JPH11118155A - Heating cooking appliance and information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heating cooking appliance and an information terminal to easily confirm the state in a chamber of the heating cooking even in a place spaced away from the heating cooking appliance and further simply set extension of a heating time in this place. SOLUTION: A heating cooking appliance 1 is provided with a processing means 12 for cooking an object to be cooked arranged in a chamber. Further, a heating processing appliance 1 comprises an imaging means 10 for imaging the state in the chamber; and a communication means 17 for transmitting the image picked up by the imaging means 10. Meanwhile, an information terminal 2 displays this image on a display means 19. The user effects setting by operating an operation means 20 while viewing the image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heating cooker for performing various heating processes such as heating, thawing, an oven, a grill, a toaster and the like on an object to be cooked such as food.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a normal cooking device, a door portion provided on the front surface is partially made of glass, and a user can visually recognize the inside of the refrigerator through the glass even when the door is closed. The cooking status can be confirmed by looking into the refrigerator. Then, if necessary, setting such as extension of the heat treatment time can be made.

[0003] As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-183319, it is possible to confirm the progress of cooking at a place away from the cooking device without directly looking into the cooking cabinet. In some cases, a microcomputer built in the cooking device transmits the current time and the content and process of cooking as a video output signal, and the signal is received by a receiver such as a television. However, just by looking at the time and contents of cooking and the process from the microcomputer, it was not possible to make the same confirmation as when looking directly into it.

A conventional microwave oven as an example of a heating cooker is provided with an image pickup means as described in JP-A-6-257756, whereby the shape, size and surface temperature distribution of the object to be cooked are provided. There was something that automatically detected and detected and adjusted the electromagnetic wave distribution so that the heating state became uniform, but in this case, the cooking was controlled automatically, so In some cases, the user was dissatisfied.

[0005]

As described above, in the former case (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-183319), checking only the cooking time and process is not enough to actually look into as a judgment. Did not. On the other hand, in the latter case (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 257756), heating can be performed evenly by automatic control. was there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to easily check the cooking situation in a cooking appliance even if the cooking appliance is located at a location distant from the cooking appliance, and to set the extension of the heating time at that location. It is an object to provide a heating cooker and an information terminal device which can easily perform the cooking.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a heating cooker having a processing means for performing a heating process on a cooking object arranged in a refrigerator, wherein a state of the refrigerator is photographed. And a transmitting unit for transmitting an image captured by the imaging unit.

According to such a configuration, the cooking device heats the object to be cooked by the processing means such as the magnetron.
During cooking of the object to be cooked, the heating cooker takes an image of the inside of the refrigerator with the imaging means, and transmits an image obtained by the imaging means to the information terminal device or the like from the transmission means. This allows the user to check the heating status of the object to be cooked on the information terminal device or the like with an image even at a place away from the heating cooker. Further, if the cooking device can receive a setting signal such as extension of the heating time from the information terminal device, the user can set the heating process at a location away from the cooking device.

[0009] In the present invention, in the above structure, the storage means for storing an initial image of the inside of the storage, and the image pickup means may take a photograph when the object to be cooked is not left in the storage after the heating process. A determination unit for comparing the obtained image with the initial image and a unit for notifying a warning when the images do not match are provided.

In such a configuration, the interior of the refrigerator is photographed when there is no dirt such as at the start of use, and the image is stored in the storage means as an initial image. Thereafter, when the cooking object is removed after the cooking, the cooking device takes a picture of the state in the refrigerator and compares it with the initial image. If the two images do not match, the cooking device determines that dirt has adhered to the inside of the refrigerator, and issues a warning to prevent danger such as ignition or smoking due to the dirt.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an information terminal device capable of bidirectional communication with the cooking device having the above-mentioned configuration, wherein the display device displays an image sent from the cooking device; Operating means for sending a setting signal to the cooking device.

