Virtual Pet Robot Interaction Imaging for Social Play

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a desire to enhance the entertainment aspect of pet-type robots by enabling them to make friends with other pet-type robots and increase their social interactions.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that generates a moving image with a virtual second autonomous mobile body interacting with a first autonomous mobile body, superimposed on a captured image, and controls the display of this image to facilitate virtual interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a pet type robot is designed to interact only with its owner, then the device complexity is low, but the entertainment aspect and user engagement are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentertainment aspectVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy (virtual pet robot) that replicates the appearance and behavior of the real pet robot. This virtual copy can interact with other pet robots through image processing and superposition, enabling social interaction functionality without adding physical complexity to the real robot hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from physical-world interaction to virtual-world interaction by superimposing virtual images onto captured images. This allows the real pet robot to engage in social interactions through its image data, expanding its interaction capabilities to a new dimension without modifying its physical structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple real pet robots are deployed for interaction, then the entertainment aspect improves, but the cost and system complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesocial interaction capabilityVSAvoidnumber of robots

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of deploying multiple physical robots, the system creates virtual copies of pet robots that can interact with each other. The image processing unit generates virtual images of pet robots and their interactions, providing social interaction functionality without requiring multiple physical units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an image processing system as an intermediary that mediates interactions between pet robots. The display control unit composites virtual images of multiple robots interacting, allowing social interaction simulation without the need for actual multiple robots to be present simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12487594B2Information processing apparatus, and information processing method for interaction with an autonomous mobile body

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Provided is an information processing apparatus includes an image processing unit that generates a first moving image in which a virtual second autonomous mobile body that virtually interacts with a first autonomous mobile body is superimposed in a captured moving image obtained by capturing an image of the first autonomous mobile body, and a display control unit that controls display of the first moving image.