JP7785491B2 - cooker - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cooking appliance that has a key lock state for the operating means used to perform various operations.

Cooking appliances equipped with a key lock function that prevents the cooking appliance from performing an operation corresponding to the operation of an operating means have been disclosed. The applicant of this application has proposed a rice cooker that, by operating the home key, switches between a key lock state in which operation signals from other keys are not accepted and a key unlock state in which operation signals from other keys are accepted (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-19822

In the rice cooker in Cited Document 1, when the keys are locked, it is necessary to operate the home key to unlock the key; in order to operate other keys and then lock the key again, it is necessary to operate the home key to unlock the key, operate the other keys, and then operate the home key again to lock the key. The key lock function of cooking appliances such as rice cookers is intended to prevent, for example, children or pets from accidentally operating the appliance. However, when the key lock state is set to the normal state, it is necessary to repeatedly unlock and re-activate the key lock function every time an operation is performed. As such, there is room for improvement in the convenience of the key lock function.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a cooking appliance that can improve convenience when in the key-locked state.

The cooking appliance of the present invention is equipped with an operating means for performing various operations, and an operating instruction is sent by operating the operating means, and the cooking appliance accepts the operating instruction and performs an operation according to the operating instruction.The cooking appliance has an unlocked state in which the cooking appliance performs the operation according to the operating instruction when the operating means is operated, a key-locked state in which the cooking appliance does not perform the operation even when the operating means is operated, and a temporary unlocked state in which the key-locked state is temporarily unlocked and the cooking appliance temporarily performs an operation similar to that in the unlocked state.The operations include a first operation for alternatively selecting between the unlocked state and the key-locked state, and a second operation for operating temporary unlocking means that appears by selecting and operating any of the operating means in the key-locked state to temporarily unlock the key-locked state and enter the temporary unlocked state.The cooking appliance is characterized in that when the cooking appliance has not accepted the operating instruction for a predetermined period in the temporary unlocked state, it returns to the key-locked state.

The cooking appliance of the present invention can improve convenience when in the key-locked state.

1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the same. FIG. 10 is a top view of the display means displaying the top screen. FIG. 10 is a top view of the display means displaying the setting screen. FIG. 10 is a top view of the display means displaying the key lock setting screen. 10 is a top view of the display means displaying a key lock setting pop-up screen according to the first embodiment; FIG. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the transition of the display on the top screen in the key-lock state of the first embodiment;

Each embodiment of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that common parts will be designated by common reference numerals throughout these drawings.

Figures 1 to 8 show an embodiment in which the cooking appliance of the present invention is applied to a rice cooker. The overall structure of the rice cooker will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. 1 denotes the main body, which, when viewed from above, is generally rectangular with a front, rear, left and right sides facing each other, and has an open top. 2 denotes the lid, which can be freely opened and closed and covers the top opening of the main body 1. Like the main body 1, 2 also has a generally rectangular shape with a front, rear, left and right sides facing each other, and has a generally flat top. A hinge 3 is provided at the rear of the lid 2, connecting it to the main body 1. A lid operating member 4 is exposed and disposed on the front upper surface of the lid 2. When this lid operating member 4 is pressed, the engagement between the main body 1 and the lid 2 is released, and a hinge spring (not shown) provided at the upper rear of the main body 1 rotates the lid 2 about the hinge axis of the hinge 3, allowing it to open.

Inside the main body 1, there is a heating means 11 (see Figure 3), such as an induction coil, that heats the food being cooked. The food is contained in a cylindrical inner pot with a bottom that can be attached to the main body 1. When a high-frequency current is supplied to the heating means 11, the alternating magnetic field generated by the heating means 11 causes a magnetic material attached to the outer surface of the inner pot to heat up, heating the food inside the main body 1 during cooking and keeping warm.

