WO2019208342A1

WO2019208342A1 - Heating cooking device

Info

Publication number: WO2019208342A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/016393
Authority: WO
Inventors: 誠澁谷; 近藤　龍太; 中村　秀樹; 貞平　匡史
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2018-04-27
Filing date: 2019-04-17
Publication date: 2019-10-31
Also published as: JPWO2019208342A1

Abstract

A heating cooking device (11) according to the present disclosure comprises: a heating unit (37) for heating a food item; a heating chamber in which the food item is accommodated; an imaging unit (23) that is arranged at a position at which an image of at least one wall surface of the heating chamber can be captured, and that captures an image of the interior of the heating chamber; a storage unit (35) for storing a first image and a second image captured by the imaging unit; a comparison/determination unit (36) for comparing and making a determination regarding the first image and the second image stored in the storage unit, the first image and second image being images captured by the imaging unit in a state in which there is no food item in the heating chamber; and a notification unit (101) for notifying a user regarding the result of a comparison/determination by the comparison/determination unit, when the comparison/determination unit has determined that there is a difference between the first image and the second image.

Description

Cooker

The present invention relates to a cooking device for cooking food and the like.

In order to be able to confirm the state of food to be heated, etc., there has been proposed a heating cooker provided with an imaging unit for imaging the heating chamber (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, a difference image between an image captured before putting food in the heating chamber and an image taken immediately after putting food is processed to determine an image area of the food. Image processing is performed based on the image area recognized as the food portion, the degree of baking of the food being cooked is recognized, and the end of cooking is determined.

JP 2001-272045 A

However, in the cooking device that recognizes the food area as in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility of erroneous determination.

In a heating cooker, as it is used repeatedly, dirt on the walls inside the heating chamber is unavoidable due to oil in the food, scattering of the food itself, and dust adhering to condensation on the wall.

Suppose that, for example, an image with a clean heating chamber wall immediately after purchase is used as an image before food is added. When food is put in a state in which the wall surface is dirty, when the difference between the images is taken, the dirty portion of the wall surface remains as the difference. For this reason, wall surface contamination is mistaken for food.

Even if a noise removal algorithm is introduced, it is difficult for the user to determine whether the dirt on the wall surface is within the allowable range for noise removal. In addition, when cooking is started without noticing the dirt, the cooking determination proceeds with the dirt portion recognized as food, so that there is a problem that cooking cannot be completed accurately.

Suppose that the image is taken before the food is put in the state where the wall is dirty, and the user notices the dirt when putting the food, and wipes the dirt on the wall of the heating chamber and puts the food. In this case, when the difference between the images is taken, as a result, the part where the dirt is eliminated remains as the difference. Therefore, in this case, there is a problem that cooking cannot be completed accurately.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and automatically removes dirt on the wall surface of the heating chamber or informs the user that there is dirt on the wall surface of the heating chamber. Suppress. Thereby, it aims at providing the heating cooker which can determine the completion | finish of cooking correctly.

In order to solve the conventional problem, the heating cooker according to the present invention is disposed at a position where a heating unit for heating food, a heating chamber for storing the food, and at least one wall surface of the heating chamber can be imaged. An imaging unit that images the heating chamber, a storage unit that stores a first image and a second image captured by the imaging unit, and the first image and the second image are the heating chamber. A comparison determination unit for comparing and determining the first image stored in the storage unit and the second image, and the comparison determination unit. By this, when it is determined that there is a difference between the first image and the second image, a notification unit that notifies the user of the comparison determination result by the comparison determination unit is provided.

As a result, the initial image without any food in the heating chamber (for example, the image at the time of shipment from the factory, the image immediately after purchase, or the image after cleaning the heating chamber) and the current state without any food. Comparing the difference between two images (e.g., an image before cooking or an image after cooking) results in a dirty portion. When the comparison / determination unit determines that “there is dirt” based on the portion, the notification unit notifies the user of the comparison determination result, and prompts the user to clean the heating chamber. Thereby, the error factor of cooking end determination can be removed. For this reason, it is possible to always accurately determine the end of cooking even if the use is continued for a long time.

