JP2020514079A - Information providing robot and information providing method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an information providing robot and an information providing method using the same. The robot according to the present invention includes a main body, at least one display provided on an outer surface of the main body to form a three-dimensional form of the robot, and at least one of a shape, a pattern, and a color of one side surface of the robot. Control is performed so that each of the contents including is displayed on a corresponding display, and the outer shape of the robot is three-dimensionally designed by a combination of the three-dimensional form formed by the at least one display and the content. Includes a content controller.

Description

  The present invention relates to a robot, and more particularly, to a robot capable of providing information and an information providing method using the robot.

  Robots are used as means for replacing people in various fields such as industry, public places, and homes, and their use is increasing to improve productivity and convenience of life. However, in addition to such pure functions, the use of robots has negative aspects such as threatening the workforce of people and being used for crimes. Therefore, there is a need for a method that can provide a user with a greater sense of familiarity when using robots to provide various services.

  The technical problem of the present invention is not only to provide entertainment and familiarity to a user at low cost through a robot having a stereoscopic display, but also to provide information about the robot itself and various information around the robot. An object is to provide an information providing robot and an information providing method using the same.

  Another technical problem of the present invention is to provide an information providing robot that can move autonomously according to the situation and an information providing method using the same.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a robot capable of providing information, a main body, at least one display provided on an outer surface of the main body to form a three-dimensional form of the robot, and one side surface of the robot. An external shape of the robot is controlled by displaying contents including at least one of shape, pattern, and color on a corresponding display, and combining the three-dimensional form formed by the at least one display and the contents. Includes a content controller for controlling the three-dimensional design.

  In one aspect, the robot includes a plurality of wheels provided in a lower portion of the body, a motor coupled to shafts of the plurality of wheels, a steering device for adjusting a moving direction of the robot, and the motor and the steering. It further includes a drive controller for controlling movement of the robot by controlling a device.

  In another aspect, the drive controller controls the movement of the robot based on a sensor used when recognizing the position of the robot.

  In another aspect, the at least one display is a first display provided on a front surface of the main body, a second display provided on a rear surface of the main body, a third display provided on a left side surface of the main body, A fourth display provided on the right side surface of the main body and a fifth display including a touch panel provided on the main body are included.

  In another aspect, the content is a first content displayed on the first display, a second content displayed on the second display, and a third content displayed on the third display. , And a fourth content displayed on the fourth display, and the first to fourth contents respectively configure front, rear, left, and right states of the robot.

  In another aspect, the robot may further include a camera provided on at least one of an upper portion and a front surface of the body, and a microphone provided on at least one of an upper portion and a front surface of the body. Information for the user is recognized using at least one of the camera, the microphone, and the fifth display, and the outer shape of the robot is changed based on the information for the user.

  In another aspect, the robot is included in the main body, and adjusts a tilting angle of the fifth display based on information about a user recognized by at least one of the camera and the microphone. Further included is a tilting device.

  In another aspect, the information about the user is at least one of age, sex, clothes, and language of the user.

  In another aspect, the content controller controls to display an object corresponding to the face of the robot via the fifth display.

  In another aspect, the content controller varies the outer shape of the robot based on at least one of information about a location of the robot, weather information of a region where the robot is located, date information, and time information. Let

  In another aspect, the content controller controls the at least one display to display an object corresponding to the robot arm, and corresponds to the robot arm when the robot is moving. Each of the objects is controlled to move on the corresponding display according to the moving speed and direction of the robot.

  In another aspect, the robot further includes a communicator that transmits an information request received from a user and receives information corresponding to the information request.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a robot-based information providing method.

  The method includes content including at least one of an outer shape, a pattern, and a color of one side of the robot through at least one display provided on an outer surface of the robot to form a three-dimensional form of the robot. Controlling to display on a corresponding display, and controlling the outer shape of the robot to be three-dimensionally designed by the combination of the three-dimensional form formed by the at least one display and the content, The method includes the steps of recognizing information for a user using a camera, a microphone, and the at least one display included in the body of the robot, and changing the outer shape of the robot based on the information for the user.

  In one aspect, the content includes a first content displayed on a first display, a second content displayed on a second display, a third content displayed on a third display, and a fourth content. The fourth to fourth contents displayed on the display of FIG. 3 are included in the first to fourth contents, and each of the first to fourth contents constitutes the front, rear, left and right states of the robot.

  In another aspect, after the step of recognizing information for the user, the method determines a tilting angle of the at least one display using a tilting device included in the body based on the information for the user. The method further comprises adjusting.

  In another aspect, the information about the user is at least one of age, sex, clothes, and language of the user.

