suggestion system 1 to improve the convenience of the user U when selecting recipes.

[4-2-2-3. Trash DB]
10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the trash can DB 603. In the trash can DB 603, ingredients that have been deleted from the inventory list DB 601 are temporarily registered. For example, in the trash can DB 603, ingredients that have been registered in the inventory list DB 601 but have been consumed and deleted from the inventory list DB based on an operation by the user U are registered.

In this embodiment, the trash bin DB 603 also registers ingredients that were registered in the inventory list DB 601 but that have been automatically deleted from the inventory list DB by the registration information management unit 522 because their best-before date (or expiry date) has passed.

Ingredients registered in the trash DB 603 can be re-registered in the inventory list DB 601 by user U's operation. Ingredients registered in the trash DB 603 are automatically deleted from the trash DB 603 when a predetermined period of time (e.g., three days) has passed since the date of registration in the trash DB 603.

Even if ingredients whose expiration date (or use-by date) has passed are registered in the inventory list DB 601, they do not have to be automatically deleted from the inventory list DB 601. In this case, ingredients whose expiration date (or use-by date) has passed are deleted from the inventory list DB 601 by the operation of the user U.

Ingredients registered in the trash DB 603 may also be deleted upon user operation without setting a time period before automatic deletion. In the trash DB 603, each ingredient is registered in association with a "management ID," "ingredient name," "ingredient classification," and "date of registration in the trash DB 603."

The detection unit 161 or the detection unit 1030 transmits a signal indicating the operation of the user U to the registration information management unit 522. The registration information management unit 522 receives the signal indicating the operation of the user U. The registration information management unit 522 registers the ingredients in the trash can DB 603 based on the signal indicating the operation of the user U.

User U refers to a recipe to cook ingredients. When user U cooks by referring to a recipe, he or she needs to move the registration of the ingredients used in the recipe from inventory list DB 601 to trash DB 603. Based on a signal indicating user U's operation, the registration information management unit 522 moves the registration of the ingredients from inventory list DB 601 to trash DB 603. This allows recipe suggestion system 1 to improve the convenience of user U in selecting recipes.

[4-2-2-4. Candidate List DB]
11 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the candidate list DB 604. The "candidate list" is a list that the user U can refer to as an auxiliary reference to prevent forgetting to buy ingredients, and is a list of ingredients that are candidates for purchase for which the user U's purchase plan (e.g., explicit purchase intention) has not been confirmed.

The "candidate list" is an example of information that encourages user U to purchase ingredients based on a decrease in ingredient stock. The "candidate list" is purchase suggestion information, and is generated, for example, by using a deletion operation of ingredients registered in the inventory list DB 601.

The "candidate list" is displayed on the display screen 310 of the terminal device 300 under the control of the control unit 160. The "candidate list" may also be displayed on the display device 140. Display examples of the "candidate list" will be described in detail later. Ingredients to be displayed as part of the "candidate list" are registered in the candidate list DB 604.

In the candidate list DB 604, the "management ID," "ingredient name," "ingredient classification," and "registration date to the candidate list DB 604" are associated and registered for each ingredient. As described below, if an ingredient is to be registered in the candidate list DB 604 when the quantity of a specific ingredient registered in the inventory list DB 601 decreases to a specified quantity before it becomes zero, the "quantity" of the ingredient (quantity in stock) may also be associated with the ingredient and registered in the candidate list DB 604.

In this embodiment, when the quantity of an ingredient registered in the inventory list DB 601 is reduced and a specified condition is met, the reduced ingredient is automatically registered in the candidate list DB 604. The "specified condition" is, for example, that the number of ingredients after the reduction is less than a predetermined threshold. In this embodiment, the "specified condition" is that the number of ingredients after the reduction is zero (i.e., the ingredient is out of stock).

For example, if an ingredient registered in the inventory list DB 601 is deleted and registered in the trash bin DB 603, the same ingredient as the ingredient registered in the trash bin DB 603 is automatically registered in the candidate list DB 604.

"Deletion of registration" means that the stock of a particular ingredient has run out (changed from available to unavailable). In other words, the candidate list DB 604 automatically registers ingredients that were registered in the inventory list DB 601 but were consumed and deleted from the inventory list DB based on the operation of the user U, as well as ingredients that were registered in the inventory list DB but were automatically deleted from the inventory list DB by the registration information management unit 522 because their best-before date (or expiration date) has passed.

The shopping list DB 602 and the candidate list DB 604 both register ingredients that have run out (or are reduced in stock). The shopping list DB 602 and the candidate list DB 604 are updated at different times.

In this embodiment, when a user U deletes a registration in the inventory list DB 601 in response to eating/throwing away a certain food ingredient, the control unit 160 uses the information as data to recommend shopping, even though it would normally not be necessary to display that food ingredient thereafter.

The registration information management unit 522 can accept an operation by the user U to move an ingredient registered in the candidate list DB 604 to the shopping list DB 602. For example, the user U can select the ingredient to be moved by tapping (single-pressing) on the display of the ingredient in the candidate list described below, and move the selected ingredient to the shopping list. When the selected ingredient is registered in the shopping list DB 602, the registration of the ingredient is deleted from the candidate list DB 604, which is the source of the move.

Here, when a certain ingredient has already been registered in the candidate list DB 604, the same ingredient may be registered directly in the shopping list DB 602 by user U's operation (i.e., the ingredient may be registered in the shopping list DB 602 without going through the candidate list DB 604).

In this case, the registration information management unit 522 registers the ingredient in the shopping list DB 602 and deletes the registration of the ingredient from the candidate list DB 604. In other words, an ingredient that has already been registered in the shopping list DB 602 will not be registered in the candidate list DB 604 even if the quantity in stock in the inventory list DB 601 satisfies the above-mentioned "predetermined condition."

When the amount of an ingredient registered in the inventory list DB 601 is reduced and the above-mentioned specified condition is satisfied, and the ingredient is a special ingredient previously registered by the user U (e.g., an ingredient registered in the regular supplies DB 607), the registration information management unit 522 may directly register the ingredient in the shopping list DB 602 without registering the ingredient in the candidate list DB 604.

In this embodiment, a maximum number of ingredients (e.g., 20) that can be registered in the candidate list DB 604 is set. When a predetermined number (e.g., the maximum number) of ingredients are already registered in the candidate list DB 604, the registration information management unit 522 sequentially deletes old registrations in the candidate list DB 604 in response to adding new ingredient registrations to the candidate list DB 604.

The registration information management unit 522 deletes old registrations from the candidate list DB 604 according to a priority order based on one or more of the registration date in the candidate list DB 604, the purchase date of the ingredient, the expiration date of the ingredient, or the expiration date of the ingredient. For example, the registration information management unit 522 deletes old registrations from among the ingredients registered in the candidate list DB 604 in order of the oldest purchase date of the ingredient, the oldest expiration date of the ingredient, or the oldest expiration date of the ingredient.

When a specific ingredient registered in the inventory list DB 601 is registered in the candidate list DB 604 when the quantity of that ingredient is reduced to a specified quantity before it becomes zero as described above, ingredients still remaining in stock in the inventory list DB 601 may be deleted in order of newest best-before date or newest expiration date.

In place of/in addition to the above priority order, the registration information management unit 522 deletes old registrations from the candidate list DB 604 according to a priority order based on the ingredient classification to which the ingredient belongs. For example, if an ingredient belongs to a specific ingredient classification, the registration information management unit 522 lowers the priority order for deletion of that ingredient (or removes it from the list of ingredients to be deleted), making it harder for that ingredient to be deleted from the candidate list DB 604. A "specific ingredient classification" is an ingredient classification that has characteristics similar to regular supplies, such as seasonings and spices.

Instead of/in addition to the above priority order, the registration information management unit 522 deletes old registrations from the candidate list DB 604 according to a priority order based on the past inventory frequency of the ingredient and/or whether the ingredient is included in the ingredient group specified by the user U.

When the past inventory frequency of an ingredient is equal to or greater than a threshold, the registration information management unit 522 lowers the priority for deleting the ingredient (or removes it from the list of ingredients to be deleted), making it harder for the ingredient to be deleted from the candidate list DB 604. The past inventory frequency can be obtained based on the history DB 608, which will be described later.

When an ingredient is included in a group of ingredients specified by user U, the registration information management unit 522 lowers the priority for deleting the ingredient (or removes it from the list of ingredients to be deleted), making it harder for the ingredient to be deleted from the candidate list DB 604. The "specified group of ingredients" is, for example, a group of ingredients registered in the stock item DB 607.

Providing a candidate list can help reduce forgetting to add items to a shopping list. The candidate list also assists with adding items to a shopping list, reducing the workload of adding items to a shopping list.

