JP7501063B2 - Rice cooker and rice cooking and preservation system - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a rice cooker and a rice cooking and preserving system.

Patent Document 1 describes a rice cooker. This rice cooker is equipped with a pot that serves as a rice cooking container and a heating means for heating the pot. The pot containing rice is heated by the heating means, and the rice is cooked.

JP 2004-089250 A

When rice cooked in a conventional rice cooker such as that described in Patent Document 1 is frozen, the rice grains are frozen in a state where they stick together. For this reason, if a user wants to eat frozen rice in multiple portions, for example, they have to take the time to divide the rice into smaller portions before freezing it.

In addition, in conventional rice cookers, it is possible to obtain cooked rice that is frozen in a state of being divided into several small chunks by dividing the cooked rice into several small chunks and then freezing it, but this requires a lot of work from the user. Also, it has not been possible to obtain cooked rice that can be divided into smaller chunks with the grains separated from each other simply by applying pressure by the user's hand after freezing, for example.

The present disclosure is intended to solve the problems described above. The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a rice cooker that can cook cooked rice for freezing according to the user's purpose. In addition, the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a cooked rice cooking and preservation system that can freeze and preserve cooked rice for freezing according to the user's purpose.

The rice cooker according to the present disclosure includes a container for storing rice and water, and a rice cooking means for heating the rice and water in the container to cook the rice. The rice cooking means is configured to be capable of selectively cooking rice in a first mode for cooking rice suitable for freezing and a second mode for cooking rice suitable for freezing . A first lump in a frozen state, which is generated by freezing a first rice lump cooked in the first mode under a first freezing condition, is divided into a plurality of first rice lumps when a certain pressure is applied from the outside. A second lump in a frozen state, which is generated by freezing a second rice lump cooked in the second mode under the above-mentioned first freezing condition, is divided into a plurality of second rice lumps when the certain pressure is applied from the outside. The average volume of the plurality of second rice lumps is larger than the average volume of the plurality of first rice lumps.
The rice cooker according to the present disclosure includes a container for storing rice and water, and a rice cooking means for heating the rice and water in the container to cook the rice. The rice cooking means is configured to be capable of selectively performing cooking in a first mode for cooking rice suitable for freezing and a second mode for cooking rice suitable for freezing . In the first mode, when the amount of rice and water is stored in the container under a first condition and cooked, a first rice having a first degree of gelatinization is cooked. In the second mode, when the amount of rice and water is stored in the container under the above-mentioned first condition and cooked, a second rice having a second degree of gelatinization higher than the first degree of gelatinization is cooked.
The cooked rice cooking and preserving system according to the present disclosure includes a rice cooker and a refrigerator configured as described above.
The cooked rice cooking and preservation system according to the present disclosure includes a rice cooker and a refrigerator. The rice cooker is configured to be capable of cooking rice in a freezing rice cooking mode for cooking cooked rice suitable for freezing. The refrigerator is configured to be capable of selectively freezing cooked rice in a first freezing mode and a second freezing mode. A lump of frozen cooked rice generated by freezing cooked rice in the freezing rice cooking mode in the first freezing mode is divided into a plurality of first cooked rice lumps when a certain pressure is applied from the outside. A lump of frozen cooked rice generated by freezing cooked rice in the freezing rice cooking mode in the second mode is divided into a plurality of second cooked rice lumps when the certain pressure is applied from the outside. The average volume of the plurality of second cooked rice lumps is larger than the average volume of the plurality of first cooked rice lumps.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a rice cooker that can cook rice for freezing according to the user's purpose. In addition, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a rice cooking and preservation system that can freeze and preserve rice for freezing according to the user's purpose.

1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a cooked rice cooking and preservation system according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a cooked rice cooking and preservation system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an operation display unit according to the first embodiment; FIG. A diagram illustrating specific examples of the rice cooking process in each of the normal mode, light rice cooking mode, and block rice cooking mode in embodiment 1. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of cooked rice for fluffing and cooked rice for blocks separated after freezing, placed in bowls. 1 is a table showing an example of the relationship between the degree of gelatinization of cooked rice before freezing, the frozen storage temperature, and the average volume of small pieces of frozen cooked rice.

The following describes the embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same or corresponding parts. Furthermore, in this disclosure, duplicated descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. This disclosure may include any modification and any combination of the configurations disclosed in the following embodiments, without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

Embodiment 1.
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a cooked rice cooking and preservation system according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of the cooked rice cooking and preservation system according to embodiment 1. First, an overview of the cooked rice cooking and preservation system according to the present embodiment will be described.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rice cooking and preservation system according to this embodiment includes a rice cooker 100, a refrigerator 200, and a microwave oven 300. The rice cooker 100 is connected to a home network 400. The refrigerator 200 and the microwave oven 300 are also connected to the home network 400. The home network 400 is constructed, for example, by a computer or the like installed in the user's home.

The rice cooker 100 and the refrigerator 200 are connected to each other via the home network 400 so that they can communicate with each other. In addition, the refrigerator 200 and the microwave oven 300 are connected to each other via the home network 400 so that they can communicate with each other.

The rice cooker 100 is equipped with a communication interface 101 as a communication means for connecting to the home network 400 and communicating. The refrigerator 200 is equipped with a communication interface 201 as a communication means for connecting to the home network 400 and communicating. The microwave oven 300 is equipped with a communication interface 301 as a communication means for connecting to the home network 400 and communicating.

The communication interface 101 has a transmitting unit 101a capable of transmitting signals to the outside, and a receiving unit 101b capable of receiving signals from the outside. The communication interface 201 has a transmitting unit 201a capable of transmitting signals to the outside, and a receiving unit 201b capable of receiving signals from the outside. Similarly, the communication interface 301 has a transmitting unit 301a capable of transmitting signals to the outside, and a receiving unit 301b capable of receiving signals from the outside. The communication interface 101, the communication interface 201, and the communication interface 301 are configured to be able to mutually transmit and receive signals including various information.

The home network 400 may be composed of devices installed outside the user's house. The home network 400 may be, for example, a cloud server consisting of multiple servers. The rice cooker 100, the refrigerator 200, and the microwave oven 300 may be connected to an external network consisting of a network line such as a telephone line owned by a telecommunications carrier, instead of the home network 400. The rice cooker 100 and the refrigerator 200 may be connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via the external network. The refrigerator 200 and the microwave oven 300 may be connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via the external network.

The rice cooker 100 and the refrigerator 200 may be connected to each other so that they can communicate directly without going through the home network 400 or an external network. Similarly, the refrigerator 200 and the microwave oven 300 may be connected to each other so that they can communicate directly without going through the home network 400 or an external network.

The cooked rice cooking and preservation system according to this embodiment is a system capable of cooking cooked rice suitable for freezing, more appropriately freezing and preserving cooked rice, and more appropriately reheating frozen cooked rice. The rice cooker 100 is configured to be able to cook cooked rice suitable for freezing. The refrigerator 200 is configured to be able to appropriately freeze and preserve the cooked rice cooked by the rice cooker 100. The microwave oven 300 is configured to be able to appropriately reheat the cooked rice frozen by the refrigerator 200.

As described above, the rice cooker 100 of this embodiment can cook rice suitable for freezing. In this disclosure, rice suitable for freezing means rice that is in a state where the grains easily separate when frozen. After freezing the rice suitable for freezing cooked by the rice cooker 100, the user can break or loosen the rice by applying force with their hands.

Specifically, the rice cooker 100 of the embodiment can selectively cook rice in the light rice cooking mode and the block rice cooking mode. The light rice cooking mode and the block rice cooking mode are cooking modes for cooking rice suitable for freezing.

In this disclosure, cooked rice that has been frozen is also referred to as "frozen rice." The fluffy rice cooking mode is a mode for obtaining frozen rice in which each grain can be loosely separated by the application of force by the user's hand. In other words, the user can apply force to frozen rice obtained by freezing rice cooked in the fluffy rice cooking mode, thereby causing at least a portion of the frozen rice to have loosely separated rice grains. It is more preferable that each grain of the entire frozen rice is loosely separated when the user applies force to the frozen rice. The fluffy rice cooking mode in this embodiment is an example of the first mode according to the present disclosure.

The block cooking mode is a mode for obtaining frozen rice that can be divided into small bite-sized block-shaped chunks by applying force with the user's hands. In other words, the user can apply force to the frozen rice obtained by freezing rice cooked in the block cooking mode, thereby dividing the frozen rice into multiple small block-shaped chunks. The block cooking mode in this embodiment is an example of the second mode according to the present disclosure.

Furthermore, like a general rice cooker, the rice cooker 100 of this embodiment can also cook rice suitable for the user to eat as is. Specifically, the rice cooker 100 of this embodiment can cook rice in a normal mode, which is a cooking mode for cooking rice suitable for eating. The rice cooker 100 of this embodiment is configured to be able to selectively cook rice in the above-mentioned light rice cooking mode, block rice cooking mode, and normal rice cooking mode.

Rice cooked in the normal mode is sufficiently heated and gelatinized to be eaten as is. On the other hand, rice cooked in the light rice cooking mode or the block rice cooking mode is not gelatinized enough to be eaten as is. For the sake of simplicity, rice cooked in the normal mode will be referred to as "normal rice," rice cooked in the light rice cooking mode as "light rice," and rice cooked in the block rice cooking mode as "block rice." Light rice is an example of the first rice cooked in the first mode. Block rice is an example of the second rice cooked in the second mode.

The degree of gelatinization of regular cooked rice is, for example, around 95%. Around 95% means a range of a few percent including 95%. On the other hand, cooked rice for fluffing and cooked rice for blocks has a lower degree of gelatinization than regular cooked rice.

