MACHINE OBJECT DETERMINATION BASED ON HUMAN INTERACTION

• US 20170157766A1
• Filed: 12/03/2015
• Published: 06/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: NISTEL, KOBI, CHETTRIT, DAVID, KAMHI, GILA, MORAN, AMIT
• Granted Patent: US 9,975,241 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/161 Hardware, e.g. neural networks, fuzzy logic, interfaces, processor
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1661 characterised by task planning, object-oriented languages
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40408 Intention learning
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40411 Robot assists human in non-industrial environment like home or office
• 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

Abstract

This disclosure pertains to machine object determination based on human interaction. In general, a device such as a robot may be capable of interacting with a person (e.g., user) to select an object. The user may identify the target object for the device, which may determine whether the target object is known. If the device determines that target object is known, the device may confirm the target object to the user. If the device determines that the target object is not known, the device may then determine a group of characteristics for use in determining the object from potential target objects, and may select a characteristic that most substantially reduces a number of potential target objects. After the characteristic is determined, the device may formulate an inquiry to the user utilizing the characteristic. Characteristics may be selected until the device determines the target object and confirms it to the user.

Claims

1. A device to be controlled by human interaction, comprising:

user interface circuitry to receive input from a user and generate output to the user;

memory circuitry to store data at least regarding objects known to the device; and

processing circuitry to at least receive input from the user interface circuitry, access the memory circuitry to determine if a target object identified in the input from the user is known to the device, cause the user interface circuitry to confirm the target object to the user based on a determination that the target object is known to the device, and cause the user interface circuitry to present an inquiry to the user based on a determination that the target object is unknown to the device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a robot.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is to formulate the inquiry based on a characteristic of the target object.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the processing circuitry is to select the characteristic from a group of characteristics based on the characteristic most substantially reducing a number of potential target objects.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein if more than one potential target object is determined to exist, the processing circuitry is to reduce the number of target objects based on input received in response to the inquiry and select another characteristic to formulate another inquiry.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the processing circuitry is to determine the group of characteristics based on potential target object characteristics.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising sensing circuitry and wherein the processing circuitry is to determine the group of characteristics based on capabilities of the sensing circuitry.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the processing circuitry is to determine the potential target objects by causing the sensing circuitry to scan an area in which the device is operating.

9. The device of claim 4, wherein the processing circuitry is to determine the potential target objects based on a context corresponding to an area in which the device is operating.

10. A method for object determination, comprising:

initiating object determination in a device;

receiving input from a user via user interface circuitry in the device;

accessing memory circuitry in the device to determine if a target object identified in the input from the user is known to the device;

causing the user interface circuitry to confirm the target object to the user based on a determination that the target object is known to the device; and

causing the user interface circuitry to present an inquiry to the user based on a determination that the target object is unknown to the device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

formulating the inquiry based on a characteristic of the target object.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

selecting the characteristic from a group of characteristics based on the characteristic most substantially reducing a number of potential target objects.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein if more than one potential target object is determined to exist, further comprising:

reducing the number of target objects based on input received in response to the inquiry; and

selecting another characteristic to formulate another inquiry.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining the group of characteristics based on at least one of potential target object characteristics or capabilities of sensing circuitry in the device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining the potential target objects based on at least one of scanning an area in which the device is operating with the sensing circuitry or a context corresponding to the area in which the device is operating.

16. At least one machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon, individually or in combination, instructions for object determination that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

initiate object determination in a device;

receive input from a user via user interface circuitry in the device;

access memory circuitry in the device to determine if a target object identified in the input from the user is known to the device;

cause the user interface circuitry to confirm the target object to the user based on a determination that the target object is known to the device; and

cause the user interface circuitry to present an inquiry to the user based on a determination that the target object is unknown to the device.

17. The storage medium of claim 16, further comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

formulate the inquiry based on a characteristic of the target object.

18. The storage medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

select the characteristic from a group of characteristics based on the characteristic most substantially reducing a number of potential target objects.

19. The storage medium of claim 18, wherein if more than one potential target object is determined to exist, further comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

reduce the number of target objects based on input received in response to the inquiry; and

select another characteristic to formulate another inquiry.

20. The storage medium of claim 18, further comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

determine the group of characteristics based on at least one of potential target object characteristics or capabilities of sensing circuitry in the device.

21. The storage medium of claim 20, further comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

determine the potential target objects based on at least one of scanning an area in which the device is operating with the sensing circuitry or a context corresponding to the area in which the device is operating.