A steam vent 5 is located on the upper rear surface of the lid 2, which allows steam generated from the food being cooked in the inner pot to be released to the outside of the main body 1. In addition to the steam vent 5 and the lid operating mechanism 4, the top surface of the lid 2 is also equipped with a display unit 6, which displays various information related to rice cooking and is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 25 as a screen display and process LED (Light Emitting Diode) displays 26-29 (see Figure 4) as status indicators. Also, an operating unit 7, composed of a touch sensor or the like, is located above the LCD 25 and is used to start cooking and select the cooking time and course. A control PC (Printed Circuit) board (not shown) equipped with a control unit 12 (see Figure 3) for controlling each part of the rice cooker is located below these components. Therefore, in the rice cooker of this embodiment, apart from the operating means 7 above the LCD 25, there are no operating means such as physical keys or buttons, such as a rice cook key or an off key, which are found in conventional rice cookers. Since the rice cooker can be operated using only the operating means 7, the time required to search for buttons is eliminated, improving operability. It also has a very sleek appearance, and the space occupied by the display means 6 and operating means 7, which are precision components, can be made compact. Furthermore, by eliminating the physical keys and buttons, the top surface of the lid 2 can be made approximately flat, making it easier to wipe and clean, improving cleanability.

In addition, a lid opening/closing detection means 8 is provided inside the lid 2 to detect whether the lid 2 is open or closed. The lid opening/closing detection means 8 may be optical, mechanical, magnetic, or any other detection method, as long as it can output a detection signal corresponding to the opening or closing of the lid 2.

Next, the main control system of the rice cooker will be explained with reference to Figure 3. In this figure, the control means 12 equipped in the main body 2 is composed of a control IC 17 that constitutes a microcomputer, storage means 18 such as a readable and writable memory that stores various information and data, timing means such as a timer, and drive elements for various components. The input port of the control means 12 is electrically connected to the temperature detection means 13 and pressure detection means 14, in addition to the operation means 7 and lid opening/closing detection means 8 mentioned above. The output port of the control means 12 is electrically connected to the steam path opening/closing means 15 and pressure reduction means 16, in addition to the display means 6 and heating means 11 mentioned above.

The temperature detection means 13 detects the temperature of the inner pot and the temperature of the inner lid (not shown) that covers the upper opening of the inner pot, thereby detecting the temperature of the food being cooked inside the main body 1. The pressure detection means 14 detects the pressure inside the inner pot and is composed of a pressure sensor, etc.

The steam path opening/closing means 15 opens and closes the steam path connecting the steam vent 5 and the inner pot, allowing steam generated in the inner pot to be released to the outside. If the steam path opening/closing means 15 closes the steam path when the food inside the inner pot is being heated and boiling by the heating means, the steam evaporated from the food cannot be released from inside the inner pot, allowing the pressure inside the inner pot to be increased above atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the steam path opening/closing means 15 also functions as a pressurizing means.

The pressure reducing means 16 reduces the pressure inside the inner pot below normal atmospheric pressure. When the lid 2 is closed to the main body 1 and the steam passage is blocked by the steam passage opening/closing means 15, the pressure inside the sealed inner pot is reduced. Furthermore, when the pressure inside the inner pot drops below atmospheric pressure by a certain amount, the vacuum pump, which is the power source for the pressure reducing means 16, stops operating, maintaining the inner pot at a reduced pressure. Furthermore, when the pressure inside the inner pot is to be returned from a reduced pressure state to the same as the outside air pressure, the vacuum pump stops operating and a path (not shown) connecting the vacuum pump to the inside of the inner pot is opened. In other words, the pressure reducing means 16 also serves as a pressure return means, returning the pressure inside the inner pot from a reduced pressure state to the same as the outside air pressure.

The control means 12 includes a rice cooking control means 21, a keep-warm control means 22, a display control means 23, and a condition setting means 24 in the control IC 17 as functions of the control sequence of the program read from the memory means 18. Upon receiving a command to start rice cooking from the operating means 7, the rice cooking control means 21 executes the rice cooking process, which sequentially performs the following steps: a soaking process to promote water absorption by the rice placed in the inner pot; a boiling process to quickly raise the temperature of the food to a boil; a boiling continuation process to maintain the boiling state of the food; and a high-temperature maintenance process to maintain the rice at a high temperature without burning it, thereby cooking and heating the food in the inner pot at the desired pressure. The keep-warm control means 22 controls the keep-warm process to maintain the rice in the inner pot at a predetermined keep-warm temperature. The display control means 23 generates various control signals based on the operation signal from the operating means 7 and controls the display operation of the display means 6. The condition setting means 24 also works in conjunction with the display control means 23 to select and set conditions that can be selected using the operation means 7, such as selecting and setting a desired rice cooking course from among multiple rice cooking courses that have settings for rice type, cooking method, hardness, and water hardness.