The registration information management unit 522 may register missing ingredients in the candidate list DB 604. The "missing ingredients" above are the missing ingredients output by the information output unit 165, which will be described later. This allows the recipe suggestion system 1 to prevent the user from forgetting to buy ingredients that are missing from a recipe.

[4-2-2-5. Food DB]
12 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the ingredient DB 605. The ingredient DB 605 is a default DB set commonly for multiple users U. The ingredient DB 605 is used for automatic input of ingredient information, which will be described later. The ingredients registered in the ingredient DB include many commonly distributed ingredients.

In the ingredient DB 605, for each ingredient, the "ingredient name," "accepted ingredient name candidates," "ingredient classification," "ingredient classification icon," "default storage location (recommended storage location)," and "best before date (or expiration date)" are associated and registered. Each of the "ingredient classification," "ingredient classification icon," "default storage location," and "best before date (or expiration date)" is an example of "associated information."

In this embodiment, an icon of an ingredient classification is registered as one of the associated information, but an image indicating the ingredient classification may be used instead. The ingredient DB 605 is information that registers a general correspondence between ingredients and storage locations of the ingredients (a standard correspondence that is not different for each individual user U, but is set in advance to be applied to all users U unless otherwise specified by the user U).

As "acceptance candidates for ingredient names," one or more acceptance candidates are registered, taking into consideration input variations in ingredient names. For example, if the ingredient is cherry tomatoes, in addition to "cherry tomatoes (written in katakana)," "puchi tomato (written in hiragana)," and "tomato" are registered.

The "default storage location" is a storage location inside or outside the refrigerator 101 that is registered as a storage location suitable for storing food ingredients. As described above, if the refrigerator compartment 121 has shelves, the "storage location" may be a category indicating a part of a specific storage compartment 120 that is distinguished from other locations, such as "the top shelf of the refrigerator compartment 121."

The "received candidate ingredient names" may only be used for matching with "accompanying information" (i.e., using "related information"), and the names of ingredients shown to user U may be the names registered by user U without being converted by the "received candidate ingredient names".

For example, if user U inputs "Tomatoes from XX", then "Tomato" is registered as a "Candidate for accepting ingredient names", and associated information such as the ingredient classification "vegetables" and storage location "vegetable compartment" that have been prepared in association with "Tomato" are registered in the inventory list DB 601, while the name of the ingredient shown to user U on the display screen 310 of the terminal device 300 may be "Tomatoes from XX" or the like, without modification, as entered by user U. Alternatively, the name may be changed to "Tomatoes from XX" or the like, with only a portion that is considered to be a spelling variation being changed.

The layout of the storage compartment 120 of the refrigerator 101 varies depending on the model. Therefore, the recommended storage location for ingredients may vary depending on the model. Therefore, in this embodiment, the ingredient DB 605 is prepared for each model of the refrigerator 101, for example. In other words, the ingredient DB 605 differs depending on the model of the refrigerator 101.

The registration information management unit 522 identifies the model of the user U's refrigerator 101 based on the model information of the refrigerator 101 obtained by referring to the remote control registration information DB 609 described below, and selects the ingredient DB 605 corresponding to the identified model. Note that the information that differs for each model of the refrigerator 101 may be limited to only a portion of the information in the ingredient DB 605, such as information indicating the storage location, rather than the entire ingredient DB 605.

[4-2-2-6. Other DBs]
7, the storage unit 530 stores a user setting DB 606, a stock DB 607, a history DB 608, a remote operation registration DB 609, and a voice DB 610 in addition to the DBs described above.

The user settings DB 606 is information registered by the user U. In order to provide flexibility to the automatic input of ingredient information, which will be described later, the user U's unique change settings for the ingredient DB are registered in the user settings DB 606. For example, the user U's unique correspondence between ingredients and storage locations is registered in the user settings DB 606.

Specifically, in the food ingredient DB 605, "refrigerator" is registered as the default storage location for "chicken." If user U purchases chicken and stores it in the freezer more often than in the refrigerator, the user can associate "chicken" with "freezer" and register that in the user setting DB 606. The user setting DB 606 is another example of "relationship information" that associates food ingredient names with associated information. The registration information management unit 522 registers, deletes, and checks the user setting DB 606 based on the user U's operations.

The stock item DB 607 stores ingredients that the user U frequently uses (e.g., ingredients that the user U does not want to run out of stock of). The stock item DB 607 stores ingredients (special ingredients) that the user U has "declared" to keep on hand. The registration information management unit 522 registers, deletes, and checks the stock item DB 607 based on the user U's operations.

The history DB 608 can be used in place of the user setting DB 606 or in combination with the user setting DB 606. For example, the history of the user U regarding the storage of ingredients (the usage history of the refrigerator 101) is registered in the history DB 608 without the user U explicitly registering. The registration information management unit 522 can obtain information regarding which storage compartment 120 is frequently used for a certain ingredient by referring to the history DB 608. The history DB 608 is generated based on the result of the user U's registration in the inventory list DB 601 and/or the result of the image capture by the camera 170 of the refrigerator 101.

In the remote operation registration DB 607, for each refrigerator 101, a "management ID," a "model," and a "management ID of the terminal device registered for remote operation" are registered in association with each other. The display control unit 523 identifies the model of the user's refrigerator 101 from the remote operation registration DB 607 based on the management ID of the terminal device 300 received from the terminal device 300, and changes the image of the refrigerator 101 displayed on the display screen 310 of the terminal device 300 based on the identified model of the refrigerator 101.

The voice DB 610 stores a dictionary for interpreting the meaning of the user U's speech, voice information for generating a signal indicating a response voice, and the like. Furthermore, the storage unit 530 stores image data of icons of food classifications.

[4-3. Reception department]
The reception unit 163 will be described in detail below.
The reception unit 163 receives a user's operation to request a recipe suggestion. In this embodiment, the reception unit 163 can receive intake information related to intake from the user U. The "intake information" is information including at least one of information indicating the number of people planning to consume, information indicating ingredients desired to be consumed, information indicating ingredients desired to be used, information indicating a dish desired to be consumed, and information indicating a type of dish desired to be consumed. Note that the "intake information" is not limited to the above specific examples.

Examples of "type of food desired to be consumed" include the category of food desired to be consumed, the scene related to the food desired to be consumed, the purpose related to the food desired to be consumed, the theme of the food desired to be consumed, the mood related to the food desired to be consumed, and the season related to the food desired to be consumed.

Examples of "categories of food desired" include vegetable side dishes, meat side dishes, seafood side dishes, salads, rice dishes, stews/soups/broths, pasta/gratins, noodles, egg/soy products, seaweed/dried foods/konjac, sweets, and baby food.

Examples of "scenes related to the desired food" include Japanese, Western, Chinese, Asian, and other. Examples of the above "other" include countries in Europe, North America, Oceania, and regions other than Asia. Examples of "purposes related to the desired food" include staple food, main dish, side dish, soup (side dish), drink, dessert, etc.

Examples of the "theme of the desired dish" include classic, entertaining, event, time (easy), and health. Examples of the "mood related to the desired dish" include light, rich, sweet, spicy, and sour. Examples of the "season related to the desired dish" include spring, summer, fall, winter, and all year round. The reception unit 163 also receives selection instructions.

The reception unit 163 receives intake information or a selection instruction input by the user U to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300. For example, assume that the user U inputs intake information or a selection instruction to the display device 140. The display device 140 transmits a signal indicating the intake information or the selection instruction to the reception unit 163. The reception unit 163 receives the signal indicating the intake information or the selection instruction, thereby receiving the intake information or the selection instruction.

On the other hand, suppose that user U inputs intake information or a selection instruction to terminal device 300. Terminal device 300 transmits a signal indicating the intake information or the selection instruction to reception unit 163. Reception unit 163 receives the signal indicating the intake information or the selection instruction via communication module 169, thereby accepting the intake information or the selection instruction.

[4-4. Recipe selection section]
The recipe selection unit 164 of the control unit 160 will be described in detail below.
The recipe selection unit 164 selects one or more recipes that include ingredients owned by the user U based on the intake information and inventory information from among a plurality of referable recipes.
Examples of "referenceable recipes" include one or more of a recipe recorded in a device capable of communicating with recipe selection unit 164 (e.g., a recipe stored in memory unit 166), a recipe accepted by a device capable of communicating with recipe selection unit 164, or a recipe that can be searched for from a network capable of communicating with recipe selection unit 164.

The target of "communication" in the above "communicable" is not limited to an external device of the recipe selection unit 164. In other words, specific examples of "referenceable recipes" include recipes stored in the refrigerator 101, recipes input to the refrigerator 101 or the terminal device 300, recipes stored in the server 200, recipes stored in a server other than the server 200, and recipes searched for on the Internet.

