JPS6226026A - Rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a rice cooker equipped with an alarm that provides notification regarding a rice cooking operation at a predetermined time of the rice cooking operation.

[Technical Background of the Invention] For example, in a rice cooker equipped with a rice cooking control circuit composed of a microcomputer, a timer function of the microcomputer is used to set an alarm at a predetermined time of the rice cooking operation, for example, at the end of the rice cooking process or at the end of the rice cooking process. There is a device that is driven to notify you when the rice is cooked.

[Problems with the Background Art] This type of rice cooker is extremely convenient in practice because it can use an alarm to notify when the rice is cooked. sound m
is large and constant, so when the user is going to bed and the alarm time is earlier than the user's scheduled wake-up time, the user can hear the alarm sound. There was an inconvenience that it would wake me up.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is not only to make it convenient to notify the user when the user does not approve of the notification by the alarm device, but also to To provide a rice cooker capable of eliminating the occurrence of an inconvenient situation by disabling the notification of an alarm when the notification becomes unbearable for the user.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention includes a rice cooking control circuit that has a timing function and controls rice cooking, and an alarm that provides notification regarding the rice cooking operation at a predetermined time of the rice cooking operation based on the timing operation of the rice cooking control circuit. The rice cooking control circuit is equipped with "
"Function" mode, "Function regulation" mode, or "Function stop" mode is set, and the rice cooking control circuit is made to drive and control the alarm based on the set drive mode. It is possible to control when to enable and when to substantially disable.

[Embodiments of the Invention] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. First, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a microcomputer corresponding to a rice cooking control circuit, which has a timekeeping function using, for example, an AC power frequency. Reference numeral 2 denotes a display section, for example, a four-digit seven-segment type light emitting diode, and the cathode side of each digit is connected to output terminals Ro to R3 of the microcomputer 1 via an inverter circuit 3, respectively. A high-level scan pulse is output to the multi-output terminals Ro to R3- of the microcomputer 1, and the light emitting diode 2 is dynamically lit.A4 is the current time setting switch, and 5 is the desired time setting switch, which is the desired time for cooking. The setting switches are self-reset type bush switches, and are connected between the output terminal RΩ of the microcomputer 1 and the input terminals 1 and 2 through a diode 6 having the polarity shown.

For each input terminal! and 2 are always maintained at a low level by a pull-down resistor 7. Reference numerals 8 and 9 are a start switch and a cancel switch, both of which are self-reset type flash switches, and are connected to a diode 10 with the polarity shown.
It is connected between the output terminal R1 and input terminals 1 and 2 of the microcomputer 1 via the microcomputer 1. When the current time setting switch 4 is pressed and turned on, a high level pulse is input to the input terminal 1 of the microcomputer 1.
The current time can be set in the microcomputer 1 according to the pressing time or the number of times of pressing, and the time is sequentially displayed on the light emitting diodes 2. On the other hand, when the desired cooking time setting switch 5 is pressed and turned on, a high-level pulse is input to the input terminal 2 of the microcomputer 1.
After all, the desired cooking time can be input and set in the microcomputer 1 according to the pressing time or the number of times of suppression, and
The time is displayed on the light emitting diode 2 instead of the current time. When the current time and the desired cooking completion time are set in the microcomputer 1 as described above and the stars 1 to 8 are turned on, the microcomputer 1
calculates the time difference between the desired rice-cooking time and the current time according to a preset timer rice cooking program, calculates the waiting time by subtracting the time required to complete the rice cooking operation from the time difference, and calculates the waiting time after the elapse of the waiting time. A timer rice cooking operation that starts the rice cooking operation later is executed. The rice cooking operation is carried out by energizing a rice cooking heater (not shown) while detecting the temperature of the steel in accordance with a well-known rice cooking program preset in the microcomputer 1. The rice cooking process and the unevenness process are have

In contrast to the above, reference numeral 11 denotes an alarm consisting of a three-terminal type piezoelectric buzzer, which is incorporated into a self-excited oscillation circuit 12, which is connected to the DC power supply VCC and the output terminal of the microcomputer 1. It is connected between the inverter circuit 13 connected to R4. In this self-excited oscillation circuit 12, 14 is an NPN type transistor whose collector is connected to the DC power supply VCC, and whose emitter is connected to the inverter circuit 13 via a resistor 15 and to the common electrode 11a of the alarm 11. Furthermore, the base is connected to the DC power supply VCC via resistors 16 and 17.

The main electrode 11b of the alarm 11 is connected to the DC power supply Vcc, and the feedback electrode 11C is connected to the base of the transistor 14 via the resistor 16. 1
8 is a diode connected between the common electrode 11a of the alarm 11 and the base of the transistor 14. on the other hand,
19 is an analog switch, one terminal of which is connected to the collector of the transistor 14, the other terminal connected to the base of the transistor 14 via a resistor 20, and its gate terminal 19a is the output terminal of the microcomputer 1. Connected to R5.

