Method for communicating between modules and devices in a modular surgical system

An energy module, comprising:

• a housing;
• a port mounted to the housing and defining a first aperture and a second aperture;
• a first emitter and a first receiver, each aligned with the first aperture;
• a second emitter and a second receiver, each aligned with the second aperture;
• and
• a control circuit in operable communication with the first emitter, the first receiver, the second emitter, and the second receiver, wherein the control circuit is operable to:
• emit a first beam from the first emitter toward the first receiver;
• emit a second beam from the second emitter toward the second receiver;
• and
• determine a type of plug plugged into the port based on the emitted first and second beams.

An energy module, comprising:

• a housing;
• a port mounted to the housing and defining a first aperture and a second aperture;
• a first sensor arrangement to detect the presence of a first prong through the first aperture;
• a second sensor arrangement to detect the presence of a second prong through the second aperture;
• and
• a control circuit in operable communication with the first and second sensor arrangements, wherein the control circuit is operable to:
• receive a first input from the first sensor arrangement;
• receive a second input from the second sensor arrangement;
• and
• determine a type of surgical instrument coupled to the port based on the first and second inputs.