Adornment-Responsive Robot Control Through Image Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robots lack the ability to enhance entertainment value through operations corresponding to applied adornments, such as costumes or accessories, beyond mere appearance changes.

Innovation Solution

A robot system that includes operation means, adornment information acquisition means, and operation control means to determine and respond to adornments applied, allowing it to perform operations tailored to the adornments, using image recognition and predefined operation tables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the robot only changes appearance with adornments, then appearance customization is achieved, but entertainment value and operational engagement remain limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappearance customizationVSAvoidentertainment value
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot dynamically changes its operational behavior based on the adornment detected. The control unit modifies operation patterns, movement styles, and interaction modes according to the type of adornment (costume, accessory, prop), transforming the robot from a static appearance-changer to a dynamic performance-adaptor that delivers context-appropriate entertainment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The robot system achieves multi-functionality by integrating appearance customization with operational adaptability. A single adornment application triggers multiple functional changes including movement pattern modification, performance type selection, and interaction style adjustment, allowing one component (adornment) to control multiple aspects of robot behavior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the robot performs complex operations corresponding to adornments, then entertainment value is enhanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveentertainment valueVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves as an intermediary that translates simple adornment detection into complex coordinated operations. Rather than requiring complex hardware for each function, the control unit processes adornment type information and generates appropriate operation patterns, movements, and performances through software-based coordination of existing components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-defines multiple operation patterns, movement styles, and performance types that correspond to different adornment categories. When an adornment is detected, the control unit simply selects and executes the pre-prepared operation set matching the adornment type, avoiding the need for real-time complex decision-making and reducing computational burden

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the robot uses image recognition to detect adornments, then adornment detection accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadornment detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The image recognition process is segmented into distinct stages: capturing the robot's appearance image, detecting the presence of adornments, classifying the adornment type (costume, accessory, prop), and triggering corresponding operations. This segmentation allows the system to process only relevant features at each stage rather than analyzing the entire image comprehensively, reducing overall processing time while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3501761B1Robot, robot control system, robot control method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
  • EP3501761B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3501761B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3501761B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A robot (100, 100a) includes operation means (120), adornment information acquisition means (150), and operation control means (130). The operation means (120) causes the robot (100, 100a) to operate. The adornment information acquisition means (150) acquires adornment information indicating an adornment that is applied to the robot (100, 100a), the adornment information being obtained based on a captured image of the robot (100, 100a). The operation control means (130) controls the operation means (120) to perform an operation corresponding to the acquired adornment information.