The heating cooker of the present invention heats the user by notifying the user of the comparison determination result by the notification unit when the comparison determination unit that compares the two images determines that the heating chamber is dirty. Encourage room cleaning. Thereby, an error factor can be removed. For this reason, it is possible to always accurately determine the end of cooking even if the use is continued for a long time.

The schematic block diagram which shows the principal part of the heating cooker in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the relationship of each component of the heating cooker in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which is an image in the heating chamber without a food image | photographed by the imaging part of the heating cooker in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and shows an image when there is no dirt in a heating chamber The figure which is an image in the heating chamber of a state without the food image | photographed by the imaging part of the heating cooker in the embodiment, and shows an image when the whole heating chamber wall surface is dirty It is the image in the heating chamber in the state without the food image | photographed by the imaging part of the heating cooker in the same embodiment, and shows the image which took the difference when the whole wall surface of the heating chamber is dirty and not dirty Figure The figure which is an image in the heating chamber without a food image | photographed by the imaging part of the heating cooker in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and shows an image when there is no dirt in a heating chamber The figure which is an image in the heating chamber of the state without the foodstuffs image | photographed by the imaging part of the heating cooker in the same embodiment, and shows an image when a part of wall surface of a heating chamber is dirty It is the image in the heating chamber in the state without the food image | photographed by the imaging part of the heating cooker in the same embodiment, The image which took the difference when a part of wall surface of a heating chamber is dirty, and when it is not dirty Figure showing The schematic block diagram which shows the principal part of the heating cooker in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the relationship of each component of the heating cooker in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Flow chart of operation of heating cooker in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Flow chart of operation of heating cooker in embodiment 2 of the present invention

A heating cooker according to a first disclosure is disposed at a position where an image of at least one wall surface of the heating chamber, a heating chamber for storing the food, and a heating chamber for storing the food can be captured, and images the heating chamber. An imaging unit, a storage unit that stores the first image and the second image captured by the imaging unit, and the first image and the second image are in a state where the food is not present in the heating chamber. A comparison determination unit that compares the first image stored in the storage unit with the second image, and the comparison determination unit is an image captured by the imaging unit. And a notification unit for notifying a user of the comparison determination result by the comparison determination unit when it is determined that there is a difference between the second image and the second image.

As a result, the initial image without any food in the heating chamber (for example, the image at the time of shipment from the factory, the image immediately after purchase, or the image after cleaning the heating chamber) and the current state without any food. Comparing the difference between two images (e.g., an image before cooking or an image after cooking) results in a dirty portion. When the comparison / determination unit determines that the heating chamber is “dirty” based on the portion, the notification unit notifies the user of the comparison determination result, thereby prompting the user to clean the heating chamber. Thereby, since the error factor of cooking end determination can be removed, it is always possible to accurately determine the end of cooking even if it is used for a long time.

The second disclosure is arranged at a position capable of imaging at least one wall surface of the heating chamber, a heating chamber for heating the food, a heating chamber for storing the food, a heating control unit for controlling the heating unit, An imaging unit that images the heating chamber, a storage unit that stores a first image and a second image captured by the imaging unit, and the first image and the second image are stored in the heating chamber. A comparison / determination unit that compares the first image and the second image that are images captured by the imaging unit without the food and that are stored in the storage unit. If the determination unit determines that there is a difference between the first image and the second image, the heating control unit operates the heating unit.

As a result, the initial image (for example, the image at the time of shipment from the factory, the image immediately after purchase, or the image after cleaning the heating chamber) with no food in the heating chamber and the current state without the food Comparing the difference between two images (e.g., an image before cooking or an image after cooking) results in a dirty portion. When the comparison determination unit determines that “contamination is present” based on the portion, the heating control unit executes the interior cleaning mode. The interior cleaning mode is a mode in which the heating unit is operated to perform baking, thereby removing the dirt on the wall surface of the heating chamber. By operating the inside cleaning mode, the inside dirt is removed and an error factor is eliminated. For this reason, it is possible to always accurately determine the end of cooking even if the use is continued for a long time. Moreover, since the interior cleaning mode operates automatically, it does not take much time for the user.

