Robot Sleep-State Control Using Dynamic Drowsiness Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robots that imitate living creatures lack the ability to realistically represent sleep states, limiting their lifelikeness.
Innovation Solution
A robot capable of representing a pseudo-sleep state through a parameter update mechanism that adjusts a drowsiness value based on external events and ambient illuminance, transitioning between pseudo-sleep and wake-up states using a drowsiness value range and hysteresis to mimic the sleep-wake cycle of living creatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robot transitions to a sleep mode in response to specific handling, then the robot can represent a sleep state, but the lifelikeness is not sufficiently enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic state transitions by introducing a drowsiness value parameter that continuously changes based on elapsed time and external stimuli. The robot transitions from wakeful to asleep states gradually through intermediate drowsy states, rather than abrupt binary transitions. This dynamic parameter system allows the robot to adapt its behavior continuously, enhancing lifelikeness while maintaining reliable sleep state representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by introducing a drowsiness value that ranges from wakeful to asleep states. This parameter is updated based on elapsed time and modified by external stimuli such as light detection and user interactions. The state control means switches between wakeful and asleep states based on threshold comparisons of this parameter, enabling realistic sleep-wake cycle representation that enhances lifelikeness.
2Device complexity
If the robot uses a simple sleep mode trigger, then the control mechanism is simple, but the depth of sleep and responsiveness to external stimuli cannot be represented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sleep state representation into multiple levels by dividing the drowsiness value range into wakeful, drowsy, and asleep states with different threshold ranges. This segmentation allows the robot to represent different depths of sleep and varying responsiveness to external stimuli, adding measurement precision without requiring overly complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the robot's sleep state is continuously monitored and adjusted based on external stimuli. The light detection means detects ambient light and modifies the drowsiness value accordingly, creating a feedback loop that realistically represents how external stimuli affect sleep depth and wakefulness. This feedback system enhances sleep depth representation while maintaining manageable control complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A robot (200) is capable of representing a pseudo-sleep state in a manner different from a normal state. The robot (200) includes parameter update means (111) for updating, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined type of event, a value of a parameter indicating a degree of pseudo-drowsiness of the robot with a value corresponding to the type of the event having occurred, and state control means (112) for switching the state of the robot (200) between the pseudo-sleep state and the normal state based on the value of the parameter updated by the parameter update means (111).