JP2001236137A - Guide robot, information processor and information processor with guide robot - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enjoyably operate an information processor with a feeling as if having a dialogue with a pet. SOLUTION: Operations of this information processor 200 are guided by a guide robot 100 with three-dimensional shape to remind a person of animals and to guide a user by its performance and voice by moving its eyes, mouth and head. Thus, use efficiency of the information processor is enhanced by arousing the user's attention and interest by the guide robot. The use efficiency by aged people and children is also enhanced by taking in a toy-like feeling.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a guide robot and an information processing apparatus with a guide robot, and more particularly, to a guide robot and a guide robot that enable a user to use a guide with a sense of closeness. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus provided.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a certain application of a personal computer, which is an example of a conventional information processing apparatus, an animation of a character such as a dolphin is displayed on a display screen, and the operation is guided by a character display. Also,
ATM (Automated-Te) which is another example of the conventional information processing device
ller Machine) displays a banker-like character on the display screen and guides the operation by voice output.

[0003]

In the above conventional information processing apparatus, a character is displayed on a display screen, and at the same time, operation is guided by voice output and character display, thereby improving usability. However, in any case, there is a problem that the user feels strangeness to the character, puts a psychological burden, and tends to avoid operating the information processing device. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a guide robot that allows a user to use a guide with a sense of closeness and enjoyment, and an information processing apparatus including the guide robot.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a movable head having a movable eye, a movable mouth and a three-dimensional shape reminiscent of an animal, and eye driving means for moving the movable eye. And mouth drive means for moving the movable mouth,
Head driving means for moving the movable head, voice output means for outputting voice, interface means for communicating with the information processing device, and information processing for guiding operation of the information processing device Control means for controlling the movement of the movable eye, the movable opening, and the movable head by each of the driving means while performing communication with the apparatus and the interface means, and performing control for emitting sound from the sound output means. To provide guide robots. The inventors of the present invention have made intensive studies and found that the conventional information processing apparatus uses a two-dimensional character, and thus does not match the user's three-dimensional sense, and the user feels uncomfortable.
Then, in order to improve this, the present invention was completed. In other words, the guide robot according to the first aspect has a three-dimensional shape reminiscent of a real animal (such as a hamster) or a wound object (such as a Pokemon), and moves the eyes, mouth, and head, and uses the gestures and voices of the user. Guide. Thus, in combination with the information processing device, the user can operate the information processing device happily as if interacting with the pet.

[0005] In a second aspect, the present invention provides an input means for a user to input information, an output means for providing information to a user, and communication with the guide robot of the first aspect. An information processing apparatus comprising: an interface unit for performing the operation; and a robot control unit for controlling an operation of the guide robot according to claim 1 via the interface unit. The information processing apparatus according to the second aspect can be operated happily by the user by combining with the guide robot according to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus with a guide robot, comprising: the guide robot according to claim 1; and the information processing apparatus according to claim 2. . Since the information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to the third aspect is combined with the guide robot according to the first aspect, the user can operate it happily.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides the information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to the third aspect, further comprising user approach detecting means for detecting approach of a user, and wherein the robot control means comprises: When the approach of the user is detected, an information processing apparatus with a guide robot is provided which starts a guide even before the user inputs. As a result of intensive research on the invention of the present invention,
It has been found that there is a case where the user does not start the operation due to a feeling of psychological burden just by approaching the information processing apparatus. Then, in order to improve this, the present invention was completed. That is, the fourth
In the information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to the aspect of the present invention, when the user approaches the information processing apparatus, the guide to the user starts as if the pet had found the owner. Therefore,
The psychological burden is released, and the user can easily start the operation.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this. FIG. 1 is a front view of an information processing apparatus 100 with a guide robot according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a plan view, FIG. 3 is a right side view, FIG. 4 is a bottom view, FIG. 5 is a left side view, and FIG. 6 is a rear view. This information processing device 1 with a guide robot
It is installed in a library or a school and used as a terminal for providing book information, and includes a guide robot 100 and an information processing device 200.

The guide robot 100 includes a movable eyeball 1
01, a movable mouth 102, and a movable head 103 having a three-dimensional shape reminiscent of an animal, and a movable tail 104. The movable tail 103 is fixed to a connection base 105, and is connected to the connection base 105 through internal wiring. It is connected to the information processing device 200. In addition, instead of the internal wiring, an infrared I / F or wireless I / F
/ F may be connected.

