Teleoperated System for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept leverages the core technology of the original patent to expand into new industries, including agriculture, warehouse management, search and rescue, environmental monitoring, and disaster response, offering improved efficiency, precision, and safety.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent addressed the limitations of teleoperated systems in the field of teleoperation. However, these systems have broader applications beyond their original scope. This inventive concept solves the problem of adapting the core technology to new industries, where the need for precise control and alignment is equally crucial.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new inventive concept comprises a teleoperated system, adapted for diverse industries, which includes an input device and a control system with one or more processors and a memory. The control system determines the orientation of an end-effector relative to a specific reference frame and commands a change in the pose of the end-effector to align with the reference frame. In agriculture, the system optimizes harvesting by aligning the harvester with crop rows. In warehouse management, the system navigates and retrieves items using a teleoperated forklift. In search and rescue, the system navigates a robotic platform through a search area. In environmental monitoring, the system collects data using a teleoperated sensor platform. In disaster response, the system responds to disaster scenarios using a teleoperated robotic system.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept introduces novel applications and use cases for the core technology, expanding its scope beyond the original patent. The inventive step lies in adapting the system to address specific challenges in each new industry, while maintaining the core functionality of precise control and alignment.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include adapting the system for other industries, such as healthcare, construction, or logistics. Variations may include using different types of end-effectors, sensors, or control systems to suit specific industry requirements.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the target industries, offering improved efficiency, precision, and safety. The market for teleoperated systems in these industries is substantial, with potential customers including agricultural companies, warehouse operators, search and rescue teams, environmental monitoring agencies, and disaster response organizations.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Robotics and teleoperation systems, with expertise in control systems, reference frame alignment, and remote manipulation across multiple domains including industrial, agricultural, and emergency response applications
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A robotics engineer with advanced degree, proficient in control systems design, sensor integration, reference frame transformations, and cross-domain robotic platform adaptation
Obviousness Rationale
The PTD demonstrates predictable extensions of the source patent's core teleoperation control methodology by applying the fundamental alignment and pose control techniques to diverse operational contexts. A PHOSITA would recognize that the core technical innovation of precise reference frame alignment and pose modification is universally applicable across different robotic platforms and industries. The systematic approach of determining orientation and commanding pose changes represents a generalizable control strategy that can be readily adapted to various technical domains.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,280 |
|---|---|
| Title | Master/slave registration and control for teleoperation |
| Assignee(s) | INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC. |