Indicator for tool state and communication in multi-arm robotic telesurgery

A method of operating a telesurgical manipulator system, comprising:

• receiving an input at a control system to initiate a tool change procedure for a first tool coupled to a first manipulator assembly of the telesurgical manipulator system, wherein the telesurgical manipulator system includes a plurality of manipulator assemblies including the first manipulator assembly;
• transmitting a command to the first manipulator assembly of the plurality of manipulator assemblies;
• and
• responsive to the transmitted command, activating a multiple-color light emitting diode (LED) array in an indicator section on the first manipulator assembly to generate a visual signal viewable by a first user, the visual signal correlated with a procedure to decouple the first tool from the first manipulator assembly.

A method comprising:

• receiving an input at a control system for moving a manipulator assembly of a telesurgical system in a manipulation mode;
• providing a multiple-color light emitting diode (LED) array in an indicator section on the manipulator assembly;
• activating the multiple color LED array to generate a first signal in a first color indicating that the manipulator assembly is in the manipulation mode;
• receiving an input at a control system to transition the manipulator assembly from the manipulation mode to a repositioning mode;
• and
• activating the multiple color LED array to generate a second signal in a second color when the manipulator assembly is in the repositioning mode.