Robot Action Control Through Intimacy-Aware User Interaction Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic systems struggle to perform actions based on the relationship between the device and the user, particularly in determining intimacy levels, leading to inadequate control mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

An action control device and method that utilizes sensors to detect user interactions, including touch, sound, and orientation, to determine intimacy levels and adjust action modes accordingly, incorporating an emotion map and growth table to personalize responses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a robot uses pressure sensors to detect user interactions, then it can identify registered users based on pressure patterns, but it cannot determine intimacy levels or perform actions based on the relationship between the user and the robot

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to perform actions based on user relationshipVSAvoidLack of intimacy level information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The robot continuously monitors user interactions through multiple sensors (touch, sound, orientation) and updates intimacy levels based on accumulated data. This feedback mechanism allows the robot to adapt its behavior dynamically, transitioning from static registered user identification to dynamic relationship-based action selection that reflects the evolving intimacy between user and robot

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-defines multiple action modes (first action mode for low intimacy, second action mode for high intimacy) and automatically selects appropriate actions based on detected intimacy levels. This preliminary structuring of action possibilities enables the robot to respond appropriately to different relationship stages without requiring complex real-time decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a robot implements multiple action modes based on intimacy levels, then it can provide personalized responses, but it requires complex sensing and processing systems

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePersonalized response capabilityVSAvoidSensing and processing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the user interaction detection into multiple independent sensor modules (touch sensor for physical contact, sound sensor for vocal interactions, orientation sensor for spatial relationship). Each sensor independently monitors specific aspects of interaction, and the intimacy level is synthesized from these segmented data sources. This modular approach enables personalized responses while managing system complexity through functional decomposition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sensors serve dual purposes: they detect specific interaction types individually while collectively contributing to overall intimacy level determination. The same sensor data used for basic interaction detection is also utilized for relationship assessment, eliminating redundant sensing systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining personalized response capability

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If a robot continuously monitors user interactions to determine intimacy levels, then it can adapt actions to relationship depth, but it increases processing requirements and energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDynamic action adaptationVSAvoidProcessing energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The robot performs intimacy level detection at periodic intervals during user interactions rather than continuously analyzing every sensor input in real-time. The system accumulates interaction data over defined periods, then processes this aggregated information to update intimacy levels and select appropriate action modes. This periodic processing approach enables dynamic adaptation to relationship changes while significantly reducing computational load and energy consumption compared to continuous real-time analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4374944B1Action control device, action control method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
  • EP4374944B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4374944B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4374944B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An action control device (100) that controls the actions of a robot (200) acquires an external stimulus; and in a case of executing an action corresponding to the external stimulus, controls so as to execute, based on an intimacy between a subject applying the external stimulus and the robot (200), different action content.