ROBOTIC SYSTEM, ROBOT CONTROL METHOD AND ROBOT CONTROL PROGRAM

• US 20130123987A1
• Filed: 01/08/2013
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: KASE, Hiroshi, HORINOUCHI, Takashi, OTSUKA, Michihiko
• Granted Patent: US 8,583,287 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/259
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 11/00 Self-movable toy figures
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/0005 Manipulators having means for high-level communication with users, e.g. speech generator, face recognition means
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 11/001 with emotions simulating means
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 13/003 by means of an audio-responsive input audible safety signals B25J19/061
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1697 Vision controlled systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/008 based on physical entities controlled by simulated intelligence so as to replicate intelligent life forms, e.g. based on robots replicating pets or humans in their appearance or behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/10 Terrestrial scenes scenes under surveillance with static cameras G06V20/52; scenes perceived from the exterior of a vehicle G06V20/56; scenes perceived from the interior of a vehicle G06V20/59
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/172 Classification, e.g. identification
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/09 Closed loop, sensor feedback controls arm movement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 901/47 Optical

Abstract

A robotic system includes: a detection unit that detects at least one of a voice, light and an image of a content outputted by a content output device; a decision unit that assesses information detected by the detection unit on the basis of reference data so as to assess the content outputted by the content output device; and a control unit that controls a behavior or a state of the robotic system on the basis of the assessment made by the decision unit.

Claims

1. A robotic system comprising:

a detection unit that detects at least one of an audio, light and an image of a content outputted by a content output device;

a decision unit that assesses information detected by the detection unit on the basis of reference data so as to assess the content outputted by the content output device;

a control unit that controls a behavior or a state of the robotic system on the basis of the assessment made by the decision unit; and

a communication unit that communicates with the content output device; and

an external equipment control unit that controls the content outputted by the content output device through the communication unit on the basis of the assessment made by the decision unit or a user'"'"'s operation received by the robotic system.

2. The robotic system according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit that analyzes at least one of the audio, the light, and the image outputted by the content output device so as to acquire and record setting information for communicating with the content output device.

3. The robotic system according to claim 2, wherein the setting information comprises access information for accessing to the content output device and certified information for obtaining access permission.

4. The robotic system according to claim 1, further comprising a classification unit that classifies the content on the basis of assessment made by the decision unit.

5. The robotic system according to claim 1, further comprising a search unit that acquires a shot image around the robotic system by the detection unit and recognizes a rectangle in the acquired shot image, so as to recognize a display screen of the content output device for outputting the image.

6. The robotic system according to claim 5, wherein when the robotic system is in an idle state continuously for a predetermined time, the search unit starts an action of the recognition.

7. The robotic system according to claim 1, wherein when at least one of a person and an action pattern of the person contained in the reference data is recognized in the images of the content detected by the detection unit, the decision unit increases or decreases a value indicating favorability of the robotic system with respect to the content.

8. The robotic system according to claim 1, further comprising a reference data storage unit that stores as the reference data at least one of the person and the action pattern of the person detected in the image acquired by the detection unit.

9. The robotic system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a reference data acquisition unit that acquires, as the reference data, either data recorded in the content output device through the communication unit or data recorded on a location indicated by information recorded in the content output device.

10. The robotic system according to claim 1, further comprising a reference data update unit that updates the reference data on the basis of the content assessment made by the decision unit.

11. The robotic system according to claim 1, wherein the decision unit calculates a value indicating favorability of the robotic system with respect to the content;

and

the external equipment control unit controls a content being outputted or to be outputted by the content output device, by use of the value indicating the favorability.

12. The robotic system according to claim 1, wherein the decision unit detects an action pattern of a person from the image detected by the detection unit;

and

the control unit allows the robotic system to move in accordance with the action.

13. The robotic system according to claim 1, wherein when the decision unit judges that a content output by the content output device is suspended, the control unit allows the robotic system to perform a predetermined action.

14. The robotic system according to claim 4, wherein the classification unit groups contents whose values indicating the favorability of the robotic system exceed a threshold value, and

the control unit allows the robotic system to output information indicating at least one of the grouped contents.

15. A robot control method comprising:

a detection step of detecting at least one of an audio, light and an image of a content outputted by a content output device;

a decision step of assessing information detected in the detection step on the basis of reference data so as to assess the content outputted by the content output device; and

a control step of controlling a behavior or a state of the robotic system on the basis of the assessment made in the decision step; and

an external equipment control step of controlling the content outputted by the content output device on the basis of the assessment made by the decision unit or a user'"'"'s operation received by the robotic system through a communication unit that communicates with the content output device.

16. A non-transitory recording medium that stores a robot control program for allowing a computer to execute:

a detection process of detecting at least one of an audio, light and an image of a content outputted by a content output device;

a decision process of assessing information detected in the detection process on the basis of reference data so as to assess the content outputted by the content output device;

a control process of controlling a behavior or a state of the robotic system on the basis of the assessment made in the decision process; and

an external equipment control process of controlling the content outputted by the content output device on the basis of the assessment made by the decision unit or a user'"'"'s operation received by the robotic system through a communication unit that communicates with the content output device.