JP2003174965A - Rice cooker, portable telephone/portable information terminal communicating with rice cooker, computer program materializing function, and medium recording computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rice cooker capable of cooking and insulating heat based on information by obtaining the information related to the rice cooking and the cooking from all over the world in a kitchen at home via the Internet, to provide a portable information terminal used therefor, and to dispense with any special device and operation for executing it. <P>SOLUTION: This portable information terminal connectable to the Internet is added with a wireless communication means. The rice cooker is also added with similar a wireless communication means. The wireless communication means communicate the information related to the rice cooking obtained from the Internet. The display screen of the portable telephone and the function of operating means are changed over according to the information related to the rice cooking. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rice cooker capable of controlling, determining operation contents, confirming a state, etc., by using an obtained program or data.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a mobile information terminal such as a mobile phone which transmits, to the rice cooker, an information program and / or data, which enables control, determination of operation contents, confirmation of a state, and the like. It is a thing.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a rice cooker, for example, a rice cooker is operated by pressing a key on an operation panel of the rice cooker.
The method of cooking rice is selected by selecting a key on the operation panel, and the state of the rice cooker is generally checked by an expert or using a dedicated tool.

In this case, the control of the rice cooker such as the course is stored in advance in the microcomputer and the memory of the rice cooker, and the operation can be driven for each key according to the function assigned to the operation panel. That is, the general user has pressed the key to drive the rice cooker in order to realize the operation of a specific function on the key.

Further, the function of the rice cooker specified by the key has already been determined when the rice cooker is bought, and cannot be freely changed by a general user in a general household.

In addition, when the rice cooker fails, the user may look at the manual or the like to deal with it, but in general, a service technician who is a repair specialist is called to handle the problem. It was

In recent years, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-87128, a method of using a personal computer as a data terminal of a rice cooker to download data on rice cooking and heat retention from a homepage established by a maker, , A method of downloading data from a personal computer to a rice cooker via a remote controller that is connected to the personal computer by wire has been devised.

[0008]

In recent years, with the advancement of nuclear families due to changes in social structure, and the advancement of women into society and the increasing number of aging households, the needs of users for rice cookers have begun to diversify. . For example, because the family's living time is different, it is necessary to cook rice many times in order to eat freshly cooked rice, and the preference that children and elderly people want to eat with the hardness and charredness that they like Diversification, want to eat different types of rice and brand rice such as Sasanishiki, Koshihikari, Akitakomachi, etc. that have increased in recent years in a more delicious form suitable for each type, and want to cook various kinds of rice such as squid and rice porridge with one rice cooker In addition to this, the number of facilities that cook rice for business has increased, such as an increase in sales of bento at convenience stores.
Many people want to easily cook large quantities of rice according to the number of times it is cooked, the time it takes to cook it, and the type of dish. On the other hand, it is not necessary for housewives to stay at home to cook rice as women advance into society and the number of elderly households increases. It is expected that anyone can operate it.

[0009] In order to meet all these diversified demands with the keys on the operation panel of the conventional rice cooker, the number of keys is enormous and it is difficult to meet them.

[0010] Further, as the number of housewives who have occupations increases, more and more housewives are restrained outside their homes, but the burden of housework is not eliminated. Therefore, it is necessary to perform remote control from the outside and check household devices from the outside. Demand is growing.

[0011] Further, as the nuclear family becomes more common, it becomes more difficult for seniors to teach information about housework information accumulated over many years, so-called housekeeping tips, and with the progress of IT, such information can be obtained from homepages and the like. The population of young people is increasing.

In addition, in the method of downloading data from the home page of the personal computer and the method of downloading the data from the personal computer to the rice cooker via the remote controller, it is necessary to prepare the personal computer in order to obtain information on rice cooking and heat retention. And the computer had to be connected to the internet. Therefore, the kitchen of a home where a rice cooker is placed often has no room in space, and various things such as tableware, pots and other seasonings are placed, so the storage place of the computer is limited and It was actually difficult to take it to the kitchen and download the data from the personal computer.

Further, in order to download this information from the personal computer, which has obtained information on rice cooking and heat retention via the Internet, to the rice cooker, it is necessary to connect the personal computer and the rice cooker with a data communication cable. Or at least it is necessary to connect the personal computer and the remote controller of the rice cooker with the data communication cable, which is also very inconvenient and it is not easy to actually use it in the home kitchen where the rice cooker is placed. It was difficult in reality.

In view of the above situation, the present invention has been made extremely compact in recent years,
It has achieved remarkable performance improvements and is capable of wirelessly connecting to the Internet, and is rapidly becoming widespread. Especially, in recent years, there is a sign that the number of households is about 1 to about 1 Using a mobile information terminal such as a telephone, without directly operating the keys on the operation panel of the rice cooker, outside of the place where the rice cooker is installed, for example, this has also become extremely popular in recent years, and its contents have been rapidly enriched. The world's leading French cooks living in France, such as homepages on the internet, where information can be obtained from anywhere in the world, such as homepages of rice cooker manufacturers and homepages of cooking schools, Obtain information about cooking and heat retention from the website you set up, or from the website established by a friend like the electronic version well end conference, And to provide a cooking apparatus and a portable information terminal can function based on the information.

Further, based on these information, a rice cooker capable of adding and expanding functions other than the functions stored in advance in the microcomputer or the memory of the rice cooker and assigned to the operation panel, , It is intended to provide a portable information terminal used for this.

Moreover, for obtaining such information and transmitting it to the rice cooker, it is not necessary to prepare any special device such as a personal computer, and in recent years, almost one person is spreading to almost one person. The purpose is to enable it to be carried out only by using an ultra-compact portable information terminal such as a mobile phone that fits easily in a pocket.

In addition, even if the information about rice cooking and heat retention obtained from the portable information terminal is transmitted to the rice cooking device, it is possible to completely eliminate the need for cable connection or the like, which has conventionally been a cause of greatly reducing usability. Has an aim.

By doing so, even in a place where there is not enough space, such as a kitchen at home, anyone can easily and easily use any special device without any special operation. With no need, just using your mobile phone, you can get information about cooking from around the world and add it to your home meal menu for the day.

It is another object of the present invention to realize a function capable of confirming the state of the rice cooker, such as the cause of failure and the maintenance status, without the direct visual observation of an expert or using a dedicated tool.

[0020]

The present invention has a communication means for communicating with a portable information terminal by a wired system or a wireless system, and provides an information providing device, a program and data via the portable information terminal or the portable information terminal. Both or one of them is a rice cooker that communicates.

As a result, the rice cooker can communicate with the portable information terminal by the wired system or the wireless system, and can communicate the program and / or data with the information providing device via the portable information terminal or the portable information terminal. . Therefore, the rice cooker can be operated without directly pressing the key on the operation panel. In addition, the functions other than those stored in the microcomputer or the memory of the rice cooker in advance and assigned to the operation panel can be operated. In addition, the state of the rice cooker can be confirmed without direct visual inspection by an expert or using a dedicated tool. Further, the rice cooker can have a data transmission range expanded to the range of the communication capabilities of both sides via the communication means only by having the wired or wireless reception means having a simple configuration. This allows you to use only the rice cooker if, for example, wide range remote control is not needed,
When a wide range of remote control is required, a mobile phone can be used as an option in addition to the rice cooker, and a rice cooker with a wide range of uses can be realized.
In addition, a function of downloading data to the rice cooker and remotely controlling the rice cooker can be realized without being restricted by the installation location of the rice cooker or the information terminal.

Further, according to the present invention, the communication means is a rice cooker which communicates by any one of infrared communication system, weak wireless communication system and Bluetooth communication system.

Thus, by providing an infrared communication means, a weak wireless communication means, or a Bluetooth communication means having a simple structure, the rice cooker can be operated without directly pressing a key on the operation panel of the rice cooker, and the rice cooker can be prepared in advance. Rice cooker with the function that can be operated in addition to the functions stored in the microcomputer and memory and assigned to the operation panel, and that the state can be confirmed without the direct visual observation of an expert or using a dedicated tool. I am trying. Further, with this, the rice cooker only has the receiving means having a simple structure including the infrared communication means, the weak wireless communication means, or the bluetooth communication means, and can transmit the data through the communication means to the range of the communication capability of both sides. The range can be expanded. As a result, for example, if a wide range of remote control is not required, only the rice cooker is used, and if a wide range of remote control is required, a mobile phone can be used as an option in addition to the rice cooker. A rice cooker can be realized.

Further, according to the present invention, a portable device having a first communication means for communicating with the information providing device and / or a program and / or data and a second communication means for communicating with the rice cooker by a wired system or a wireless system. It is used as an information terminal.

As a result, the portable information terminal can communicate with the information providing device and the rice cooking device by different communication means. Therefore, the rice cooker can be operated without directly pressing the key on the operation panel. In addition, the functions other than those stored in the microcomputer or the memory of the rice cooker in advance and assigned to the operation panel can be operated. In addition, the state of the rice cooker can be confirmed without direct visual inspection by an expert or using a dedicated tool. Further, as a result, the rice cooker can extend the range of data transmission to the range of the communication capability of both sides via the communication means only by having the receiving means of wired or wireless simple structure. As a result, for example, if a wide range of remote control is not required, only the rice cooker is used, and if a wide range of remote control is required, a mobile phone can be used as an option in addition to the rice cooker. A rice cooker can be realized.

As a communication means, a wired serial communication system,
Wired parallel communication system, low power wireless communication system, PHS communication system, power line carrier communication system, wireline telephone communication system, wireless telephone communication system, weak wireless communication system, Bluetooth communication system, infrared communication system including various IrDA, etc. be able to. For example, the low-power wireless communication system has a feature that it has a relatively simple configuration but has a wireless communication distance of several hundred meters or more. The PHS communication system is wireless and has a high communication speed and general PHS communication. Coordination with the network is easy and the applications can be expanded. The power line carrier communication system does not require a new wiring facility. The wired telephone communication system has a proven track record in communication reliability, and since it is the most widely installed wiring network, it is easy to expand its applications such as cooperation with the Internet and FAX. In addition, the wireless telephone communication system has features such as easy cooperation with a mobile telephone network which is becoming widespread.

Further, according to the present invention, the second communication means is a portable information terminal which performs communication by any one of an infrared communication system, a weak wireless communication system and a Bluetooth communication system.

Thus, the rice cooker only has the receiving means having a simple structure including the infrared communication means, the weak wireless communication means, or the bluetooth communication means, and the data can be transmitted through the communication means to the range of the communication capabilities of both sides. The range of transmission can be expanded. This allows you to use only the rice cooker if, for example, wide range remote control is not needed,
When a wide range of remote control is required, a mobile phone can be used as an option in addition to the rice cooker, and a rice cooker with a wide range of uses can be realized.

[0029]

The invention according to claim 1 has a communication means for communicating with a portable information terminal by a wired system or a wireless system, and the information providing device via the portable information terminal or the portable information terminal. The rice cooker that communicates both and / or programs and data.

As a result, the rice cooker can communicate with the portable information terminal by a wired system or a wireless system, and can communicate the program and / or data with the information providing device via the portable information terminal or the portable information terminal. .
Therefore, the rice cooker can be operated without directly pressing the key on the operation panel. In addition, the functions other than those stored in the microcomputer or the memory of the rice cooker in advance and assigned to the operation panel can be operated. In addition, the state of the rice cooker can be confirmed without direct visual inspection by an expert or using a dedicated tool. Further, as a result, the rice cooker can extend the range of data transmission to the range of the communication capability of both sides via the communication means only by having the receiving means of wired or wireless simple structure. As a result, for example, if a wide range of remote control is not required, only the rice cooker is used, and if a wide range of remote control is required, a mobile phone can be used as an option in addition to the rice cooker. A rice cooker can be realized. A function of downloading data to the rice cooker and remotely controlling the rice cooker can be realized without being restricted by the installation location of the rice cooker or the information terminal. In addition, these functions can be applied to mobile phones, PHS, and home L
It can be realized by using a portable information terminal or the like connected to the AN.

According to the invention described in claim 2, the information providing device is a rice cooker which is a server of the information provider, a personal computer installed in the home, or a domestic electric appliance.

As a result, the rice cooker can communicate with the portable information terminal or a server of the information provider or a personal computer or an electric appliance installed in the home with the program and / or data via the portable information terminal. it can. Therefore, the rice cooker can obtain information related to the use of the rice cooker such as rice cooker and information related to the maintenance of the rice cooker such as a failure diagnosis through the Internet or a local area network. Also, information can be obtained from systemized home electric appliances.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the communication means is a rice cooker that performs communication by any one of an infrared communication system, a weak wireless communication system, and a Bluetooth communication system.

Accordingly, the rice cooker uses the infrared communication system, the weak wireless communication system, or the Bluetooth communication system to communicate with the portable information terminal or both the information providing device and the program and data via the portable information terminal. One can communicate. Therefore, infrared communication means having a simple configuration, weak wireless communication means,
Or by providing Bluetooth communication means, it can be operated without directly pressing the key on the operation panel of the rice cooker. In addition, the functions other than those assigned to the operation panel are saved in the microcomputer or memory of the rice cooker in advance. In addition, the rice cooker has the function of being capable of confirming the state without requiring the direct visual observation of an expert or using a dedicated tool. Further, with this, the rice cooker only has the receiving means having a simple structure including the infrared communication means, the weak wireless communication means, or the bluetooth communication means, and can transmit the data through the communication means to the range of the communication capability of both sides. The range can be expanded. As a result, for example, if a wide range of remote control is not required, only the rice cooker is used, and if a wide range of remote control is required, a mobile phone can be used as an option in addition to the rice cooker. A rice cooker can be realized.

The invention as set forth in claim 4 is the rice cooker having an operating means to which a selection or execution instruction of a function achieved by the program and / or data received by the communication means is assigned.

With this, it is possible to assign, to the operation means, a function selection or execution instruction achieved by the program and / or the data received by the communication means of the rice cooker. Therefore, it can be operated without directly pressing the keys on the operation panel of the rice cooker without adding additional operation means. In addition, it is saved in the microcomputer or memory of the rice cooker in advance and functions other than those assigned to the operation panel are not included. Can be made to function, and the state can be confirmed without the direct visual observation of an expert or using a dedicated tool.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided the rice cooking device wherein the operating means has a liquid crystal display screen, and the display content of the liquid crystal display screen is changed based on the function to be achieved.

