Robot Adapter Server for Cross-Model Inspection Work Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face difficulties in transferring inspection work between robots of different models due to the lack of a unified application programming interface (API) for managing robots with varying models, making it challenging to manage and coordinate their operations effectively.

Innovation Solution

A management server equipped with an adapter module that converts work information data into a specific format compatible with each robot model, enabling seamless communication and command transmission to robots with different models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple robots with different models are used for inspection work, then productivity and flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases due to different management systems and lack of unified API

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection work capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a management server as an intermediary between the control server and multiple robots with different models. The management server provides a unified API interface that translates standardized commands into model-specific instructions, enabling heterogeneous robots to be managed through a common interface without increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The management server implements a universal management system that can handle multiple robot models simultaneously. By providing a standardized API that works with different robot types, the system achieves multi-functionality where a single management interface can control diverse robot platforms for inspection tasks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a unified management system is implemented for multiple robot models, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability decreases due to different robot specifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverobot management easeVSAvoidmodel compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the management architecture into distinct layers: a control server that issues standardized commands, a management server that handles model-specific translations, and individual robot adapters for each model. This segmentation allows the unified interface to maintain ease of operation while the lower layers handle adaptability to different robot specifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The management server dynamically changes parameters based on the target robot model. When a standardized command is received, the system automatically adjusts communication protocols, data formats, and control parameters to match the specific requirements of the destination robot model, maintaining both ease of operation and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If inspection work is transferred between robots of different models, then productivity is improved, but loss of information increases due to format incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework transfer efficiencyVSAvoiddata format compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The management server creates standardized intermediate representations of inspection work data that can be copied and transferred between different robot models without loss. By converting all robot-specific data formats into a universal intermediate format, the system enables seamless work transfer while preserving all information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4617967A1Management server, robot management system, and robot management method
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP4617967A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4617967A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4617967A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A management server (10) includes a robot adapter module (13), and manages a first robot (20-1), a second robot (20-2),..., and an N-th robot (20-N) including robots having different models. The robot adapter module (13) converts work information data of inspection work into a command in a specific format corresponding to each model of the first robot (20-1), the second robot (20-2),..., and the N-th robot (20-N), and transmits the converted command into the specific format corresponding to the model of the robot that performs the inspection work to the robot that performs the inspection work among the first robot (20-1), the second robot (20-2),..., and the N-th robot (20-N).