JPH07219965A - Menu supporting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To select favorite dishes out of a picture of many dishes to determine a menu by reading out and displaying stored dish picture information and specifying a required picture information. CONSTITUTION:Dish picture information stored in a dish picture storing means 10a is read out by a picture reading means 12 based upon an instruction from a reading instructing means 11 and displayed on a display means 15 and a picture specifying means 16 specifies required picture information out of the displayed picture information to determine dishes to be included in a menu. Thereby a user can select dishes based upon the dish picture information. The lapse of time from the final specification of picture reading is measured by a clock means in the means 11, and after the lapse of prescribed time, a new picture is read out, so that dish picture information can be successively displayed at a prescribed interval and required dishes can easily be searched.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for assisting a meal menu decision.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a reference material for a housewife when considering a menu, a book in which photographs and materials of cooking, cooking procedures, nutrition contained in the cooking, and the like are used.

However, the information provided in the book is fixed and not always convenient.
For example, there are many situations where a book describes the amount of ingredients as a standard for four people, while the family using the book has a family of three. In such a case, buy ingredients for cooking. When I went to, I had to recalculate the amount of material in the book to fit the number of households. As another example, some books describe the nutrition that can be taken in each dish, such as how many grams of protein and how many units of vitamin A, for each dish individually. When deciding on a menu for dinner, if the user wants to know the total amount of nutrition that can be ingested for the entire dinner, the user must add the nutritional amount of each dish and calculate.

In order to solve these problems, in recent years, a so-called menu support device has been proposed which digitizes and stores the same information as that described in a cookbook. In such devices, information is stored electronically, so it is possible to calculate the amount of ingredients required for cooking according to the number of family members, or to calculate the total nutrition of multiple dishes. Can be easily incorporated.

In such a menu support apparatus, conventionally, the operation similar to that of a general-purpose database is assumed as an operation for the user to find a desired dish. That is,
Each dish is systematically categorized and stored according to the main ingredients (for example, meat, fish, vegetables) and cooking method (for example, French-style or Chinese-style), and the user can store information on the desired dish. To obtain, enter keywords such as main ingredients and cooking method as search conditions, and then select the name of the desired dish from the names of the dishes that match the search conditions displayed in the list. Was required. Then, the food picture is not displayed at all, or if it is displayed, it is displayed only after the food is selected.

[0006]

However, for general users such as housewives, the operation of selecting a dish is to flip through a book, look at the photos of many dishes, and select the one that they like. The visual and intuitive method is far simpler and easier to use than the method of narrowing down the dishes logically by specifying the ingredients and cooking method. In other words, from the viewpoint of operation for considering menus, it must be said that the conventional menu support device is less convenient than books.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to view photographs of a large number of dishes and visually and intuitively select a favorite dish from the photographs to determine a menu. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a menu support device that can be used easily.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has the following constitution.

That is, the menu support device includes a food image storage means for storing image information of a plurality of foods, a read instruction means for instructing to read out the image information, and a food image storage means based on the instruction of the read instruction means. Image reading means for reading the image information stored in the display, display means for displaying the image information, image designating means for designating desired image information from the image information displayed on the display means, and designation by the image designating means. The designated food storage means for storing the food corresponding to the generated image information is provided.

Further, the read-out instructing means has a time-measuring means for measuring the time elapsed since the last instruction to read out the image, and when the elapsed time measured by the time-measuring means reaches a predetermined value, It is configured to instruct to read a new image.

The read instructing means has a time interval setting means for setting a time interval for instructing the reading of a new image, and the elapsed time measured by the time measuring means is the time set by the time interval setting means. When the interval has been reached, a new image is read out.

The image designating means can designate the image information only when the reading instruction means is not instructing to read a new image with the passage of time.

Further, the detailed information storage means for storing the detailed information of the food and the detailed information storage means are read out from the detailed information storage means. A detailed information reading means for displaying on the display means only when not being performed is added.

Further, the image information of the dishes stored by the designated dish storage means is stored, and the designated dish image storage means for displaying the stored image information on the display means is added.

Further, the designated food image storage means has a storage means for storing image information and an image size changing means for enlarging or reducing the image information, and means for displaying the image enlarged or reduced by the image size changing means. It is configured to be displayed on.

Further, the display screen of the display means is divided into two areas, the image information read by the image reading means is displayed in one of the two divided areas, and the designated food image storage means is displayed in the other area. The configuration is such that the stored image information is displayed.

Further, a structure is provided in which a food name storing means for storing the food name and a food name reading means for reading out the food name stored in the food name storing means and displaying it on the display means are added.

Further, the image information of the food stored in the food image storage means and the name of the food stored in the food name storage means are placed on different media.

Further, the image reading means can read the image information and the cooking name reading means can read the food name in parallel.

Further, the display means is arranged on the door of the cooking device. Further, the display means is arranged on the side surface of the cooking device.

Further, the display means is arranged on the door of the food storage device. Further, the display means is arranged on the side surface of the food storage container.

[0022]

The above-described structure provides the following functions.

That is, the image information of the food stored in the food image storage means is read by the image reading means and displayed on the display means based on the instruction of the read instruction means, and displayed on the display means by the image designating means. Since the dishes to be included in the menu are determined by designating the desired image information from the image information to be displayed, the user can select the dishes based on the image information of the dishes.

The time measuring means measures the time elapsed since the last instruction to read out the image and when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined value, a new image is read out to display means. Since the image information of the dishes is displayed one after another at a fixed time interval, the user can find the dishes to be included in the menu as if reading the photos printed on the paper in flips. Become.

The time interval setting means allows the user to freely set the time interval from the last reading of the image information to the reading of new image information.

Further, the image designating means is controlled so that the image designating means can designate the image of the dish only when the instruction to read out a new image with the lapse of time is issued by the reading designating means. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the dish different from the one desired by the user from being selected.