With this, the rice cooker can be operated by the liquid crystal display screen whose display contents are changed based on the function to be achieved. Therefore, it can be operated without directly pressing the keys on the operation panel of the rice cooker without adding additional operation means. In addition, it is saved in the microcomputer or memory of the rice cooker in advance and functions other than those assigned to the operation panel are not included. Can also work.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the operating means has a push button switch and a display means for displaying a function achieved by the push button switch, and is based on the function achieved by the operating means. The rice cooker changes the contents displayed on the display means.

Thus, the rice cooker can be operated by the push button switch whose display content is changed based on the function to be achieved. Therefore, the invention according to claim 7, wherein the information providing apparatus is capable of performing functions other than the functions preliminarily stored in the microcomputer or the memory of the rice cooker and assigned to the operation panel without newly adding operation means. And a first communication unit that communicates both or one of a program and data, and a second communication unit that communicates with the rice cooker by a wired system or a wireless system.

As a result, the portable information terminal can communicate with the information providing device and the rice cooker by different communication means. Therefore, the portable information terminal can communicate with the information providing device and the rice cooking device by means suitable for the respective communication. It can be operated without directly pressing the key on the operation panel of the rice cooker. In addition, the functions other than those stored in the microcomputer or the memory of the rice cooker in advance and assigned to the operation panel can be operated. In addition, the state of the rice cooker can be confirmed without direct visual inspection by an expert or using a dedicated tool. Further, as a result, the rice cooker can extend the range of data transmission to the range of the communication capability of both sides via the communication means only by having the receiving means of wired or wireless simple structure. As a result, for example, if a wide range of remote control is not required, only the rice cooker is used, and if a wide range of remote control is required, a mobile phone can be used as an option in addition to the rice cooker. A rice cooker can be realized.

As a communication means, a wired serial communication system,
Wired parallel communication system, low power wireless communication system, PHS communication system, power line carrier communication system, wireline telephone communication system, wireless telephone communication system, weak wireless communication system, Bluetooth communication system, infrared communication system including various IrDA, etc. be able to. For example, the low-power wireless communication system has a feature that it has a relatively simple configuration but has a wireless communication distance of several hundred meters or more. The PHS communication system is wireless and has a high communication speed and general PHS communication. Coordination with the network is easy and the applications can be expanded. The power line carrier communication system does not require a new wiring facility. The wired telephone communication system has a proven track record in communication reliability, and since it is the most widely installed wiring network, it is easy to expand its applications such as cooperation with the Internet and FAX. In addition, the wireless telephone communication system has features such as easy cooperation with a mobile telephone network which is becoming widespread.

The invention according to claim 8 is the portable information terminal according to claim 7, wherein the second communication means performs communication by any one of an infrared communication system, a weak wireless communication system and a Bluetooth communication system. I am trying.

With this, the portable information terminal can communicate with the rice cooker by any one of the infrared communication system, the weak wireless communication system, and the Bluetooth communication system. Therefore, the rice cooker uses infrared communication means,
The range of data transmission can be expanded to the range of the communication capability of both sides via the communication means by only having the weak wireless communication means or the receiving means having a simple structure including the Bluetooth communication means. As a result, for example, if a wide range of remote control is not required, only the rice cooker is used, and if a wide range of remote control is required, a mobile phone can be used as an option in addition to the rice cooker. A rice cooker can be realized.

The invention described in claim 9 has means for editing or processing both or one or both of the program and data received by the first communication means, and both or both of the edited or processed program and data. Is a portable information terminal for transmitting to the rice cooker by the second communication means.

As a result, the portable information terminal can edit or process both or one or both of the program and data received from the information providing device and transmit the edited and processed data to the rice cooking device. Therefore, the program and data to be transmitted to the rice cooker can be edited or processed by the mobile information terminal as needed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, both or one of a program and data for controlling the rice cooking device is received by the communication means, and the program and data are specified according to both or one of the received program and data. The rice cooker performs operations so as to achieve the function of.

Thus, the rice cooker can execute an operation so as to achieve a specific function depending on the program and / or the data received by the communication means. Therefore, the function and the course other than the function and the course which are installed in the rice cooker in advance and are assigned to the operating means can be made to function from the portable information terminal without modifying the rice cooker. Further, the number of operating means provided in advance can be reduced, and the rice cooker can be operated from a remote place.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the program and / or data received by the communication means are either or both of the second and third aspects of the portable information terminal according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects. The rice cooker has one or both of the program and data transmitted by the communication means.

With this, the rice cooking device can perform an operation so as to achieve a specific function depending on the program and / or the data transmitted from the portable information terminal by the second communication means. Therefore, the function and the course other than the function and the course which are installed in the rice cooker in advance and are assigned to the operating means can be made to function from the portable information terminal without modifying the rice cooker.
Further, the number of operating means provided in advance can be reduced, and the rice cooker can be operated from a remote place.

In the invention according to claim 12, the specific functions are: start or end of rice cooking, start or end of rapid rice cooking, start or end of heat retention, start or end of reheating, start or end of bran removal. , Start or end of washing rice, start or end of flooding of rice, change course, change hardness of cooked rice, change burned condition of cooked rice, change pressure in pot, change rice cooking temperature, change heat retention temperature, inundate Temperature change, rice type setting, rice brand setting, water type setting, water type setting, water brand setting, timer setting or cancellation, clock setting, rice cooking frequency setting, rice cooking completion time setting, rice cooking The rice cooker has one or more of time setting, heat retention time setting, rice flooding time setting, temporary suspension of these, and restart of the suspended function.

Thus, the rice cooker starts or finishes cooking, starts or finishes rapid cooking, starts or finishes heat retention, starts or finishes reheating, starts or finishes bran removal, starts or finishes rice washing, and rice. Start or end of flooding, change course, change hardness of cooked rice, change burnt condition after cooked rice, change pot pressure, change cooked rice temperature, change heat retention temperature, change flooded temperature, rice type Settings, rice brand setting, water type setting, water brand setting, timer setting or cancellation, clock setting, rice cooking frequency setting, rice cooking completion time setting, rice cooking time setting, heat retention time setting , One or more of the functions of setting the flooding time of rice, suspending these, restarting the suspended function can be performed.
Therefore, even if the functions described here are incorporated in the rice cooker in advance and are not assigned to the operation means, the functions can be executed from the portable information terminal without modifying the rice cooker. Further, it is possible to reduce the number of operating means provided in advance, and these can be operated from a distant place.

According to the invention described in claim 13, one or both of the program and data received by the communication means includes demand data for cooked rice, and means for setting the number of times of cooking rice is executed according to the demand data for cooked rice. It is used as a rice cooker.

Thus, the rice cooking device can set the number of times of rice cooking execution according to the program and / or the data received by the communication means. Therefore, according to the demand for cooked rice, it is possible to set the required number of times of cooking rice from a distant place and make the rice cooking device function.

The invention described in claim 14 provides a rice cooker having means for setting the rice cook timing based on the set number of times of rice cook execution.

Thus, the rice cooking device can set the rice cooking timing based on the set number of times of rice cooking. Therefore, the rice-cooking timing can be set based on the number of times of rice-cooking execution set according to the demand for cooked rice, and the rice-cooking device can be operated from a distant place.

The invention as set forth in claim 15 provides a rice cooker having means for automatically selecting a rice cooking course by performing back calculation from the set rice cooking completion time.

As a result, the rice cooking device can automatically calculate the rice cooking course by performing back calculation from the set rice cooking completion time. Therefore, rice cooking can be completed at the set time.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rice cooker for transmitting, to another home electric appliance, a program and / or data for controlling the home electric appliance.

With this, the rice cooker can transmit the program and / or data for controlling the domestic electric appliance to another domestic electric appliance. Therefore, it is possible to transmit the program and / or the data for controlling the home electric appliance to another home electric appliance via the rice cooker.
Therefore, other home electric appliances can be controlled via the rice cooker.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the program and / or data for controlling the other home electric appliance are received from the portable information terminal or from the information providing apparatus via the portable information terminal. It is used as a rice cooker.

As a result, the rice cooking device can control other home appliances by the program and / or the data received from the information providing device from the portable information terminal or via the portable information terminal. Therefore,
By transmitting a program and / or data to the home electric appliance via the rice cooker, another home electric appliance can be operated from a remote location.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, by receiving a program and / or data for control from another household electric appliance, the rice cooker operates based on the program and / or data. The device.

With this, the rice cooker can be controlled based on the program and / or the data received from another household electric appliance. Therefore, the rice cooker can be operated from a remote place via another home electric appliance.

In the invention described in claim 19, the rice cooker has the specific function according to the model of the rice cooker.

As a result, the rice cooker can execute a specific function according to the model. Therefore, even for devices and models with different types and models and different programs or data for making them function, the functions and courses other than the functions and courses that are pre-installed in the rice cooker and assigned to the operating means are changed to the rice cooker. Can be operated from a mobile information terminal without modification. Further, it is possible to reduce the number of operating means provided in advance, and it is possible to operate from a remote place.

The invention as set forth in claim 20 provides a rice cooker having a storage means for storing the operation content determined by the program and / or data received by the communication means.

As a result, the rice cooker can store the operation content determined by the program and / or the data received by the communication means. Therefore, it is possible to cause the operation contents, which are previously incorporated in the rice cooking device and assigned to the operating means, to function without modifying the rice cooking device. Further, it is possible to reduce the number of operating means provided in advance, and it is possible to select a course, a rice cooking method, etc. that suits the user's preference.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the invention, the rice cooker is a rice cooker in which the memory means is a memory means which can be detached from the rice cooker in whole or in part.

Thus, the rice cooker can attach or detach all or part of the storage means. Therefore, the storage means can be replaced, and the range of product design can be expanded, such as changing the function of the rice cooker, upgrading the version, and supporting sharing.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, both or both of the program and data received by the communication means are both the program and data transmitted from another information processing device to the portable information terminal or the information providing device. Alternatively, it is one of the rice cookers.

As a result, the rice cooking device can receive the program and / or data from the information processing device other than the information providing device via the portable information terminal or the information providing device. Therefore, the rice cooker can receive a program and / or data related to use or maintenance of the rice cooker or other home electric appliances from the information processing device other than the information providing device.

In the invention described in claim 23, the operation contents of the rice cooking device is a rice cooking device which is a course including at least one of a plurality of predetermined rice cooking courses stored in the information providing device.

With this, the rice cooking device can be operated by a plurality of predetermined rice cooking courses stored in the information providing device. Therefore, even if the operation contents are built in the rice cooker in advance and not assigned to the operation means,
The rice-cooking device can be made to function without modification, the number of operating means provided in advance can be reduced, and a course or a rice-cooking method that suits the taste of the user can be selected.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation content of the rice cooking device is based on a portable information terminal or a response to a question asked by the information providing device via the portable information terminal. The rice cooker determines and selects a course including at least one of them.

As a result, the user can select the course from the rice cooking courses which are predetermined based on the portable information terminal or the answer to the question asked by the information providing apparatus via the portable information terminal. The operation content can be determined. Therefore, even if the user does not decide the course, by answering the question, a suitable course is automatically selected, and even if the function or the course is built in the rice cooker in advance and is not assigned to the operation means, the rice cooker Can be made to function without modification, the number of operating means provided in advance can be reduced, and a course, a rice cooking method, or the like that suits the user's preference can be selected.

In the invention described in claim 25, the operation content of the rice cooker is predetermined in each step based on a portable information terminal or an answer to a question asked from the information providing apparatus via the portable information terminal. The rice cooker is a course that is selected and determined from the plurality of conditions.

As a result, the user selects from a plurality of conditions predetermined in each step based on the portable information terminal or the answer to the question asked by the information providing device via the portable information terminal, and selects the course. You can decide. Therefore, even if the user does not decide the course, by answering the question, a suitable course is automatically selected, and even if the function or the course is built in the rice cooker in advance and is not assigned to the operation means, the rice cooker Can be made to function without modification, the number of operating means provided in advance can be reduced, and a course, a rice cooking method, or the like that suits the user's preference can be selected.

According to the twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the answer is a rice cooker that uses the display means and the input means included in the portable information terminal.

With this, it is possible to answer by using the display means and the input means of the portable information terminal to determine the operation content of the rice cooker. Therefore, the mobile information terminal
It is possible to determine the operation content of the rice cooker from a remote place.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the answer is a rice cooker that uses the display means and the input means of the rice cooker.

With this, it is possible to answer by using the display means and the input means of the rice cooker to determine the operation content of the rice cooker. Therefore, the operation content of the rice cooker can be determined from the rice cooker.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the invention, the contents of the operation are the setting of the course, the setting of the hardness after cooking, and the degree of burning after cooking in the information providing device via the portable information terminal or the portable information terminal. Settings, pot pressure setting, rice cooking temperature setting, warming temperature setting, water amount setting, water immersion temperature setting, rice type setting, rice type setting, rice brand setting, water type setting, water brand setting , Timer setting, timer release, clock setting, rice cooking frequency setting, rice cooking completion time setting, rice cooking time setting, heat retention time setting, rice flooding time setting, etc.
The rice cooker determines the rice cooker by directly inputting the settings for driving the rice cooker.

As a result, the rice cooker sets the course, the hardness of the cooked rice, the hardness of the cooked rice, the setting of the pressure in the pot to the information providing device via the mobile information terminal or the mobile information terminal. Rice cooking temperature setting, warming temperature setting, water amount setting, water immersion temperature setting, rice type setting, rice brand setting, rice brand setting, water type setting, water brand setting, timer setting, timer cancellation , Clock setting, rice cooking frequency setting, rice cooking completion time setting, rice cooking time setting, heat retention time setting, rice inundation time setting, etc., directly input the settings related to rice cooker drive to determine the operation content. be able to.
Therefore, the user can set a function or course unique to the user without modifying the rice cooking device even if the user has built it in the rice cooking device in advance and does not assign it to the operating device. It is possible to reduce the number of rice, and it is possible to select a course, a method of cooking rice, etc. that suits the taste of the user.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the invention, the rice cooker has one or both of the program and data for checking the state of the rice cooker, and / or one of the program and data received by the communication means. .

As a result, the rice cooking device can receive the program and / or data for confirming the state of the rice cooking device. Therefore, the state of the rice cooker can be confirmed without direct visual observation by an expert or using a dedicated tool.