The information processing apparatus 200 includes a display input device 201 for displaying character / graphic information and receiving information input by a user, and a control box 202 for controlling the display and input reception and controlling the guide robot 100. And a guide plate 203 for displaying an operation procedure manual and the like. The display input device 201 is swingably supported by the control box 202 by a main arm 210 and an auxiliary arm 211. The control box 202
The front of the card insertion slot 220 for inserting a personal card
And a printed matter issuing port 221 for issuing printed matter, and an interpersonal sensor 222 for detecting approach of a user using radio waves, ultrasonic waves, or light.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the display / input device 201 is lowered to the front of the control box 202, even a child or a person in a wheelchair can easily operate.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the information processing apparatus 1 with a guide robot. The guide robot 100 and the information processing device 200 are connected by a signal cable Cs and an audio cable Cv that pass through the inside of the connection base 105. The information processing device 200 is connected to a host computer (not shown) by a communication line T.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the guide robot 100. The guide robot 100 includes a processor PU serving as a control center, a memory ME for storing programs and data, and an R for connecting to the information processing device 200.
S232C interface RI, head up / down motor M1 and motor driver D1 for moving movable head 103 up and down as nod, head left / right motor M2 and motor driver for moving movable head 103 left and right to shake head D2, an opening motor M3 and a motor driver D3 for opening and closing the movable opening 102 so as to open the opening.
A tail motor M4 and a motor driver D4 for moving the movable tail 104 right and left to swing, an eyeball motor M5 and a motor driver D5 for moving the movable eyeball 101 left and right so as to move the line of sight, and the motor driver D1. , A head latch sensor S1 for detecting the vertical position of the movable head 103, and an output latch LA for temporarily holding the forward / reverse signal applied to D4. Head left / right sensor S2 and tail sensor S for detecting the position of movable tail 104 in the left / right direction
4, a potentiometer interface PI for feeding back the detection data of the sensors S1, S2, S4 to the processor PU, a mouth sensor S3 for detecting the open / close position of the movable mouth 102, and a position of the movable eyeball 101 Eye sensor S5 for performing
3, a photoelectric sensor interface LI for feeding back the detection data of S5 to the processor PU, an audio signal (sound reminiscent of an animal, a theme song of the guide robot 100, etc.) generated by the processor PU, and an information processing device 200 A mixing circuit MX that mixes the sound input from the mixer, an audio amplifier AM that amplifies the mixed sound, and a speaker SP with a built-in guide robot.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus 200. The information processing apparatus 200 includes a processor PU serving as a control center, a memory ME for storing programs and data, and an R for connecting to the guide robot 100.
S232C interface RI and communication interface TI for connecting to host computer (not shown)
A liquid crystal display LD and a touch panel TP constituting the display input device 201; a card reader / writer CR for reading / writing personal information and book lending information with respect to a personal card inserted into the card insertion slot 220; PR for issuing a password and an interpersonal sensor 222
A sound amplifier AM for amplifying a sound signal (such as a sound for guiding) generated by the processor PU, and a switch SW for switching between sending the sound signal to the speaker SP with a built-in information processing device and the guide robot 100. ,
And an information processing device built-in speaker SP.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the guide processing executed by the information processing apparatus 200. Step 30
In step 1, when the approach of the user is not detected by the human sensor 222, the process proceeds to step 302.
Go to 03. In step 302, if there is an input to the touch panel TP or an insertion of a personal card into the card reader / writer CR, the process proceeds to step 303, and if there is neither an input nor an insertion of the personal card, the process returns to step 301.

In step 303, the guide robot 10
0 is operable or not, RS232C interface RI
The process proceeds to step 304 if not possible, and proceeds to step 305 if possible.

In step 304, guidance is performed by using the display on the display input device 201 and the audio output from the speaker SP with the built-in information processing device, as in the case of the conventionally known operation.
Then, when the end command is input or the non-input state is continued for a certain period of time, the guide processing is ended.

In step 305, the display input device 201
And guidance using the gestures and audio output of the guide robot 100. Then, when the end command is input or the non-input state is continued for a certain period of time, the guide processing is ended.

The contents of the guide using the gesture and voice output of the guide robot 100 are roughly as follows. (1) The movable eyeball 101 and the movable head 103 are pointed at 30 cm in front of the display input device 201, the movable tail 104 is swung, and the movable opening 102 is squeezed. Please press the button. If you want to see the lending record, insert your personal card into the slot marked "Card slot". "

(2) When the button “Search for a book” on the screen is pressed, the movable head 103 is moved up and down to
"I'm looking for a book. Then, click the" Search by title "button on the screen if you want to search by title. If not, click the" Search by content "button on the screen. Otherwise, if you want to search by author, please press the "Search by Author" button on the screen. " (3) If the book is squeezed, the guide robot 100 makes the movable opening 102 nervous, "If you want to hear the simple contents of the book," Introduce the contents "after the title of the book.
Please press the button. Also, if you want to borrow the book, touch "Issue a lending card" before the title of the book. And the speaker SP with built-in guide robot
Audio output from (4) When the user presses the "Introduce the content" button,
The guide robot 100 gives a brief introduction of the book with a gesture. Then, the process returns to (3). (5) When the user presses the “Issue a lending card” button, the printer PR issues a lending card for the book. Then, a voice is output from the speaker SP with a built-in guide robot, saying, "The lending card will come out from the slot where the printed matter is issued. If you give it to the staff at the counter, you can borrow the book."