Further, the detailed information of the dishes is displayed on the display means only when the instruction to read a new image with the passage of time is given by the read instruction means, so that the images of the dishes are continuously read. During the displayed period, detailed information is displayed for a short time to prevent the display screen of the display unit from flickering, and when continuous reading of the image is stopped, it corresponds to the image. It becomes possible to display detailed information of the dish.

Further, the image information of the already selected food is
By displaying on the display means the image information of the dish under consideration whether or not to newly select it, the user can determine the menu while considering the color balance of each dish.

Further, by enlarging or reducing the image information of the already selected food by the image size changing means, it is possible to effectively use the display screen of the display means.

Further, the display screen of the display means is divided into two areas, the image information read by the image reading means is displayed in one of the two divided areas, and the designated food image storage means is displayed in the other area. By displaying the stored image information, it is possible to display the image information read by the image reading unit and the image information read by the designated food image storing unit so that the user can distinguish at a glance. Become.

Further, by displaying the dish name read out from the dish name storing means by the dish name reading means as characters on the display means, the dish which the user intuitively found by the image information is re-created by the dish name. It becomes possible to confirm, and it becomes possible to make the selection of dishes fast and accurately.

Further, by placing the image information of the dish stored in the dish image storage means and the name of the dish stored in the dish name storage means on different media, a comparison is made with the case where both are placed on the same medium. Then, it is possible to reduce the time required for reading the stored information such as the seek time of the disc, and to speed up the reading of the image information and the cooking name.

Further, by executing the reading of the image information by the image reading means and the reading of the food name by the food name reading means in parallel, the reading of the image information and the reading of the food name can be further speeded up. Becomes

By arranging the display means on the door of the cooking device, the menu surface can be realized by effectively utilizing the door surface of the cooking device.

By arranging the display means on the side surface of the cooking device, it is possible to effectively utilize the side surface of the cooking device and realize the menu support device.

By arranging the display means on the door of the food storage device, the menu surface can be realized by effectively utilizing the door surface of the food storage device.

Further, by disposing the display means on the side surface of the food storage container, the side surface of the food storage container can be effectively utilized,
It becomes possible to realize a menu support device.

[0038]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the menu support apparatus of the present invention. Figure 1
In FIG. 10, reference numeral 10 denotes a database, which is a food image storage unit 10a that stores image information obtained by digitizing a color photograph of a finished food for a plurality of foods, and a food name storage that stores a food name as a character code string. It has means 10b. Reference numeral 11 is a read instructing means, which has a push button 11a inside. 12 is a CPU
(Central processing unit), memory and image reading means realized by software, and has an identifier storing means 12a inside. Reference numeral 13 is a food name reading means, which has a character generator 13a inside. Also, 1
Reference numeral 4 is an image memory, and 15 is a display means including a bitmap display. 16 is an image designating means,
It has a push button 16a inside. Further, 17 is a designated dish storage means, which has a memory 17a inside. Reference numeral 18 is a procedure display instruction means, which has a push button 18a inside. Reference numeral 19 is a cooking procedure display means. These respective units are connected by signal lines 508 to 518.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display means 15. In FIG. 2, 20 is a display screen of the display means 15, 21 is a food image display area, and 22 is a food name display area.

The operation of each section in FIG. 1 will be described below. The dish image storage means 10a stores image information of N (N ≧ 2) dishes on an optical disc that can be randomly accessed. Each dish is identified by an identifier composed of numbers 1 to N, and the image information of the dish can be read using this identifier.

The dish name storage means 10b stores the name of each dish as a character code string on a randomly accessible hard disk. These dish names can be read using the dish identifier.

When the push button 11a in the read instruction means 11 is pressed, the operation of the menu support device is started. The read instruction means 11 outputs a next image read instruction command to the signal line 510 when the push button 11a is pressed. When the push button 11a is not pressed, nothing is output to the signal line 510.

Identifier storing means 12 in the image reading means 12
Only one value of the dish identifier is stored in a. The initial value of the stored value is the minimum value 1 of the dish identifier.

The image reading means 12 outputs the initial value 1 of the identifier storing means 12a to the signal line 511 when the operation of the menu support device starts. Further, when the next image read instruction command is supplied via the signal line 510, the value of the identifier stored in the identifier storage means 12a is read and compared with the maximum value N of the dish identifier. As a result of the comparison, if the read value is smaller than the maximum value N of the dish identifier, a value obtained by adding 1 to the read value is newly added to the identifier storage means 12.
In addition to being stored in a, the newly stored value is output to the signal line 511. On the other hand, when the read value is equal to the maximum value N of the dish identifier, the minimum value 1 of the dish identifier is newly stored in the identifier storage means 12a, and the newly stored value 1 is stored in the signal line 511. Output to. Therefore, for example, when the number of dishes is 200 and the push button 11a is pressed 200 times starting from the initial state, the value output by the image reading unit 12 to the signal line 511 is the value output at the start of the operation. Including, in order,
2, 3, ..., 199, 200, and 1.

The cooking image storage means 10a has a signal line 511.
Read the value supplied via
The image information of the dish indicated by this identifier is read from the optical disc and output to the signal line 512.

The image reading means 12 reads this image information through the signal line 512, and the signal line 513 is placed in a predetermined area of the image memory 14 corresponding to the cooking image display area 21.
Write through.

The food name storage means 10b reads the value supplied via the signal line 511 as a food identifier, reads the food name indicated by this identifier as a character code string from the hard disk, and outputs it to the signal line 508. The reading and outputting of the character code string are performed concurrently with the reading and outputting of the image information by the cooking image storage means 10a.

The cooking name reading means 13 reads this character code string and inputs it to the character generator 13a,
After being converted into image information, the image is written in a predetermined area of the image memory 14 corresponding to the dish name display area 22 through the signal line 509.

The display means 15 reads the image information written in the image memory 14 through the signal line 514 and displays it on the bitmap display.

Therefore, in the dish image display area 21 and the dish name display area 22 on the display means 15, when the operation of the menu support device is started, the color image of the dish shown by the identifier 1 and the dish name thereof are displayed. , Push button 1
Each time 1a is pressed, the displayed food image and food name are sequentially changed to those represented by the identifiers 2, 3, 4, ...