The invention as set forth in claim 30 is a rice cooker having means for notifying or communicating the confirmation result of the state.

Thus, the rice cooker can inform or communicate the confirmation result of the state of the rice cooker. Therefore, the state of the rice cooker can be confirmed without the direct visual observation of an expert or the use of a dedicated tool, and the result can be recognized.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the invention, the means for notifying or communicating is a rice cooker for notifying or communicating the confirmation result by a request signal from the outside.

Thus, the rice cooker can notify or communicate the confirmation result of the state of the rice cooker by a request signal from the outside. Therefore, the usage state or the maintenance state of the rice cooker can be confirmed from the outside without the direct visual observation of an expert or the use of a dedicated tool.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, the rice cooker executes the confirmation of the state based on the user's answer to the questions displayed on the rice cooker.

Thus, the rice cooker can confirm the state of the rice cooker based on the user's answer to the questions displayed on the rice cooker. Therefore,
The user can confirm the state of the rice cooker based on the questions of the rice cooker.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the confirmation result of the state of the rice cooker received by the second communication means,
The mobile information terminal performs both or one of display and communication.

Thus, the portable information terminal can display the confirmation result of the state of the rice cooker and / or perform communication. Therefore, the portable information terminal can be operated without directly pressing the key on the operation panel of the rice cooker. In addition, it can be stored in the rice cooker's microcomputer or memory in advance and can function other than the functions assigned to the operation panel. In addition, it is possible to check the status without the direct visual inspection of experts and the use of dedicated tools. .

According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the portable information terminal executes the confirmation of the state of the rice cooker based on the user's answer to the question items displayed on the portable information terminal.

Thus, the portable information terminal can confirm the state of the rice cooker based on the user's answer to the questions displayed on the portable information terminal. Therefore, without directly pressing the key on the operation panel of the rice cooker,
The state of the rice cooker can be confirmed by the portable information terminal. It can be stored in the rice cooker's microcomputer or memory in advance and can function other than the functions assigned to the control panel. Moreover, the state can be confirmed without the direct visual observation of an expert or using a dedicated tool.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the invention, one or more programs or data for controlling the rice cooking device, determining the operation content, or confirming the state is requested to the information providing device, and the request is made. The portable information terminal receives, from the information providing device, one or two or more programs or data transmitted from the information providing device for controlling the rice cooking device, determining the operation content, or confirming the state.

As a result, the portable information terminal can request and receive one or two or more programs or data for controlling the rice cooking device, determining the operation content, or confirming the state of the rice cooking device. Therefore, by requesting the information providing device from the portable information terminal, one or more programs or data for controlling the rice cooking device, determining the operation content, or confirming the state can be received from the information providing device. it can.

According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the invention, one or more programs or data for controlling the rice cooking device, determining the operation content, or confirming the state is requested to the information providing device, and the request is made. Based on the received program or data, one or more programs or data transmitted from the information providing device for controlling the rice cooking device, determining the operation content, or confirming the state are received from the information providing device. One or two or more of these are used as the portable information terminal for transmitting to the rice cooking device.

As a result, the portable information terminal requests the information providing device for one or more of the programs or data for controlling the rice cooking device, determining the operation contents, or confirming the state, and receives one of the received programs or data. Alternatively, two or more can be transmitted to the rice cooker. Therefore, one or more programs or data for controlling the rice cooking device included in the information providing device, determining the operation content, or confirming the state by the portable information terminal is transferred from the information providing device to the rice cooking device via the mobile phone. Can be sent.

The invention described in Item 37 is the operation keys,
The portable information terminal has one or more of a timer, a sensor, or a sensor input unit, and starts transmission to the rice cooker according to information from the one or more of the two.

As a result, the portable information terminal has the operation keys,
Transmission to the rice cooker can be started by information from one or more of a timer, a sensor, or a sensor input unit. Therefore, the rice cooker can be made to function by the user's operation or the timer or the automatic operation based on the sensor information without directly pressing the key of the operation panel of the rice cooker from the portable information terminal. In addition, it can be stored in the rice cooker's microcomputer or memory in advance and can function other than the functions assigned to the operation panel. In addition, it is possible to check the status without the direct visual inspection of experts and the use of dedicated tools. .

The invention described in claim 38 is based on an operation key,
The mobile information terminal has one or more of a timer, a sensor, or a sensor input unit, and starts transmission to the information providing apparatus according to information from one or more of the one.

As a result, the portable information terminal has operation keys,
Information from any one or more of a timer, a sensor, or a sensor input can initiate a transmission to an information providing device. Therefore, a program or data relating to rice cooking of the rice cooker or a program relating to confirmation of the usage state or maintenance state of the rice cooker from the portable information terminal to the information providing device by a user's operation or a timer or an automatic operation based on sensor information Data 1
Or it can be activated to perform more than one transmission. In addition, it can be stored in the rice cooker's microcomputer or memory in advance and can function other than the functions assigned to the operation panel. In addition, it is possible to check the status without the direct visual inspection of experts and the use of dedicated tools. .

According to the 39th aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable information terminal capable of operating a series of operations with the rice cooking device or the information providing device even during a call with another communication device.

As a result, the portable information terminal can function as a series of operations with the rice cooking device or the information providing device even during a call with another communication device. Therefore, it is possible to function very efficiently by combining visual observation on the display unit of the mobile information terminal and conversation using the mobile information terminal without directly pressing the key on the operation panel of the rice cooking device. In addition, it can be stored in the rice cooker's microcomputer or memory in advance and can function other than the functions assigned to the operation panel.
Moreover, the state can be confirmed without the direct visual observation of an expert or using a dedicated tool.

The invention as set forth in claim 40 provides a rice cooker integrally formed with the portable information terminal.

As a result, the portable information terminal and the rice cooker can be used integrally. Therefore, the rice information device can be efficiently controlled by using the portable information terminal as an accessory terminal of the rice cooking device.

According to the invention described in Item 41, a computer is applied to any one of Items 1 to 6 or Items 10 to 32.
Alternatively, the program is a program for realizing a part or all of the functions of the rice cooker according to any one of claims 40.

As a result, part or all of the functions of the rice cooker can be executed by the program. Therefore, by recording a part or all of the functions of the rice cooker on a recording medium or distributing it using a communication line, distribution and installation of the program can be facilitated.

The invention as defined in claim 42 is a computer, and claims 7 to 9 or 33 to 39.
And a program for realizing a part or all of the functions of the mobile information terminal according to any one of the items.

As a result, part or all of the functions of the portable information terminal can be executed by the program.
Therefore, by recording a part or all of the functions of the portable information terminal in a recording medium or distributing it using a communication line, distribution and installation of the program can be facilitated.

The invention described in claim 43 is the same as claim 41.
Alternatively, it is a computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 42 is recorded.

As a result, part or all of the functions of the rice cooker or the portable information terminal can be recorded as a program in a computer-readable recording medium. Therefore, the use range of the program can be expanded by using the recording medium recording the program as an independent information storage means and interposing the computer.

In the invention described in Item 44, the information providing apparatus is a portable information terminal which is an information provider server.

As a result, the portable information terminal can receive information from the information provider server. Therefore,
It is possible to obtain a program and / or data related to rice cooking from an information provider using a portable information terminal.

According to a forty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the information providing device is a portable information terminal that provides information via a homepage installed by a rice cooker maker.

Thus, the portable information terminal can receive the information provided by the rice cooker maker via the homepage installed by the rice cooker maker. Therefore, the portable information terminal can obtain the program and / or data related to rice cooking from the information providing device via the Internet.

According to the 46th aspect of the present invention, the information providing device is a device management device which is disposed separately from the rice cooking device and is capable of communicating with a mobile information terminal or a rice cooking device or both by a wired system or a wireless system. It is a portable information terminal.

As a result, it is arranged separately from the rice cooker,
A device management apparatus capable of communicating with both or one of a mobile information terminal and a rice cooker by a wired method or a wireless method can be used as the information providing apparatus. Therefore, the portable information terminal can be connected to a device management apparatus in a local area network or the like, and the rice cooker can be used as one component of a wired or wireless device management system.

According to the forty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the information providing device is a portable information terminal which is a device for centrally managing home electric appliances.

As a result, the device for centrally managing home electric appliances can be used as an information providing device. Therefore, the portable information terminal can be connected to a device for centrally managing home electric appliances in a home local network or the like, and the rice cooker can be used as one component of the home centralized management system.

According to the 48th aspect of the present invention, the information providing device stores separately one or more of a program or data relating to rice cooking or a program or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking device. The portable information terminal is capable of acquiring from the storage means one or more programs or data related to rice cooking or programs or data related to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking device.

As a result, the information providing device can obtain one or more programs or data relating to rice cooking or one or more programs or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking device from the separately installed information storage means. Therefore, by using the information providing device as one component of the communication system, from the information storage means installed separately,
1 or 2 of programs or data related to rice cooking or programs or data related to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking device
By acquiring the above, it can be used as a device for managing the rice cooking device.

[0125] In the invention described in Item 49, the information providing apparatus is an information recording medium on which one or more programs or data relating to rice cooking or programs or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking apparatus are recorded. The portable information terminal is capable of installing one or more programs or data related to rice cooking or programs or data related to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking device.

[0126] As a result, the information providing apparatus uses one of the programs or data relating to rice cooking from the information recording medium or the program or data relating to checking the state of the rice cooking apparatus.
Alternatively, two or more can be installed. Therefore, the information providing apparatus is used as one component of the communication system to obtain from the information recording medium one or more programs or data relating to rice cooking or programs or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking apparatus. Thus, the rice cooker can be used as a device for managing the rice cooker.

[0127] In the invention described in Item 50, the information providing device is a rice cooking device for providing information through a homepage installed by a rice cooking device manufacturer.

Thus, the rice cooker can receive the information provided by the rice cooker maker via the homepage installed by the rice cooker maker. Therefore, the rice cooker can obtain the program and / or data relating to rice cooker from the information providing device via the Internet.

According to a fifty-first aspect of the invention, the information providing device is a device management device which is provided separately from the rice cooking device and is capable of communicating with either or both of the portable information terminal and the rice cooking device by a wired system or a wireless system. It is a rice cooker.

As a result, it is arranged separately from the rice cooker,
A device management device capable of communicating with both or one of a mobile information terminal and a rice cooker by a wired system or a wireless system can be used as the information providing device. Therefore, the rice-cooking device can be connected to a device management device in a local area network or the like, and can be used as one component of a wired or wireless device management system.

According to the 52nd aspect of the present invention, the information providing device is a rice cooking device which is a device for centrally managing home electric appliances.

As a result, the device for centrally managing home electric appliances can be used as an information providing device. Therefore, the rice-cooking device can be connected to a device for centrally managing home electric appliances in a home local network or the like, and can be used as one component of the home centralized management system.

[0133] In the invention described in claim 53, the information providing device stores separately one or more programs or data related to rice cooking or one or more programs or data related to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking device. The rice cooker is capable of acquiring from the storage means one or more programs or data relating to rice cooker or programs or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooker.

As a result, the information providing apparatus can obtain one or more programs or data relating to rice cooking or one or more programs or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking apparatus from the separately installed information storage means. Therefore, by using the information providing device as one component of the communication system, from the information storage means installed separately,
1 or 2 of programs or data related to rice cooking or programs or data related to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking device
By acquiring the above, it can be used as a device for managing the rice cooking device.

[0135] In the invention according to claim 54, the information providing device is an information recording medium on which one or more programs or data related to rice cooking or programs or data related to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking device are recorded. The rice cooker is capable of installing one or more programs or data relating to rice cooker or programs or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooker.

As a result, the information providing apparatus uses the program or data relating to rice cooking from the information recording medium or the program or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking apparatus.
Alternatively, two or more can be installed. Therefore, the information providing apparatus is used as one component of the communication system to obtain from the information recording medium one or more programs or data relating to rice cooking or programs or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking apparatus. Thus, the rice cooker can be used as a device for managing the rice cooker.

According to the 55th aspect of the present invention, the portable information terminal is a rice cooker which is a mobile phone.

Thus, the rice cooking device can communicate with the information providing device and / or the program and / or data via the mobile phone or the mobile phone. Therefore, the rice cooker can be operated from the mobile phone. Also, the state of the rice cooker can be confirmed from the mobile phone. Further, without being restricted by the installation location of the rice cooking device, data can be downloaded to the rice cooking device from any place where a call can be made from the mobile phone and the rice cooking device can be remotely controlled. Further, by using the mobile phone as the mobile information terminal of the rice cooker, the function of the mobile phone can be used together. Furthermore, the communication method and communication equipment for using the mobile phone, the communication means and communication function of the mobile phone, the usage method, and the like can be utilized for remote control of the rice cooker. A user of the rice cooker can remotely control the rice cooker with a mobile phone that he or she is familiar with.

[0139]

EXAMPLE 1 Example 1 of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configurations of a rice cooker 10 and a mobile phone 11 of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rice cooking device 10 according to the present invention is configured to communicate with the information providing device 13 via the mobile phone 11 which is a mobile phone and the Internet 12 which is an example of a communication network. . The mobile phone 11 is a mobile phone having a function as a mobile information terminal, and includes a wire phone, a wireless phone, a PHS and the like, as well as a mobile phone using various communication methods such as Bluetooth communication and infrared communication including various IrDA. There is. Hereinafter, these mobile phones will be collectively referred to as the mobile phone 11. The rice cooker 10 cooks rice,
A domestic rice cooker or a professional rice cooker that performs all or part of the functions related to rice cooking such as heat retention, preheating (water immersion), rice washing, rice polishing, etc.
It includes various rice cookers such as in-vehicle rice cookers. Electricity, gas, etc. can be considered as the operation method. Hereinafter, these rice cookers are collectively referred to as the rice cooker 10. Rice cooker 10
Is a rice cooker 20 (hereinafter referred to as a rice cooker 20) that performs heat retention, preheating (water immersion), rice washing, and rice polishing, which are the original functions of the rice cooker.
,), A communication unit 22, a display unit 23, a data input unit 24, and an operation unit 25. The operation unit 25 may be a part of the data input unit 24, but is described here as another component for the sake of simplicity.

The microcomputer 21 includes a rice cooker 10
The memory 26 is provided with a program and data created in advance for functioning, and a program and data transmitted from the outside.

