JPH0352729B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a control system for a cooking device. More specifically, it is controlled by a programmed digital microcomputer,
The present invention relates to a control system used as a control system for commercial cooking equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,159 (Waugh) relates to a cooking computer for use in a deep fat fryer having a temperature sensing probe. In this system, up to 12 cooking methods can be stored in the microcomputer, and for each cooking method, the cooking time and cooking time-temperature adjustment factor can be set. This cook time-temperature adjustment factor adjusts the cook time as a function of temperature during the cook cycle. The cooking times and time compensation factors stored in the recipe can be changed by the user via the keyboard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Such cooking computers cannot automatically shift the temperature control set point when selecting an item to cook and starting a cooking cycle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a control system for a cooking device that solves the problems of the conventional control system as described above.

Also provided is a control system for a cooking appliance that allows a user to set a cooking temperature with a user-selectable food item key if the cooking temperature is not set to a selected value elsewhere on the appliance. can do.

In addition, it is possible to automatically shift the temperature of the cooking device if the temperature set elsewhere on the device is not set to the newly selected value corresponding to the newly selected cooking item. A control system for a cooking appliance can be provided.

Furthermore, the invention can provide a control system for a cooking appliance that allows parameters to be set if they have been set elsewhere other than the newly selected value.

[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Effects] According to the first invention, the control system for the cooking device includes means for arbitrarily selecting a program subroutine for an arbitrarily selected cooking product; The subroutines are for programming the microcomputer to control the cooking process. The control system also includes means for responsive to an arbitrarily selected subroutine and accordingly setting parameters other than cooking time to selected values. The controller also includes means for storing timing information regarding the cooking process in response to the optionally selected subroutines. The control system also includes means responsive to the storage means for determining whether the cooking process is complete.

Further, according to the second invention, the control system for the cooking device includes means for arbitrarily selecting a program subroutine for an arbitrarily selected cooking product,
This program subroutine is for programming the microcomputer to control the cooking process. The system also includes means for responding to the arbitrarily selected subroutine and accordingly attempting to set the device parameters to the selected values. The apparatus includes means coupled to the means for determining whether the parameter has already been set to the selected value elsewhere in the apparatus, and a means coupled to the determining means for setting the parameter to the selected value. 1 register means is also provided. The apparatus also includes means for continuing with the remainder of the optionally selected subroutine, and second register means for storing timing information regarding the cooking process in response to the optionally selected subroutine. The apparatus also includes means responsive to the second register means for subtracting the second register means as the cooking process continues, and means responsive to the second register means for determining whether the cooking process is complete. It is prepared.

According to the third invention, the control system for the cooking device includes means for arbitrarily selecting a program subroutine for an arbitrarily selected cooking product,
This program subroutine programs the microcomputer to control the cooking process. The system also includes means responsive to the arbitrarily selected subroutine for attempting to set the device parameters to the selected values accordingly. The control system includes first means coupled to means for determining whether the parameter is already set to the selected value elsewhere in the apparatus; and and a second means for determining whether or not the selected parameter is operating within a predetermined range of the selected value of the parameter to be set. The system also includes means responsive to the second determining means for continuing with the remainder of the subroutine and register means responsive to the subroutine for storing timing information regarding the cooking process. The system also includes means responsive to the register means for subtracting the register means as the cooking process continues, and means responsive to the register means for determining whether the cooking process is complete.

Embodiments Before describing the drawings in detail, for the sake of clarity it is assumed that the apparatus shown in block diagrams in FIGS. 2 and 3 uses, for example, an A/D converter and a microprocessor. This microprocessor
It shall include hardware such as a CPU, program memory and RAM, timing circuits and circuits, input/output interfaces, and digital circuitry normally required for the operation of a CPU that will be obvious to those skilled in the art. This microprocessor is operated by a computer program created according to the flowchart shown in the figure.

