TW202214985A - Heating cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention reduces the possibility of heating being started without a load. A cooker (1) comprises a heating chamber (13), a heating unit (23), a heating control unit (21C), a sensor (31), and a determination unit (21B). A sensor detection area (32) is displayed on the bottom of the heating chamber, and when the determination unit determines that there is no food in the detection region of the heating chamber, the heating control unit does not start the heating operation of the heating unit.

Description

heating cooker

The present invention relates to a heating cooker.

Conventionally, there has been known a heating cooker capable of letting a user know the state of the interior of the heating chamber.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a heating cooker in which a food product placed in a heating chamber is photographed by a camera.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication "Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2019-200008"

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, even when there is no food inside the heating chamber, the heating is started by the user inputting to start the heating. That is, in the conventional heating cooker, there exists a possibility of starting no-load heating. In this case, since the no-load operation is performed, a burden is imposed on the heating part of the heating cooker, for example, the magnetron, and there is a problem that the life of the appliance is shortened.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to reduce the possibility of starting no-load heating.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a heating cooker according to an aspect of the present invention includes a heating chamber; a heating unit that heats food placed in the heating chamber; a heating control unit that controls the heating operation of the heating unit; and a sensor , irradiating measurement light in the heating chamber, and receiving the reflected light reflected in the heating chamber; the determination part, based on the light receiving intensity of the reflected light received by the sensor, determines whether there is any object in the heating chamber The food; wherein the detection area is displayed on the bottom surface of the heating chamber, and the detection area is the area irradiated by the measuring light to show the arrangement position of the food, and the heating control unit determines the location of the food. The unit determines that the heating operation of the heating unit is not started when the food is not present in the detection area of the heating chamber.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the possibility of starting no-load heating can be reduced.

[Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a state in which the openable and openable front door 12 provided in the heating cooker 1 of the present embodiment is viewed from obliquely upward from the front. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state in which the front door 12 of the heating cooker 1 shown in FIG. 1 is opened when viewed obliquely from the front.

(Outline of heating cooker 1) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the heating cooker 1 is, for example, a microwave oven, and has an operation panel 11 on the upper part of the front surface and a front door 12 below the operation panel 11 . The front door 12 is a door for opening and closing the heating chamber 13 provided in the back of the front door 12, and covers the front opening 13b of the heating chamber 13 in a closed state. In the present embodiment, the front door 12 is of a side opening type that rotates around the end on the left side, and has a handle 14 near the end on the opposite side from the center of rotation, that is, in the vicinity of the right end.

In the heating chamber 13, as shown in FIG. 2, the food sensor 31 is provided in the side surface 13a of the chamber. The food sensor 31 detects whether or not food is placed on the flat plate 13c provided on the bottom surface of the heating chamber 13 . That is, the presence or absence of food in the heating chamber 13 is detected. Details of the detection of the food sensor 31 and food will be described later.

The operation panel 11 is provided on the front surface of the control frame 15 . The operation panel 11 is provided so that the front surface of the operation panel 11 is substantially flush with the front surface of the front door 12 in the front-rear direction of the heating cooker 1 .

Inside the control frame 15, a control board (not shown) is provided for controlling the determination result notification unit 24 of the operation panel 11, or for accepting the operation of input keys or the like by the user.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the flat plate 13 c of the heating chamber 13 . FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement example of the food sensor 31 and a sensor detection area (detection area) 32 in the heating cooker 1 shown in FIG. 1 . The food sensor 31 is an infrared sensor that irradiates measurement light having a predetermined wavelength, for example, infrared light. The food sensor 31 includes, for example, a reflective light sensor, the measurement light from the light-emitting element in the reflective light sensor is irradiated on the detection object (food 40 ), and the reflected light reflected by the detection object is received by the light. The element is received, and a signal corresponding to the received reflected light intensity is output to the determination unit 21B. Here, as indicated by reference numeral 1041 in FIG. 4 , the irradiation range of the light from the light-emitting element of the food sensor 31 is the sensor detection area 32 . The sensor detection area 32 is also an area where the arrangement position of the food 40 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 3 , the sensor detection area 32 is displayed in the approximate center of the flat panel 13c.