(6) When the personal card is inserted, the movable head 103 is moved up and down, and the movable opening 102 is squeezed. “Yes, you see the lending record.
Displays the most recent record to the previous record. When you press the arrow on the screen, the invisible part becomes visible, so please release your hand when the part you want to see comes out. "
Is output from the speaker SP with a built-in guide robot.
If the scrolling of the screen stops, press the "Print" button on the screen to print out the lending record while the movable opening 102 is flickering. The print comes out from the slot labeled "Printing Issue Port". "And output a voice from the guide robot built-in speaker SP.

(7) If an operation outside the procedure is performed, the movable head 103 is swung to the left and right, the movable tail 104 is swung, and the movable opening 102 is flickered, saying, "I could not understand the current operation. Please give me an operation. "

The information processing apparatus 1 with a guide robot described above
According to this, the user is guided by the gesture and voice of the guide robot 100 having the three-dimensional shape, so that the user can operate the information processing device 200 happily as if interacting with a pet. Become.

The guide robot, the information processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus with a guide robot of the present invention are used as information terminals for travel guides installed in stations, bus stops, tourist information centers, hotels / inns, and travel agencies. Can be done.

[0025]

According to the guide robot, the information processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus with a guide robot of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (1) By using the guide robot to draw attention and interest, the utilization rate of the information processing device can be improved. In addition, since the guide robot that moves while emitting sound attracts the attention of people, it has an effect of attracting customers. (2) The use rate of the elderly and children can be improved by feeling like a pet, game, or toy. In addition, it becomes easy to get acquainted. (3) Since it is possible to explain and encourage not only images and characters but also sounds, it is easy to understand and to work hard.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration block diagram of an information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration block diagram of a guide robot according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration block diagram of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of a guide process of the information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 information processing device 100 guide robot 101 movable eye 102 movable opening 103 movable head 104 movable tail 105 connection stand 200 information processing device 201 display input device 202 control box 203 guide plate 210 main arm 211 auxiliary arm 220 card insertion slot 221 printed matter issuance Mouth 222 Interpersonal sensor AM Audio amplifier CR Card reader / writer Cs Signal cable Cv Audio cable LA Output latch LD Liquid crystal display LI Photoelectric sensor interface M1 Head up / down motor M2 Head left / right motor M3 Mouth motor M4 Tail motor M5 Eye motor ME Memory MX Mixing circuit PI Potentiometer interface PR Printer PU processor RI interface S1 Head up / down sensor S2 Head left / right sensor S3 Mouth sensor S4 Tail sensor S 5 Eye sensor SP Speaker SW Switch T Communication line TI Communication interface TP Touch panel

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/16 330 G06F 1/00 313Z (72) Inventor Toshihiro Iimori 300 Oya, Oda, Ueda, Nagano Prefecture Tokyo Special Inside the Ueda Plant of Electric Wire Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Naohiro Kimura 300 Oya, Oda, Ueda-shi, Nagano Tokyo Special Inside of the Ueda Plant of Electric Wire Co., Ltd. F-term in reference design (reference) 2C150 CA02 CA04 DA24 DA25 DA26 DA27 DA28 DF03 DF04 DK02 DK03 ED42 ED52 EF03 EF16 EF23 EF29 5E501 AA30 BA17 CA08 FA32 FA43

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A movable eye, a movable mouth, and an animal reminiscent of 3
A movable head having a three-dimensional shape, an eyeball driving unit for moving the movable eyeball, a mouth driving unit for moving the movable mouth, a head driving unit for moving the movable head, and a voice. An audio output unit for outputting, an interface unit for communicating with the information processing device, and an interface unit for guiding the operation of the information processing device. A guide robot, comprising: control means for controlling a movable eye, a movable opening, and a movable head, and controlling to emit a sound from the sound output means. 2. An input means for a user to input information, an output means for providing information to the user, an interface means for communicating with the guide robot of claim 1, and an interface means for the interface An information processing apparatus, comprising: a robot control unit for controlling an operation of the guide robot according to claim 1 via a control unit. 3. An information processing apparatus with a guide robot, comprising: the guide robot according to claim 1; and the information processing apparatus according to claim 2. 4. The information processing apparatus with a guide robot according to claim 3, further comprising a user approach detecting means for detecting a user approach, and wherein said robot control means detects a user approach. An information processing apparatus with a guide robot, which starts a guide even before a user inputs.