Further, the data input unit 24 is a keyboard capable of data input, a dedicated operation panel composed of push button switches such as key switches, etc. Assignable unit 27 that can assign a function based on a predetermined method
Is equipped with. Here, the data input unit 24 is the rice cooker 10.
This is a dedicated operation panel for the
It is described as. As a result, for example, it is possible to download a course according to the life stage such as family structure and health condition. That is, the number of key switches is limited, and data can be changed in all or in part.

The communication means 22 can be constituted by communication means of various wired and wireless communication systems, for example, a wired serial communication system, a wired parallel communication system, a low power wireless communication system,
The PHS communication method, the power line carrier communication method, the wire telephone communication method, the wireless telephone communication method, the feeble wireless communication method, the Bluetooth communication method, the infrared communication method including various IrDA, etc. can be realized, but here, the infrared communication method is used. It is described as a means.

On the other hand, the mobile phone 11 has a second communication means 30 for communicating with the communication means 22 of the rice cooker 10, a microcomputer 31 as a control means, and a first communication means 32.
The display unit 33, the data input unit 34, the operation switch 35, the sensor input unit 36, and the call unit 37. The operation switch means 35 may be a part of the data input section 34, but is described here as another component for the sake of clarity.

The data input section 34 is a keyboard capable of inputting data, a dedicated operation panel composed of key switches, or the like. Here, it is described as an input key switch of a mobile phone. Further, the first communication means 32 can be constituted by communication means of various wired and wireless communication methods, for example, a wired serial communication method, a wired parallel communication method, a low power wireless communication method, a PHS communication method, a power line carrier communication method. ,
It can be realized by a wired telephone communication system, a wireless telephone communication system, a weak wireless communication system, a Bluetooth communication system, an infrared communication system including various IrDAs, and the like, but here, a communication unit of the wireless telephone communication system with which the mobile phone 11 can communicate. And

Further, the microcomputer 31 is provided with a memory 38 for storing programs and data created in advance for operating the mobile phone 11 and programs and data transmitted from the outside. Further, it is provided with a data conversion means 39 for converting the input program and data into a predetermined form and a timer 40.

The information providing device 13 is a server of the information provider and can communicate with the mobile phone 11 via the Internet 12. An information provider may be a rice cooker maker. For example, the rice cooker manufacturer has various kinds of information on the homepage installed by his company using the information providing device 13, and can read, download (download), etc. from the mobile phone 11 and send and receive e-mail.
It has a function of rewriting predetermined data. It goes without saying that various types of memory such as a flash memory such as an SD card may be used as the communication means and the communication means having an equivalent function instead.

Next, the operations of the rice cooker 10 and the mobile phone 11 will be described with reference to FIG. The mobile phone 11 requests a program or data from the first communication means to the information providing device 13 via the Internet 12 by operating the operation switch 35. Where "program or data"
The term means both or one of a program and data, but the same applies hereinafter for convenience of description. In addition, although the description here is based on the fact that the operation is performed by operating the operation switch 35, a change in the state of a sensor (not shown) connected to the sensor input means 35 is used as a trigger, or a sensor built in a mobile phone (not shown) is used. A state change can be used as a trigger. Further, the signal from the timer 40 may be used as a trigger, the information from the data input unit 34 may be used as a trigger, or the request from the rice cooker 10 may be used as a trigger.

The information providing device 13 transmits a predetermined program or data in response to a request from the mobile phone 11. The mobile phone 11 receives the program or data recorded in the information providing device 13 via the Internet 12 by the first communication unit 32. The program or data received by the first communication means 32 is converted by the data conversion means 39 according to a predetermined rule by the microcomputer 31 according to a predetermined rule, and sent from the second communication means 30 to the communication means 22 of the rice cooker 10. To be At this time, the mobile phone 11 stores a program or data in the memory 38 as needed. In addition, the display unit 33 displays according to a predetermined rule. In addition, the mobile phone 11 can convert the received program or data into a predetermined form by the data conversion means 39 according to the input of the data input unit. Further, the call unit 37 can talk with the information provider server 13 via the Internet 12 or directly with a third party.

On the other hand, the rice cooker 10 which has received the program or data from the mobile phone 11 by the communication means 22 stores the received program or data in the memory of the microcomputer 21. Further, the microcomputer 21 causes the rice cooking means 20 such as rice cooking, heat retention, preheating (immersion), rice washing, and rice polishing to function according to the received program or data. At this time, the operation means 25 is operated as necessary. Also,
Data is input from the data input unit 24 as needed.
The assignable unit 27 of the data input unit 24 can perform key assignment according to the received program or data, or reset existing key assignment to assign a new function to the key. On the display unit 23, the display content is changed according to the function assigned to the operation means 25. In this embodiment, a push button switch is used as the operating means 25,
Although a liquid crystal display screen is used for the display unit 23, a method in which the liquid crystal display screen has an input function and is used as both an operation means and a display means is also conceivable.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the contents of the information providing device. FIG. 2A shows an example of a program or data registered in the information providing device. In this example, there is an area for registering data for selecting the type of device. FIG. 2A illustrates a rice cooker, a rice washer, a rice mill, a rice sharpener, a rice cake maker, and a bread maker. In addition to this, various types of cooking home appliances and types of home appliances other than cooking home appliances can be registered. Although not illustrated, the model number of the device can be registered corresponding to the type of the device such as the rice cooker. The programs or data registered in these information providing devices are transmitted by a request from a mobile phone or the like.

The next example shown in FIG. 2B is a program or data item related to control of the rice cooker registered in the information providing device. Here, a state in which programs and data for controlling the rice cooking device such as starting / ending of rice cooking and starting / ending of heat retention are registered is illustrated. For example, when a request for various programs or data relating to the control of the rice cooking device is made from a mobile phone, the corresponding program or data is transmitted from the information providing device.

The next example shown in FIG. 2 (c) is a program or data item related to the operation contents of the rice cooker registered in the information providing device. Here, rice cooking course, heat insulation course,
It illustrates a state in which a program or data of the operation content of the rice cooker such as a preheating (flooding) course is registered. For example, when a request for various programs or data regarding the operation content of the rice cooking device is made from a mobile phone, the corresponding program or data is transmitted from the information providing device.

The next example shown in FIG. 2D is a program or data item relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooker registered in the information providing device. Here, a state in which a program or data for confirming the state of the rice cooker such as heater confirmation, temperature sensor confirmation, timer confirmation, etc. is registered is illustrated. For example, when a request for various programs or data relating to the operation of confirming the state of the rice cooking device is made from a mobile phone, the corresponding programs or data are transmitted from the information providing device.

Specific examples of controlling the rice cooker, confirming the operation contents, and the state will be described later. Also,
Update the program or data registered in the information providing device,
The deletion and addition can be performed by a Web administrator, a device manufacturer, a device seller, a service person, or the like according to a predetermined procedure.

Next, FIG. 3 shows an outline of functions that can be realized by using the rice cooker, the mobile phone, and the information providing device of this embodiment.

The function shown in FIG. 3 will be briefly described. Details will be described later individually.

As shown in FIG. 3, this configuration is roughly divided into three.
It has various kinds of functions. Here, the remote control 50, the preference setting 60, and the automatic check 70 are named. First, the remote controller 50 will be described. The mobile phone 11 downloads and saves a program or data for controlling the rice cooker 10 recorded in advance in the information providing device 13 via the Internet 12.

Accordingly, the mobile phone 11 has a function of controlling the rice cooker 10. By operating the mobile phone 11, a program or data for controlling the rice cooker 10 is transmitted from the mobile phone 11 to the rice cooker 10, and the rice cooker receiving this control signal performs a predetermined function according to the received control signal. . At this time, the mobile phone 11 converts the program or data to be transmitted into a predetermined form as necessary. Further, in this embodiment, the mobile phone 11 communicates with the rice cooker 10 by an infrared communication system.

Next, the preference setting 60 will be described. The preference setting 60 is a course selection 61 and a question format 62.
Can be roughly divided into three functions, named detailed setting 63.

First, the course selection 61 will be described. The mobile phone 11 downloads and saves a program or data that determines the operation content of the rice cooker 10 recorded in advance in the information providing device 13 via the Internet 12. Here, how to select the program for the mobile phone 11 to determine the operation contents of the rice cooker is displayed on the mobile phone 11.
The user selects from multiple pre-patterned courses such as the time and amount of water such as rice cooking, heat retention, preheating (immersion), washing rice, and rice polishing. The mobile phone 11 converts the format of the selected program or data as necessary and uploads it to the rice cooker 10. Thereby, the rice cooker 10 performs a function corresponding to the program or data uploaded by operating the rice cooker 10.

Next, the question format 62 will be described. The mobile phone 11 downloads and saves a program or data that determines the operation content of the rice cooker 10 recorded in advance in the information providing device 13 via the Internet 12. Here, how to select the program for the mobile phone 11 to determine the operation contents of the rice cooker is displayed on the mobile phone 11.
Answer questions about what the user of the rice cooker 10 wants to achieve. Questions include, for example, course setting, cooked firmness setting, cooked burnt state setting, pot pressure setting, rice cooking temperature setting, warming temperature setting, water amount setting,
Inundation temperature setting, rice type setting, rice brand setting, water type setting, water brand setting, timer setting, timer setting, timer release, clock setting, rice cooking frequency setting, rice cooking completion time Settings, rice cooking time, heat retention time, rice inundation time, etc. When the user of the rice cooker 10 answers at least one of these questions, from the answer to this question, cooking rice, heat retention, preheating (immersion), washing rice,
From a plurality of pre-patterned courses such as rice milling time and water volume, a suitable course is stored in advance on the information providing device, or information is exchanged in real time, or carried Select automatically according to the procedure downloaded to the phone. The mobile phone 11 edits or processes the selected program or data as needed, converts the form, and uploads it to the rice cooker 10. Thereby, the rice cooker 10 performs a function corresponding to the program or data uploaded by operating the rice cooker 10.

Next, the detailed setting 63 will be described.
The mobile phone 11 downloads and saves a program or data that determines the operation content of the rice cooker 10 recorded in advance in the information providing device 13 via the Internet 12. Here, the method of selecting the program for the mobile phone 11 to determine the operation content of the rice cooker is that the user of the rice cooker 10 inputs desired conditions for the rice cooker 10 to function. At this time, the mobile phone 11 may ask the user in a question format. The input contents are, for example, rice cooking, heat retention, preheating (immersion), washing rice, setting of rice polishing course, setting of hardness after cooking, setting of burnt condition after cooking, setting of rice type, setting of rice brand, water This includes setting the type and brand of rice, setting and releasing the timer, setting the number of times rice is cooked, setting the time when rice is cooked, setting the heat retention time, and setting the flooding time of rice.
When at least one of these is input, the corresponding program or data is uploaded from the information providing device 13 to the rice cooker 10 via the Internet 12 or the mobile phone 11, or directly from the mobile phone 11 to the rice cooker 10. . Thereby, the rice cooker 10 performs a function corresponding to the program or data uploaded by operating the rice cooker 10.

Next, the automatic check 70 will be described. The mobile phone 11 downloads and saves a program or data which is pre-recorded in the information providing device 13 via the Internet 12 or entered by a third party in real time to check the state of the rice cooker 10.
An example of this is that when the downloaded program or data is transferred to the rice cooker 10, the rice cooker 10
Operate a program or data that confirms the state of 0,
The result is notified visually or audibly, or data is returned by communication. Here, when the program or data for checking the state of the rice cooker 10 functions, the rice cooker 10 may automatically perform a predetermined operation. For example, in order to check the state of the heater of the rice cooker 10, the heater is energized for a short time to check the degree of temperature rise. At this time,
A part of the user's operation or a sense of sight, hearing, touch, or the like may be included as a means for confirming the state or a means for confirming the result.

[0165] Further, as an example, a display or the like corresponding to the program or data downloaded to the mobile phone 11 is made,
In accordance with this, there is a method in which the user of the rice cooker 10 confirms the operation, sight, hearing, sensation, or the like. The result of confirmation is input to the mobile phone 11 or by conversation from the mobile phone, the information providing device, or a third party who has written or recorded the program or data in the information providing device, or other purpose of the rice cooker 10 for the purpose of other services. It is transmitted to the place where you want to check the status.

The outlines of the remote controller 50, the preference setting 60, and the automatic check 70 have been described above, but the details of each and other embodiments will be described later.

The memory 26 and the memory 38, the timer 4
Although 0 is described as being built in the microcomputer 21 and the microcomputer 31, respectively, it goes without saying that it may be externally attached.

The program and data provided by the information providing device may be downloaded from the home page of the information providing device using the web browser of the mobile phone, or may be sent by e-mail or the like. There is also.

Further, the information downloaded from the information providing device can be processed and transmitted from the mobile phone to the rice cooking device as necessary, and the E received from the information providing device can be transmitted.
In the case of e-mail or the like, the information can be transmitted to the rice cooker without being processed.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a view showing the outer appearance of a mobile phone which is one of the present invention.

The mobile phone 111 has a data input section 134.
There is. Number key switch 1
40, OFF hook switch 141, ON hook switch 142, manner switch 143, and other switches used mainly during telephone calls, and arrow keys 144 and enter key 145 for performing various information processing operations while looking at the display unit 133. , The first operation key 146, the second operation key 14
7 is equipped. Also, the transmitting means 148 and the receiving means 1
You can use 49 to speak and hear audio.

Further, the mobile phone 111 is provided with an antenna 150 for transmitting and receiving a call or information using radio waves, and an infrared transmission / reception means 151 for performing infrared communication with a device near the mobile phone 111. By pressing a switch of the data input unit 134 of the operation unit, the user can display various information on the display unit 133 and use it as a telephone function or an information terminal.

In FIG. 4, as an example of the display of the display unit 133, a menu screen for selecting various functions is shown.

Usually, when a mobile phone is used as an information terminal, a display for advancing the operation appears at the bottom of the display section. That is, the lowermost left display 152 corresponds to the first operation key 146, and a display for advancing the operation of the screen is made, and the user operates the first operation key 146 while watching the display of the lowermost left display 152. To operate. Similarly, the lowermost center display 153 is a display corresponding to the arrow keys 144 and the enter key 145, and the lowermost right display 154 is the second operation key 14
A display corresponding to 7 is made.

The actual remote control operation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 22 showing the liquid crystal display on the display section and FIGS. 23 to 25 showing the flow of operation display.

First, the download of a program for remote control will be described.