Multiple food sensors 31 may also be provided. In this case, as indicated by the symbol 1042 in FIG. 4 , the sensor detection area 32 is widened, so that the food 40 in the room can be easily detected. Moreover, it is preferable that the whole flat plate 13c is a color which absorbs measurement light. Specifically, it is preferable that the said area|region is black, for example. On the other hand, the outer periphery of the sensor detection area 32 is preferably displayed in a color with a higher brightness than the overall color of the flat panel 13c, that is, a bright color (eg, white).

In addition, the flat plate 13c does not necessarily have to be black, and may be a color (a dark color) capable of suppressing reflection of infrared light irradiated from the food sensor 31 . In addition, the color of the flat plate 13c may not be uniform, for example, a pattern that makes stains less conspicuous may be printed. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, it is only necessary that the range in which the measurement light from the food sensor 31 in the flat plate 13c is irradiated is black, and the entire surface of the flat plate 13c does not need to be black.

In addition, the outer periphery of the sensor detection area 32 does not necessarily have to be white, as long as it is printed on the flat panel 13c so that the user can easily recognize the color of the sensor detection area 32 (eg, cream, beige, etc.). In addition, in the case where the sensor detection area 32 is provided on the flat plate 13c, the surface opposite to the side where the food sensor 31 is provided is also preferably a color that at least absorbs the measurement light (eg black), or suppresses The color of light reflection (dark color) was measured.

In the case where the wall surface inside the heating chamber is white, the infrared light is reflected by the wall surface, and thus false detection is likely to occur. On the other hand, in the heating cooker 1, the plate 13c irradiated with infrared rays by the food sensor 31 is black. Black or near-black colors tend to absorb infrared light. Therefore, in the flat plate 13c of the heating cooker 1, the possibility that infrared rays are reflected by objects other than the food 40 is suppressed. Thereby, the possibility of erroneous detection in the heating cooker 1 is reduced.

(control unit 21) FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 21 included in the heating cooker 1 . The control device includes a control unit 21 that controls the operation of the heating cooker 1 . The control unit 21 includes, for example, a microcomputer, and includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 , an operation panel 11 , a front door switch detection unit 22 , a heating operation unit (heating unit) 23 , a determination result notification unit 24 , and a memory (storage unit) 52 are connected to the control unit 21 . The front door switch detection unit 22 includes, for example, a switch that is turned on when the front door 12 is closed, and detects the open state and the closed state of the front door 12 .

The heating operation part 23 is an operation part which heats the foodstuff arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13, and is a microwave output device or a heater, for example. The determination result notification unit 24 is a buzzer, a sound generation unit, or a display unit, and is controlled by the control unit 21 to notify the user of the determination result of the determination unit 21B, for example.

The control unit 21 can communicate with the server 51 using, for example, an Internet connection. In the server 51, heating information corresponding to various types of food is registered. The control unit 21 obtains heating information corresponding to the type of food obtained by reading the information code from the reading device 16 from the server 51 , and controls the heating operation unit 23 to heat the food according to the obtained heating information. Furthermore, the heating cooker 1 itself may have heating information corresponding to the type of food. In this case, the heating cooker 1 does not need to communicate with the server 51 .

The control part 21 includes: a sensor control part 21A, which controls the food sensor 31 according to the detection result of the front door switch detection part 22; a determination part 21B, which determines whether there is food 40 in the heating chamber 13; and a heating control part 21C, The heating operation unit 23 is controlled based on the determination result of the determination unit 21B.

As an example, when the front door switch detection unit 22 is turned on, that is, when the front door 12 is in a closed state, the sensor control unit 21A controls the food sensor 31 to emit measurement light of a predetermined wavelength. The sensor control unit 21A may stop the irradiation of the measurement light after the food sensor 31 is irradiated with the measurement light for a predetermined time.

The determination part 21B determines whether the foodstuff 40 exists in the heating chamber 13 based on the signal (light reception signal) from the food sensor 31. Specifically, the determination unit 21B performs determination as follows. First, when the food 40 exists in the heating chamber 13, the food sensor 31 receives the reflected light whose measurement light is reflected by the food 40, and inputs a signal corresponding to the received light intensity of the reflected light to the determination unit 21B. In this case, the determination part 21B determines that a foodstuff exists in the heating chamber 13.