The recipe selection unit 164 also prioritizes and selects a recipe appropriate for a time period from among a plurality of recipes that can be referenced. Examples of the "time period" include the time period when the reception unit 163 receives a user's operation or intake information requesting a recipe suggestion, the time period when the reception unit 163 adds a certain time to the time when the intake information is received, the time period when the reception unit 163 receives a selection instruction, the time period when the reception unit 163 adds a certain time to the time when the reception unit 163 receives a selection instruction, the time period when the recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe, and the time period when the recipe selection unit 164 adds a certain time to the time when the recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe. The "certain time period" is a time period that is set in advance. An example of the "certain time period" is cooking time. The operation of the recipe selection unit 164 in selecting a recipe will be described later.

For example, recipes suitable for a time period may be scrambled eggs for breakfast (e.g., 5:00-11:00), oyakodon for lunch (e.g., 11:00-15:00) and dinner (e.g., 15:00-22:00), and egg-based snacks for late-night (e.g., 22:00-5:00). Each recipe that the recipe selection unit 164 can refer to is linked to information indicating the time period for which the recipe is suitable. The recipe selection unit 164 preferentially selects recipes suitable for a time period based on the information linked to each recipe. Recipes suitable for a time period may also include recipes suitable for snack times.

[4-5. Information output section]
The information output unit 165 of the control unit 160 will be described in detail below.
The information output unit 165 outputs one or more recipes selected by the recipe selection unit 164. Furthermore, the information output unit 165 outputs one or more recipes to the home appliance or terminal device 300.

For example, the information output unit 165 transmits a signal indicating one or more recipes selected by the recipe selection unit 164 to the refrigerator 101, the microwave oven 102, and the terminal device 300. The refrigerator 101, the microwave oven 102, and the terminal device 300 receive the transmitted signal. The display screen 141 of the refrigerator 101, the display unit 1029 of the microwave oven 102, and the display screen 310 of the terminal device 300 display the recipe based on the received signal. The user U can recognize the displayed recipe.

User U refers to a recipe to cook ingredients that he or she owns. User U needs to select a recipe that includes ingredients that he or she owns from among the multiple recipes he or she is referring to. The recipe selection unit 164 selects one or more recipes that include ingredients that user U owns from among the multiple recipes based on inventory information (i.e., information registered in the inventory registration DB 601). The information output unit 165 outputs the one or more recipes selected by the recipe selection unit 164. User U can recognize recipes that include ingredients that user U owns based on the output recipes. In this way, the recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U in recipe selection.

User U refers to a recipe to consume the dish related to the intake information. User U needs to select a recipe related to the intake information from among multiple recipes referenced by user U. Recipe selection unit 164 selects one or more recipes that contain ingredients owned by user U from among the multiple recipes based on the intake information. Information output unit 165 outputs one or more recipes selected by recipe selection unit 164. User U can recognize the recipe related to the intake information based on the output recipe. In this way, recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U in recipe selection.

User U refers to a recipe to eat food appropriate for the time period. In this case, user U needs to select a recipe appropriate for the time period from among the multiple recipes that user U refers to. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe appropriate for the time period. The information output unit 165 outputs the recipe selected by the recipe selection unit 164. User U can recognize the recipe appropriate for the time period based on the output recipe. In this way, recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U in recipe selection.

User U refers to a recipe to cook ingredients. There may be cases where user U is away from the location of the home appliances to shop for ingredients. The information output unit 165 outputs the selected recipe to the terminal device 300. User U can view the selected recipe via the terminal device 300 while away from the office. This allows recipe suggestion system 1 to improve the convenience of user U in selecting recipes.

User U refers to a recipe to cook ingredients. User U may be in the kitchen to cook ingredients. The information output unit 165 outputs the selected recipe to the refrigerator 101 or microwave oven 102. User U can check the selected recipe in the kitchen through the refrigerator 101 or microwave oven 102. In this way, the recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U in selecting a recipe.

In addition, if the recipe output by the information output unit 165 includes an ingredient that the user U does not possess, the information output unit 165 notifies the user U of the missing ingredient. Examples of "notifying" include displaying the ingredient on a display device and outputting sound from an audio output device.

For example, the information output unit 165 compares one or more recipes selected by the recipe selection unit 164 with inventory information. The information output unit 165 determines, through the comparison, whether or not the recipe includes ingredients that the user U does not own.

If the recipe does not include any ingredients that the user U does not own, the information output unit 165 outputs the recipe to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300. On the other hand, if the recipe includes any ingredients that the user U does not own, the information output unit 165 notifies the user of the missing ingredients by outputting the recipe and the missing ingredients to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300. Note that if the recipe includes any ingredients that the user U does not own, the information output unit 165 may output the recipe and the missing ingredients to the display device 140 and the terminal device 300.

User U refers to a recipe to prepare a dish. In this case, user U needs to compare the recipe he or she is referring to with ingredients that user U possesses and identify ingredients that are missing. If the recipe output by information output unit 165 includes ingredients that user U does not possess, information output unit 165 notifies user U of the missing ingredients. User U can recognize the missing ingredients that have been notified. This allows recipe suggestion system 1 to improve the convenience of user U in selecting recipes.

Furthermore, when a selection instruction is received by the reception unit 163, the information output unit 165 notifies the user of a method for preserving ingredients remaining from a specific recipe. Examples of "ingredients" in the above "leftover ingredients" include ingredients included in the recipe related to the selection instruction. Examples of "leftover ingredients" include ingredients that are greater than 0 when the value of the ingredient in the inventory information is subtracted from the value of the ingredient related to the selection instruction, and ingredients that are greater than 0 when the value of the ingredient related to the selection instruction is subtracted from the value related to the unit ingredient. Note that "leftover ingredients" also refers to cases where only half or one-third of a unit ingredient (one piece or one piece) is left over.

An example of a "unit ingredient" for the ingredient "garlic" is "one piece of garlic". An example of a "unit ingredient" for the ingredient "olive oil" is "300 ml of olive oil". Examples of the above "storage method" include general methods of storing ingredients, storage methods using home appliances owned by user U, etc. The "storage method" may also be information that includes the "storage location". An example of the above "ingredients storage method" is described below.

When the food ingredient is "onion," the preservation method differs between storing a whole onion and storing an onion with only a portion used. When storing a whole onion, it is preferable to wrap the onion in newspaper and store it at room temperature. On the other hand, when storing an onion with only a portion used, it is preferable to wrap the cut surface in plastic wrap and store it in the vegetable compartment 123 of the refrigerator 101. In this way, even for the same food ingredient, the preferable preservation method differs depending on the condition of the onion. It is difficult for user U to recognize all the various preservation methods for various food ingredients.

Assume that the reception unit 163 receives a selection instruction. The information output unit 165 compares the recipe related to the selection instruction with the inventory information. The information output unit 165 identifies "leftover ingredients" through the comparison. The information output unit 165 compares the identified "leftover ingredients" with the storage information in the memory unit 166 to identify a storage method. The information output unit 165 outputs the identified storage method to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300. The information output unit 165 may also output the identified storage method to the microwave oven 102. The storage information in the memory unit 166 may be provided as part of the ingredient DB 605.

User U refers to a recipe to prepare a desired dish. User U cooks ingredients by referring to the recipe. If user U does not know how to preserve ingredients that remain after cooking, user U needs to look up the preservation method. The information output unit 165 notifies user U of the preservation method for the remaining ingredients. User U can recognize the preservation method for the remaining ingredients. In this way, recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U in selecting recipes.

[4-6. Cooking appliance setting section]
The cooking appliance setting unit 167 will be described in detail below.
When a selection instruction is received by the receiving unit 163, the cooking appliance setting unit 167 changes the settings of the cooking appliance according to the cooking method included in the specific recipe. For example, when a selection instruction is made by the user U, the receiving unit 163 receives the selection instruction. The cooking appliance setting unit 167 compares the recipe related to the selection instruction with the setting information in the storage unit 166 to identify the settings of the cooking appliance.

The cooking appliance setting unit 167 transmits a signal indicating the settings of the identified cooking appliance to the cooking appliance via the communication module 169. The cooking appliance receives the signal indicating the settings of the cooking appliance. The cooking appliance is configured based on the signal indicating the settings of the cooking appliance.

For example, the cooking appliance setting unit 167 sends a signal indicating the settings of the identified cooking appliance to the microwave oven 102. The control unit 1027 of the microwave oven 102 receives the signal and sets the cooking method of the microwave oven 102. For example, when the cooking appliance is the microwave oven 102, examples of the "cooking method" include the wattage, cooking time, cooking mode, etc. of the microwave oven 102.

User U refers to a recipe to prepare a desired dish. User U needs to set up the cooking appliance to cook ingredients by referring to the recipe. The cooking appliance setting unit 167 changes the settings of the cooking appliance according to the cooking method included in the specific recipe. This allows the cooking appliance settings to be automatically changed to settings suitable for the recipe without the user U having to manually change the settings of the cooking appliance. This allows the recipe suggestion system 1 to improve the convenience of user U in selecting recipes.