The image designating means 16 outputs a cooking memory command to the signal line 515 when the push button 16a is pressed. The image designating means 16 outputs nothing to the signal line 515 when the push button 16a is not pressed.

Memory 17a in designated food storage means 17
Stores up to four food identifiers.

FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C are explanatory views showing an example of the food identifier stored in the memory 17a. The memory 17a has four storage addresses A1 to A4 for storing the four food identifiers. In the initial state, as shown in FIG. 3A, all addresses A1 to A4 are
, A special value null indicating that it is unused is stored.

Returning to FIG. 1, the designated food storage means 17 is
When a cooking memory command is supplied through the signal line 515,
The value of the identifier stored in the identifier storage means 12a is read out through the signal line 516, and the value is stored in the address located at the frontmost position in the unused area in the memory 17a. For example, when the stored content of the memory is in the state of FIG. 3A, the identifier having the value of 23 is stored in the identifier storage means 12a, and the dish storage instruction is supplied via the signal line 515, As shown in FIG. 3B, the value of the address A1 of the memory 17a is rewritten from null to 23. Further, when the value stored in the memory 17a is in the state of FIG. 3B and the value of the identifier stored in the identifier storage means 12a is 75, the dish storage instruction is supplied via the signal line 515. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3C, the value of the address A2 of the memory 17a is rewritten from null to 75.

The procedure display instruction means 18 has a push button 18
When a is pressed, a cooking procedure display command is output to the signal line 517. When the push button 18a is not pressed, nothing is output to the signal line 517.

When the cooking procedure display command is supplied via the signal line 517, the cooking procedure display means 19 stores in the memory 17.
All the non-null food identifier values stored in a are read, and the food cooking procedures indicated by those identifiers are sequentially displayed. Note that a known technique (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-187641) may be used as it is as to how the cooking procedure display means 19 displays the cooking procedure, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to this embodiment, the dishes included in the menu are
Display means 1 instead of deciding only based on the dish name
Since it is possible to make a decision by looking at the completed color image information of the dish displayed in 5, it is possible for the user to operate the menu support device with a feeling similar to looking at a book and decide a menu dish.

Further, since it is not necessary to input a keyword for systematically classifying dishes, even a user who is not familiar with using a keyboard can easily operate the menu support device.

Further, since the reading of the image information by the image reading means 12 and the reading of the cooking name by the cooking name reading means 13 are simultaneously performed in parallel, the cooking information is read more than when these two pieces of information are read sequentially. The image information and the food name can be displayed on the display means 15 at high speed. Even when the image information is read by the image reading unit 12 and the dish name is read by the dish name reading unit 13, the image information stored in the dish image storage unit 10a and the dish name storage unit are stored. It is better to put on a medium different from the dish name stored in 10b. This is because generally when information is stored on a storage medium, the image information is stored together in the image information on the tracks adjacent to each other, and the food name is stored together in the track adjacent to the food name, but the image information and Distinctly different information such as food names are often placed at mutually distant positions, and different types of information are read consecutively such that the food name is read after the image information, and then the image information is read again. When read, the overhead such as the seek time of the disk tends to be large, but this overhead can be avoided by putting different types of information on different media.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the menu support apparatus of the present invention. Figure 4
40 is a database. The database 40 is
Compared to the database 10 of FIG. 1, a difference is that a detailed information storage unit 40c is included in addition to the dish image storage unit 10a and the dish name storage unit 10b. Reference numeral 41 is a read instruction means. Reference numeral 42 is an image reading means, which has an identifier storing means 42a inside. Reference numeral 43 is a food name reading means, which has a character generator 43a inside. Further, 44 is an image memory, and 45 is a display means including a bitmap display. Reference numeral 46 is an image designating means. Further, 47 is a detailed information reading means, and has a character generator 47a inside.
have. Further, reference numerals 540 to 542 are signal lines.
In addition, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed structural example of the read instruction means 41 of FIG. In FIG. 5, 50 to 54 are push buttons, 55 is a reading direction storing means, 56 is a time measuring means for measuring the passage of time, 57 is a controlling means, and these parts are connected by signal lines 550 to 558.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display means 45. In FIG. 7, 70 is a display screen of the display means 45, 71 is a food image display area, 72 is a food name display area, and 73 is a detailed information display area.

The menu support apparatus of this embodiment starts its operation when any of the push buttons 50 to 54 in the read instruction means 41 is pressed.

The control means 57 constantly monitors the signal lines 550 to 554, and when it detects that the push buttons 50 to 54 have been pressed through these signal lines, it operates in accordance with each button. To do. When the push button 50 is pressed, the next image read command is output to the signal line 510 only once. When the push button 51 is pressed, the previous image read command is output to the signal line 510 only once. When the push button 52 is pressed, the next image read command is set to 1
The value “FORWARD” indicating the reading in the forward direction is written to the reading direction storage means 55 via the signal line 555, and further, the clock start command is output to the signal line 557. Further, the continuous reading signal is continuously output to the signal line 540 until the push button 54 is pressed later. When the push button 53 is pressed, the previous image read command is output once to the signal line 510, and the value “BACKWARD” indicating the reverse read is written to the read direction storage means 55 via the signal line 555. Further, the clock start command is output to the signal line 557. Further, the continuous reading signal is continuously output to the signal line 540 until the push button 54 is pressed later. When the push button 54 is pressed, the time stop command is output to the signal line 557 and the output of the continuous reading signal to the signal line 540 is stopped. Further, the control means 57 outputs a clock stop command to the signal line 557 at the start of the operation,
The signal during continuous reading is not output to the signal line 540.

When the time counting start command is supplied through the signal line 557, the time counting means 56 measures the passage of time thereafter and repeatedly outputs the time measurement detection signal to the signal line 558 at predetermined time intervals. Further, when the time stop command is supplied via the signal line 557, the measurement of the passage of time thereafter and the output of the time detection signal are stopped. In addition, this timing means 56
An example of the configuration will be described later in detail.