In the fluffy rice cooking mode, when rice and water are placed in the pot-shaped container 102 under the first conditions and cooked, fluffy rice having a first degree of gelatinization is cooked. The first degree of gelatinization is, for example, within the range of 75% to 80%.

In the block rice cooking mode, when rice and water are placed in the pot-shaped container 102 under the same amount as the first condition described above and cooked, block rice having a second degree of gelatinization is cooked. This second degree of gelatinization is higher than the first degree of gelatinization described above. The second degree of gelatinization is, for example, within the range of 85% to 90%. In this embodiment, the degree of gelatinization of the fluffy rice is lower than the degree of gelatinization of the block rice.

Block rice is less sticky than regular rice. Parapara rice is even less sticky than block rice. Block rice is also harder than regular rice. Parapara rice is even harder than block rice. Block rice grains are less likely to stick together than regular rice. Parapara rice is even less likely to stick together than block rice.

In this way, the rice cooker 100 of this embodiment can cook fluffy rice having the above-mentioned characteristics by operating in the fluffy rice cooking mode. Also, the rice cooker 100 can cook block rice having the above-mentioned characteristics by operating in the block rice cooking mode. Specific operation examples of the fluffy rice cooking mode and the block rice cooking mode will be described later.

Generally, when fully gelatinized rice such as regular cooked rice is frozen, the grains are frozen in a state where they stick together. On the other hand, when cooked rice for making fluffy rice and cooked rice for making blocks is frozen, the grains are separated from each other or in a state where they can be easily loosened or divided. By simply freezing cooked rice for making fluffy rice or by applying a little force to frozen cooked rice for making fluffy rice, users can obtain cooked rice in a state where each grain is separated or divided into several small chunks. In addition, by simply applying a little force to the chunk of frozen rice obtained by freezing cooked rice for making blocks, users can obtain frozen cooked rice divided into several bite-sized block chunks.

Specifically, when a user applies a certain amount of pressure by hand to a first mass in a frozen state produced by freezing rice for fluffing under the first freezing conditions, multiple first rice masses are produced. The average volume of these first rice masses is, for example, 0.04 to 0.4 cubic centimeters. This volume corresponds to one to ten grains of rice. In addition, when a user applies the above-mentioned certain amount of pressure by hand to a second mass in a frozen state produced by freezing rice for a block under the same conditions as the above-mentioned first freezing conditions, multiple second rice masses are produced. The average volume of these second rice masses is, for example, 10 to 50 cubic centimeters. This volume corresponds to 6 to 30 grams of cooked rice.

The force required to break up frozen fluffy rice is, for example, less than one-third or one-quarter of the force required to break up frozen regular rice. Also, the force required to break up frozen block rice is, for example, less than one-third of the force required to break up frozen regular rice. Users can easily break up frozen fluffy rice and block rice by hand without using tools.

Fluffy rice and block rice have a low degree of gelatinization and are therefore not suitable for eating as is. Depending on their condition, fluffy rice and block rice may not be able to be eaten as is. Fluffy rice and block rice are intended to be stored frozen and then reheated before eating.

The fluffy rice and block rice can be eaten after being reheated by a reheating means such as the microwave oven 300. The gelatinization of the fluffy rice and block rice progresses when the rice is reheated. The degree of gelatinization of the fluffy rice and block rice increases to, for example, around 95% when reheated by the reheating means. In this way, the user can reheat the frozen fluffy rice and block rice by the reheating means and enjoy the fluffy rice and block rice.

The rice cooker 100 in this embodiment has a function to send a signal indicating that cooking will be performed in the paradise cooking mode when cooking rice in the paradise cooking mode. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, this signal is referred to as the "paradise cooking mode signal." Similarly, the rice cooker 100 has a function to send a signal indicating that cooking will be performed in the block cooking mode when cooking rice in the block cooking mode. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, this signal is referred to as the "block cooking mode signal."

The fluffed rice cooking mode signal and the block cooking mode signal are transmitted from the transmission unit 101a of the communication interface 101 mounted on the rice cooker 100. The transmission unit 101a in this embodiment is an example of a rice cooker transmission unit according to the present disclosure. The fluffed rice cooking mode signal and the block cooking mode signal are examples of a frozen rice cooking signal transmitted from the rice cooker transmission unit according to the present disclosure. The fluffed rice cooking mode signal is also an example of a first signal transmitted from the rice cooker transmission unit. The block cooking mode signal is also an example of a second signal transmitted from the rice cooker transmission unit.

The fluffed rice cooking mode signal or block rice cooking mode signal transmitted by the rice cooker 100 is received by the refrigerator 200 via the home network 400. The fluffed rice cooking mode signal and block rice cooking mode signal may be transmitted from the rice cooker 100 to the refrigerator 200 without passing through the home network 400. The fluffed rice cooking mode signal and block rice cooking mode signal may be converted into a different signal in the home network 400 before being transmitted to the refrigerator 200.

The refrigerator 200 can receive the above-mentioned para-rice cooking mode signal and block-rice cooking mode signal by the receiver 201b of the communication interface 201 mounted on the refrigerator 200. The receiver 201b in this embodiment is an example of a refrigerator receiver.

When the refrigerator 200 constituting the rice cooking and preservation system of this embodiment receives a light rice cooking mode signal, it operates so that the light rice cooked by the rice cooker 100 in the light rice cooking mode can be appropriately frozen and preserved. In addition, when the refrigerator 200 receives a block rice cooking mode signal, it operates so that the block rice cooked by the rice cooker 100 in the block rice cooking mode can be appropriately frozen and preserved.

When the refrigerator 200 receives the sprinkle rice cooking mode signal or the block rice cooking mode signal, it operates so that the temperature in the storage compartment in which the sprinkle rice or block rice is stored becomes a preset temperature. This preset temperature is, for example, -7°C. -7°C is an example of a preset temperature included in the temperature range of -9°C to -5°C, which is below the maximum ice crystal formation zone and above the freezing zone. The temperature range below the maximum ice crystal formation zone and above the freezing zone is a temperature range in which foods such as meat and fish can be portioned while remaining frozen without thawing.

The refrigerator 200 operates so that the temperature of the storage compartment in which the rice for fluffing and the rice for blocks are stored becomes the above-mentioned set temperature, thereby enabling the rice for fluffing and the rice for blocks to be appropriately frozen and stored. This embodiment prevents the rice for fluffing and the rice for blocks from being frozen and stored in an excessively hard state due to an excessively low temperature. It also prevents deterioration of the quality of the rice for fluffing and the rice for blocks due to the temperature of the storage compartment in which the rice for fluffing and the rice for blocks are stored being too high. In this way, according to the rice cooking and storage system of this embodiment, the rice cooker 100 and the refrigerator 200 work together to enable the rice for fluffing and the rice for blocks to be appropriately frozen and stored.

The microwave oven 300 of this embodiment is configured to be able to appropriately reheat frozen fluffy rice and block rice. The microwave oven 300 can selectively perform two different operations: heating in a fluffy rice warming mode and heating in a block rice warming mode. The microwave oven 300 may also be able to perform heating in a normal warming mode similar to a typical microwave oven. The normal warming mode is an operating mode used, for example, when reheating normal rice.

The fluffed rice heating mode is an operating mode for appropriately reheating frozen fluffed rice. The block heating mode is an operating mode for appropriately reheating frozen block rice. In the fluffed rice heating mode and the block heating mode, the output power etc. of the microwave oven 300 is automatically determined without the user having to make any special settings such as the output power of the microwave oven 300.

For example, the microwave oven 300 is configured to heat rice in a fluffing warming mode when frozen rice for fluffing is transferred from the refrigerator 200 to the microwave oven 300. Also, the microwave oven 300 is configured to heat rice in a block warming mode when frozen rice for a block is transferred from the refrigerator 200 to the microwave oven 300. With the microwave oven 300 configured as described above, the rice for fluffing and the rice for a block that have been frozen in the refrigerator 200 can be appropriately reheated.

When a user removes frozen rice for fluffing or rice for blocks from a storage compartment of refrigerator 200, the user opens the door of the storage compartment. Refrigerator 200 in this embodiment has a function to transmit a signal indicating that the door has been opened when the door of the storage compartment in which rice for fluffing is stored is opened. Hereinafter, this signal is referred to as the "refrigerator open signal for fluffing" in this embodiment. Refrigerator 200 in this embodiment also has a function to transmit a signal indicating that the door has been opened when the door of the storage compartment in which rice for blocks is stored is opened. Hereinafter, this signal is referred to as the "refrigerator open signal for blocks" in this embodiment.

The fridge open signal for flipping and the fridge open signal for blocking are transmitted from transmission unit 201a of communication interface 201 mounted on refrigerator 200. Transmission unit 201a in the present embodiment is an example of a refrigerator transmission unit. The fridge open signal for flipping is an example of a third signal transmitted from the refrigerator transmission unit. The fridge open signal for blocking is an example of a third signal transmitted from the refrigerator transmission unit.

The para-fridge open signal and the block refrigerator open signal transmitted by refrigerator 200 are received by microwave oven 300 via home network 400. Note that the para-fridge open signal and the block refrigerator open signal may be transmitted from refrigerator 200 to microwave oven 300 without passing through home network 400. Also, the para-fridge open signal and the block refrigerator open signal may be converted into a different signal in home network 400 and then transmitted to microwave oven 300.

The microwave oven 300 can receive the para-use refrigerator open signal and the block refrigerator open signal by the receiver 301b of the communication interface 301 mounted on the microwave oven 300. The receiver 301b in this embodiment is an example of a microwave oven receiver. The microwave oven 300 that has received the para-use refrigerator open signal operates in the para-use heating mode when frozen rice for para-use taken out from the storage compartment of the refrigerator 200 is transferred to the microwave oven 300. The microwave oven 300 that has received the block refrigerator open signal operates in the block heating mode when frozen rice for a block taken out from the storage compartment of the refrigerator 200 is transferred to the microwave oven 300.