On the other hand, when the food 40 does not exist in the heating chamber 13, the measurement light is absorbed by the heating chamber 13 without being reflected, and the food sensor 31 does not receive the reflected light, or even if it receives the reflected light, the reflected light is not reflected. The received light intensity of light is also lower than when the food 40 is present in the heating chamber 13 . At this time, the light reception signal is not input to the determination part 21B from the food sensor 31, or the signal which shows the reflected light intensity lower than a predetermined reference value is input. In this case, the determination part 21B determines that a foodstuff does not exist in the heating chamber 13. The determination unit 21B inputs the determination result to the heating control unit 21C.

The above-described determination by the determination unit 21B may be always performed, may be performed only while the front door 12 is open, or may be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed after the front door 12 is closed. When the heating cooker 1 is configured to start heating when the user inputs an instruction to start, the timing of the above-mentioned determination may be when the above-mentioned input is performed.

When the front door 12 is closed, the heating control unit 21C starts heating control according to a preset condition. Alternatively, when the front door 12 is closed and an instruction to start heating control is input from the operation panel 11 , the heating control unit 21C controls the heating operation unit 23 in accordance with the settings input on the operation panel 11 to start the heating control. Here, when the determination result of the determination part 21B shows that the foodstuff 40 exists in the heating chamber 13, the heating control part 21C starts the heating of the said foodstuff 40. On the other hand, when the determination result of the determination part 21B shows that there is no foodstuff 40 in the heating chamber 13, the heating control part 21C does not start the heating operation|movement of the heating operation part 23.

(Operation of the heating cooker 1) FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation flow of the heating cooker 1 . In the above-mentioned configuration, the operation of the heating cooker 1 will be described below using FIG. 6 . Here, the case where the food 40 (for example, a lunch box) is heated by the heating cooker 1 is demonstrated.

First, when the user opens the front door 12, the front door switch detection unit 22 is turned off. Then, the user arranges the food 40 inside the heating chamber 13 in accordance with the guidance display 20 of the operation panel 11 . After that, when the front door 12 is closed by the user, the front door switch detection unit 22 is turned on ( S1 ). When the front door switch detection unit 22 is turned on (YES in S1 ), the sensor control unit 21A controls the food sensor 31 to start irradiating measurement light ( S2 ). At this point in time, the food 40 to be heated is arranged at a predetermined position in the heating chamber 13 . That is, as shown by the code|symbol 1041 of FIG. 4, the foodstuff 40 is arrange|positioned in the sensor detection area|region 32 of the foodstuff sensor 31 in the heating chamber 13. At this time, the food sensor 31 receives the reflected light reflected by the food 40, and inputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light to the determination unit 21B. The determination part 21B determines whether the foodstuff 40 is arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13 based on the signal acquired from the foodstuff sensor 31 (S3). When the foodstuff 40 is arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13 ("Yes" in S3), the determination part 21B inputs the determination result to 21C of heating control parts. When the heating control part 21C obtains the determination result which shows that the foodstuff 40 is arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13, it controls the heating operation part 23 by the method set in advance, and starts a heating operation (S4).

When the heating of the foodstuff 40 is completed as mentioned above (S5), the control part 21 will control the notification part which is not shown in figure, and will notify the user of the result. After receiving the notification, the user takes out the food 40 from the heating chamber 13 . Since the food 40 is taken out from the heating chamber 13, the food 40 disappears from the sensor detection area 32 in the heating chamber 13, and the signal output from the food sensor 31 to the determination unit 21B disappears or becomes a reference value. Thereby, the determination part 21B determines that the foodstuff 40 is not arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13 (NO in S6). Based on the determination result of this determination part 21B (the foodstuff 40 is not arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13), the heating control part 21C does not start the heating operation|movement of the heating operation part 23 (S7). In this case, the heating operation of the heating operation part 23 is not performed in a state where the food 40 is not arranged in the heating chamber 13 . That is, since the heating operation in a no-load state is not performed, deterioration of the heating cooker 1 can be suppressed.