According to a third disclosure, when the comparison determination unit determines that there is a difference between the first image and the second image, the difference between the first image and the second image is calculated. In the third image, the area remaining as a difference exceeds the first threshold.

With this configuration, when the difference between two images is taken, the stain portion remains as a non-zero pixel value, and the area (number of pixels) of the remaining image is determined as the area of the internal stain. When the area of the internal contamination exceeds a predetermined threshold, the notification to the user or the internal cleaning mode is executed, so that the internal contamination is surely removed before the contamination becomes an error factor. The Thereby, even if it continues using for a long period of time, it becomes possible to always correctly determine the end of cooking.

In addition, when the area of the internal dirt is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, that is, when the food is relatively small, the internal dirt is so small that it does not cause an error in the determination of the end of cooking of the food. In such a case, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use cooking device that does not wastefully notify the user or wastefully repeat the in-room cleaning mode.

According to a fourth disclosure, when the comparison determination unit determines that there is a difference between the first image and the second image, the difference between the first image and the second image is calculated. This is when the color difference between the first image and the second image exceeds a second threshold when taken.

With this configuration, if the difference between two images is taken, the degree of contamination can be obtained as a non-zero value. When the degree of contamination exceeds the second threshold, the notification to the user or the internal cleaning mode is executed, so that the internal contamination is surely removed before the contamination becomes an error factor. Can do. Thereby, even if it continues using for a long period of time, it becomes possible to always correctly determine the end of cooking.

In addition, when the degree of dirt is less than the second threshold, that is, when the dirt is not so severe, the inside dirt is so small that it does not become an error factor in judging the end of cooking of food. In such a case, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use cooking device that does not wastefully notify the user or wastefully repeat the cleaning mode.

According to a fifth disclosure, when the comparison determination unit determines that there is a difference between the first image and the second image, the difference between the first image and the second image is taken. In the third image, the area remaining as the difference exceeds the first threshold, and the color difference between the first image and the second image exceeds the second threshold. .

With this configuration, the dirt portion remains as a non-zero value, and the area (number of pixels) of the remaining image is determined as the area of the inside dirt. When this area exceeds the first threshold and the degree of contamination exceeds a predetermined second threshold, the notification to the user or the internal cleaning mode is executed, so that the contamination is error. It is possible to remove the dirt inside the cabinet before it becomes a factor. Thereby, even if it continues using for a long period of time, it becomes possible to always correctly determine the end of cooking.

In addition, even if the dirt area exceeds the first threshold, if the degree of dirt does not exceed the second threshold, that is, a large area is dirty, but there is a slight dirt that does not affect the end determination. In this case, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use heating cooker that does not wastefully notify the user or wastefully repeat the interior cleaning mode.

In addition, even if the degree of dirt exceeds the second threshold, the area of dirt does not exceed the first threshold, that is, even if the degree of dirt is large, the area of dirt is minute relative to food. In addition, it is possible to provide a user-friendly cooking device that does not wastefully notify the user or wastefully repeat the cleaning mode.

According to a sixth disclosure, the first image is an image in which the heating chamber is not soiled, and the second image is a time when a predetermined period has elapsed since the user started using the cooking device. It is an image.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the cooking device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of a heating cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship of each component of the heating cooker in the same embodiment. 3A to 3C are diagrams showing images in the heating chamber in which no food is stored. 3A is a diagram showing an image when the heating chamber is not contaminated, FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an image when the entire heating chamber wall surface is dirty, and FIG. 3C is an entire wall surface of the heating chamber photographed by the imaging unit. It is a figure which shows the image which took the difference when when is dirty and when it is not dirty.

In the present embodiment, the side having the opening of the heating chamber 13 to be described later is defined as the front, the right side from the front toward the rear is the right side, and the left side from the front toward the heating chamber 13 is the left side. The following explanation will be given.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heating cooker 11 includes a heating chamber 13 that houses a food 12 that is an object to be heated, and includes a heating unit 37 that includes at least one of a heater, a magnetron, or a steam generator. Cook with heat. The heating chamber 13 has an opening, and a door (not shown) is provided in the opening so as to be opened and closed. Moreover, the touch panel 14 and the alerting | reporting part 101 for a user to operate are provided in the front surface of the heating cooker 11. FIG. The notification unit includes at least one of a liquid crystal display 15 and a speaker 16 for voice notification.