In the rice cooker 1 of this embodiment, rice cooking courses corresponding to the rice settings, cooking method settings, hardness settings, and water hardness settings are stored in the memory means 51, and the rice settings, cooking method settings, hardness settings, and water hardness settings for the stored rice cooking courses are selectably displayed on the display means 6, and the rice cooking course is selected and set by making these settings. The rice cooking control means 21 then controls the heating means 11, steam path opening/closing means 15, and pressure reduction means 16, i.e., controls rice cooking, for each of the rice cooking course settings.

Figure 4 is a top view of the display means 6 of the rice cooker 1 of this embodiment. Figures 4 to 8 show top views of the display means 6, with the upper side of each figure being referred to as the "front," the lower side as the "rear," the left side as the "left," and the right side as the "right." The front side of each figure will also be referred to as the "top" and the back side as the "bottom." In Figure 4, the display means 6 is composed of an LCD 25 located in the center of the top surface of the lid 2, and process LED displays 26 to 29 located in front of this LCD 25. The process LED indicators 26-29 display the actual status of the rice cooker. In this embodiment, the "Reserve" process LED indicator 26 lights up when a timer is set, the "Keep Warm" process LED indicator 27 lights up when the rice cooker is in the Keep Warm state, the "Vacuum" process LED indicator 28 lights up when the pressure reducing means 16 creates a vacuum state (lower than atmospheric pressure) inside the inner pot, and the "Pressure" process LED indicator 29 lights up when the inner pot is pressurized from the time pressure begins to build up inside the inner pot during cooking until the rice is cooked. This allows the user to understand the current status of the rice cooker at a glance, even when the backlight of the LCD 25 is dimmed. Furthermore, the light colors of the respective process LED indicators 26-29 are different when lit, allowing the user to understand the current status of the rice cooker at a glance. In this embodiment, the process LED indicators 26-29 are located directly in front of the LCD 25, but they may also be located away from the LCD 25. Alternatively, the process LED displays 26-29 may be removed and the contents of these displays 26-29 may be displayed on the LCD 25.

Figure 4 shows the top screen G1. When the user inserts the power plug provided in advance on the main unit 1 into a household outlet, the necessary power is supplied to each section, such as the display means 6 and control means 12. At this time, the display control means 23 causes the display means 6 to display the layout of the top screen G1 as shown in Figure 4 as the usual initial screen to be displayed on the display means 6 after a predetermined time has elapsed or when a predetermined startup display screen is displayed.

Referring to Figure 4, the top screen G1 is described below. At the front of the screen is a menu key display area A1 displaying four button display areas B1 to B7 arranged horizontally. The "Rice" button display area B1 includes a text display element D1 that reads "Rice" and a text display element D2 that reads "▼". The "How to Cook" button display area B3 includes a text display element D3 that reads "How to Cook" and a text display element D4 that reads "▼". The "Hardness Adjustment" button display area B5 includes a text display element D5 that reads "Hardness Adjustment" and a text display element D6 that reads "▼". The "Water Hardness" button display area B7 includes a text display element D7 that reads "Water Hardness" and a text display element D8 that reads "▼".

Furthermore, behind the menu key display area A1 is the rice cooking information display area A2, which displays four setting indicators D11-D14 lined up horizontally. Here, the "Rice" setting indicator D11 displays information about the rice that has been set. It is located behind the "Rice" button indicator B1, and in Figure 4, it displays "White Rice, Random Brand." The "Cooking Method" setting indicator D12 displays information about the cooking method that has been set. It is located behind the "Cooking Method" button indicator B3, and in Figure 4, it displays "Kamado Master." The "Hardness Adjustment" setting indicator D13 displays information about the hardness adjustment that has been set. It is located behind the "Hardness Adjustment" button indicator B5, and in Figure 4, it displays "Recommended." The "Water Hardness" setting indicator D14 displays information about the water hardness that has been set. It is located behind the "Water Hardness" button indicator B7, and in Figure 4, it displays "40-60."

