JPH08242779A - Cooking assisting system and assisting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable easy, accurate and efficient cooking operation and, accordingly, improve the quality of the cooked food by using a function to control the progress of cooking and informing a cook of the finish time of each operation step. CONSTITUTION: This cooking assisting system is composed of a controller, a timer, a memory, a display, a voice-outputting apparatus and an inputting apparatus. In each step of individual cooking stored in the memory, individual data comprising the explanation to describe the method of the cooking step, the time (e.g. in minutes) necessary for the step, a voice message to report the end of the step and an image to display the method of the step are outputted to a display or a voice outputting apparatus interlocked with the progress of the cooking operation, or these data are allowed to be easily retrievable from the cooking method, materials for the cooking, etc.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for assisting the preparation of dishes, and is used in all fields requiring food processing, such as processing food products that require a specific cooking method by hand, and supporting manufacturing. Providing various information to support the preparation of food on the output means, and for processes that require time management, this is measured by a timer device and the remaining time is output to the output means in conjunction with the food preparation procedure. The present invention relates to a cooking support system that outputs and notifies by sound of the end time of the work process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a wide range of applications have been developed in which a user interface is further enhanced by capturing voices and images against the backdrop of an increase in CPU capacity, an increase in hard disk capacity, and the spread of CD-ROM. It is becoming available.

On the other hand, a recipe (recipe) that explains each process and ingredients for cooking a dish has been developed as a "reading material" mainly for women's magazines and so on. The information was effective in understanding the preparation process and procedure for cooking, or enhancing the cooking repertoire.

[0004] After that, apart from the provision of information by magazine media, the flow of pursuing "listiness" of these information spreads, this recipe was written on a card-like paper, and indexes were prepared in the order of the Japanese syllabary of the cooking name. Attached and organized, the cook can also instantly retrieve a recipe card for a desired dish.

Further, in recent years, this recipe management has gained the power of a computer, and it has become possible to record the recipe information in a hard disk, a CD-ROM, or a memory and display it freely on a display device of the computer. In addition, several sets of still images showing cooking methods and finished images of the ingredients are prepared for these recipe information.
It is even possible to search for a desired dish based on the dish name or the like.

[0006] However, the management of the time of each preparation process (for example, the cooking time of ingredients, the steaming time of cooking, etc.), which is indispensable for the preparation of food, and the audio notification ("Please turn off the fire" etc.), No computer system is provided to link with the cooking procedure.

At present, various patent applications have been filed as devices for notifying the time. For example, after arbitrarily setting a predetermined time, start the measurement by a timer device to obtain the elapsed time, or obtain the remaining time from the elapsed time and the set time to the set time, and calculate the elapsed time or the remaining time. An application has been filed for a device for outputting at least one of the time information as a voice message from a voice output means at predetermined time intervals (Patent application number: Sho 60-21961).
"Voice time notification device", filed on February 8, 1985).

Further, as a similar application, in a heating device for performing timer control or temperature control, the remaining heating time or the heating elapsed time and the current temperature of the controlled part are automatically set at certain intervals during the heating operation. There is an application for a device for voice notification (Patent application number: Sho 54-13
4943 "Heating device", filed on October 18, 1979). However, in spite of many applications for a device for notifying such time and other information by voice, as in the present invention, time management linked to the cooking procedure and voice notification are realized. No application has been filed for the device.

[0009]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] When cooking,
Usually, it is desirable to store the recipe of each dish in advance and cook according to the procedure and method according to the recipe. However, modern cooking tends to use more ingredients, requires more complicated cooking methods, and requires more cooking, and it is difficult to remember all these recipes and execute them exactly. Is. Therefore, it has been conventionally practiced to work with a magazine or the like in the kitchen with one hand. The contents of this magazine are recorded in a recording medium, and the one read out is read on a display connected to a computer. The era of cooking is changing.

However, even by this method, the conventional recipe is merely displayed on the display connected to the computer, and the process of seeing the recipe and starting the work is the same as the conventional one, and the time management is continued. Required steps (as opposed to the work of washing, cutting and peeling the ingredients, the time of that step is an important point of the quality of the dishes, such as the cooking time of the ingredients and the steaming time of the dishes. ) Had to be measured individually with a clock or the like, and it was necessary to separately prepare a clock and a stopwatch for time measurement, and to memorize the scheduled end time, make a note, or set the time. Therefore, due to mistakes in memories and memos, mistakes in time setting, etc., many cooks cause problems such as excess and shortage of boiling time and steaming time in this process, which eventually deteriorates the quality of cooking.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention assists each step with an explanatory text and / or an image when preparing each dish, and those steps. For at least one of the above, there is provided an apparatus and method for managing the required time and notifying the end of the process by voice.