[4-7. Refrigerator settings section]
The refrigerator setting unit 168 will be described in detail below.
When the selection instruction is received by the receiving unit 163, the refrigerator setting unit 168 changes the set temperature or the operation mode of the refrigerator 101 according to the ingredients left over for a specific recipe. For example, when the user U makes a selection instruction, the receiving unit 163 receives the selection instruction. The information output unit 165 identifies the ingredients left over for the recipe related to the selection instruction.

The information output unit 165 transmits a signal indicating the remaining ingredients to the refrigerator setting unit 168. The refrigerator setting unit 168 receives the signal. Based on the signal, the refrigerator setting unit 168 checks the remaining ingredients against the setting information in the memory unit 166 to identify the set temperature or operation mode of the refrigerator 101. The refrigerator setting unit 168 controls the refrigerator 101 based on the identified set temperature or operation mode. As a result, the set temperature or operation mode of the refrigerator 101 is changed.

User U refers to a recipe to prepare a desired dish. When ingredients are used in cooking, the amount of ingredients stored in the refrigerator 101 changes. User U needs to change the set temperature or operating mode of the refrigerator 101 according to the ingredients left over according to the recipe. The refrigerator setting unit 168 changes the set temperature or operating mode of the refrigerator 101 according to the ingredients left over. In this way, the recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of recipe selection.

In addition, when user U uses ingredients in cooking, the amount of ingredients stored in refrigerator 101 decreases. The refrigerator setting unit 168 changes the set temperature or operation mode of refrigerator 101 according to the amount of surplus ingredients. This allows recipe suggestion system 1 to reduce power consumption of refrigerator 101.

5. Operation of the Recipe Recommendation System
The operation of the recipe suggestion system 1 will be described below.

[5-1. Recipe Selection Operation]
The operation of recipe selection by the recipe suggestion system 1 will be described below.
13 and 14 are flowcharts showing the operation of recipe selection by the recipe suggestion system 1.

Application 2 of the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 is started (S101). Note that instead of S101, an operation may be performed in which the low power state of the display device 140, the terminal device 300, or the microwave oven 102 is released. Note that in the following description of the operation of the recipe suggestion system 1, the operation performed by the display device 140 may be performed by the microwave oven 102.

The recipe selection unit 164 reads the database of the ingredient management unit 162 (S102). For example, the recipe selection unit 164 reads the inventory list DB 601 of the memory unit 530.

The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 accepts the input of the number of people to be consumed (S103). The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 transmits a signal indicating the number of people to be consumed to the reception unit 163.

The reception unit 163 receives the signal indicating the number of people to be consumed in S103, and thereby receives the number of people to be consumed (S104).

If the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 receives the input of the arbitrary word (S105: YES), the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 receives the input of information indicating the desired dish or information indicating the desired food ingredient (S106). Note that the information indicating the desired dish or information indicating the desired food ingredient received in S106 may be multiple. The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 transmits a signal indicating the received information (arbitrary word, information indicating the desired dish, information indicating the desired food ingredient) to the reception unit 163.

The reception unit 163 receives a signal from the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 to receive the arbitrary word, information indicating the desired dish, and information indicating the desired ingredient (S107).

The recipe selection unit 164 compares the number of people to be served, the optional word, the desired dish, and the desired ingredients with the server 200 (S108). For example, the recipe selection unit 164 compares the number of people to be served, the optional word, the desired dish, and the desired ingredients with the recipes stored in the memory unit 203.

The recipe selection unit 164 selects one or more recipes based on the comparison in S108 (S109). For example, the recipe selection unit 164 selects recipes that satisfy the following conditions. The first condition is that the number of people who can consume the recipe is equal to or greater than the number of people expected to consume the recipe accepted in S103. The second condition is that the recipe contains characters that include the optional word accepted in S105. The third condition is that the dish indicated by the recipe is the desired dish accepted in S106, or the ingredients cooked in the recipe are the desired ingredients accepted in S106. Note that the method by which the recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe is not limited to the above examples.

If the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 does not accept the input of any word (S105: NO), the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 accepts the input of information indicating the type of food desired to be consumed (S110). Note that the information indicating the type of food desired to be consumed accepted in S110 may be multiple. The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 transmits a signal indicating the accepted information (type of food desired to be consumed) to the acceptance unit 163.

The reception unit 163 receives information indicating the type of food desired to be consumed by receiving a signal from the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 (S111).

The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 accepts input of information indicating the desired ingredient (S112). Note that the information indicating the desired ingredient accepted in S112 may be multiple. The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 transmits a signal indicating the accepted information (the desired ingredient) to the acceptance unit 163.

The reception unit 163 receives a signal from the display device 140 or the terminal device 300, thereby receiving information indicating the ingredient desired to be used (S113).
The recipe selection unit 164 checks the desired dish and the desired ingredients against the server 200 (S114). For example, the recipe selection unit 164 checks the desired dish and the desired ingredients against the recipes stored in the storage unit 203.

The recipe selection unit 164 selects one or more recipes based on the comparison in S114 (S115). For example, the recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe that satisfies the following conditions. The first condition is that the number of people who can consume the recipe is equal to or greater than the number of people expected to consume the recipe accepted in S103. The second condition is that the type of dish indicated by the recipe is the type of dish desired to be consumed that was accepted in S110. The third condition is that the ingredients to be cooked in the recipe are the ingredients desired to be used that were accepted in S112. Note that the method by which the recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe is not limited to the above examples.

After S109 or S115, the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 receives an input indicating whether or not to cook using only the ingredients possessed (S116). Hereinafter, the "input indicating that cooking will be done using only the ingredients possessed" will be referred to as "input 1."

When the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 receives input 1 (S116: YES), the recipe selection unit 164 selects the recipe related to input 1 from among the recipes selected in S109 or S115 (hereinafter referred to as recipe 1) (S117). The recipe selection unit 164 checks the ingredients of recipe 1 against the inventory list DB 601 read in S102. Through the above check, the recipe selection unit 164 selects from recipe 1 a recipe that can be prepared using only the ingredients in stock.

The recipe selection unit 164 selects one or more recipes from the recipes selected in S116, giving priority to time period (S118).
The information output unit 165 outputs the recipe selected in S118 to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 (S119). The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 displays the recipe on the display screen 141 or the display screen 310.

On the other hand, if the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 has not received input 1 (S116: NO), the recipe selection unit 164 checks the inventory information and selects a recipe from recipe 1 (S120). The recipe selection unit 164 checks the ingredients of recipe 1 against the inventory list DB 601 read in S102. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe that includes the possessed ingredients from recipe 1 through the above check.

The recipe selection unit 164 selects one or more recipes from the recipes selected in S120, prioritizing the time period (S121).

The information output unit 165 outputs the recipe selected in S121 and the ingredients missing from the recipe selected in S121 to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 (S122). The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 displays the recipe and the missing ingredients on the display screen 141 or the display screen 310. Note that if there are no missing ingredients, the information output unit 165 does not need to output the missing ingredients to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300.

[5-2. Operations from recipe selection to home appliance settings]
The operation of the recipe recommendation system 1 from recipe selection to home appliance setting will be described below.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the recipe recommendation system 1 from recipe selection to home appliance setting.

The information output unit 165 outputs the selected recipe, or the selected recipe and the missing ingredients, to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 (S131). The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 displays the recipe and the missing ingredients on the display screen 141 or the display screen 310. Note that in the following description of the operation of the recipe suggestion system 1, the microwave oven 102 may perform the operations instead of those performed by the display device 140.

The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 receives the input of the selection instruction (S132). The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 transmits a signal indicating the selection instruction to the receiving unit 163.
The accepting unit 163 accepts a selection instruction by receiving a signal from the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 (S133).

The information output unit 165 outputs the storage method related to the recipe (hereinafter referred to as recipe 2) of the selection instruction received in S132 to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 (S134). The information output unit 165 compares the selection instruction received in S132 with the storage information stored in the memory unit 166. The information output unit 165 identifies a storage method for the leftover ingredients according to recipe 2 through the above comparison. The information output unit 165 outputs the identified storage method to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300.

The cooking appliance setting unit 167 changes the settings of the cooking appliance according to the cooking method included in recipe 2 (S135). The cooking appliance setting unit 167 compares the selection instruction received in S132 with the setting information stored in the memory unit 166. The cooking appliance setting unit 167 identifies the settings of the cooking appliance according to the cooking method included in recipe 2 through the above comparison. The cooking appliance setting unit 167 transmits a signal indicating the identified cooking appliance settings to the microwave oven 102. The control unit 1027 receives a signal indicating the cooking appliance settings from the cooking appliance setting unit 167. The control unit 1027 sets the cooking method based on the received signal.