When the time detection signal is supplied via the signal line 558, the control means 57 reads out the value stored in the reading direction storage means 55 via the signal line 556, and this value is "FORWARD". In some cases, the next image read command is output to the signal line 510 once. On the other hand, when the read value is “BACKWARD”, the previous image read command is output to the signal line 510 once.

Therefore, the entire read instruction means 41 operates as follows. That is, when the push button 50 is pressed, the next image read command is output to the signal line 510 only once. When the push button 51 is pressed, the previous image read command is output to the signal line 510 only once. When the push button 52 is pressed, the push button 54
Until is pressed, the continuous reading signal is continuously output to the signal line 540, and the next image reading command is repeatedly output to the signal line 510 at predetermined time intervals. When the push button 53 is pressed, thereafter, the continuous reading signal is continuously output to the signal line 540 until the push button 54 is pressed, and the previous image read command is repeated at a predetermined time interval. Output to.

Next, an example of the structure of the clock means 56 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the time counting means 56. In FIG. 6, 60 is a crystal oscillator, 61 is a frequency divider, and 62.
Is a counter and 63 is a time interval setting means. The time interval setting means 63 is internally provided with a register 63a and a ten key 63.
b. Further, 64 is a control means, and these units are connected by signal lines 560 to 565.

The control means 64, when supplied with the clock start command via the signal line 557, sends an oscillation enable signal to the signal line 5
At 60, the frequency division permission signal is output to the signal line 561 and the counting permission signal is output to the signal line 562. On the other hand, when the clock stop command is supplied through the signal line 557, the oscillation prohibition signal is outputted to the signal line 560, the frequency division prohibition signal is outputted to the signal line 561, and the counting prohibition signal is outputted to the signal line 562.

When the oscillation enable signal is supplied through the signal line 560, the crystal oscillator 60 outputs a square wave of 1 MHz to the signal line 563, and is supplied with the oscillation prohibition signal through the signal line 560. Then, the square wave output is stopped.

When the frequency division permitting signal is supplied through the signal line 561, the frequency divider 61 divides the square wave supplied through the signal line 563 into 1 / 10,000 to form a 100 Hz square wave. The wave is output to the signal line 564, and when the frequency division prohibition signal is supplied via the signal line 561, the frequency division and the output of the square wave are stopped.

Register 63a in time interval setting means 63
Stores a value of 25 as an initial value.

The time interval setting means 63 is a ten key 64a.
When a numerical value is input by the user with, the register 63a
Replace the value of with the input value.

The counter 62, when supplied with the counting enable signal via the signal line 562, reads the value of the register 63a via the signal line 565 and uses it as the count value. After that, when the square wave signal supplied via the signal line 564 switches from the low level to the high level, it is determined whether or not the count value is 1, and if the count value is not 1, it The value obtained by subtracting 1 from the count value up to is used as a new count value.
On the other hand, when the count value is 1, the value of the register 63a is read through the signal line 565 to obtain a new count value, and the clock detection signal is output to the signal line 558. When the count prohibition signal is supplied via the signal line 562, the change of the count value and the output of the time detection signal are stopped.

Therefore, when the value stored in the register 63a is represented by K, the clock means 56 outputs K × to the signal line 558 after the clock start command is supplied via the signal line 557.
The time detection signal is output in a cycle of 10 milliseconds.
Specifically, for example, when the value stored in the register 63a is the initial value 25, the time detection signal is output at 250 millisecond intervals. If the range of values that can be stored in the register 63a is 1 to 100, 10 milliseconds to 1
It is possible to set the time interval at which the time detection signal is output at intervals of 10 milliseconds between seconds. As the settable time interval, it is desirable to include at least one time included between 200 milliseconds and 1 second.

Returning to FIG. 4, the identifier storing means 42a in the image reading means 42 stores only one food identifier value. The initial value of the stored value is the minimum value 1 of the dish identifier.

The image reading means 42 outputs the initial value 1 of the identifier storing means 42a to the signal line 511 when the operation of the menu support device starts. Further, when the next image read instruction command is supplied via the signal line 510, the value of the identifier stored in the identifier storage means 42a is read and compared with the maximum value N of the dish identifier. As a result of the comparison, when the read value is smaller than the maximum value N of the dish identifier,
A value obtained by adding 1 to the read value is newly added to the identifier storage means 4
In addition to being stored in 2a, the newly stored value is output to the signal line 511. On the other hand, when the read value is equal to the maximum value N of the dish identifier, the minimum value 1 of the dish identifier is newly stored in the identifier storage means 42a, and the newly stored value 1 is stored in the signal line 511. Output to. Further, when the previous image read instruction command is supplied via the signal line 510, the value of the identifier stored in the identifier storage means 42a is read and compared with the minimum value 1 of the dish identifier. As a result of the comparison, if the read value is larger than the minimum value 1 of the dish identifier, 1 is read from the read value.
The value obtained by subtracting is newly stored in the identifier storage means 42a, and the newly stored value is output to the signal line 511. On the other hand, the read value is the minimum value 1 of the dish identifier.
If it is equal to, the maximum value N of the food identifier is newly stored in the identifier storage means 42a, and the newly stored value N is output to the signal line 511.

The cooking image storage means 10a has a signal line 511.
Read the value supplied via
The image information of the dish indicated by this identifier is output to the signal line 512.

The image reading means 42 reads this image information through the signal line 512, and the signal line 513 is placed in a predetermined area of the image memory 44 corresponding to the cooking image display area 71.
Write through.

The dish name storage means 10b reads the value supplied via the signal line 511 as a dish identifier, and outputs the dish name indicated by this identifier to the signal line 508 as a character code string.

The cooking name reading means 43 reads this character code string and inputs it to the character generator 43a,
After converting into image information, this image information is stored in the image memory 4
Writing is performed via a signal line 509 in a predetermined area corresponding to the food name display area 72 of No. 4.