The heating chamber 13 includes a top surface 17, which is a wall surface, a left wall surface 18, a back surface 19, a right wall surface 20, a bottom surface 21, and a door (not shown), and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The top surface 17, the left wall surface 18, the back surface 19, and the right wall surface 20 are formed of a material such as a hollow steel plate, a stainless steel plate, or a painted steel plate, for example. As an example, the dimensions of the heating chamber 13 are 400 mm in width and 300 mm in depth. Between the top surface 17 and the left wall surface 18 of the heating chamber 13, a central portion of the depth (that is, the front and back from the back surface 19 approximately 150 mm in front and back) was partially formed by drawing. A slope 22 is formed. An imaging unit 23 such as a camera is disposed on the slope 22.

The imaging unit 23 is fixed to the heating chamber 13 at a position shifted in a direction away from the heating chamber 13 relative to the inclined surface 22 so that the inside of the heating chamber 13 can be imaged through a through hole 24 provided in the inclined surface 22. It is configured. That is, the imaging unit 23 is provided in a through hole 24 provided on the slope 22. In the imaging unit 23, the imaging center direction of the imaging unit 23 is the horizontal direction so that the food 12 is the main body and at least a part of the right side wall surface 20 corresponding to the opposite surface of the imaging unit 23 is within the field of view (range C). Is set 30 degrees below. This angle may be a downward direction of 0 to about 50 degrees according to the angle of view of the imaging unit 23. Then, when the installation angle of the slope 22 is set to an angle of a plane perpendicular to the imaging center direction of the imaging unit 23, the imaging unit 23 can be easily fixed.

The cooking device 11 has a plurality of lighting devices. LED illuminations 25 a to 25 d are arranged in the vicinity of the four corners of the top surface 17 of the heating chamber 13. In other words, the LED lights 25a to 25d are installed on the front and rear above the left and right side wall surfaces. More specifically, the LED illumination 25 a is disposed in front of the left wall surface 18, and the LED illumination 25 b is disposed in the vicinity of the rear back surface 19. The LED illumination 25 c is disposed in the vicinity of the back surface 19 behind the right side wall surface 20, and the LED illumination 25 d is disposed in front of the right side surface 20. Each of the plurality of lighting devices is configured to irradiate light into the heating chamber 13 from an LED element provided on the outer surface side of the wall surface.

Here, in the present embodiment, for example, the light source centers of the LED illumination 25a and the LED illumination 25d are located at a position 250 mm forward from the back surface 19 and the light source centers of the LED illumination 25b and the LED illumination 25c are 50 mm forward from the back surface 19. It is arranged to be in position. Therefore, in plan view, the LED illumination 25a and the LED illumination 25b are separated from each other by about 26.5 degrees with respect to a straight line connecting the center of the heating chamber 13 and the imaging unit 23. That is, with the center of the heating chamber 13 as the center, the two LED illuminations 25a and the LED illuminations 25b are arranged approximately 53 degrees apart, and the LED illumination 25c and the LED illumination 25d are similarly arranged approximately 53 degrees apart.

The control unit 31 of the heating cooker 11 is configured using a microcomputer (not shown) having a CPU, a memory, an input / output interface, and the like. The control unit 31 may be configured in any form. For example, you may be comprised by the arithmetic processing part and the memory | storage part which memorize | stores a control program. Examples of the arithmetic processing unit include an MPU and a CPU. A memory is exemplified as the storage unit. The control program recorded in the storage unit is executed by the arithmetic processing unit. Moreover, the control part 31 may be implement | achieved by hard logic. If the control unit 31 is realized by hard logic, it is effective in improving the processing speed. The control unit 31 may be configured by one semiconductor chip or may be physically configured by a plurality of semiconductor chips. When configured by a plurality of semiconductor chips, the above-described controls may be realized by separate semiconductor chips. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 31 includes a heating control unit 32, an imaging control unit 33, an illumination control unit 34, a storage unit 35, a comparison determination unit 36, and a cooking end determination unit 100. Yes. The imaging control unit 33 is connected to the imaging unit 23 and controls the imaging unit 23 by sending on / off and imaging instruction signals. An image captured by the image capturing unit 23 is stored in a storage unit 35 connected to the image capturing unit 23 for a certain period or until the product is discarded. The illumination control unit 34 turns on / off the LED illuminations 25a to 25d with the determined illumination pattern and the determined illuminance. The heating control unit 32 controls the energization of a heater 37 installed on the top or floor of the heating chamber 13, which is one of the heating sources, controls the temperature of the heating chamber 13, and advances the cooking of the food 12. . The cooking end determination unit 100 determines the end of cooking from the degree of baking of the food being cooked.