Therefore, this analog switch 19 is turned on when the signal applied from the output terminal R3 of the microcomputer 1 to the gate terminal 19a is at a high level.

The alarm 11 changes the sound R (sound pressure) according to the voltage applied to the common electrode 11a, and the output terminal R4 of the microcomputer outputs a high-level signal and the self-excited oscillation circuit 12 When you make it work,
If the analog switch 19 is off, the common electrode 11a
The power supply voltage of the DC power supply VCC is applied to the analog switch 19, and when the analog switch 19 is on, the divided voltage by the resistor 20 and the resistor 15 is applied to reduce the volume.

Now, the microcomputer 1 has a built-in notification control program shown in the flowchart of FIG.
This will be explained in detail below. First, the current time setting switch 4
When the desired cooking completion time setting switch 5 is operated, the desired cooking completion time and the current time are stored, as shown in processing area A in the figure. Next, when the star 1 switch 8 is operated, it is determined in step a whether or not the start switch 8 has been input, and in step b, the remaining time is calculated by subtracting the current time from the desired cooking time, and the rice cooking is started. The waiting time until the rice cooking starts is calculated by subtracting the time required for the rice cooking from the remaining time. Then, the end time of the uneven stroke in the rice cooking operation is added to this standby time, and the notification time is set. Next, in Step C, it is determined whether or not the notification time is within a predetermined time range, in this case from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., and if it is within that time range, I
According to YESJ, the drive mode Mk of the alarm 11 is set to the "function regulation" mode Mkxkl: (step d), and if it is outside the time range, the drive mode Mk of the alarm 11 is set to the "function" mode Mko according to "NO". Settings (
Step e). Thereafter, the remaining time is displayed on the light emitting diode 2 in step f, and the process moves to step q to start a time counting operation. In the next step h, a judgment is made as to whether or not the time counted by the timer operation has reached the rice-cooking start time (whether the standby time has elapsed), and when the rice-cooking execution time has been reached, the process moves to step i. Start the rice cooking operation. As mentioned above, this rice cooking operation consists of a rice cooking process and a shading process, and in the next step J, it is determined whether the shading process has ended (or not). It will be done. Therefore, this step
When it is determined that the irregularity process has been completed, the process moves to step k, where it is determined whether or not the drive mode Mk of the alarm 11 is the "function" mode Mko. If the drive mode Mk is set as the 1 function regulation mode Mk1, the process moves to step i according to rNOJ, where the output terminal Rs is set to output a high level signal, and then in step m, the output terminal R is set to
A high level pulse with a time width of 4 to 0°5 seconds is applied to O-,5
Outputs 7 times at intervals of seconds. As a result, the analog switch 19 is turned on by the high level signal from the output terminal R5, and the output of the inverter circuit 13 is intermittently set to the low level by the intermittent high level pulses from the output terminal R4. A voltage divided by a resistor 20 and a resistor 15 is applied to the alarm 11, and a buzzer sound is intermittently outputted at a relatively low volume corresponding to the applied voltage, that is, the function of the alarm 11 is regulated. On the other hand, in step k, the drive mode Mk of the alarm 11 is set to "l".
If it is determined that the mode is Mko, step 1 is omitted according to rYEsJ, and the process proceeds to step m. That is, since the output terminal R5 is in the low level state and the analog switch 19 is in the off state, the alarm 11 The voltage of the DC power supply Vcc is applied to the alarm 19, and as a result, the alarm 19 intermittently outputs a buzzer sound at a higher normal volume, that is, it functions normally.

Thereafter, in step n, the drive mode Mk for the alarm 11 is set to the "function" mode Mko, and in step O, a warming operation is performed. .

According to this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the unevenness process end time (cooking completion time) set in the microcombinator 1 is within a predetermined time range from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Drive mode Mk for the alarm 11 based on
The "Functional" mode Mk, and the RNllll regulation" mode Mk
t and when the drive mode Mk for the alarm 11 is set to the "function regulation" mode Mk1, the function of the alarm 11 is regulated to reduce the abutment, and the drive mode Mk for the alarm 11 is set to the "function" mode. When Mko is set, the alarm 11 functions normally and the volume is raised, so if the alarm timing is to help the user sleep (before the user's scheduled wake-up time). In such a case, the alarm 11 can be substantially disabled, and as a result, there may be an inconvenience that a sleeper such as a user may wake up unexpectedly. Of course, in this case, if the notification time is not within the predetermined time range,
That is, since the alarm 11 can be activated when the notification timing is not acceptable to the user, notification regarding rice cooking, in this case, notification that the rice is cooked can be conveniently provided.