As described above, the fluffing warming mode is an operating mode for appropriately reheating frozen fluffing rice. Specifically, the microwave oven 300 operating in the fluffing warming mode sequentially performs a first heating step in which heating is performed at a first output and a second heating step in which heating is performed at a second output that is lower than the first output. As an example, when the microwave oven 300 operates in the fluffing warming mode, the first heating step is performed until the temperature of the rice reaches 60°C, at which point the first heating step ends and the process moves to the second heating step. As an example, the microwave oven 300 operating in the fluffing warming mode performs the second heating step for a time Tp.

On the other hand, as described above, the block warming mode is an operation mode for appropriately reheating a block of rice that is frozen. The microwave oven 300 operating in the block warming mode sequentially performs a first heating step in which heating is performed at a first output and a second heating step in which heating is performed at a second output that is lower than the first output. As an example, when the microwave oven 300 operates in the block warming mode, the first heating step is performed until the temperature of the rice reaches 60°C, and when the temperature of the rice reaches 60°C, the first heating step ends and the microwave oven 300 moves to the second heating step. As an example, the microwave oven 300 operating in the block warming mode performs the second heating step for a time Tb. The time Tb during which the second heating step is performed in the block warming mode is shorter than the time Tp during which the second heating step is performed in the fluff warming mode.

Flourishing cooked rice has a lower degree of gelatinization than block-type cooked rice. For this reason, the time Tp during which the second heating step is performed in flourishing warming mode is set to be longer than the time Tb during which the second heating step is performed in block-type warming mode. By maintaining the temperature of the cooked rice at 60°C or higher, the temperature range in which the gelatinization reaction proceeds, for a sufficiently long period of time, the degree of gelatinization of the cooked rice can be made sufficiently high. Specifically, with the block-type warming mode and flourishing warming mode, it is possible to make the degree of gelatinization of the cooked rice around 95%.

When operating in the fluffed rice heating mode or the block heating mode, the microwave oven 300 may heat the cooked rice while adding moisture to the cooked rice by supplying water vapor. This makes it possible to more effectively promote the gelatinization of the starch in the cooked rice while suppressing the drying of the cooked rice due to heating.

As described above, the cooked rice cooking and preservation system according to this embodiment includes a rice cooker 100, a refrigerator 200 that is linked to the rice cooker 100, and a microwave oven 300 that is linked to the refrigerator 200. According to the cooked rice cooking and preservation system according to this embodiment, the rice cooker 100, the refrigerator 200, and the microwave oven 300 are linked to each other, so that cooked rice can be appropriately frozen and preserved, and frozen and preserved cooked rice can be appropriately reheated.

Next, we will explain in more detail the rice cooker 100 and the refrigerator 200 that make up the cooked rice preservation system according to this embodiment.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the rice cooker 100 of the first embodiment. The rice cooker 100 will be described with further reference to Figure 3 in addition to Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the rice cooker 100 includes a pot-shaped container 102, a rice cooker body 103, and an outer lid 104.

The rice cooker 100 is a device that cooks rice by heating rice and water. The pot-shaped container 102 is a pot-shaped container that opens upward. The pot-shaped container 102 is an example of a container that holds rice and water. The pot-shaped container 102 is also called a rice cooker.

The rice cooker body 103 is the main structural part of the rice cooker 100. The shape of the rice cooker body 103 is a cylinder with a bottom. The rice cooker body 103 has an opening at the top. The pot-shaped container 102 is housed in the rice cooker body 103 in a removable manner.

The outer lid 104 is attached to the rice cooker body 103 so as to be freely opened and closed. The outer lid 104 is supported so as to be freely opened and closed, for example, by a hinge provided on the rice cooker body 103. In addition, an inner lid 105 is attached to the outer lid 104. The outer lid 104 and the inner lid 105 form a lid body that can open and close the opening at the top of the rice cooker body 103. The lid body consisting of the outer lid 104 and the inner lid 105 also opens and closes the opening at the top of the pot-shaped container 102 contained in the rice cooker body 103. In FIG. 3, the lid body closes the opening at the top of the pot-shaped container 102. In FIG. 3, the lid body covers the pot-shaped container 102 and the rice and water contained in the pot-shaped container 102 from above.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rice cooker main body 103 is equipped with a heating coil 106 that heats the pot-shaped container 102 housed in the rice cooker main body 103. The heating coil 106 is provided, for example, in a position facing the pot-shaped container 102. The pot-shaped container 102 contains, for example, a magnetic metal that generates heat through electromagnetic induction. When a high-frequency current is supplied to the heating coil 106 from an inverter (not shown), it heats the pot-shaped container 102 through electromagnetic induction. This heats the rice and water in the pot-shaped container 102, and the rice is cooked.

In this embodiment, the heating coil 106, together with a circuit including an inverter (not shown), constitutes the rice cooking mechanism 106a shown in FIG. 2. The rice cooking mechanism 106a is an example of a rice cooking means for cooking rice. The heating coil 106 is also an example of a heating means for heating a container that contains rice and water. Note that the heating means for heating the container that contains rice and water is not limited to the heating coil 106, and may be, for example, an electric heater such as a sheath heater.

The rice cooking mechanism 106a is controlled by the rice cooker control device 107. The rice cooker control device 107 is an example of a rice cooker control means for controlling the operation of the rice cooker 100. The rice cooker control device 107 particularly controls the operation of the rice cooking mechanism 106a in the rice cooking process of the rice cooker 100. The rice cooking process refers to the process performed when the rice cooker 100 cooks rice. The rice cooking process includes, for example, a preheating process, a cooking process, and a steaming process.

The rice cooker control device 107 is built into the rice cooker main body 103, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. Note that the location where the rice cooker control device 107 is provided is not limited to the rice cooker main body 103. The rice cooker control device 107 may be provided, for example, in the lid body, etc.

The rice cooker 100 also includes an operation display unit 108, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The operation display unit 108 is operated when the user uses the rice cooker 100. The operation display unit 108 also displays various information related to the rice cooker 100. As an example, the operation display unit 108 is provided on the outer surface of the rice cooker main body 103. Note that the location where the operation display unit 108 is provided is not limited to this example, and may be, for example, the top surface of the outer lid 104. Also, the user may operate the rice cooker 100 using a device such as a smartphone instead of the operation display unit 108. The rice cooker 100 may be configured to be able to communicate with devices such as a smartphone.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the operation display unit 108 in embodiment 1. The operation display unit 108 includes a number of operation buttons that accept various instructions given by the user. Examples of various instructions given by the user using the operation buttons include starting rice cooking, canceling the rice cooking operation, setting the rice cooking start time, and setting the rice cooking menu. In this embodiment, the multiple operation buttons include a menu selection button 108a and an extension button 108b, as shown in Figure 4.

The above-mentioned rice cooking menu indicates, for example, whether to cook rice in a standard time or quick cooking in a time shorter than the standard time, whether the finished product is hard or soft, etc. The user can set the rice cooking menu by operating the menu selection button 108a.

The rice cooking menu also includes the result of selecting the rice cooking mode. By operating the menu selection button 108a, the user can cause the rice cooker 100 to selectively cook rice in the light rice cooking mode or the block rice cooking mode. In addition, by operating the menu selection button 108a, the user can cause the rice cooker 100 to cook rice in the normal mode. The menu selection button 108a in this embodiment is an example of a mode selection means for selecting a rice cooking mode in response to a user operation.

In this embodiment, cooking rice in normal mode corresponds to various types of cooking other than the light cooking mode or the block cooking mode. For example, cooking rice using a cooking menu set to produce a harder finish is cooking rice in normal mode, as is cooking rice using a cooking menu set to produce a softer finish. In addition, cooking rice at the standard time and quick cooking are both considered to be cooking rice in normal mode.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operation display unit 108 may be provided with an operation button for selecting the type of rice to be cooked by the rice cooker 100. The selection of the type of rice may be performed using the menu selection button 108a. Furthermore, cooking rice using a rice cooking menu in which the type of rice is set to something other than white rice may correspond to cooking rice in the normal mode, or in the light rice cooking mode or block rice cooking mode. The selection of the normal mode, light rice cooking mode or block rice cooking mode is performed independently of the selection of the type of rice.

The extension button 108b is an operation button for further heating the fluffy cooked rice and the block cooked rice. The extension button 108b in this embodiment is an example of an extended heating instruction means.

When the user operates the extension button 108b, the rice cooker 100, which has completed cooking rice in the light rice cooking mode or the block rice cooking mode, heats the rice in the pot-shaped container 102 until the degree of gelatinization of the rice exceeds a preset reference value. This reference value is, for example, around 90% or 95%. The user can move some of the light rice and block rice in the pot-shaped container 102 to the refrigerator 200 and then operate the extension button 108b to heat the rice remaining in the pot-shaped container 102 to a state where it can be eaten immediately.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operation display unit 108 is provided with a display unit 108c configured with a liquid crystal display or the like. The display unit 108c displays various information related to the rice cooker 100. The display unit 108c issues various notifications to the user of the rice cooker 100. The display unit 108c in this embodiment is an example of a notification means. The operation buttons and the display unit 108c included in the operation display unit 108 may be formed as an integrated liquid crystal display or the like, for example.

The information displayed on the display unit 108c includes information on the rice cooking menu that the user has set using the operation buttons such as the menu selection button 108a. That is, the display unit 108c displays the results of the selection of whether to cook rice in standard time or quick cooking, whether to cook the rice hard or soft, and whether to cook the rice type white rice or pre-rinsed rice.