According to such a configuration, the information terminal device displays images and information sent from the cooking device on a display means such as a liquid crystal screen. Thus, the user can check the state of the inside of the refrigerator even in a place away from the cooking device, and can make settings such as extension of the heating time by operating the operation means.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of a heating cooker 1 and an information terminal device 2 according to the present embodiment. The heating cooker 1 includes a door 3 on a front surface thereof, an operation means 4 for displaying the progress of cooking and setting of cooking contents, and a communication means 5 for communicating with the information terminal device 2.

Although not shown in FIG.
Is provided with an image pickup means for photographing the state of the inside of the refrigerator. Part of the door 3 is made of glass, so that the user can visually recognize the inside of the refrigerator even in a closed state. Further, the communication unit 5 includes a transmission unit that transmits an image or the like of a state of the inside of the storage, and a reception unit that receives a setting signal from the information terminal device 2.

On the other hand, the information terminal device 2 is provided with a display means 6 such as a liquid crystal screen and a fixed operation means 7 for operating the cooking device 1, and communicates bidirectionally with the cooking device 1 on the side surface. The communication means 8 is provided. The display means 6 displays an image or the like sent from the cooking device 1. Further, the display means 6 may display not only information on cooking but also any information or image such as the current time as long as the information is from the heating cooker 1. The fixed operation means 7 is a key switch as described later. It should be noted that the information terminal device 2 is not provided uniquely for the cooking device 1, but may be used without any limitation as long as it has an interface such as a communication system.

Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the cooking device 1 and the information terminal device 2. As shown in FIG. The heating cooker 1 is provided with control means 16 for controlling various means described below. Further, the imaging means 10 is for taking an image of the inside of the storage and taking it as an image, and is, for example, a CCD camera or a MOS camera.

The detecting means 11 is composed of various sensors for detecting the cooking condition of the cooking object in the storage and the like and its detecting circuit. The various sensors include a weight sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a color sensor, a shape sensor and the like. There is. Load processing means 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes a unit for performing a heating process or the like on the object to be cooked under the control of the control unit 16. Examples of the unit for directly heating include a magnetron, an open flame heater, and a convection heater. The load processing means 12 also includes a turntable on which the object to be cooked is mounted and rotated, a fan for ventilation, and the like.

The operating means 13 is a circuit for detecting the opening and closing of the door 3 in FIG. 1, the operating means 4 and the like, and is a place for inputting information necessary for setting and operation of cooking. The storage unit 15 stores images captured by the imaging unit 10, various heating control sequences, and the like.

The calculating means 14 calculates the optimum heating control sequence from the heating control sequence and the like stored in the storage means 15 based on the information from the detecting means 11 and the settings in the operating means 13. It conveys the result. The information included in the result includes information indicating the progress of the heating process, such as the remaining time until the end of cooking.

The communication means 17 has a transmitting means and a receiving means, and performs bidirectional communication with the information terminal equipment 2.
The communication unit 17 transmits the image photographed by the imaging unit 10, the information detected by the detection unit 11, the result obtained by the calculation unit 14, and the like to the information terminal device 2, and conversely, the setting signal from the information terminal device 2 To receive. The communication method is IrDA (Infr
ared Data Association) and SS (Spectrum Spread) radio are used.

One information terminal device 2 is provided with control means 23 for controlling the entire information terminal device 2. The display unit 19 displays the image sent from the heating cooker 1, the remaining cooking time, the cooking recipe data stored in the storage unit 21, and the like. The display means 19 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) in the case of a liquid crystal screen.
It consists of a panel, an LCD drive circuit, an LCD backlight and the like.

The operating means 20 is for setting such as extension of the heating time. For example, the fixed operating means 7 shown in FIG.
And a pseudo operation unit displayed on the display unit 6. The pseudo operation unit will be described later. The storage unit 21 stores the recipe data displayed on the display unit 19 in accordance with the progress of the cooking, the contents of the settings in the operation unit 20, the information indicating the progress of the cooking sent from the heating cooker 1, and the like. It is something to remember.