Behind the rice cooking information display area A2, a text display D15 reading "Cooking time" is displayed, reminding the user that the numbers displayed on the clock display D16 represent the cooking time. The text display D15 also displays the required cooking time, the remaining time until actual cooking is complete, and the predicted cooking time. In Figure 4, the clock display D16 displays "approximately 38 minutes," the required cooking time calculated from the settings in the rice cooking information display area A2, and a button display B17 containing a text display D17 reading "Start cooking" are displayed side by side.

Also, at the rear of the top screen G1, a settings button display B18 including a text display D18 reminiscent of a gear shape, a button display B19 including a text display D19 that reads "Keep Warm," a button display B20 including a text display D20 that reads "Reservation," a time display D21 that displays the current time, and a button display B22 including a text display D22 that reads "Off" are displayed side by side.

The operating means 7, which is made up of a touch sensor, is configured so that multiple components are arranged as touch keys, for example, with pattern wiring connecting a transparent electrode made of conductive polymer to a contact point connected to the control PC board. By touching one of the multiple button display sections displayed on the LCD 25, the touch key arranged above that button display section and corresponding to that button display section is touched and selected.

The "Off" button display B22 is operated when stopping rice cooking or keeping warm. When the "Off" button display B22 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Off" button display B22, and the rice cooking control means 21 controls the rice cooking to stop heating the food to be cooked in the main body 1 and the scheduled rice cooking and turn it off. The display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the rice cooking information display area A2 with the settings from the most recent time rice was cooked, i.e., the settings stored in the memory means 18, and display the top screen G1. Furthermore, when the "Off" button display section B22 on the top screen G1 is touched, the display control means 23 will discard the rice settings, cooking method settings, hardness adjustment settings, and water hardness settings that were set before cooking and are currently displayed in the rice cooking information display area A2, and control the display means 6 to display the settings in the rice cooking information display area A2 as they were when rice was most recently cooked, i.e., the settings stored in the memory means 18.

The "Start Cooking" button display B17 is operated to start cooking rice. When the "Start Cooking" button display B17 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Start Cooking" button display B17, and the condition setting means 24 stores the rice settings, cooking method settings, hardness settings, and water hardness settings currently displayed in the rice cooking information display area A2 in the memory means 18 as the settings for this rice cooking course. The rice cooking control means 21 then controls the start of cooking the food to be cooked in the main unit 1 using the settings for this rice cooking course stored in the memory means 18.

The "Keep Warm" button display B19 is operated when keeping food warm. When the "Keep Warm" button display B19 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 located above the "Keep Warm" button display B19, and the keep warm control means 22 sends an appropriate control signal to the heating means 11 to start keeping warm and reheating the food inside the main body 1.

The "Rice" button display B1 is operated to select the type of rice to be cooked. When the "Rice" button display B1 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Rice" button display B1, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display a rice selection screen (not shown). When a type of rice is selected on this rice selection screen, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to return to the top screen G1 and display the selected type of rice on the text display D11.

The "Cooking Method" button display B3 is operated to select the cooking method for the food being cooked. When the "Cooking Method" button display B3 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Cooking Method" button display B3, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display a cooking method selection screen (not shown). When a cooking method for the food being cooked is selected on this cooking method selection screen, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to return to the top screen G1 and display the selected cooking method for the food being cooked on the text display D12.

The "Hardness Adjustment" button display B5 is operated to select the type of texture of the rice to be cooked. When the "Hardness Adjustment" button display B5 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Hardness Adjustment" button display B5, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display a hardness selection screen (not shown). When a rice texture is selected on this cooking method selection screen, the display control means 23 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 6 to display the selected rice texture on the text display D13.

The "Water Hardness" button display B7 is operated to select the hardness of the water to be cooked. When the "Water Hardness" button display B7 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Water Hardness" button display B7, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display a water hardness selection screen (not shown). When a water hardness range or value is selected on this water hardness selection screen, the display control means 23 returns to the top screen G1 and controls the display means 6 to display the selected water hardness range and value on the text display D14.

The setting button display section B18 is operated to set up the rice cooker. When the setting button display section B18 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the setting button display section B18, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the setting screen G2 as shown in Figure 5.

The "Reservation" button display B20 is operated when scheduling rice cooking. When the "Reservation" button display B20 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 located above the "Reservation" button display B20, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display a reservation setting screen (not shown). When a reservation is set on this reservation setting screen and the scheduled rice cooking is started, the rice cooking control means 21 starts cooking so that the food in the main unit 1 is cooked at the scheduled time, and the keep-warm control means 22 starts keeping the food warm.

