Abstract: A challenge to be met by the present invention is to enable appropriate setting of safety function according to a use environment and enhance safety function. An IC card (118) stores data pertaining to the quantity of available gas and at least one safety function program. An IC card reading unit (122) reads information stored in the IC card (118). From the read information, an IC card determination unit (126) determines whether or not the IC card (118) is normal. A safety function detection unit (128) detects a safety function program from the read information and stores the program in a safety function storage unit (130). When the IC card (118) is normal, a function setting unit (116) imparts a safety function program to a monitoring unit (112). A remaining available quantity count unit (124) determines a remaining quantity of available gas from the read quantity of available gas and a flow determined by a flow computing unit (110).

Abstract: The present invention is intended to make it possible to set security functions as necessary depending on usage environment, etc. and to improve the security functions; a function setting section 1116 sets security function information received from the outside via a communication line as security functions regarding the user of gas. According to the set security function, in the case that the operation conditions of the security function are satisfied, a monitoring section 112 detects a problem during the use of gas and outputs a security signal to a control section 114. Based on the security signal from the monitoring section 112, the control section 114 shuts off the supply of gas in the case that a phenomenon satisfying an operation condition of the set function having been set has occurred.

Abstract: Setting safety function, as appropriate, according to a user environment is enabled, thereby enhancing safety function. According to selection information from a safety function selection unit 120, a function setting unit 116 sets arbitrary function among a plurality of functions as safety function pertaining to usage of a gas. When operating conditions for safety function are fulfilled, a monitoring unit 112 detects malfunction, which would arise during usage of a gas, and outputs a safety signal to a control unit 114 in accordance with the set safety function. In accordance with a safety signal from the monitoring unit 112, the control unit 114 cuts off a gas supply when an event fulfilling operating conditions for the set function has arisen. When an event fulfilling operating conditions for an unset function has arisen, a communication unit 124 reports occurrence of malfunction pertaining to unset function to the monitoring center 200.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to appropriately control the use limit function of an appliance according to the concentration level of CO gas. A gas shutoff device is made up of a flow rate registration unit 28 for registering as an appliance flow rate, an average flow rate found by classifying and storing in a flow rate storage unit 26 after flow rate detection, a CO gas leakage determination unit 29 for inputting an output signal responsive to the concentration level of CO gas from a CO alarm 20, an appliance estimation unit 30, when a signal is output by the CO gas leakage determination unit 29 and the flow rate is registered in the flow rate registration unit 28, for storing a flow rate pattern group stored in the flow rate storage unit 26 and the registered flow rate and estimating a CO gas leakage appliance, an appliance flow rate storage unit 31 for storing the flow rate pattern group, and a communication unit 35 for reporting appliance information.

Abstract: Gas flow control apparatus that includes a gas flow control unit having a gas flow adjusting capability and a gas closing capability of selectively opening and closing a gas. A stepping motor is used for driving the gas flow control unit. A drive control unit is provided for controlling the stepping motor. The gas flow control unit is capable of adjusting the gas flow in multiple stages by selectively opening and closing one of a plurality of gas flow adjusting holes and also capable of varying the gas flow in multiple stages by selectively opening and closing one of the plural gas flow adjusting holes according to a number of pulses of the stepping motor.

Abstract: A heating apparatus by heating cooking materials in a water contained pan includes a heating device and an electronic circuit which controls the heating device. The temperature of the pan is detected, and the temperature rise characteristics of the pan contents are detected from when heating the pan starts until the contents boils. The quantity of the contents being cooked is determined from the temperature rise characteristics at a relatively low temperature range. The type, such as the size of the contained solids, of the contents being cooked is determined at a relatively high temperature range near the boiling point. The heat output of the heating device is then regulated based on these determinations according to the selected cooking operation after the materials boil, and the cooking apparatus thus provides automated cooking control.

Abstract: A method of cooking material to be fried by heating a cooking vessel and a cooking apparatus, wherein detection is made of a temperature of the cooking vessel and also of a temperature increase characteristic of the cooking vessel with a passage of time subsequent to a start of heating. A characteristic of the cooking vessel such as type of material and wall thickness of the cooking vessel is determined in a low temperature region of the temperature increase characteristic and the quantity of the cooking oil in the cooking vessel is determined in a high temperature region of the temperature increase characteristic. The heating power is controlled according to both a result of determination of the characteristic of the cooking vessel and a result of determination of the quantity of the cooking oil, to thereby accomplish an optimum cooking performance.

Abstract: As the temperature of a cooking pan is measured by a temperature detector, a moisture detecting means decides whether a material to be cooked is to be boiled, sauteed or fried. In the case of the material to be boiled, a scorching preventing device works to prevent scorching of the material. In the case of the material to be sauteed or fried, an overheating preventing device prevents overheating of the material. For this end, the temperature detector, detecting how the temperature of the cooking pan increases, controls a heating device via a heating controller. Accordingly, the material can be cooked safely irrespective of the cooking fashion if only a force adjusting knob and an ignition/extinction button are manipulated.