Sensor information obtaining apparatus, sensor device, information presenting apparatus, mobile information apparatus, sensor control method, sensor processing method, and information presenting method

{
  "publication_number": "US2009177302A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Sensor information obtaining apparatus, sensor device, information presenting apparatus, mobile information apparatus, sensor control method, sensor processing method, and information presenting method",
  "abstract": "Disclosed is a sensor information obtaining apparatus that includes a plurality of sensors each configured to obtain positional information thereof, and a sensor position control unit configured to control positions of the sensors to be moved based on distribution of data obtained by the sensors and distribution of positions of the sensors.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A sensor information obtaining apparatus comprising: a plurality of sensors each configured to obtain positional information thereof; and a sensor position control unit configured to control positions of the sensors to be moved based on distribution of data obtained by the sensors and distribution of positions of the sensors.",
    "2. A sensor information obtaining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution of data is obtained by the plurality of sensors moved to predetermined initial positions.",
    "3. A sensor information obtaining apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sensors are microphones and the distribution of data is distribution of sound pressure levels of audio data obtained by the microphones.",
    "4. A sensor information obtaining apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sensors are cameras and the distribution of data is distribution of an image data variation obtained by the cameras.",
    "5. A sensor information obtaining apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a storage configured to store positional information on each of the sensors, wherein the sensor position control unit controls a position of each of the sensors based on the positional information on each of the sensors stored in the storage.",
    "6. A sensor device for use in a sensor information obtaining system, the sensor comprising: a sensor function unit configured to obtain predetermined data; and a position information obtaining unit configured to obtain positional information on the sensor device.",
    "7. A sensor device according to claim 6, further comprising: an output unit configured to add the positional information obtained by the position information obtaining unit to the predetermined data obtained by the sensor function unit and to output the resulting data.",
    "8. A sensor device according to claim 7, further comprising: a driver configured to move a position of the sensor device.",
    "9. A sensor device according to claim 8, further comprising: a control unit configured to determine a position to which the sensor device is moved by the driver, and to cause the driver to move the sensor device to the determined position.",
    "10. An information presenting apparatus comprising: a plurality of information presenting units configured to present information obtained by a plurality of sensors; driving mechanisms configured to variably-set positions of the information presenting units; and a control unit configured to control the driving mechanisms according to positional information obtained when the sensors have obtained the information to individually set positions of the information presenting units.",
    "11. An information presenting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sensors are microphones, the information presenting units are speakers that output audio sound collected by the microphones, and the positional information indicates positions in which the microphones are arranged when collecting audio sound.",
    "12. An information presenting apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: speakers that are separate from the speakers used as the information presenting units, wherein the separate speakers output low audio frequency, and the speakers used as the information presenting units output high audio frequency.",
    "13. An information presenting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sensors are video cameras, and the information presenting units are displays that output images obtained by the video cameras.",
    "14. A mobile information presenting device comprising: an information presenting unit configured to output predetermined data; and a driving mechanism configured to move the information presenting unit based on positional information added to the predetermined data presented by the information presenting unit.",
    "15. A mobile information presenting device according to claim 14, wherein the information presenting unit is a speaker configured to output audio sound information, and the positional information is information on a position obtained when the audio sound information has been collected.",
    "16. A mobile information presenting device according to claim 14, wherein the information presenting unit indicates a display configured to output image information, and the positional information includes information on a position obtained when the image information has been recorded by the camera.",
    "17. A method of controlling sensors comprising: obtaining positional information on movable sensors; and moving positions of the sensors based on distribution of data obtained by the sensors and distribution of positions of the sensors.",
    "18. A method of controlling sensors comprising: obtaining positional information on each of the sensors while obtaining predetermined data using a sensor function unit; and outputting the obtained positional information and the predetermined data.",
    "19. A method of presenting information comprising: individually presenting pieces of information obtained by a plurality of sensors; and individually setting positions obtained when the pieces of information are presented corresponding to positional information obtained when the sensors have individually obtained the pieces of information.",
    "20. A method of presenting information comprising: presenting information by outputting predetermined data; and moving a position at which the information is presented based on positional information added to the predetermined data."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "G01S 3/7864"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "SONY CORP"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2009-01-06",
  "publication_date": "2009-07-09",
  "priority_date": "2008-01-07",
  "application_number": "US-34897809-A",
  "family_id": "40845212",
  "citations": [
    "US2005281410A1",
    "US2007025562A1",
    "US2008095401A1",
    "US6005610A",
    "US6826284B1",
    "US6932017B1"
  ]
}