Moreover, when the determination part 21B determines that the foodstuff 40 is not arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13 (NO in S3), the control part 21 makes the determination result notification part 24 notify the user of the determination result (S8). In this case, the operation of the determination result notification unit 24 is, for example, an operation of making an intermittent sound of "beep, beep, beep", an operation of making a sound of "the food is not placed in the heating chamber", or both.

When the determination result notification unit 24 notifies that the food 40 is not arranged in the heating chamber 13 , the user opens the front door 12 . When the front door 12 is opened (YES in S9), the sensor control part 21A controls the food sensor 31, and stops irradiation of measurement light (S10). After that, the user moves the food 40 again so that the food 40 enters the sensor detection area 32 and closes the front door 12 . Thereby, it returns to the process of step S1. After that, the determination unit 21B performs determination again. Thereby, when the determination part 21B determines that the foodstuff 40 is arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13, the operation|movement is as mentioned above.

[Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In addition, for convenience of description, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the member which has the same function as the member demonstrated in the said embodiment, and the description is not repeated.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a state in which the openable and openable front door 12 provided in the main body of the heating cooker 1A according to Embodiment 2 is closed as viewed obliquely from the front. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a state in which the front door 12 of the heating cooker 1A shown in Fig. 7 is opened as seen from diagonally downward right. As shown in FIG. 7 , the heating cooker 1A includes, in addition to the configuration of the heating cooker 1 , the reading device 16 and the reading result notification unit 26 provided on the upper part of the front surface of the heating chamber 13 . In addition, unlike the heating cooker 1, the heating cooker 1A does not include the sensor control part 21A and the determination result notification part 24. The reading device 16 reads the code attached to the food 40, and inputs the reading result to the heating control unit 21C. The heating control unit 21C performs heating control based on the reading result obtained from the reading device 16 . The reading result notification unit 26 notifies the user of the reading result of the information code by the reading device 16 by sound or the like.

(reading device 16) FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the reading area 19 of the reading device 16 . As shown in FIG. 9 , the control frame 15 is provided in a shape protruding forward of the heating cooker 1A. The reading device 16 is mounted on the bottom surface of the reading device substrate (circuit board) 17 , and is provided in the lower part of the inside of the control frame 15 . The reading device substrate 17 includes a driving circuit of the reading device 16 . That is, the reading device 16 is installed so that the outside of the heating chamber 13 and the upper position of the front opening 13b of the heating chamber 13 is the installation position, and the reading area 19 is further below the installation position. If the reading device 16 is installed inside the heating chamber 13, the deterioration due to heat is accelerated. However, as described above, the reading device 16 is installed in the lower part of the control frame 15, that is, outside the heating chamber 13, so that the thermal degradation can be suppressed. .

The reading device 16 is, for example, a QR code reader capable of reading a QR code (quick response code, registered trademark), and reads an information code (eg, a QR code) given to the food or food container heated in the heating cooker 1A .

As shown in FIG. 5 , the reading device 16 uses the area below the reading device 16 as the reading area 19 . The reading area 19 of the reading device 16 is shown by red light, for example, so that the user can visually understand the reading area 19 . As an example, the heating cooker 1A includes the reading area lighting unit 25 , and the red light indicating the reading area 19 is irradiated by the reading area lighting unit 25 . As the reading area illumination unit 25, for example, a red LED is used. Furthermore, the light representing the reading area 19 is not limited to red, and may be other light visible to the user, such as a laser. In addition, the number of red LEDs may be one or plural.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the flat plate 13D of the heating chamber 13 . In the flat plate 13D of the heating cooker 1A, it is preferable that at least the reading area 19 and its periphery be a bright color (eg, white). When the entire tablet 13D is a dark color (for example, black), there is a possibility that the illumination of the reading area illumination unit 25 is difficult to be visually recognized by the user. Since the reading area 19 and its surroundings are colored in a bright color system, the user can easily recognize the reading area 19 .