FIG. 1 shows, for example, a cooking device 10 with a fryer 11 operated by a gear motor train 13 to move a movable food basket 12 into and out of the cooking medium, such as shortening, in the fryer 11.

The frying device 11 has an oil drain pipe 14, which is connected to a drain valve 15 of a filter device 16. The filtration device may be any device that includes paper and chemicals for filtering cooking oil. A pump 17 is provided to return oil to the cooking device via a pipe 18. Instruction command section 2 having a display screen 20a
The control panel 20 of 1 is connected to a control device having a microcomputer for controlling instructions 21.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 2, the microcomputer 22 has a keyboard switch 23.
(e.g., a capacitive keyboard switch).

This control device includes a conventional power supply 24, a reset circuit 25 for resetting the microcomputer when the power is turned on, a clock oscillator circuit 26 for providing clock pulses to the microcomputer 22, and a temperature sensing circuit for sensing the temperature inside the cooking appliance. 2
7, an audible alarm 28, a character/numeric display 29, and a display 30. The device also includes an input status circuit 31 which is responsive to the open/closed status of door switches and drain valves, for example. The microcomputer controls an output relay circuit 32 that controls heating means such as burner gas valves, heating elements, microwave heaters, etc.

In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the control system of the cooking appliance is provided with means for optionally selecting a program subroutine 36, which subroutine is implemented by a microcomputer to control the cooking process using a cooking medium such as shortening or cooking oil. It is used to program. Selection means 3
5 is preferably provided with an "optional input" section 35 such as a cooking product cycle key such as a chicken cycle key. The control system also comprises means 37 for attempting to set parameters other than cooking time to selected values according to an optionally selected subroutine. This parameter is, for example, the temperature sensing circuit 27
is the temperature of the cooking medium as sensed by a temperature sensing probe. Alternatively, it may be the liquid level, pressure, or humidity.

The control system also comprises means 38 coupled to the means for determining whether the parameter has already been selected elsewhere in the device. Means 38 comprises a ``Is the parameter set to a selected value elsewhere in the device?'' microprocessor section. In this specification, the functions performed by the microcomputer realized by the program are expressed as "..." microprocessor section. The control system comprises first register means 39 connected to the determination means 38 for setting the parameters to selected values. Specifically, the first register means comprises a ``SET PARAMETER REGISTER'' microprocessor section coupled to the ``NO'' output of means 38.

The control system includes means 40 for proceeding through the remainder of the optionally selected subroutine. This means 40 "set parameter register"
A ``continue with remainder of subroutine'' microprocessor section is coupled to the output of microprocessor section 39.

This control system provides timing information about the cooking process (e.g. total cooking time for a given item).
A second register means 41 is provided for storing a subroutine, which operates in response to a selected subroutine. This second register means 41 comprises a "load register" microprocessor section coupled to the microprocessor section 40.
“Load register” microprocessor section 40
Once loaded, the cooking process of the selected food item will begin. “Load register” The output of the microprocessor unit 40 is displayed on the status display 4.
2 and outputs auditory and visual output.
For example, the indicator may indicate a caution or alarm to the operator.

This control system includes a second register means 41
Means 43 are also provided for subtracting the register means 41 when the cooking process is continued.
The means 43 comprise a "register subtraction" microprocessor section 43. The control system also includes means 44 for determining whether the cooking process is complete in response to the register means 41. This means 44 comprises a "process completed?" microprocessor section. The "no" output of the microprocessor section 44 is coupled to the "subtract register" microprocessor section 43, which continues to subtract the "register" microprocessor section 41 until the cooking process is complete. The “yes” output from the microprocessor unit 44 is displayed on the status display 4.
5, for example, "Done" will be displayed to indicate the completion of the cooking process. This display may be an auditory signal, for example.

“Subtract register” microprocessor section 43
The subtraction in the "register" microprocessor section 41 is performed by a timer, computer program, or the like.