In FIG. 4, as an example, information on a rice cooking menu set to cook rice in a fluffy manner is displayed on the display unit 108c. As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 108c also displays the remaining time until cooking is complete, etc.

The display unit 108c, which is an example of a notification means, may have a function of notifying the user of an abnormality when an abnormality occurs in the rice cooker 100. Note that the rice cooker 100 may also be provided with a separate speaker or the like capable of providing audio notification as a notification means.

The operation display unit 108 is electrically connected to the rice cooker control device 107 via a signal line. The operation display unit 108 sends information regarding various instructions input by the user by operating the operation display unit 108 to the rice cooker control device 107 as an electrical signal. The rice cooker control device 107 operates in response to the electrical signal from the operation display unit 108. The rice cooker control device 107 controls the rice cooking mechanism 106a in response to the operation of the operation display unit 108 by the user.

The rice cooker control device 107 controls the rice cooking mechanism 106a so that rice cooking is performed according to the rice cooking menu set by operating the operation display unit 108. When the light rice cooking mode is selected by the menu selection button 108a, the rice cooker control device 107 executes a first rice cooking control for the rice cooking mechanism 106a. When the block rice cooking mode is selected by the menu selection button 108a, the rice cooker control device 107 executes a second rice cooking control for the rice cooking mechanism 106a. The second rice cooking control is a process different from the first rice cooking control described above. By the process of the first rice cooking control, the rice cooking mechanism 106a executes rice cooking in the light rice cooking mode. By the process of the second rice cooking control, the rice cooking mechanism 106a executes rice cooking in the block rice cooking mode. Also, when the normal rice cooking mode is selected by the menu selection button 108a, the rice cooker control device 107 executes a control different from both the first rice cooking control and the second rice cooking control described above for the rice cooking mechanism 106a.

When the user operates the extension button 108b, which is an example of an extended heating instruction means, after cooking in the light rice cooking mode or the block rice cooking mode, the extension button 108b sends an extended heating instruction signal to the rice cooker control device 107. Upon receiving the extended heating instruction signal, the rice cooker control device 107 operates the rice cooking mechanism 106a again so that the degree of gelatinization of the cooked rice in the pot-shaped container 102 exceeds a preset reference value.

The rice cooker control device 107 also has a function of controlling the operation of the display unit 108c of the operation display unit 108. The rice cooker control device 107 also has a function of causing the transmission unit 201a of the communication interface 201 to transmit a signal. The transmission operation of the light rice cooking mode signal or the block rice cooking mode signal from the transmission unit 101a is controlled by the rice cooker control device 107.

The rice cooker control device 107 is equipped with a control circuit and the like for controlling the operation of the rice cooker 100. Each function of the rice cooker control device 107 is realized by this control circuit. The control circuit of the rice cooker control device 107 is equipped with, for example, a processor 107a and a memory 107b. The rice cooker control device 107 controls the rice cooker 100 by the processor 107a executing a program stored in the memory 107b. Various programs and the like necessary for various operations of the rice cooker 100 are stored in the memory 107b.

The processor 107a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 107b includes, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as EPROM and EEPROM, or a magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, mini disk, DVD, etc.

In this embodiment, the memory 107b stores at least a program for the rice cooker 100 to cook rice in normal mode, a program for cooking rice in light cooking mode, and a program for cooking rice in block cooking mode. The memory 107b also stores a program for operating the rice cooking mechanism 106a again when the rice cooker control device 107 receives an extended heating instruction signal.

The control circuit of the rice cooker control device 107 may be formed as dedicated hardware, for example. A part of the control circuit of the rice cooker control device 107 may be formed as dedicated hardware, and the control circuit may be provided with a processor 107a and a memory 107b. Examples of control circuits partly formed as dedicated hardware include a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these.

Furthermore, the functions of the rice cooker control device 107 may be realized by a device or system external to the rice cooker 100. The functions of the rice cooker control device 107 may be realized, for example, by a system on the home network 400. The operation of the rice cooker 100 may be controlled by a system on the home network 400.

Next, cooking rice in normal mode, light rice cooking mode, and block rice cooking mode will be described in more detail. Figure 5 is a diagram explaining specific examples of the cooking process in normal mode, light rice cooking mode, and block rice cooking mode in embodiment 1. Figure 5 shows an example of the time series change in the temperature of the contents contained in the pot-shaped container 102 during the cooking process.

In this embodiment, the rice cooking process in normal mode includes three steps: a preheating step, a cooking step, and a steaming step. On the other hand, the rice cooking process in the light rice cooking mode and the block rice cooking mode includes the cooking step, but omits the preheating step and the steaming step.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the rice cooker 100 starts cooking rice in normal mode, the preheating process is carried out first. The preheating process is a process in which the pot-shaped container 102 is heated at a preset temperature for a preset time before the water in the pot-shaped container 102 is brought to a boil. This heating in the preheating process promotes water absorption by the rice, and produces flavor components such as sugars, which are sweet components, and amino acids, which are umami components. In the preheating process, the rice cooking mechanism 106a operates so that the temperature of the contents contained in the pot-shaped container 102 is maintained at a preset reference temperature.

When the preheating process is complete, the cooking process is carried out. When the cooking process begins, the pot-shaped container 102 is heated until the temperature of the contents contained in the pot-shaped container 102 reaches a preset reference temperature. During the cooking process, the rice cooking mechanism 106a operates so that the temperature of the contents contained in the pot-shaped container 102 is maintained at this reference temperature.

For example, in the normal cooking process, the pot 102 and the rice and water in the pot 102 are heated until the water in the pot 102 boils. In the normal cooking process, the water in the pot 102 is kept boiling, and air bubbles scrape off and dissolve the starch around the rice. The high temperature heating in the cooking process promotes gelatinization of the starch in the rice.

In this embodiment, the above reference temperature during the cooking process in normal mode is referred to as the "normal cooking temperature." The normal cooking temperature is, for example, 100°C.

As shown in FIG. 5, when cooking in the light rice cooking mode starts, the preheating process is omitted and the cooking process is carried out. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned reference temperature in the cooking process in the light rice cooking mode is referred to as the "cooking temperature in the light rice cooking mode." The cooking temperature in the light rice cooking mode is set lower than the normal cooking temperature. The cooking temperature in the light rice cooking mode is set to a temperature of, for example, 90°C or lower.

During the cooking process in the fluffy rice cooking mode, the rice and water in the pot-shaped container 102 are maintained at a temperature below the boiling point of water. During the cooking process in the fluffy rice cooking mode, the elution of starch from the rice is suppressed compared to the cooking process in the normal mode. During the cooking process in the fluffy rice cooking mode, the gelatinization of rice starch does not progress as much as during the cooking process in the normal mode.

As described above, when the rice cooking process is performed in normal mode, the steaming process is performed after the cooking process. The steaming process is a process in which the temperature of the cooked rice is maintained at a high temperature by heating the pot-shaped container 102, thereby steaming the cooked rice. In the steaming process, the starch in the center of the cooked rice grains is sufficiently gelatinized. In addition, the pot-shaped container 102 continues to be heated so that the moisture distribution within the cooked rice grains is uniform. When the steaming process is completed, the rice cooking process in normal mode ends. On the other hand, when the rice cooking process is performed in the freezing mode of this embodiment, the steaming process is not performed after the cooking process.

In normal mode, rice starch dissolves into the water during the preheating process, and the dissolution of starch continues during the cooking process as described above. When the rice absorbs water during the cooking process and the water in the pot-shaped container 102 runs out, the dissolved starch reattaches around the rice grains, causing stickiness. Also, during the cooking process, the starch contained in the rice gelatinizes due to heating at high temperatures. Cooked rice with a high degree of gelatinization is highly sticky. In normal mode, rice with high stickiness is cooked due to the influence of both the starch reattached around the rice grains and the starch inside the rice grains. Rice with high stickiness cooked in normal mode is in a state where the grains tend to stick together.

On the other hand, in the light rice cooking mode, the preheating process is omitted, so there is no dissolution of starch during the preheating process in the normal mode. Also, the heating temperature in the cooking process in the light rice cooking mode is lower than the heating temperature in the cooking process in the normal mode. Therefore, the dissolution of starch during the cooking process in the light rice cooking mode is less than the dissolution of starch during the cooking process in the normal mode. In the cooking process in the light rice cooking mode, the reattachment of starch to the periphery of the rice grains is suppressed compared to the cooking process in the normal mode. Also, as mentioned above, starch gelatinization in the cooking process in the light rice cooking mode progresses less rapidly than starch gelatinization in the cooking process in the normal mode. Light rice cooked in the light rice cooking mode is less sticky and grains are less likely to stick together than rice cooked in the normal mode.

As mentioned above, the heating temperature in the cooking process in the light rice cooking mode is lower than that in the normal mode. Therefore, in the light rice cooking mode, it takes a long time for the starch contained in the rice to absorb enough water. For example, even if the cooked rice has a low gelatinization degree and is weakly sticky, if water that is not absorbed by the rice remains in the pot-shaped container 102, this remaining water will bind the rice grains together when the rice is frozen. In this case, the frozen rice becomes a very hard mass in which the grains are strongly bound together, and it is difficult to separate the grains even if the user loosens the rice with his or her hands. Therefore, in the cooking process in the light rice cooking mode, it is preferable to promote water absorption over a long period of time so that no water remains in the pot-shaped container 102 after cooking is completed. In this embodiment, the cooking process time when the light rice cooking mode is selected is set to be longer than the cooking process time when the normal mode is selected.