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 10, it is preferable to display the reading area 19 (area illuminated by the reading area illumination part 25) on the flat plate 13c. The reading area 19 is not only illuminated but also displayed by the reading area illumination unit 25 , so that the user can more easily visually recognize the reading area 19 like the sensor detection area 32 .

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the reading device 16 is provided in the center portion in the width direction (left-right direction) of the front opening portion 13 b of the heating chamber 13 , more specifically, on the outer side of the heating chamber 13 and on the front surface On the upper part, the information code arranged under the reading device 16 can be read. When the front door 12 of the heating cooker 1A is a side-opening door, the reading device 16 is provided so that the reading area 19 is located on the opposite side of the side surface where the hinge of the front door 12 is located. For example, when the hinge of the front door 12 is located on the left side, the user is more likely to put food from the right side. At this time, by arranging the reading device 16 so that the reading device 25 is positioned on the right side, the QR code of the food 40 can easily pass through the reading area 19, and thus can be read with high accuracy.

In addition, it is preferable that the reading device 16 is provided so that the reading area 19 is located at least inside the heating chamber 13 . When the reading device 16 is disposed substantially downward, the reading area 19 reaches the outside of the heating chamber 13 . In this case, the illumination of the reading area illumination portion 25 may be irradiated to the outside of the heating chamber 13, resulting in a reduction in the possibility of erroneous detection and a reduction in aesthetics. Here, by orienting the reading device 16 toward the inside of the heating chamber 13 , the reading area 19 is located only within the heating chamber 13 . Thereby, the possibility of false detection and the like can be reduced. Also, a portion of the reading area 19 may be located outside the heating chamber 13 . In other words, the reading area 19 may be located across the inside and the outside of the heating chamber 13 .

(control unit 21D) FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 21D included in the heating cooker 1A. As shown in FIG. 11 , the heating cooker 1A includes a control unit 21D, and the control unit 21D includes a reading control unit 21E. When the front door switch detection unit 22 detects the open state of the front door 12 , the reading control unit 21E operates the reading device 16 and the reading area lighting unit 25 .

(information code) The information code is used for heat cooking of food. For example, the information code includes information showing the type of food, and information (heating information) showing the heating and cooking conditions of the food of the shown type. The heating information is information required for heating and cooking, including the heating time of the heating cooker 1A and the wattage of the high-frequency output. Specifically, the information code includes: information showing the type of food, for example, the food 40 is a bento (or further includes the type of bento), and rice ball (or further includes the type of rice ball); the heating information corresponding to these displayed foods includes Heating time, wattage of high frequency output. The information code is imparted to the food or the container of the food by, for example, printing or sealing. Furthermore, the information code is used for heating and cooking the specific food, so it can only include the information of the specific food, and the heating information of the specific food can be obtained from the external server 51 (FIG. 8). In addition, the information code may only include the heating information of the food.

Furthermore, the information code may be, for example, a two-dimensional code (QR code) or a one-dimensional barcode. In addition, the information code should just show the kind of food, and it is not limited to a barcode etc. in particular.

(Operation of heating cooker 1A) The operation of the heating cooker 1A in the above-described configuration will be described below. Here, the case where the foodstuff 40 is heated by the heating cooker 1A is demonstrated.

First, the user confirms the guidance display 20 on the operation panel 11 (for example, "Please open the door and point the information code to the red light"). Next, the user opens the front door 12 according to the guidance display 20 . When the front door switch detection unit 22 detects the open state of the front door 12 , the reading control unit 21E operates the reading device 16 and the reading area lighting unit 25 .

Next, the user moves the food 40 according to the guidance display 20 of the operation panel 11 so that the information code enters the reading area 19 of the reading device 16 (red light is illuminated on the information code).

By this operation, the reading device 16 reads the information code given on the food 40 . When the reading of the information code by the reading device 16 is successful, the control unit 21D notifies the user of the reading result through the reading result notification unit 26 . In this case, the operation of the reading result notification unit 26 is, for example, an operation of making a continuous sound of "beep~", an operation of making a sound of "the information code has been successfully read", or both.

