Server Connectivity Control for Tele-Presence Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic systems lack efficient management of connectivity privileges and time windows for remote control stations accessing robots, leading to uncontrolled access and potential security issues as the number of tele-presence robots increases.
Innovation Solution
A robot system with a server that manages privileges and connectivity between remote control stations and robots, allowing for user-defined groups, rules, and time windows, enabling secure and controlled access through a manager control station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of tele-presence robots increases, then the system capacity and coverage are improved, but the management of connectivity and security control becomes more complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A server is introduced as an intermediary component between remote control stations and robots. The server centralizes the management of connectivity privileges, authentication, and session control. This mediator handles the complex tasks of managing multiple robot connections, assigning privileges, and enforcing security policies, thereby resolving the contradiction by absorbing the management complexity into a dedicated intermediary system rather than distributing it across all components.
2Ease of operation
If remote control stations are allowed to access robots freely, then the ease of operation and accessibility are improved, but the security control and access management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication and privilege assignment before allowing remote control stations to access robots. The server pre-establishes security policies, user credentials, and access permissions. When a remote station attempts to connect, the server has already prepared the authentication framework and can quickly verify credentials without compromising security. This preliminary preparation maintains security control while enabling easy access for authorized users.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as a security intermediary that all remote control stations must pass through to access robots. It enforces authentication, validates privileges, and controls the establishment of connections. This intermediary layer maintains security control by filtering and managing all access requests, while still providing ease of operation for authorized users who simply need to log in through the established protocol without dealing with complex security configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple remote control stations connect to the same robot simultaneously, then the collaboration and resource sharing are improved, but the control authority and decision making become ambiguous
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control authority by assigning different privilege levels to different remote control stations. The server divides the control rights into hierarchical categories such as admin, operator, and observer roles. Each remote station receives segmented privileges appropriate to its function - for example, one station may have full control while others have read-only access or specific operational limitations. This segmentation enables multiple simultaneous connections with clear, unambiguous control authority for each user based on their assigned role.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot system with a robot that has a camera and a remote control station that can connect to the robot. The connection can include a plurality of privileges. The system further includes a server that controls which privileges are provided to the remote control station. The privileges may include the ability to control the robot, joint in a multi-cast session and the reception of audio/video from the robot. The privileges can be established and edited through a manager control station. The server may contain a database that defines groups of remote control station that can be connected to groups of robots. The database can be edited to vary the stations and robots within a group. The system may also allow for connectivity between a remote control station at a user programmable time window.