Robot Integration Platform Using Common Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of standardized software language and communication protocols for robotics systems and smart devices hinders the integration and efficient management of diverse robotics systems and smart devices, particularly in the service sector, where customized software is cost-prohibitive and prevents the sector from fully utilizing available robotics systems.
Innovation Solution
A central controller system that translates data from various native formats into a common protocol format, allowing for the integration and management of disparate robots and smart devices, enabling monitoring, control, and reporting through a unified interface, and utilizing APIs to adjust data for consistency across devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If customized software is developed to control robots from multiple manufacturers, then integration capability is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal integration platform that can control multiple types of robots from different manufacturers through a single standardized interface. The system uses a common communication protocol and data format that works across diverse robot types (e.g., welding robots, assembly robots, inspection robots), eliminating the need for manufacturer-specific customization while maintaining full integration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary integration layer that sits between the control system and various robot manufacturers' proprietary systems. This intermediary translates between standardized commands and manufacturer-specific protocols, acting as a mediator that enables communication without requiring custom software for each robot type. The integration platform handles protocol conversion, data normalization, and command translation centrally.
2Ease of operation
If standardized communication protocols are implemented across diverse robots, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into distinct layers: a standardized high-level interface layer for user interaction, a translation layer for protocol conversion, and manufacturer-specific implementation layers. This segmentation allows the standardized interface to remain simple while the complexity of protocol translation is handled in separate, modular components that can be independently managed and maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration platform serves as an intermediary that absorbs the complexity of multiple proprietary protocols while presenting a simplified standardized interface to users. The intermediary handles the burden of protocol translation, data format conversion, and communication nuances, shielding end-users from complexity while enabling ease of operation across diverse robot systems.
3Productivity
If multiple specialized robotics systems are deployed, then productivity is improved, but integration and management difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple specialized robotics systems into a unified coordinated network managed by a central integration platform. The system combines diverse robot functions (welding, assembly, inspection, material handling) into a cohesive workflow where robots from different manufacturers operate together as an integrated team, maximizing productivity while centralizing management control.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration platform implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms that collect status, performance, and operational data from all specialized robots. This feedback enables centralized monitoring, coordination, and optimization of the multi-robot system, allowing the manager to view and adjust the operation of all robots through a single interface, thereby simplifying management despite the complexity of multiple specialized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A central controller for robotics and connected devices includes a first communication interface configured to receive data from a plurality of robots or connected devices, at least some of which plurality of robots or connected devices are of different types. The data generated by robots or connected devices of different types are generated in different native data formats. The central controller also includes a processor configured to translate said received data from the different native data formats into a common protocol format, a storage framework configured to store the data translated into the common protocol format; and a second communication interface configured to transmit commands based on data stored in the common protocol format and translated to the native data format of one or more of the plurality of robots or connected devices.