If the reading of the information code is successful, the control unit 21D communicates with the server 51 and obtains the heating information corresponding to the type of food indicated by the information code from the server 51 . After the user is informed by the reading result notification unit 26 that the reading of the information code is successful, the user arranges the food 40 inside the heating chamber 13 and then closes the front door 12 . When the user closes the front door 12 , the heating control unit 21C controls the heating operation unit 23 according to the obtained heating information to heat the food 40 in the heating chamber 13 .

On the other hand, if the reading of the information code by the reading device 16 fails, the control unit 21D notifies the user of the reading result through the reading result notification unit 26 . In this case, the operation of the reading result notification unit 26 is, for example, an operation of making an intermittent sound of "beep, beep, beep", an operation of making a sound of "failed to read the information code", or both.

If the user learns from the reading result notification unit 26 that the reading of the information code has failed, the food 40 is moved again so that the information code enters the reading area 19 of the reading device 16 (red light shines on the information code). Therefore, the operation when the information code is successfully read is as described above.

When the heating of the food 40 is completed in the above-described manner, the result is notified to the user, and the user takes out the food 40 from the heating chamber 13 . When the foodstuff 40 is taken out from the heating chamber 13, the determination part 21B of the control part 21D determines that the foodstuff 40 is not arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13. Based on the determination result of this determination part 21B (the foodstuff 40 is not arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13), the heating control part 21C does not start the heating operation|movement of the heating operation part 23. Thereby, in the state where the foodstuff 40 is not arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13, the heating operation|movement of the heating operation part 23 is not performed. That is, the heating operation in the no-load state is not performed.

Furthermore, based on the determination result of the determination part 21B (the food 40 is not arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13), the reading control part 21D may stop the reading operation of the information code of the reading apparatus 16 for a predetermined time. Thereby, for example, in the process of taking out the food 40, the reading device 16 does not read the information code of the food 40, so it is not the heating control by the heating control unit 21C. Moreover, when the determination part 21B determines that the foodstuff 40 is not arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13, the reading control part 21D may cancel the information code read by the reading device 16 in predetermined time. Also in this case, heating control by the heating control unit 21C is not performed.

[Embodiment 3] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In addition, for convenience of description, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the member which has the same function as the member demonstrated in the said embodiment, and the description is not repeated.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a state in which the openable and openable front door 12 provided in the main body of the heating cooker 1B according to the third embodiment is viewed from obliquely upward from the front. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 21F included in the heating cooker 1B.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the heating cooker 1B may include all the configurations of the heating cooker 1 and the heating cooker 1A. The determination part 21B determines whether the foodstuff 40 is arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13 based on the signal from the food sensor 31, and whether the information code was read by the reading device 16 or not. In the heating cooker 1B, when the determination part 21B determines that the foodstuff 40 is arrange|positioned in the heating chamber 13, and the information code is read by the reading device 16, the determination result is input to the heating control part 21C. When the above determination result is obtained, the heating control unit 21C controls the heating operation unit 23 to start the heating operation.

[Example of implementation by software] The control blocks (especially the control units 21, 21D, and 21F) of the heating cookers 1, 1A, and 1B can be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip), etc., or by realized by software.

In the latter case, the heating cookers 1, 1A, and 1B include a computer that executes software for executing each function, that is, commands of a program. The computer includes, for example, at least one processor (control device), and includes at least one computer-readable recording medium storing the above-mentioned program. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned computer, the above-mentioned processor reads the above-mentioned program from the above-mentioned recording medium and executes it, thereby achieving the object of the present invention. As the above-mentioned processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit, central processing unit) can be used. As the above-mentioned recording medium, "non-transitory tangible media", such as ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., as well as magnetic tapes, magnetic disks, cards, semiconductor memories, programmable logic circuits, etc., can be used. In addition, RAM (Random Access Memory) for extending the above-mentioned program may be further included. In addition, the above-mentioned program can be supplied to the above-mentioned computer via any transmission medium (communication network or broadcast wave, etc.) that can transmit the program. Furthermore, an aspect of the present invention can be implemented in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, wherein the above-mentioned program is implemented by electronic transmission.