Next, we will explain in detail the operational features of the rice cooker configured as described above, particularly those related to the settings screen G2. For convenience of explanation, we will now focus on the key lock function.

Figure 5 shows the settings screen G2, which is displayed when the settings button display section B18 on the top screen G1 is touched. Referring to this figure, the settings screen G2 is described below. At the front of the screen, a settings/guide screen display area A3 is formed, displaying a tab display section B31 containing the text "Settings" D31 and a tab display section B32 containing the text "Guide" D32 side by side. Behind the settings/guide screen display area A3, a settings selection display area A4 is formed, displaying six button displays B33-B38 side by side. Finally, at the rear of the settings screen G2, a button display section B39 containing the text "Back" D39 and a button display section B40 containing the text "Cancel" D40 are arranged side by side.

The "Current Time Settings" button display B33 includes a text display D33 that reads "Current Time Settings," and is selected when setting the display of the time display D21. The "Key Lock Settings" button display B34 includes a text display D34 that reads "Key Lock Settings," and is selected when setting the lock status of all button displays, as described below. The "Screen Brightness" button display B35 includes a text display D35 that reads "Screen Brightness," and is selected when setting the brightness of the screen display on the LCD 25. The "Screen Design" button display B36 includes a text display D36 that reads "Screen Design," and is selected when setting the background color displayed on the screen of the LCD 25. The "Cooking/Keeping Warm Settings" button display B37 includes a text display D37 that reads "Cooking/Keeping Warm Settings," and is selected when setting the operation interval of the vacuum pump of the pressure reducing means 16, the number of pressure adjustments of the steam path opening/closing means 15, and the heating during keep-warm operation. Additionally, the "Initialize Settings" button display B38 includes a text display D38 that reads "Initialize Settings," and is selected when initializing settings to return them to their initial settings and setting the initialization contents.

The "Settings" tab display section B31 and the "Guide" tab display section B32 indicate whether the settings screen G2 or the guide selection screen (not shown) is currently displayed on the LCD 25. When the "Settings" tab display section B31 is selected and the settings screen G2 is displayed on the LCD 25, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 so that the "Settings" tab display section B31 is displayed in approximately the same color as the background and the "Guide" tab display section B32 is grayed out. On the other hand, when the "Guide" tab display section B102 is touched and selected, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Guide" tab display section B102, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the guide selection screen. In this embodiment, the guide selection screen also has a settings/guide screen display area A3, and when the "Guide" tab display section B32 is selected and the guide selection screen is displayed on the LCD 25, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 so that the "Settings" tab display section B101 is displayed in a grayed-out state and the "Guide" tab display section B102 is displayed in approximately the same color as the background color.

The button display sections B33 to B38 in the setting selection display area A4 are operated to make the respective settings for the rice cooker. When one of the button display sections B33 to B38, for example the "Key Lock Settings" button display section B34, is touched, the control section 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the respective button display sections B103 to B108, for example the "Key Lock Settings" button display section B34, and the display control section 23 controls the display section 6 to transition to the settings screen corresponding to the selected button display section, for example the key lock settings screen G3 shown in FIG. 6. Furthermore, when settings are completed on each settings screen, the display control section 23 controls the display section 6 to transition to the top screen G1.

The "Back" button display section B39 is operated to discard the settings on the current screen, for example the settings screen G2, and return to the previous screen, for example the top screen G1. When the "Back" button display section B39 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Back" button display section B39, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to discard the settings currently displayed on the LCD 25, return to the previous screen, for example the top screen G1, and display the settings that were displayed on the previous screen.

The "Cancel" button display section B40 is operated to discard the settings on the current screen, for example the settings screen G2, and return to the top screen G1. When the "Cancel" button display section B40 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "Cancel" button display section B40, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to discard the settings currently displayed on the LCD 25, return to the top screen G1, and display the settings that were displayed on the most recent top screen G1.

