IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,576,539
Granted Patent B2
US 12,576,539 · App. 18/254,268 · Granted Mar 17, 2026

Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Inventors: Shinichi Kariya (Chiba, JP); Taeko Neda (Tokyo, JP); Kensaku Ishizuka (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
B25J13/085B25J17/0258
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,576,539
App. No.
18/254,268
Granted
Mar 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is an information processing device including a measured value acquisition section, a contact event detection section, and an activeness determination section. The measured value acquisition section acquires a measured value indicative of a change in the motion state of a part of a housing. The contact event detection section detects, on the basis of the measured value, a contact event that has occurred on the part of the housing. The activeness determination section determines, in a case where the contact event is detected on a moved portion included in the part of the housing, that the contact event is active.

Claims (48)

1 . An information processing device comprising:

one or more memory devices configured to store instructions; and

one or more processors, that upon execution of the instructions, are configured to:

cause a motor to drive a joint to perform one or more motions based on a motion pattern;

obtain, from a sensor, a measured value corresponding to the joint, the measured value indicative of a motion state of a part, coupled to the joint, among one or more parts of a housing;

detect a contact event that has occurred on the part of the housing based on the measured value;

identify, upon the contact event, a moved portion of the housing based on the motion pattern, the measured value, or a combination thereof; and

determine that the contact event is active upon the contact event being detected on the moved portion based on the motion pattern.

2 . The information processing device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the part is supported by another part, and

wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine that the contact event on the part is active if an end of the part is in a predetermined positional relation with the other part at the contact event.

3 . The information processing device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the measured value comprises a torque value from the motor that is configured to drive the joint of the housing and further configured to measure the torque value, and

wherein the one or more processors are configured to detect the contact event when either the torque value or a value based on the torque value is greater than a threshold range.

4 . The information processing device of claim 3 , wherein the value based on the torque value includes a time difference between torque value measurements.

5 . The information processing device of claim 3 , wherein the value based on the torque value includes an angle difference between a measured angle value and an indicated angle value regarding the motor.

6 . The information processing device of claim 5 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to obtain the measured angle value based on an output value of at least one of a potentiometer or an encoder attached to the joint.

7 . The information processing device of claim 3 , wherein the value based on the torque value is a fluctuation in the torque value.

8 . An information processing method comprising:

causing a motor to drive a joint to perform one or more motions based on a motion pattern;

obtaining, from a sensor, a measured value corresponding to the joint, the measured value indicative of a motion state of a part, coupled to the joint, among one or more parts of a housing;

detecting a contact event that has occurred on the part of the housing based on the measured value;

identifying, upon the contact event, a moved portion of the housing based on the motion pattern, the measured value, or a combination thereof; and

upon detecting the contact event on the moved portion based on the motion pattern, determining that the contact event is active.

9 . The information processing method of claim 8 ,

wherein the part is supported by another part, and

wherein the method further comprises determining that the contact event on the part is active if an end of the part is in a predetermined positional relation with the other part at the contact event.

10 . The information processing method of claim 8 , further comprising:

receiving a torque value from the motor; and

detecting the contact event when either the torque value or a value based on the torque value is greater than a threshold range.

11 . The information processing method of claim 10 , wherein the value based on the torque value includes a time difference between torque value measurements.

12 . The information processing method of claim 10 , wherein the value based on the torque value includes an angle difference between a measured angle value and an indicated angle value regarding the motor.

13 . The information processing method of claim 10 , wherein the value based on the torque value is a fluctuation in the torque value.

14 . A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium containing a computer program, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to function as an information processing device, which carries out actions, comprising:

causing a motor to drive a joint to perform one or more motions based on a motion pattern;

obtaining, from a sensor, a measured value corresponding to the joint, the measured value indicative of a motion state of a part, coupled to the joint, among the one or more parts of the housing;

detecting a contact event that has occurred on the part of the housing based on the measured value;

identifying, upon the contact event, a moved portion of the housing based on the motion pattern, the measured value, or a combination thereof; and

upon detecting the contact event on the moved portion based on the motion pattern, determining that the contact event is active.

15 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 ,

wherein the part is supported by another part, and

wherein the actions further comprise determining that the contact event on the part is active if an end of the part is in a predetermined positional relation with the other part at the contact event.

16 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the actions further comprise:

receiving a torque value from the motor; and

detecting the contact event when either the torque value or a value based on the torque value is greater than a threshold range.

17 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the value based on the torque value includes a time difference between torque value measurements.

18 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the value based on the torque value includes an angle difference between a measured angle value and an indicated angle value regarding the motor.

19 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the value based on the torque value is a fluctuation in the torque value.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2023
From: KARIYA, SHINICHI; NEDA, TAEKO; ISHIZUKA, KENSAKU
To: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 063751/0310 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240001564A1 · Jan 4, 2024
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