[Summarize] The heating cooker 1 according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a heating chamber 13 ; a heating unit (heating operation unit 23 ) that heats the food 40 placed in the heating chamber; and a heating control unit 21C that controls the heating of the heating unit Action; a sensor (food sensor 31 ) irradiates measurement light in the heating chamber, and receives the reflected light reflected in the heating chamber; the determination unit 21B, based on the reflected light received by the sensor The received light intensity is determined by whether the food is present in the heating chamber; wherein the detection area (sensor detection area 32) is displayed on the bottom surface (plate 13c) of the heating chamber, and the detection area is the The area irradiated with light to show the arrangement position of the food, and the heating control unit determines that the food does not exist in the detection area of the heating chamber when the determination unit determines that the food is not present in the detection area. The heating operation of the heating unit is not started.

With the above-described configuration, when the food 40 is not present (not arranged) in the heating chamber 13 , the heating control is not started in the heating cooker 1 . That is, when the foodstuff 40 does not exist in the heating chamber 13, no-load operation is not performed. In addition, the sensor detection area 32 is displayed on the bottom surface of the heating chamber 13. The sensor detection area 32 is an area irradiated by the measuring light to show the arrangement position of the food 40. Therefore, the user only needs to confirm The sensor detects the area 32, so that the food 40 can be easily placed in a proper position in the heating chamber.

In the heating cooker according to claim 2 of the present invention, in the aforementioned claim 1, the measurement light may be infrared light.

With the above configuration, the food 40 in the heating chamber 13 can be accurately detected.

In the heating cooker according to claim 3 of the present invention, in the above claim 1 or 2, the bottom surface of the heating chamber may be a color that absorbs at least the measurement light.

With the above configuration, the measurement light is absorbed on the bottom surface of the heating chamber, and the reflection of the measurement light other than the food 40 is suppressed, so that the possibility of false detection can be reduced.

In the heating cooker according to claim 4 of the present invention, in the aforementioned claim 3, the outer periphery of the detection area (sensor detection area 32 ) may be a bright color.

With the above configuration, the outer periphery of the detection area (sensor detection area 32 ) is a bright color, so the user can easily identify the sensor detection area 32 in the heating chamber 13 , so that the food 40 can be easily identified. It is appropriately arranged in the sensor detection area 32 .

In the heating cooker according to claim 5 of the present invention, in any one of claims 1 to 4 above, the sensor may be provided on the inner side surface of the heating chamber.

With the above configuration, compared with the case where the sensor is provided on the top surface of the heating chamber, the sensor can make the heating control less likely to be affected by the steam.

In the heating cooker according to claim 6 of the present invention, in the above-described claim 5, the surface facing the surface on which the sensor is provided inside the heating chamber may be a color that absorbs at least the measurement light.

With the above configuration, the light irradiated by the sensor can be absorbed by the opposite surface, so that the reflected light from the surface facing the surface where the sensor is provided can be reduced, and the false detection of the sensor can be reduced.

In the heating cooker according to claim 7 of the present invention, in any one of claims 1 to 6, the detection region may be a substantially central portion of the bottom surface of the heating chamber.

Since it becomes easy to arrange|position a foodstuff in the vicinity of a center by the said structure, the possibility of generating heating unevenness can be reduced.

The heating cooker according to claim 8 of the present invention is in any one of claims 1 to 7 above, further comprising: a reading device for reading an information code included in the food,

The heating control unit may control the heating operation of the heating unit based on the reading result of the reading device.

With the above-described configuration, heating control according to the type of food can be performed.

In the heating cooker according to claim 9 of the present invention, in the above-described claim 8, the reading device may be provided on the outer side of the heating chamber and on the upper part of the front surface, and may read the information code below.

With the above configuration, since the reading device is provided outside the heating chamber, the possibility of deterioration of the reading device due to heat can be reduced.

In the heating cooker according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned aspect 8 or 9, the reading device may be provided such that a reading area is located at least inside the heating chamber, and the reading area can be read by the reading device. The area where the device reads.

With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the reading area reaches the outside of the heating chamber.

The heating cooker according to claim 11 of the present invention, in any one of claims 8 to 10 above, may further include: a reading area illumination unit for illuminating a reading area that is an area that can be read by the reading device Lighting.

