Robot Sensor Sensitivity Control During Gesture Execution

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot systems react unnaturally to external stimuli due to unintended sensor detections during gestures, leading to unnatural motions.

Innovation Solution

A robot control device that includes a CPU to disable, stop, or decrease sensitivity of sensors based on the type of gesture being performed, preventing processing of unintended external stimuli.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the robot performs reactions to all detected external stimuli, then the robot appears responsive and attentive, but the robot performs unnatural motions when gestures are executed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenaturalness of robot motionVSAvoidrobot's responsiveness to external stimuli

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the sensor detection sensitivity changeable based on the robot's current state. The control device dynamically adjusts sensor sensitivity according to whether the robot is executing a gesture or in a normal state, allowing the system to adapt its behavior in real-time. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the robot to be responsive when needed while avoiding unnatural reactions during gestures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection sensitivity parameter of the sensor based on the robot's operational state. When the robot executes a gesture, the control device decreases sensor sensitivity to prevent detecting external stimuli that would cause unnatural reactions. When the robot is in a normal state, sensor sensitivity is increased to maximize responsiveness. This parameter adjustment resolves the technical contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the robot continuously monitors external stimuli, then the robot remains alert and responsive, but unintended reactions occur during gesture execution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of stimulus responseVSAvoidunintended reactions during gestures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively decreasing sensor sensitivity before external stimuli can cause unintended reactions. When the control device detects that the robot is executing a gesture, it preemptively reduces sensor sensitivity to prevent spurious detections. This anticipatory measure eliminates harmful unintended reactions while maintaining accurate response to genuine external stimuli when the robot is in a normal state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the robot's operational state and adjusting sensor sensitivity accordingly. The control device receives feedback about whether the robot is executing a gesture or in a normal state, and uses this information to dynamically adjust detection sensitivity. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate stimulus response while preventing unintended reactions during gestures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the robot uses high sensor sensitivity to detect all external stimuli, then the robot is highly responsive, but the robot detects unintended stimuli during gestures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speed to external stimuliVSAvoidaccuracy of stimulus detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making sensor sensitivity changeable based on the robot's current state. The control device dynamically adjusts sensor sensitivity according to whether the robot is executing a gesture or in a normal state, allowing the system to adapt its behavior in real-time. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the robot to be responsive when needed while avoiding unnatural reactions during gestures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection sensitivity parameter of the sensor based on the robot's operational state. When the robot executes a gesture, the control device decreases sensor sensitivity to prevent detecting external stimuli that would cause unnatural reactions. When the robot is in a normal state, sensor sensitivity is increased to maximize responsiveness. This parameter adjustment resolves the technical contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250387899A1Robot control device, robot, and robot control method

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

A robot control device includes one or more processors configured to cause a robot to perform processing corresponding to an external stimulus detected by a sensor. The one or more processors disable the robot from performing processing corresponding to the external stimulus detected by the sensor, stop the sensor from detecting the external stimulus, or decrease a detection sensitivity of the external stimulus by the sensor, depending on a type of a gesture being currently performed by the robot.