The calculating means 22 generates a setting signal based on the image transmitted from the heating cooker 1 or information indicating the progress of cooking and the contents set by the operating means 20, and displays the cooking recipe to be displayed on the display means 19. It is to select data. The communication means 24 communicates with the cooking device 1, receives images and the like from the cooking device 1, and conversely transmits a setting signal indicating extension of the heating time in the information terminal device 2. .

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation during cooking of the cooking device 1 and the information terminal device 2 during heating. When performing heating cooking, the user first opens the door 3, places the object 43 on the turntable 26, and closes the door 3. Then, the operating means 4 is operated to set the heating intensity and the like, and the heating operation process is started. The cooking object 43 is heated by, for example, a magnetron (not shown).

At this time, the state inside the refrigerator is photographed by the imaging means 25 installed in the refrigerator, and the photographed image is wirelessly transmitted from the communication means 5 to the communication means 8 of the information terminal device 2. The information terminal device 2 displays an image from the cooking device 1 on the display unit 6. In FIG. 3, the turntable 28
And the cooking object 27 are illustrated.

Thus, the user can use the information terminal device 2 to view the state of the inside of the refrigerator as an image even in a place away from the heating cooker 1, so that the user can check the progress of cooking. In addition, as a type of heating cooking, an image can be displayed on the information terminal device 2 in all modes that can be operated by the heating cooker 1, such as oven cooking and thawing.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the fixed operation means 7 of the information terminal device 2. The fixed operation means 7 is operated for setting the heat treatment. In the fixed operating means 7, the key switch 29 is a switch for turning on / off the operation of the cooking device. When the cooking device 1 (see FIG. 1 and the like) is operating by pressing the switch 29, When the operation is stopped and the operation is stopped, the automatic heating operation is started. The automatic heating operation is a heating process performed by the heating cooker 1 according to a heating control sequence set by a user.

The key switch 30 is a time extension switch, and every time the switch 30 is pressed, the operation time of the cooking device 1 is extended by, for example, 10 seconds. The key switch 31 is for raising the internal temperature during the oven cooking operation of the heating cooker 1. On the other hand, the key switch 32 is for lowering the internal temperature during the oven cooking operation of the heating cooker.

The user can check the state of the inside of the refrigerator on the display means 6 even if the user is away from the cooking device 1,
Operations 9 to 32 can be performed. The information terminal device 2 immediately transmits a setting signal to stop operation and the like. The fixed operation means 7 includes not only the above-mentioned key switch, but also a power on / off switch of the information terminal device 2 itself and a display means 6.
A switch or the like for switching the display in the above may be provided. This is because the information terminal device 2 may be used independently of the cooking device 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display means 6 of the information terminal device 2. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this example, the simulated operation section 33 is displayed on the display means 6 and has the same arrangement as the operation means 4 of the heating cooker 1. Display means 6
For example, a touch panel made of a transparent electrode is formed on the surface of the display screen, for example, and the same operation as the operation means 4 of the heating cooker 1 can be performed by pressing the surface of the pseudo operation unit 33. Note that the pseudo operation unit 33 corresponds to the operation unit 20 in the block diagram of FIG.

Therefore, the same operation as the operation means 4 can be performed not only during the setting before the start of heating but also during the cooking and heating. The display means 6 displays not only the pseudo operation unit 33 but also, for example, display of cooking information and operation contents of a key switch, an operation method, and the like.
A guidance unit 34 for indicating information or the like obtained by the detection unit 11 (see FIG. 2) of the cooking device 1 may be displayed.
During cooking, a changeover switch (not shown) may be used to switch between the image display shown in FIG. 3 and the display including the simulated operation unit 33 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the screen display of the information terminal device 2 (see FIG. 1 and the like). As described above, the display means 6 has a touch panel formed of, for example, an immediate electrode on the surface as described above, and includes a guidance unit 35 for displaying cooking recipe data, explanation of cooking contents, and the like, and the cooking device 1 (FIG. 1).
, Etc.) for displaying an image photographed in
And a pseudo operation unit 37 for setting.