According to the present invention, a timer means for measuring from the start to the end of each cooking step, a storage means for storing various data relating to the cooking step and voice data indicating the end of the step, and an instruction for a cooking method are output. Each device is electrically connected to each other by an output unit, a voice output unit for outputting a voice based on the voice data to notify the end of the process, and a control unit for controlling each unit. , Necessary signals and data are transferred between the respective devices.

According to the present invention, the elapsed time of each cooking process and timer means for measuring from start to finish, storage means for storing description, time, voice and image data regarding each cooking process, description, image. Data, user selection button, input area, cooking process elapsed time, output means for outputting search results, audio output means for outputting audio based on the audio data to notify the end of the process, It is composed of an input means for user selection or an instruction to the input area, an interface between the above means, and a control means for controlling the processing flow. Each device is electrically connected to each other. Various signals and data required between the devices are transmitted. The timer means uses a built-in timer included in the computer.

With the above-mentioned device, it is possible to retrieve the data relating to the dish from the dish name and the ingredient name. Also, the above description and image data are output according to the progress of the dish
It is possible to output the elapsed time of a cooking process that requires time management and to notify the end of the cooking process by voice according to a preset time.

The term "cooking" as used herein does not represent only a series of complete work flows for preparing individual unprocessed materials to finished dishes.
A work flow that includes only a part of a cooking process of cooking or a process of preparing ingredients is also defined as "cooking".

Further, any output device such as a display device, a printing device, a voice output device or the like can be used as the output means for outputting the cooking method instruction, the cooking process elapsed time, the search result and the like.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, referring to FIG. 1, the components of a cooking assistance system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. A block diagram of FIG. 1 shows a computer system for carrying out the present invention, in which components are connected by lines showing functional or electrical relationships. The control device 1 is connected to each component of the timer device 2, the storage device 3, the display device 4, the audio output device 5, and the input device 6, and exchanges a signal regarding necessary information with each component. .

The timer device 2 measures the time and holds the measurement result based on a command from the control device, and transmits the measurement result to the control device 1.

The storage device 3 is shown as a hard disk in this example, but may be a memory, a CD-ROM, an external disk or any other storage device. Here, the main table, explanation data table,
A voice data table, an image data table, and the like are stored, which serves as a storage unit for storing various data regarding the cooking process and voice data indicating the end of the process. The storage device 3 is read and written from the control device 1 as needed.

The display device 4 selects or inputs the explanatory text data and image data transmitted from the control device 1, the remaining time based on the measurement result of the timer device 2, and the display screen flow such as buttons. The area is displayed. The display device 4 serves as an output unit for outputting a cooking method instruction.

The voice output device 5 is a sound generation device such as a speaker that outputs a voice by a voice signal converted from the voice data stored in the storage device 3 by a voice control mechanism included in the control device 1. In this case, the control device 1 determines the timing of outputting the sound based on the information from the timer device 2 and the storage device 3 as described later.

The input device 6 is an input means such as a mouse, a keyboard, a pen, etc. used for selecting or inputting to a button on the screen, an input area or the like, and the user can use the input device to make a system concerned. Perform the desired operation.

Further, FIG. 1 shows only one embodiment for the purpose of explanation, and another structure having the same function as the present invention will be described.
It is possible for a person skilled in the art to easily think of this, and in order to carry out the present invention, it is not always necessary to use a general-purpose machine such as a personal computer which is becoming widespread in each home. Any type of computer having the above configuration can be used, and can also be realized as a dedicated machine for cooking support.

The embodiment of the embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 2 and various data stored in the storage device of FIG. In the embodiment according to the present invention, a dish is first searched for from a dish name, a material name, and the like, and when a dish to be created is selected from the retrieved dishes, the control device 1 causes the selected dish to The position of the main table that stores the data related to the preparation procedure is specified, and the title and ingredients of the dish are displayed on the display device. At the same time, a button titled "See cooking method" is displayed on this screen, and when the operator selects it with a mouse or the like, the work steps are ordered in the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. View on the street.