The refrigerator setting unit 168 changes the set temperature or the operating mode of the refrigerator 101 according to the ingredients left over from recipe 2 (S136). The refrigerator setting unit 168 compares the selection instruction received in S132 with the setting information stored in the memory unit 166. The refrigerator setting unit 168 specifies the set temperature or the operating mode of the refrigerator 101 according to the ingredients left over from recipe 2 through the above comparison. The control unit 160 controls the refrigerator 101 based on the specified set temperature or operating mode.

[5-3. Operations after detection of user operation]
The following describes the operations performed by the recipe recommendation system 1 after detecting the user U's operation.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the recipe recommendation system 1 after detection of the user U's operation.

The refrigerator 101 and the microwave oven 102 accept operations by the user U (S151). For example, the microwave oven 102 accepts pressing of the cancel button 1025.

The detection unit 161 or the detection unit 1030 detects an operation by the user U (S152).
The detection unit 161 or the detection unit 1030 transmits a signal indicating the operation of the user U to the registration information management unit 522 (S153).

The registration information management unit 522 receives the signal transmitted in S153 (S154).
The registration information management unit 522 updates the inventory information based on the received signal (S155). For example, the registration information management unit 522 deletes from the inventory list DB 601 the ingredients used in the cooking operation related to S151.

6. Advantages
The recipe suggestion system 1 of the embodiment has an ingredient management unit 162, a recipe selection unit 164, and an information output unit 165. The ingredient management unit 162 manages inventory information indicating ingredients owned by a user U. The recipe selection unit 164 selects one or more recipes that contain ingredients owned by the user U based on the inventory information from among a plurality of referable recipes. The information output unit 165 outputs the one or more recipes selected by the recipe selection unit 164.

User U refers to a recipe to cook ingredients that he or she owns. In this case, user U needs to select a recipe that includes the ingredients that he or she owns from among the multiple recipes that user U refers to. The recipe selection unit 164 selects one or more recipes that include the ingredients that user U owns from among the multiple recipes based on inventory information.

The information output unit 165 outputs one or more recipes selected by the recipe selection unit 164. Based on the output recipes, the user U can recognize recipes that include ingredients owned by the user U. This allows the recipe suggestion system 1 to improve the convenience of the user U in selecting recipes.

7. Modifications
Modifications of the above embodiment will now be described.

[7-1. Modification 1]
The recipe selection unit 164 may preferentially select recipes that include ingredients with old purchase dates or close to their expiration dates from among multiple recipes that can be referenced, based on the purchase dates or expiration dates of the ingredients included in the inventory information. User U references recipes to cook using ingredients that he owns. Ingredients have expiration dates. In order to use ingredients without waste, user U needs to select ingredients with old purchase dates or close to their expiration dates from among the recipes he references.

The recipe selection unit 164 preferentially selects recipes that include ingredients with older purchase dates or upcoming consumption dates based on the purchase dates or consumption dates of the ingredients included in the inventory information. This allows the recipe suggestion system 1 to improve the convenience of the user U in recipe selection. Furthermore, the recipe suggestion system 1 can reduce the waste of ingredients in recipe selection.

[7-2. Modification 2]
The recipe selection unit 164 may preferentially select a recipe that includes a larger amount of ingredients owned by the user U from among a plurality of referable recipes. Examples of the above "including a larger amount of ingredients" include including a larger variety of ingredients.

Based on the inventory information, the recipe selection unit 164 preferentially selects recipes that contain a greater number of ingredients owned by the user U. The user U refers to recipes to cook using ingredients owned by the user U. If the user U does not own many of the ingredients used in the referenced recipe, the user U will need to purchase a large amount or a large variety of ingredients.

The recipe selection unit 164 prioritizes the selection of recipes that contain a greater number of ingredients owned by the user U. This allows the recipe suggestion system 1 to improve the convenience of the user U in selecting recipes. Furthermore, the recipe suggestion system 1 can reduce the effort required by the user U to purchase ingredients.

[7-3. Modification 3]
Recipe selection unit 164 may be provided in server 200. If recipe selection unit 164 is provided in refrigerator 101, recipe selection unit 164 needs to read a large number of recipes from server 200 every time it selects a recipe. Therefore, a large amount of communication may occur between refrigerator 101, router R, and server 200.

On the other hand, if the recipe selection unit 164 is provided in the server 200, it is sufficient to transmit a small amount of the recipe selected by the recipe selection unit 164 to the refrigerator 101. In this case, the amount of communication between the refrigerator 101, the router R, and the server 200 is less than when the recipe selection unit 164 is provided in the refrigerator 101. This allows the recipe suggestion system 1 to improve the convenience of the user U in selecting recipes.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, the recipe suggestion system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described.
Similar to the recipe proposal system 1 according to the first embodiment, the recipe proposal system 1 according to the second embodiment includes a refrigerator 101, a microwave oven 102, a server 200, and a terminal device 300. Hereinafter, the refrigerator 101, the microwave oven 102, the server 200, and the terminal device 300 may be referred to as a configuration combination 1.

Configuration combination 1 according to the second embodiment can achieve the same functions as configuration combination 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that configuration combination 1 according to the second embodiment may achieve a part of the functions of cooling configuration combination 1 according to the first embodiment.

[1. Control Unit]
The control unit 160 will be described in detail below.
The control unit 160 according to the second embodiment can achieve the same functions as the control unit 160 according to the first embodiment.

[1-1. Reception department]
The reception unit 163 will be described in detail below.
The receiving unit 163 receives an operation by the user U to select two or more ingredients as candidates for use from among ingredients held by the user U in a given state.

In the following, "ingredients owned by user U" may be referred to as "something."
The above-mentioned "two or more ingredients" refers to "two or more types of ingredients." Note that "two or more ingredients" is not limited to "two or more types of ingredients.""Two or more ingredients" may be, for example, ingredients of the same type but with different purchase dates or storage room registrations.
The "predetermined state" refers to a state in which at least a part of something is displayed by the information output unit 165 in a predetermined order of priority.
Examples of the "predetermined order of priority" include the order of purchase date of ingredients, the order of expiration date of ingredients, the order of ingredient names, etc. The "predetermined order of priority" may be the order of purchase date of an ingredient, the order of expiration date of an ingredient, the order of ingredient names, etc.

The reception unit 163 may receive the operation of the user U in a "predetermined state" in a state that is not the "predetermined state." In other words, it is sufficient that the state is in the "predetermined state" when the user U performs the operation. It is not necessary for the state to be in a "predetermined state" after the user U performs the operation.

The user U starts up application 2 on the display device 140 or the terminal device 300. The control unit 160 reads the inventory list DB 601 to identify the item. The information output unit 165 sends a signal to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 to display the item in a predetermined order of priority. The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 receives the signal and displays the item in application 2 in a predetermined order of priority.

The user U selects candidate ingredients from among those displayed in a predetermined priority order. The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 accepts the operation by the user U to select the above ingredients. The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 transmits a signal indicating the above operation by the user U to the reception unit 163. The reception unit 163 accepts the operation by the user U.

[1-2. Recipe selection section]
The recipe selection unit 164 will be described in detail below.
When an instruction from user U to select two or more ingredients is received by reception unit 163, recipe selection unit 164 selects multiple recipes that include at least one of the two or more ingredients. In the following, the ingredient received by reception unit 163 may be referred to as “ingredient 1.”

The reception unit 163 receives an operation by the user U to select a candidate ingredient for use. The recipe selection unit 164 compares the ingredients with the server 200 based on the ingredient 1. The recipe selection unit 164 can select a recipe that includes the ingredient 1 through the comparison. The recipe selection unit 164 may also select a recipe that uses only the ingredient 1 through the comparison. The recipe selection unit 164 may select a recipe using a specified algorithm in the comparison.

[1-3. Information output section]
The information output unit 165 will be described in detail below.
The information output unit 165 displays at least a portion of the items in a predetermined order of priority based on the inventory information.

Furthermore, when outputting the multiple recipes selected by the recipe selection unit 164, the information output unit 165 rearranges and outputs the multiple recipes regardless of the above-mentioned predetermined priority order for the ingredients (i.e., regardless of the above-mentioned predetermined priority order). The "rearranging the multiple recipes" is based on a setting made in advance. Examples of the "pre-set" include a setting by the user U, a setting by the manufacturer of the home appliance, a setting by the operator of application 2, and a setting by the management company of server 200. Note that the "setting" in the "pre-set" may use a predetermined algorithm for rearranging the recipes. For example, the information output unit 165 randomly rearranges and outputs the multiple recipes based on the generated random numbers, regardless of the above-mentioned predetermined priority order for the ingredients.