The detailed information storage means 40c includes, as detailed information of each dish, nutritional values such as total calories and salt content of the dish, protein, fat, vitamin, mineral and fiber contents, as well as other ingredients and cooking methods. , Various kinds of detailed information about the dish, such as the time required for cooking and the origin of the dish, are stored as a character code string, and the detailed information of each dish can be read using the dish identifier. When the identifier of the dish is supplied via the signal line 511, the detailed information storage unit 40c outputs the detailed information of the dish indicated by the identifier to the signal line 541 as a character code string.

The detailed information reading means 47 refers to the signal line 540 when the character code string is supplied through the signal line 541. When the signal during continuous reading is supplied to the signal line 540, the character code string supplied via the signal line 541 is ignored, and all pixels in the area corresponding to the detailed information display area 73 of the memory 44 are The signal line 542 is filled with white. On the other hand, if the signal during continuous reading is not supplied to the signal line 540, the character code string supplied via the signal line 541 is read and input to the character generator 47a, converted into image information, and then this image is displayed. The information is written in a predetermined area corresponding to the detailed information display area 73 of the image memory 44 via the signal line 542.

The display means 45 reads the image information written in the image memory 44 through the signal line 514 and displays it on the bit map display.

The image designating means 46 refers to the signal line 540 when the push button 46a is depressed. As a result of the reference, when the continuous reading signal is not supplied to the signal line 540, the dish storage instruction is output to the signal line 515. On the other hand, when the continuous reading signal is supplied to the signal line 540, nothing is output to the signal line 515. When the push button 46a is not pressed, the signal line 515
Outputs nothing to.

Regarding the operations of the designated food storage means 17, the procedure display instruction means 18 and the cooking procedure display means 19,
Since the operation of each component in FIG. 1 is exactly the same, detailed description is omitted.

According to this embodiment, the user of the menu support apparatus changes the images and names of the dishes displayed on the display means 19 one by one by pressing the push buttons 50 and 51, and also pushes them. By pressing the buttons 52 and 53, the change can be continuously made in a fixed cycle, and by pressing the push button 54, the change in the fixed cycle can be stopped. Therefore, it is possible to flip through the photographs printed on the paper. It is possible to find the dishes that should be included in the menu, as if.

Further, since the time interval setting means 63 can freely set the time interval from the display of one dish to the display of the next dish, the page turning is performed at a speed according to the user's preference. It becomes possible.

Further, when the pages are continuously read, the image designating means 46 sends a cooking memory command to the signal line 51.
5, the image designating means 46 outputs the food storage command to the signal line 515 only after stopping the change of the food displayed on the display means 45 using the push button 54.
After the user of the menu support device sees the dish displayed on the display unit 45, a new dish is displayed on the display unit 45 by the time the push button 46a is pressed down, and the user desires it. Different foods are designated food storage means 1
It is also possible to prevent the occurrence of the problem of being stored in No. 7 in advance.

Further, since the nutritional value is displayed as a part of the detailed information of the dish found by turning over, for example,
People with high blood pressure should avoid dishes with a lot of salt, or those who are thinking about losing weight should avoid dishes with a large amount of total calories, etc. to help users to think about their health-conscious menu. It is possible.

Since the time required for cooking is displayed as a part of the detailed information of the dish found by turning over, for example, if the time required for preparing dinner is too long, the cooking time is set to 1 It is also possible to assist the user in thinking about a menu according to his / her own convenience, such as avoiding cooking for more than time.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a third embodiment of the menu support apparatus of the present invention. Figure 8
80 is a database. The database 80 is
Compared with the database 40 of FIG. 4, in addition to the dish image storage unit 10a, the dish name storage unit 10b, and the detailed information storage unit 40c, a difference is that a dish attribute storage unit 80d that stores the attributes of each dish is included. . Reference numeral 81 is a keyboard. Reference numeral 82 denotes an image reading means, which has a memory 82a, an address register 82b, and a final address register 82c therein. Reference numeral 83 is a designated food image storage means, and the image size changing means 83 is provided inside.
a and an image memory 83b. Further, reference numeral 85 is a display means composed of a bitmap display. Also,
Reference numeral 87 is designated food storage means, which has a memory 87a inside. Further, reference numerals 580 to 584 are signal lines. Other than the above, the same components as those in the menu support device in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same numbers as in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the stored contents of the memory 82a. In FIG. 9, B1 to B5 are addresses.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the display means 85. In FIG. 10, 100 is a display screen of the display means 85, 101 is a cooking image display area, 1
02 is a food name display area, 103 is a detailed information display area, 1
Reference numerals 04a to 104d are designated food image display areas. The food image display area 101, the food name display area 102, and the detailed information display area 103 are 70% at the bottom of the display screen 100.
The image for 70% is read from the image memory 44 and displayed. On the other hand, the designated food image display area 10
4a to 104d are included in the upper 30% of the display screen 100, and the images for 30% are read from the image memory 83b and displayed.

The operation of each unit shown in FIG. 8 will be described below. For each dish, the dish attribute storage means 80d in the database 80 stores the main ingredients of the dish (for example, beef, sea bream, spinach, etc.), the cooking method (for example, French-style, Chinese-style, etc.), and the dish. The energy of intake (how many calories) and nutritional value (for example, how many grams of protein, how many units of vitamin A, etc.) when eating are memorized as the attributes of the dish, and these attributes are input. It is possible to output the identifier of the food group that matches the input attribute.

The operation of the menu support apparatus is started by inputting the attribute of the dish to be included in the menu from the keyboard 81. The attribute input from the keyboard 81 is output to the signal line 580.

The cooking attribute storage means 80d has a signal line 580.
The attribute supplied via the is read, and the identifier of the dish group that matches the attribute is output to the signal line 581.

The memory 82a in the image reading means 82 is a memory for storing a food identifier, and the address register 82b and the final address register 82c are the memory 8.
This is a register for storing the address of 2a.