FIG. 3 shows main tables used in the system. The main table has an index corresponding to the cooking procedure, and a description sentence address, time data (for example, in minutes), a voice address, and an image address related to the cooking procedure are set in the same row as the index. The explanation sentence address stores the explanation sentence of each step, similarly indicates the address on the explanation sentence data table shown in FIG. 3, and the time data represents the time required for the step, the voice address, and The image address indicates an address on the voice data table (also described in FIG. 3) and the address on the image data table (not shown), like the description sentence address. However, while the explanatory note data in the explanatory note data table is text data that can be arbitrarily modified and added using an editor, etc., the audio and image data in the audio and image data table Note that is data representing audio, images that can be interpreted by any mechanism or software, and is typically stored in a format that is not human interpretable. That is, the voice data does not always have the image shown in FIG.

However, in recent years, a system for converting text data into voice has been devised, and in the case of such a system, the data can be read by a human, and
It is also easy to modify. In this embodiment, a system for uttering text data is used (an example of the above system is VC2 of Ricoh Co., Ltd.).

Referring again to FIG. 2, the following description will be given according to this flow chart. When the "view cooking method" button is selected, the control device 1 reads the explanation sentence address 100 corresponding to the index 1 relating to the first step from the main table shown in FIG. 3, and further the explanation corresponding to the index 100. Read the descriptive data "Put water and ingredients in the pan" in the sentence data table and display it on the display with a button titled "See cooking instructions" (blocks 11 and 12) and index 1 0 minutes of time data corresponding to is read from the main table (block 13). After that, it is determined whether the "next" button has been selected (decision 14), and the process loops until it is selected. When the above button is selected, the time data determination is started. If the time data read by the step is 0 (decision 15), that is, if the process does not need time management, the next process, that is, the current index 1 is incremented and the index is set to 2 (block 24), the same operation is repeated for index 2 on the main table and subsequent indexes. In the determination 25, it is determined whether or not the data corresponding to the incremented index still exists on the main table, and the process ends when it does not exist, that is, when all the cooking steps are completed. This determination can be realized by a method known to those skilled in the art, such as storing the last index number in another area for comparison, and making the last index number a bit string other than a specific number.

If the time data is not 0 in decision 15, the time data is set for the timer and the timer start button is newly displayed on the display device (blocks 16 and 17). Judgment
In 18 loop until this timer start button is pressed,
If pressed, immediately start the timer (block 19),
The voice address corresponding to the index is read from the main table and set for voice output (block 2
0). After that, in order to display the remaining time on the display device,
Display and loop at predetermined intervals (block 21). When the timer has passed the set time, the audio output process of block 23 is started by a process such as a timer interrupt,
The loop process in block 21 is canceled, and the process for the next index is performed.

Although a series of processing flows of the system according to the present invention is shown with reference to FIG. 2, this is merely an example for explanation, and for example, for interrupting the processing,
Steps to judge and process pressing of the cancel key etc.,
It should be noted that the step of outputting the image relating to the process when the “view cooking method” button is pressed is omitted.

FIG. 4 shows a screen of the display device in another embodiment according to the present invention immediately after selecting a dish to be prepared and the first step is not displayed yet. or,
FIG. 5 is a screen of the display device at the step advanced to step 14. By selecting the “view cooking method” button, a useful image of the current process is displayed on the right half of the screen. FIG. 6 shows a state before a timer start button of the process is pushed to a process requiring time management,
FIG. 7 is a screen displaying the remaining time of the process (for example, the time for steaming the material) at predetermined intervals. When the remaining time becomes 0, if there is a next step, the explanation of the step is displayed.

The processing flow of the embodiments of the present invention has been described above mainly with reference to FIG. 2. However, these embodiments are merely provided for illustrating the principle of the present invention, and It will be apparent that other embodiments can be readily constructed by those skilled in the art using these principles without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0032]

According to the present invention, a sentence explaining a cooking procedure and an image are provided at the same time as the cooking work, and the time required for each step based on the recipe can be managed, and the completion of the cooking can be notified by a voice message. Since the notification can be given, the cooking work can be performed more easily, accurately, and efficiently, and as a result, the quality of cooking can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, a search function for appropriately outputting the corresponding recipe from the desired cooking name or ingredient name by the output means of the computer is provided, whereby a quick and efficient search for a cooking method and You can devise and assemble the menu.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a procedure of displaying explanations and outputting a voice message in the embodiment of the cooking assistance system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing data of a main table to be used, explanation sentence data stored at an address stored in the table, and a voice message in the embodiment of the cooking assistance system according to the present invention. .