Figure 6 shows the key lock setting screen G3, which is displayed when the "Key Lock Setting" button display B34 under "Guide" on the settings screen G2 is touched. Referring to the figure, the key lock setting screen G3 is described below. A text display D42 reading "Key lock can be set" is displayed at the front of the screen. Behind the text display D42, a key lock setting display area A5 is formed, in which a button display B43 containing a text display D43 reading "Lock" and a button display B44 containing a text display D44 reading "Do not lock" are arranged side by side. The currently set button display, for example, the "Do not lock" button display B44 in Figure 6, has a colored selection display S1 displayed around it. Additionally, a "Back" button display 39 and a "Cancel" button display B40 are displayed side by side at the rear of the settings screen G2.

The button display sections B43 and B44 in the key lock setting display area A5 are operated to set a key lock that disables touch operations on tab display sections or button display sections. When the "Lock" button display section B43 is touched, the control section 12 receives an operation signal from the operation section 7 arranged above the "Lock" display section D43, and the display control section 23 controls the display section 6 to return to the top screen G1 and display the top screen G1 in the key-locked state as shown in FIG. 8(A). On the other hand, when the "Do not lock" button display section B44 is touched, the control section 12 receives an operation signal from the operation section 7 arranged above the "Do not lock" display section D44, and the display control section 23 controls the display section 6 to return to the top screen G1 and display the normal top screen G1 with the key lock state released as shown in FIG. 4 above. Therefore, the key lock setting screen G3 also functions as a key lock section and a key unlock section.

Figure 7 shows the key lock setting pop-up screen G4, which is displayed first when transitioning from the key lock setting screen G3 to the top screen G1. Referring to the figure, the key lock setting pop-up screen G4 is explained. A key lock setting pop-up display section P1 is formed across almost the entire LCD 25. A text display D51 reading "Setting key lock" is placed in front of the key lock setting pop-up display section P1, and behind the text display D51, a check box display section B52 displayed as a hollow square, a text display D53 reading "Don't display next time," and a button display section B54 including a text display D54 reading "OK" are displayed side by side.

The check box display section B52 is operated to select whether or not to display the key lock setting pop-up display section P1. When this check box display section B52 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the check box display section B52, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display a checked mark, such as a "T" mark, in the check box display section B52.

The "OK" button display section B54 is operated to determine whether or not to display the key lock setting pop-up display section P1. For example, when the "OK" button display section B54 is touched while the check mark described above is displayed in the check box display section B52, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 disposed above the "OK" button display section B54, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the top screen G1. From the next time onward, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the top screen G1 without popping up the key lock setting pop-up display section P1 the next time the screen transitions from the key lock setting screen G3 to the top screen G1. On the other hand, for example, if the above-mentioned check mark is not displayed in the checkbox display section B52 and the "OK" button display section B54 is touched while it is a white square, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to display the top screen G1, and the next time the screen transitions from the key lock setting screen G3 to the top screen G1, the display control means 23 also controls the display means 6 to pop up and display the key lock setting pop-up display section P1.

Figures 8(A) to 8(E) show the transitions in the display in the key-lock state, using the top screen G1 as an example. Referring to Figure 8(A), the key-lock state will be explained. On the top screen G1, the button display sections B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22, which represent information that can be selected by touching the operation unit 7, are displayed differently on the display unit 6 compared to the normal state when the key-lock state is not active. These sections are grayed out, which differs from the normal top screen G1 shown in Figure 4. Even if the grayed-out button display sections B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22 are touched by the operation unit 7, the display control unit 23 controls the display unit 6 to display the key-lock pop-up screen G5 shown in Figure 8(B). The control unit 12 controls the rice cooker so that the individual sections do not operate in response to an operation signal, thereby disabling operation by the operation unit 7. Therefore, by controlling the display control means 23 to gray out button display sections B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22, and to display the key lock pop-up screen G5 when button display sections B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22 are touched, the user can be visually notified that these button display sections B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22 are in a key lock state.

Figure 8(B) shows the key lock pop-up screen G5. Referring to this figure, the key lock pop-up screen G5 is described as follows: a key lock display section P2 is formed across substantially the entire LCD 25; a button display section B56 including a text display section D56 with an "X" is located at the right end of the front edge of the key lock display section P2; a text display section D57 reminiscent of a padlock and a text display section D58 reading "The screen is locked. Would you like to temporarily unlock it?" are located side by side at the front of the key lock display section P2; a button display section B59 including a text display section D59 with the text "Unlock (long press)" is located behind the text displays D57 and D58; and a text display section D60 reading "The screen can be locked using the '(gear shape)' button" is located behind the "Unlock (long press)" button B59. The "(gear graphic)" in the text display D60 may be a selectable button display unit, and in this case, when the "(gear graphic)" button display unit is touched, the display control means 23 may control the display means 6 to transition from the current screen to the settings screen G2.

