Adaptive Teleoperation Systems for Niche Environments

Publication ID: 24-11857280_0009_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Teleoperation Systems for Niche Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857280_0009_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857280_0009_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,280.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A teleoperated system designed for specific, high-demand environments, including disaster relief, high-security, search and rescue, extreme temperatures, and underwater operations, providing enhanced adaptability and performance in these unique settings.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent for master/slave registration and control for teleoperation addresses general teleoperated systems. However, these systems may not be suitable for specialized environments, such as disaster relief, high-security, or extreme weather conditions, where specific adaptations are necessary to ensure effective operation. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by providing tailored solutions for these niche environments.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The adaptive teleoperation system comprises a ruggedized input device, an encrypted input device, an input device adapted for low-light conditions, a thermally-insulated input device, or a waterproof input device, depending on the specific environment. The control system, comprising one or more processors and a memory, performs operations including determining the orientation of an end-effector reference frame relative to a field-of-view reference frame. This enables the system to adapt to the unique demands of each environment, ensuring precise control and effective operation.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new inventive concept introduces novel adaptations to the original teleoperated system, including ruggedization, encryption, low-light adaptation, thermal insulation, and waterproofing, which are not obvious from the original patent. These adaptations provide a significant improvement in performance and adaptability in specialized environments.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include additional adaptations, such as shock-resistance, electromagnetic interference protection, or specialized sensors, to further enhance the system's performance in specific environments. Variations may also include different types of input devices, such as gesture-based or voice-controlled interfaces, to accommodate diverse user needs.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The adaptive teleoperation system has significant commercial potential in various industries, including disaster relief, defense, search and rescue, oil and gas, and underwater exploration. The system's ability to adapt to unique environments enables it to address specific market needs, providing a competitive advantage in these niches.

Field of Art

Teleoperation systems, robotics, and human-machine interfaces, with expertise in control systems, reference frame alignment, and input device design for specialized operational environments

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An engineer with advanced degrees in robotics, mechanical engineering, or computer science, experienced in designing control systems for remote operation, familiar with sensor integration, reference frame transformations, and adaptable input device technologies

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the source patent's fundamental teleoperation control system provides a clear technical foundation for environmental adaptations. The core orientation determination method remains consistent across the PTD variations, with modifications to the input device being straightforward design choices for specific operational contexts. The systematic approach to reference frame alignment enables predictable extensions to different environmental requirements.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Control system with processors determining end-effector orientation relative to field-of-view reference frame
PTD Variation
Ruggedized input device for disaster relief operations with identical control system orientation determination
Obviousness Reasoning
Standard engineering practice to modify input device robustness while maintaining core control system logic, representing a predictable variation with known techniques for environmental adaptation
Source Patent Element
Input device and control system with reference frame alignment capabilities
PTD Variation
Encrypted input device for high-security applications preserving original orientation determination method
Obviousness Reasoning
Security enhancement represents a known design modification that does not fundamentally alter the underlying teleoperation system's technical functionality
Source Patent Element
Teleoperation system with processor-based orientation tracking
PTD Variation
Low-light adapted input device for search and rescue operations
Obviousness Reasoning
Sensor and interface modifications for challenging environments are predictable extensions of existing control system architecture, representing finite identified solutions for operational challenges
Source Patent Element
Reference frame alignment between input device and end-effector
PTD Variation
Thermally-insulated input device for extreme temperature environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Material and environmental protection represent standard engineering design choices that do not introduce novel computational or control system complexities
Source Patent Element
Teleoperation system with orientation determination capabilities
PTD Variation
Waterproof input device for underwater operations
Obviousness Reasoning
Environmental sealing is a known technique for adapting electronic systems to challenging operational contexts, representing a predictable modification within a skilled engineer's capabilities
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. ยง 103, the variations disclosed in this publication would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention, as they represent predictable modifications to the fundamental teleoperation system disclosed in US Patent 11857280, employing known techniques to adapt the input device and control system for specialized environmental contexts without introducing non-obvious technical innovations.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,280
TitleMaster/slave registration and control for teleoperation
Assignee(s)INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.