Multi-Priority Messaging Protocol for Surgical Robot Signal Consolidation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robot-assisted surgical systems require cumbersome setup and maintenance due to the use of hundreds of paths for signal transmission, which complicates the prioritization and handling of different types of signals, such as control commands and status information.
Innovation Solution
A system with programmable processors and data buffers that implement a messaging protocol to prioritize the transmission of data packets based on priority levels, allowing high-priority data to be transmitted preferentially over low-priority data using a single serial path, optimizing communication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hundreds of paths are used to connect control console to robotic arms, then dedicated signal paths can be tailored at design time, but setup and maintenance become cumbersome and substantial room is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple dedicated signal paths into a single serial communication path that carries multiple types of signals (control commands, status information, error logs) with different priority levels. This consolidation eliminates the need for hundreds of separate physical paths while maintaining the ability to differentiate and prioritize signals through software-based message protocols and priority queues.
Solution Approach 2:
The single serial path is designed to be universal, capable of transmitting multiple types of signals simultaneously by assigning different priority levels to different message types. The system uses a unified communication infrastructure that can handle control commands, status updates, and error reporting through the same physical medium, with differentiation achieved through message protocols rather than physical separation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hundreds of paths are used for signal transmission, then dedicated paths can be assigned to each signal type, but substantial room is required to route all paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates hundreds of signal paths into a single serial communication channel, dramatically reducing the physical space required for cable routing. By combining multiple signal types (control, status, error) into one unified path with virtual channel differentiation, the system eliminates the need for extensive physical infrastructure while maintaining signal type differentiation through software-based priority queues and message protocols.
3Reliability
If conventional communication systems use multiple dedicated paths, then signal prioritization can be implemented, but the system becomes cumbersome to setup and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dedicated communication paths into a single serial path while maintaining prioritization capabilities through software-based message queues with different priority levels. This approach preserves the reliability benefits of signal prioritization (critical commands receive preferential treatment) while eliminating the operational burden of managing hundreds of separate physical paths, as all communication flows through one unified interface that handles routing and prioritization automatically.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer program products for transmitting first-priority data and second-priority data. The first-priority data and second-priority data are stored in separate data buffers, and the first-priority data is transmitted preferentially over the second-priority data.