  In another aspect, the method further comprises controlling the object corresponding to the face of the robot to be displayed through the at least one display.

  In another aspect, the step of controlling the outer shape of the robot to be designed in a three-dimensional manner may be performed by using information about a place where the robot is located, weather information of a region where the robot is located, date information, and time information. Controlling the outer shape of the robot to be three-dimensionally formed based on at least one.

  In another aspect, the step of controlling the outer shape of the robot to be three-dimensionally designed controls the object corresponding to the arm of the robot to be displayed on the at least one display. When the robot is moving, each of the objects corresponding to the arms of the robot is controlled to move on the corresponding display according to the moving speed and direction of the robot.

  In another aspect, after the step of recognizing information for the user, the method includes transmitting an information request input by the user, receiving information corresponding to the information request, and the information requesting step. The method further includes displaying corresponding information via the at least one display.

  It is possible to design the outer shape of the robot by using a combination of a three-dimensional contour (or a form) formed by a display provided on the outer surface of the robot and the content displayed on the display. It is possible to provide the user with a sense of familiarity even at a cost.

  Since the movement of the robot can be controlled based on the information recognized via the sensor provided in the robot, it is possible to provide effective information while moving autonomously.

It is a perspective view showing appearance of an information service robot concerning an example of this specification. It is a block diagram which shows the robot for information provision which concerns on an example of this specification. It is a bottom view of the information provision robot which concerns on an example of this specification. FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram showing that the outer shape of the information providing robot according to an example of the present specification can be changed via a plurality of displays. FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram showing that the outer shape of the information providing robot according to an example of the present specification can be changed via a plurality of displays. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an information providing method according to an example of the present specification.

  Various embodiments are disclosed with reference to the drawings. For the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are disclosed below for a general understanding of one or more embodiments. However, it should be appreciated that such implementations may be implemented without specific details. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative implementations of one or more implementations. However, such an embodiment is merely an example, and a part of various methods may be used according to the principles of various embodiments, and the description of the embodiment may be applied to such an embodiment and those. Includes all equivalents.

  Various implementations and features are presented by devices that can include multiple components. It should also be understood and appreciated that various devices may include additional components and / or may not include all of the components discussed in connection with the drawings. As used herein, an “example,” “example,” “implementation,” “exemplary,” etc., refers to any aspect or design described as being better or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Should not be interpreted.

  Also, the term "comprising" means that the corresponding feature, component, and / or apparatus is present, but the presence or addition of one or more other feature, component, device and / or group thereof. It must be understood that it is not excluded. Also, unless specifically stated otherwise or in the context of the singular form, the singular in this specification and claims should be construed to mean "one or more."

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an information providing robot according to an example of the present specification.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the information providing robot 10 may include at least one display 110, 120 and 130. Each display may be provided on each side of the main body 100. That is, a display may be provided on the surface exposed to the outside of the information providing robot 10. For example, when the information providing robot 10 is embodied in the shape of a square pole as shown in FIG. 1, four displays may be provided on the side surface of the main body 100. If the information providing robot 10 is embodied as a hexagonal prism, six displays may be provided on the side surface of the main body. If the information providing robot 10 is embodied as a cylinder, one or more curved displays may be provided on the side surface of the body.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, when the information providing robot 10 is embodied in the shape of a square pole, the first display is provided on the front surface of the main body 100 and the second display is provided on the rear surface of the main body 100. The third display may be provided on the left side surface of the main body 100, and the fourth display may be provided on the right side surface of the main body 100. In addition, a fifth display 130 may be provided on an upper portion (head) of the main body 100 for interaction with a user. Here, the fifth display 130 may include a touch panel for interacting with a user.

  A tilting device 140 may be installed between the body 100 and the head to adjust the tilting angle of the fifth display 130. The tilting device 140 may adjust the tilting angle of the fifth display 130 based on the information for the user so that a smooth interaction with the user may be performed. Here, the information about the user means information about the height at which the face (or eyes) of the user is located.

  A driving device 150 may be installed at a lower portion of the main body 100, that is, a bottom surface thereof so that the information providing robot 10 can move. The driving device 150 can be driven by a command from a server or autonomously driven by a preset program.

