Inter-connectivity of data flows between independent smart systems

A method for operating a first surgical system using a first operation configuration comprising:

• determining capability information associated with a surgical environment, wherein the capability information indicates surgical system information, wherein the surgical system information comprises at least a list of surgical systems associated with the surgical environment;
• receiving first data from a second surgical system indicated in the surgical system information, wherein the first data comprises first metadata that indicates the first data is control data or response data;
• selecting an operation configuration based on the first metadata, wherein the operation configuration is the first operation configuration or a second operation configuration;
• generating second data based on the selected operation configuration;
• determining a third surgical system in the list of surgical systems associated with the surgical environment to send at least a portion of the second data;
• and
• sending, via a data stream, the at least a portion of the second data, wherein the data stream comprises second metadata that indicates that the at least a portion of the second data is control data or response data.