The user operates the push button switch to connect to a site on the Internet where a program or data for controlling the rice cooker is written (step 200). The method of connecting to the Internet site is publicly known, and by performing necessary operations, it is possible to connect to the Internet using communication by radio waves of a mobile phone. The site is opened by the manufacturer of rice cooker, for example, if the address is open to the public,
The user can freely connect to the site.

FIG. 5 shows the display state (display 1) of the display unit 133 when the mobile phone is connected to the site (step 20).
1).

As shown in FIG. 5, the first screen asks the model of the mobile phone to be used and the field of merchandise to be controlled. Here, the mobile phone model is set to P503is, and "6. Rice cooker" is selected and determined as the product field. That is, the display size can be adjusted according to the model of the mobile phone used, and the remote control program for each product field can be downloaded.

FIG. 6 is a screen (display 2) displaying a model selection and a function menu of “6. Rice Cooker”. As for the function menu, as shown in the figure, "1. Rice cooker remote control"
"2. Preferences""3. Read the manual""4. Q
You can arrange items such as “& A Corner” and “5. Here, as the model, "SR-H
G18 "is selected and the function" 1. rice cooker remote control "is selected and determined (step 202).

FIG. 7 shows a screen (display 3) for downloading a program for remote control of the rice cooker. Here, a display appears asking the contents of the program function and whether to download (step 20).
3). If it is to be downloaded, the operation of "download start" is performed and the download is executed (step 204). One of the programs operating on this mobile phone is called an i-appli, but this program is generally downloaded from a server site and input to the mobile phone.

The program once downloaded to the mobile phone can be stored in the mobile phone and used immediately or as many times as necessary. That is, after downloading the program from the site, the connection to the Internet may be released. Of course, if the program is upgraded, you can connect to the Internet site again and download the updated new program again. Also, on the site, each time a new rice cooker model is released, a new program corresponding to it can be created and posted on the site.

Then, if a display (display 4) indicating that the download is completed appears as shown in FIG. 8 (step 20).
5) The download of the remote control program to the mobile phone 11 is completed.

Next, the remote control operation will be described.

FIG. 9 is an initial menu screen (display 5) of the mobile phone 11. On the menu screen, icons for performing various functions are displayed as shown in the figure, and the user can select the icon for performing the required function to activate the program for that function. Here, the icon 606 on the screen is selected and determined to proceed to the function to operate as a remote controller (step 20).
6).

FIG. 10 is a menu screen (display 6) of the remote control function, in which a list of programs for each product field that can be remote controlled is displayed. In the figure, "rice cooking remote control", "microwave oven remote control", "air conditioner remote control" and "washing remote control" are displayed, but here, "rice cooking remote control" is selected (step 20).
7).

FIG. 11 shows a screen (display 7) for selecting an operation function. "Remote control function" to actually control the rice cooker to operate or end, "Preference setting function" to change the operation contents of the rice cooker for each home, and the operating state of the rice cooker It is possible to select from "automatic diagnosis function" for monitoring. Here, the "remote control function" is selected and determined (step 208).

FIG. 12 shows a screen (display 8) for setting transmission data when the remote control is performed. As shown in the figure, "course", "rice cooking", "heat retention", "preheating (flooding)",
You can set "washed rice" and "polished rice".

[0189] Here, when the pull-down menu button (▽) on the right side that is displayed as "Omakase Course" is pressed,
The third course selection screen (display 9) appears, and the course can be selected and set (step 209). Similarly, when the pull-down menu button (▽) on the right side, which is displayed as “Rice rice entrusted” in FIG. 13, is pressed, the rice cooking selection screen (display 10) in FIG. 14 appears, and rice rice selection setting can be performed (step 210), and by pressing the pull-down menu button (▽) on the right side displayed as "Random heat retention" in Fig. 12, the heat retention selection screen (display 11) in Fig. 15 appears, and the heat retention selection setting can be performed ( Step 211), if you press the pull-down menu button (▽) on the right side that displays "Random preheating (flooding)" in FIG. 12, the preheating (flooding) selection screen in FIG. 16 (display 12) appears, and preheating (flooding) )
1 can be selected and set (step 212).
2. When you press the pull-down menu button (▽) on the right side that displays "Rice washing", the selection screen (with display 13) of rice washing appears in Fig. 17, and you can select whether or not to wash rice. (Step 213). Of course, it is not necessary to change the items such as "course" and "cooking rice" that do not need to be changed.

FIG. 18 shows the screen (display 14) after the setting items have been changed from the initial setting shown in FIG. If the setting is OK on this transmission data setting screen, by pressing ENTER (step 214), each item is set as data to be transmitted to the rice cooker (step 215).
The remote control transmission screen (display 15) of FIG. 19 is displayed. Here, since the communication between the mobile phone 111 and the rice cooker 110 uses the infrared communication system, the mobile phone 111 is directed to the rice cooker as shown in the screen of FIG.
It is displayed as if you press the button. FIG. 21 shows a state in which a remote control operation is actually performed from the mobile phone 111 toward the rice cooker 110. By pressing a necessary switch of the mobile phone 111, infrared light of infrared communication is transmitted from the mobile phone 111 (step 216), and the infrared light is transmitted by the infrared communication unit 13 which is a communication means of the rice cooker 110.
Received at 2. If necessary, the infrared communication unit 132 of the rice cooker 110 transmits data indicating that an infrared remote control signal has been received or data indicating that the operation is started to the mobile phone 111.

If the mobile phone 111 transmits data to the rice cooker 110, as shown in FIG.
The fact that 0 has started the operation and the scheduled end time can be displayed (display 16) (step 217). This estimated end time may be calculated and displayed in the mobile phone 111 based on the data of the items set in FIG. 18, and the rice cooker 1
10) The end time may be transmitted as data to the mobile phone 111 and displayed.

Now, after the operation starts, when the scheduled end time predicted and calculated by the mobile phone 111 is reached, or the rice cooker 11
When the data indicating that the operation is completed is received from 0 to the mobile phone 111, the mobile phone 111 displays a “notification” indicating that the operation of the rice cooker is completed (display 17) as shown in FIG. (Steps 218 and 21)
9).

The scheduled end time may be calculated in the information providing device or by a function such as an i-appli, and the scheduled end time may be transmitted to the alarm function of the mobile phone to be notified by the mobile phone.

By the way, the above description is about the steps on the side of the mobile phone 111.

The flow of steps on the rice cooker 110 side will be described with reference to FIG.

The rice cooker 110 waits for reception of infrared rays of the infrared communication transmitted from the mobile phone 111 (step 22).
0) If it is confirmed that it has been received, set "Course", "Cooking rice", "Heat retention", "Preheat (flooding)", "Rinsing rice" and "Rice polishing" (step 221) and start the operation (step 222). . Then, the infrared communication unit transmits the infrared light for the remaining time until the end of the operation (step 2).
23). Then, the operation is continued, and if it is confirmed that the operation is completed (step 224), the information indicating that the operation is completed is transmitted from the infrared communication unit (step 225).

The remote control control for setting the course of the rice cooker 110, rice cooking, heat retention, preheating (immersion), washing rice, and rice cleaning has been described here. The contents of controlling the rice cooker 110 are as follows. In addition, the following control items can be considered.

(1) Start or end of the rice cooking course or stop halfway or restart after stopping halfway (2) Start or end of rice cooking / heat retention course or restart after halfway or stop halfway (3) Heat insulation course Start or end of rice or restart after halfway stop or halfway stop (4) Start or end of rice cooking or halfway stop or restart after halfway stop (5) Start or end of heat retention or halfway stop or halfway stop (6) Start or end of preheating (flooding) or restart after halfway stop or halfway stop (7) Start or end of rice washing or restart after halfway stop or halfway stop (8) Start of rice polishing Or end or stop halfway or restart after halfway stop (9) change course (10) change water volume (11) change time setting (12) set or release timer (13) set clock These control items To It can have, it is possible to implement in the same manner by changing the program of the remote control of the mobile phone 111.

Further, the control by the remote control of the rice cooker as the rice cooker has been described so far, but in the rice cooker for business use, the following control items can be considered in addition to the above control items.

(1) Start, end, halfway stop, or restart after halfway stopping of rice cooking for a plurality of rice cooking times (2) Change rice cooking frequency (3) Change each rice cooking condition for a plurality of rice cooking times (Amount of rice cooked, amount of water, temperature, time setting, etc.) Of course, in the rice cooker, the control items may change when the model changes, but by making the remote control program according to the item according to the model, It is possible to perform remote control according to the above.

Also, in a rice cooker other than the domestic rice cooker and the commercial rice cooker, the remote controller control corresponding to the rice cooker can be performed by similarly creating the program of the remote controller according to the control item of the rice cooker. You can

Although the above description relates to the use at home, a series of inspection items are stored in the remote controller as control contents in the inspection when assembling the rice cooker in a factory or the like. Every time, by sending a remote control signal for controlling the inspection items to the rice cooker to be inspected, a series of inspections can be performed with simple remote control operation without directly operating the operation unit by the rice cooker side. It can be carried out. In other words, until now, in the inspection of the rice cooker, it has been necessary to perform inspection using the limited buttons etc. of the operation unit, so if you do not perform complicated button operations while holding down multiple buttons, do the factory inspection. Could not be done. By storing a series of inspection items in the remote control, the need for such complicated and troublesome operation is eliminated and the check operation can be performed remotely.

(Embodiment 3) An embodiment of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment, and FIG. 27 is an example of operation contents received by the rice cooking device 403 from the information providing device 401 of the present embodiment via the mobile phone 402. The rice cooker of the present invention is an information providing device 401.
, A mobile phone 402, and a rice cooker 403. The information providing device 401 and the mobile phone 402 are
Each of the communication means 404 and 405 can be connected to a predetermined communication network 406 such as the Internet, and data can be mutually transmitted and received via a telephone line or the like. In addition, the transmission information from the infrared transmission unit 407, which is the second communication unit of the mobile phone 402, can be received by the infrared reception unit 408, which is the communication unit of the rice cooking device 403.

The information providing device 401 has a communication means 404.
And a rice cooker operation content storage unit 409,
The mobile phone 402 includes a communication unit 405 and an infrared transmitter 40.
7, a control unit 410 for controlling them, an operation unit 411, and a display unit 412. Further, the rice cooker includes an infrared receiver 408 and an operation content storage unit 41.
3, a control means 414 for controlling them, and an operation unit 415. Operation content storage means 413
In addition to the semiconductor memory fixedly installed in the rice cooker, a part of the memory card is removable.
Of course, the operation content storage unit 413 can be entirely detachable or can be fixedly installed. Various storage media such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), an IC card, a CD (compact disk), and an MD (mini disk) can be considered as the removable storage means.

[0206] The rice cooker operation content storage means 409 of the information providing apparatus 401 stores the rice cooker operation content shown in Fig. 27 by the administrator of the information providing apparatus 401. FIG. 27 shows an example of “rice cooking course”.

Next, the operation of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described. First, the user operates the operation unit 41 of the mobile phone 402.
1 performs an operation for accessing the information providing device 401, the mobile phone 402 is connected to the information providing device 401 via the communication network 406, and is stored in the rice cooker operation content storage unit 409 of the information providing device 401. The data of the operation content being transferred is transferred to the mobile phone 402 via the communication unit 404, the communication network 406, and the communication unit 405, and the display unit 41 is displayed.
It is displayed in 2. Next, when the user further performs an operation for transfer to the rice cooker 403 using the operation unit 411 of the mobile phone 402, the control means 410 of the mobile phone 402 causes the operation content transferred from the information providing device 401. Data of
The infrared transmitter 407 transmits the rice to the rice cooker 403. In the rice cooker 403, the infrared receiver 408 receives the operation content data and stores it in the operation content storage unit 413.

In the rice cooker 403 having the transferred operation content data stored in the operation content storage means 413, the user operates the operation unit 415 to control the rice cooking course stored in the operation content storage means 413. Then, the control means 41
4 reads out the storage contents of the operation content storage means 413 and controls the rice cooking device 403 according to the data.

[0209] In this embodiment, the operation content data stored in the operation content storage means 409 for rice cooking device of the information providing device 401 is stored in the rice cooking device 4 via the mobile phone 402.
Although it is stored in the operation content storage means 413 of No. 03, the content stored in the rice cooker operation content storage means 409 of the information providing apparatus 401 is received by the mobile phone 402 as a program for controlling the operation content, and the rice cooker 403 is operated. The program may be directly transmitted to the rice cooker 403 or converted into control content data and transmitted to the rice cooker 403 and stored in the operation content storage unit 413 of the rice cooker 403. In addition, in this embodiment, the second communication means of the mobile phone 402 is the infrared transmitting section 407 and the communication means of the rice cooking device 403 is the infrared receiving section 408, and the infrared one-way from the mobile phone 402 to the rice cooking apparatus 403 is one direction. Although communication is used, both may be bidirectional communication as an infrared transmission / reception unit.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cleaning device stores the contents by receiving the program or the data for determining the operation contents of the rice cooking device transmitted from the communication means of the mobile phone. The rice-cooking device realizes the rice-cooking device in which the user can easily use the rice-cooking course other than the course already prepared in advance in the rice-cooking device only by preparing a simple configuration.

(Embodiment 4) An embodiment of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment is FIG. 26 similar to the third embodiment. FIG. 28 shows a rice cooker 403 from the information providing device 401 of this embodiment via a mobile phone 402.
It is an example of the operation content received by.

In the rice cooker operation content storage means 409 of the information providing device 401, a plurality of predetermined rice cookers, heat retaining, preheating (immersion), washing rice, shown in FIG. 28 by the administrator of the information providing device 401, At least one of milled rice
A course including one step, that is, a "white rice course", a "porridge course", an "okowa course", and many other courses are stored in this embodiment. As with the “white rice course” shown in FIG. 27, both the “porridge course” and the “okowa course” include the number of times of each step such as rice cooking, heat retention, preheating (immersion), washing rice, and rice polishing, operating time, water amount, strength Etc. is a predetermined course.