The control unit 31 is also connected to the touch panel 14, the liquid crystal display 15, and the speaker 16. When the user cooks, while watching the content displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 and listening to the sound emitted from the speaker 16, the user operates the touch panel 14 to set the cooking content.

About the cooking device comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

1 and 2, when the food 12 is heated, the food 12 placed on the tableware 12a is put into the heating chamber 13 by the user. Then, the user operates the touch panel 14 in accordance with a menu displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 or a voice instruction issued from the speaker 16. Thereby, cooking is started by the heater 37 or the like (there is also use of a heating source such as a magnetron or a steam generator). At that time, illumination in the heating chamber 13 using the LED illuminations 25a to 25d makes it possible to obtain an illuminance that can ensure the visibility by the imaging unit 23, and therefore, the four LED illuminations 25a to 25d. Are all turned on. And the image of the foodstuff 12 imaged by the imaging part 23 is memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 35 of the control part 31, and is processed in the control part 31 continuously. The process is, for example, a process displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 during cooking. Another example is a process in which, for example, baking color is compared between the image at the start of cooking stored in the storage unit 35 and the image during cooking, and the end of cooking is determined. Thereby, cooking ends automatically.

Next, the operation and action for detecting dirt on the wall surface of the heating chamber 13 and notifying the user that the dirt will be cleaned will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3A to 3C.

First, when determining the contamination of the heating chamber 13, an image serving as a reference for comparing the contamination is required. Therefore, an image (hereinafter also referred to as a first image) of the state in which the food 12 is not stored in the heating chamber 13 and the heating chamber 13 is not soiled by the imaging unit 23 is referred to by the imaging unit 23. Imaged. The first image is stored as storage A in the storage unit 35. The state in which the heating chamber 13 is not dirty is, for example, the state in which the heating chamber 13 is not used as in the factory shipment, or the case where the user purchases a product, installs it in the kitchen, and connects the power supply. Before cooking, before food 12 is put in order to cook each time, or after the user cleans the heating chamber 13, etc. may be used.

On the other hand, an image (also referred to as a second image) for determining whether or not the heating chamber 13 is dirty is captured by the imaging unit 23 and stored as the storage B in the storage unit 35. The imaging timing may be, for example, any time after cooking is completed and the food 12 is taken out from the heating chamber 13, or at regular intervals, or just before cooking. In addition, as described above, the image is not automatically captured by the control unit 31, but the user presses the “Check heating chamber contamination” button on the touch panel 14 or the like to check the contamination of the heating chamber 13. It may be the case. That is, the second image may be manually captured. That is, the timing at which the second image is captured may be after a predetermined period has elapsed since the user started using the cooking device.

The two images stored in the storage A and the storage B are compared by the comparison / determination unit 36 in the control unit 31. As a comparison method, for example, there is a method of calculating a difference between each pixel of two images.

Memory A in which an image (first image) in a state where the heating chamber 13 is not soiled is stored, and memory in which an image (second image) for determining whether the heating chamber 13 is soiled is stored. If the difference between the two images of B is each pixel 0, it is determined that “the heating chamber 13 is not dirty”, and the liquid crystal display 15 and the speaker 16 do not report anything.