However, if heating is continued after the rice has finished absorbing water, the starch will swell and the gelatinization reaction will progress, increasing the viscosity of the cooked rice. For this reason, in the fluffy rice cooking mode, the cooking process ends before the viscosity increases, i.e., before the entire cooked rice is fully gelatinized. As a result, the degree of gelatinization of fluffy rice cooked in the fluffy rice cooking mode is lower than the degree of gelatinization of regular rice cooked in the regular mode.

When cooking begins in block cooking mode, the preheating process is omitted and the cooking process is carried out, as in the light rice cooking mode. In this embodiment, the reference temperature in the cooking process in block cooking mode is referred to as the "cooking temperature in block cooking mode." The cooking temperature in block cooking mode is set to be lower than the normal cooking temperature and higher than the cooking temperature in light rice cooking mode. The cooking temperature in block cooking mode is set to be, for example, 95°C or lower.

During the cooking process in the block cooking mode, the rice and water in the pot-shaped container 102 are maintained at a temperature below the boiling point of water. As described above, the cooking temperature in the paradise cooking mode is about halfway between the normal cooking temperature and the paradise cooking mode. The water absorption rate of the rice during the cooking process in the block cooking mode is about halfway between the water absorption rate of the rice in the normal mode and the water absorption rate of the rice in the paradise cooking mode. The rate of gelatinization of the rice starch during the cooking process in the block cooking mode is about halfway between the water absorption rate of the rice in the normal mode and the water absorption rate of the rice in the paradise cooking mode.

As described above, the cooking temperature in the block cooking mode is set higher than the cooking temperature in the light rice cooking mode. The cooking process time in the block cooking mode is set to the same length as the cooking process time in the light rice cooking mode. In the block cooking mode, like the light rice cooking mode, heating is performed so that no water remains in the pot-shaped container 102 after cooking is completed. Also, the degree of gelatinization of the cooked rice at the end of the cooking process in the block cooking mode is higher than the degree of gelatinization of the cooked rice at the end of the cooking process in the light rice cooking mode. In the block cooking mode, like the light rice cooking mode, the cooking process ends before the viscosity of the cooked rice increases, that is, before the entire cooked rice is sufficiently gelatinized, and the cooking process ends.

As mentioned above, the degree of gelatinization of block rice cooked in the block cooking mode is intermediate between that of regular rice and that of fluffy rice, for example, in the range of 85% to 90%. The degree of gelatinization of cooked rice correlates with the ease with which the grains of cooked rice stick together. The higher the degree of gelatinization, as in regular rice, the more likely the grains will stick together, and frozen regular rice becomes a very hard mass with the grains tightly bound together. On the other hand, frozen block rice is too hard for the user to separate the grains by hand, but it is quite possible to divide it into multiple small block-shaped chunks and separate it into smaller portions.

When starting cooking in the fluffy rice cooking mode, the amount of water put into the pot-shaped container 102 may be less than when cooking in the normal mode and when cooking in the block cooking mode. The less water put into the pot-shaped container 102, the easier it is to cook fluffy rice that is frozen in a fluffy, easy-to-break-up state.

In the light rice cooking mode and block rice cooking mode of this embodiment, the preheating and steaming processes are omitted to compensate for the long cooking process time, preventing the overall cooking process from becoming too long. By preventing the overall cooking process time in the light rice cooking mode and block rice cooking mode from becoming too long, usability for the user is improved.

The preheating step does not necessarily have to be omitted in the light rice cooking mode and the block rice cooking mode. For example, in the light rice cooking mode and the block rice cooking mode, a preheating step in which the heating temperature is lower than in the normal mode may be performed. By performing the preheating step, flavor components are produced, and light rice and block rice can be cooked in a more delicious state.

In addition, the rice cooker 100 of this embodiment automatically goes into an extended heating standby state, in which the rice in the pot-shaped container 102 can be reheated, after cooking in the sprinkling cooking mode and block cooking mode described above is completed. If the user operates the extension button 108b while the rice cooker 100 is in the extended heating standby state, the rice cooking mechanism 106a operates again so that the rice in the pot-shaped container 102 is sufficiently gelatinized. As an example, the rice cooking mechanism 106a heats the pot-shaped container 102 so that the rice in the pot-shaped container 102 is maintained at 90°C or higher until a preset period of time has elapsed. As a result, the rice left in the pot-shaped container 102 is sufficiently gelatinized.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the light rice cooking mode is selected, the rice cooker control device 107 causes the transmission unit 201a of the communication interface 201 to transmit a light rice cooking mode signal. When the block rice cooking mode is selected, the rice cooker control device 107 causes the transmission unit 201a of the communication interface 201 to transmit a block rice cooking mode signal. For example, the transmission unit 201a transmits a light rice cooking mode signal at the start of the cooking process in the light rice cooking mode, and transmits a block rice cooking mode signal at the start of the cooking process in the block rice cooking mode. In this way, in this embodiment, a signal indicating that cooking is being performed in the light rice cooking mode or the block rice cooking mode is automatically transmitted from the rice cooker 100 to the external device. In this embodiment, the rice cooker 100 and the external device are smoothly linked, improving usability for the user.

The timing at which various signals are transmitted from the transmitting unit 201a is not limited to the start of the rice cooking process. The timing at which signals are transmitted from the transmitting unit 201a may be, for example, when the rice cooking menu setting is completed, during the rice cooking process, or at the end of the rice cooking process.

Next, the functions of the refrigerator 200 that works in conjunction with the rice cooker 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The refrigerator 200 has multiple storage compartments for storing and preserving food. The multiple storage compartments include, for example, a refrigerator compartment, a switchable compartment, an ice maker compartment, a freezer compartment, and a vegetable compartment. As an example, the switchable compartment has a smaller capacity than the refrigerator compartment.

Refrigerator 200 has a cooling mechanism 202 for cooling each storage compartment. Refrigerator 200 also has a refrigerator control device 203 as an example of a refrigerator control means for controlling the operation of refrigerator 200.

The cooling mechanism 202 includes a refrigeration cycle circuit that is made up of a compressor, a cooler, a condenser, a throttling device, etc. An air passage is formed inside the refrigerator 200 to supply air cooled by the refrigeration cycle circuit to each storage compartment. A blower is installed in this air passage to send the air cooled by the cooler to each storage compartment.

In addition, dampers are provided at points midway from the air passages to each storage compartment. The amount of cold air supplied to each storage compartment is adjusted by changing the open/close state of the dampers. The amount of cold air supplied to each storage compartment is also adjusted by controlling the operation of the blower. The temperature of the air supplied to each storage compartment is adjusted by controlling the operation of the compressor. As described above, the cooling mechanism 202 of this embodiment is composed of a compressor, a cooler, a condenser, a throttling device, a blower, a damper, etc.

The temperature of each storage compartment is adjusted by controlling the operation of the cooling mechanism 202. The temperature zone of the switchable compartment among the multiple storage compartments of the refrigerator 200 can be selectively switched to one of multiple temperature zones. The temperature zone of the switchable compartment is switched by controlling the cooling mechanism 202 by the refrigerator control device 203.

The multiple temperature zones that can be selected as the temperature zone for the switchable compartment include, for example, the freezing temperature zone, the soft freezing temperature zone, the semi-freezing temperature zone, etc. The freezing temperature zone is, for example, a temperature zone of about -18°C. The soft freezing temperature zone is, for example, a temperature zone of about -7°C. The semi-freezing temperature zone is, for example, a temperature zone of about -4°C.

The above-mentioned switchable chamber can store food in a frozen state. The switchable chamber in this embodiment is an example of a storage chamber capable of storing food in a frozen state. The above-mentioned freezing temperature zone and semi-freezing temperature zone are examples of a first temperature zone according to the present disclosure. The soft freezing temperature zone is an example of a second temperature zone different from the first temperature zone. The second temperature zone is a temperature zone suitable for freezing and storing fluffy rice and block rice cooked by the rice cooker 100. The cooling mechanism 202 is an example of a storage chamber cooling means capable of selectively adjusting the switchable chamber between the first temperature zone and the second temperature zone.

The soft freezing temperature range, which is a temperature range of about -7°C, is an example of a temperature range below the maximum ice crystal formation zone and above the freezing temperature range. By storing the loosely frozen rice in a switchable compartment whose temperature range is the soft freezing temperature range, the user can properly freeze and store the loosely frozen rice in a loose state.

As described above, when the light rice cooking mode is selected, the transmitting unit 101a of the rice cooker 100 automatically transmits a light rice cooking mode signal to an external device. When the block rice cooking mode is selected, the transmitting unit 101a of the rice cooker 100 automatically transmits a block rice cooking mode signal to an external device. Then, when the receiving unit 201b of the refrigerator 200 receives the light rice cooking mode signal or the block rice cooking mode signal, the refrigerator control device 203 controls the cooling mechanism 202 so that the temperature zone of the switching compartment becomes the soft freezing temperature zone. For example, the cooling mechanism 202 operates to maintain the temperature of the switching compartment at about -7°C after rapidly cooling the switching compartment. Thus, in this embodiment, when cooking is performed in the light rice cooking mode or the block rice cooking mode, the temperature zone of the switching compartment is automatically adjusted to the soft freezing temperature zone.

As shown in FIG. 2, refrigerator 200 of this embodiment is also equipped with an opening/closing detection unit 204 that detects the opening and closing of the door of the storage compartment in which cooked rice for fluffing and cooked rice for blocks are stored, i.e., the door of the switching compartment. Refrigerator control device 203 operates according to the detection result of opening/closing detection unit 204. When the door of the switching compartment is opened, opening/closing detection unit 204 transmits a signal indicating that the door has been opened to refrigerator control device 203. Having received this signal from opening/closing detection unit 204, refrigerator control device 203 causes transmission unit 201a of communication interface 201 to transmit the above-mentioned refrigerator opening signal for fluffing or refrigerator opening signal for blocks.

