Robot Question Response Control by Difficulty-Based Answer Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing action control systems for robots struggle to appropriately respond to user questions, particularly in terms of recognizing difficulty levels and providing suitable actions such as answering or reacting to questions.

Innovation Solution

An action control system that includes an action recognition unit, a difficulty level estimation unit, and an action determination unit to determine appropriate actions based on the user's question difficulty, such as boasting or answering, and can switch answer modes like conversation, study, or consultation to match user expectations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the robot always answers user questions with detailed explanations, then the information completeness is improved, but the user engagement and enjoyment are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiduser engagement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The robot dynamically adjusts its response strategy based on the difficulty level of the question. For high-difficulty questions, it adopts a boasting response mode that prioritizes user engagement over complete information delivery, while for low-difficulty questions, it provides detailed explanations. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between information completeness and user engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of response style based on the difficulty level parameter of the question. When difficulty exceeds a threshold, the response mode switches from explanatory to boasting, effectively managing the trade-off between providing complete information and maintaining user interest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the robot provides boasting responses for high difficulty questions, then the user satisfaction is improved, but the information accuracy may be worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser satisfactionVSAvoidinformation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the difficulty level as a parameter to change the response mode. For questions with difficulty above the threshold, it switches to a boasting response that prioritizes user satisfaction while still maintaining a form of information delivery adapted to the context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The response strategy is dynamically adjusted based on real-time assessment of question difficulty, allowing the robot to flexibly balance between providing accurate information and satisfying user expectations for engaging interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the robot recognizes and responds to question difficulty levels, then the interaction quality is improved, but the system complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a difficulty level parameter that simplifies the decision-making process by categorizing questions into distinct difficulty levels, which then map to specific response modes. This parameter-based approach improves interaction quality while managing system complexity through structured classification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The question space is segmented into different difficulty levels, allowing the robot to handle each segment with an appropriate response strategy. This segmentation simplifies the overall system by breaking down the complex task of question response into manageable segments based on difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If the robot switches between multiple answer modes, then the adaptability to user needs is improved, but the control complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to user needsVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot employs dynamic mode switching between boasting and explanatory responses based on the assessed difficulty level of each question. This dynamic adaptation enhances versatility in meeting different user needs while managing control complexity through rule-based transitions between modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The robot achieves multi-functionality by implementing multiple answer modes (boasting and explanatory) within a single system, allowing it to adapt to different user needs and question types. This universal design enables the system to handle diverse interaction scenarios without requiring separate specialized systems.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4682775A1Behavior control system and program
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 SOFTBANK GROUP CORP
  • EP4682775A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4682775A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4682775A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The action control system includes an action recognition unit that recognizes an action of a user, a difficulty level estimation unit that estimates a difficulty level of a question in a case in which the action of the user is recognized as the question, and an action determination unit that determines an action of enjoying being questioned by the user and an action of answering the question, as an action to be executed, in a case in which a score corresponding to the difficulty level is equal to or more than a threshold value.