Robot Objective Function Synthesis from Atomic Task Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing an objective function for robots using the potential method is complex and typically requires expertise, making it difficult for non-experts to create suitable functions for complicated tasks.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device that acquires a logical expression representing a task as a combination of atomic tasks, synthesizes atomic potential functions, and outputs a synthesized potential function as an objective function for controlling robots, allowing for the generation of objective functions suitable for complex tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the potential method is used for robot control with complicated tasks, then the robot can execute complex work, but it becomes difficult to design the objective function requiring expert knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to execute complex tasksVSAvoiddifficulty of objective function design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex task into multiple atomic tasks, each with its own atomic potential function. The objective function is constructed by combining these atomic potential functions according to logical expressions, making the design process systematic and accessible to non-experts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces atomic potential functions as intermediaries between the high-level task description and the low-level control implementation. These atomic potential functions serve as building blocks that automatically combine to form the complete objective function, eliminating the need for experts to design complex objective functions from scratch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If experts design objective functions manually, then suitable functions can be created for complex tasks, but the process requires advanced knowledge and is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of objective functionVSAvoidtime for objective function design

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-defines atomic potential functions for common atomic tasks before the actual task execution. When a complex task is given, the system automatically retrieves and combines these pre-defined atomic potential functions based on the logical expression, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual design while ensuring quality through proven atomic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables non-experts to create reliable objective functions by themselves through the automated synthesis process. The objective function is automatically generated by combining atomic potential functions according to the logical structure of the task, making the process self-serviceable without requiring expert intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If atomic potential functions are synthesized from logical expressions, then non-experts can easily design objective functions, but additional processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of objective function designVSAvoidnumber of processing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual, mechanical process of objective function design with an automated computational system. The system automatically parses logical expressions, identifies required atomic tasks, retrieves corresponding atomic potential functions, and synthesizes the complete objective function, substituting complex manual work with automated information processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12168299B2Information processing device, control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.12.17 NEC CORP

AI summary

The information processing device 1B includes an acquisition unit 51A, a potential function synthesizing unit 53A, and an objective function outputting unit 54A. The acquisition unit 51A acquires a task logical expression in which an objective task to be performed by a robot is expressed by a combination of a plurality of atomic tasks. The potential function synthesizing unit 53A synthesizes atomic potential functions, each of which is a potential function corresponding to each of the atomic tasks, based on the task logical expression. The objective function output unit 54A outputs an atomic potential function synthesized based on the task logical expression as an objective function for controlling the robot.