Robot Server Time Synchronization via Timestamp Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In robot remote control systems, asynchronous transmission and reception of commands between servers and robots lead to collisions and poor coordination due to asynchrony in time, and the instability of WIFI networks causes transmission delays, resulting in inefficient execution of actions.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for synchronizing robots with servers through time service commands, where the server sends a time service command to the robot, and the robot responds to ensure successful time synchronization, with mechanisms to resend commands if initial timestamps expire, ensuring actions are executed at the correct time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If WIFI network is used for data transmission between server and robot, then transmission bandwidth and speed are improved, but network stability deteriorates causing transmission delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidnetwork stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by embedding timestamps in command data before transmission. The server adds execution time information to commands in advance, allowing the robot to determine whether to execute or discard commands based on timestamp validation, thereby compensating for network instability without requiring retransmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through the robot's response mechanism. The robot sends response data back to the server indicating whether command execution was successful or if timestamps expired, allowing the server to adjust transmission strategies and improve overall system reliability based on actual execution outcomes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If server sends commands to robot without time synchronization, then device complexity is reduced, but coordination ability deteriorates causing robot collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidcoordination ability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces timestamps as an intermediary element between the server's command data and the robot's execution logic. These timestamps act as a mediator that carries time synchronization information without requiring complex synchronization protocols, enabling coordinated multi-robot operations while maintaining relatively simple control system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by adding timestamp parameters to command data structures. This simple parameter addition transforms the command format to include execution time information, enabling time-synchronized control without fundamentally changing the control system architecture or requiring complex synchronization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If robot executes commands immediately upon reception, then response speed is improved, but execution accuracy deteriorates due to timestamp expiration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidexecution accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and embedding execution timestamps in command data before transmission. This allows the robot to perform immediate execution decisions based on timestamp validation without requiring complex real-time synchronization, achieving both fast response and accurate execution timing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the robot's command execution behavior adaptive. The robot dynamically determines whether to execute or discard commands based on timestamp validation, transitioning between immediate execution and delayed execution modes according to the actual time state, thereby optimizing both response speed and execution accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3402106B1Method and system for synchronization between robot and server
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 ZHEJIANG LIBIAO ROBOT CO LTD
  • EP3402106B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3402106B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3402106B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The present invention provides a method and system for synchronization between a robot and a server. The method comprises: a server sends a time serving instruction to a robot, wherein the time serving instruction comprises the current time information of the server; the robot receives the time serving instruction sent by the server, such that clock synchronization between the robot and the server is implemented; a control device receives first instruction data carrying a first time stamp sent by the server, wherein the first instruction data is used for controlling the robot to execute a particular action at the time corresponding to the first time stamp; determine whether the first time stamp in the first instruction data is expired; when the first time stamp is expired, receive instruction data re-sent by the server till second instruction data carrying an unexpired second time stamp is received; and control, according to the second instruction data, the robot to execute a particular action at the time corresponding to the second time stamp, thereby implementing synchronization between the robot and the instruction data sent by the server. For a robot to synchronize a specified time set by a server and to execute a specified action at that time can be ensured, and the working efficiency and work coordinate ability of the robot are improved.