  Meanwhile, the main body 100 may include at least one camera 160 and 160 'and at least one microphone 170. Although FIG. 1 shows that two cameras and one microphone are provided on the front surface of the main body 100 as an example, the positions and the numbers of the cameras and the microphones are not limited thereto. The information providing robot 10 can recognize the information for the user based on the image information input through the cameras 160 and 160 ′ and / or the audio information input through the microphone 170, and the information providing robot 10 is required for the user. Information can be provided via at least one display, speaker, etc.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an information providing robot according to an example of the present specification.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the robot capable of providing information will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  The robot 10 may include a plurality of displays 110, 120 and 130, a content controller 210, a communication device 220, at least one sensor 230, a tilting device 140, a drive controller 240, and a drive device 150. Here, the number of displays can be changed according to the shape of the robot. For example, when the robot 10 is embodied in the shape of a quadrangular prism, a display is provided on the outer surface of the main body, for example, the front surface, the rear surface, the left side surface, the rear side surface, and the upper portion, and the three-dimensional outline of the robot 10 (or , Formwork) can be formed. At this time, the robot 10 may include a touch panel for interacting with a user, and the touch panel may be provided on any one of a display provided on the robot 10 and a display forming a main body. Can be

  The displays 110 and 120 included in the main body 100 of the robot 10 display information for collectively exposing a plurality of people, or virtual and / or three-dimensionally the shape, pattern or color of the robot. The contents to be displayed (for example, virtual clothes of the robot, virtual body parts (arms, legs) of the robot, virtual appearance, etc.) can be displayed. For example, when the plurality of displays 110 and 120 included in the main body 100 are provided in the shape of a square pole, the front display 110 displays the first content corresponding to the shape, pattern or color of the front surface of the robot 10. The side display 120 displays the second content corresponding to the shape, pattern or color of the side surface of the robot 10, and the rear display (without the drawing number display) corresponds to the shape, pattern or color of the rear surface of the robot 10. The third content to be displayed is displayed.

  In terms of content, the first to third contents can maintain correlation, adjacency, and synchronization with each other. For example, when the first to third contents make up the costume of the robot, the first and second contents are prevented so that the clothes of the robot 10 are not cut or separated near the boundary where the front display 110 and the side display 120 are in contact with each other. Can be provided (see Figures 4a and 4b).

  Based on the combination of the display that forms the three-dimensional outline (or formwork) of the robot in this way and the first to third contents exposed on each display, the front, rear, left, and right appearance (or appearance) of the robot 10 ) Can be freely designed with virtual and three-dimensional shapes, patterns, and colors.

  The display provided on the upper portion of the robot 10 can display information necessary for a specific user or content that shapes the face of the robot.

  The content controller 210 may control the content displayed through the plurality of displays 110, 120, and 130 so that the appearance or outer shape of the robot is three-dimensionally formed. The content controller 210 may be embodied in hardware such as a machine and / or electronic circuit, or a combination of hardware and software (eg, chip, processor, LAM, etc.).

  As an example, the content controller 210 may include a plurality of displays 110, 120, and 130 based on at least one of information about a place where the robot 10 is located, weather information about a region where the robot 10 is located, date information, and time information. The outer shape of the robot 10 can be changed by controlling so that the content displayed by is changed. Alternatively, the sensor 230 may be used to recognize information for the user, and the appearance or outline of the robot 10 may be changed based on the information. Here, the information about the user is information about at least one of age, sex, clothes, and language of the user. To this end, the content controller 210 may control the objects to be displayed on the left and right arms of the robot through the displays provided on the left and right sides of the plurality of displays 110, 120 and 130, respectively. When the robot 10 is moving, the objects corresponding to the left and right arms of the robot 10 may be controlled to move on the corresponding display according to the moving speed and / or direction of the robot. Meanwhile, the content controller 210 may control an object (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth, etc.) corresponding to the face of the robot 10 to be displayed through a display provided on the upper part of the main body. At this time, the content controller 210 may detect the position, angle, size, etc. of the object corresponding to the face on the corresponding display so that the user can read various facial expressions on the face of the robot by interaction with the user. Can be changed.

  The communicator 220 can transmit an information request received from a user and receive information corresponding to the information request. For example, when the user requests information regarding a moving route to a specific position by voice, touch, etc. using a microphone, a display, etc. provided in the robot, the communication device 220 transmits this to the server, and the server 220 sends the information. Information can be received at a location for a route to a particular location. As another example, when the user uses the camera, the microphone, etc. provided in the robot to request the position information for the specific restaurant by video, audio, etc., the robot 10 may detect the position of the specific restaurant via the communication device 220. The information can be received from the server and the corresponding information can be displayed on the display.

  The sensor 230 is used to allow the robot 10 to recognize the surrounding environment, the user, or the like, or is used when recognizing the position of the robot 10, and includes a laser sensor, a vision sensor, a 3D sensor, a camera, a microphone, It may include a GPS (Global Positioning System), a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) module, and the like.

