Device and method for controlling menu display of microwave oven

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for displaying various menus of a microwave oven onto one screen. In the present invention, the various menus can be displayed onto one screen by using a tree structure or window structure. To this end, display control data are stored such that the various menus can be displayed in the form of the tree structure or display window. These display control data are stored in a separately provided storage device. According to the present invention constructed as such, since the user can confirm the various functions of the microwave oven on the same screen at one time, there is an advantage in that trials and errors made when using the microwave oven can be minimized. In addition, since all, the functions can be confirmed simultaneously, there are further advantages in that the time required for learning how to use the microwave oven is reduced and function selection can be conveniently made.

1 . A device for controlling menu display of a microwave oven, comprising: 
 a display unit in which a plurality of display windows for displaying functions selectable by a user are displayed onto one screen thereof;    a storage device on which data of the display windows sequentially displayed onto the display unit are stored; and    a microcomputer by which a display window corresponding to a function selected by a user are controlled to be displayed by controlling the display unit and the data of the storage device, wherein at least one of the plurality of display windows includes both a plurality of higher functions and at least one corresponding lower function of an arbitrarily selected higher function.    
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of display windows, which include the selectable functions and which are sequentially displayed during sequential processes for setting functions, are displayed onto the display unit in the form of small display windows so that the windows are displayed onto the one screen.  
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein data set during the sequential processes for setting functions using the selectable functions are further stored in the storage device.  
     
     
         4 . A method for controlling menu display of a microwave oven, comprising: 
 displaying sequentially a plurality of display windows according to a process of setting functions for the microwave oven onto one screen;    confirming the display windows and setting functions in the display windows; and    storing data on the display windows sequentially displayed on to the display unit, wherein at least one of the plurality of display windows includes both a plurality of higher functions and at least one corresponding lower function of an arbitrarily selected higher function.    
     
     
         5 . A method for controlling menu display of a microwave oven, comprising: 
 setting various cooking functions of the microwave oven in the form of a tree structure in which menus are classified into higher and lower functions;    forming the set higher and lower functions of the microwave oven into a tree structure which is displayable in a single display window;    displaying the higher and lower functions in the single display window; and    performing the at least one selected function.    
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein performing the at least one selected function comprises: 
 selecting an arbitrary function;    providing an input screen used for inputting data if input of the data is required in the selected function;    inputting the data based on the input screen; and    operating the microwave oven according to the input data.    
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein inputting the data comprises inputting an operating period of the microwave oven.  
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein displaying the functions comprises using specific signs such that selected and unselected functions can be discriminated from each other.  
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein displaying the functions comprises displaying only higher functions in an initial display window.  
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein displaying the functions comprises using specific signs such that higher functions including lower functions and other higher functions not including lower functions are discriminated from each other.  
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein displaying the functions comprises displaying all the lower functions included in the selected function.  
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein displaying the functions comprises displaying together all the higher functions and the lower functions included in the selected higher function.  
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein a + sign is used for the selected functions, and a − sign is used for the unselected functions.  
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein a + sign is used for higher function with available lower functions.  
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein no sign is used for the higher function without available lower function.  
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a dial key, wherein by turning the dial key, portions of a currently displayed display window not in view are displayed.