The guidance section 35 is normally operated by the calculating means 22 from the data stored in the storage means 21 in the information terminal device 2 (see FIG. 2) based on information indicating the progress of cooking from the cooking device 1. The data is selected and displayed. By pressing the "front" switch 47 or the "rear" switch 48, it is possible to scroll forward and backward. Therefore, the user can see the contents of the data displayed before and the contents displayed after this.

FIG. 6 shows an example of baking a cake. In the automatic operation based on the heating control sequence at this time, when the upper part of the cake is baked as a cooking procedure, the heating power of the upper heater located above the object to be cooked is reduced. At this time, the current control content and the control content to be performed are also displayed on the guidance unit 35, and placed on the turntable 45 from the heating cooker 1 (see FIG. 1 and the like) on the in-compartment image unit 36. An image of the cake 46 is displayed.

In the simulated operation section 37, "upper heater temperature 16
The content of the setting target is displayed, for example, “0 ° C.”. Then, a switch 39 for raising the temperature and a switch 40 for lowering the temperature are displayed. Also, a switch 41 for turning on / off the heating operation is displayed on the screen.

Thus, if the user, for example, wants to "burn a little more" while watching the screen display, he can press the upper button 39 to increase the heating power of the upper heater. On the other hand, if you think "it's colored enough,"
By pressing the lower switch 40, the heating power of the upper heater can be reduced or the operation can be terminated.

As another example of cooking, when cheese is placed on the toast and the range is heated, a stop switch and a time extension switch are displayed on the simulated operation unit 37, and by operating these switches, the cheese is melted according to the degree of melting. To adjust the heating time.

As described above, since the arrangement of the switches and the like can be freely determined in the simulated operation section 37, the setting according to the progress of cooking can be easily performed. As described above, the pseudo operation unit 37 is easy to operate and convenient. Further, the guidance unit 35 may display information on preparation for cooking, or may display the contents of a cooking recipe giving instructions such as “mix” and “add” during cooking.

FIG. 7 shows another display example of the display means 6. In FIG. 7, the same parts as those in FIG. The display unit 6 displays the remaining cooking time 42 sent from the heating cooker 1 (see FIG. 1 and the like) in addition to the guidance unit 35, the in-compartment image unit 36, and the pseudo operation unit 37. Thus, the remaining time until the end of cooking can be confirmed at a place apart from the cooking device 1, and the cooking time can be extended by pressing the time extension switch 30 (see FIG. 4). Can be instructed.

The remaining time 42 may be displayed during cooking even when all of the guidance unit 35, the in-compartment image unit 36, and the pseudo operation unit 37 are not displayed on the screen. Further, even when the information terminal device 2 is used for a purpose other than the confirmation of the heating cooking, the remaining cooking time 42 may be displayed. At this time, there is no particular problem because the small space of the display means 6 can be sufficiently used. This eliminates the need for the user to look directly into the interior of the cooking device 1, so that time can be efficiently used for operations such as cooking.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of control executed by the heating cooker 1 (see FIG. 1 and the like) for improving safety. First, in step S1, the initial image A is stored in the storage unit 15
(See FIG. 2). When the initial image is not stored (A = 0), step S2
Then, when there is no cooking object remaining after the first operation of the heating cooker 1, an image is taken by the imaging means 10, and an image obtained by this is stored in the storage means 15 as an initial image A. Then, the process proceeds to step S3.

When the initial image A exists in step S1, the process directly proceeds to step S3. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the operation of the heating cooker 1 has been completed. If the operation has not been completed, the process returns. On the other hand, if the driving has been completed, the process proceeds to step S4, and when there is no remaining cooking object, the state of the inside of the refrigerator is photographed by the imaging means 10 to obtain a captured image B. Next, in step S5, the arithmetic unit 14 (see FIG. 2) compares the initial image A with the captured image B.