Like the "Back" button display B39, the "X" button display B56 is operated to return to the previous screen, for example, the top screen G1, without making any settings on the key lock pop-up screen G5. When the "X" button display B56 is touched, the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 arranged above the "X" button display B56, and the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 to return to the previous screen, for example, the top screen G1, and display the settings that were displayed on the previous screen, for example, the key lock state button display sections B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22.

The "Release (long press)" button display B59 is operated to temporarily release the key lock state. However, in order to temporarily release the key lock state and to prevent accidental release of the key lock state, in this embodiment, operation of the "Release (long press)" button display B59 by the operation unit 7 is enabled by performing a long press operation on the "Release (long press)" button display B59 for a predetermined period of time. Specifically, when the "Release (long press)" button display B59 is long pressed, the control unit 12 receives an operation signal from the operation unit 7 located above the "Release (long press)" button display B59. When the control unit 12 continues to receive this operation signal for a predetermined period of two seconds, the control unit 12 starts counting with the timer. At the same time, the display control unit 23 controls the display unit 6 to display the normal top screen G1 with the key lock state released, as shown in FIG. 8(C). Therefore, the key lock pop-up screen G5 also functions as a means to temporarily release the key lock.

Figure 8 (C) shows the top screen G1 when the key lock state is temporarily released. In this top screen G1, the display control means 23 controls the display means 6 so that the button display sections B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22 are displayed differently on the display means 6 compared to when the key lock state is active, and are displayed in the same manner as the normal top screen G1. By displaying these button display sections B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22 differently on the display means 6 when the key lock state is active and when the key lock state is temporarily released (when the key lock state is not active), the user is visually notified that the button display sections B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22 are not in the key lock state. Meanwhile, the control means 12 continues counting the timer. Each time the control means 12 receives an operation signal from the operation means 7 via a user operation, the control means 12 clears the timer count and controls the timer to restart counting from zero.

When the control unit 12 detects that the timer has counted down to the predetermined period of 60 seconds, the display control unit 23 controls the display unit 6 to turn off the backlight of the LCD 25, as shown in FIG. 8(C), and to enter a sleep state with the backlight completely turned off, as shown in FIG. 5(D). When any of the operation units 7 is subsequently operated, the control unit 12 receives an operation signal from the operation unit 7, and the display control unit 23 controls the display unit 6 to turn on the backlight and display the top screen G1 in which the button display units B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22 are in the key-locked state. Thus, in this embodiment, if the operation unit 7 is not operated for 60 seconds in the temporarily released key-locked state and the control unit 12 does not receive an operation signal from the operation unit 7, the key-locked state is restored. This eliminates the need for the user to switch back to the key-locked state after operating the rice cooker, thereby improving convenience.

As described above, the rice cooker serving as a cooking appliance in this embodiment is equipped with an operating means 7 for performing various operations. Operating the operating means 7 sends an operating signal as an operation instruction, which is received by the control means 12, which controls each of the appliance's means to operate in accordance with the operating signal. The cooking appliance has a key-lock state in which the control means 12 controls each of the appliance's means so that they do not operate in accordance with the operating signal even when the operating means 7 is operated, and a temporary release state in which the key-lock state is temporarily released. In the temporary release state, if the control means 12 does not receive an operating signal for a predetermined period of time, for example 60 seconds, the cooking appliance will return to the key-lock state.

With this configuration, in the key-locked state, for example, to select button display areas B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22 on the top screen G1, there is no need to operate the operating means 7 to go to the key-lock setting screen G3 again and touch the "Do not lock" button display area B44 to release the key-locked state, thereby improving convenience. Furthermore, in a temporary release state in which the key-locked state has been temporarily released, the user can operate the rice cooker and then return to the key-locked state without having to go to the key-lock setting screen G3 again and operate the key-locked state, further improving convenience.