FIG. 4 is a display screen immediately after determining a dish to be cooked in the embodiment of the cooking assistance system according to the present invention.

5 is a display screen at the time of step 14 in FIG. 2 of the embodiment of the cooking assistance system according to the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a display screen in a working example of the cooking assistance system according to the present invention before proceeding to a process requiring time management and pressing a timer start button of the process.

FIG. 7 is a display screen showing a remaining time of a process that requires time management of dishes to be cooked in the embodiment of the cooking assistance system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Control Device 2 Timer Device 3 Storage Device 4 Display Device 5 Voice Output Device 6 Input Device

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A timer means for measuring from the start to the end of each cooking step, a storage means for storing various data relating to the cooking step and voice data indicating the end of the step, and an output means for outputting an instruction of a cooking method. , Various kinds of data stored in the storage unit, which are composed of a voice output unit for outputting a voice based on the voice data to notify the end of the process, and a control unit for controlling each unit. Is output from the output means, the time required for at least one of the steps is measured by the timer means, and the sound output means outputs sound based on the sound data stored in the storage means according to the measurement. A cooking assistance system configured to output. 2. A user is provided with an input unit for inputting a command to the control unit, and a dish corresponding to a keyword such as a dish name and ingredients input from the input unit is searched and stored in the storage unit. The data relating to the creation of the prepared food, the output means,
And the device according to claim 1, which outputs to the audio output means. 3. A user is provided with input means for inputting a command to said control means, and in regard to at least one step requiring time management, said storage means stores the required time of the corresponding step of the corresponding dish. The signal is stored as the time data, the timer means is activated by the user from the input means at the start of the corresponding step, and sends a signal indicating the end of the corresponding step to the control means when the required time is reached. The cooking support system according to claim 1, wherein the voice output means is activated when the control means receives a signal indicating the end of the process. 4. An input means for a user to input a command to the control means, wherein the timer means is activated from the input means by the user at the start of the corresponding step, and the timer means responds at a predetermined interval. A signal indicating the passage of time of the step, and a signal indicating the end of the corresponding step at the time when the required time is reached, transmitted to the control means, and when the signal indicates the passage of time, the control means is When the elapsed time is output to the output means to indicate the end of the process, the control means converts the audio data of the corresponding step of the corresponding dish stored in the storage means to the audio output means. The device according to claim 1, which outputs. 5. A method of assisting each step in preparing a dish, the method comprising the step of retrieving data relating to the dish corresponding to the dish name, ingredient name, etc., and each of the steps. And a step of outputting the image data related to the execution of the process in association with the progress of cooking, and of at least one process requiring time management among the above-mentioned processes, the requirement of the process actually spent. Measuring the time by the timer means and, when a given time has elapsed, outputting the voice data registered in advance to the voice output means to notify the end of the process. The method as described above. 6. A dish corresponding to a keyword such as a dish name and ingredients input from the input unit is searched, and the data relating to the creation of the dish stored in the storage unit is output to the output unit and the voice. 6. Outputting to output means
The method described in. 7. When creating a dish, the time required for the corresponding step of the corresponding dish is stored as the time data in the storage means for at least one step that requires time management, and the timer means is used. , A signal which is activated by the user from the input means at the start of the corresponding step, and which shows a time elapse of the corresponding step at a predetermined interval, and a signal which shows the end of the corresponding step when the required time is reached. To the control means, and when the signal indicates the passage of time, the control means outputs the elapsed time to the output means, and when it indicates the end of the process, the control means causes the storage means to The method according to claim 5, wherein the voice data of the corresponding step of the corresponding dish stored in is converted and output to the voice output means. 8. In the cooking process, in order to output the cooking information and voice along the work flow,
A method of using a timer for obtaining the elapsed time of the process and a required time, the method comprising the steps of starting measurement at the start of the process, and thereafter retaining information on the elapsed time at regular intervals, The method, further comprising the step of retaining information indicating that the time has elapsed when the given time has elapsed, wherein the timer is a timer using a clock signal of a computer.