On the other hand, the case where the right side wall surface 20 of the heating chamber 13 is dirty will be described with reference to FIG. Captured and stored when the right side wall surface 20 of the heating chamber 13 becomes dirty due to splashing of the food 12 being heated, adhesion of oily smoke, or adhesion of water droplets adhering to the wall surface due to long-term use, etc. When the difference between the imaged second image (see FIG. 3B) and the first image (see FIG. 3A) captured and stored when the heating chamber 13 is not soiled is taken, the soiled portion is 0. It remains as a non-value (see FIG. 3C). The number of non-zero pixels represents the area of dirt, and a non-zero value is the degree of dirt. Numerical values such as RGB (red, green and blue) values as color differences between the first image stored in the storage A and the second image stored in the storage B are obtained.

When the contamination area exceeds the first threshold value and the contamination level exceeds the second threshold value, at least one of the liquid crystal display 15 and the speaker 16 constituting the notification unit 101 indicates “cleaning of heating chamber”. To the user.

The first threshold regarding the area of the stain is when the area that can be regarded as an error with respect to the size of the food 12, for example, 10% of the area of the bottom surface 21 in the screen where the food 12 will be placed. .

Suppose that the second threshold value (difference in color such as R, G, and B values) regarding the degree of contamination exceeds 10% of the gradation. When these two conditions are satisfied simultaneously, the notification unit 101 is configured to notify. Note that even if the contamination area exceeds the first threshold value or the contamination level exceeds the second threshold value, notification to the user by the notification unit 101 is executed. Also good.

Thus, the contamination of the heating chamber 13 is notified by the liquid crystal display 15 and the speaker 16 before the cooking end determination error occurs, and the user is prompted to clean the heating chamber 13. Thereby, since the error factor of cooking end determination can be removed, it is always possible to accurately determine the end of cooking even if it is used for a long time.

The case where the entire wall surface is soiled was explained using FIG. As shown in FIG. 4B, even when a part of the wall surface 20 of the heating chamber 13 is soiled, the first image captured and stored in the memory A when the wall surface is not soiled (FIG. 4A). When the difference between the second image (see FIG. 4B) captured when the wall surface of the heating chamber 13 becomes dirty and stored in the memory B (see FIG. 4B) is taken, the dirty portion remains as a non-zero value (see FIG. 4C). Therefore, the area of the wall surface contamination and the degree of the wall surface contamination are determined by a method similar to the determination method described above, and notification to the user is executed as necessary.

Although the first threshold value and the second threshold value have been described as 10% of the area of the heating chamber bottom and the color gradation, respectively, the present invention is not limited to this. If the threshold is too small, cleaning notifications occur frequently, which is a burden on the user. On the other hand, if the threshold value is too large, an error factor for determining the end of cooking increases. For this reason, a threshold value should just be determined in examining the specification as goods suitably.

In addition, when the captured image of the imaging unit 23 is captured during cooking, the inside of the heating chamber 13 is at a high temperature (for example, the above-described 170 ° C.), and a general heat-resistant temperature (for example, 70 for the imaging unit 23). ℃) is greatly exceeded. However, as described above, in the present embodiment, the through-hole 24 for the imaging unit 23 is provided on the slope 22 that forms the wall surface of the heating chamber 13, and the imaging unit 23 is disposed on the slope 22 so as to pass through. The inside of the heating chamber 13 is photographed through the hole 24. Thereby, the temperature countermeasure of the imaging part 23 becomes easy, and it can prevent that the imaging part 23 fails by high temperature. In addition, since the imaging unit 23 is disposed outside the heating chamber 13 (on the opposite side to the inside of the heating chamber 13), unnecessary reflection of illumination light and generation of shadows in the heating chamber 13 by the imaging unit 23 are prevented. be able to. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the imaging unit 23 from interfering with food heating by arranging the imaging unit 23 in the heating chamber 13.

In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the imaging unit 23 is disposed in the through hole 24 provided in the inclined surface 22 between the top surface 17 and the left wall surface 18 is used. It is good also as a structure which provides a through-hole in the left side wall surface 18 without doing. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which an inclined surface is formed between the top surface 17 and the right side wall surface 20 or between the top surface 17 and the back surface 19, and through-holes are provided therein to dispose the imaging unit 23. Furthermore, if there are no obstacles on the outside of the top surface 17, a through hole may be provided on the top surface 17 and the imaging unit 23 may be provided on the outside. Alternatively, the same operation and effect can be obtained even when the image pickup unit 23 is arranged so as to take an image through the transparent glass at the door portion on the front side of the heating chamber 13.