With the above configuration, the reading area 19 is illuminated by the reading area lighting unit 25 , so that the user can easily visually recognize the reading area 19 .

In the heating cooker according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned tenth aspect, it is preferable that the reading area is displayed on the bottom surface of the heating chamber.

With the above configuration, as with the sensor detection area 32 , the reading area 19 is illuminated and displayed by the reading area illumination unit 25 , so that the user can more easily recognize the reading area 19 .

The heating cooker according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention may include a side-opening door in any one of the above-mentioned aspects 8 to 12, wherein the reading device is provided so that the reading area is located on the side where the hinge of the door is located. On the opposite side, the reading area is an area that can be read by the reading device.

With the above-described configuration, since the area where the food is likely to pass through becomes the reading area, the information code can be read with high accuracy.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. within the technical scope. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments.

1, 1A, 1B: heating cooker 12: Front door 13: Heating chamber 13c, 13D: flat plate (bottom surface of heating chamber) 16: Reader 19: read area 21A: Sensor Control Section 21B: Judgment Department 21C: Heating Control Department 22: Front door switch detection department 23: Heating action part (heating part) 25: Reading area lighting 31: Food sensor (sensor) 32: Sensor detection area (detection area) 40: Food

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a state in which the openable and openable front door provided in the heating cooker 1 according to the present embodiment is closed as viewed obliquely from the front. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a state in which the front door of the heating cooker shown in Fig. 1 is opened as viewed obliquely from the front. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a flat plate of a heating chamber. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement example of food sensors and a sensor detection area in the heating cooker shown in FIG. 1 . Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit included in the heating cooker. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of operation of the heating cooker. 7 is a perspective view of a state in which the openable and openable front door provided in the main body of the heating cooker according to Embodiment 2 is closed as viewed obliquely from the front. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a state in which the front door of the heating cooker shown in Fig. 7 is opened from an obliquely lower right side. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a reading area of the reading device. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a flat plate of a heating chamber. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit included in the heating cooker. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a state in which the openable and openable front door provided in the main body of the heating cooker according to Embodiment 3 is closed as viewed obliquely from the front. Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit included in the heating cooker.

1: heating cooker

11: Operation panel

12: Front door

14: Handle

15: Control Box

24: Judgment result notification department

Claims (13)

A heating cooker, comprising: heating chamber; a heating part, which heats the food arranged in the heating chamber; a heating control part, which controls the heating action of the heating part; a sensor for irradiating measurement light in the heating chamber and receiving the reflected light reflected in the heating chamber; and a determination unit for determining whether or not the food is present in the heating chamber based on the received light intensity of the reflected light received by the sensor, The detection area is displayed on the bottom surface of the heating chamber, and the detection area is the area irradiated by the measurement light to show the arrangement position of the food, When the determination unit determines that the food is not present in the detection area of the heating chamber, the heating control unit does not start the heating operation of the heating unit. The heating cooker of claim 1, wherein, The measurement light is infrared light. The heating cooker of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The bottom surface of the heating chamber is a color that absorbs at least the measurement light. The heating cooker of claim 3, wherein, The outer periphery of the detection area is a bright color. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The sensor is arranged on the inner side of the heating chamber. The heating cooker of claim 5, wherein, In the heating chamber, the surface facing the surface on which the sensor is provided is a color that absorbs at least the measurement light. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The detection area is a substantially central portion of the bottom surface of the heating chamber. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a reading device to read the information code included in the food, The heating control unit controls the heating operation of the heating unit based on the reading result of the reading device. The heating cooker of claim 8, wherein, The reading device is arranged on the outer side of the heating chamber and on the upper part of the front surface, and reads the information code below. The heating cooker of claim 8 or 9, wherein, The reading device is provided so that a reading area, which is an area that can be read by the reading device, is located at least inside the heating chamber. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising: The reading area illumination unit illuminates a reading area that is an area that can be read by the reading device. The heating cooker of claim 10, wherein, The reading area is shown on the bottom surface of the heating chamber. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 8 to 12, comprising: side door, The reading device is provided so that a reading area is located on the opposite side of the side where the hinge of the door is located, and the reading area is an area that can be read by the reading device.

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