Next, the operation of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described. First, the user operates the operation unit 41 of the mobile phone 402.
1 performs an operation for accessing the information providing device 401, the mobile phone 402 is connected to the information providing device 401 via the communication network 7, and is stored in the rice cooker operation content storage unit 409 of the information providing device 401. The data of the performed operation contents is the communication means 404, the communication network 406, and the communication means 40.
5 is transferred to the mobile phone 402 and displayed on the display unit 412. Next, among the operation contents transferred by the user through the operation unit 411 of the mobile phone 402 and displayed on the display unit 412, a predetermined course, that is, “white rice course”, “porridge course”, “ Okowa course ", others,
When any one of the courses is selected and an operation for transferring to the rice cooking device 403 is further performed, the control unit 410 of the mobile phone 402 causes the infrared transmitting unit to transfer the data of the operation content transferred from the information providing device 401. From 407, it transmits to the rice cooker 403. In the rice cooker 403, the infrared receiver 408 receives the operation content data, and the operation content storage unit 4
Store in 13.

In the rice cooker 403 having the transferred operation content data stored in the operation content storage means 413, the user operates the operation section 415 to control the rice cooking course stored in the operation content storage means 413. Then, the control means 41
4 reads out the storage contents of the operation content storage means 413 and controls the rice cooking device 403 according to the data.

In this embodiment, the information providing device 401
Although the plurality of contents stored in the operation content storage unit 409 for the rice cooker is for each rice cooked target, it may be prepared for each purpose such as "large-scale rice cooker course" and "outdoor rice cooker course". Absent.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation content of the rice cooker is at least one of a plurality of predetermined rice cooked, kept warm, preheated (immersed), washed or polished rice recorded in the information providing device. Since the course includes one step, each user can easily use the rice cooking course without having to set the number of steps, the operation time, the amount of water, etc., individually for each rice cooking target. Is realized.

(Embodiment 5) An embodiment of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the structure of this embodiment. In addition to the configuration of FIG. 26, the information providing device includes
The interrogator 416 is provided. FIG. 30 shows an example of the content of a question to the user from the questioning means 416 of the information providing apparatus 401 of this embodiment via the mobile phone 402.

In the rice cooker operation content storage means 409 of the information providing device 401, a plurality of predetermined rice cookers, heat retaining, preheating (immersion), washing rice, shown in FIG. 28 by the administrator of the information providing device 401, At least one of milled rice
A course including one step, that is, a "white rice course", a "porridge course", an "okowa course", and other courses are stored in this embodiment.

Next, the operation of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described. First, the user operates the operation unit 41 of the mobile phone 402.
1 performs an operation for accessing the information providing apparatus 401, the mobile phone 402 is connected to the information providing apparatus 401 via the communication network 406, and the question from the question means 416 of the information providing apparatus 401 is changed to the communication means. 404, communication network 40
6. Transferred to the mobile phone 402 via the communication means 405. That is, the question about the category of the course that is desired to be easily set, which is the question content shown in FIG.
Is displayed in. In response to the question shown in FIG. 30, the user operates the operation unit 411 of the mobile phone 402 to select “1” and decides, and then cooks rice from the information providing apparatus 401 connected via the communication network 406. Of the operation contents stored in the device operation content storage means 409, "white rice course", "porridge course", which is a "course according to rice cooking target",
The "Owawa Course" and other data are transmitted by the communication means 40.
4, the mobile phone 4 via the communication network 406 and the communication means 405.
02, and is displayed on the display unit 412.

Next, the user selects one of the operation contents transferred and displayed on the display unit 412 by the operation unit 411 of the mobile phone 402, and further performs an operation for transfer to the rice cooker 403. Then, the control means 410 of the mobile phone 402
Transmits the data of the operation content transferred from the information providing device 401 to the rice cooking device 403 from the infrared transmitting unit 407. In the rice cooker 403, the infrared receiver 408 receives the operation content data and stores it in the operation content storage unit 413.

In the rice cooker 403 having the transferred operation content data stored in the operation content storage means 413, the user operates the operation section 415 to control the rice cooking course stored in the operation content storage means 413. Then, the control means 41
4 reads out the storage contents of the operation content storage means 413 and controls the rice cooking device 403 according to the data.

In this embodiment, the inquiry means 416 is the constituent element of the information providing device 401.
The mobile phone 402 itself may ask a question as a function within the program transferred from the information providing device 401 to the mobile phone 402 without connecting to 01.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, based on the contents of the information provided by the information providing device via the mobile phone or the mobile phone, the predetermined rice cooking, heat retention, preheating (immersion), washing or polishing of rice is performed. By selecting and deciding a course that includes at least one of the steps, the user can easily search and use a rice cooking course that meets his or her needs by answering a simple question. It realizes the device.

(Embodiment 6) An embodiment of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment is FIG. 29 similar to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 31 shows an example of the content of a question to the user from the question means 416 of the information providing apparatus 401 of this embodiment via the mobile phone 402. In FIG. 31, as options for the rice cooking step, "rice cooked" is "white rice, porridge, rice cake, pilaf, ..." and "hardness" is "hard, normal, soft turtle, ...", "rice cooked"time"
Is "super high speed, high speed, normal", "rice variety" is "Koshihikari,"
Sasashiki, Akita Komachi, ... "are available. As an option for the heat retention step, the" heat retention time "is" continuous, 1 day,
Half day, 1 hour, no heat retention "," Preheat (immersion) time "is" No, 1 hour, 30 minutes "," Rice wash "is" Yes, No "," Rice polishing "Step options are" Yes, No " Is prepared.

The operation contents storage means 409 for the rice cooker of the information providing device 401 includes the rice cooker, the heat retaining, the preheating (immersion), the rice washing shown in FIG. 31 by the administrator of the information providing device 401.
A course including at least one step of rice cooking, heat retention, preheating (flooding), rice washing, and rice polishing in which options of a plurality of conditions predetermined in each step such as rice polishing was combined was stored.

Next, the operation of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described. First, the user operates the operation unit 41 of the mobile phone 402.
1 performs an operation for accessing the information providing apparatus 401, the mobile phone 402 is connected to the information providing apparatus 401 via the communication network 406, and the question from the question means 416 of the information providing apparatus 401 is changed to the communication means. 404, communication network 40
6. Transferred to the mobile phone 402 via the communication means 405. That is, the question content shown in FIG. 31 is displayed on the display unit 412. The user responds to the question shown in FIG.
When the answer for each is selected and determined by operating the operation unit 411 of the mobile phone 402, the operation stored in the rice cooker operation content storage unit 409 from the information providing apparatus 401 connected via the communication network 406. Of the contents, the data of the course corresponding to the reply contents is transferred to the mobile phone 402 via the communication unit 404, the communication network 406, and the communication unit 405, and displayed on the display unit 412.

Next, when the user operates the operation unit 411 of the mobile phone 402 to transfer the operation content transferred and displayed on the display unit 412 to the rice cooker 403, the mobile phone 402 is controlled. The means 410 transmits the data of the operation content transferred from the information providing device 401 to the rice cooking device 403 from the infrared transmitting unit 407. In the rice cooker 403,
The infrared receiver 408 receives the operation content data and stores it in the operation content storage unit 413.

In the rice cooker 403 having the transferred operation content data stored in the operation content storage unit 413, the user operates the operation unit 415 to control the rice cooking course stored in the operation content storage unit 413. Then, the control means 41
4 reads out the storage contents of the operation content storage means 413 and controls the rice cooking device 403 according to the data.

In this embodiment, the inquiry means 416 is a constituent element of the information providing device 401 as in the fifth embodiment. However, the information providing device 401 is connected to the mobile phone 402 without connecting to the information providing device 401. The mobile phone 402 itself may ask a question as a function within the transferred program.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation contents of the rice cooker are cooked, kept warm, preheated (immersed), and washed rice based on the contents of the information provided by the information providing device via the mobile phone or the mobile phone. Or at least one step of rice polishing, and by making the course selected and determined from a plurality of predetermined conditions in each step, the user can prepare in advance by simply answering a simple question. You can easily use the rice cooking course that meets your needs more precisely than the ready-made course.

(Embodiment 7) An embodiment of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing the structure of this embodiment. In addition to the configuration of FIG. 29, the information providing device includes
The optimum course selection means 417 is provided. FIG. 33 is an example of the content of a question regarding various rice cooking information to be queried by the user from the questioning unit 416 of the information providing apparatus 401 of the present embodiment via the mobile phone 402. In FIG. 33, as the question categories, “about rice in general”, “about cooking time”, “about taste”, “about electricity bill”, “about water bill”, etc. are prepared, and each choice is “rice”. "Overall" is "soft, normal, good", "About cooking time", "I'm in a hurry, don't worry too much, take time", "About taste" Yes, don't worry, "About electricity bill" is "I care very much, I can't do it if necessary, don't worry too much", "About water bill" is "I care very much, I can't help it if necessary, I don't care much" No ”is prepared.

In the rice cooker operation content storage means 409 of the information providing device 401, the administrator of the information providing device 401 stores the same steps as rice cooking, heat retention, preheating (immersion), washing rice, and rice polishing as in the sixth embodiment. A course including at least one step of cooking rice, keeping heat, preheating (immersing), washing rice, and polishing rice, which is a combination of a plurality of predetermined conditions, is stored.

Next, the operation of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described. First, the user operates the operation unit 41 of the mobile phone 402.
1 performs an operation for accessing the information providing apparatus 401, the mobile phone 402 is connected to the information providing apparatus 401 via the communication network 406, and the question from the question means 416 of the information providing apparatus 401 is changed to the communication means. 404, communication network 40
6. Transferred to the mobile phone 402 via the communication means 405. That is, the question content shown in FIG. 33 is displayed on the display unit 412. The user responds to the question shown in FIG.
When the operation unit 411 of the mobile phone 402 is operated to select and decide the answer for each, the answer is sent to the information providing apparatus 401 connected via the communication network 406. The optimum course selecting means 417 of the information providing device 401 selects the optimum course for the received reply from the operation contents stored in the rice cooker operation content storing means 409,
The data of the course is the communication means 404 and the communication network 40.
6. The data is transferred to the mobile phone 402 via the communication unit 405 and displayed on the display unit 412. Optimal course selection means 4
When selecting a course that is most suitable for the content of the answer, for example, "About rice in general" is "normal"
If so, select the average "don't worry too much" for rice cooking time, and also select the average for the taste, electricity bill, and water bill, and if "about rice cooking time" is "hurry", electricity bill Try to select the most suitable course, such as the one that is changed to "I can not do it if necessary" rather than ordinary.

Next, when the user operates the operation unit 411 of the mobile phone 402 to transfer the operation contents transferred and displayed on the display unit 412 to the rice cooker 403, the mobile phone 402 is controlled. The means 410 transmits the data of the operation content transferred from the information providing device 401 to the rice cooking device 403 from the infrared transmitting unit 407. In the rice cooker 403,
The infrared receiver 408 receives the operation content data and stores it in the operation content storage unit 413.

In the rice cooker 403 having the transferred operation content data stored in the operation content storage means 413, the user operates the operation section 415 to control the rice cooking course stored in the operation content storage means 413. Then, the control means 41
4 reads out the storage contents of the operation content storage means 413 and controls the rice cooking device 403 according to the data.

In this embodiment, the inquiry means 416 is a constituent element of the information providing device 401 as in the fifth and sixth embodiments. However, the information providing device 401 is not connected to the information providing device 401 and the mobile phone is used. The mobile phone 402 itself may ask a question as a function of the program transferred to the mobile phone 402. Further, in this embodiment,
As in Example 6, rice cooking, heat retention, preheating (immersion), washing rice,
A course that includes at least one step of rice cooking, heat retention, preheating (flooding), rice washing, and rice polishing that combines a plurality of predetermined condition options in each step such as rice polishing is stored. It is also possible to add more detailed contents such as setting minute by minute.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a plurality of operation contents of the rice cooking device are determined in advance based on answers to questions about various rice cooking information made by the information providing device via the mobile phone or the mobile phone. A rice cooker that allows the user to easily select and use the optimum rice cooking course that suits his or her preference by simply selecting and deciding the most suitable course from the Is.

(Embodiment 8) An embodiment of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment is FIG. 29 similar to the fifth and sixth embodiments. FIG. 34 shows an example of the content of a question to the user from the questioning means 416 of the information providing apparatus 401 of this embodiment via the mobile phone 402. In FIG. 34, it is composed of items that can be directly input by the user and items that are selected from items in which options are prepared in advance.

[0244] The rice cooker operation content storage means 409 of the information providing device 401 stores the rice cooked, keep warm, preheat (immersed), and wash rice shown in Fig. 34 by the administrator of the information providing device 401.
For each basic step such as rice polishing, a course including at least one step of rice cooking, heat retention, preheating (flooding), rice washing, and rice polishing, in which some basic items are combined, is stored. .

Next, the operation of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described. First, the user operates the operation unit 41 of the mobile phone 402.
1 performs an operation for accessing the information providing apparatus 401, the mobile phone 402 is connected to the information providing apparatus 401 via the communication network 406, and the question from the question means 416 of the information providing apparatus 401 is changed to the communication means. 404, communication network 40
6. Transferred to the mobile phone 402 via the communication means 405. That is, the question content shown in FIG. 34 is displayed on the display unit 412. The user responds to the question shown in FIG.
When the answer for each is selected and determined by operating the operation unit 411 of the mobile phone 402, the operation stored in the rice cooker operation content storage unit 409 from the information providing apparatus 401 connected via the communication network 406. Of the contents, data obtained by combining the data of the course corresponding to the answer contents and the data directly input by the user is transferred to the mobile phone 402 via the communication unit 404, the communication network 406, and the communication unit 405, and the display unit 412. Is displayed in.

Next, when the user operates the operation unit 411 of the mobile phone 402 to transfer the operation contents transferred and displayed on the display unit 412 to the rice cooker 403, the mobile phone 402 is controlled. The means 410 transmits the data of the operation content transferred from the information providing device 401 to the rice cooking device 403 from the infrared transmitting unit 407. In the rice cooker 403,
The infrared receiver 408 receives the operation content data and stores it in the operation content storage unit 413.

In the rice cooker 403 having the transferred operation content data stored in the operation content storage means 413, the user operates the operation section 415 to control the rice cooking course stored in the operation content storage means 413. Then, the control means 41
4 reads out the storage contents of the operation content storage means 413 and controls the rice cooking device 403 according to the data.