When the food group identifier is supplied through the signal line 581, the image reading means 82 writes the supplied identifiers one by one from the address B1 located at the frontmost position of the memory 82a. Also, the address register 82
The address B1 is written in b, and the last address in the memory 82a where the identifier is written is written in the final address register 82c. Further, the value stored in the address B1 of the memory 82a is output to the signal line 511. For example, when the supplied food identifiers are three, namely, 7, 43, and 182, as shown in FIG. 9, the address B1 located at the forefront of the memory 82a is 7, and the next address B2. Is written to the address register 82b, the address B1 is written to the address register 82b, and the address B3 is written to the final address register 82c. Further, the value 7 stored in the address B1 of the memory 82a is output to the signal line 511.

The read instruction means 41 outputs the next image read instruction command or the previous image read instruction command to the signal line 510 in the same manner as the read instruction means 41 of FIG.

When the next image read instruction command is supplied through the signal line 510, the image reading means 82 reads the value stored in the address register 82b and the value stored in the final address register 82c and compares them. To do. As a result of the comparison, if the value stored in the address register 82b is smaller than the value stored in the final address register 82c, the address located one behind the address indicated by the address register 82b is calculated. The calculated value is stored in the address register 82b and the value of the memory 82a stored at the calculated address is read and output to the signal line 511. On the other hand, as a result of the comparison, if the two are equal, the address B1 located at the front of the memory 82a is stored in the address register 82b, and the value of the memory 82a stored at the address B1 is read out to the signal line 511. Output. For example, when the identifier group of FIG. 9 described above is stored in the memory 82a as an example, when the value of the address register 82b is B1, the value of the address register 82b is B1.
The value 43 stored in the address B2 of the memory 82a after being rewritten to 2 is output to the signal line 511. When the value of the address register 82b is B2, the value of the address register 82b is rewritten to B3 and the memory 82a
Value 182 stored at address B3 of the signal line 51
1 and the value of the address register 82b is B3, the value of the address register 82b is rewritten to B1 and the value 7 stored at the address B1 of the memory 82a is output to the signal line 511. become.

Further, the image reading means 82 uses the signal line 510.
When the previous image read instruction command is supplied via the, the value stored in the address register 82b is compared with the head address B1 of the memory 82a. As a result of the comparison, when the value stored in the address register 82b is larger than the address B1, the address located one ahead of the address indicated by the address register 82b is calculated and stored in the address register 82b. The value of the memory 82a stored at the calculated address is read and output to the signal line 511. On the other hand, as a result of the comparison, if the two are equal, the value stored in the final address register 82c is read, the read value is stored in the address register 82b, and the value read from the final address register 82c is stored. The value of the memory 82a being read is read and output to the signal line 511.

For example, taking the case where the identifier group of FIG. 9 is stored in the memory 82a as an example, when the value of the address register 82b is B3, the value of the address register 82b is Is rewritten to B2 and the value 43 stored in the address B2 of the memory 82a is output to the signal line 511, and the value of the address register 82b is changed to B2.
If it is, the value of the address register 82b is rewritten to B1 and the value 7 stored at the address B1 of the memory 82a is output to the signal line 511. If the value of the address register 82b is B1, The value of the address register 82b is rewritten to B3, and the value 182 stored in the address B3 of the memory 82a is output to the signal line 511. In this way, the identifiers of the food groups that match the attributes input from the keyboard 81 are sequentially output to the signal line 511.

The cooking image storage means 10a has a signal line 511.
Read the value supplied via
The image information of the dish indicated by this identifier is output to the signal line 512.

The image reading means 82 reads this image information through the signal line 512, and the signal line 51 is placed in a predetermined area of the image memory 44 corresponding to the cooking image display area 101.
Write via 3.

The dish name storage means 10b reads the value supplied via the signal line 511 as a dish identifier and outputs the dish name indicated by this identifier to the signal line 508 as a character code string.

The dish name reading means 43 reads this character code string and inputs it to the character generator 43a,
After converting into the image information, the image is written in a predetermined area of the image memory 44 corresponding to the dish name display area 102 through the signal line 509.

The detailed information storage means 40c stores detailed information about each dish, such as the nutritional value of each dish, the cooking method, and the origin of the dish, as a character code string. Can be read using
When the identifier of the dish is supplied via the signal line 511, the detailed information storage unit 40c outputs the detailed information of the dish indicated by the identifier to the signal line 541 as a character code string.

The detailed information reading means 47 refers to the signal line 540 when the character code string is supplied through the signal line 541. When the signal during continuous reading is supplied to the signal line 540, the character code string supplied via the signal line 541 is ignored, and the detailed information display area 103 of the memory 44 is displayed.
All pixels in the area corresponding to are colored in white via the signal line 542. On the other hand, if the signal during continuous reading is not supplied to the signal line 540, the character code string supplied via the signal line 541 is read and input to the character generator 47a, converted into image information, and then this image is displayed. Information is written in a predetermined area corresponding to the detailed information display area 103 of the image memory 44 through the signal line 542.

The display means 85 is the upper part 3 of the display screen 100.
0% of image information is output from the image memory 83b to the signal line 584.
The lower 70% of the image information is read from the image memory 44 through the signal line 514, and both image information are combined and displayed on the bitmap display.
However, in the image information in the image memory 83b, as described later, all pixels are initialized to white in the initial state.
Therefore, until the contents of the image memory 83b are rewritten, the designated cooking image display areas 104a to 104d included in the upper 30% of the display screen 100 on the display unit 85 are filled with white. The food image display area 101 and the food name display area 10 included in the lower 70% of the display screen 100
2 and the detailed information display area 103 have a keyboard 8
The completed color image of the dish matching the attribute input from 1, the dish name, and the detailed information are sequentially displayed.

The image designating means 46 outputs a cooking memory command to the signal line 515 in the same manner as the image designating means 46 of FIG.

When the food storage command is supplied through the signal line 515, the designated food storage means 87 stores the food at the address indicated by the value of the address register 82b among the food identifiers stored in the memory 82a. The identifier
The data is read out through the signal line 516 and stored in the address located at the frontmost position in the unused area in the memory 87a.