The rice cooker of this embodiment also includes a display unit 6 that displays various information. Information displayed on the display unit 6, such as button display units B1-B7, B17-B20, and B22, is selected with the operation unit 7 to transmit an operation signal. The button display units B1-B7, B17-B20, and B22, which represent the information to be selected, are displayed differently on the display unit 6, grayed out, depending on whether the key is locked or not, i.e., when the key is not locked (normal mode) or when the key is temporarily released. This visually notifies the user that the button display units B1-B7, B17-B20, and B22 are in the key-locked state. Furthermore, when temporarily releasing the key lock, the button display units B1-B7, B17-B20, and B22 in the key-locked state are selected. Therefore, by graying out the button display units on the display unit 6, erroneous operation of the selected button display units can be prevented.

In addition, in the rice cooker of this embodiment, when in the key-lock state, button display units B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22 are grayed out, and a long press, a specified operation, is performed on the operating unit 7 to temporarily release button display units B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22. Therefore, while maintaining the key-lock state, button display units B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22 can be temporarily released. Furthermore, a long press can prevent accidental operation of button display units B1 to B7, B17 to B20, and B22 into the temporarily released state.

In addition, the rice cooker of this embodiment is configured so that the operating means 7 is located on the top surface of the rice cooker, making it easy to see and operate. This eliminates the need to search for the operating means 7 and allows for easy operation. However, there is a risk of accidental operation, such as a pet lingering on the top surface of the rice cooker and accidentally touching the operating means 7, or of small children mischievously operating the operating means 7. To prevent this, the rice cooker is equipped with a key lock state and a temporary key lock release state.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, while this embodiment describes a rice cooker as an example, the present invention is not limited to this and may also be applied to other cooking appliances, such as a heating cooker. Furthermore, this embodiment employs a configuration in which, in the key-locked state, all selectable display sections on the top screen G1, i.e., button display sections B1-B7, B17-B20, and B22, are locked. However, it is also possible to configure the key-locked state to lock only important display sections, such as the "Off" button display section B22 and the "Start Cooking" button display section B17. Furthermore, this embodiment employs a configuration in which the button display sections displayed on the display section 6 in the key-locked state are grayed out, which differs from the normal state and when the key-locked state is temporarily released. However, other display methods, such as flashing, may also be used. In this embodiment, the key lock state is temporarily released by touching the grayed-out button display and operating the key lock pop-up screen G5 that pops up. However, the key lock state may also be temporarily released by, for example, pressing and holding the operating means 7 when the rice cooker is in a sleep state with the backlight completely turned off, as shown in FIG. 5(D). The numerical values given in the embodiment are merely examples and may be changed as appropriate depending on the specifications of the rice cooker.

6 Display means 7 Operation means B1, B3, B5, B7, B17, B18, B19, B20, B22 Button display section (information)
G5 Key lock pop-up screen (temporary release method)

Claims (6)

A cooking appliance that includes an operating means for performing various operations, that transmits an operation instruction by operating the operating means, that receives the operation instruction, and that performs an operation according to the operation instruction,
a release state in which, when the operating means is operated, the cooking appliance performs an operation according to the operation instruction;
a key-lock state in which the cooking appliance does not perform the operation even when the operating means is operated;
a temporary release state in which the key lock state is temporarily released and the cooking appliance temporarily performs the same operation as in the release state,
The operation includes:
a first operation for alternatively selecting the unlocked state or the key-locked state;
a second operation of operating a temporary release means that appears by selecting and operating any of the operation means in the key lock state, thereby temporarily releasing the key lock state to set the key lock state to the temporary release state,
The cooking appliance is characterized in that, when the operation instruction is not accepted for a predetermined period in the temporarily released state, the cooking appliance returns to the key-locked state. Further provided with a display means for displaying various information,
The operation instruction is sent by selecting and operating the information displayed on the display means with the operation means,
2. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the information selected and operated is displayed on the display means in a manner different from that when the key is locked and when the key is not locked. 3. The cooking appliance according to claim 2, wherein the display mode on the display means is the same in the released state and in the temporary released state. 3. The cooking appliance according to claim 2, wherein in the key-locked state, the cooking appliance transitions to the temporary release state by performing a predetermined operation using the temporary release means that appears when one of the operating means is selected based on the information to be selected. 5. The cooking appliance according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined operation is a long press of the temporary release means . 6. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the operating means is disposed on a top surface of the cooking appliance.