The recipe selection unit 164 selects one or more recipes. The information output unit 165 transmits a signal to the display device 140 or the terminal device 300 to rearrange and display the recipes selected by the recipe selection unit 164. The display device 140 or the terminal device 300 displays the recipes selected by the recipe selection unit 164 on the display screen 141 or the display screen 310. This allows the user U to recognize the recipes selected by the recipe selection unit 164.

User U may refer to a recipe to cook using a certain ingredient. User U must search among the recipes he or she is referring to for a recipe that can use the certain ingredient. The reception unit 163 receives operations from user U while the certain ingredients are displayed in a predetermined priority order. User U can select candidate ingredients to use based on the purchase date of the ingredients, the expiration date, etc.

The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe based on the ingredient 1 accepted by the acceptance unit 163. The information output unit 165 outputs the recipe selected by the recipe selection unit 164. The user U can recognize recipes that use a certain ingredient. This allows the recipe suggestion system 1 to improve the convenience of the user U in selecting a recipe.

User U may refer to a recipe to cook using two or more of a certain ingredient. User U must search through the recipes to find one that uses two or more of a certain ingredient. Searching for a recipe that uses two or more of a certain ingredient is more time-consuming for User U than searching for a recipe that uses one of a certain ingredient.

The user U can select two or more ingredients. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe based on the two or more ingredients 1. The information output unit 165 outputs the recipe selected by the recipe selection unit 164. The user U can recognize recipes that use two or more of the same thing. This allows the recipe suggestion system 1 to improve the convenience of the user U in selecting a recipe.

User U refers to recipes in order to cook using certain items and experience various aspects. Examples of the above-mentioned "various aspects of experience" include the experience of consuming a variety of ingredients, the experience of consuming a variety of dishes, and the experience of consuming dishes with a specific appearance. The information output unit 165 rearranges and outputs multiple recipes based on the above-mentioned "various aspects," regardless of a specific priority order. This allows user U to cook using certain items and experience various aspects.

2. Specific Examples
A specific example of the recipe suggestion system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described below. In the specific example described below, the application 2 is running on the terminal device 300. The screen described below is an example of the display screen 310 of the terminal device 300 on which the application 2 is running. Note that the screen described below may be the display screen 141 of the display device 140 on which the application 2 is running. Note that the screen described below may be a screen displayed by the display unit 1029 on which the application 2 is running.

Figure 17 is an example of a display screen 310. Three icons are provided in section A1. Each icon indicates a recipe selection method. When user U inputs an icon, the screen transitions based on the recipe selection method indicated by the icon.

The icons in section A1 indicate the recipe selection methods of "random," "what's available," and "category." The "random" method is a method of selecting a recipe based on a specified algorithm. The "what's available" method is a method of selecting a recipe that uses what's available. The "category" method is a method of selecting a recipe based on the desired dish, ingredients desired to be consumed, or ingredients desired to be used.

Figure 18 is an example of the display screen 310. When user U inputs the "something" icon in part A1, the screen in Figure 17 transitions to the screen in Figure 18.

Part B1 is the part related to the "predetermined state." The "predetermined priority order" shown in B1 is order by ingredient name, purchase date (order of ingredient purchase date), and expiration date (order of ingredient consumption date). An example of the "order by ingredient name" is an order in which the first letters of the ingredient names are listed in hiragana order. An example of the "order by purchase date" is an order in which the ingredients are listed in order of the earliest purchase date. An example of the "order by expiration date" is an order in which the ingredients are listed in order of the earliest expiration date. Part B1 of Figure 18 shows something stored in the refrigerator compartment 121.

Five icons are provided in the B2 section. Each icon indicates the storage location for a certain item. The storage locations are: all (all storage compartments 120), refrigerator compartment (refrigerator compartment 121), vegetable compartment (vegetable compartment 123), and freezer compartment (small freezer compartment 125, main freezer compartment 126). By inputting the B2 icon, user U can display a display screen 310 that shows the ingredients in that storage compartment 120 in a predetermined priority order.

In section B3, icons related to the order of the purchase dates of the ingredients are provided. By inputting the icon related to the order of the purchase dates of the ingredients, the user U can display the display screen 310 showing the ingredients in order of the purchase dates. In section B4, icons related to the order of the expiration dates of the ingredients are provided. By inputting the icon related to the order of the expiration dates of the ingredients, the user U can display the display screen 310 showing the ingredients in order of the expiration dates.

In section B5, icons related to the order of the names of ingredients are provided. By inputting the icon for the order of the names of ingredients, user U can display the display screen 310 showing the ingredients in the order of their names. In section B6, a cancel icon is provided. By inputting the cancel icon, user U can transition from the screen in FIG. 18 to the screen in FIG. 17.

The items displayed in section B1 are limited to those that have not yet expired. "Not expired" above means that the expiration date is on or after the day the recipe suggestion system 1 operates. User U refers to a recipe to cook using a certain ingredient. However, even if an ingredient is available, if the ingredient has expired, user U may become physically unwell. The items displayed in section B1 are limited to those that have not yet expired. User U can refer to recipes that use an ingredient that has not yet expired. This allows recipe suggestion system 1 to reduce risks to user U's health when selecting a recipe.

When user U swipes in the B7 direction while keeping his/her body in contact with the display screen 310, an item whose expiration date has passed (hereinafter referred to as an item to be discarded) is displayed. The information output unit 165 displays the item to be discarded so that user U can recognize and pay close attention. Examples of "displaying so that user U can recognize and pay close attention" include displaying all information related to the item to be discarded in red, and displaying the expiration date related to the item to be discarded in red. User U needs to discard the item to be discarded. The information output unit 165 displays the item to be discarded so that user U can recognize and pay close attention. In this way, the recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when discarding an item to be discarded.

Figure 19 is an example of a display screen 310. When user U inputs something that is part of B1, the screen in Figure 18 transitions to the screen in Figure 19.

Part C1 shows what the user U has input (selected). Let's say that "cheese," "cabbage," and "chicken thighs" are stored in the refrigerator compartment 121. "Cheese," "cabbage," and "chicken thighs" are displayed in part B1 of Figure 18 as "what is available." When user U inputs "cheese," "cabbage," and "chicken thighs" in part B1, "cheese," "cabbage," and "chicken thighs" are displayed in part C1 as shown in Figure 19.

Application 2 does not accept input of four or more items from user U. Application 2 accepts input of one item, two items, or three items from user U. Recipes that can use ingredients are limited. Therefore, if user U inputs four or more items, recipe selection unit 164 may not be able to select recipe 1. Application 2 does not accept input of four or more items from user U. There are more cases where recipe suggestion system 1 can select a recipe based on the input accepted by application 2. Therefore, recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe. Application 2 may accept input of four or more items from user U.

A cancel icon is provided in the C2 section. By inputting the cancel icon, the user U can transition from the screen in FIG. 19 to the screen in FIG. 17.

In the portion C3, a confirmation icon is provided. When the user U inputs the confirmation icon, the recipe selection unit 164 checks "cheese", "cabbage", and "chicken thigh" against the server 200. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe that uses "cheese", "cabbage", and "chicken thigh" through the above checking. Examples of recipe 1 selected by the recipe selection unit 164 include peanut banana cake, Sri Lankan coconut curry, oven-cooked okonomiyaki, Singapore chicken rice, three kinds of delicious and spicy chicken wings, steamed pork with plum flavor, oven-baked spare ribs and vegetables, scallop and shimeji mushroom bread gratin, and grilled chicken and vegetables. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 1 to the terminal device 300. After that, the screen in FIG. 19 is transitioned to the screen in FIG. 20 (described later). Note that if the user U has not input anything, the application 2 does not accept the input of the confirmation icon.

Figure 20 is an example of the display screen 310. Eight recipes from recipe 1 (hereinafter referred to as recipe 1-1) are displayed in the D1 area. Examples of recipe 1-1 include peanut banana cake, Sri Lankan coconut curry, oven-cooked okonomiyaki, Singapore chicken rice, three kinds of spicy chicken wings, steamed pork with plum flavor, oven-baked spare ribs and vegetables, and scallop and shimeji mushroom bread gratin. When user U swipes in the D2 direction while keeping his or her body in contact with the display screen 310, a recipe 1 other than recipe 1-1 (hereinafter referred to as recipe 1-2) is displayed. An example of recipe 1-2 is grilled chicken and vegetables.

An arrow icon is provided in the D3 section. By inputting the arrow icon, user U can transition from the screen in FIG. 20 to the screen in FIG. 19. That is, user U can input the arrow icon and input something again. User U refers to a recipe to cook using something. However, there may be cases where the dish that user U wishes to eat is not available in the referenced recipe. User U can input the arrow icon and input something again. In this way, recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe.