In the present embodiment, two LED lights 25a to 25d are arranged on the front and rear of the left wall surface 18 and two on the front and rear of the right wall surface 20, but are arranged on the top surface 17. The optimal number and position may be selected and arranged as appropriate.

In addition, the number of LED illumination devices in the heating chamber 13 is not limited to four, and may be one if the illuminance sufficient for the imaging unit 23 to obtain an image is obtained, or to obtain uniform illuminance. Five or more may be installed.

In addition, although the second threshold value regarding the degree of contamination is described as a difference in color such as R, G, and B values, it is not limited to this, and may be a difference in luminance (L * value).

The operation and action of the heating cooker described above will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

First, the control unit 31 causes the imaging unit 23 to capture a first image in a state where the food 12 is not stored in the heating chamber 13 and the heating chamber 13 is not contaminated, and the first image is stored in the storage unit. 35 (step S001). Next, the control unit 31 causes the imaging unit 23 to acquire a second image for determining whether the heating chamber 13 is dirty, and the second image is stored in the storage unit 35 (step S002). . Next, the control unit 31 compares the first image and the second image, and determines whether or not the heating chamber is dirty (step S003). When it is determined that the heating chamber 13 is dirty (Yes in step S003), the notification unit 101 notifies the user and prompts the user to clean the heating chamber 13 (step S004). When it determines with the heating chamber 13 not being dirty (No of step S003), the control part 31 performs repeatedly the process from step S002.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, the heating cooker of Embodiment 2 which concerns on this invention is demonstrated.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of the cooking device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship among the components of the heating cooker according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the heating cooker of the second embodiment, the difference from the heating cooker of the first embodiment described above is that the heating control is performed when the comparison / determination unit 46 in the control unit 41 determines that the heating chamber 13 is dirty. The part 32 is the point which operates the heater 37 and performs "inside cleaning mode" which burns the dirt of the heating chamber 13 at high temperature.

In the following description of the heating cooker according to the second embodiment, since the components are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description of the same operation / action will be omitted.

As in the first embodiment, when the difference between the two images is taken and the area of the dirt exceeds the first threshold and the degree of the dirt exceeds the second threshold, the comparison determination unit 46 A signal is sent to the control unit 32 to operate the heater 37 and the “cleaning mode in the cabinet” is performed in which the dirt in the heating chamber 13 is burned at a high temperature. Note that the “in-house cleaning mode” may be executed when the area of dirt exceeds the first threshold or the degree of dirt exceeds the second threshold.

Thus, before the contamination of the heating chamber 13 becomes an error in the cooking end determination, the “house cleaning mode” is executed, and the error factor in the cooking end determination can be removed. For this reason, it is possible to always accurately determine the end of cooking even if the use is continued for a long time.

Note that the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be 10% of the area of the bottom surface of the heating chamber and the color gradation, respectively, as in the first embodiment. However, it is not limited to this. If the threshold value is too small, the cleaning mode occurs frequently, increasing the amount of power consumption and burdening the user. On the other hand, if the threshold value is too large, an error factor for determining the end of cooking increases. For this reason, the threshold value may be determined as appropriate while considering the specifications of the product.

In addition, if the steel plate which apply | coated the catalyst is used for the wall surface of the heating chamber 13, dirt can be burned out efficiently.

First, the control unit 41 causes the imaging unit 23 to acquire a first image in a state where the food 12 is not stored in the heating chamber 13 and the heating chamber 13 is not dirty, and the first image is stored in the storage unit. 35 (step S101). Next, the control unit 41 causes the imaging unit 23 to acquire a second image for determining whether or not the heating chamber 13 is dirty, and the second image is stored in the storage unit 35 (step S102). . Next, the control unit 41 compares the first image with the second image, and determines whether or not the heating chamber 13 is dirty (step S103). When it is determined that the heating chamber 13 is dirty (Yes in Step S103), the heating control unit 32 operates the heater 37 to execute the “in-house cleaning mode” (Step S104). When it determines with the heating chamber 13 not being dirty (No of step S103), the control part 41 repeatedly performs the process from step S102.