As a result of comparing the two images, when the images match (A = B), it is determined that the inside of the refrigerator is not dirty, and the processing is returned. On the other hand, if they do not match, it is determined that dirt has adhered to the inside of the refrigerator, and a warning is given to the user by the operation means 4 or the display means 6 in step S6. If dirt adheres to the interior of the refrigerator, the heat treatment causes abnormal heat generation there and there is a danger of ignition or smoking. Therefore, the user is notified of this and the user is requested to remove the dirt.

As described above, the user can cook using the information terminal device 2 at a remote place without looking directly into the inside of the refrigerator from the glass part of the door 3 of the heating cooker 1 (see FIG. 1). You can check the progress of the work. Then, it is also possible to change the heating time by operating the information terminal device 2 while observing the situation. The simulated operation unit 33 (see FIG. 5) displays such that the switches are arranged in the same manner as the operation unit 4,
The display can be changed so that necessary settings can be made in the simulated operation unit 37 (see FIG. 6) in accordance with the recipe data, so that it is very easy to use.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, a user can view an image of a state inside a refrigerator at a place away from the cooking device. In addition, it is possible to change the operation or the like on the spot in accordance with the progress of the heating cooking or the like, so that the heating level can be adjusted according to the personal preference of the user.

The operability is improved by using the simulated operation unit, and the operation becomes easy. Also,
Based on the cooking recipe data, necessary settings can be made in appropriate places without missing the timing in accordance with the progress of cooking, so that there is an effect of preventing cooking from failing. Further, since the information terminal device displays the remaining time of heating, it is possible to improve the work efficiency of cooking and the like. In addition, the heating cooker automatically detects the danger of ignition, smoke, and the like due to dirt in the refrigerator and notifies the danger, thereby improving safety.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an embodiment of a heating cooker and an information terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the cooking device and the information terminal device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of the cooking device and the information terminal device during cooking.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a fixed operation unit of the information terminal device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of the cooking device and the information terminal device during cooking.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of a display unit of the information terminal device.

FIG. 7 is a view showing another example of the screen display.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a part of control of the cooking device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooking device 2 Information terminal device 3 Door 4 Operating means 5 Communication means 6 Display means 7 Fixed operation means 8 Communication means 10 Imaging means 11 Detecting means 12 Load processing means 13 Operating means 14 Computing means 15 Storage means 16 Control means 17 Communication Means 19 Display means 20 Operating means 21 Storage means 22 Calculation means 23 Control means 24 Communication means 33 Pseudo operation unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A heating cooker having a processing unit for performing a heating process on a cooking object arranged in a refrigerator, wherein: an imaging unit for capturing a state of the interior of the refrigerator; and an image captured by the imaging unit. And a transmission means for transmitting the information. 2. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits information indicating a progress of the heating process. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving means for receiving a setting signal for the heat treatment given from outside, and control means for controlling the processing means based on the setting signal. Item 3. A heating cooker according to Item 2. 4. A storage unit for storing an initial image in the storage, and an image obtained by the imaging unit when the object to be cooked does not remain in the storage after the heating process, is stored in the initial image. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a determination unit configured to compare with the image processing unit; and a unit configured to notify a warning when the images do not match. 5. An information terminal device capable of bidirectional communication with the cooking device according to claim 3, wherein the display device displays an image sent from the cooking device, and the heating device includes: An information terminal device comprising: operating means for sending a setting signal to a cooker. 6. The information terminal device according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the operation unit is a pseudo operation unit displayed on the display unit and operated by the display unit. 7. A storage unit for storing cooking recipe data, and data to be displayed on the display unit is selected from the storage unit based on an image sent from the cooking device or information indicating a progress of a heating process. 7. The information terminal device according to claim 6, further comprising: a calculation unit that performs a predetermined display on the pseudo operation unit. 8. A bidirectional communication with the cooking device according to claim 2, further comprising a receiving unit for receiving a setting signal of the heating process, and a control unit for controlling the processing unit based on the setting signal. A possible information terminal device, comprising: display means for displaying an image sent from the cooking device; and operating means for sending a setting signal to the cooking device, wherein the display device includes the cooking device. An information terminal device for displaying a remaining cooking time based on information sent from a cooking vessel.