  The drive controller 240 is a robot according to a program preset based on information about a surrounding environment and / or a user recognized by a sensor 230 such as a laser sensor, a vision sensor, a 3D sensor, a camera, a microphone, a GPS module, and a WiFi module. Of the robot can be autonomously controlled, or the movement of the robot can be controlled based on the movement control information received from the server via the communication device 220. As an example, the drive controller 240 determines the position of the robot 10 based on the GPS information, the WiFi information, the vision information, the laser information, the 3D camera information and the like acquired via the sensor 230, and based on this, the drive device 150. The robot 10 can be moved to the destination by controlling the.

  FIG. 2 illustrates, as an example, a case where the drive controller 240 and the content controller 210 are embodied as separate components, but the drive controller 240 is integrated with the content controller 210 to form a single processor. It can also be embodied in.

  The tilting device 140 is provided on the upper portion of the robot 10, and adjusts the tilting angle of the upper display (robot head) based on the position information of the user recognized by a sensor (for example, a camera or a microphone). can do. For that purpose, as an example, the processor of the robot calculates the coordinate value of the area where the user's face is located based on the information about the face position of the user recognized by the camera, the direction of the voice input to the microphone, and the like. The tilting device 140 may be controlled so that the screen of the upper display can be read with the obtained coordinate values.

  The drive device 150 may drive the robot under the control of the drive controller 240.

  FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the information providing robot according to an example of the present specification.

  Hereinafter, the driving device 150 when the information providing robot is embodied in the form of a rectangular prism will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

  The driving device 150 includes a plurality of wheels 151, a motor 152 coupled to the shafts of the wheels, a steering device 153 for controlling the moving direction of the robot, a controller 154 for controlling the motor and the steering device, And a support part 155 provided to support the main body of the robot.

  The displays of the robots may be respectively provided by stationary frames (not shown) extended and projected upward from the support part 155, and screens may be oriented in different directions centering on the stationary frames. At this time, the vertical boundary surfaces between the displays may be provided adjacent to each other to form a polyhedral structure.

  If the information providing robot has a cylindrical shape, the support part 155 may have an original shape, and at least one curved display may be provided on the support part of the original shape.

  4a and 4b are exemplary views showing that the outer shape of the information providing robot according to an example of the present specification is variable via a plurality of displays.

  Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, among the plurality of displays included in the robot, contents corresponding to the outer shape (costume, body part, etc.) of the robot can be displayed through a display provided on a side surface. The content corresponding to the face suitable for the contour can be displayed through the display provided on the upper portion. Therefore, according to the present specification, the appearance or the outline of the robot is thus software-like (through the use of a plurality of displays that are not structural and physical means (for example, the actual arm of the robot or the actual clothes worn on the robot)). Or, since it is configured virtually, the shape, pattern, color, etc. of the robot can be three-dimensionally and freely expressed at low cost, and the outer shape such as front, rear, left, and right of the robot can be changed in real time if necessary. ..

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an information providing method according to an example of the present specification.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the robot may control contents displayed through a plurality of displays included in the main body so that the outer shape of the robot is three-dimensionally formed (S510). At this time, the object corresponding to the face of the robot may be controlled to be displayed through the display provided on the main body among the plurality of displays. An object corresponding to the arm of the robot may be displayed on at least one of the plurality of displays. If the robot is moving, each object corresponding to the arm of the robot can be controlled to move on the corresponding display according to the moving speed and direction of the robot.

  In this situation, when a user who needs to provide information approaches the robot, the robot recognizes the information for the user by using at least one of a camera, a microphone, and the plurality of displays provided on the main body. It can be done (S520). Here, the information about the user may include information about at least one of age, sex, clothes, and language of the user. The robot can acquire the video information for the user by scanning the user with the camera provided in the main body, and collect the voice information of the user by using the microphone to collect the voice information of the user. Can be obtained. Then, by performing feature point matching on the video information and the audio information, it is possible to obtain information on the user's age, sex, clothes, language used, and the like.

  When the robot recognizes the information for the user, the robot adjusts the tilting angle of the display provided on the upper portion of the body based on the information, so that the user can easily see the screen displayed on the upper display. In addition, the outer shape of the robot can be changed to an outer shape that evokes a positive impression of the user (S530). Here, the outer shape of the robot may be changed based on at least one of the acquired information about the user, information about the place where the robot is located, weather information about the area where the robot is located, date information, and time information. it can.

  Then, when the user inputs a request for specific information, the robot transmits the request input by the user to the server, receives the information for the request, and then receives at least one of the plurality of displays (for example, Via the upper display). If the user requests route guidance to a specific location, the robot can drive a driving device to accompany the user to the specific location.