The image memory 83b in the designated food image storage means 83 is a memory for storing the image information of the food desired by the user of the menu support apparatus. In the initial state, all pixels of the image memory 83b are set to white pixels.

The designated food image storage means 83 uses the signal line 51.
When the cooking memory command is supplied to 5, the image memory 44
An image of a predetermined area corresponding to the food image display area 101 is read through the signal line 582 and input to the image size changing means 83a.

The image size changing means 83a generates image information by halving the input image in both the vertical and horizontal directions from the input image to generate the designated food image display area 10
In the area of the image memory 83b corresponding to the leftmost area in which all the pixels of 4a to 104d are set to white,
The generated image information is written via the signal line 583.

The image information written in the image memory 83b is displayed by the display means 85 as described above.

Therefore, in the designated food image display areas 104a to 104d of the display means 85, the image information of the food displayed in the food image display area 101 when the push button 16a is pressed is reduced and sequentially displayed. Will be done.

The operations of the procedure display instruction means 18 and the cooking procedure display means 19 are the same as those of the procedure display instruction means 1 shown in FIGS.
8 and the operation of the cooking procedure display means 19 are exactly the same, so detailed description will be omitted.

According to the present embodiment, the display means 8 is provided only for dishes that match the attributes input from the keyboard 81.
In the food image display area 100, the food name display area 101, and the detailed information display area 102 of No. 5, it is possible to sequentially display the image information of the finished food and its name and detailed information.

Regarding the image information designated by the image designating means 46, the cooking image display area 100 is displayed in the designated cooking image display areas 104a to 104d in the display screen 100.
Since the image of the food displayed in is reduced and continues to be displayed, the user can determine the food to be included in the menu while visually checking the color balance between the foods. . Compared to cookbooks, in order to check the color balance of multiple dishes in one book, it is necessary to alternately reference multiple pages with photos of each dish. According to this embodiment, images of a plurality of dishes are displayed at the same time, so that it is possible to more easily confirm the balance of color shades between the plurality of dishes than one.

The display screen 100 of the display means 85 is divided into an upper portion 30% and a lower portion 70%, and the lower 70% displays the image information read by the image reading means.
Since the image information stored in the designated food image storage means is displayed in%, the user can at a glance the image information read by the image reading means and the image information read by the designated food image storage means. It becomes possible to distinguish.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be carried out with appropriate modifications within the scope of the invention.

For example, in the first embodiment, the memory 17
Although the upper limit of the number of identifiers that a can store is set to 4, it may be set to a larger value or a smaller value.

In the first embodiment, the cooking image storage means 10a stores image information on the optical disk, and the cooking name storage means stores the cooking name on the hard disk. Is a semiconductor memory,
Other media may be used.

In the first to third embodiments, the display means 1 is used.
5, 45, 85 are not limited to the bit map display, but may be other types of display devices such as a raster scan type display such as a television screen, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, etc. As long as the image information can be displayed, there is no limitation on the implementation mode.

Also, the push buttons 11a, 16a, 46
A, 18a, 50 to 54 may be replaced with a specific key or a command input from the keyboard by providing a keyboard, or by displaying a corresponding icon on the display means 15, 45, 85, a mouse, or the like. It may be realized by selecting an icon with a pointing device such as a light pen.

In the first to third embodiments, instead of the cooking procedure display means 19, a database of materials required for each dish and a printer are provided to print a list of all the ingredients required for menus and the like. The food identifier stored in 17a may be used for other purposes. In this case,
Further, a numeric keypad for inputting the number of family members may be provided at the same time, and the amount of material may be automatically calculated according to the number of members. In this way, the user does not have to bother to calculate the amount of material according to the number of people, so that it is possible to realize a menu support device that is more user-friendly than a book.

Alternatively, the dish name storage means 10b and the dish name reading means 13 and 43 may not be provided, and only the image information of the dishes may be used to allow the user to determine the dishes to be included in the menu.

In the third embodiment, the display means 85
In the detailed information display area 103 of the
Instead of displaying only the nutritional value of the dish displayed in, the value added to the nutritional value of the dish displayed in the menu image display areas 104a to 104d may be calculated and displayed. In this way, the user does not have to bother to calculate the total nutritional value of the nutritional value consumed by the entire menu, and thus a menu support device that is easier to use than a book can be realized.

In the second to third embodiments, the character generator 43a and the character generator 47a have been described as being independent, but it is needless to say that the menu support device may be configured to share the both.

Further, in the third embodiment, the detailed information storage means 40c and the cooking attribute storage means 80d, such as ingredients for cooking, are included.
The information that is commonly stored by the users may be shared instead of being stored individually.

Further, the thinning rate when the image size changing means 83a thins out the image information may be a value other than ½, or the image may be enlarged instead of thinning it. .

Further, the ratio of the image information read from the image memory 83 and the image memory 44 by the display means 85 may be another ratio instead of 30% and 70%, or the image information read from the image memory 83 may be changed. The arrangement of the display screens may be changed, such as displaying on the left part of the display screen 100 and displaying the image information read from the image memory 44 on the right part of the display screen 100.

The menu support apparatus may be realized by software on a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer or by dedicated hardware.

The menu support device may be incorporated in a cooking device such as a microwave oven or a microwave oven, or a food storage device such as a refrigerator. In this case, by incorporating the display means on the side surface of the cooking device or the food storage device, it is possible to install the menu support device without newly occupying the kitchen space. Further, the display means may be incorporated in the door surface instead of the side surface of the cooking device or the food storage device. In this way, when installing a cooking device or food storage device,
Since the door surface is installed so as not to be hidden by other furniture or equipment, there is an advantage that it is guaranteed that the display means is not hidden by other furniture or equipment, compared to the case where the display means is incorporated on the side surface. ..

[0137]

As described above with reference to various examples, according to the present invention, the image of a large number of dishes can be viewed and the favorite dish can be visually and intuitively selected to make a menu. It is possible to realize a menu support device that can be decided.