In the first and second embodiments, the dirt on the wall surface 20 is determined. However, the bottom surface 21 is also included in the field of view of the imaging unit 23 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Needless to say, even when the dirt on the bottom surface 21 is determined, notification to the user or automatic cleaning is performed.

Also, the first threshold value or the second threshold value may be a fixed value or may be gradually increased with time. Even if the heating chamber 13 is always cleaned, the reason why the heating chamber 13 is always cleaned is that dirt that cannot be removed will remain after being used for many years. Because there is.

In the first and second embodiments, the mode of comparing two screens (the first screen and the second screen) has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and it may be determined whether the heating chamber 13 is dirty by comparing three or more screens.

The present disclosure can be applied to any cooking device that cooks food by heating (for example, a grill or a gas oven).

In addition to foods, any device that heats an object to be heated in a heating chamber is applicable.

11 Cooking Cooker 12 Food 13 Heating Room 15 Liquid Crystal Display 16 Speaker 18 Left Wall (Wall)
19 Back (wall surface)
20 Right wall (wall)
23 Imaging part 24 Through-

hole

25a, 25b, 25c, 25d LED illumination (illumination part)
33 Imaging control unit 34 Illumination control unit 35

Storage unit

36, 46 Comparison determination unit 37 Heater (heating unit)
101 Notification unit

Claims

A heating unit for heating the food;
A heating chamber for storing the food;
An imaging unit arranged at a position where at least one wall surface of the heating chamber can be imaged, and imaging the heating chamber;
A storage unit that stores the first image and the second image captured by the imaging unit, and the first image and the second image are obtained by the imaging unit without the food in the heating chamber. It is a captured image,
A comparison determination unit for comparing and determining the first image and the second image stored in the storage unit;
A heating unit provided with a notification unit for notifying a user of a comparison determination result by the comparison determination unit when the comparison determination unit determines that there is a difference between the first image and the second image. Cooking device.
A heating unit for heating the food;
A heating chamber for storing the food;
A heating control unit for controlling the heating unit;
An imaging unit that is disposed at a position where at least one wall surface of the heating chamber can be imaged, and images the heating chamber;
A storage unit that stores the first image and the second image captured by the imaging unit, and the first image and the second image are obtained by the imaging unit without the food in the heating chamber. It is a captured image,
A comparison determination unit for comparing and determining the first image and the second image stored in the storage unit,
When the comparison determination unit determines that there is a difference between the first image and the second image, the heating control unit causes the heating unit to operate.
The case where the comparison / determination unit determines that there is a difference between the first image and the second image refers to a third image obtained by calculating a difference between the first image and the second image. The cooking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the difference remaining area exceeds the first threshold value.
The case where the comparison and determination unit determines that there is a difference between the first image and the second image means that when the difference between the first image and the second image is obtained, The cooking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the color difference between the first image and the second image exceeds a second threshold value.
The case where the comparison / determination unit determines that there is a difference between the first image and the second image refers to a third image obtained by calculating a difference between the first image and the second image. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein an area remaining as a difference exceeds a first threshold and a color difference between the first image and the second image exceeds a second threshold. Cooking cooker.
The first image is an image in a state where the heating chamber is not soiled, and the second image is an image when a predetermined period has elapsed since a user started using the heating cooker. The cooking device according to any one of 1 to 5.
A heating unit for heating the food;
A heating chamber for storing the food;
A camera that is disposed at a position where at least one wall surface of the heating chamber can be imaged, and shoots the heating chamber;
An informing unit for informing the user of the situation in the heating chamber;
A memory for storing a first image and a second image taken by the camera, and the first image and the second image were taken by the camera without the food in the heating chamber. Image
When the first image and the second image stored in the memory are compared and determined, and it is determined that there is a difference between the first image and the second image, the notification unit A processor that executes a function of notifying the user of the comparison determination result;
A cooking device equipped with.