  The above description of the embodiments presented is provided to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to utilize or practice the invention. Various modifications to such embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art of the present invention, and the general principles defined herein may be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. It can be applied to the embodiment. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the examples presented herein, but should be construed in the broadest sense consistent with the principles and novel features presented herein.

Claims (20)

In a robot that can provide information,
Body;
At least one display provided on an outer surface of the body to form a three-dimensional form of the robot; and
The contents including at least one of the shape, pattern, and color of the one side of the robot are controlled to be displayed on corresponding displays, and the three-dimensional frame formed by the at least one display and the contents are displayed. A robot, comprising: a content controller for controlling the outer shape of the robot to be designed three-dimensionally by combination. A plurality of rings provided at the bottom of the body;
A motor coupled to the plurality of wheel shafts;
A steering device for adjusting the moving direction of the robot; and
The robot according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive controller that controls the movement of the robot by controlling the motor and the steering device. The drive controller is
The robot according to claim 2, wherein the movement of the robot is controlled based on a sensor used to recognize the position of the robot. The at least one display is
A first display provided on the front surface of the main body;
A second display provided on the rear surface of the main body;
A third display provided on the left side surface of the main body;
A fourth display provided on the right side surface of the main body; and
The robot according to claim 1, further comprising: a fifth display provided on the main body and including a touch panel. The content is
First content displayed on the first display, second content displayed on the second display, third content displayed on the third display, and display on the fourth display Including a fourth content that is
The robot according to claim 4, wherein the first to fourth contents respectively configure front, rear, left, and right states of the robot. A camera provided on at least one of an upper part and a front part of the main body; and
A microphone provided on at least one of an upper portion and a front surface of the main body;
The content controller is
The outer shape of the robot can be changed based on the information for the user by using at least one of the camera, the microphone, and the fifth display. The robot according to 4.   The apparatus may further include a tilting device, which is included in the main body, and adjusts a tilting angle of the fifth display based on information for a user recognized by at least one of the camera and the microphone. The robot according to claim 6, wherein The information for the user is
The robot according to claim 6, wherein the information is information on at least one of age, sex, clothes, and language of the user. The content controller is
The robot according to claim 5, wherein an object corresponding to a face of the robot is displayed via the fifth display. The content controller is
The outer shape of the robot is changed based on at least one of information about a place where the robot is located, weather information of a region where the robot is located, date information, and time information. The described robot. The content controller is
When the robot is moving, the objects corresponding to the arms of the robot are controlled so that the objects corresponding to the arms of the robot are displayed on the at least one display. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the robot is controlled to move on a corresponding display according to the direction and the direction.   The robot according to claim 1, further comprising a communication device that transmits an information request received from a user and receives information corresponding to the information request. A method of providing information based on a robot,
Content including at least one of an outer shape, a pattern, and a color of one side of the robot is associated through at least one display provided on an outer surface of the robot and forming a three-dimensional form of the robot. The robot is displayed on a display, and the outer shape of the robot is designed to be three-dimensionally designed by a combination of the three-dimensional frame formed by the at least one display and the content;
Recognizing information for a user using a camera, a microphone, and the at least one display included in the robot body; and
Varying the outer shape of the robot based on information for the user;
A method comprising: The content is
The first content displayed on the first display, the second content displayed on the second display, the third content displayed on the third display, and the fourth content displayed on the fourth display. Including the content of
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first to fourth contents respectively configure front, rear, left and right aspects of the robot. After the step of recognizing information for the user,
The method of claim 13, further comprising adjusting a tilting angle of the at least one display using a tilting device included in the body based on information about the user. The information for the user is
The method of claim 13, wherein the information is information about at least one of age, sex, clothes, and language of the user.   The method of claim 13, further comprising controlling an object corresponding to a face of the robot to be displayed through the at least one display. The step of controlling the outer shape of the robot to be designed three-dimensionally includes:
Controlling the outer shape of the robot to be three-dimensionally formed based on at least one of information about a place where the robot is located, weather information of a region where the robot is located, date information, and time information. 14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises. The step of controlling the outer shape of the robot to be designed three-dimensionally includes:
When the robot is moving, the objects corresponding to the arms of the robot are controlled to be displayed on the at least one display, and each of the objects corresponding to the arms of the robot has a moving speed of the robot. 14. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises controlling to move on a corresponding display according to the direction and the direction. After the step of recognizing information for the user,
Transmitting an information request received from the user;
Receiving information corresponding to the information request; and
The method of claim 13, further comprising: displaying information corresponding to the information request via the at least one display.