More specifically, the image information of the food stored in the food image storage means is read by the image reading means and displayed on the display means based on the instruction of the read instructing means, and the image designating means is used. Since the dishes to be included in the menu are determined by designating the desired image information from the image information displayed on the display means, the user can select the dishes based on the image information of the dishes.

The time measuring means measures the time elapsed since the image reading was last instructed, and when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined value, a new image is read out to display means. Since the image information of the dishes is displayed one after another at a fixed time interval, the user can find the dishes to be included in the menu as if he or she were flipping through the photos printed on the paper. Become.

Further, the time interval setting means allows the user to freely set the time interval from the last reading of the image information to the reading of new image information.

Further, the image designating means is controlled so that the image of the dish can be designated only when the instruction of reading a new image with the lapse of time is issued by the reading designating means. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the dish different from the one desired by the user from being selected.

Further, the detailed information of the dishes is displayed on the display means only when the instruction to read a new image with the lapse of time is issued by the read instruction means, so that the images of the dishes are continuously read. During the displayed period, detailed information is displayed for a short time to prevent the display screen of the display unit from flickering, and when continuous reading of the image is stopped, it corresponds to the image. It becomes possible to display detailed information of the dish.

Also, the image information of the already selected food is
By displaying on the display means the image information of the dish under consideration whether or not to newly select it, the user can determine the menu while considering the color balance of each dish.

Further, the image screen of the display means can be effectively used by enlarging or reducing the image information of the already selected food by the image size changing means.

Further, the display screen of the display means is divided into two areas, the image information read by the image reading means is displayed in one of the two divided areas, and the designated food image storage means is displayed in the other area. By displaying the stored image information, it is possible to display the image information read by the image reading unit and the image information read by the designated dish image storing unit so that the user can distinguish at a glance. Become.

Further, by displaying the dish name read from the dish name storage means by the dish name reading means as characters on the display means, the dish intuitively found to the user by the image information can be re-created by the dish name. It becomes possible to confirm, and it becomes possible to make the selection of dishes fast and accurately.

Further, by placing the image information of the dish stored in the dish image storage means and the name of the dish stored in the dish name storage means on different media, comparison with the case where both are placed on the same medium Then, it is possible to reduce the time required for reading the stored information such as the seek time of the disc, and to speed up the reading of the image information and the cooking name.

Further, by reading the image information by the image reading means and the food name by the food name reading means in parallel, it is possible to further speed up the reading of the image information and the food name. Becomes

Further, by arranging the display means on the door of the cooking device, it is possible to realize the menu support device by effectively utilizing the door surface of the cooking device.

By arranging the display means on the side surface of the cooking device, it is possible to effectively utilize the side surface of the cooking device and realize the menu support device.

By arranging the display means on the door of the food storage device, the menu surface can be realized by effectively utilizing the door surface of the food storage device.

By arranging the display means on the side surface of the food storage container, the side surface of the food storage container can be effectively utilized,
It becomes possible to realize a menu support device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a menu support device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a display screen of the display means.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of values stored in the same memory.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a menu support device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the read instruction means.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the timing means.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a display screen of the display means.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a menu support device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of values stored in the memory.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a display screen of the display means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10a food image storage means 10b food name storage means 11, 41 read instruction means 12, 42, 82 image read means 13, 43 food name read means 14, 44 image memory 15, 45, 85 display means 16, 46 image designation means 17 , 87 designated food storage means 19 cooking procedure display means 40c detailed information storage means 47 detailed information reading means 56 timekeeping means 63 time interval setting means 83 designated food image storage means 83a image size changing means

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A dish image storage means in which image information of a plurality of dishes is stored, a read instructing means for instructing to read out image information, and stored in the cook image storing means based on an instruction of the read instructing means. Image reading means for reading the image information, display means for displaying the image information, image designating means for designating desired image information from the image information displayed on the display means, and image designating means for designating the image information. Menu support device including a designated food storage unit that stores the food corresponding to the image information. 2. The read instructing means has a clocking means for measuring the time elapsed since the last instruction to read out the image,
The menu support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the time elapsed measured by the time measuring means reaches a predetermined value, a new image is instructed to be read out. 3. The reading instructing means has a time interval setting means capable of setting a time interval for instructing the reading of a new image, and the elapsed time measured by the time measuring means is set by the time interval setting means. The menu support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the time interval is reached, a new image is read out. 4. The menu support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image designating means is capable of designating the image information only when the reading instruction means is not instructing to read a new image over time. 5. Detailed information storage means for storing detailed information of dishes, and this detailed information is read from the detailed information storage means, and the read detailed information is read instructing means for reading a new image with the passage of time. 3. The menu support apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising detailed information reading means for displaying on the display means only when it is not being performed by. 6. The menu support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising designated food image storage means for storing image information of the food stored by the designated food storage means and displaying the stored image information on the display means. 7. The designated food image storage means has a storage means for storing image information and an image size changing means for enlarging or reducing the image information, and displays an image whose resolution is converted by the image size changing means. The menu support device according to claim 6, which is displayed on the means. 8. The display screen of the display means is divided into two areas, one of the two divided areas displays the image information read by the image reading means, and the other is displayed by the designated food image storage means. 7. The stored image information is displayed.
Menu support device described. 9. A dish name storing means for storing a dish name,
The menu support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a food name reading unit that reads out the name of the food stored in the food name storage unit and displays the food name on the display unit. 10. The menu support apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image information of the dish stored in the dish image storage means and the name of the dish stored in the dish name storage means are placed on different media. 11. The menu support apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the reading of the image information by the image reading means and the reading of the food name by the food name reading means can be executed in parallel. 12. The menu support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means is arranged on the door of the cooker. 13. The menu support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means is arranged on the side surface of the cooking device. 14. The menu support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means is arranged on the door of the food storage container. 15. The menu support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means is arranged on the side surface of the food storage container.