“Status display” microprocessor section 45
is connected to the "optional input" microprocessor section 35 and the program subroutine cooking process ends.

This control system determines whether a parameter set to a selected value somewhere else is operating within a predetermined operating range of the selected value of the parameter that the microprocessor unit 37 attempts to set. A second means 46 is also provided. This second means 46 includes a microprocessor unit 46 that asks whether a parameter set to a selected value somewhere else operates within a predetermined operating range of the selected value of the parameter to be set. This is connected to the "yes" output of the microprocessor section 38. “Continue” microprocessor section 47
is connected to the "YES" output of the microprocessor section 46. The device has means 47, 48 for continuing with the remainder of the subroutine in response to the second determining means 46. "Continue" microprocessor section 47 "skips setting parameters and continues remaining subroutine" microprocessor section 4
8 is connected. Microprocessor section 48
"Load register" microprocessor section 4
Connected to 1.

``Is the parameter set to a selected value somewhere else within the range of the selected value to be set?'' The ``no'' output of the microprocessor section 46 is sent to the ``stop'' microprocessor section 49. It is connected. The "stop" microprocessor section 49 is connected to the "optional input" microprocessor section 35 to terminate the program subroutine.

The control system also includes a number of additional components similar to those described above, from the "any input" key 35 to the "stop" microprocessor section 49. Add a dot to the same number for similar parts of other channels to connect between the "Set parameter register" microprocessor section 39' and "Is the parameter set to the selected value?" microprocessor section 38. The representation is shown in Figure 3.

The above is presently considered one preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore,
All such changes and modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fryer including a control system constructed in accordance with the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus including a microcomputer that can be used with the control system constructed in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart including a plurality of functions of a microcomputer operated by a program.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A control system for a cooking device comprising: means for arbitrarily selecting a program subroutine for programming a microcomputer that controls the cooking process of an arbitrarily selected cooking product; means for setting one parameter other than cooking time according to the arbitrarily selected subroutine in response to the arbitrarily selected subroutine; means for storing timing information regarding the cooking process in response to the arbitrarily selected subroutine; , and means responsive to the storage means for determining whether the cooking process is complete. 2. A control system for a cooking appliance comprising: means for arbitrarily selecting a program subroutine for programming a microcomputer to control the cooking process of an arbitrarily selected food item; means for attempting to set one parameter of the device to a selected value according to said arbitrarily selected subroutine; means for determining whether or not the parameter is set to the selected value; first register means connected to the determination means for setting the parameter to the selected value; and the rest of the arbitrarily selected subroutine. means for advancing the cooking process in response to said arbitrarily selected subroutine; second register means for storing timing information regarding the cooking process in response to said second register means; means for subtracting a second register means; and means responsive to said second register means for determining whether the cooking process is complete. 3. A control system for a cooking appliance comprising: means for arbitrarily selecting a program subroutine for programming a microcomputer to control the cooking process of an arbitrarily selected food product; means for attempting to set one parameter of the apparatus to a selected value in accordance with said optional subroutine; means for determining whether the parameter set to the selected value somewhere else operates within a predetermined range of the set value of the parameter to be set; means for proceeding with the rest of the subroutine in response to the second determining means; a register for storing timing information regarding the cooking process in response to the subroutine; means for subtracting said register means as the cooking process continues in response to said register means; and means for determining whether the cooking process is complete in response to said register means. 4. A control system according to claim 2, comprising: a plurality of means for arbitrarily individually selecting program subroutines for arbitrarily selected individual cooking products; said arbitrarily selected individual a plurality of means responsive to the subroutine of and accordingly attempting to set one parameter of the device to a selected value;
and a plurality of means, individually connected to the means to be set, for determining whether said parameter is set to said selected value elsewhere in the device. 5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a cooking medium and the parameter is the temperature of the cooking medium. 6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying the state of the parameter. 7. The control system according to claim 4, comprising means for displaying the temperature of the medium.