On the screen of FIG. 20, the user U can input a selection instruction. For example, the user U can input a selection instruction by inputting the text or image portion of the D1 portion. The user U can select a recipe for Singapore chicken rice by inputting the image of the D4 portion or the text "Singapore chicken rice". When a recipe is selected, the image of FIG. 20 transitions to the image of FIG. 21 (described later). FIG. 21 is an example of a display screen 310. When the user U makes a selection, the information output unit 165 displays recipe 2 related to the selection instruction as shown in FIG. 21.

3. Advantages
The information output unit 165 displays at least some of the ingredients owned by the user U in a predetermined order of priority based on the inventory information. The recipe suggestion system 1 further includes a reception unit 163 that receives an instruction from the user U to select a recipe and an instruction from the user U to select candidate ingredients from among the ingredients owned by the user U with at least some of the ingredients owned by the user U displayed in the predetermined order of priority by the information output unit 165. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe that includes the candidate ingredients accepted by the acceptance unit 163.

User U may refer to recipes related to a predetermined priority order. The information output unit 165 displays at least some of the ingredients owned by user U in a predetermined priority order based on inventory information. The reception unit 163 receives instructions from user U to select candidate ingredients from among the ingredients owned by user U, with the ingredients displayed in the predetermined priority order. The recipe selection unit 164 selects recipes that include the candidate ingredients accepted by the reception unit 163. In this way, the recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe.

[4. Modification 1]
A modification of this embodiment will now be described.

[4-1. Modification 1]
The ingredient management unit 162 may compare the inventory information with the storage information to identify ingredients stored in the storage room 120 that are not associated with ingredients (hereinafter referred to as special purpose ingredients). "Storage information" is information that associates ingredients with the storage room 120 in which the ingredients are stored. The storage information is recorded in advance in the memory unit 530 by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 101, the user U, etc. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe that does not use special purpose ingredients (hereinafter referred to as recipe 3). The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 3. The user U can recognize recipe 3 on the display screen 310, etc.

To keep ingredients fresh, user U stores the ingredients in a storage room 120 that matches the storage information. However, if the ingredients are to be used for a special purpose, the ingredients may be stored in a storage room 120 that does not match the storage information. Special purpose ingredients are ingredients that are planned for use and therefore cannot be used in the selected recipe. User U refers to recipes to cook using ingredients other than the special purpose ingredients. The recipe selection unit 164 selects recipe 3. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 3. User U can recognize recipe 3. In this way, recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting recipes.

[4-2. Modification 2]
The ingredient management unit 162 may identify ingredients consumed by the user U during a predetermined period (most recently ingested ingredients) based on the database in the storage unit 530. An example of the predetermined period is the most recent week. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe that does not use most recently ingested ingredients (hereinafter referred to as recipe 4). The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 4. The user U can recognize recipe 4.

There are cases where user U wants to eat ingredients other than those most recently consumed. The recipe selection unit 164 selects recipe 4, which does not use the most recently consumed ingredients. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 4. User U can recognize recipe 4. In this way, the recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe.

[4-2-1. Modification 2-1]
In addition to the configuration of the above-mentioned modified example 2, the ingredient management unit 162 may identify a recipe (hereinafter referred to as recipe 5) that uses the most recently ingested ingredient based on the most recently ingested ingredient. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe (hereinafter referred to as recipe 6) other than recipe 5. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 6. The user U can recognize recipe 6.

There are cases where user U wants to eat a dish other than the one he or she recently ate. Even if user U does not continue to use recipe suggestion system 1, ingredient management unit 162 identifies recipe 5 based on the most recently ate ingredients. Recipe selection unit 164 selects recipe 6 based on identified recipe 5. Information output unit 165 outputs recipe 6. User U can recognize recipe 6. In this way, recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe.

[4-2-2. Modification 2-2]
Furthermore, in addition to the configuration of Modification 2 or Modification 2-1, the food ingredient management unit 162 may identify nutrients (hereinafter referred to as ingested nutrients) most recently ingested by the user U based on the most recently ingested food ingredients. "Nutrition information" is information that associates food ingredients with the nutrients contained in the food ingredients. The nutrition information is recorded in advance in the storage unit 530 by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 101, the user U, or the like. The food ingredient management unit 162 identifies the ingested nutrients by comparing the most recently ingested food ingredients with the nutrition information.

The ingredient management unit 162 compares the ingested nutrients with the reference nutrients to identify the deficient nutrients. Examples of "reference nutrients" include nutrients essential for human survival and nutrients for recovery from certain illnesses. The reference nutrients are recorded in advance in the memory unit 530 by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 101, the user U, etc. The ingredient management unit 162 compares the deficient nutrients with nutritional information to identify ingredients (hereinafter referred to as supplementary ingredients) that contain the deficient nutrients. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe (hereinafter referred to as recipe 7) in which the supplementary ingredients are used. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 7. The user U can recognize recipe 7.

User U refers to a recipe to maintain nutritional balance in the food he or she consumes. The ingredient management unit 162 identifies a supplementary ingredient. The recipe selection unit 164 selects recipe 7 in which the supplementary ingredient is used. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 7. User U can recognize recipe 7. In this way, the recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe.

[4-2-3. Modification 2-3]
Furthermore, in addition to the configuration of Modification 2, Modification 2-1, or Modification 2-2, the ingredient management unit 162 may identify ingredients of a different color from the color of the most recently ingested ingredient (hereinafter referred to as ingredients of a different color) based on color information. "Color information" is information that associates an ingredient with the color of the ingredient. The color information is recorded in advance in the memory unit 530 by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 101 and the user U. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe that uses ingredients of a different color (hereinafter referred to as recipe 8). The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 8. The user U can recognize recipe 8.

User U refers to a recipe to eat a dish that looks good. An example of a "dish that looks good" is a dish that uses unusual ingredients. The recipe selection unit 164 selects recipe 8 that uses unusual ingredients. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 8. User U can recognize recipe 8. In this way, the recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe.

[4-3. Modification 3]
The ingredient management unit 162 may identify excluded ingredients based on the stock information and inventory information. "Stock information" is information indicating ingredients that the user U keeps on hand. The stock information is recorded in advance in the storage unit 530 by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 101, the user U, etc. "Excluded ingredients" are ingredients that are stocked at a predetermined number or less and are related to the stock information. The "predetermined number" is a numerical value that is set in advance. In other words, "excluded ingredients" are ingredients that are stocked at a predetermined number or less. The information output unit 165 lowers the priority of the recipe related to the excluded ingredients (hereinafter referred to as recipe 9) among the recipes selected by the recipe selection unit 164 and outputs them.

There may be cases where user U wishes to keep certain ingredients on hand. In this case, user U needs to determine whether the recipe he or she is referring to uses excluded ingredients. The ingredient management unit 162 identifies the excluded ingredients. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 9 with a lower priority. User U can recognize recipe 9 with a lower priority. Because recipe 9 related to an excluded ingredient has a low priority, user U can maintain the excluded ingredients on hand. In this way, recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe.

[4-3-1. Modification 3-1]
In addition to the configuration of Modification 3, the food ingredient management unit 162 may identify deficient nutrients based on the stock information, reference nutrients, and nutritional information. "Nutritional information" is information that associates ingredients with the nutrients contained in the ingredients. The nutritional information is recorded in advance in the storage unit 530 by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 101, the user U, etc. Examples of "reference nutrients" include nutrients essential for the survival of the human body and nutrients for recovering from a certain illness. The reference nutrients are recorded in advance in the storage unit 530 by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 101, the user U, etc.

The ingredient management unit 162 compares the preparedness information with the nutritional information to identify nutrients to be consumed from the prepared ingredients. The ingredient management unit 162 compares the identified nutrients with reference nutrients to identify deficient nutrients. The ingredient management unit 162 compares the deficient nutrients with the nutritional information to identify ingredients that contain deficient nutrients. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe (hereinafter referred to as recipe 10) that uses the identified ingredients. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 10. The user U can recognize recipe 10.

User U keeps certain ingredients on hand to ensure that they are consumed regularly. However, there are cases where the ingredients on hand do not provide a balanced nutritional intake. The ingredient management unit 162 identifies ingredients that contain deficient nutrients. The recipe selection unit 164 selects recipe 10 that uses the identified ingredients. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 10. User U can recognize recipe 10. In this way, the recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe.

[4-4. Modification 4]
The ingredient management unit 162 may compare the inventory information with the ingredient DB 605 to identify low-frequency ingested ingredients. Low-frequency ingested ingredients are ingredients that are registered in the ingredient DB 605 and are consumed by the user U infrequently. The ingredient management unit 162 also compares the low-frequency ingested ingredients with the nutritional information to identify deficient nutrients. The "nutrition information" is information that associates ingredients with the nutrients contained in the ingredients. The nutritional information is recorded in advance in the storage unit 530 by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 101, the user U, or the like. The ingredient management unit 162 also compares the deficient nutrients with the nutritional information to identify ingredients that contain deficient nutrients. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe (hereinafter referred to as recipe 11) that uses the identified ingredient. The information output unit 165 outputs the recipe 11. The user U can recognize the recipe 11.