The opening/closing detection unit 204 is an example of an opening/closing detection means that detects the opening/closing of the door of the storage chamber in which the rice for fluffing and the rice for blocks are stored. The opening/closing detection unit 204 is also an example of a movement detection means that detects when the rice for fluffing and the rice for blocks are removed from the storage chamber in a frozen state. The opening/closing detection means and the movement detection means may be composed of, for example, a thermistor that detects the temperature inside the switching chamber and a camera that captures an image of the inside of the switching chamber.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, refrigerator 200 of this embodiment includes quantity detection unit 205 that detects the amount of items removed from the switchable compartment. Quantity detection unit 205 is, for example, composed of a sensor that detects a change in weight inside the switchable compartment and a camera that captures images of the inside of the switchable compartment. Quantity detection unit 205 is an example of quantity detection means that detects the amount of frozen cooked rice that has been transferred from the storage compartment of refrigerator 200 to microwave oven 300. Note that the quantity detection means may be, for example, composed of various sensors provided in microwave oven 300.

The refrigerator control device 203 operates according to the detection result of the amount detection unit 205. When frozen cooked rice is removed from the switchable compartment, the amount detection unit 205 transmits a signal including information on the amount of cooked rice to the refrigerator control device 203. Having received this signal from the amount detection unit 205, the refrigerator control device 203 causes the transmission unit 201a to transmit a signal including information on the amount of cooked rice removed from the switchable compartment.

The refrigerator control device 203 that operates as described above is equipped with a control circuit, similar to the rice cooker control device 107. The control circuit is equipped with, for example, a processor 203a and a memory 203b. The refrigerator control device 203 controls the refrigerator 200 by the processor 203a executing a program stored in the memory 203b. In this embodiment, the memory 203b stores at least a program for adjusting the temperature zone of the switchable compartment to the soft freezing temperature zone.

The control circuit of the refrigerator control device 203 may be formed as dedicated hardware, for example. A part of the control circuit of the refrigerator control device 203 may be formed as dedicated hardware, and the control circuit may be provided with a processor 203a and a memory 203b. In addition, the functions of the refrigerator control device 203 may be realized by a device or system external to the refrigerator 200, such as a system on the home network 400.

Next, the function of the microwave oven 300 linked to the refrigerator 200 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The microwave oven 300 is equipped with a heating mechanism 302 as an example of a heating means for heating food stored in the microwave oven 300. The heating mechanism 302 heats the food by irradiating microwaves. The operation of the heating mechanism 302 is controlled by a microwave oven control device 303, which is an example of a microwave oven control means for controlling the operation of the microwave oven 300. With the heating mechanism 302 controlled by the microwave oven control device 303, the microwave oven 300 can selectively perform heating in a normal heating mode and heating in a frozen rice heating mode.

When the receiver 301b of the microwave oven 300 receives the above-mentioned parapara refrigerator open signal, the microwave oven control device 303 controls the heating mechanism 302 so that heating is performed in parapara warming mode. Also, when the receiver 301b receives the above-mentioned block refrigerator open signal, the microwave oven control device 303 controls the heating mechanism 302 so that heating is performed in block warming mode.

The microwave oven 300 also includes a temperature detection unit 304, which is an example of a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of food inside the microwave oven 300 and is composed of a thermistor or the like. The microwave oven control device 303 operates based on the detection result of the temperature detection unit 304. For example, the microwave oven control device 303 controls the heating mechanism 302 so that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 304 becomes equal to or higher than a preset constant temperature.

The microwave oven 300 is also provided with, as an example, a microwave oven operation display unit 305. The microwave oven operation display unit 305 is operated when the user uses the microwave oven 300, similar to the operation display unit 108 of the rice cooker 100. The microwave oven operation display unit 305 displays various information related to the microwave oven 300, and notifies the user, for example, that heating of food by the microwave oven 300 has finished. The microwave oven operation display unit 305 is controlled by the microwave oven control device 303. The microwave oven control device 303 operates in response to operations on the microwave oven operation display unit 305 by the user.

The microwave control device 303 that operates as described above is equipped with a control circuit, similar to the rice cooker control device 107 and the refrigerator control device 203. The control circuit is equipped with, for example, a processor 303a and a memory 303b. The microwave control device 303 controls the microwave oven 300 by the processor 303a executing a program stored in the memory 303b. In this embodiment, the memory 303b stores at least a program for heating in a flurry heating mode and a program for heating in a block heating mode.

The control circuit of the microwave control device 303 may be formed as dedicated hardware, for example. A part of the control circuit of the microwave control device 303 may be formed as dedicated hardware, and the control circuit may be provided with a processor 303a and memory 303b. In addition, the functions of the microwave control device 303 may be realized by a device or system external to the microwave oven 300, such as a system on the home network 400.

As shown in FIG. 2, microwave oven 300 may be equipped with steam supply unit 306 as an example of moisture supply means for supplying moisture to the object to be heated in the microwave oven. By heating while supplying water vapor by steam supply unit 306, it is possible to reheat the fluffy rice and block rice to a soft and delicious state while preventing them from drying out. Note that the moisture supply means equipped in microwave oven 300 is not limited to steam supply unit 306 that supplies water vapor. For example, the moisture supply means may be configured to supply water by a spray-type nozzle. Also, instead of providing microwave oven 300 with moisture supply means, the user may supply moisture to the fluffy frozen rice before reheating in microwave oven 300.

The first output, second output, and heating time of the microwave oven 300 in the flake heating mode and block heating mode are set, for example, based on the detection result of the temperature detection unit 304. The first output, second output, and heating time may be set according to the amount of cooked rice transferred from the switching compartment of the refrigerator 200 to the microwave oven 300. As described above, the refrigerator control device 203 that receives a signal from the amount detection unit 205 causes the transmission unit 201a to transmit a signal including information on the amount of cooked rice removed from the switching compartment. This signal is received by the reception unit 301b. The microwave oven control device 303 may set the first output, second output, and heating time based on the information on the amount of cooked rice removed from the switching compartment that is included in the signal received by the reception unit 301b. For example, the second output may be set to a smaller output as the amount of cooked rice transferred from the switching compartment to the microwave oven 300 is smaller.

As described above, the rice cooker 100 according to this embodiment includes a pot-shaped container 102, which is an example of a container for storing rice and water, and a rice cooking mechanism 106a, which is an example of a rice cooking means that heats the rice and water in the pot-shaped container 102 and cooks the rice. The rice cooking mechanism 106a, which is an example of a rice cooking means, is configured to be able to selectively cook rice in a sprinkling cooking mode and a block cooking mode for cooking rice suitable for freezing.

In the light rice cooking mode, which is an example of the first mode, when rice and water are placed in the pot-shaped container 102 under the first conditions and cooked, a first cooked rice having a first degree of gelatinization is produced. In the block rice cooking mode, which is an example of the second mode, when rice and water are placed in the pot-shaped container 102 under the first conditions and cooked, a second cooked rice having a second degree of gelatinization that is higher than the first degree of gelatinization is produced.

When a certain amount of pressure is applied from the outside, a first lump of frozen rice generated by freezing first rice cooked in the light rice cooking mode, which is an example of the first mode, is divided into multiple first rice lump. As a specific example, when a certain amount of pressure is applied by the user's hand to a lump of frozen rice generated by freezing rice cooked in the light rice cooking mode, each grain falls apart.

In addition, the second rice cooked in the block cooking mode, which is an example of the second mode, is frozen under the first condition to produce a second frozen block, which is divided into multiple second rice blocks when the above-mentioned constant pressure is applied from the outside. As a specific example, the frozen rice block produced by freezing rice cooked in the block cooking mode is divided into multiple bite-sized block-shaped small blocks when a constant pressure is applied by the user's hand.

The average volume of the plurality of second rice lumps is larger than the average volume of the plurality of first rice lumps. As described above, the average volume of the plurality of first rice lumps is, for example, 0.04 cubic centimeters to 0.4 cubic centimeters. As described above, the average volume of the plurality of second rice lumps is, for example, 10 cubic centimeters to 50 cubic centimeters.

With the rice cooker 100 configured as described above, the user can choose between cooking fluffy rice, where each grain is loosely separated by the user's application of force after freezing, and block rice, where the user can divide the rice into bite-sized blocks by applying force after freezing.

Even if the user freezes rice for fluffing in bulk in the same bag or container, the user can easily take out only the amount needed into a container such as a bowl and reheat it. Similarly, even if the user freezes rice for blocks in bulk in the same bag or container, the user can easily take out only the amount needed into a container such as a bowl and reheat it. According to this embodiment, a user-friendly rice cooker 100 is obtained that eliminates the need to divide the rice into small portions before freezing it.

With fluffy rice, when taking out the required amount after freezing, it is easy to fine-tune the amount taken out. Furthermore, fluffy rice can be easily broken down into individual grains after freezing, making it easy to mix with any other ingredients. For example, a user can mix chicken, burdock, seasonings, etc. with fluffy rice that has been broken down after freezing and then reheat it to make a simple rice dish. Fluffy rice has the characteristic of being easily applicable to a variety of dishes.

On the other hand, when taking out the required amount of rice for blocks after freezing, the amount to be taken out can be adjusted by changing the number of small block-shaped chunks. Also, rice for blocks has the characteristic that it takes less time to reheat in a microwave oven 300 or the like than rice for fluffing. Furthermore, rice for blocks is stickier than rice for fluffing, and the rice grains tend to stick together. Therefore, when transferring rice for blocks from the rice cooker 100 to a bag or container with a rice scoop or the like, it is less likely to spill off the rice scoop than rice for fluffing. Rice for blocks has the characteristic that it is easier to transfer from the rice cooker 100 to another container.