In this embodiment, the inquiry means 416 is a constituent element of the information providing device 401 as in the fifth to seventh embodiments. However, the information providing device 401 is not connected to the information providing device 401 and the mobile phone 402 is connected. The mobile phone 402 itself may ask a question as a function of the program transferred to the.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation contents of the rice cooker are transferred to the information providing device via the mobile phone or the mobile phone from among rice cook, heat retention, preheating (immersion), washing rice and rice polishing. It is a program or data formed by directly inputting information related to the driving contents of the rice cooker, such as selection of steps, water amount, time, start time, end time, etc., so that the user can cook rice that meets their needs in detail. The course can be used easily.

(Embodiment 9) Next, FIG. 3 shows an embodiment relating to an automatic diagnosis function for confirming the state of the rice cooker.
5 and FIG. 36.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart showing the procedure for downloading the rice cooker automatic diagnostic program stored in the information providing server in response to a request signal from the portable telephone according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram of a liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the user connects to the information providing device by using a mobile phone having a function of browsing the Internet home page and opens the home page (STEP 511). Here, a description will be given assuming a mobile phone that is compatible with NTT Docomo's i-mode and can download and execute an i-appli, which is a program written in JAVA (registered trademark), but it is not limited to i-mode and can be accessed from a web server on the Internet. Any other mobile phone will do as long as it has the function to download the program and execute it.

When the user makes an access, the information providing device performs a process of accepting the user's access using the mobile phone (S
TEP501), the top page of the home page is transmitted to the user's mobile phone (STEP502). When this top page is received by the user's mobile phone, a screen as shown in FIG. 36 (a) is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone (ST
EP 512).

The user moves the cursor key attached to the mobile phone from the product field menu on the top page shown in FIG. 36 (a) to select the rice cooker (STEP 5).
13). At this time, although not shown, the item of the rice cooker in the product field menu is displayed in black and white.

When the information providing device accepts that the rice cooker is selected, it sends a menu page for the rice cooker (S
TEP503). Then, the screen as shown in FIG. 36B is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone.

The user first looks at the model selection column shown in the upper part of FIG. 36 (b) and confirms whether the same model number as the model he or she owns is displayed. If a different part number is displayed here, it is not shown, but if you move the cursor over the part number and move the operation key of the mobile phone once downward, the information provision device currently supports. The rice cooker's product numbers are displayed in a row, and you can select from them.

After the model can be selected, next, the cursor attached to the mobile phone is moved from the menu shown in FIG. 36 (b) to select the automatic failure diagnosis No. 7 (STEP).
514). At this time as well, although not shown, the automatic failure diagnosis in the menu is displayed in black and white.

When the information providing apparatus receives the selection of the automatic failure diagnosis, it transmits a menu page showing an outline of the eye appli including the automatic diagnosis function for the rice cooker (ST.
EP504). Then, on the LCD screen of the mobile phone,
A screen like 6 (c) is displayed.

When the user reads the overview of the i-appli and confirms that there is no mistake, the user moves the cursor to the download start button displayed at the bottom of this menu and clicks the operation key of the mobile phone once. Then, it requests the information providing device to start downloading (ST
EP 515). Also at this time, although not shown, the download start button is displayed in black and white.

[0260] Then, the information providing apparatus transmits the eye application outlined on the menu page to the user's mobile phone (STEP 505).

While the mobile phone is receiving the eye appli from the information providing device, a message notifying that the download is in progress is displayed on the liquid crystal screen (STEP 516).

When the mobile phone completely receives the eye appli from the information providing device, a message of download completion is displayed on the liquid crystal screen as shown in FIG. 36 (d), and the user confirms the message and presses the operation key of the mobile phone. Clicking this will complete the series of processing for downloading this i-appli, and after that you may end access to this homepage (ST
EP517).

When the information providing apparatus also completes the transmission of the eye appli and accepts the process of ending access from the user's mobile phone, the process of providing this home page ends (STEP 506).

As described above, since the latest automatic diagnostic program is always stored in the information providing device, it is possible to always download the latest program into the own mobile phone by accessing the information providing device. , Can be up and running at any time. Needless to say, you can always delete old programs.

(Embodiment 10) Next, an embodiment in which the downloaded program is executed by a mobile phone and automatically diagnosed will be described with reference to FIGS. 37 to 39.

FIG. 37 is a flow chart showing a procedure for executing a program downloaded from the information providing apparatus of the present invention on a mobile phone to automatically diagnose a rice cooker.
38 and 39 are explanatory views of the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the user opens a menu for executing the eye application of the mobile phone and activates the already-downloaded eye application for automatic diagnosis (STEP 5
21). When the eye application for automatic diagnosis is launched, the initial screen shown in FIG. 38 (a) is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone (STEP522).

Since it is not the remote control function that the user wants to execute now, bring the cursor of the mobile phone to the field displaying the remote control function, and move the operation key once downward.
The second screen of 8 (b) is displayed, and the functions that can be executed by the running eye application are displayed (STEP 523).

When the cursor is moved on this screen to match the automatic diagnosis function and the operation key is clicked once, the automatic diagnosis function is selected and the third screen is displayed (STEP 524). Here, as shown in the third screen of FIG. 38 (c), when the cursor is placed on the execution button displayed at the lower left, the execution button is highlighted in black and white, and when the operation key is clicked once, the execution button of FIG. 38 (d) is displayed. 4 screens are displayed (STEP 52
5).

In this fourth screen, data is sent from the mobile phone to the infrared transmitter / receiver, which is the communication means of the rice cooker, through the infrared transmitter / receiver, which is the communication means, so the user is requested to point the mobile phone to the rice cooker. is doing.

The user looks at the message on this screen, points the mobile phone at the rice cooker, puts the cursor of the mobile phone on the item for starting automatic diagnosis, and clicks the operation key once (STE).
P526).

The mobile phone determines that transmission is possible by this user side operation and starts transmission with the rice cooker through the infrared transmitting / receiving unit (STEP 527).

The rice cooker is in a standby state in which nothing is done at first, but when an infrared signal is detected from the mobile phone (STE
(P540) Start receiving infrared data that are continuously sent (STEP 541). The rice cooker analyzes the received signal after receiving a series of mobile phones (STEP 54).
2). This time, the infrared signal received from the mobile phone was a signal with information requesting past operation status,
Immediately, the past operation status data is taken out from its own memory and the response information is constructed (STEP 543). The rice cooker transmits the response information including the past operation status data as an infrared signal (STEP544).

On the other hand, while the mobile phone is receiving the infrared response signal from the rice cooker, the automatic diagnosis is being displayed on the fifth screen shown in FIG. 38 (e) (STEP 528). When the past operation status data of the rice cooker is completely downloaded (STE
(P529, STEP 530) Immediately analyze the data (STEP 531). This analysis time is completed in an instant, and a message according to the analysis result is displayed on the sixth screen shown in FIG. 38 (f) (STEP 532).

When the user reads and confirms the diagnosis result on the sixth screen and puts the cursor of the mobile phone on the OK button shown in FIG. 38 (f) and clicks the operation key once, the automatic diagnosis process is completed.

In this embodiment, the eye application running on the mobile phone sends data requesting past operation status data to the rice cooker, analyzes the operation status data sucked from the rice cooker, and diagnoses it on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone. It was an example displaying results.

However, the program for automatic diagnosis is not limited to this embodiment, and may be executed on the rice cooker side. Further, it is possible to display the diagnosis result not on the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone but on the operation panel of the rice cooker in response to a request signal from the mobile phone to notify the user.

(Embodiment 11) On the rice cooker side of the flow chart shown in FIG. 39, it is assumed that not only data but also a program to be executed by the rice cooker is sent from the infrared transmitting / receiving unit of the mobile phone. Is also a flow chart assuming. The rice cooker determines whether the data sent from the mobile phone is an inquiry data or a program to be executed by the rice cooker (STEP 574), and if the inquiry data, creates response data immediately (STEP 57).
6) If it is a program, execute it (STEP57
5) Create response data with the result.

Also, since the contents to be transmitted on the portable telephone side of the flow chart shown in FIG. 39 are data or program, it is almost the same as the flow chart shown in FIG. 37 of the previous embodiment. However, after displaying the 5th screen, wait for the response from the rice cooker and display the result on the 6th screen of the mobile phone, or wait for the response and display the result displayed on the rice cooker operation panel on the 7th screen. As you can see, the message is switched (STEP 560).

FIG. 40 is a liquid crystal screen of a mobile phone showing a procedure for sending a program for automatic diagnosis to the rice cooker to cause the rice cooker to automatically diagnose and display the diagnosis result on the rice cooker. The fourth screen (STEP556) Up to () are the same as in the previous embodiment. The fifth screen of FIG. 40 (e) indicates that the program is being transmitted at the bottom (STEP 558). On the 8th screen of FIG. 40 (f), a message for informing and confirming the diagnosis result on the operation panel of the rice cooker is displayed (ST.
EP564).

FIG. 41 (a) is a sixth screen of the mobile phone showing that the automatic diagnosis result is being received while communicating with the rice cooker to display the automatic diagnosis result on the mobile phone side and sucking the diagnostic result from the rice cooker ( (STEP560). FIG. 41 (b) is the seventh screen when the automatic diagnosis result is notified (displayed) on the mobile phone side.

[0282] As described above, the program downloaded from the information providing apparatus is not limited to the program executed by the mobile phone, but may be the program executed by the rice cooker.

The automatic diagnosis result is displayed not only on the mobile phone but also on the operation panel of the rice cooker, and the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone teaches how to judge the value displayed on the operation panel of the rice cooker. The judgment criteria can be displayed.

(Embodiment 12) FIG. 42 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of the mobile phone of this embodiment, and FIG. 43 is a liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone showing the operation procedure of the mobile phone of this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the description will proceed assuming that an eye application having an optional function has been downloaded from the information providing device. When you start this eye app (STEP58
1) Display the initial screen shown in FIG. 43 (a) (STEP
582).

This optional function allows confirmation of various functions such as rice cooking function, heat retaining function, preheating (water infiltration) function, and rice washing function. When the rice cooking function is selected by the cursor on the second screen of FIG. 43 (b) (STEP583), FIG.
The third screen of (c) shows the switch operation procedure for operating the optional function of the rice cooker (STEP58.
4). According to this instruction, operate the rice cooker and wait for about 1 minute (STEP 585). Then, the eye application of the mobile phone visits the display value of the rice cooker as shown in FIG. 43 (d) (STEP586). Here, assuming that the display of the rice cooker is 6, the user moves the cursor to No and clicks the operation key once (STEP 587). According to this user's answer, the mobile phone's eye app asks the next question.
3 (e) (STEP 588). Since the display of the rice cooker is 6, when Yes is selected and the key is operated (STEP589), the eye application of the mobile phone finally displays the diagnostic result as shown in FIG. 43 (f) (STE).
P590).

By thus executing the eye application of the mobile phone and answering the questions issued by this eye application, the state of the rice cooker can be determined without detailed specialized knowledge.

(Embodiment 13) FIG. 44 shows an embodiment of the information providing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 44A, the information providing device 501 is connected and arranged on a local area network (LAN) as a device management device for electric products. The information providing device 501 uses and maintains the information storage means 504 via the Internet, for example, a homepage installed by a home electric appliance maker or another information processing device, a rice cooker, and other home electric appliances connected to this network. Get information about and use it to control their home appliances. The mobile phone 502 receives from the information providing device 501, for example, a program or data for controlling the rice cooking device 503, determining the operation content, or confirming the state, and transmits the program or data to the rice cooking device 503 to send it to the rice cooker from the outside such as when going out. To control. In the case of controlling other home electric appliances, a program or data for controlling the home electric appliances, determining the operation content, or confirming the state is once transmitted from the mobile phone 502 to the rice cooker 503. Then, the rice cooker 503 transmits the program or data for controlling the household electric appliance received from the mobile phone 502 to another household electric appliance.
If the mobile phone 502 has a program or data for another home electric appliance in advance, the rice cooker need only receive the program or data for another home electric appliance from the mobile telephone 502. The communication between the mobile phone 502 and the information providing device 501 becomes unnecessary. When operating the rice cooker 503, for example, by the information providing apparatus 501 (electric product management apparatus) indoors, information is directly transmitted to the rice cooker 503 without using a mobile phone. As the local area network, not only a home system but also a business system such as a retail store and an office can be implemented. In the case of a home system, a personal computer installed in the home or a home electric appliance as the information providing apparatus 501 can be used as an apparatus for centrally managing the home electric appliance.

FIG. 44 (b) shows an embodiment in which the information providing device 501 and the home electric appliance are connected by a wireless communication system. The function of the information providing device 501 and the method of using the mobile phone 502 are the same as those of the wired case. In this example, the information providing device 501 not only obtains information from the outside via the Internet, but also a floppy disk (FD) or a CD.
(Compact disc), MD (mini disc), etc., the program or data can be acquired and installed from an information recording medium such as magnetic or optical. The form of the information recording medium may be a product attachment, an optional product, or a commercial product sold by a home electric appliance maker or a cooking class. Of course, this method may be applied to the case of FIG.

Note that the mobile phone 502 is configured so as to be capable of performing the series of operations described in the present specification during a call or during communication with a communication device such as another mobile phone, in relation to the inherent functions. Has been done. Transmission from the mobile phone 502 to other devices such as a rice cooker and an information providing device is performed by using operation keys, a timer, a sensor, or a sensor input unit provided in the mobile phone, and information from them. Further, the program may be configured so that part or all of the functions of the rice cooker and the mobile phone can be realized by a computer, and can be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium.

[0291]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to function from a mobile phone without directly pressing a key on the operation panel of the rice cooking device. Therefore, the rice cooker can be operated from a remote place. In addition, a course or a method of cooking rice can be selected according to the taste of the user. The user can automatically select the course that suits his / her thoughts by combining the visual observation on the display of the mobile phone and the conversation such as answering questions using the mobile phone.In addition, the user can set a unique function or course. You can also do it. In addition, it is possible to check the progress of rice cooking and the presence or absence of a failure of the rice cooker without using direct visual inspection or a dedicated tool, and it is possible to recognize the confirmation result. In addition, if remote control is not required, use only the rice cooker, and if remote control is required over a wide area, use a mobile phone as an option in addition to the rice cooker. Can be realized. Furthermore, the program and data can be downloaded to the rice cooker and the rice cooker can be remotely controlled without being restricted by the installation location of the rice cooker or the information terminal.