User U refers to a recipe to consume a nutritionally balanced dish. The ingredient management unit 162 checks the deficient nutrients against the nutritional information to identify ingredients that contain the deficient nutrients. The recipe selection unit 164 selects recipe 11 that uses the identified ingredients. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 11. User U can recognize recipe 11. In this way, the recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe.

[4-5. Modification 5]
The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe that uses the remaining ingredients (hereinafter referred to as recipe 12). The information output unit 165 outputs the recipe 12 together with a predetermined message. An example of the predetermined message is a message that the recipe 12 is a recipe that can use the remaining ingredients.

User U prepares ingredients for cooking. Any remaining ingredients may be discarded without being used. The recipe selection unit 164 selects recipe 12 that uses the remaining ingredients. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 12 together with a specified message. User U can recognize recipe 12 and the fact that using recipe 12 allows the remaining ingredients to be used. In this way, the recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe.

[4-5-1. Modification 5-1]
In addition to the configuration of modified example 5-1, recipe selection unit 164 may identify a recipe (hereinafter referred to as recipe 13) that uses a surplus ingredient but an ingredient that is not in stock. Recipe selection unit 164 checks recipe 13 against substitution information to select a recipe that can be substituted (hereinafter referred to as recipe 14). Substitution information is information that associates an ingredient with an ingredient that can be substituted for that ingredient. The substitution information is recorded in advance in storage unit 166 by the manufacturer of refrigerator 101, user U, or the like. Information output unit 165 outputs recipe 14. User U can recognize recipe 14.

User U prepares ingredients to cook. There may be cases where there are no recipes that can use the leftover ingredients, and the leftover ingredients are discarded. Recipe selection unit 164 selects recipe 14. Information output unit 165 outputs recipe 14. User U can recognize recipe 14 that can use the leftover ingredients. In this way, recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe.

[4-6. Modification 6]
The ingredient management unit 162 may compare ingredients in the inventory information with the thawing information to identify ingredients that can be thawed. "Thawing information" is information that associates ingredients stored frozen with the thawing time of the ingredients. The thawing information is recorded in advance in the storage unit 530 by the manufacturer of the refrigerator 101, the user U, etc. The ingredient management unit 162 identifies an ingredient as an ingredient that can be thawed if the thawing time of the ingredient is equal to or less than the time until cooking begins. The recipe selection unit 164 selects a recipe (hereinafter referred to as recipe 15) related to the ingredients in the freezer compartment 126 based on the thawable ingredients. The information output unit 165 outputs the recipe 15. The user U can recognize the recipe 15.

User U refers to a recipe to cook ingredients. However, if the time until cooking begins is shorter than the time it takes to thaw the ingredients, the recipe for that cooking cannot be used. The recipe selection unit 164 selects recipe 15 based on the ingredients that can be thawed. The information output unit 165 outputs recipe 15. User U can recognize recipes related to ingredients that can be thawed before cooking begins. In this way, the recipe suggestion system 1 can improve the convenience of user U when selecting a recipe.

(Computer Configuration)
The computer includes a processor, a main memory, a storage device, and an interface.
The above-mentioned refrigerator 101, microwave oven 102, server 200, and terminal device 300 are implemented in a computer. The operations of the above-mentioned processing units are stored in the form of a program in a storage. The processor reads the program from the storage and loads it in the main memory, and executes the above-mentioned processes in accordance with the program. The processor also secures storage areas in the main memory corresponding to the above-mentioned storage units in accordance with the program.

The program may be for realizing part of the functions to be performed by the computer. For example, the program may be for performing the functions by combining with other programs already stored in the storage or with other programs implemented in other devices. In other embodiments, the computer may be provided with a custom LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) in addition to or instead of the above configuration. Examples of PLDs include PAL (Programmable Array Logic), GAL (Generic Array Logic), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In this case, some or all of the functions realized by the processor may be realized by the integrated circuit.

Examples of storage include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, and semiconductor memories. The storage may be an internal medium directly connected to the computer's bus, or an external medium connected to the computer via an interface or a communication line. In addition, when the program is distributed to a computer via a communication line, the computer that receives the program may expand the program into main memory and execute the above-mentioned processing. In at least one embodiment, the storage is a non-transitory tangible storage medium.

The program may be for realizing some of the functions described above. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that realizes the functions described above in combination with another program already stored in the storage.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims, as well as the scope and gist of the invention.

1...Recipe suggestion system, 101...Refrigerator, 102...Microwave, 200...Server, 201...Communication unit, 202...Recipe setting unit, 203...Storage unit, 300...Terminal device, 310...Display screen, 1021...Housing, 1022...Front panel, 1023...Handle, 1024...Start button, 1025...Cancel button, 1026...Setting unit, 1027...Control unit, 1028...Communication module, 1029...Display unit, 1030...Detection unit, U...User, R...Router, NW...Network

Claims (15)

an ingredient management unit that manages inventory information indicating ingredients held by the user;
a recipe selection unit that selects one or more recipes that include ingredients held by the user based on the inventory information from among a plurality of recipes that can be referenced;
an information output unit that outputs the one or more recipes selected by the recipe selection unit;
A reception unit that receives a user's instruction to select a recipe;
a refrigerator setting unit that changes a set temperature or an operation mode of the refrigerator according to ingredients left over according to the specific recipe when the reception unit receives an instruction from the user to select a specific recipe from the one or more recipes;
A recipe suggestion system equipped with A reception unit that receives intake information related to the intake of the ingredients from the user,
the recipe selection unit selects the one or more recipes from among the plurality of recipes based on the intake information and the inventory information;
The recipe recommendation system of claim 1 . The intake information includes at least one of information indicating the number of people to be consumed, information indicating the desired food ingredients, information indicating the desired food ingredients to be used, information indicating the desired dish, and information indicating the type of the desired dish.
The recipe suggestion system according to claim 2 . When the recipe output by the information output unit includes an ingredient that the user does not have, the information output unit notifies the user of the missing ingredient.
The recipe suggestion system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The recipe selection unit preferentially selects recipes suitable for a time period.
The recipe suggestion system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The recipe selection unit preferentially selects recipes including ingredients with older purchase dates or ingredients with upcoming expiration dates based on the purchase dates or expiration dates of the ingredients included in the inventory information.
The recipe suggestion system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The recipe selection unit preferentially selects recipes that include a greater number of ingredients owned by the user.
The recipe suggestion system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A detection unit for detecting a user operation is further provided,
the ingredient management unit deletes ingredients included in a specific recipe from the inventory information when a predetermined operation by the user regarding the specific recipe among the one or more recipes is detected by the detection unit;
The recipe suggestion system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A reception unit that receives an instruction from the user to select a recipe;
and a cooking appliance setting unit that changes settings of a cooking appliance according to a cooking method included in a specific recipe when a user's instruction to select a specific recipe from the one or more recipes is received by the receiving unit.
The recipe suggestion system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A reception unit that receives a user's instruction to select a recipe;
a cooking appliance setting unit that changes settings of a cooking appliance according to a cooking method included in a specific recipe when a user's instruction to select a specific recipe from the one or more recipes is received by the receiving unit;
Further equipped with
The recipe suggestion system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A reception unit that receives a user's instruction to select a recipe,
When the reception unit receives an instruction from the user to select a specific recipe from the one or more recipes, the information output unit notifies the user of a preservation method for leftover ingredients according to the specific recipe.
The recipe suggestion system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The information output unit displays at least a portion of the ingredients held by the user in a predetermined order of priority based on the inventory information;
a reception unit that receives an instruction from the user to select a recipe and an instruction from the user to select candidate ingredients from among ingredients held by the user while at least some of the ingredients held by the user are displayed in the predetermined priority order by the information output unit,
The recipe selection unit selects a recipe including the candidate ingredient accepted by the acceptance unit.
The recipe suggestion system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 . The predetermined priority order is the order of purchase dates of ingredients or the order of expiration dates of ingredients.
The recipe recommendation system of claim 12 . the receiving unit is capable of receiving a user's operation of selecting two or more ingredients as candidates for use from among the ingredients held by the user in a state in which at least some of the ingredients held by the user are displayed in a predetermined priority order by the information output unit,
When a user's instruction to select the two or more ingredients is received by the receiving unit, the recipe selection unit selects a plurality of recipes including at least one of the two or more ingredients.
The recipe suggestion system according to claim 12 or 13 . When outputting the plurality of recipes selected by the recipe selection unit, the information output unit rearranges and outputs the plurality of recipes regardless of the predetermined priority order.
The recipe recommendation system of claim 14 .

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