As described above, fluffy rice and block rice each have different characteristics. Whether fluffy rice or block rice is preferred by the user depends on the situation. According to this embodiment, a user-friendly rice cooker 100 is obtained that allows the user to select and obtain fluffy rice or block rice at will. According to this embodiment, it is possible to cook rice for freezing according to the user's purpose.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the rice for fluffing and the rice for blocks that have been divided after freezing are placed in a bowl. Figure 6(a) shows rice for fluffing that has been loosened by hand after freezing. Figure 6(a) shows rice for blocks that has been divided by hand into several small chunks after freezing.

The larger the size of each chunk of frozen rice after division, the more likely it is that larger gaps will form between the chunks, as shown in FIG. 6(b). Under the same total weight of frozen rice, the larger the gaps between the chunks of frozen rice, the larger the apparent volume will be when placed in a bowl. If the chunks of frozen rice are too large, even if you try to put the required amount of frozen rice into a container such as a bowl, it will overflow from the container. Taking this into consideration, it is preferable that the average volume of the small chunks of frozen rice generated by applying force by hand to the chunks generated by freezing the block rice, i.e., the above-mentioned second chunks of rice, is 50 cubic centimeters or less.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the rice cooker 100 and the refrigerator 200 work together to provide a cooked rice cooking and preservation system that can properly freeze and preserve cooked rice in a flaky state. Furthermore, the refrigerator 200 and the microwave oven 300 work together to properly reheat the frozen cooked rice so that it tastes good.

Here, a specific modified example of the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. For example, the rice cooker 100 may be configured to cook rice by steaming the rice when cooking rice in the parapara cooking mode. The amount of water absorbed by the rice when cooking rice by steaming the rice is less than the amount of water absorbed by the rice when cooking rice by boiling a mixture of rice and water. This results in cooking parapara rice that has a lower degree of gelatinization than normal rice and block rice. Note that the rice cooker 100 may be configured to cook rice by steaming the rice when cooking rice in the block cooking mode, for example.

As another variation, the rice cooker 100 may be provided with a pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure inside the pot-shaped container 102. When the light rice cooking mode or the block rice cooking mode is selected, the rice cooker 100 may be configured to maintain the temperature inside the pot-shaped container 102 within a reference temperature range by driving the pressure reducing means while heating the pot-shaped container 102. The reference temperature range is set, for example, to be equal to or higher than 70°C and lower than 95°C. In other words, the pressure reducing means is a means for lowering the temperature inside the pot-shaped container 102 during the cooking process in the light rice cooking mode and the block rice cooking mode below the temperature inside the pot-shaped container 102 during the cooking process in the normal mode.

The rice cooker 100 may also be equipped with a cooling device configured with equipment such as a Peltier element. The rice cooker 100 may be configured to cool the cooked rice with this cooling device when the light rice cooking mode or the block rice cooking mode is selected. The starch in the cooked rice ages when the cooked rice is cooled. In other words, the degree of gelatinization of the cooked rice decreases when the cooked rice is cooled. When the cooked rice is cooled, it becomes less sticky and harder. In particular, when the cooked rice is cooled to 10°C or less, the degree of gelatinization of the cooked rice is greatly reduced. With this modified example, as with the above embodiment, light rice for freezing and block rice for freezing can be cooked, with a degree of gelatinization below the standard value.

Embodiment 2.
Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment. The same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description will be simplified and omitted. The cooked rice cooking and preserving system according to the present embodiment includes a rice cooker 100 and a refrigerator 200, as in the first embodiment.

The cooked rice cooking and preservation system of the first embodiment is configured so that the rice cooker 100 can selectively cook rice in a cooked rice mode or a block cooking mode, making it possible to select between cooked rice for cooking cooked rice that is loosely separated grains after freezing and cooked rice for cooking blocks that can be divided into bite-sized blocks after freezing. On the other hand, the cooked rice cooking and preservation system of the present embodiment makes it possible to select between cooked rice that is loosely separated grains after freezing and cooked rice that can be divided into bite-sized blocks after freezing by changing the freezing and preservation temperature of cooked rice in the refrigerator 200.

Figure 7 is a table showing an example of the relationship between the gelatinization degree of cooked rice before freezing, the freezing storage temperature, and the average volume of small chunks of frozen cooked rice. As shown in Figure 7, under the same freezing storage temperature, in order to reduce the size of each chunk of frozen cooked rice after it is divided by hand, it is necessary to lower the gelatinization degree of the frozen cooked rice before freezing. For example, under the condition of a freezing storage temperature of -4°C, cooked rice that can be divided into bite-sized blocks after freezing has a gelatinization degree of about 90% to 95%. Under the same condition of a freezing storage temperature of -4°C, cooked rice that becomes loosely separated into individual grains after freezing has a gelatinization degree of about 80% to 85%.

On the other hand, under the condition that the degree of gelatinization of cooked rice before freezing is the same, by increasing the freezing storage temperature of the cooked rice, the size of each chunk of the cooked rice after it is divided by hand after freezing can be reduced. In other words, even if the cooked rice before freezing is the same, by changing the freezing storage temperature, it is possible to change the size of each chunk of the cooked rice after it is divided by hand after freezing. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, cooked rice with a degree of gelatinization of about 80% to 85% is frozen at -18°C, and becomes frozen rice that can be divided into bite-sized blocks. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 7, cooked rice with a degree of gelatinization of about 80% to 85% is frozen at -4°C, and becomes frozen rice that can be divided into individual loose grains.

In this embodiment, the rice cooker 100 is configured to be capable of cooking rice in a freezing rice cooking mode for cooking rice suitable for freezing. The rice cooker 100 can also cook rice in a normal mode, as in the first embodiment. The freezing rice cooking mode is a cooking mode in which the degree of gelatinization of cooked rice is, for example, within a range of 70% to 95%. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the degree of gelatinization of rice cooked in the freezing rice cooking mode is assumed to be within a range of 80% to 85%.

In this embodiment, a user who wants to obtain rice suitable for freezing causes the rice cooker 100 to cook rice in the freezing mode. The user then transfers the cooked rice into a bag or container for freezing storage and places it in the switchable compartment of the refrigerator 200.

The refrigerator 200 of this embodiment is configured to be able to selectively freeze cooked rice in the light freezing mode and in the block freezing mode. The light freezing mode is an example of the first freezing mode according to the present disclosure. The block freezing mode is an example of the second freezing mode according to the present disclosure. A user who places cooked rice in the freezer rice cooking mode in the switchable compartment selects the light freezing mode or the block freezing mode using a refrigerator operation unit (not shown) provided in the refrigerator 200. The refrigerator 200 may be operated, for example, by a terminal such as a smartphone provided outside the refrigerator 200.

When the light freezing mode is selected, the refrigerator control device 203 controls the cooling mechanism 202 so that the temperature zone of the switchable compartment becomes the semi-freezing temperature zone of about -4°C. When a certain pressure is applied from the outside, a lump of frozen rice generated by freezing rice cooked in the freezing rice cooking mode in the semi-freezing temperature zone is divided into multiple first rice lumps. As a specific example, when a certain pressure is applied by the user's hand to a lump of frozen rice generated by freezing rice cooked in the freezing rice cooking mode in the semi-freezing temperature zone, each grain falls apart.

When the block freezing mode is selected, the refrigerator control device 203 controls the cooling mechanism 202 so that the temperature zone of the switchable compartment becomes the freezing temperature zone of about -18°C. When a certain pressure is applied from the outside, a lump of frozen rice generated by freezing rice cooked in the freezing rice cooking mode in the freezing temperature zone is divided into multiple second rice lumps. As a specific example, when a certain pressure is applied by the user's hand to a lump of frozen rice generated by freezing rice cooked in the freezing rice cooking mode in the freezing temperature zone, the lump is divided into multiple small bite-sized block-shaped lumps. The average volume of the multiple second rice lumps is larger than the average volume of the multiple first rice lumps.

As described above, according to the cooked rice cooking and preservation system of this embodiment, by changing the freezing and preservation temperature of the refrigerator 200, it is possible to selectively obtain frozen cooked rice in which each grain can be loosely separated, and frozen cooked rice in which the grain can be divided into a plurality of small bite-sized block-shaped chunks. In addition, it is possible to selectively produce frozen cooked rice in which each grain can be loosely separated, and frozen cooked rice in which the grain can be divided into a plurality of small bite-sized block-shaped chunks from cooked rice that has been cooked in the same way. According to this embodiment, both frozen cooked rice in which each grain can be loosely separated and frozen cooked rice that can be divided into a plurality of small bite-sized block-shaped chunks can be made to taste equally good.

Embodiment 3.
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and the description will be simplified and omitted. The cooked rice cooking and preservation system according to this embodiment includes a rice cooker 100 and a refrigerator 200, similar to the second embodiment. The rice cooker 100 can perform cooking in a freezer cooking mode, which cooks cooked rice to a degree of gelatinization within a range of 70% to 95%, similar to the second embodiment.

In this embodiment, the quantity detection unit 205 is configured to be able to detect the amount of storage in the switchable compartment. The quantity detection unit 205 in this embodiment is an example of a quantity detection unit according to the present disclosure. The cooked rice cooking and preservation system according to this embodiment is characterized in that the degree of gelatinization of cooked rice in the freezing rice cooking mode is controlled according to the detection result of the quantity detection unit 205.

In this embodiment, the user operates the menu selection button 108a of the rice cooker 100 to set the rice cooking mode to "Fluffy" as shown in FIG. 4 if the user wants rice that will be loosely separated after freezing, and causes the rice cooker 100 to cook the rice. Also, the user operates the menu selection button 108a of the rice cooker 100 to set the rice cooking mode to "Block" as shown in FIG. 4 if the user wants rice that can be divided into multiple bite-sized block-shaped chunks after freezing, and causes the rice cooker 100 to cook the rice.

