Robotic tool coupler rapid-connect bus

A method of communicating information between a tool module of an industrial robotic tool changer and a controller node of a robotic system communication network, comprising:

• mechanically coupling the tool module to a master module of the tool changer, the master module including a robotic system communication network node;
• transferring tool information from the tool module to the master module via a communication bus between the master and tool modules;
• and
• communicating the tool information from the master module to the controller node via the robotic system communication network.

A tool module of an industrial robotic tool changer, comprising:

• a coupling mechanism operative to mechanically couple the tool module to a master module of the robotic tool changer, the master module having a robotic system communication network node;
• a communication bus operative to transfer tool data from the tool module to a network node in the master module when the master and tool modules are mechanically coupled together;
• and
• wherein the tool module does not include a robotic system communication network node.