Waypoint Path Creation for Low-Load Target Following

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional target-following technologies for autonomous mobile objects face challenges in accurately following a moving target while maintaining low processing load, leading to increased computational demands.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device and method that creates a following path by sequentially setting and connecting path position information (waypoints) near the target, using a predetermined rule based on the target's position and travel direction, allowing for efficient and reliable target following.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional target-following technology is used to accurately follow a moving target, then following accuracy is improved, but processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefollowing accuracyVSAvoidprocessing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The path is segmented into discrete waypoints rather than being calculated as a continuous trajectory. The movement path creation unit sequentially sets individual path position information (waypoints) near the target and connects them to form the complete path. This segmentation reduces computational complexity while maintaining following accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Waypoints are pre-calculated and set in advance along the target's movement path. By determining path position information before the mobile device actually traverses the path, the system reduces real-time processing requirements and lowers overall computational load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the mobile device moves along a pre-created path, then following efficiency is improved, but adaptability to target movement changes may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefollowing efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to target movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The path creation system is dynamic and continuously updated as the target moves. The movement path creation unit sequentially creates new waypoints based on the target's current position and movement direction, allowing the path to adapt to changes in target trajectory while maintaining efficient path-following behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the target's movement and uses this feedback to update the path. By analyzing the target's movement direction and position in real-time, the movement path creation unit adjusts the sequence of waypoints to maintain accurate following while preserving computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250341844A1Information processing device, information processing system, method, and program

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Provided are a device and a method for efficiently creating a following path of the target to be followed by a mobile device to enable reliable follow-up. A movement path creation unit is included that creates a path that is a following path on which a target is to be followed by a mobile device. The movement path creation unit sequentially sets a piece of path position information (waypoint) near the target, and sequentially connects the set pieces of path position information to create the path. The movement path creation unit sets the piece of path position information at a position determined in accordance with a predetermined rule based on a position and a travel direction of the target. When the target has moved a predetermined distance, a new piece of path position information is set.