In particular, in this embodiment, the notification timing of the alarm 11 is determined from the desired cooking time set in the microcomputer 1, and the activation/disabling of the alarm 11 is determined based on the notification time. Therefore, there is no need for external input means such as a changeover switch to enable/disable the alarm 11, and there is no increase in the number of switches, which simplifies the structure of the operation panel in the rice cooker main body. can also contribute.

As a means for regulating the function of the alarm 11, a relay may be used instead of the analog switch 19.

Next, FIGS. 3 to 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the drive mode Mk for the alarm 11 is set to the "regulation" mode Mka;
``Setting to the function stop J mode Mkz and canceling are performed based on the operation of the switch 9.

This second embodiment will be explained below. In FIG. 4, a self-excited activation circuit 12 equipped with an alarm 11 includes the first
The analog switch 19 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is not provided, so that the alarm 11 is controlled only by the signal from the output terminal R4 of the microcomputer 1. Figure 5 (a) shows the operation panel part of the rice cooker main body.
), 21 is a timer rice cooking switch, 22 is a rice cooking switch, and by operating the switches 21 and 22,
The user can select between normal rice cooking, in which the rice cooking operation is started arbitrarily on the user side, and timer cooking, in which rice cooking is started after a desired time based on time measurement (f) one operation.

Now, the microcomputer 1 has a built-in notification program as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), which will be described in detail below. Now, in step a, the power is turned on or initialized by the cancel switch 9, and in this state, each switch 4.5
．． 8. Wait for operations 9.21 and 22. In addition, in this initialized state, the light emitting diode 2 is arranged as shown in FIG.
It is displayed as ooooJ (shown with diagonal lines). When each switch 4, 5.8, 9.21, and 22 is operated and there is an external input (step b), first, in step C, it is determined whether the switch input is an input by the cancel switch 9 or not. If it is determined that the input is not made by the cancel switch 9 (rNOJ), the process moves to step d, and in step d, the input mode M of the switch input in step b is changed to Rice cooking mode Ml, timer rice cooking switch.

Current time setting switch 4. It is determined whether or not the timer rice cooking mode M2 is selected using the desired cooking time setting switch 5 and the start switch 8. If neither of these modes is selected (if rNOJ), the process waits for switch input in step b. If it is rYEsJ, go to step e and set the drive mode Mk of the alarm 11 to "function" mode Mk, and then in step ", the switch input mode M in step b described above is changed to rice cooking mode M.
1 or timer rice cooking mode Mz. If the rice cooking mode is M1, the rice cooking program A is executed, and if the timer rice cooking mode is M2, the timer rice cooking program B is executed. If the cancel switch 9 has been operated in step b, it is determined in step C that the cancel switch 9 has been input (rYESJ), and the process then moves to processing area C. In this processing area C, it is determined whether the input to the cancel switch 9 is for setting the drive mode Mk to the alarm 11 or not. That is, in this processing area C, the first step starts the timing operation, and the simulated step h, step i
As can be seen from step j, a switch input for rice cooking (operation of the rice cooking switch 22 and start switch 8) or a manual switch input for timer rice cooking (timer rice cooking switch 21, It is determined whether or not there is an operation of the current time setting switch 4, desired cooking time setting switch 5, and start switch 8), and if there is no switch input as described above within 5 minutes, according to rYEsJ of step j,
The input of the switch 9 is the drive mode Mk for the alarm 11.
Assuming that the input is not for setting, the input to the cancel switch 9 is determined to be a reset signal, as shown in step A, and the state is returned to the initialized state in step a. On the contrary,
If there is a switch input for rice cooking or timer rice cooking within the above-mentioned 5 minutes, the input of the cancel switch 9 will trigger the alarm 1.
It is determined that the input is for setting the drive mode Mk for 1, and the process moves to step 1 according to rYEsJ in step h, and in this step 1, the drive mode Mk of the alarm 11 is set to "
13 mode is set to Mk2. Next step m
At step m', the above-mentioned timing operation is stopped, and at step m', the light emitting diode 2 is activated as shown in FIG. 5(b).
Display oJ (meaning no notification from the alarm 11).