When the rice cooker 100 starts cooking rice, the cooked rice preservation system determines whether the switchable compartment is full or not based on the detection result of the amount detection unit 205. This determination is made, for example, by the refrigerator control device 203 or a system on the home network 400.

When the menu selection button 108a is set to "Fluffy" when the switchable compartment is full, the rice cooker 100 is controlled to cook rice with a degree of gelatinization in the range of 70% to 75%. When the menu selection button 108a is set to "Block" when the switchable compartment is full, the rice cooker 100 is controlled to cook rice with a degree of gelatinization in the range of 80% to 85%. When the rice cooker 100 finishes cooking rice, the rice cooking and preservation system notifies the user to store the cooked rice in the freezer, which is a storage compartment other than the switchable compartment. The temperature in the freezer is set to a freezing temperature range of, for example, about -18°C. The above notification is made, for example, by the display unit 108c of the rice cooker 100.

If the selectable compartment is not full, a determination is made as to whether the selectable compartment is empty. If it is determined that the selectable compartment is empty, the refrigerator control device 203 controls the cooling mechanism 202 so that the temperature of the selectable compartment is in the semi-freezing temperature range.

When the switchable compartment is empty and "Fluffy" is set by the menu selection button 108a, the rice cooker 100 is controlled to cook rice with a degree of gelatinization in the range of 80% to 85%. When the switchable compartment is empty and "Block" is set by the menu selection button 108a, the rice cooker 100 is controlled to cook rice with a degree of gelatinization in the range of 90% to 95%. When cooking by the rice cooker 100 is completed, the cooked rice preservation system notifies the user to store the cooked rice in the switchable compartment.

In addition, if it is determined that the switchable compartment is not empty, i.e., if there is something in the switchable compartment but there is still space to accommodate cooked rice, the rice cooker 100 is controlled according to the set temperature of the switchable compartment at that time.

Specifically, when the switching compartment is not empty and "para-para" is set by the menu selection button 108a, if the temperature of the switching compartment is in the freezing temperature range, the rice cooker 100 is controlled to cook rice with a gelatinization degree in the range of 70% to 75%. Also, when the switching compartment is not empty and "para-para" is set by the menu selection button 108a, if the temperature of the switching compartment is in the soft freezing temperature range, the rice cooker 100 is controlled to cook rice with a gelatinization degree in the range of 75% to 80%. When the switching compartment is not empty and "para-para" is set by the menu selection button 108a, if the temperature of the switching compartment is in the semi-freezing temperature range, the rice cooker 100 is controlled to cook rice with a gelatinization degree in the range of 80% to 85%.

When the menu selection button 108a is set to "Block" when the switching compartment is not empty, if the temperature of the switching compartment is in the freezing temperature range, the rice cooker 100 is controlled to cook rice with a gelatinization degree in the range of 80% to 85%. When the menu selection button 108a is set to "Block" when the switching compartment is not empty, if the temperature of the switching compartment is in the soft freezing temperature range, the rice cooker 100 is controlled to cook rice with a gelatinization degree in the range of 85% to 90%. When the menu selection button 108a is set to "Block" when the switching compartment is not empty, if the temperature of the switching compartment is in the semi-freezing temperature range, the rice cooker 100 is controlled to cook rice with a gelatinization degree in the range of 90% to 95%. When cooking is completed, the cooked rice preservation system notifies the user to preserve the cooked rice in the switching compartment.

According to the configuration described above, even if the switching compartment is full, the frozen rice desired by the user can be frozen and stored in the freezer. Also, when the switching compartment is empty, the rice cooker 100 cooks rice that will become the frozen rice desired by the user after freezing and has as high a degree of gelatinization as possible. By achieving a high degree of gelatinization, it is possible to achieve the effect of shortening the time required for reheating in the microwave oven 300 or the like.

In addition, if there is something else in the switchable compartment, the user can obtain the frozen rice they want without changing the temperature of the switchable compartment that has already been set. This makes it possible to minimize the impact on the preservation state of the above-mentioned items already in the switchable compartment.

In the above embodiment, if the switching compartment is empty, rice with as high a degree of gelatinization as possible is cooked. As a modified example, rice may be cooked so that the degree of gelatinization is as low as possible. Specifically, if it is determined that the switching compartment is empty, the refrigerator control device 203 executes control so that the temperature of the switching compartment is in the freezing temperature range. Next, if "flavorful" is set by the menu selection button 108a, the rice cooker 100 is controlled to cook rice with a degree of gelatinization in the range of 70% to 75%. Also, if "block" is set, the rice cooker 100 is controlled to cook rice with a degree of gelatinization in the range of 80% to 85%. When cooking is completed, the cooked rice cooking and preservation system notifies the user to preserve the cooked rice in the switching compartment.

Generally, the lower the storage temperature, the longer the storage period. With the above modification, frozen cooked rice can be stored in the switchable compartment for a long period of time.

As another variation, the cooked rice cooking and preservation system may be configured so that the user can select in advance before cooking rice between "shortening the reheating time," "lengthening the storage period in the refrigerator," "shortening the reheating time and long-term storage," etc. If "shortening the reheating time" is selected, the temperature of the switchable compartment may be in the semi-freezing temperature range. If "lengthening the storage period in the refrigerator" is selected, the temperature of the switchable compartment may be in the freezing temperature range. If "shortening the reheating time and long-term storage" is selected, the temperature of the switchable compartment may be in the soft-freezing temperature range.

100 Rice cooker, 101 Communication interface, 101a Transmitter, 101b Receiver, 102 Pot-shaped container, 103 Rice cooker body, 104 Outer lid, 105 Inner lid, 106 Heating coil, 106a Rice cooking mechanism, 107 Rice cooker control device, 107a Processor, 107b Memory, 108 Operation display unit, 108a Menu selection button, 108b Extension button, 108c Display unit, 200 Refrigerator, 201 Communication interface, 201a Transmitter, 201b Receiver, 202 Cooling mechanism, 203 Refrigerator control device, 203a Processor, 203b Memory, 204 Open/close detector, 205 Amount detector, 300 Microwave oven, 301 Communication interface, 301a transmitter, 301b receiver, 302 heating mechanism, 303 microwave control device, 303a processor, 303b memory, 304 temperature detector, 305 microwave operation display, 306 steam supply, 400 home network

Claims (7)

A container for containing rice and water;
A rice cooking means for heating the rice and water in the container to cook the rice;
Equipped with
The rice cooking means is configured to be capable of selectively cooking rice in a first mode for cooking rice suitable for freezing and a second mode for cooking rice suitable for freezing ,
The first lump in a frozen state generated by freezing the first cooked rice in the first mode under the first freezing condition is divided into a plurality of first cooked rice lumps when a certain pressure is applied from the outside,
The second lump in a frozen state generated by freezing the second cooked rice cooked in the second mode under the first freezing condition is divided into a plurality of second cooked rice lumps when the certain pressure is applied from the outside,
The rice cooker is characterized in that an average volume of the plurality of second rice lumps is larger than an average volume of the plurality of first rice lumps. A container for containing rice and water;
and a rice cooking means for heating the rice and the water in the container to cook the rice.
The rice cooking means is configured to be capable of selectively cooking rice in a first mode for cooking rice suitable for freezing and a second mode for cooking rice suitable for freezing ,
In the first mode, when the amount of rice and water is contained in the container under a first condition and cooked, a first cooked rice having a first degree of gelatinization is cooked,
In the second mode, when rice and water are placed in the container under the first conditions and cooked, a second cooked rice having a second degree of gelatinization higher than the first degree of gelatinization is produced. The rice cooker according to claim 2, characterized in that the first degree of gelatinization is within the range of 75% to 80%, and the second degree of gelatinization is within the range of 85% to 90%. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a rice cooker transmitter that transmits a frozen rice cooking signal to an external device when the rice cooking means cooks rice in the first mode or the second mode. The rice cooker according to claim 4,
a refrigerator having a storage chamber capable of freezing and storing the rice cooked by the rice cooker and a storage chamber cooling means for cooling the storage chamber;
Equipped with
The storage chamber cooling means is capable of selectively adjusting the storage chamber to a first temperature zone and a second temperature zone different from the first temperature zone, and when the frozen rice cooking signal is transmitted from the rice cooker transmitting unit, the storage chamber is adjusted to the second temperature zone. Equipped with a rice cooker and refrigerator,
The rice cooker is configured to be capable of cooking rice in a rice cooking mode for freezing in order to cook rice suitable for freezing,
The refrigerator is configured to selectively perform freezing of cooked rice in a first freezing mode and freezing of cooked rice in a second freezing mode,
The lump of frozen rice generated by freezing the cooked rice in the freezing mode in the first freezing mode is divided into a plurality of first cooked rice lumps when a certain pressure is applied from the outside,
The lump of frozen rice generated by freezing the rice cooked in the freezing rice cooking mode and the rice cooked in the second freezing mode is divided into a plurality of second rice lumps when the certain pressure is applied from the outside,
A cooked rice cooking and preserving system, characterized in that an average volume of the plurality of second cooked rice lumps is larger than an average volume of the plurality of first cooked rice lumps. The rice cooker cooks rice having a degree of gelatinization in the range of 70% to 95% in the rice cooking mode for freezing,
The refrigerator includes a storage chamber capable of freezing and storing the rice cooked by the rice cooker, and a storage capacity detection unit that detects a storage capacity of the storage chamber,
The cooked rice cooking and preserving system according to claim 6, characterized in that the rice cooker controls the degree of gelatinization of the cooked rice in the rice cooking for freezing mode according to the detection result of the capacity detection unit.

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