Pet Robot Sound Control Using Tempo and Key-Based Pseudo-Emotion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuation apparatuses for pet-type robots only operate mechanically in response to sound rhythms, failing to create a sense of lifelikeness similar to a real pet.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus control device that determines the constancy of performance sound speed and key, and adjusts the pseudo-emotion of the robot accordingly, enabling more lifelike interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the actuation apparatus operates only mechanically in response to sound rhythms, then the mechanical operation follows the sound pattern accurately, but the sense of lifelikeness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverhythm detection accuracyVSAvoidsense of lifelikeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the robot's behavior by transitioning from static mechanical rhythm following to dynamic emotional responses. The processor determines characteristics of performance sounds (tempo, key, genre) and dynamically changes the pseudo-emotion state, enabling the robot to adapt its behavior to different musical contexts and create a sense of lifelikeness while maintaining rhythmic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the robot by introducing pseudo-emotion states that modify mechanical operations. Based on the determined characteristics of performance sounds, the system adjusts parameters such as operation speed, movement patterns, and interaction behaviors, transforming the robot from a simple rhythm follower to an emotionally responsive companion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the robot changes pseudo-emotion based on sound characteristics, then the sense of lifelikeness is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesense of lifelikenessVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processor serves multiple functions: it detects sound rhythms, determines performance sound characteristics (tempo, key, genre), and controls both mechanical operations and pseudo-emotion changes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, managing device complexity while enhancing the sense of lifelikeness through comprehensive sound-based control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical emotion expression mechanisms with software-based pseudo-emotion control. Instead of adding physical components to express emotions, the system uses computational algorithms to determine emotional states and controls existing actuators to manifest these states, reducing hardware complexity while achieving lifelike behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250103054A1Apparatus control device, apparatus control method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus control device for controlling an apparatus includes at least one processor configured to determine, as a characteristic of a performance sound around a robot that is the apparatus, constancy of a performance speed of the performance sound or a key of a performance based on the performance sound, and change a pseudo-emotion of the apparatus in accordance with the determined characteristic of the performance sound.