After this, the process moves to step n, where it is determined whether the switch input mode M is the rice cooking mode M1 or the timer rice cooking mode M2.If the rice cooking mode is M, the rice cooking program A is executed, and if the timer rice cooking mode M2 is the timer rice cooking mode M2, the rice cooking program A is executed. Rice cooking program B is executed. Here, assuming that the timer rice cooking mode M2 is selected, and describing the timer rice cooking program B, as shown in Fig. 1 (b), first, in step 0, the rice cooking operation start time is calculated and the time is reached. The timing operation waits until When the rice cooking start time is reached, the rice cooking operation is started in step p.
As can be seen from steps q and r, when the irregularity process is completed without any input to the cancel switch 9 (input of the reset signal), the drive mode Mk of the alarm 11 is changed to the "1 function" mode in step S. A determination is made as to whether the drive mode is Mko or not, and if the drive mode Mk is the "function" mode Mko, a high level signal (7 times in total) is intermittently output from the output terminal R4 in step t according to rYEsJ. Then, the alarm 11 is activated, and after the activation, the process moves to step U11. On the other hand, the drive mode M of the alarm 11
If k is in the "stopped" mode Mk2, step t is skipped according to rNOJ in step S, that is, a high level signal is not output from the output terminal R4,
The alarm 11 moves to step U with its function stopped. In this step U, the drive mode Mk is uniquely set to the "function" mode Mko, and then the process moves to the heat-retaining operation in step (2). In step W, it is determined whether or not there is an input to the cancel switch 9 (reset signal input), and if rNOJ, the warming operation is continued, and rYEs
If J is selected, the warming operation is stopped and the process returns to the initialization of step a. If rYEsJ is determined in step q, the rice cooking operation is stopped (step y), and the drive mode Mk of the alarm 11 is set to the "Ia function" mode Mko (step Z), and the initialization in step a is performed. return. Here, the rice cooking program A corresponds to a program in which step 0 of the timer rice cooking program B is omitted.

According to the second embodiment, in the initialization state, depending on whether the cancel switch 9 is operated or not, the drive mode Mk for the alarm 11 can be changed between the "function" mode Mko and the "stop function" mode.
Set either mode Mk2 and drive mode M
Since the driving of the alarm 11 is controlled based on k, it is possible to eliminate inconveniences such as the user suddenly waking up.

In particular, since the existing cancel switch 9 is used to set the drive mode Mk for the alarm 11 to the "function" mode Mko or the "stop" mode Mk2, the number of switches is increased. It is possible to simplify the structure as in the first embodiment. or,
When the cancel switch 9 is input in the initialization state, it is determined whether or not the input is for setting the drive mode Mk of the alarm 11, so even if the cancel switch 9 is input by mistake. In this case, the setting of the drive mode Mk for the alarm 11 can be invalidated, and the adverse effects caused by erroneous input can be eliminated. Also, when the uneven journey is completed, the alarm 1
Since the drive mode Mk for 1 is set to the "function" mode Mko, the next time rice is cooked,
The drive mode Mk of the alarm 11 is set to the "function" mode Mk in advance.
.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of rice cooking being executed in a state where the alarm 11 has stopped functioning without the user noticing.

In each of the above embodiments, the notification of the alarm 11 is made intermittently, but this may be done continuously, and the number of times the notification sound is interrupted is set to 7, but the number of times is It is not limited to this. Furthermore, although the notification timing of the alarm 11 during the rice cooking operation was set as the end of the uneven cooking process, the notification timing is not limited to this.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, the present invention includes a rice cooking control circuit having a timing function, and a notification that notifies the rice cooking operation at a predetermined time of the rice cooking operation based on the timing operation of the rice cooking control circuit. The rice-cooking control circuit is set to one of the "Ia function" mode, "function regulation" mode, or "function stop" mode as the alarm drive mode, and based on the set drive mode. The rice cooking control circuit is characterized in that the alarm is controlled by the drive 11, and if this is convenient, it is possible to notify the user when the alarm sound is not acceptable to the user. In addition to being able to disable the alarm when the alarm sound is acceptable to the user, it is possible to eliminate the occurrence of inconvenient situations, and therefore prevent unexpected situations when the user is sleeping. It has excellent effects such as eliminating arousal.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a flowchart, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the main part, FIGS. The figure is a view corresponding to FIG. 2, and FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are front views of the operation panel portion in different display states. In the figure, 1 is a microcomputer rice cooking control circuit), 2
is a light emitting diode, 4 is a current time setting switch, 5 is a desired cooking time setting switch, 8 is a start switch,
9 is a cancellation switch, 11 is an alarm, 12 is a self-excited oscillation circuit, 1 and 9 are analog switches, 21 is a rice cooking switch,
22 is a timer rice cooking switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A rice cooking control circuit that has a timing function and controls rice cooking;
The rice cooking control circuit is provided with an alarm that notifies the rice cooking operation at a predetermined time based on the timing operation of the rice cooking control circuit, and the rice cooking control circuit is set to a "function" as an alarm drive mode.
The rice cooker is characterized in that the rice cooking control circuit is configured to set either a "function regulation" mode or a "function stop" mode, and cause the rice cooking control circuit to drive and control the alarm based on the set drive mode. .