Robot Task Logic With Constraint-Aware Temporal Formulas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robot control methods fail to consider constraint conditions necessary for task execution, as highlighted by Patent Literature 1's silence on this aspect.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device that converts tasks into logical formulas based on temporal logic, acquires constraint condition information, and generates a target logical formula by adding propositions indicative of these constraints to optimize robot operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If robot control methods are simplified for ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but constraint conditions necessary for task execution are not considered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidconstraint condition satisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces temporal logic formulas as an intermediary representation between the task description and robot control execution. The conversion unit transforms natural language task descriptions into formal temporal logic formulas, which then serve as the basis for generating control commands. This intermediary formalism ensures that constraint conditions are systematically captured and satisfied while maintaining ease of operation through natural language input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical control systems with an information processing approach. Instead of directly controlling robot mechanics, the system uses logical formula conversion and processing to generate control commands. The constraint condition addition unit systematically adds necessary constraints to the logical formulas, ensuring reliability without complicating the operational interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If temporal logic formulas are used to represent tasks, then task execution accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask execution accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex temporal logic processing functions into a dedicated conversion unit within the information processing device. This modular approach isolates the complexity of temporal logic formula conversion from the overall robot control system, allowing high task execution accuracy through formal logic while managing device complexity through functional decomposition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The conversion unit serves multiple functions: it converts natural language to temporal logic formulas, identifies constraint conditions, and generates the basis for control commands. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple processing tasks into a single versatile component, thereby achieving high task execution accuracy without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If constraint conditions are added to logical formulas, then task execution reliability is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask execution reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The constraint condition addition unit proactively adds necessary constraint conditions to the temporal logic formulas during the formula generation phase, before actual robot execution begins. This preliminary incorporation of constraints ensures that reliability is built into the control logic from the start, avoiding the need for time-consuming runtime constraint checking and adjustments during robot operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12521881B2Information processing device, control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 NEC CORP

AI summary

The information processing device 1A mainly includes a logical formula conversion unit 322A, a constraint condition information acquisition unit 323A, and a constraint condition addition unit 324A. The logical formula conversion unit 322A is configured to convert an objective task, which is a task to be performed by a robot, into a logical formula that is based on a temporal logic. The constraint condition information acquisition unit 323A is configured to acquire constraint condition information I2 indicative of a constraint condition to be satisfied in performing the objective task. The constraint condition addition unit 324A is configured to generate a target logical formula Ltag that is a logical formula obtained by adding a proposition indicative of the constraint condition to the logical formula generated by the logical formula conversion unit 322A.