On the other hand, in terms of equipment configuration, wired serial communication system, wired parallel communication system, low power wireless communication system, PH
S communication method, power line carrier communication method, wire telephone communication method,
Remote control can be performed by simple communication means such as wireless telephone communication system, weak wireless communication system, Bluetooth communication system, infrared communication system including various IrDAs, and automatic operation based on timer and sensor information is possible. Further, the function for cooking rice is pre-installed in the microcomputer and the memory of the rice cooking apparatus, and it is not necessary to fixedly assign the operation function to the operation means. Therefore, the number of operating means of the rice cooker can be reduced. Even for devices and models having different control programs or data, the programs or data incorporated in the rice cooker can be edited and processed as needed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configurations of a rice cooker and a mobile phone that are Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the contents of the information providing apparatus that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the outline of the functions of the rice cooking device and the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a display 1 of the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Showing

FIG. 6 is a display 2 of the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Showing

FIG. 7 is a display 3 of the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Showing

FIG. 8 is a display 4 of the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Showing

FIG. 9 is a display 5 of the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Showing

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display 6 on the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display 7 on the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display 8 of the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display 9 on the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display 10 of a liquid crystal display unit in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display 11 on the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display 12 on the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display 13 on the liquid crystal display unit in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display 14 of the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a display 15 of the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display 16 of the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an external view showing the operation of the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a display 17 of the liquid crystal display unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a flowchart 1 showing a flow of operation display according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a flowchart 2 showing a flow of operation display according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a flowchart 3 showing a flow of operation display according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a view showing the operation content of the rice cooker in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a plurality of operation contents of the rice cooker in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing question contents according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing question contents according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing the content of a question in Example 7 of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing the content of a question in Example 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a download procedure according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a liquid crystal screen in Example 9 of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a procedure in the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a liquid crystal screen in Example 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing a procedure in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a liquid crystal screen in Example 11 of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a liquid crystal screen of another procedure according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a procedure in the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a liquid crystal screen in Example 12 of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an information providing device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 rice cooker 11 mobile phones 12 Internet 13 Information provision device 20 means of cooking rice 21 Microcomputer (control means) 22 Communication means 23 Display 24 Data input section 25 Operation means 26 memory 27 Allocatable section 30 Second Communication Means 31 Microcomputer (control means) 32 First Communication Means 33 Display 34 Data input section 35 Operation switch 36 sensor input means 37 Call Department 38 memory 39 Data conversion means 40 timer

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Naofumi Nakatani             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuo Nishida             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Wataru Uchiyama             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenichi Maeda             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4B055 AA03 BA31 BA34 BA43 EA10                       GD02 GD06                 5K048 AA04 BA12 BA13 BA14 DB01                       DB04 DC01 FB01 FB05 FB10                       GB03 HA04 HA06 HA23                 5K067 AA34 BB04 DD27 DD30 EE03                       EE35 EE37 FF05 FF23 GG11                       HH23                 5K101 KK11 KK17 LL11 LL12 LL16                       NN02 NN18 VV07

Claims (55)

[Claims] 1. A communication means for communicating with a portable information terminal by a wired system or a wireless system is provided, and communicates with an information providing device and / or a program and / or data via the portable information terminal or the portable information terminal. Rice cooker. A mobile information terminal by a wired method or a wireless method, or a communication unit for communicating information and / or a program and / or data via the mobile information terminal,
Rice cooker. 2. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the information providing device is a server of an information provider, a personal computer installed in a home, or a domestic electric appliance. 3. The communication means performs communication by any one of an infrared communication system, a weak wireless communication system, and a Bluetooth communication system.
The rice cooking device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising operation means to which a function selection or execution instruction to be achieved by the information program and / or data received by the communication means is assigned. Rice cooker according to item. 5. The rice cooker according to claim 4, wherein the operation unit has a liquid crystal display screen, and changes the display content of the liquid crystal display screen based on the achieved function. 6. The operation means has a push button switch and a display means for displaying a function achieved by the push button switch, and the display means of the display means is based on the function achieved by the operation means. The rice cooker according to claim 4, wherein the display content is changed. 7. A mobile phone mobile having a first communication means for communicating with the information providing device both or both of a program and data, and a second communication means for communicating with the rice cooker by a wired system or a wireless system. Information terminal. 8. The mobile phone portable information terminal according to claim 7, wherein the second communication means performs communication by any one of an infrared communication system, a weak wireless communication system, and a Bluetooth communication system. 9. A means for editing or processing both or one or both of the information program and data received by said first communication means, said both or one or both of said edited or processed information program and data The mobile phone portable information terminal according to claim 7 or 8, which is transmitted to the rice cooker by a communication unit. 10. The program and / or data for controlling the rice cooker is received by the communication means, and a specific function is achieved according to the received information of the program and / or data. The rice cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which performs the operation as described above. 11. The information program and / or the data received by the communication means are either one or both of the information program and the information program.
11. The rice cooker according to claim 10, which is one or both of the information program and the data transmitted by the second communication means of the mobile phone portable information terminal according to any one of the above. 12. The specific function includes: start or end of rice cooking, start or end of rapid rice cooking, start or end of heat retention, start or end of reheating, start or end of bran removal, start or end of rice washing, Start or end of inundation of rice, change course, change the hardness of cooked rice, change the degree of burning after cooking, change the pressure in the kettle, change the cooking temperature, change the heat retention temperature, change the infiltration temperature, rice type Setting, rice brand setting, water type setting, water brand setting, timer setting or cancellation, clock setting, rice cooking frequency setting, rice cooking completion time setting, rice cooking time setting, heat retention time setting The rice cooker according to claim 10 or 11, which is one or more of setting, rice flooding time setting, temporary suspension of these, and restart of the suspended function. 13. The information program and / or data received by the communication means includes demand data for cooked rice, and means for setting the number of cooked rice executions according to the demand data for cooked rice. 12. The rice cooking device according to any one of 12. 14. The rice cooking apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising means for setting a rice cooking timing based on the set number of times of rice cooking execution. 15. A means for automatically selecting a rice cooking course by performing back calculation from the set rice cooking completion time.
The rice cooker according to claim 14. 16. The program and / or the data for controlling the household electric appliance is transmitted to another household electric appliance, and the program is transmitted to the other household electric appliance. 15. The rice cooking device according to any one of 15. 17. The program and / or data for controlling the other home electric appliance is received from the mobile phone portable information terminal or from the information providing device via the mobile phone portable information terminal. 16. The rice cooker according to 16. 18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the program and / or the data for controlling is received from another home electric appliance to operate based on the program and / or the data. The rice cooking device according to any one of claims. 19. The function according to claim 10, wherein the specific function is a function according to a model of the rice cooker.
Rice cooker according to item 1. 20. Any one of claim 1 to claim 6 or claim 10 to claim 19, further comprising a storage unit for storing operation content determined by both or one or both of the information program and data received by the communication unit. Or rice cooker according to item 1. 21. The rice cooker according to claim 20, wherein the storage means is a storage means that can be detached from the rice cooker in whole or in part. 22. The information program and / or the data received by the communication means are one or both of the information program and the data transmitted from another information processing device to the mobile phone portable information terminal or the information providing device. The rice cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or claim 10 to claim 21. 23. The operation content of the rice cooking device is a course including at least one of a plurality of predetermined rice cooking courses stored in the information providing device. Rice cooker described in. 24. The operation content of the rice cooking device is selected from a rice cooking course which is predetermined based on a mobile phone portable information terminal or an answer to a question asked from the information providing device via the mobile phone portable information terminal. 21. Selecting and determining a course including or including at least one
25. The rice cooker according to claim 23. 25. The operation content of the rice cooking device is any one of predetermined rice cooking courses based on a mobile phone portable information terminal or an answer to a question asked from the information providing device via the mobile phone portable information terminal. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 20 to 23, which is a course including at least one and selecting from a plurality of conditions determined in advance in each step. 26. The answer is performed by selecting or deciding an operation content or selecting or deciding the rice cooking course by using a display unit and a mobile phone input unit included in the mobile phone portable information terminal. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 25 to 25. 27. The method according to claim 24 or 3, wherein the answer is selected or determined for the operation content, or the rice cooking course is selected or determined by using a display unit and an input unit included in the rice cooking device. Or rice cooker according to item 1. 28. The contents of the operation include setting of a course, setting of firmness of cooked rice, setting of burnt state of cooked rice, pot in a mobile phone portable information terminal or an information providing device via the mobile phone portable information terminal. Internal pressure setting, rice cooking temperature setting,
Insulation temperature setting, water amount setting, flooding temperature setting, rice type setting, rice brand setting, water type setting, water type setting, water brand setting, timer setting, timer release, clock setting, Set the number of times rice is cooked, set the time when rice is cooked, set the cooking time,
The setting relating to the driving of the rice cooker, such as the setting of the heat retention time and the setting of the rice inundation time, is directly input and determined, and the determination is performed according to any one of claims 4 to 6 or claim 10 to claim 27. Rice cooker. 29. The program and / or data received by the communication means, or both, are one or both of the program and data for confirming the state of the rice cooker. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 10 to 28. 30. The rice cooker according to claim 29, further comprising means for notifying or communicating the confirmation result of the state. 31. The rice cooker according to claim 30, wherein the notification or communication unit notifies or communicates a confirmation result by a request signal from the outside. 32. The rice cooker according to claim 29, wherein the confirmation of the state is performed based on a user's answer to a question displayed on the rice cooker. 33. The method according to claim 7, wherein the result of confirmation of the state of the rice cooker received by the second communication means is displayed and / or communicated. Mobile phone personal digital assistant described. 34. The confirmation of the state of the rice cooker is executed based on a user's answer to a question displayed on the mobile phone portable information terminal. The mobile phone portable information terminal according to item 1. 35. The information providing device is requested to send one or more programs or data for controlling the rice cooking device, determining the operation content, or confirming the state, and transmitted from the information providing device based on the request. Receive one or more programs or data for controlling the operation of the rice cooker or determining the operation content or confirming the state from the information providing device. Item 35. The mobile phone personal digital assistant according to any one of items 34. 36. One or more programs or data for controlling the rice cooking device, determining the operation content, or confirming the state is requested to the information providing device, and transmitted from the information providing device based on the request. One or two or more of the programs or data for performing the control of the rice cooker or the determination of the operation content or the confirmation of the state are received from the information providing device, and one or more of the received programs or data are The mobile phone portable information terminal according to any one of claims 7 to 9 or 33 to 35, which is transmitted to a rice cooker. 37. An operation key, a timer, a sensor, or one or more of a sensor input unit, and starts transmission to the rice cooker according to information from any one of the one or more. -A mobile telephone personal digital assistant according to any one of claims 9 or 33 to 36. 38. An operation key, a timer, a sensor, or one or more of a sensor input unit, and starts transmission to the information providing device according to information from any one of the one or more. The mobile phone portable information terminal according to any one of claims 7 to 9 or claim 33 to 37. 39. The device according to claim 7 to claim 9 or claim 33 to claim 38, wherein the series of operations can be performed with the rice cooker or the information providing device even during a call communication with another communication device. The mobile phone portable information terminal according to any one of items. 40. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or 10 to 32, which is configured integrally with the mobile phone portable information terminal. 41. The computer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
Or any one of claims 10 to 32 or claim 40
A program for realizing some or all of the functions of the rice cooker according to item 1. 42. The computer according to any one of claims 7 to 9.
A program for realizing some or all of the functions of the mobile phone portable information terminal according to any one of claims 33 to 39. 43. A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 41 or 42 is recorded. 44. The mobile phone portable information terminal according to any one of claims 7 to 9 or 33 to 39, wherein the information providing device is an information provider server. 45. The information providing device provides information via a homepage installed by a rice cooker maker, according to any one of claims 7 to 9 or 33 to 39 or 44. Mobile phone personal digital assistant described in. 46. The information providing device is a device management device which is provided separately from the rice cooking device and is capable of communicating with both or one of a mobile phone portable information terminal and a rice cooking device by a wired system or a wireless system. ~ Claim 9 or claim 33 to claim 39 or claim 44 to claim 45, the mobile phone portable information terminal according to any one of claims. 47. The information providing device is a device for centrally managing home electric appliances, wherein any one of claims 33 to 39 or 44 to 46 is included in claims 7 to 9. The mobile phone portable information terminal according to item 1. 48. The information providing device relates to rice cooking from a separately installed information storage means for storing one or more programs or data relating to rice cooking or one or more programs or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking device. It is possible to acquire one or more of the program or data or the program or data related to the confirmation of the state of the rice cooker, claim 7 to claim 9, or claim 33 to claim 39, or claim 44 to claim. 47. The mobile phone mobile information terminal according to any one of 47. 49. The information providing device uses a program or data relating to rice cooking, from an information recording medium recorded with one or more programs or data relating to confirmation of a state of the rice cooking device. Alternatively, one or more programs or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooker can be installed, and any one of claims 7 to 9 or 33 to 39 or 44 to 47. The mobile phone portable information terminal according to item 1. 50. The information providing device provides information via a homepage installed by a rice cooker maker, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 10 to 32, or 40. Rice cooker described in. 51. The information providing device is a device management device which is arranged separately from the rice cooking device and is capable of communicating with both or one of a mobile phone portable information terminal and a rice cooking device by a wired system or a wireless system. ~ Claim 6 or claim 10 to claim 32 or claim 40 or claim 50 rice cooker according to any one of claims 50. 52. The information providing device is a device for centrally managing home electric appliances, claim 1 to claim 6, or claim 10 to claim 32, claim 40, or claim 50 to claim 50. Item 52. The rice cooking device according to any one of Item 51. 53. The information providing device relates to rice cooking from a separately installed information storage unit that stores one or more programs or data relating to rice cooking or one or more programs or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooking device. It is possible to acquire one or more of the program or data or the program or data related to the confirmation of the state of the rice cooker, claim 1 to claim 6, claim 10 to claim 32, claim 40 or claim. The rice cooker according to any one of 50 to 52. 54. The information providing device includes a program or data relating to rice cooking, from an information recording medium having one or more programs or data relating to rice cooking or a program or data relating to confirmation of a state of the rice cooking device. Alternatively, one or more programs or data relating to confirmation of the state of the rice cooker can be installed, and the claim 1 to claim 6 or claim 10 to claim 32 or claim 40 or claim 50 to claim. Item 54. The rice cooker according to any one of items 53. 55. The mobile information terminal is a mobile phone.
The rice cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 54.