Virtual Router Path Control for Stable Telexistence Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

In telexistence systems, maintaining predetermined values for communication parameters such as bit rate and data amount is challenging, especially when operating multiple slave robots, as existing technologies like WebRTC fix communication paths and do not dynamically adjust to ensure optimal operation.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus and method that dynamically adjusts communication paths between an operating device and slave robots using virtual routers, prioritizing communication quality by calculating scores based on bandwidth, latency, and other statistics to maintain optimal bit rate and data amount, allowing flexible operation of multiple slave robots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If communication paths are fixed between operating device and slave robots, then communication stability is improved, but adaptability to changing network conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to network conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic path selection by continuously monitoring network conditions (bandwidth, latency, packet loss) and automatically switching communication paths between operating devices and slave robots. The system transitions from static fixed paths to dynamic adaptive paths that respond to changing network conditions, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes feedback loops that continuously monitor communication quality metrics (bandwidth, latency, packet loss rate) and use this information to adjust communication paths in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain stable communication by selecting optimal paths based on current network conditions, addressing both reliability and adaptability requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple slave robots are operated simultaneously, then system functionality is improved, but communication quality deteriorates due to network resource contention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-robot operation capabilityVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments network resources by establishing dedicated communication paths for different robot operations. By dividing the network bandwidth and creating separate transmission channels, the system enables multiple slave robots to operate simultaneously without mutual interference, maintaining communication quality while supporting multi-robot functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different quality of service (QoS) parameters to different communication paths based on local requirements. Critical control commands receive higher priority with guaranteed bandwidth, while less time-sensitive data uses available capacity. This local quality differentiation maintains communication reliability for multiple robots while optimizing overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If communication bit rate is increased to maintain quality, then communication quality is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes communication parameters (bit rate, resolution, frame rate) based on available network bandwidth. When bandwidth is abundant, higher bit rates maintain superior communication quality. When bandwidth is constrained, the system adjusts parameters downward to preserve quality while reducing consumption, resolving the contradiction between quality and bandwidth usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3952230B1Control device, network control method, and program
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 TELEXISTENCE INC
  • EP3952230B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3952230B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3952230B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control device 1 that controls communications over a telexistence system that comprises a slave robot and an operation device. When communication has been established between the operation device and the slave robot, a status acquisition unit 110 repeatedly acquires status reports from each of the operation device, the slave robot, and a plurality of virtual routers that connect the operation device and the salve robot. When a status report has been acquired by the status acquisition unit 110, on the basis of the acquired status report, a path determination unit 111 determines a communication path for transmitting control instructions for controlling the actions of the slave robot to the slave robot. An instruction transmission unit 112 transmits instructions for constructing the communication path determined by the path determination unit 111 to each of the plurality of virtual routers.